A Phase 1/2 study found that combining Belantamab mafodotin with the KRd regimen (carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone) produced strong and durable responses in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
Researchers tested a new dosing schedule for belamaf, giving the drug every eight weeks instead of every three weeks to reduce eye-related side effects while maintaining effectiveness.
The study reported an overall response rate of 89.5%, with nearly 79% of patients achieving a very good partial response or better. More than 63% achieved a complete response, and all of these patients were minimal residual disease (MRD) negative, meaning no detectable cancer cells were found at very sensitive testing levels.
After 24 months, progression-free survival was 74.3%, and overall survival reached 85.1%.
Eye toxicity, including keratopathy, remained a side effect but was more manageable with the extended dosing schedule. About 31% of patients experienced Grade 3 keratopathy, which was managed with treatment delays and eye drops. Severe infections occurred in only 21% of patients, lower than rates often seen with newer T-cell redirecting therapies.
Researchers said the KRd-b regimen showed rapid and deep responses even in high-risk patients whose disease resisted other treatments. The recommended dose for future trials was identified as 1.9 mg/kg every eight weeks.