Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in combination with pomalidomide can overcome refractoriness to both agents in multiple myeloma: A case-based approach

Hematol Oncol. 2018 Feb;36(1):258-261. doi: 10.1002/hon.2473. Epub 2017 Aug 25.

Abstract

In multiple myeloma (MM), the synergy between immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) and monoclonal antibodies (MABs) has been demonstrated in several pivotal trials. However, disease refractory to either class of compounds remains a major therapeutic challenge. We here report on 3 heavily pretreated MM patients who were refractory to pomalidomide as well as to MABs against CD38 (daratumumab) or CD20 (rituximab), respectively, but who responded to retreatment with the same agents in combination. Responses were durable with PFS of 7, 10 (ongoing), and 30 months from initiation of combination treatment. The combination of IMiDs with MABs directed against MM cell surface antigens can overcome refractoriness to both agents.

Keywords: daratumumab; monoclonal antibodies; pomalidomide; refractory multiple myeloma; rituximab.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Humans
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Myeloma / mortality
  • Survival Analysis
  • Thalidomide / analogs & derivatives*
  • Thalidomide / pharmacology
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Thalidomide
  • pomalidomide