Daratumumab enhances the overall response to multiple myeloma therapy as the number of cycles increases

Objective: New medicines employed in recent years have resulted in significant increases in survival rates for Multiple Myeloma (MM). Daratumumab is utilized in both first-line myeloma treatment and relapsed/refractory illness. Our study aims to assess the clinical features, response to treatment and factors influencing response to treatment in patients who received daratumumab monotherapy or combination therapy at our center. Patients and Methods: 21 multiple myeloma patients who were followed up in the hematology clinic at Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine and treated with daratumumab were retrospectively examined. Results: The patients median age was 65±9.7 years (42-80), with a female/male ratio of 11/10. Daratumumab was utilized after two lines of treatment in 13 patients (61.9%), first line treatment in 5 patients, and second line treatment in 3 patients. The average number of cycles was 4.05±5.06 (1-18). Daratumumab was used as a single agent in one patient, in 13 patients in combination with bortezomib, immunomodulatory medications, cyclophosphamide, and/or melphalan, and in 7 patients in combination with chemotherapy. At the completion of therapy evaluation, 38.1% (n:8) of the patients were lost, 38.1% (n:8) continued treatment with VGPR or better, and 23.8% (n:5) continued treatment with PR. Three (42.9%) of the seven patients who received daratumumab along with chemotherapy died. The number of cycles increased the rate of complete reaction (CR), which was statistically significant (p=0.026). Conclusion: Daratumumab-containing therapy regimens improve treatment success in multiple myeloma patients, and complete response rates rise as treatment duration increases.