Condition
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, the antibody-making immune cells in bone marrow, which crowd out healthy blood cells. Evidence is strongest for bortezomib and carfilzomib: trials in relapsed disease found bortezomib produced responses in 38% versus 18% on a steroid, and carfilzomib added to standard drugs extended time without progression from 17.6 to 26.3 months. Motixafortide, also strongly studied, was tested for collecting stem cells before transplant instead.
Sources: PMID 15958804; PMID 29341834
- Updated
- How we grade
- 56 studies cited
- Supplements studied
- 0
- Medicines and peptides
- 3
- Graded outcomes
- 15
Prescription medicines and peptides studied, for context
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Response Rate (Relapsed MM) APEX (n=669): Combined CR+PR rate 38% with bortezomib vs 18% with high-dose dexamethasone (P<0.001). Superior response in relapsed MM after 1-3 prior therapies. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Large effect | 13 studies | |||
Studies that measured response rate (relapsed mm) | ||||||
| Frontline Treatment (Elderly) VISTA (n=682): VMP superior to MP in transplant-ineligible patients. Higher response rates, longer TTP, improved OS. Established standard of care for elderly MM. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Large effect | 13 studies | |||
Studies that measured frontline treatment (elderly) | ||||||
| Peripheral Neuropathy SAFETY CONCERN: Incidence 31-45% in Phase 2/3 trials. Dose-limiting toxicity. Sensory > motor, painful, axonal. Subcutaneous route reduces incidence vs IV. 75-81% reversible with dose modification. Prior neurotoxic therapy increases risk. | Worsens (the measure goes down) | Large effect | 13 studies | |||
Studies that measured peripheral neuropathy | ||||||
| Time to Progression APEX: Median TTP 6.22 months with bortezomib vs 3.49 months with dexamethasone. Nearly doubled time to progression. VISTA: VMP significantly prolonged TTP vs MP. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 12 studies | |||
Studies that measured time to progression | ||||||
| Overall Survival APEX: 1-year survival 80% vs 66% (P=0.003). VISTA: Persistent OS benefit with VMP vs MP maintained at extended follow-up. No increased second malignancy risk. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 12 studies | |||
Studies that measured overall survival | ||||||
| Thrombocytopenia SAFETY CONCERN: Common adverse event, cyclical pattern following dosing. Grade 3-4 in 26-30%. Generally recovers during rest periods. May require dose adjustments or transfusions. | Worsens (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 12 studies | |||
Motixafortide (Aphexda)
- Stem Cell Collection Target (Primary): improves
- CD34+ Cell Yield: improves
- Safety and Tolerability: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stem Cell Collection Target (Primary) GENESIS Phase 3 (n=122): 67.5% motixafortide vs 9.5% placebo achieved >=6x10^6 CD34+ cells/kg in 2 apheresis sessions (P<0.0001). By local labs: 92.5% vs 21.4%. Led to FDA approval September 2023. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Large effect | 6 studies | |||
Studies that measured stem cell collection target (primary)
| ||||||
| CD34+ Cell Yield GENESIS trial: Significantly higher total CD34+ cells mobilized vs placebo. More patients achieved target in first apheresis. Fewer total apheresis sessions required. First new mobilization agent in 15 years. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Large effect | 6 studies | |||
Studies that measured cd34+ cell yield
| ||||||
| Safety and Tolerability GENESIS trial: Most common AEs (>20%) were injection site reactions, flushing, pruritus, back pain. Serious AEs in 5.4%. Manageable safety profile. No increased risks vs standard mobilization. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 3 studies | |||
Studies that measured safety and tolerability
| ||||||
| Allogeneic Donor Mobilization Allogeneic donor study: 92% (22/24) achieved >=2.0x10^6 CD34+ cells/kg in 2 leukapheresis. 100% (11/11) at 1.25 mg/kg dose. Single injection regimen offers convenience vs repeated plerixafor dosing. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Large effect | 6 studies | |||
Studies that measured allogeneic donor mobilization
| ||||||
Key findings
- Cardiac ToxicityWorsens (the measure goes up)
- Progression-Free Survival (KRd)Improves (the measure goes up)
- Overall SurvivalImproves (the measure goes up)
Safety notes in the studies
- Higher risk than bortezomib.
- Consider in patients with cardiovascular risk factors.
- Dose-limiting toxicity.
Studies cited
56 studies from PubMed
- Small molecule and peptide CXCR4 antagonists. A patent review from 2019 to 2024.
- Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma Treated With Carfilzomib, Dexamethasone, and Daratumumab Versus Carfilzomib and Dexamethasone: An Analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes From the Phase 3 CANDOR Trial.
- A comparative review of Aphexda and Mozobil for mobilization prior to stem cell collection.
- Proteasome inhibitors related thrombotic microangiopathy: a systematic and comprehensive review.
- Carfilzomib-induced thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) refractory to eculizumab: A case report and literature review.
- Isatuximab plus carfilzomib-dexamethasone versus carfilzomib-dexamethasone in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (IKEMA): overall survival analysis of a phase 3, randomised, controlled trial.
