Cancer Management and Research (Aug 2020)
Evaluating Daratumumab in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma: Safety, Efficacy and Place in Therapy
Abstract
Danai Dima,1 Joshua Dower,1 Raymond L Comenzo,2 Cindy Varga2 1Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA; 2The John Conant Davis Myeloma and Amyloid Program, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USACorrespondence: Raymond L Comenzo Email [email protected]: Despite the tremendous advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma, mortality remains significant, highlighting the need for new effective strategies. In recent years, daratumumab, a novel human monoclonal antibody, binding CD38, has dramatically improved outcomes either as monotherapy or in combination with traditional regimens. Originally approved for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, this breakthrough medication is now being used as frontline therapy in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma regardless of transplant eligibility, with trials showing promising results. Its tolerable side-effect profile and enhanced efficacy have led to its widespread incorporation into the management of multiple myeloma and further exploration about its use in other entities such as smoldering myeloma, MGUS, MGRS and amyloidosis. This comprehensive review will discuss daratumumab’s mechanism of action and safety profile, as well as research which has defined its current approved indications, and ongoing clinical investigation that will define its future.Keywords: daratumumab, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma