We’re excited to share highlights from the first day of the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, one of the year’s most important events in cancer research.
This year, researchers from around the globe shared data on breakthrough research and treatment strategies, including 150 abstracts, posters, and presentations related to multiple myeloma. On Day 1 of ASCO, we were particularly encouraged by studies that showed progress for the following key areas of unmet need:
Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin) is a type of cancer treatment that works by combining targeted therapy with chemotherapy.
One study looked at Blenrep combined with Pomalyst® (pomalidomide) and dexamethasone (BPd) in patients who had received at least one prior treatment that included Revlimid. This study found that more patients (25%) became MRD-negative—the deepest response measurable—when treated with BPd versus Pomalyst, Velcade® (bortezomib) and dexamethasone (PVd) (5%). The study also found that patients who did not become MRD-negative still benefitted more from BPd than PVd; 32% of patients who received BPd versus 5% of patients who received PVd had a very good partial response. Another study looked at some of the common eye problems caused by Blenrep. Researchers wanted to see if giving the drug less often could help reduce these side effects, especially in frail patients. The results were promising: patients still responded well to the treatment, even with fewer doses. Very few people—less than 1%—had serious vision problems like trouble driving or reading. When Blenrep was combined with the drugs Revlimid® (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone, it appeared to be a good treatment option for newly diagnosed myeloma patients who are too weak for a transplant. These results suggest that Blenrep could be a valuable option for patients who have few treatment choices left, especially since it’s an off-the-shelf therapy that doesn’t require a hospital stay. It may receive FDA approval as early as this summer.
Some newly diagnosed patients, especially those with high-risk chromosomal alterations, may not respond to standard therapies, but data on new drug combinations are showing hope:
Both studies indicate that adding Sarclisa to treatment protocols for high-risk newly diagnosed myeloma patients could become a new standard of treatment for this hard-to-treat patient group.
We saw promising updated data continuing to confirm that adding Darzalex® (daratumumab) to the standard VRd combo (Velcade, Revlimid, dexamethasone)—known as DVRd—was shown to work better than VRd alone, particularly in patients who were not eligible to have a stem cell transplant or who are delaying a stem cell transplant.
The study found that treating with DVRd vs. VRd alone led to higher MRD-negative rates (60% vs. 39% MRD-negative rates) and better outcomes overall.
These results reinforce previous findings that DVRd is an important treatment option for patients who cannot or are not currently pursuing a stem cell transplant.
In a disease as complex as multiple myeloma, identifying new treatment options is key to moving toward a cure for each and every myeloma patient. It was encouraging to hear about the results of several studies focused on uncovering new treatment options.
Linvoseltamab is in late stage clinical trials and is expected to receive FDA approval later this year.
We’re hopeful about the progress shared on Day 1 of ASCO 2025—and we’ll be back tomorrow with more updates for the myeloma community. Stay tuned!
