Carfilzomib Added to Multiple Myeloma Therapies

September 2012, Vol 3, No 6

The FDA approved the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib (Kyprolis; Onyx Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least 2 previous therapies that include the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (Velcade) and one of the immunomodulatory drugs, thalidomide (Thalomid) or lenalidomide (Revlimid).

The approval was based on a clinical trial with 266 patients with relapsed and/or refractory myeloma who had received at least 2 previous treatments, including bortezomib and one of the immunomodulatory drugs, thalidomide or lenalidomide. The overall response rate in this study was approximately 23%, with a median duration of 7.8 months.

Serious side effects included heart failure and shortness of breath. The FDA notes that patients should be closely monitored for these serious side effects and that treatment with carfilzomib should be withheld when such effects occur. (July 22, 2012)

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