Skip to main content
  • Advertise
    Want to Advertise with Us?
    Conquer welcomes advertising and sponsorship collaborations with reputable companies offering high-quality products and services to people affected by cancer.
  • Affiliated Brands
    Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators
    The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) is the largest national specialty organization dedicated to improving patient care and quality of life by defining, enhancing, and promoting the role of oncology nurse and patient navigators. Our organization of over 8,900 members was founded in May 2009 to provide a network for all professionals involved and interested in patient navigation and survivorship care services to better manage the complexities of the cancer care treatment continuum for their patients. We view our organization as one consisting of “professional patient advocates” and, to that end, we support and serve our members.
    Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship
    The Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship (JONS) promotes reliance on evidence-based practices in navigating patients with cancer and their caregivers through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. JONS also seeks to strengthen the role of nurse and patient navigators in cancer care by serving as a platform for these professionals to disseminate original research findings, exchange best practices, and find support for their growing community.
    The Oncology Nurse-APN/PA
    The Oncology Nurse-APN/PA (TON) provides coverage of the wide spectrum of oncology-related events, trends, news, therapeutics, diagnostics, organizations, and legislation that directly affect hematology/oncology nurses and advanced practitioners involved in healthcare delivery and product utilization. The scope and coverage include a unique presentation of news and events that are shaping the care of patients with cancer.
  • Healthcare Providers
  • Contribute

Elotuzumab, First-in-Class Monoclonal Antibody Immuno­­therapy, Improves Outcomes in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Web Exclusives — July 27, 2015

Chicago, IL—The addition of the novel monoclonal antibody elotuzumab to dexamethasone (Decadron) plus lenalidomide (Revlimid) resulted in a 30% reduction in the risk for disease progression and death in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

These interim results of a landmark ELOQUENT-2 phase 3 trial, which were presented at the 2015 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting, represent the largest study of a monoclonal antibody in multiple myeloma and the first positive findings for a targeted immunotherapy approach in a phase 3 clinical trial in patients with multiple myeloma. Further studies of elotuzumab are ongoing in myeloma, and the drug has received a breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA for patients who have received ≥1 previous therapies for multiple myeloma.

“We are excited about the progression-free survival [PFS] results attributable to this novel first-in-class monoclonal antibody. Elotuzumab achieved a longer duration of remission and improved overall response rates, without a significant increase in adverse events and no reduction in quality of life,” said lead investigator Sagar Lonial, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta. “We hope elotuzumab will be the first immune approach to be added to the management of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.”

Dr. Lonial explained that elotuzumab’s novel mechanism of action contains a “double whammy,” by attaching to a cell-surface protein called SLAMF7 (signaling lymphocytic activation molecule F7), which is found on multiple myeloma cells and natural killer cells. “Thus, it acts directly on the tumor itself, and enhances the activity of natural killer cells to kill the tumor,” he said.

ELOQUENT-2 Phase 3 Trial

The study randomized 646 patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma to standard therapy with lenalidomide and dexamethasone or to standard therapy plus elotuzumab. All patients had disease refractory to 1 to 3 previous therapies.

“These patients enrolled in the trial early in the treatment phase. They had failed initial therapies but not multiple therapies, so they do not represent end-stage truly refractory patients,” Dr. Lonial said.

At a median follow-up of 24 months, the PFS rates were 41% in the triple-therapy arm and 27% in the standard-therapy arm (P =.004). At 1 year, the PFS rates were 68% and 57%, respectively.

The overall response rates were 79% and 66% (P = .002), respectively, representing an absolute difference of 13% at 24 months.

“It is striking that 2 curves for each treatment arm remain separated at 2 years, which speaks to the duration of response and the power of an immune approach as part of treatment of multiple myeloma,” Dr. Lonial said.

Of note, patients at high risk as a result of the 19p deletion or t(4;14) genetic abnormalities had a similar benefit from elotuzumab as patients with average risk. These patients typically have less benefit from conventional therapies, Dr. Lonial noted.

Overall, elotuzumab was well-tolerated, with no significant increases in adverse events. Approximately 10% of the patients had a mild infusion reaction with the first few doses of the monoclonal antibody immunotherapy.

“This therapy is an innovative approach, one that combines the precision of a targeted, immune-based therapy with traditional myeloma therapy. The results are very encouraging, giving renewed hope to patients who have relapsed,” stated ASCO President-Elect Julie M. Vose, MD, MBA, Chief of the Division of Oncology/Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, who was not involved in this trial.

Recommended For You