Study of Daratumumab Combined With Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone for Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

LCI-HEM-MYE-KRdD-001: Phase II Study of Daratumumab Combined With Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

This study is being done because, despite major advances in therapy, MM is still considered an incurable disease. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy (how well it works) of the study treatment that combines the following drugs: daratumumab, carfilzomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone in subjects who have a recent diagnosis of multiple myeloma (MM). Normal plasma (blood) cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system. MM is a cancer formed by malignant (cancerous) plasma cells. Daratumumab, one of the study drugs, is a man-made protein that works with your immune system by attaching itself to the cancerous cells. Once daratumumab attaches itself to these cells, it gets your body's immune system to attack and destroy the MM cells. Daratumumab has shown to be effective in subjects with MM when combined with medicines like bortezomib, or lenalidomide + dexamethasone.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Multiple Myeloma
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Carfilzomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone (KRd) + Daratumumab

Detailed Description

This single arm, two-stage, open-label Phase II study is designed with the primary objective of evaluating the efficacy of induction therapy comprised of 8 cycles of carfilzomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone and daratumumab (KRd+daratumumab) in terms of complete response or better (CR) in subjects with NDMM, and comparing to relevant historical controls. Post induction, all subjects will undergo disease evaluation, including assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD). Post-induction disease evaluation will be followed by an MRD-based treatment algorithm. This trial will allow us to gather preliminary data on use of MRD status to direct post-induction therapy.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 39
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • North Carolina
    • Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, 28204
      • Levine Cancer Institute

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 14 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Subject must meet all of the following applicable inclusion criteria to participate in this study:

1. Written informed consent and HIPAA authorization for release of personal health information signed by the subject or his/her legally authorized representative. NOTE: HIPAA authorization may be included in the informed consent or obtained separately.
2. Age ≥ 18 years at the time of consent.
3. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status of 0-2 (see Appendix A, Section 18.1) within 28 days prior to day 1 of treatment.
4. Confirmation of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) as per the IMWG 2014 criteria (see Appendix D, Section 18.4). Newly diagnosed MM patients who may have deferred transplant are also allowed.

5. Measurable disease present at baseline assessments. Baseline disease assessments are defined as disease assessments collected within 28 days of initiation of the first pre-study induction cycle (subjects who received prior therapy) or within 28 days prior to day 1 of study treatment (subjects with no prior therapy). Measurable disease is defined as:

   1. Serum M-protein ≥ 1 g/dL (> 0.5 g/dL for IgA or IgM) OR
   2. Urine M-protein ≥ 200 mg/24 h OR
   3. Involved free light chain (FLC) level ≥ 10 mg/dL provided serum FLC ratio is abnormal
6. No more than one prior cycle of systemic therapy (completed within 6 weeks of consent) for MM (to accommodate subjects who needed emergent therapy at diagnosis); any prior radiotherapy must be completed at least 14 days prior to day 1 of treatment. Subject must have recovered from treatment-induced toxicities to ≤ grade 1 or baseline.

7. Demonstrate adequate organ function within 1 week of day 1 of treatment as defined in the table below:

   Hematological:

   • White Blood Cell (WBC) : ≥ 2,000/mm3
   • Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) : ≥ 1,000/mm3 without growth factors within 1 week of day 1 of treatment
   • Hemoglobin (Hgb) : ≥ 8 g/dL
   • Platelet count : ≥ 70,000/mm3 if bone marrow plasmacytosis of <50%; otherwise ≥ 50,000/mm3

   Renal:

   Serum creatinine with Creatinine clearance : ≤ 1.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN) with creatinine clearance

   ≥ 30 mL/min as measured by a 24-hour urine collection or estimated by the Cockcroft - Gault formula ( See formula in Appendix B, Section 18.2 )

   Hepatic:

   • Bilirubin : ≤ 2 × ULN; < 3.0 for subjects with Gilbert's Syndrome
   • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) : ≤ 2.5× ULN
   • Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) : ≤ 2.5 × ULN
8. Adequate cardiac function as defined by ≥ 45% Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) by ECHO or MUGA within 28 days prior to day 1 of treatment.
9. Females of childbearing potential (FCBP) must have a negative serum pregnancy test (minimum sensitivity 25 IU/L or equivalent units of HCG) within 24 hours prior to day 1 of treatment, and be willing to undergo serial serum or urine pregnancy testing. NOTE: Females are considered of child bearing potential unless they are surgically sterile (have undergone a hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, or bilateral oophorectomy) or are postmenopausal (at least 12 consecutive months with no menses without an alternative medical cause).

