Conditions: Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia
Keywords: WM untreated symptomatic
Allocation: NA | Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Enrollment: 31
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
Carfilzomib is a drug that has shown anti-tumor activity by inhibiting the proteasome within the cell, which is responsible for degrading or breaking down a wide variety of proteins. Carfilzomib has not been approved by the FDA.

Rituximab and dexamethasone are often used to treat Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (WM), alone or in combination with other drugs. Combinations with rituximab, dexamethasone and proteasome inhibitors, like carfilzomib, show high levels of activity in WM patients.

In this research study, the investigators are testing the safety and efficacy of Carfilzomib when used along with Rituximab and Dexamethasone as a possible treatment for Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia.

Detailed description:
If you take part in this research study, you will receive Carfilzomib and dexamethasone as an infusion on Days 1, 2, 8, and 9 for Cycles 1-6. You will then have a Rituximab infusion on Days 2 and 9. Each cycles lasts 21 days. After completing Cycle 6 and if you are eligible, there will be a 2 month break before the maintenance phase is started. During this break, you will have a study visit with a physical exam, blood tests, and a bone marrow biopsy. If you continue to the maintenance phase, you will receive Carfilzomib and Dexamethasone on Days 1 and 2 and Rituximab on Day 2 of Cycles 1-8. Each cycle will continue to last 21 days, but will take place every 2 months. Infusions will last between 2-6 hours.

During all cycles you will have a physical exam and you will be asked questions about your general health and specific questions about any problems that you might be having and any medications you may be taking. Blood tests will also be done at each Cycle visit, and you will complete a questionnaire. Bone marrow and CT scan will only be repeated at physician discretion when appropriate and in order to ensure your response to treatment.

Arms:
arm 1: Carfilzomib, dexamethasone, rituximab

Interventions: intervention 1: Dexamethasone intervention 2: Carfilzomib intervention 3: Rituximab
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: 20 mg IV on Days 1, 2, 8, 9, of 21 day cycle for cycles 1-6 20 mg IV on Days 1, 2 of 21 day cycles q 2 months for cycles 1-8 intervention 2: 20 mg/m2 IV on Days 1, 2, 8, 9 of 21 day cycles for Cycle 1 36 mg/m2 IV on Days 1, 2, 8, 9 of 21 day cycles for Cycles 2-6 36 mg/m2 IV on Days 1, 2 of 21 day cycles q 2 months for Cycles 1-8 intervention 3: 375 mg/m2 IV on Days 2, 9 of 21 day cycles for Cycles 1-6 375 mg/m2 IV on Day 2 of 21 day cycles q 2 months for Cycles 1-8

Protocol document: