NICE Recommends Second Line Triple Therapy for Multiple Myeloma Patients

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended carfilzomib in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (KRd) as a treatment for adult patients with multiple myeloma who have already had one previous therapy, which included bortezomib.

This recommendation was based on positive clinical trial data, which demonstrated that the triple therapy provided longer periods of remission and allowed for longer life in patients when compared with the current second line treatment—lenalidomide plus dexamethasone. To make the combination therapy available, the drug manufacturer, Amgen, and the National Health Service have come to a confidential financial agreement.

“The recommendation of our committee will be welcomed by people with multiple myeloma who have told us of the need of a new second line treatment option that gives longer periods of remission and improves survival,” said Meindert Boysen, deputy CEO and director of the Centre for Health Technology Evaluation at NICE, in a March 22, 2021 press release. “The clinical data shows that the benefits of this triple therapy continue after treatment has stopped. A positive decision has been made possible after the company and NHS England came to a commercial arrangement which allows carfilzomib to be used on the NHS with a confidential discount.”

Tony Patrikios, executive medical director at Amgen UK and Ireland said, in a March 23, 2021 company release, “The relapsing-remitting nature of multiple myeloma can be psychologically very difficult for patients. Working collaboratively with our partners in the NHS and patient advocacy groups, there has been a strong tenacity to make this treatment combination cost effective and available to patients with multiple myeloma. We welcome this recommendation from NICE which provides another treatment option for patients whose disease has relapsed.”

Sources: NICE, Amgen