GSK details Blenreps PhIII combo winas it hopes to stage a turnaround in multiple myeloma
In the biotechnology industry, GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) has disclosed encouraging results from Phase III clinical trials combining Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin) with standard treatments in the fight against multiple myeloma. This development aligns with GSK's pursuit of a turnaround in the treatment of this cancer, which primarily affects plasma cells in bone marrow.
Key points from the recent developments include:
1. The Phase III GRIFFIN study (NCT03495026) has demonstrated significant outcomes when Blenrep is combined with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with newly diagnosed myeloma who are ineligible for stem cell transplant. The study showed a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) with a median PFS of 24.4 months for the triple combination versus 16.7 months for the lenalidomide-dexamethasone doublet.
2. GSK's Blenrep is a first-in-class B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), and its promising Phase III results, together with earlier positive data from the DREAMM-2 study (NCT03525678), have positioned Blenrep as a potential cornerstone treatment in multiple myeloma in combination with other therapies.
3. The GRIFFIN data are particularly significant because, despite decades of advancements in multiple myeloma treatment, there remains a substantial unmet medical need for novel combination strategies. The hope is that Blenrep will be integrated into first-line treatment strategies, contributing to GSK's aspiration for a turnaround in multiple myeloma, as well as the overall portfolio of oncology therapies.
4. GSK plans to submit these new data for regulatory approval to the FDA and other international health authorities to potentially expand Blenrep's eligible patient populations. The GRIFFIN results could pave the way for eventual approval of Blenrep plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone as a frontline combination for multiple myeloma.
In conclusion, the positive results from the GSK Phase III Blenrep combination studies mark a significant milestone in the quest for more effective treatments in multiple myeloma, and if approved, Blenrep could contribute to the company's aim for a therapeutic turnaround in this disease area.