10. FCBP must be willing to use a highly effective contraceptive method (i.e., achieves a failure rate of <1% per year when used consistently and correctly) plus a second contraceptive method (considered acceptable [failure rate of >1% per year] or highly effective) from the time of informed consent until 3 months after the last protocol prescribed therapy (which also includes FCBP on carfilzomib) has been discontinued. NOTE: estrogens may further increase the risk of thrombosis (beyond that associated with lenalidomide) and their use should be based on a benefit-risk decision. For the highly effective contraceptive method, a method with low user dependency is preferable but not required (see tables, adapted from: http://www.hma.eu/fileadmin/dateien/Human_Medicines/01-About_HMA/Working_Groups/CTFG/2014_09_HMA_CTFG_Contraception.pdf)

    Highly Effective Birth Control Methods:

    • combined (estrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation

      • oral
      • intravaginal
      • transdermal

    • progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation

      • oral
      • injectable
      • implantable (Contraception method considered to have low user dependency)
    • intrauterine devide (IUD) (Contraception method considered to have low user dependency)
    • intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS) (Contraception method considered to have low user dependency)
    • vasectomised partner (Contraception method considered to have low user dependency) Vasectomised partner is a highly effective birth control method provided that partner is the sole sexual partner of the FCBP trial participant
    • sexual abstinence (Sexual abstinence is considered a highly effective method only if defined as refraining from heterosexual intercourse during the entire period of risk associated with the study treatments)

    Acceptable Birth Control Methods:

    • Progestogen-only oral hormonal contraception, where inhibition of ovulation is not the primary mode of action
    • Male or female condom with or without spermicide (A combination of male condom with either cap, diaphragm or sponge with spermicide (double barrier methods) are also considered acceptable, but not highly effective, birth control methods.
11. Male subjects (even those who have had a vasectomy) who are sexually active with a FCBP must be willing to use latex or synthetic condoms from initiation of study treatment until 3 months after the last protocol prescribed therapy has been discontinued. They must also refrain from donating sperm for at least 90 days after the last dose of carfilzomib and at least 90 days from the last dose of daratumumab. The FCBP partner should also consider contraception recommendations (see inclusion #10).
12. As determined by the enrolling physician, ability of the subject to understand and comply with study procedures for the entire length of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

Subjects meeting any of the criteria below may not participate in the study:

1. Any infection requiring systemic therapy (i.e. involving IV antibiotics) (NOTE: at discretion of investigator, subjects with uncomplicated urinary tract infections may be eligible).
2. Pregnant or breastfeeding (NOTE: breast milk cannot be stored for future use while the mother is being treated on study, and any female subject must agree not to donate eggs during the study and for 3 months after the last protocol prescribed therapy has been discontinued).
3. Has a known additional malignancy that is active and/or progressive requiring treatment; exceptions include basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical or bladder cancer, carcinoma of the prostate with a current PSA value of <0.5 ng/mL or other cancer for which the subject has completed treatment, been disease-free for at least five years, and is considered by Sponsor-Investigator to be at <30% risk of relapse, or on hormonal therapy for a history of either prostate cancer or breast cancer, provided that there has been no evidence of disease progression during the previous three years.
4. Non-secretory MM.
5. Active involvement of the central nervous system by MM.
6. Prior cardiovascular cerebrovascular accident with persistent neurological deficit.
7. Has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) < 50% of predicted normal. FEV1 is required for subjects suspected of having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and are not eligible if FEV1 is < 50% of predicted normal.
8. Has had moderate or severe persistent asthma within the past 2 years from enrollment and/or has currently uncontrolled asthma of any classification. Note that participants who currently have controlled intermittent asthma or controlled mild persistent asthma are allowed to participate.
9. POEMS syndrome (plasma cell dyscrasia with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein, and skin changes).
10. Had major surgery within 2 weeks prior to day 1 of treatment.
11. Exposure to any investigational drug (including investigational vaccine) or invasive investigational medical device within 4 weeks or 5 pharmacokinetic half-lives prior to day 1 of treatment, whichever is longer.
12. Uncontrolled clinically significant illness including, but not limited to, uncontrolled hypertension (as per the most updated Joint National Committee for the Management of Hypertension definitions), symptomatic congestive heart failure (as per New York Heart Association [NYHA] class III or IV [see Appendix C, Section 18.3], uncontrolled angina pectoris, myocardial infarction within the past 6 months from consent, known or suspected amyloidosis, uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia, psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements as determined by the investigator, or any other condition (including laboratory abnormalities) that would, in the opinion of the investigator, place the subject at unacceptable risk if he/she were to participate in the study.
13. Known allergies, hypersensitivity or intolerance to monoclonal antibodies or human proteins, daratumumab +hyaluronidase or its excipients or known sensitivity to mammalian-derived products, carfilzomib or its excipients, lenalidomide or its excipients, or dexamethasone or its excipients.
14. Is seropositive for hepatitis B (defined by a positive test for hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]). Subjects with resolved infection (i.e. subjects who are HBsAg negative but positive for antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen [anti-HBc] and/or antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen [anti-HBs]) must be screened using real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) measurement of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels. Those who are PCR positive will be excluded. Exception: subjects with serologic findings suggestive of HBV vaccination (anti-HBs positivity as the only serologic marker) AND a known history of HBV vaccination do not need to be tested for HBV DNA by PCR.
15. Is known to be seropositive for hepatitis C (except in the setting of a sustained virologic response [SVR], defined as aviremia at least 12 weeks after completion of antiviral therapy). Subject is not required to have hepatitis C testing at screening.
16. Is known to be seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus.
17. Transplant ineligible subjects > 70 years old only: Defined frail, per IMWG criteria of 'frailty'. Frailty assessment does not need to be performed unless the subject is transplant ineligible and > 70 years old. "Frail" is defined as a frailty score of ≥ 2.
18. Prior or current exposure to daratumumab or other anti-CD-38 therapies.
19. Focal radiation therapy within 14 days prior to C1D1 with the exception of palliative radiotherapy for symptomatic management but not on measurable extramedullary plasmacytoma.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: KRd-Daratumumab; Induction: Carfilzomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone (KRd) + Daratumumab	Drug: Carfilzomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone (KRd) + Daratumumab; Experimental

