SESSION MODERATOR Dan Vogl, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, told The ASCO Post that the results with 11-1F4 were “very impressive” adding “everyone is excited” about the investigational amyloid-targeting monoclonal antibodies. 

“These drugs don’t target the underlying plasma cells that make the light chains deposit as amyloid, but the actual amyloid itself,” he explained. “While we have had a long succession of successful treatments for amyloidosis, essentially all targeting the plasma cell and adapted from myeloma therapy, the actual ability to target the amyloid deposits in the organs where they are causing problems is a brand new approach.” 

The direct targeting of the amyloid is the reason organ responses are robust and rapid, he explained. 

Clinical Implications 

DR. VOGL predicted 11-1F4 will initially be used upfront in conjunction with a standard regimen such as cyclophosphamide, bortezomib (Velcade), dexamethasone, but future approaches will likely incorporate daratumumab (Darzalex). 

“Because early mortality and late mortality continue to be major problems in amyloidosis,” he added, “having an effective treatment, especially with a good toxicity profile like this one and like daratumumab, which was the subject of other studies in amyloidosis presented at this session, is a major advance.” ■

DISCLOSURE: Dr. Vogl has been a consultant for Janssen, Karyopharm, Celgene, Millennium/Takeda, and Teva.