- Comparative efficacy of carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd) versus bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRd) in newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- An open-label phase 2 study treating patients with first or second relapse of multiple myeloma with carfilzomib, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone (KPd): SELECT study.
- Carfilzomib-induced Thrombotic Microangiopathy: A Case Based Review.
- Selinexor-Bortezomib-Dexamethasone: A Review in Previously Treated Multiple Myeloma.
- Innovations in hematopoietic stem-cell mobilization: a review of the novel CXCR4 inhibitor motixafortide
- Motixafortide and G-CSF to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells for autologous transplantation in multiple myeloma: a randomized phase 3 trial
- Carfilzomib-induced thrombotic microangiopathy is underestimated in clinical practice: A report of five patients and literature review.
- Carfilzomib and dexamethasone maintenance following salvage ASCT in multiple myeloma: A randomised phase 2 trial by the Nordic Myeloma Study Group.
- Foot drop in patients treated with bortezomib - a case series and review of the literature.
- Carfilzomib with cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone or lenalidomide and dexamethasone plus autologous transplantation or carfilzomib plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone, followed by maintenance with carfilzomib plus lenalidomide or lenalidomide alone for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (FORTE): a randomised, open-label, phase 2 trial.
- Isatuximab, carfilzomib, and dexamethasone in relapsed multiple myeloma (IKEMA): a multicentre, open-label, randomised phase 3 trial.
- Efficacy and safety profile of deep responders to carfilzomib-based therapy: a subgroup analysis from ASPIRE and ENDEAVOR
- Carfilzomib, dexamethasone, and daratumumab versus carfilzomib and dexamethasone for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (CANDOR): results from a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 study.
- Infection risk with carfilzomib in multiple myeloma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
- Venetoclax in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma harboring t(11,14)(q13;q32): two case reports and a review of the literature.
- Bortezomib-based consolidation or maintenance therapy for multiple myeloma: a meta-analysis.
- Population-based meta-analysis of bortezomib exposure-response relationships in multiple myeloma patients.
- Carfilzomib: A Tale of a Heartbreaking Moment: Case Report and Concise Review of the Literature.
- Subcutaneous bortezomib might be standard of care for patients with multiple myeloma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Once weekly versus twice weekly carfilzomib dosing in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (A.R.R.O.W.): interim analysis results of a randomised, phase 3 study.
- Subcutaneous versus Intravenous Bortezomib Administration for Multiple Myeloma Patients: a Meta-analysis.
- Carfilzomib in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients with early or late relapse following prior therapy: A subgroup analysis of the randomized phase 3 ASPIRE and ENDEAVOR trials
- Analysis of carfilzomib cardiovascular safety profile across relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma clinical trials
- Carfilzomib-Associated Cardiovascular Adverse Events: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Improvement in Overall Survival With Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma
- Carfilzomib-containing combinations as frontline therapy for multiple myeloma: A meta-analysis of 13 trials.
- Carfilzomib/pomalidomide single-agent or in combination with other agents for the management of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: a meta-analysis of 37 trials.
- Weekly versus biweekly bortezomib given in patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A meta-analysis.
- Carfilzomib or bortezomib in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (ENDEAVOR): an interim overall survival analysis of an open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial
- Efficacy of carfilzomib in the treatment of relapsed and (or) refractory multiple myeloma: a meta-analysis of data from clinical trials.
- Carfilzomib Triple Combination Therapy: A Review in Relapsed Multiple Myeloma.
- A practical review on carfilzomib in multiple myeloma.
- Management of Carfilzomib-Associated Cardiac Adverse Events
- Carfilzomib and dexamethasone versus bortezomib and dexamethasone for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (ENDEAVOR): a randomised, phase 3, open-label, multicentre study
- Carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone for relapsed multiple myeloma
- Meta-analysis of incidence and risk of peripheral neuropathy associated with intravenous bortezomib
- Bortezomib in combination with thalidomide or lenalidomide or doxorubicin regimens for the treatment of multiple myeloma: a meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials.
- Integrated safety profile of single-agent carfilzomib: experience from 526 patients enrolled in 4 phase II clinical studies
- Persistent overall survival benefit and no increased risk of second malignancies with bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone versus melphalan-prednisone in patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma
- Bortezomib plus melphalan and prednisone compared with melphalan and prednisone in previously untreated multiple myeloma: updated follow-up and impact of subsequent therapy in the phase III VISTA trial
- Plerixafor, a CXCR4 antagonist for the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells
- Bortezomib: a review of its use in patients with multiple myeloma
- Extended follow-up of a phase 3 trial in relapsed multiple myeloma: final time-to-event results of the APEX trial
- Bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy in multiple myeloma: a comprehensive review of the literature
- Bortezomib or high-dose dexamethasone for relapsed multiple myeloma
- Role of Vitamin D Supplementation in Chronic Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Does tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) treatment increase hepatocyte proliferation in patients with chronic liver disease
- S-adenosyl-L-methionine for the treatment of chronic liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- S-adenosyl-L-methionine for treatment of depression, osteoarthritis, and liver disease.
- The effects of acute doses of nicotine on video lottery terminal gambling in daily smokers