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of Participants With Complete Response or Stringent Complete Response to Induction	The primary endpoint is a binary variable determined for each subject indicating whether the subject achieved a complete response (CR) or stringent complete response (sCR) to induction treatment with KRd-Dara, as defined by the IMWG 2016 response criteria. Per IMWG 2016 criteria, CR is defined as negative immunofixation on serum and urine, disappearance of any soft tissue plasmacytomas, and <5% plasma cells in bone marrow aspirates. sCR is defined as CR plus normal FLC ratio and absence of clonal cells in bone marrow by immunohistochemistry.	From enrollment to best response determined at the end of induction (8 28-day cycles); the median length of induction was 32 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of Participants With an Objective Response (OR)	Objective response is determined for each subject as a binary variable indicating whether or not the subject achieved a best overall response of stringent complete response (sCR), complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) as determined by IMWG 2016 response criteria.	From enrollment to best response while on study treatment; subjects remained on treatment until disease progression or death or unacceptable toxicity; assessed for approximately 5 years
Overall Survival (OS)	OS is defined as the duration from enrollment to the study (treatment start date) to the date of death from any cause. Participants who are alive or lost to follow-up at the time of the analysis will be censored at the last known date they were alive.	From date of treatment start to date of death, or censored as described; assessed for approximately 5 years
Progression Free Survival (PFS)	PFS is defined as the duration of time from treatment start date to first occurrence of either progressive disease (PD) or death. PD must be objectively determined per IMWG 2016 criteria, where progression date is date of last assessment that identified PD. If subject died without documented PD, progression date will be death date. For surviving subjects who do not have PD, PFS will be censored at the date of last disease assessment. For subjects who received subsequent anti-cancer therapy prior to documented PD, PFS will be censored at the date of last disease assessment prior to commencement of subsequent therapy. Subjects who have an initial PFS event immediately following 2 or more consecutive missed assessments will be censored at date of last assessment prior to missed assessments.	From date of treatment start to date of progression or death, or censored as described; assessed for approximately 5 years
Time to Disease Progression (TTP)	TTP is defined as the duration of time from treatment start date to first occurrence of either progressive disease (PD) or death related to disease progression. PD must be objectively determined per IMWG 2016 criteria, where progression date is date of last assessment that identified PD. If a subject died for causes related to disease progression then progression date will be date of death. If a subject died for causes other than disease progression, TTP will be censored at the date of other cause mortality. For surviving subjects who do not have PD, TTP will be censored at the date of last disease assessment. For subjects who received subsequent anti-cancer therapy prior to documented PD, TTP will be censored at the date of last disease assessment prior to commencement of subsequent therapy. Subjects who have an initial TTP event immediately following 2 or more consecutive missed assessments will be censored at date of last assessment prior to missed assessments.	From date of start of treatment to date of disease progression or death, or censored as described; assessed for approximately 5 years
Duration of Response (DoR)	Duration of response (DoR) will be calculated for each subject achieving a PR or better and will be calculated from the time of the first assessment that identified response until disease progression or death. The censoring mechanism will be the same as described for PFS.	From date of first response to date of progression or death, or censored as described; assessed for approximately 5 years
Time to Next Treatment (TTNT)	Time to next treatment (TTNT) will be calculated from the time of treatment start until the start of the first subsequent anti-cancer therapy after all protocol directed therapy is completed. For surviving subjects who do not receive subsequent therapy, TTNT will be censored at the last contact date. For subjects who die before beginning subsequent anti-cancer therapy, TTNT will be censored at the date of death.	From treatment start date to date of next treatment, or censored as described; assessed for approximately 5 years

