The latest multiple myeloma news has me updating my decoder ring
Lots of new things are on the horizon, with sometimes confusing names
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One of my very first columns asked, “Where’s my secret decoder ring?” That was because it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the many names and acronyms connected to multiple myeloma. It’s why I needed a bit of a break a few weeks ago.
But earlier this month, I attended the International Myeloma Foundation’s (IMF) Patient and Family Seminar in Los Angeles, and you could say my decoder ring got a database update with everything I learned. So, of course, I have to share it here!
The newest thing in the myeloma toolbox
The seminar opened with “Hot Topics in Myeloma,” and the first one was really hot — barely a day old at the time. On Aug. 13, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved yet another type of myeloma treatment. Iberdomide is the first of a new class of drugs with one of those difficult names: cereblon E3 ligase modulators. The acronym is CELMoDs, which isn’t too difficult to grasp.
The brand name for this one is a lot easier: Zenbexus. IMF medical adviser Joseph Mikhael told the audience it “makes us feel more Zen!” (Who says you can’t laugh at a cancer conference? We laughed a lot that weekend!)
Zenbexus is the first myeloma drug to be granted accelerated approval based on minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity. That’s a huge step in cancer research, where results have long been based on overall response rate and progression-free survival. Those take years to measure, leaving patients waiting. MRD negativity can be measured sooner. Using it as a research endpoint means drugs can be approved sooner.
And that means we patients get a new anti-myeloma tool sooner! That is very exciting news.
More trials happening
Zenbexus is approved for relapsed and refractory patients, to be used in combination with Darzalex Faspro (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) and dexamethasone. But its approval could eventually be expanded. ClinicalTrials.gov lists more than 30 trials involving this treatment, about half of which are currently recruiting participants.
Fair warning if you want to investigate Zenbexus: Its potential side effects remind me of Revlimid (lenalidomide). In fact, both drugs bind to the same protein, cereblon, to kill myeloma cells. And both carry warnings for fetal toxicity, so female patients of reproductive age will have to take regular pregnancy tests and practice two forms of birth control.
Still, it’s something I plan to talk about with my specialist at my next appointment, as part of my regular “in case of relapse” planning.
Expect to hear more about CELMoDs. Another one, mezigdomide, is currently in clinical trials. We may see an approval next year.
And that was just the start of that seminar! I have pages of notes I’m still going through. But you can also check out the IMF’s slides from Aug. 14 and 15, which have enough information to make your head spin. Hopefully, it’s also enough to make you feel as optimistic as I do!
Note: Rare Cancer News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Rare Cancer News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to rare cancer.
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