The next generation of therapy for multiple myeloma: a review of ongoing clinical trials utilizing ClinicalTrials.gov

Future Oncol. 2018 Aug;14(19):1965-1976. doi: 10.2217/fon-2017-0722. Epub 2018 Jul 18.

Abstract

The therapeutic armamentarium for multiple myeloma has grown significantly over the past decade. We characterized ongoing multiple myeloma clinical trials utilizing ClinicalTrials.gov . A search of ClinicalTrials.gov on 21 April 2017 returned 239 therapeutic interventional trials in multiple myeloma. A majority (84.1%) of trials are early-phase (I/II). Immunotherapies are significantly more likely to be studied in Phase I trials than Phase II trials (p = 0.0049). Primary sponsor (academic, cooperative group, industry) is significantly associated with phase of trial (p = 0.0334). Quality of life assessment is included as a secondary objective in only 10.1% of trials. Areas of need are continued advancement of immunotherapies, late-phase studies utilizing a triplet control group, and an objective focus on quality of life.

Keywords: biomarkers; clinical trial design; clinical trials; immunotherapy; minimal residual disease; multiple myeloma; quality of life; targeted therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Trials as Topic*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • Multiple Myeloma / therapy*
  • Quality of Life