“Patients had to visit the hospital for injections that were previously used to treat multiple myeloma. However, with the insurance coverage of Ninraro, an oral multiple myeloma treatment, it is now easier to treat patients with disabilities.”
Professor Yoon Deok-Hyun of the Department of Oncology at Asan Hospital in Seoul made this announcement at a press conference to commemorate the insurance benefits of’Ninraro’ held by Takeda Pharmaceutical Korea on the 26th.
‘Ninraro’ is the first oral proteasome inhibitor (PI formulation) for the treatment of multiple myeloma, and is covered by a combination therapy with lenalidomide and dexamethasone among patients with multiple myeloma who have failed previous treatment from March 1st. Is applied.
At the conference on this day, Professor Deok-Hyun Yoon emphasized the importance of effective initial treatment due to the nature of multiple myeloma with frequent recurrence.
Professor Yoon said, “Unfortunately, multiple myeloma is difficult to cure. As the recurrence repeats, the response rate and remission rate are lower than that of the previous treatment, and eventually, any treatment will not be effective.”
“However, many new treatments for multiple myeloma are developed, and the treatment results have improved considerably compared to the past.” In particular, Ninraro, an oral drug, has similar mechanisms of action and effects to other PI drugs provided in Korea, but is a combination therapy as an oral drug. It can broaden the range of patients who receive treatment.”
At the press conference that day, Professor Ki-Hyun Kim of the Department of Hematology and Oncology at Samsung Medical Center presented the results and significance of the major clinical trials of’Ninraro’.
According to the results of the TOURMALINE-MM1 study conducted in 722 adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, the median progression-free survival (mPFS) of the IRd-treated group (Ninraro, lenalidomide, dexamethasone) was 20.6 months, Rd. The treatment group (placebo, lenalidomide, dexamethasone) was extended by about 6 months compared to 14.7 months.
Professor Kim said, “6 months may not be long, but considering that the mPFS of the anticancer drug of other solid cancers is usually 2 to 3 months apart, there is a significant difference and a statistically significant result.” The fact that it did not increase significantly compared to the control group is also the strength of Ninra.”
“In the case of multiple myeloma recurrence, the patient chooses a treatment in consideration of the drugs previously used, side effects, comorbidities, and patient preferences,” he said. “Ninraro has relatively few heart complications, so patients with heart failure or arrhythmia are preferred It is considered and can be used for patients who prefer oral medications.”
In particular, Professor Kim explained that’Ninraro’ has confirmed its efficacy and safety in actual clinical trials.
As a result of a retrospective actual clinical observational study conducted in an actual medical environment in the United States, the IRd-treated group was compared with the KRd-treated group (carfilzomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone) or the VRd-treated group (bortezomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone). The period to start of treatment (TTNT) was longer.
In the 2nd and 3rd treatment, the median TTNT of the IRd group was 16.8 months, and the KRd and VRd groups were 9.5 months and 14.6 months, respectively.
Professor Kim said, “Since there are many patients with co-diseases in the elderly, the results of clinical trials conducted in a controlled environment and treatment results in actual treatment environments are often different.” “Ninra-ro is a clinical trial in actual clinical trials. The results are relatively small, but results are emerging that it can be helpful to actual patients.”
Professor Kim said, “Ninraro is the drug that shines the most in the Corona 19 situation.”