Dr. Berenson on Weekly Carfilzomib For Patients With R/R Multiple Myeloma

James R. Berenson, MD, founder, President and Medical and Scientific Director of the Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research, President of Oncotherapeutics, discusses a phase I study presented at the 2013 ASH meeting that analyzed the use weekly carfilzomib for patients with R/R multiple myeloma.

The use of carfilzomib has been hindered by its twice weekly schedule, which was based on preclinical data suggesting that multiple days of administration would be more effective than once per week. In this trial, researcher attempted to give this drug once per week and determine how high the dose could be escalated. Patients receiving carfilzomib on this weekly schedule in combination with dexamethasone are experiencing tremendous responses, Berenson says.

The maximum tolerated dose reached was 70 mg/m² once per week, compared with the approved dose of 27 mg/m² on two consecutive days in three consecutive weeks. The approved dose is given on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16, while the tested dose was given on days 1, 8, and 15.

Berenson says weekly carfilzomib is both more convenient and more active.