Ixazomib citrate for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma inelgible for autologous stem cell transplant– maintenance therapy

Ixazomib citrate is in development for the maintenance treatment of adults with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) that are ineligible for an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). It would be given as monotherapy for maintenance as part of the initial line of therapy for such patients. MM is a rare, incurable cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow (the spongy tissue at the centre of some bones). MM is the second most common blood cancer in the UK. Symptoms of MM may include bone pain, fractures, body weakness, malaise, bleeding, anaemia and infections. MM treatment often involves a stem cell (or bone marrow) transplant that requires medications before and after to improve the success of treatment.
Ixazomib citrate is a novel oral medicinal product that is already licensed in the UK for the treatment of MM in patients who have received at least one prior therapy (in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone). Ixazomib citrate offers the potential advantage over similar medicines in its class of being more effective in its anticancer activity, reduced side effects and more convenient to administer (through its weekly oral dosing). If approved as maintenance therapy for NDMM patients, ixazomib maintenance has the potential to prolong the time patients live without their disease getting worse (progression free survival) as well as offering more convenient oral dosing that allows long term administration and improvement of patients’ quality of life.