Dr. Valent on Dose-Adjusted Carfilzomib in Myeloma

Jason Valent, MD, an oncologist at Cleveland Clinic, discusses the recent FDA approval to expand prescribing information to include a once-weekly dosing option for carfilzomib (Kyprolis) to use in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma.

The FDA based their decision on results from the phase III ARROW study, which demonstrated that carfilzomib administered once weekly at 70 mg/m² with dexamethasone resulted in a prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) compared with the standard twice-a-week treatment. Median PFS was 11.2 months with the once-weekly schedule versus 7.6 months with the twice-weekly regimen.

The biggest advantage of this new dosing regimen is that it is more convenient for patients, Valent says. Instead of going to the clinic twice-a-week on consecutive days, patients now only have to go once. Valent adds that the new regimen may also reduce the toxicities associated with carfilzomib, despite the higher dose.