New Data Demonstrate Significant Improvement in Hematologic Complete Response with Combination Therapy in Certain Patients With Light Chain Amyloidosis

The results of a recent phase 3 trial evaluating daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj (Darzalex Faspro; Janssen and Johnson & Johnson) showed a potential benefit for improving hematologic complete response (hemCR) in patients with newly diagnosed light chain (AL) amyloidosis.^1,2 This new data from the ANDROMEDA study (NCT03201965) were presented Tuesday, during the virtual 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Conference.¹

AL amyloidosis is rare blood cell disorder characterized by deterioration of vital organs, such as the heart, kidneys, and liver. According to investigators, the study showed increased rates of organ response with no new safety signals in patients taking daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj in combination with bortezomib (Velcade; Takeda), cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone (D-VCd).¹

Longer-term results from a median follow-up of 20.3 months showed rates of hemCR remained significantly higher in patients treated with D-VCd compared to patients taking only bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone (VCd).^1,2

“Patients with AL amyloidosis, including those with advanced organ dysfunction, often face poor outcomes, and as many as 30% die within the first year of diagnosis,” said Efstathios Kastritis, MD, professor of clinical therapeutics at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece, and a study investigator, in a press release. “The longer-term results from the ANDROMEDA study show sustained overall deep hematologic responses and further establish the subcutaneous formulation of daratumumab as part of a new standard of care regimen in 2 patients with AL amyloidosis.”

The ANDROMEDA study enrolled 388 randomized patients, including 195 taking D-VCd and 193 taking VCd only. Patients were treated for 6 cycles of 28 days each.² According to investigators, hemCR, in patients taking D-VCd (n=193) compared to those taking only VCd (n=188), increased from 53% vs 18% (at median follow-up of 11.4 months), respectively, to 59% vs 19% (at 20.3 months), respectively. At 20.3 months median follow-up, more patients achieved a very good partial response or better (≥VGPR) with D-VCd than VCd (79% vs 50%), according to the investigators.^1,2

“I’m also encouraged to see additional investigational data showing cardiac and renal responses in these patients,” Kastritis said.

According to investigators, among cardiac responders participating in the study, response rates increased from 42% to 57% at 12 months for those treated with D-VCd, compared to an increase of 22%-28% at 12 months for VCd. Additionally, patients who had renal responses remained stable, increasing from 54% to 57% at 12 months for those treated with D-VCd and remaining at 27% at 12 months for VCd.¹

Previous results from the phase 3 study supported the FDA’s accelerated approval of D-VCd. According to Janssen, the drug represents the first-ever FDA-approved therapy for the treatment of AL amyloidosis; however, continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon results of confirmatory trials.¹

Daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj is not indicated nor recommended for the treatment of patients with AL amyloidosis who have NYHA Class IIIB or Class IV cardiac disease or Mayo Stage IIIB outside of controlled clinical trials.¹

“These updated efficacy and safety results show the potential impact [daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj] can have in treating AL amyloidosis,” said Jessica Vermeulen, MD, PhD, vice president, clinical development, Janssen Research & Development, in a press release. “Following the FDA approval earlier this year, these latest data are a result of our commitment to further exploring the potential of [daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj] in hematologic and rare diseases for patients in need of new options.”

The most common adverse effects (AEs) (≥25 percent) in patients taking D-VCd were diarrhea, peripheral edema, constipation, peripheral sensory neuropathy, fatigue, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, and insomnia. Grade 3 or 4 treatment emergent AEs (TEAEs) occurred in ≥5% of patients and included diarrhea, peripheral edema, lymphopenia, neutropenia, pneumonia, syncope, and cardiac failure. From cycle 7 onward, no Grade 3 or 4 TEAEs occurred in ≥5% of patients.¹

REFERENCES

1. Updated Data Demonstrate Significant Improvement in Hematologic Complete Response with DARZALEX FASPRO® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Light Chain (AL) Amyloidosis [news release]. May 26, 2021; Janssen. Accessed June 4, 2021. http://johnsonandjohnson.gcs-web.com/static-files/ec4fbf8d-a318-411f-b197-939275b7a0cf
2. Kastritis E, Sanchorawala V, Merlini G. Subcutaneous daratumumab + bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone (VCd) in patients with newly diagnosed light chain (AL) amyloidosis: Updated results from the phase 3 ANDROMEDA study. J Clin Oncol 39, 2021 (suppl 15; abstr 8003). DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2021.39.15_suppl.8003