Evaluating ixazomib maintenance therapy for patients with multiple myeloma

This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of ixazomib (Ninlaro) maintenance therapy in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). This study concluded that ixazomib is a safe and effective maintenance therapy for these patients.

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer of the bone marrow that can lead to abnormal immune cells. Stem cell transplants (SCT) are a key part of treatment. This procedure is often followed by long-term, continuous therapy called maintenance therapy. This is a low-dose treatment given over a long period of time. The goal of this therapy is to help keep the cancer from coming back.

Lenalidomide is one maintenance therapy option for patients with MM. However, this agent is only approved for use after SCT. Not all patients with MM are good candidates for SCT. Ixazomib targets cancer cells and blocks their growth. This leads to cancer cell death. Whether ixazomib is a safe and effective maintenance therapy for patients with MM remains under investigation.

This study collected data from four smaller studies. These studies involved 70, 65, 64, and 61 patients with MM. All patients were treated with chemotherapy containing ixazomib. Then, patients received maintenance therapy with ixazomib only for an average of 10.6 months. Patients were followed-up for an average of 41.2 months.

Overall, 215 patients finished initial treatment. 121 of these patients (56%) received ixazomib maintenance therapy. 32% of patients stopped treatment prior to maintenance therapy due to side effects.

After initial treatment, 93% of patients responded to treatment. 22% of patients had a complete disappearance of all signs of cancer. After maintenance therapy, 94% of patients responded to treatment. 35% of patients had a complete disappearance of all signs of cancer. 23% of patients responded better to treatment during maintenance therapy.

At follow-up, patients survived on average for an average of 21.4 months without tumor growth or spread. 47% of patients were still alive 2 years later without tumor growth or spread. 3 years later, 82% of all patients were still alive.

During ixazomib maintenance therapy, 24% of patients had serious side effects. The most common side effects were diarrhea (27%), joint pain (17%), and nausea (17%). 92% of patients needed a lowered dose due to side effects. 

This study concluded that ixazomib is a safe and effective maintenance therapy for patients with MM. Investigation of ixazomib in phase 3 studies is ongoing.

This study was retrospective. This means it looked back in time to analyze data. More studies are needed to confirm these results.

Also, this study received financial support from Millennium Pharmaceuticals. This company is owned by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, who is the manufacturer of ixazomib.