NICE Recommends Darzalex in Combination with Velcade to Treat Multiple Myeloma

The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced on Dec. 22, 2021, that the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Darzalex (daratumumab) in combination with Velcade (bortezomib), thalidomide and dexamethasone (DVTd), to treat adults with multiple myeloma, when an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is suitable. Eligible patients in England and Wales will be able to access DVTd through the National Health Service (NHS).

According to a press release, NICE’s recommendation was based on “data from the Phase [III] CASSIOPEIA study (Part 1) with a median follow-up of 18.8 months which compared DVTd to standard of care (bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone [VTd] alone) as induction and consolidation therapy in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients eligible for ASCT.”

“Multiple myeloma is a relapsing and remitting cancer, and while existing therapies can control it, these patients are in need of effective and well-tolerated treatment options that are given as early as possible in the treatment pathway to elicit a deep response and improve outcomes,” said Karthik Ramasamy, consultant haematologist at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and lead clinician for Myeloma for the Thames Valley Cancer Network, in the press release. “A front-line treatment option such as daratumumab in combination with VTd will give clinicians an effective regimen to produce deeper and longer remissions for newly diagnosed myeloma patients compared to VTd alone.”

“We are delighted that people with multiple myeloma in England and Wales will now be able to access DVTd on the NHS,” said Amanda Cunnington, director of Health Economics, Market Access, Reimbursement and Health Affairs, Janssen-Cilag Limited, in the release. “[This] decision means access will now be equal across the UK and we’re proud to have worked collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve this outcome. Importantly, our work in multiple myeloma doesn’t stop here, and we remain committed to furthering advances in science and evolving innovation in blood cancers.”

Source: Janssen