Dr. Martin on the Safety Profile of Belantamab Mafodotin in R/R Multiple Myeloma

Thomas G. Martin, MD, clinical professor of medicine, Adult Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplantation Program, associate director, Myeloma Program, University of California, San Francisco, and co-leader, Hematopoietic Malignancies Program, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the safety profile of belantamab mafodotin-blmf (Blenrep) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

On August 5, 2020, the FDA approved belantamab mafodotin as a treatment for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who have received 4 prior therapies, including an immunomodulatory drug, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 antibody.

The results of the phase 2 DREAMM-2 trial, which served as the basis for the approval, showed similar efficacy but increased toxicity with the 3.4 mg/kg dose of belantamab mafodotin, leading investigators to recommend the 2.5 mg/kg dose for future studies. 

Notable grade 3/4 adverse effects included thrombocytopenia, which was observed in 20% of patients in the 2.5-mg/kg cohort and 33% in the 3.4 mg/kg cohort, explains Martin. Additionally, grade 3/4 keratopathy occurred in 27% and 21% of patients, respectively.