Cited by 1,027Multiple Myeloma Research and TreatmentsCancer Treatment and PharmacologyHematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Daratumumab plus Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone for Untreated Myeloma

Open access
Facon, Thierry, Kumar, Shaji, Plesner, Torben, Orlowski, Robert Z., Moreau, Philippe, Bahlis, Nizar, Basu, Supratik, Nahi, Hareth +22 more·2019·New England Journal of Medicine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lenalidomide plus dexamethasone is a standard treatment for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem-cell transplantation. We sought to determine whether the addition of daratumumab would significantly reduce the risk of disease progression or death in this population. METHODS: We randomly assigned 737 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who were ineligible for autologous stem-cell transplantation to receive daratumumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (daratumumab group) or lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone (control group). Treatment was to continue until the occurrence of disease progression or unacceptable side effects. The primary end point was progression-free survival. RESULTS: white cells) (P<0.001). The most common adverse events of grade 3 or 4 were neutropenia (50.0% in the daratumumab group vs. 35.3% in the control group), anemia (11.8% vs. 19.7%), lymphopenia (15.1% vs. 10.7%), and pneumonia (13.7% vs. 7.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who were ineligible for autologous stem-cell transplantation, the risk of disease progression or death was significantly lower among those who received daratumumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone than among those who received lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone. A higher incidence of neutropenia and pneumonia was observed in the daratumumab group. (Funded by Janssen Research and Development; MAIA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02252172.).

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1056/nejmoa1817249

Cites

32 of 32 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

3 of 7 cited sources checked · 1 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    The phase 3 SWOG S0777 trial showed that adding bortezomib to lenalidomide plus dexamethasone lengthened progression-free survival in newly diagnosed myeloma patients not immediately eligible for autologous stem-cell transplantation (median, 41 vs. 29 months; hazard ratio, 0.74).

    “The phase 3 Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) S0777 trial of lenalidomide plus dexamethasone with or without bortezomib in patients with newly diagnosed myeloma for whom immediate autologous stem-cell transplantation was not indicated showed that the triplet combination resulted in longer progression-free survival (median, 41 months vs. 29 months; hazard ratio, 0.74), including among patients who”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [4] source

      Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 2 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [28] source
  • Premisecitation

    For multiple myeloma patients newly diagnosed and not eligible for autologous stem-cell transplant, lenalidomide with dexamethasone is a standard regimen.

    “Lenalidomide plus dexamethasone is a standard treatment for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem-cell transplantation.”
    • Also stated in: § CONCLUSIONS · boosted
      “these findings established the regimen of lenalidomide and dexamethasone as standard of care.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [5] source
    • cites [17] source
  • Premisecitation

    In the CASTOR and POLLUX trials, patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and a high-risk cytogenetic profile had substantial progression-free survival and minimal residual disease benefits from daratumumab plus standard-of-care regimens after longer follow-up.

    “However, in the CASTOR and POLLUX trials, among patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who had a high-risk cytogenetic profile, substantial benefits with respect to progression-free survival and minimal residual disease with daratumumab plus standard-of-care regimens were observed after a longer follow-up period.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [16] source

      The Efficacy section (p. 9) says the longer-follow-up POLLUX progression-free survival benefit was maintained across cytogenetic-risk subgroups, and the Discussion (p. 11) reports higher MRD-negativity rates overall. It does not establish an MRD benefit specifically in high-risk patients. Its CASTOR comparison (Discussion, p. 11) concerns patients with one prior therapy, not the high-risk cytogenetic subgroup. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [25] source
  • Findingown data

    Prespecified subgroup analyses of progression-free survival showed superiority of the daratumumab regimen over the control regimen in all subgroups except patients with hepatic impairment at baseline.

    “Prespecified subgroup analyses of progression-free survival confirmed the superiority of the daratumumab regimen over the control regimen across all subgroups, except in the subgroup of patients who had hepatic impairment at baseline (Fig. 2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The progression-free survival benefit was maintained among patients aged 75 years or older, with a hazard ratio of 0.63 (95% CI, 0.44 to 0.92).

