Dr. Harrison on Subcutaneous Daratumumab and Isatuximab in Myeloma

Simon J. Harrison, MBBS, PhD, hematologist and disease group lead: myeloma, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, discusses the impact that subcutaneous formulations of daratumumab (Darzalex) and isatuximab could have in multiple myeloma.

Subcutaneous formulations of monoclonal antibodies have shown less toxicity and maintained efficacy, says Harrison.

In the phase III COLUMBA trial, investigators demonstrated noninferiority in terms of efficacy between the subcutaneous and intravenous (IV) formulations of daratumumab. Also, as opposed to a median duration of more than 3 hours with IV infusions, subcutaneous daratumumab was administered in 5 minutes.

A subcutaneous formulation of the investigational monoclonal antibody isatuximab has also emerged, says Harrison. Interestingly, isatuximab does not appear to bind as strongly to CD38 as daratumumab which may explain the lower rate of infusion reactions associated with isatuximab. Subcutaneous isatuximab is currently being investigated as well as shorter IV infusion durations, concludes Harrison.