For patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, carfilzomib with dexamethasone could be considered in cases in which bortezomib with dexamethasone is a potential treatment option, according to a study of 929 patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. 464 patients were treated with carfilzomib plus dexamethasone and 465 patients were treated with bortezomib plus dexamethasone. Researchers found:

• Median progression free survival was 18.7 months with carfilzomib vs 9.4 months with bortezomib.

• On-study death due to adverse events occurred in 4% of patients with carfilzomib vs 3% with bortezomib.

• Serious adverse events occurred in 48% of the carfilzomib group vs 36% of the bortezomib group.

• Most frequent grade 3 or higher adverse events for carfilzomib vs bortezomib were: anemia (14% vs 10%), hypertension (9% vs 3%), thrombocytopenia (8% vs 9%), and pneumonia (7% vs 8%).

Citation: Dimopoulos MA, Moreau P, Palumbo A, et al. Carfilzomib and dexamethasone versus bortezomib and dexamethasone for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (ENDEAVOR): a randomised, phase 3, open-label, multicentre study. [Published online ahead of print December 5, 2015]. Lancet Oncol. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(15)00464-7.