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of Participants With Grade 3 or Higher Treatment-related Cardiovascular or Pulmonary-related Adverse Events During Induction	A binary variable will be determined for each subject indicating whether or not the subject experienced at least one grade 3 or higher study treatment-related cardiovascular or pulmonary-related adverse event according to the NCI Common Terminology for Adverse Events version 4.03 during induction. Only select CTCAE terms will be considered for this safety outcome including heart failure, pneumonia, dyspnea, peripheral edema, or hypertension.	From enrollment to completion of induction; evaluated for approximately 32 weeks (8 28-day cycles).
Number of Participants With Grade 5 Adverse Events During Induction	A binary variable will be determined for each participant indicating whether or not the subject died due to an adverse event during induction. This will include any grade 5 adverse event (according to NCI Common Terminology for Adverse Events version 4.03), regardless of causality	From enrollment to completion of induction; evaluated for approximately 32 weeks (8 28-day cycles).
Number of Participants With at Least One Serious Adverse Event	A binary variable will be determined for each participant indicating whether or not the subject had at least one adverse event that was categorized as serious, regardless of causality. Serious is defined per the study protocol and includes events that the investigator deems serious and results in the following outcomes: death, life-threatening situation, persistent or significant disability/incapacity, requires or prolongs hospitalization, congenital anomaly/birth defect in the offspring of a study participant, suspected transmission of any infectious agent via medial product, or based upon medical judgement, may jeopardize the subject and may require medical or surgical intervention to prevent one of the afore listed outcomes from occurring.	From enrollment to 30 days following cessation of study treatment. Reasons for study treatment discontinuation include progression, toxicity, consent withdrawal, or investigator decision; assessed for approximately 5 years.
Number of Participants With at Least One Treatment Emergent Adverse Event	A binary variable will be determined for each participant indicating whether or not the subject had at least one treatment-emergent adverse event, regardless of causality. Adverse events will be categorized per NCI Common Terminology for Adverse Events version 4.03. Treatment-emergent is defined per the study protocol and includes AEs that occur after treatment start that were not present at the time of treatment start or AEs that increase in severity after treatment start if the event was present at the time of treatment start.	From enrollment to 30 days following cessation of study treatment. Reasons for study treatment discontinuation include progression, toxicity, consent withdrawal, or investigator decision; assessed for approximately 5 years.
Number of Participants With at Least One Grade 3 or Higher Treatment Emergent Adverse Event	A binary variable will be determined for each participant indicating whether or not the subject had at least one grade 3 or higher treatment-emergent adverse event, regardless of causality. Adverse events will be categorized per NCI Common Terminology for Adverse Events version 4.03. Treatment-emergent is defined per the study protocol and includes AEs that occur after treatment start that were not present at the time of treatment start or AEs that increase in severity after treatment start if the event was present at the time of treatment start.	From enrollment to 30 days following cessation of study treatment. Reasons for study treatment discontinuation include progression, toxicity, consent withdrawal, or investigator decision; assessed for approximately 5 years.
Number of Participants Who Discontinued Study Treatment Due to Adverse Events	A binary variable will be determined for each participant indicating whether or not the subject discontinued study treatment due to adverse events.	From enrollment to 30 days following cessation of study treatment. Reasons for study treatment discontinuation include progression, toxicity, consent withdrawal, or investigator decision; assessed for approximately 5 years.
Daratumumab Administration - Number of Cycles Received	Descriptive summary of daratumumab administration. Number of cycles of daratumumab received.	From enrollment to completion of induction; evaluated for approximately 32 weeks (8 28-day cycles).
Daratumumab Administration - Number of Doses Received	Descriptive summary of daratumumab administration. Number of doses of daratumumab received.	From enrollment to completion of induction; evaluated for approximately 32 weeks (8 28-day cycles).

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
• Collaborators: Celgene; Amgen; Janssen, LP
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Manisha Bhutani, MD, Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Bhutani M, Robinson M, Foureau D, Atrash S, Paul B, Guo F, Grayson JM, Ivanina-Foureau A, Pineda-Roman M, Varga C, Friend R, Ferreri CJ, Begic X, Norek S, Drennan T, Anderson MB, Symanowski JT, Voorhees PM, Usmani SZ. MRD-driven phase 2 study of daratumumab, carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Blood Adv. 2025 Feb 11;9(3):507-519. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2024014417.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 10, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 28, 2023
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 27, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 1, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): October 2, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 3, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 30, 2026
• Last Verified: January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Neoplasms; Immune System Diseases; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Hematologic Diseases; Lymphoproliferative Disorders; Immunoproliferative Disorders; Neoplasms, Plasma Cell; Hemostatic Disorders; Paraproteinemias; Blood Protein Disorders; Hemorrhagic Disorders; Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases; Multiple Myeloma; Organic Chemicals; Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; Heterocyclic Compounds; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring; Heterocyclic Compounds, Fused-Ring; Carboxylic Acids; Polycyclic Compounds; Piperidines; Pregnadienes; Pregnanes; Steroids; Fused-Ring Compounds; Steroids, Fluorinated; Pregnadienetriols; Phthalimides; Phthalic Acids; Acids, Carbocyclic; Piperidones; Isoindoles; Lenalidomide; Dexamethasone; carfilzomib; daratumumab
• Other Study ID Numbers: IRB00081541; 00037709 (Other Identifier: Advarra IRB); LCI-HEM-MYE-KRDD-001 (Other Identifier: Atrium Health)

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No