In a nutshell
This study aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of a combination of clarithromycin, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone (the ClaPd regime) in patients with relapsed/unresponsive multiple myeloma who had been treated with lenalidomide.
This study concluded that this combination is as effective as other currently used combinations.
Some background
Lenalidomide (Revlimid) is a cancer drug used in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM).
Clarithromycin (Biaxin) is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections such as strep throat and pneumonia. Pomalidomide (Pomalyst) is a targeted cancer drug. It is used in patients with MM who have received at least two other failed therapies. Dexamethasone (Decadron) is a corticosteroid used to treat disease, allergies and used with antibiotics. It has been shown that clarithromycin improves the effectiveness of lenalidomide and dexamethasone in treatment-naïve MM.
However, if the clarithromycin, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone (ClaPd) combination is safe and effective for patients with relapsed/unresponsive MM (RRMM) who had received lenalidomide remains under investigation.
Methods & findings
This study involved 120 patients who received an average of 5 prior therapies for MM. All patients received a the ClaPd combination. They were followed up for an average of 20.3 months.
The overall response rate was 60%. This is the number of patients who have a partial or full response to treatment. 23% of patients achieved at least a very good partial response.
The average survival without the disease getting worse was 7.7 months. Average overall survival was 19.2 months.
83% of patients experienced neutropenia (low level of neutrophils which are white blood cells that fight off infections). 74% experienced lymphopenia (low level of lymphocytes which are white blood cells). Low platelet levels (blood cells involved in clotting) occurred in 71% of patients.
The bottom line
This study concluded that ClaPd is a safe and effective treatment option for RRMM patients. The authors suggested that it is as effective as other currently used combinations.
The fine print
This study did not compare the ClaPd regime to other currently used combinations directly. Further comparative studies are needed.
Published By :
Blood advances
Date :
Feb 26, 2019
