Four phase 3 studies of the oral proteasome inhibitor (PI) ixazomib for multiple myeloma in the newly-diagnosed, relapsed/refractory, and maintenance settings: TOURMALINE-MM1, -MM2, -MM3, and -MM4

COVID-19 and myeloma: what are the implications for now and in the future?

The pandemic has affected every aspect of myeloma care. Immediate focus is minimising risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the sequelae of infection. However, what does the future hold for our patients? What lessons will be taken forward to tackle myeloma in the fiscally constrained future? If we embrace the challenges that will emerge in the post-pandemic environment, the treatment delivered to patients could be more cost-effective and better tailored than before. Healthcare delivery post-COVID-19 will not return to how it was, and now is the time to invest in novel strategies to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients.

New Drugs in Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is diagnosed in over 100,000 patients each year worldwide, has an increasing incidence and prevalence in many regions, and follows a relapsing course, making it a significant and growing healthcare challenge. Recent basic, translational, and clinical studies have expanded our therapeutic armamentarium, which now consists of alkylating agents, corticosteroids, deacetylase inhibitors, immunomodulatory agents, monoclonal antibodies, and proteasome inhibitors. New drugs in these categories, and additional agents, including both small and large molecules, as well as cellular therapies, are under development that promise to further expand our capabilities and bring us closer to the cure of this plasma cell dyscrasia.

A Phase 1 Study to Assess the Relative Bioavailability of Two Capsule Formulations of Ixazomib, an Oral Proteasome Inhibitor, in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors or Lymphoma

The oral proteasome inhibitor ixazomib is approved in multiple countries in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least 1 prior therapy. Two oral capsule formulations of ixazomib have been used during clinical development. This randomized, 2-period, 2-sequence crossover study (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01454076) assessed the relative bioavailability of capsule B in reference to capsule A in adult patients with advanced solid tumors or lymphoma. The study was conducted in 2 parts. In cycle 1 (pharmacokinetic cycle), patients received a 4-mg dose of ixazomib as capsule A or capsule B on day 1, followed by a 4-mg dose of the alternate capsule formulation on day 15. Pharmacokinetic samples were collected over 216 hours postdose. After the pharmacokinetic cycle, patients could continue in the study and receive ixazomib (capsule B only) on days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle. Twenty patients were enrolled; of these, 14 were included in the pharmacokinetic-evaluable population. Systemic exposures of ixazomib were similar after administration of capsule A or capsule B. The geometric least-squares mean ratios (capsule B versus capsule A) were 1.16 for C_max (90% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-1.61) and 1.04 for AUC_0-216 (90%CI, 0.91-1.18). The most frequently reported grade 3 drug-related adverse events were fatigue (15%) and nausea (10%); there were no grade 4 drug-related adverse events. These results support the combined analysis of data from studies that used either formulation of ixazomib during development.