Daratumumab Carfilzomib Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone with tandem transplant in high-risk newly diagnosed myeloma.

High-risk (HR) cytogenetics are associated with poor outcomes in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) and dedicated studies should address this difficult-to-treat population. The phase 2 study 2018-04 from the Intergroupe Francophone du Myelome evaluated feasibility of an intensive strategy with quadruplet induction and consolidation plus tandem transplant in HR transplant eligible (TE) NDMM (NCT03606577). HR cytogenetics were defined by the presence of del(17p), t(4;14) and/or t(14;16). Treatment consisted in daratumumab-carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (D-KRd) induction (6 cycles), autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), D-KRd consolidation (4 cycles), second ASCT, and daratumumab-lenalidomide maintenance for 2 years. The primary endpoint was feasibility. Fifty patients with previously untreated NDMM were included. Median age was 57. Del(17p), t(4;14) and t(14;16) were found in 40%, 52% and 20% of patients respectively. At data cut-off, the study met the primary endpoint with 36 (72%) patients completing second transplant. Twenty patients (40%) discontinued the study due to stem-cell collection failure (n=8), disease progression (n=7), adverse event (n=4), consent withdrawal (n=1). Grade 3-4 Dara-KRd induction/consolidation related adverse events (>5% of patients) were neutropenia (39%), anemia (12%), thrombocytopenia (7%) and infection (6%). The overall response rate was 100% for patients completing second transplant (n=36), including 81% complete response. Pre-maintenance Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) negativity rate (NGS, 10-6) was 94%. After a median follow up of 33 months, the 30-month progression-free (PFS) and overall survival were 80% and 91%, respectively. In conclusion, D-KRd with tandem transplant is feasible in high-risk TE NDMM patients and resulted in high rates of MRD negativity and PFS.