    “The progression-free survival benefit was maintained among patients 75 years of age or older (hazard ratio, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.92).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 7
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 3
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The trial population was notably older: 99% of patients were 65 years or older and 44% were 75 years or older.

    “Our trial population was notably older; 99% of the patients were 65 years of age or older, and 44% were 75 years of age or older.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Median progression-free survival was not reached in the daratumumab group and was 31.9 months in the control group.

    “The median progression-free survival was not reached in the daratumumab group and was 31.9 months (95% CI, 28.9 to not reached) in the control group.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    In patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who were ineligible for stem-cell transplantation, adding daratumumab to lenalidomide and dexamethasone produced significantly longer progression-free survival, a higher response rate, greater depth of response, and longer duration of response than lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone.

    “In this trial involving patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who were ineligible for stem-cell transplantation, the addition of daratumumab to lenalidomide and dexamethasone resulted in significantly longer progression-free survival, a higher response rate, an increased depth of response, and a longer duration of response than lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Randomization was stratified by International Staging System disease stage, geographic region, and age.

    “Randomization was stratified according to International Staging System disease stage (I vs. II vs. III, with higher stages indicating more severe disease) (see Table S1 in the Supplementary Appendix for details on the staging criteria), geographic region (North America vs. other), and age (<75 vs. ≥75 years).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    A sample of 730 patients was estimated to give 80% power to detect a 25% lower risk of disease progression or death with daratumumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone than with lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone, using a log-rank test at a two-sided alpha of 0.05.

    “We estimated that a sample of 730 patients would provide the trial with 80% power to detect a risk of disease progression or death that was 25% lower with daratumumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone than with lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone, using a log-rank test at a two-sided alpha level of 0.05.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    The primary analysis used the intention-to-treat population, which included every randomized patient.

    “The primary analysis was performed in the intention-to-treat population, which included all patients who underwent randomization.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The percentage of patients discontinuing treatment because of adverse events was low in this trial and consistent with the safety profile seen in the POLLUX and ALCYONE trials.

    “The percentage of patients who discontinued treatment because of these adverse events was low in our trial and was consistent with the safety profile observed in the POLLUX and ALCYONE trials, the latter of which represents a similar population of patients with newly diagnosed myeloma who were ineligible for stem-cell transplantation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The trial randomly assigned 737 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who were ineligible for autologous stem-cell transplantation, with 368 assigned to daratumumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone and 369 to lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone.

    “We randomly assigned 737 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who were ineligible for autologous stem-cell transplantation to receive daratumumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (daratumumab group) or lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone (control group).”
    • Also stated in: § PATIENTS AND TREATMENT · plain
      “A total of 737 patients were randomly assigned — 368 to the daratumumab group and 369 to the control group.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Patients in the daratumumab group received less lenalidomide than those in the control group, possibly because of more adverse events leading to dose discontinuation or modification.

    “Although patients in the daratumumab group received treatment for a longer period of time, they received less lenalidomide than the control group, possibly owing to a higher incidence of adverse events that led to dose discontinuations or dose modifications in this group.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In the FIRST trial primary analysis, grade 3 or 4 infections occurred in 29% of patients receiving lenalidomide and dexamethasone, a rate consistent with this trial's rates of 32.1% in the daratumumab group and 23.3% in the control group.

    “However, the incidence of grade 3 or 4 infections was 29% with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in the primary analysis of the FIRST trial,5 which was consistent with the incidence in our trial (32.1% in the daratumumab group and 23.3% in the control group).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [5] source
10 of 10

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • DRd is approved for newly diagnosed myeloma based on an international randomized trial showing benefit over Rd.

