Darzalex Becomes First Monoclonal Antibody for Multiple Myeloma

Today the US Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval for Darzalex (daratumumab) to treat patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least three prior treatments. Darzalex is the first monoclonal antibody approved for treating multiple myeloma.

About Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a form of blood cancer that occurs in infection-fighting plasma cells (a type of white blood cell) found in the bone marrow. These cancerous cells multiply, produce an abnormal protein and push out other healthy blood cells from the bone marrow. The disease may result in a weakened immune system and cause other bone or kidney problems. The National Cancer Institute estimates there will be 26,850 new cases of multiple myeloma and 11,240 related deaths in the United States this year.

“Targeting proteins that are found on the surface of cancer cells has led to the development of important oncology treatments,” said Richard Pazdur, M.D., director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Darzalex provides another treatment option for patients with multiple myeloma who have become resistant to other therapies.”

Darzalex injection, given as an infusion, is a monoclonal antibody that works by helping certain cells in the immune system attack cancer cells.

Darzalex Safety and Efficacy

The safety and efficacy of Darzalex were demonstrated in two open-label studies. In one study of 106 participants receiving Darzalex, 29 percent of patients experienced a complete or partial reduction in their tumor burden, which lasted for an average of 7.4 months. In the second study of 42 participants receiving Darzalex, 36 percent had a complete or partial reduction in their tumor burden.

Darzalex Side Effects

The most common side effects of Darzalex were infusion-related reactions, fatigue, nausea, back pain, fever and cough. Darzalex may also result in low counts of infection-fighting white blood cells (lymphopenia, neutropenia, and leukopenia) or red blood cells (anemia) and low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia).

Blood banks should be informed that patients are receiving Darzalex because the drug may interfere with certain tests that are done by blood banks (such as antibody screening) for patients who need a blood transfusion. Women who are pregnant should not use Darzalex, and women planning to become pregnant should use effective contraceptives during and for at least three months after treatment.

Source: FDA