How does elotuzumab affect pain and quality of life in non-responsive multiple myeloma?

This study investigated the effects of adding elotuzumab to lenalidomide and dexamethasone to treat un-responsive multiple myeloma. The main finding was that patients treated with elotuzumab responded better to lenalidomide and dexamethasone.

Many patients respond well to treatment for multiple myeloma (MM). However some patients do not respond to treatment. Others may lose response overtime. Elotuzumab (Empliciti) is a targeted anti-cancer drug used for MM. This means that it kills only tumour cells. Lenalidomide (Remlivid) is a chemotherapeutic approved for MM treatment. Dexamethasone (Decadron) is a steroid drug also used to treat MM. Lenalidomide and dexamethasone are often used in together to treat MM. Elotuzumab may also be used in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone. It is important to investigate the effects of different therapy combinations in un-responsive MM.

This study included 646 patients with non-responsive MM. All patients were treated with lenalidomide and dexamethasone. In addition to this, about half also received elotuzumab. Patients were treated for on 3.5 years on average. Quality of life, how quickly patients responded to therapy, and cancer worsening were measured.

On average, all patients’ pain levels remained low for the study. Twenty nine percent of patients who received two rounds of treatment, one after another, had the greatest improvement in pain. Of the patients who did not receive two rounds of treatment in a series, only 12% experienced a great improvement of pain. Patients who responded well to treatment experienced lower pain. Patients who lost response to treatment experienced worse pain. Patients who were treated with elozutumab had reduced pain and less had disease worsening.

The main finding was that elotuzumab improves response and reduces disease worsening in patients with non-responsive MM treated with lenalidomide and dexamethasone.

This study re-assessed the results of another study. Therefore, the results may not be as accurate as they would have been if this had not been a re-assessment.

If you have questions about the treatment of MM, please consult a doctor.