In a significant development for patients battling multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, GSK PLC (LSE:GSK, NYSE:GSK) has announced encouraging results from its latest phase III trial, named DREAMM-7.
Researchers were assessing the potential of Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin) in hard-to-treat patient groups consisting of people who have relapsed or were not responding to standard treatments.
Combined with two existing treatments - bortezomib and dexamethasone (collectively known as BorDex) - Blenrep significantly slowed down the progression of the disease. This combination was more effective in delaying disease worsening or death compared to the current standard treatment, which uses daratumumab with BorDex.
Significantly, the study was unblinded early, meaning that the researchers stopped the trial ahead of schedule to report the results. This decision was based on a recommendation from the Independent Data Monitoring Committee, a group that ensures the safety and accuracy of clinical trials.
DREAMM-7's primary goal, known as progression-free survival (PFS), was met. PFS measures how long patients live without their disease getting worse.
Additionally, the trial observed a promising trend in overall survival (OS), which refers to how long patients live after receiving the treatment.
Although the full data on overall survival is still being collected, the results so far are promising.
"Patients with multiple myeloma need treatment options after first relapse that are efficacious, readily accessible and have novel mechanisms of action," said GSK's head of oncology, Hesham Abdullah.
"We are particularly encouraged by the potential for belantamab mafodotin when combined with BorDex to address high unmet need in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, given the head-to-head comparison with the daratumumab-based standard of care regimen."