Sarclisa Combinations: A Game-Changer in Multiple Myeloma Treatment

The 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition in San Diego, CA, US, brought promising news for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). New data from three oral presentations showcased the significant clinical benefits of Sarclisa-based quadruplets in NDMM patients, demonstrating deep and durable responses and improved long-term outcomes. This article delves into the key findings and implications of these studies.



The IMROZ phase 3 study evaluated Sarclisa in combination with standard-of-care bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRd), followed by Sarclisa-Rd, in transplant-ineligible NDMM patients. The results were impressive: Sarclisa-VRd improved progression-free survival (PFS) and led to a rapid and greater depth of response compared to VRd alone, as shown by minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rate over time. Higher MRD negativity rates were observed at both the end of initiation and during maintenance, with 58.1% of patients in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population treated with Sarclisa-VRd achieving MRD negativity versus 43.6% of patients in the control arm. Patients treated with Sarclisa-VRd were also significantly less likely to lose MRD negativity status post-induction, with only 12.3% of patients converting to MRD-positive status during maintenance compared to 34.8% of patients in the control arm.



The GMMG-HD7 phase 3 study, on the other hand, focused on transplant-eligible NDMM patients. The induction part of the study demonstrated a significant and clinically meaningful PFS benefit with deeper MRD negativity in patients treated with Sarclisa-RVd compared to RVd alone. These results support the benefit of Sarclisa-based combinations to patients in the front-line setting and the ongoing use of MRD negativity as a potential surrogate endpoint for PFS in MM research.

The safety and tolerability of Sarclisa observed in these studies were consistent with the established safety profile of Sarclisa and VRd, with no new safety signals observed. These findings reinforce the potential of Sarclisa to generate deep and durable improvements in clinical outcomes throughout treatment when added to the standard-of-care regimen.

In conclusion, the data presented at the ASH meeting highlights the significant benefits of Sarclisa-based combinations in NDMM patients, leading to higher and sustained MRD negativity rates and improved long-term outcomes. As the field continues to evolve, these findings underscore the importance of ongoing research and innovation in multiple myeloma treatment.