Bortezomib-Pomalidomide-Dexamethasone (VPD) As Novel Induction Therapy in Newly-Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Early Safety Data from an Ongoing Single Arm Phase-II Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trial (PRIME Study)
Authors: Radhakrishnan Vivek S , Tamboli Naveed , Das Shreya , Garg Jeevan Kumar , Nag Arijit , Bhave Saurabh J , Parihar Mayur , Vinarkar Sushant , Mukhopadhyay Sumit , Chakraborty Subhosmito , Mishra Deepak K , Nair Reena , Chandy Mammen 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Introduction: Pomalidomide is a third-generation immunomodulatory drug approved for relapsed and/or refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM). In the phase 3 OPTIMISMM trial, pomalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone demonstrated superior efficacy in patients with RRMM. PRIME study (CTRI/2019/10/021618) is testing this combination in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM)
Aim: To determine safety of Pomalidomide in combination with Bortezomib and dexamethasone (VPD) in NDMM
Study design: A prospective, single arm, phase II study from a tertiary center. Both transplant eligible and ineligible patients with NDMM aged between 18-70 years are being recruited in the study. Patients with Plasma cell leukemia, POEMS and amyloidosis were excluded. The regimen consists of weekly Bortezomib 1.3mg/sq.m (subcutaneous), Tab. Pomalidomide 2-4mg once daily for 21days, and Tab Dexamethasone 20mg twice weekly, with the cycle repeating every 28 days, 9-12 cycles. Here we report the adverse events (AE) by NCI CTCAE v5.0, upon recruiting 26 patients, as predetermined in the study.
Results: Of the proposed 45-50 patients, 26 patients were enrolled in the study between April 2020 to May 2021 and 23 (88.4%) have completed 4 cycles of VPD. The median age is 55years (18-70), and gender ratio 1:1. At disease presentation, bone lesions were the commonest (96.2%, n=25), IMWG high risk cytogenetics were seen in 42.4% (n=11), RISS-2 in 69.3% (n=18), IgG kappa paraproteinemia in 54% (n=14) patients and ECOG performance score 2-3 in 57.6%(n=15). Ten (38.5%) patients have completed 9 cycles, and 3 underwent auto-transplant (between Cycle 4 & 6). Protocol adherence was 96.1% (25/26 patients).
Table-1 shows drug-induced toxicity, hematological toxicities were the commonest. Two patients withdrew consent in view of bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy. Serious adverse events (SAE) were reported in 9 (34.6%) patients and were considered unrelated to the regimen by the safety committee (PSVT=1, Bony pain=2, dyspnea=1, pneumonia=1, constipation=1, diarrhea=1, hypotension=1) and one death due to SARS-CoV2 pneumonia. Treatment delays of 2 weeks in 4 patients (SARS-CoV2 = 3, Syncope = 1)
After 4 cycles (n=23), 6 (26%) patients were in stringent Complete Response (sCR), 17(74%) in Very Good partial response (VGPR) and 13 (56.5%) are Measurable Residual Disease (MRD) negative. Of 10 patients who completed cycle 9, 9 were MRD negative and 1 showed disease progression.
Conclusion: Safety data from the PRIME study demonstrates that VPD regimen has a favorable tolerance profile in patients with NDMM. Early efficacy signals are encouraging, and recruitment continues.
Figure 1 Figure 1.

Disclosures
Radhakrishnan: Dr Reddy's Laboratories: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Emcure Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Intas Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Janssen India: Honoraria; NATCO Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Novartis India: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche India: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AstraZeneca India: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers-Squibb India: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Cipla Pharmaceuticals India: Research Funding; Aurigene: Speakers Bureau. Garg: Dr Reddys Laboratories: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Nair: Dr Reddy's Laboratories: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Intas pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Mylan pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Novartis India: Honoraria; Fresenius Kabi India: Honoraria; Cipla Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen India: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Chandy: Janssen: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Intas Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding.