Escalation of Daratumumab Frequency Following Biochemical Progression in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

In a small case series, the investigators identified five patients who had an initial response to standard daratumumab (weekly for 2 cycles, every other week for 4 cycles, then monthly thereafter) either as mono- or combination therapy, who then had daratumumab frequency escalated when early biochemical progression was noted, an investigational endeavor. In this series, patients received a median of 5 additional cycles of daratumumab at an escalated frequency (range: 2-8). Additionally, the median change in involved paraprotein after one cycle of weekly-escalated dara was -40% (range: -67% to +5%), with most achieving prior partial response or stable disease.

In patients who initially have at least a partial response (PR) to daratumumab, who then have biochemical progression following de-escalation, it is conceivable that CD38 saturation is not optimized at the every 4 weeks dosing interval. The investigators believe that escalating the frequency of daratumumab in patients with biochemical progression, in this investigational setting, may recapture the initial response, delay clinical progression, and/or delay treatment changes.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Multiple myeloma diagnosis according to IMWG criteria
* Prior achievement of PR or better on standard daratumumab (single-agent or combination therapy)
* On daratumumab for at least 7 months, currently on once-monthly dosing
* Evidence of biochemical progression only, confirmed via two consecutive assessments.

The interval between labs would generally be 1 to 4 weeks, and the second set of labs may be the screening assessment. Biochemical progression is defined as an increase of \> 25% from lowest response value in any one or more of the following:

* Serum M-component (the absolute increase must be \> 0.5 g/dL)
* Urine M-component (the absolute increase must be \> 200 mg/24 h)
* The difference between involved and uninvolved FLC levels (the absolute increase must be \> 10 mg/dL; only in patients without measurable serum and urine M-protein levels)

  * Age ≥ 18 years
  * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2
  * Adequate bone marrow reserve, with ANC \>1500 and Platelets \>75k without transfusion or growth factors within 7 days prior to assessment
  * Adequate hepatic function, with AST and ALT ≤ 3.5 times the upper limit of normal and bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dL
  * Creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥ 15 mL/minute within 7 days prior to enrollment, either measured or calculated using a standard formula
  * HBV DNA Tests: Subjects who are positive for Anti-HBc or Anti-HBs will undergo testing for hepatitis B DNA by PCR. Subjects with serologic findings suggestive of HBV vaccination (Anti-HBs positivity as the only serologic marker) and a known history of prior HBV vaccination do not need to be tested for HBV DNA by PCR. During and following study treatment, subjects who have history of HBV infection will be closely monitored for clinical and laboratory signs of reactivation of HBV as specified in the Time and Events Schedule. Where required by local law, the results of HBV testing may be reported to the local health authorities.
  * Able to understand and willing to sign an IRB-approved written informed consent document

Exclusion Criteria:

* Evidence of clinical progression/relapse over the 3 months prior to confirmed eligibility, based on centralized laboratory data performed at Washington University School of Medicine or radiographic data independently reviewed at Washington University School of Medicineas defined as:

  * Development of new soft tissue plasmacytomas or bone lesions
  * Definite increase in the size of existing plasmacytomas or bone lesions. A definite increase is defined as a 50% (and at least 1 cm) increase as measured serially by the sum of the products of the cross-diameters of the measurable lesion
  * Hypercalcemia (\> 11.5 mg/dL) \[2.65 mmol/L\]
  * Decrease in hemoglobin of \> 2 g/dL \[1.25 mmol/L\] not attributable to another cause as determined by investigator
  * Rise in serum creatinine by 2 mg/dL or more \[177 mmol/L or more\] not attributable to another cause as determined by investigator
* Evidence of myeloma with in the CNS
* Diagnosis of plasma cell leukemia
* Prior allergic reaction to daratumumab or medications used in the treatment backbone
* Interruption in daratumumab therapy for any reason in the preceding 6 months longer than 8 weeks.
* Pregnant or lactating females - woman and men of childbearing potential are required to employ an effective contraceptive method as outlined in the ICF
* Concurrent malignancy other than MM requiring active treatment excluding skin cancer managed with local therapy
* Compromised cardiovascular function defined as any of the following:

  * EKG evidence of acute ischemia;
  * EKG evidence of medically significant conduction system abnormalities;
  * history of myocardial infarction within the last 6 months;
  * unstable angina pectoris or cardiac arrhythmia; (history of Class 3 or Class 4 New York Heart Association congestive heart failure.
* Severe persistent asthma (FEV1\<60% and/or daily symptoms) or severe COPD defined clinically or by historical pulmonary function tests with an FEV1 \<50% predicted
* Seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
* Seropositive for hepatitis B (defined by a positive test for hepatitis B surface antigen \[HBsAg\]). Subjects with resolved infection (ie, subjects who are HBsAg negative but positive for antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen \[anti-HBc\] and/or antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen \[anti-HBs\]) must be screened using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) measurement of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels. Those who are PCR positive will be excluded. EXCEPTION: Subjects with serologic findings suggestive of HBV vaccination (anti-HBs positivity as the only serologic marker) AND a known history of prior HBV vaccination, do not need to be tested for HBV DNA by PCR.
* Seropositive for hepatitis C (except in the setting of a sustained virologic response \[SVR\], defined as aviremia at least 12 weeks after completion of antiviral therapy)
* Any other clinically significant medical disease or condition that, in the judgement of the investigator, would prevent the participant from safely participating in the trials.