Dr. Dispenzieri Discusses Anti-CD38 Monoclonal Antibodies in Myeloma

Angela Dispenzieri, MD, a professor of medicine in the division of hematology at the Mayo Clinic, discusses excitement over the development of CD38-targeted monoclonal antibodies as treatments for patients with multiple myeloma.

The anti-CD38 agent SAR650984 has demonstrated single-agent activity in 33% of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, according to promising phase I results. Furthermore, the combination of SAR650984 with lenalidomide and dexamethasone showed a more substantial benefit, with a 67% clinical benefit rate. This benefit was evident even in patients previously treated with lenalidomide, Dispenzieri notes.

The CD38 antibody daratumumab is the furthest along in development, adds Dispenzieri. This agent was granted a breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA in 2013. Data presented at the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting also demonstrated activity for daratumumab as a single-agent and in combination. Taken together, this is a very exciting time in the treatment of multiple myeloma, Dispenzieri believes.