GSK's multiple myeloma drug BLENREP (Belantamab Mafodotin/Belamaf), once deemed a failure, is now showing promising potential following two significant trial victories. These pivotal results have reignited hopes within the company, with company projections suggesting that BLENREP could achieve peak sales exceeding USD 3 billion.

The renewed optimism stems from the recent study results presented at the EHA Congress in 2024. The data demonstrated that adding BLENREP to two other cornerstone multiple myeloma therapies led to a notable improvement in delaying disease progression compared to the combination of bortezomib and daratumumab with the same regimen.

The DREAMM-7 trial, specifically evaluating the safety and efficacy of BLENREP in combination with VELCADE (bortezomib) and dexamethasone (BVd) versus the combination of DARZALEX (daratumumab), Velcade, and dexamethasone (DVd) in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who had received at least one prior line of therapy, played a crucial role in these findings. The trial results indicated that the BVd combination significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and achieved a greater depth of response compared to the DVd regimen. Additionally, the safety profile of the BVd combination was manageable, making it a compelling option for standard care in this patient population.

Key Findings of DREAMM-7 trial

Significant PFS Benefit: BVd demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful progression-free survival (PFS) benefit. The median PFS was 23 months longer with BVd compared to DVd (36.6 vs. 13.4 months), with this benefit consistent across all subgroups.

Overall Survival (OS) Advantage: A strong and clinically meaningful overall survival benefit favored the BVd arm over the DVd arm.

Deeper Responses: The BVd regimen was associated with deeper responses, including a doubling of complete response (CR) rates, minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rates, and median duration of response (mDOR) compared to DVd.

KOL insights

“Belamaf in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone increased the length of time a patient is alive without cancer progression compared to a standard therapy and may therefore be a new treatment option for patients who relapse on or after their first treatment for multiple myeloma.” – MD, United States

Conclusion 

These outcomes not only pushes GSK's case for reinstating BLENREP in the market but also position the drug as a potential new standard of care in the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. The ability of BLENREP to enhance treatment efficacy when added to existing regimens underscores its potential to fulfill unmet needs in multiple myeloma therapy and drive significant commercial success for GSK.

BLENREP faces a dynamic treatment landscape for multiple myeloma, with recent introductions of cell therapies and dual-acting antibodies targeting BCMA. These novel therapies could reshape treatment protocols and patient expectations.

BLENREP, which also targets BCMA, must navigate this competitive space while addressing concerns about its safety profile. Side effects like vision loss and eye sores could lead to skepticism among healthcare providers and patients, potentially affecting its adoption despite its therapeutic benefits.

For GSK to succeed with BLENREP, it will be crucial to effectively communicate the drug’s value proposition, manage its safety concerns through robust risk mitigation strategies, and differentiate it from other BCMA-targeted therapies. This approach could help overcome hesitancy and establish BLENREP as a viable option in the multiple myeloma treatment arsenal.