We don’t talk about it much, but multiple myeloma (also called bone marrow cancer or Kahler’s disease) is nevertheless “a common cancer,” explains Professor Xavier Leleu, Head of the hematology department at Poitiers University Hospital and member of the French-speaking Intergroup. of Myeloma (IFM) which affects “young and old people”, the majority of cases – mostly men – are found in 60-80 year olds (the median age is 72 years old, Editor’s note)”. There are between 5,000 and 10,000 new cases per year, and the incidence is increasing due to the aging of the population.
What exactly is multiple myeloma? In this blood cancer, it is the plasma cells that malfunction. These white blood cells, which are found in large numbers in the bone marrow (which makes blood cells) proliferate uncontrollably and prevent other blood cells from developing normally.
A chronic illness that cannot be cured
Multiple myeloma is unfortunately a disease that cannot be cured. With current treatments, we can slow the progression of the disease, but relapses are inevitable. “Today the median survival, once the diagnosis has been made, is 5 to 7 years,” notes Professor Leleu, “this is much better than 25 years ago, when it did not exceed 3 years! But although the progression of the disease has been greatly improved by therapeutic innovations, it remains incurable to this day.”
This disease does not have a cure, it has a significant impact on daily life and morale since it is necessary to be under treatment constantly. Treatments which consist of subcutaneous injections to be carried out regularly and which are associated with significant side effects (particularly episodes of acute diarrhea).
Today, with the arrival of these new molecules and above all a new mechanism of action for drugs, Professor Leleu hopes for a revolution in the management of this disease. Presented at the prestigious World Cancer Congress (ASCO) held in Chicago each year and which took place this year at the beginning of June 2024, the results of two major studies confirm the effectiveness of these new molecules.
A new class of drugs that raises enormous hope!
Two clinical studies which show the effectiveness of Belantamab Mafodotin in particular, a new generation monoclonal antibody, and which are currently in phase three (the last) will be the subject of an upcoming publication in the New England Journal of Medicine, one of the reference scientific journals. It is serious !
“We are very happy,” says Professor Leleu, “because the results of the two clinical studies confirm that this treatment will significantly improve patients’ chances of survival by reducing the risk of relapse (only 20% relapse at one year with this new molecule, which doubles overall survival) and we can hope for a new therapeutic option that is much more effective and adapted than what we have available today.”
Improving quality of life: one of the challenges of the new treatment
“The final objective is not only to treat patients,” continues Professor Leleu, “it is also to improve the quality of life, to make patients want to enjoy life again, to have projects.” With this new treatment, the risks of relapse are reducedwe could indeed consider less strict monitoring (with more spaced injections for example) and less restrictive.
Furthermore, as the treatment is well tolerated (only one ocular side effect is mentioned and it is managed very well), it can – unlike what exists on the market today – be considered long-term, continued for years.
Next step ? A recognition from the European Medicines Agency, which is beyond doubt according to Professor Leleu, e t which could lead to a marketing authorization (AMM) and therefore reimbursement in France by 2025.
