Objectives: To describe progressive corneal microcyst-like epithelial changes (MECs) that developed in patients treated with the investigational drug belantamab mafodotin (belamaf) for refractory multiple myeloma (MM).
Methods: This is a single center case series of patients with MM receiving the investigational drug belamaf.
Results: All 12 patients included in this analysis who were treated with belamaf developed MECs that initially appeared in the peripheral cornea and progressed centrally with time. Cessation of therapy resulted in regression of the MECs first in the periphery then centrally. Microcyst-like epithelial changes recurred in all patients on retreatment. With prolonged therapy, eight patients developed corneal staining patterns suggestive of limbal stem cell dysfunction (LSCD).
Conclusion: We describe MECs and LSCD associated with systemic administration of belamaf. Further study is needed to determine the etiology and composition of the MECs and the mechanism of limbal stem cell involvement.
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