Isatuximab induction therapy with bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone for previously untreated multiple myeloma

Isatuximab in addition to bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone is currently in clinical development as an induction therapy option for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM)who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). MM is a type of bone marrow cancer that often affects several areas of the body. MM has premalignant or asymptomatic stages, but if people progress to active myeloma disease, this leads to a range of problems. It is often diagnosed after a routine blood or urine test, or admission as an emergency in hospital. The symptoms of myeloma may include: bone pain, bone fractures and spinal cord compression, anaemia, repeated infections, raised calcium levels in the blood, and kidney function impairment. The treatment of MM remains complex and challenging given the high incidence of disease relapse and resistance to treatments, creating a strong demand for novel treatment options.