Dr. Richard on the Benefit of Adding Daratumumab to Standard-of-Care Rd in Myeloma

Shambavi Richard, MD, an assistant professor of medicine, hematology, and medical oncology with the Center of Excellence for Multiple Myeloma at Mount Sinai Hospital, discusses the benefit of adding daratumumab (Darzalex) to lenalidomide (Revlimid) and dexamethasone (Rd) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

The phase 3 MAIA trial examined the same concept that has been explored in a few other studies: the addition of daratumumab to an established standard-of-care regimen, says Richard. In the past, investigators have examined this regimen in patients with multiple myeloma who were eligible for transplant. Previous results from phase 3 randomized trials have indicated that this approach increases response rates, depth of remissions, and prolongs remission duration in the relapsed/refractory setting.

The MAIA trial applies the same concept to the transplant-ineligible group. In this trial, investigators used Rd as the control arm, while the experimental arm was comprised of daratumumab plus Rd. Results from the study proved to be similar, with better response rate and depth of response with the triplet therapy. This approach continues to be investigated in various treatment groups, concludes Richard.