If approved, DARZALEX FASPRO® will become the first treatment option for patients with smoldering multiple myeloma at high-risk of developing multiple myeloma, offering a novel approach to treat before the onset of active disease and the occurrence of end organ damage
RARITAN, N.J., Nov. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) today announced the submission of regulatory applications to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) seeking approval of a new indication for DARZALEX FASPRO® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) in the U.S. and DARZALEX® subcutaneous (SC) formulation in the European Union (EU). The applications are supported by data from the ongoing Phase 3 AQUILA study (NCT03301220) of DARZALEX FASPRO® as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma.1
Smoldering multiple myeloma is an early precursor of active multiple myeloma, where abnormal cells can be detected in the bone marrow, but patients are typically asymptomatic.2 Fifteen percent of all cases of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma are classified as smoldering multiple myeloma, and half of those diagnosed with high-risk disease will progress to active multiple myeloma within two years.3 Currently, smoldering multiple myeloma is not generally treated until active multiple myeloma develops. Instead, the standard approach is observation to track the disease for signs of biochemical progression and/or end organ damage, when treatment tends to be initiated.2 Recent evidence suggests that those at high-risk for progression to active multiple myeloma could benefit from earlier therapeutic intervention.4
"There remains an unmet need for early interventions and treatments that are both effective and well tolerated in people living with smoldering multiple myeloma at high-risk of progressing to active multiple myeloma," said Yusri Elsayed, M.D., M.H.Sc., Ph.D. Global Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology, Innovative Medicine, Johnson & Johnson. "DARZALEX has changed the standard of care in multiple myeloma, and with these submissions to the FDA and EMA, this therapy could become the first approved treatment for patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma, potentially shifting the treatment paradigm."
The first data from the AQUILA study, evaluating the safety and efficacy of DARZALEX FASPRO® compared to active monitoring in participants with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma, will be presented at the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, taking place in San Diego from December 7-10.4
About the AQUILA Study
AQUILA (NCT03301220) is a randomized, multicenter Phase 3 study investigating DARZALEX FASPRO® versus active monitoring in patients (n=390) with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma.1 The primary endpoint is progression free survival and secondary endpoints include time to progression, overall response rate and overall survival.1 Patients in the study were diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma in the last five years and were excluded if they had prior exposure to approved or investigational treatments for smoldering multiple myeloma or multiple myeloma.1
About Smoldering Multiple Myeloma
Smoldering multiple myeloma is an asymptomatic precursor state to multiple myeloma. Patients with smoldering multiple myeloma have higher levels of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow and an elevated monoclonal protein (M-protein) level in the blood, but they do not yet exhibit the symptoms commonly associated with active multiple myeloma, particularly end-organ damage. Fifteen percent of all cases of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma are classified as smoldering multiple myeloma, and half of those diagnosed with high-risk disease will progress to active multiple myeloma within two years.3
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that affects a type of white blood cell called plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow.5 In multiple myeloma, these malignant plasma cells proliferate and replace normal cells in the bone marrow.6 Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer worldwide and remains an incurable disease.7 In 2024, it is estimated that more than 35,000 people will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the U.S. and more than 12,000 will die from the disease.8 People with multiple myeloma have a 5-year survival rate of 59.8 percent.8 While some people diagnosed with multiple myeloma initially have no symptoms, most patients are diagnosed due to symptoms that can include bone fracture or pain, low red blood cell counts, tiredness, high calcium levels, kidney problems or infections.9,10
About DARZALEX FASPRO® and DARZALEX®
DARZALEX FASPRO® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) received U.S. FDA approval in May 2020 and is approved for nine indications in multiple myeloma, four of which are for frontline treatment in newly diagnosed patients who are transplant eligible or ineligible.11 It is the only subcutaneous CD38-directed antibody approved to treat patients with multiple myeloma. DARZALEX FASPRO® is co-formulated with recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 (rHuPH20), Halozyme's ENHANZE® drug delivery technology.
DARZALEX® (daratumumab) received U.S. FDA approval in November 2015 and is approved in eight indications, three of which are in the frontline setting, including newly diagnosed patients who are transplant-eligible and ineligible.12
DARZALEX® is the first CD38-directed antibody approved to treat multiple myeloma.12 DARZALEX®-based regimens have been used in the treatment of more than 518,000 patients worldwide and more than 68,000 patients in the U.S. alone.
In August 2012, Janssen Biotech, Inc. and Genmab A/S entered a worldwide agreement, which granted Janssen an exclusive license to develop, manufacture and commercialize daratumumab.
For more information, visit www.DARZALEX.com.
DARZALEX FASPRO® INDICATIONS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
INDICATIONS
DARZALEX FASPRO® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma:
In combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone for induction and consolidation in newly diagnosed patients who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplant
In combination with bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone in newly diagnosed patients who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant
In combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed patients who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant and in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy
In combination with bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed patients who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplant
In combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone in patients who have received at least one prior line of therapy including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor (PI)
In combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received one to three prior lines of therapy
In combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone in patients who have received at least one prior therapy
As monotherapy in patients who have received at least three prior lines of therapy including a PI and an immunomodulatory agent or who are double refractory to a PI and an immunomodulatory agent
About Johnson & Johnson
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at www.jnj.com or at www.innovativemedicine.jnj.com. Follow us at @JanssenUS and @JNJInnovMed. Janssen Research & Development, LLC and Janssen Biotech, Inc. are Johnson & Johnson companies.
1 ClinicalTrials.Gov. A Study of Subcutaneous Daratumumab Versus Active Monitoring in Participants With High-Risk Smoldering Multiple Myeloma. Accessed October 2024. Available at: Study Details | A Study of Subcutaneous Daratumumab Versus Active Monitoring in Participants With High-Risk Smoldering Multiple Myeloma | ClinicalTrials.gov
2 Myeloma UK. Smouldering myeloma. Accessed October 2024. Available at: https://www.myeloma.org.uk/understanding-myeloma/related-conditions/smouldering-myeloma/#:~:text=In%20smouldering%20myeloma%20abnormal%20cells,generally%20do%20not%20require%20treatment.
3 Rajkumar SV, Kumar S, Lonial S, Mateos MV. Smoldering multiple myeloma current treatment algorithms. Blood Cancer J. 2022 Sep 5;12(9):129.
4 M.A. Dimopoulos, et al. Phase 3 Randomized Study of Daratumumab Monotherapy Versus Active Monitoring in Patients With High-risk Smoldering Multiple Myeloma: Primary Results of the AQUILA Study. Presented at the December 2024 ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition. Abstract JJD-78127.
5 Rajkumar SV. Multiple Myeloma: 2020 Update on Diagnosis, Risk-Stratification and Management. Am J Hematol. 2020;95(5):548-5672020;95(5):548-567. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32212178
6 National Cancer Institute. Plasma Cell Neoplasms. Accessed October 2024. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/myeloma/patient/myeloma-treatment-pdq
7 Multiple Myeloma. City of Hope, 2022. Multiple Myeloma: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments. Accessed October 2024. Available at: https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/multiple-myeloma
8 American Cancer Society. Myeloma Cancer Statistics. Accessed October 2024. Available at: https://cancerstatisticscenter.cancer.org/types/myeloma
9 American Cancer Society. What is Multiple Myeloma? Accessed October 2024. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/about/what-is-multiple-myeloma.html
10 American Cancer Society. Multiple Myeloma Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging. Accessed October 2024. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/multiple-myeloma/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html
11 DARZALEX FASPRO® U.S. Prescribing Information
12 DARZALEX® U.S. Prescribing Information
SOURCE Johnson & Johnson