    “DRd is approved for patients with newly diagnosed myeloma based on the results of an international multicenter randomized trial which showed benefit over lenalidomide plus dexamethasone (Rd).97”

    From Multiple myeloma: 2024 update on diagnosis, risk-stratification, and management (2024) · cites this paper as [97]

    Methods (Trial Design and Oversight; Randomization and Treatment; page unavailable) describes a randomized trial at 176 sites in 14 countries comparing DRd with Rd. The Discussion (page unavailable) reports significantly longer progression-free survival with DRd, but only in newly diagnosed patients ineligible for stem-cell transplantation. Our copy does not establish that DRd was approved for newly diagnosed myeloma; its approval statement concerns daratumumab monotherapy for heavily pretreated patients. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Daratumumab is a cornerstone of standard-of-care multiple myeloma regimens with demonstrated survival benefit across all lines.

    “Daratumumab, an anti-CD38–targeting monoclonal antibody (mAb), is a cornerstone of standard-of-care MM regimens with demonstrated survival benefit across all lines.9–14”

    From Teclistamab plus Daratumumab in Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (2026) · cites this paper as [10]

    The introduction describes daratumumab as an anti-CD38 antibody and reports clinical benefit in trials involving newly diagnosed and relapsed or refractory myeloma. The Results show improved progression-free survival in this trial’s newly diagnosed, transplant-ineligible patients. The paper does not establish an overall-survival benefit across all lines of treatment; its final overall-survival analysis was still planned. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Meta-analyses suggest that indefinite maintenance therapy is superior in terms of survival outcomes.

    “Meta-analyses suggest that indefinite maintenance therapy is superior in terms of survival outcomes36”

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Authors
Facon, T., Kumar, S., Plesner, T., Orlowski, R. Z., Moreau, P., Bahlis, N., Basu, S., Nahi, H., Hulin, C., Quach, H., Goldschmidt, H., O’Dwyer, M., Perrot, A., Venner, C. P., Weisel, K., Mace, J. R., Raje, N., Attal, M., Tiab, M., Macro, M., Frenzel, L., Leleu, X., Ahmadi, T., Chiu, C., Wang, J., Van Rampelbergh, R., Uhlar, C. M., Kobos, R., Qi, M., & Usmani, S. Z.
Affiliations
  • Université de Lille (FR)
  • Mayo Clinic (US)
  • University of Southern Denmark (DK)
  • The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (US)
  • University of Calgary (CA)
  • Karolinska University Hospital (SE)
  • The University of Melbourne (AU)
  • From University of Lille, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Lille, Service des Maladies du Sang, Lille (T.F.), Hematology Department, University Hospital Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes (P.M.), Department of Hematology, Hospital Haut Leveque, University Hospital, Pessac (C.H.), Hematology Department, University Hospital, Vandoeuvre lès Nancy (A.P.), Service d’Hématologie, CHU de Toulouse–Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse Oncopole, Toulouse (M.A.), Department of Hematology, Vendée Hospital, La...
  • University of Alberta (CA)
  • Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades (FR)
  • Inserm (FR)
Venue
New England Journal of Medicine
Published
2019-05-30
Volume
380
Issue
22
Pages
2104-2115
ISSN
  • 0028-4793 (ISSN-L)
  • 1533-4406
OpenAlex
W2947874495
Cited by
1,027
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 80 · 2025: 109 · 2024: 107 · 2023: 128 · 2022: 145 · 2021: 207 · 2020: 195 · 2019: 39 · 2018: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
82.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • New England Journal of Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • Wolverhampton Intellectual Repository and E-Theses (University of Wolverhampton) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (submittedVersion)
  • CINECA IRIS Institutial research information system (University of Pisa) (submittedVersion)
  • Florence Research (University of Florence) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Janssen Research and Development (-)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Multiple Myeloma Research and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer Treatment and Pharmacology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Keywords
daratumumab, lenalidomide, dexamethasone, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, progression-free survival, minimal residual disease, complete response, neutropenia
MeSH terms
Lenalidomide, Progression-Free Survival, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols

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