Craig Hofmeister, MD, associate professor, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses checkpoint inhibitors in multiple myeloma.

A trial of durvalumab (Imfinzi) and lenalidomide (Revlimid) with and without low-dose dexamethasone in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, and three other studies exploring durvalumab in multiple myeloma—MEDI4736-MM-001, MEDI4736-MM-003, and MEDI4736-MM-005&mdash;were placed on partial hold earlier in 2017.

Hofmeister hopes that with further testing they will be incorporated as relapsed, and ultimately upfront therapy for patients with multiple myeloma.

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Craig Hofmeister, MD, associate professor, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses checkpoint inhibitors in multiple myeloma.
 

Dr. Hofmeister Discusses Checkpoint Inhibitors in Myeloma

Craig Hofmeister, MD, associate professor, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses sequencing treatment in multiple myeloma.

General upfront treatment for myeloma is a proteasome inhibitor, immunomodulatory drug (IMiD), dexamethasone, and then transplant. From there, based on the patient’s risk profile, it is a 1- to 3-drug maintenance regimen.

At the time of relapse, monoclonal antibodies are showing excellent response rates in combination. As for the third- and fourth-line settings, agents are currently being tested but are showing significant side effects, says Hofmeister.

Dr. Hofmeister Discusses Sequencing Treatment in Myeloma

Craig Hofmeister, MD, associate professor, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Patients with multiple myeloma who are fit are usually able to treated with any available agent, says Hofmeister.

The most effective treatment is usually a 3-drug therapy of an immunomodulatory drug, a protostome inhibitor, and dexamethasone, Hofmeister adds.

Dr. Hofmeister on the Treatment of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Myeloma

Craig Hofmeister, MD, assistant professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University, discusses a study that examined the efficacy of reolysin combined with carfilzomib in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.

This phase I dose-escalation study examined the relapsed population, as well as some patients who were refractory to carfilzomib, Hofmeister explains. A total of 12 patients received the combination of reolysin, an oncolytic virus, and carfilzomib at two different levels.

At the starting dose level, all patients responded to the regimen; 6 patients were able to remain on therapy without disease progression. At a decreased dose, the majority of patients did not respond to the combination, which was an unexpected result, Hofmeister says.

Craig Hofmeister, MD, assistant professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University, discusses a study that examined the efficacy of reolysin combined with carfilzomib in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.


Craig Hofmeister, MD

Articles

Dr. Hofmeister Discusses Checkpoint Inhibitors in Myeloma

Dr. Hofmeister Discusses Sequencing Treatment in Myeloma

Dr. Hofmeister on the Treatment of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Myeloma

Dr. Hofmeister on Reolysin Combined With Carfilzomib for Multiple Myeloma