DARZALEX 20 mg/mL concentrate for solution for infusion.

II/070: CCDS update MMY3007 Final OS analysis 

6.3    Shelf life

 Unopened vials

 23 years.

10.    DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 14 November 2023

Updated to add Myocardial Infarction and Ocular events as signs/symptoms of Infusion Related Reactions.

Updated to add Myocardial Infarction and Ocular events as signs/symptoms of Infusion Related Reactions.

• SmPC Section 4.4 and 4.8 impacted. 

EMA/H/C/4077/II/060/G - Final OS data from studies MMY3003 and MMY3004 resulting in update to section 5.1

EMEA/H/C/004077/IB/061/G - CMC - ATC code + shelf life SC to 2 years - resulting in update to Section 5.1 and Section 6.3 (SC formulation only)

Removal of Black Triangle

Removal of Black Triangle

Removal of Black Triangle

Inclusion of updated efficacy data from Study MMY3008 in section 5.1 of the SmPC

Black triangle and explanatory text were removed from the SmPC and patient leaflet. QRD changes were made where applicable throughout the SmPC and patient leaflet

Black triangle and explanatory text were removed from the SmPC and patient leaflet. QRD changes were made where applicable throughout the SmPC and patient leaflet.

Addition of AL amyloidosis

Addition of AL amyloidosis

Addition of AL amyloidosis

4.8          Undesirable effects

5.1       Pharmacodynamic properties

With a median follow-up of 18.8 months, the primary analysis of PFS Results of a PFS analysis by censoring patients who were randomised to daratumumab maintenance in the second randomisation, at the date of the second randomisation showed HR=0.50; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.75; p=0.0005. Results of an updated PFS analysis with a median follow-up of 44.5 months, censoring patients who were randomised to daratumumab maintenance in the second randomisation, showed HR=0.43; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.55; p<0.0001. Median PFS was not reached in the D‑VTd arm and was 37.8 months in the VTd arm.

fainting added as common side effect

.2       Posology and method of administration

Dexamethasone should be administered at 40 mg/week (or a reduced dose of 20 mg/week for patients >75 years).

Dexamethasone should be administered at 40 mg on Days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23 of Cycles 1 and 2, and at 40 mg on Days 1-2 and 20 mg on subsequent dosing days (Days 8, 9, 15, 16) of Cycles 3-4. Dexamethasone 20 mg should be administered on Days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 in Cycles 5 and 6.

Dexamethasone should be administered at 20 mg on Days 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11 and 12 of the first 8 bortezomib treatment cycles or a reduced dose of 20 mg/week for patients >75 years, underweight (BMI <18.5), poorly controlled diabetes mellitus or prior intolerance to steroid therapy.

4.8     Undesirable effects

Infusion‑related reactions

DARZALEX is given as an infusion (drip) into a vein. Before and after each infusion of DARZALEX, you will be given medicines which help to lower the chance of infusion‑related reactions (see “Medicines given during treatment with DARZALEX” in section 3). These reactions can happen during the infusion or in the 3 days after the infusion.

In some cases you may have a severe allergic reaction which may include a swollen face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing or an itchy rash (hives). Some serious allergic reactions and other severe infusion-related reactions have resulted in death.

4.4       Special warnings and precautions for use

Traceability

In order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the tradename and the batch number of the administered product should be clearly recorded.

Infusion‑related reactions

DARZALEX can cause serious IRRs, including anaphylactic reactions (see section 4.8). These reactions can be life-threatening and fatal outcomes have been reported.

Section 4.8

Infections

In patients receiving DARZALEX combination therapy, Grade 3 or 4 infections were reported as follows:

Relapsed/refractory patient studies: DVd: 21%, Vd: 19%; DRd: 287%, Rd: 23%; DPd: 28%

Newly diagnosed patient studies: D‑VMP: 23%, VMP: 15%; DRd: 32%, Rd: 23%; D-VTd: 22%, VTd: 20%.

4.8 Undesirable effects

4.8     Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

The most frequent adverse reactions of any grade (≥20 % patients) with daratumumab (either intravenous or subcutaneous formulations) when administered either as monotherapy or combination treatment were IRRs, fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, pyrexia, cough, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anaemia, oedema peripheral, peripheral sensory neuropathy and upper respiratory tract infection. Serious adverse reactions were pneumonia, bronchitis, upper respiratory tract infection, sepsis, pulmonary oedema, influenza, pyrexia, dehydration, diarrhoea and atrial fibrillation.

…………………

………………………..

Infections

In patients receiving DARZALEX subcutaneous formulation as monotherapy, incidence of infections was similar between DARZALEX subcutaneous formulation (52.9%) versus intravenous daratumumab groups (50.0%). Additionally, Grade 3 or 4 infections also occurred at similar frequencies between DARZALEX subcutaneous formulation (11.7%) and intravenous daratumumab (14.3%). Most infections were manageable and rarely led to treatment discontinuation. Pneumonia was the most commonly reported severe (Grade 3 or 4) infection across studies.

In patients receiving intravenous daratumumab combination therapy, Grade 3 or 4 infections were reported with intravenous daratumumab combinations and background therapies (as follows:

Relapsed/refractory patient studies: DVd: 21%, Vd: 19%; DRd: 27%, Rd: 23%; D‑VMP: 23%, VMP: 15%; DPd: 28%

Newly diagnosed patient studies: D‑VMP: 23%, VMP: 15%; DRd: 32%, Rd: 23%; D‑VTd: 22%, VTd: 20%.).

Pneumonia was the most commonly reported severe (Grade 3 or 4) infection across studies. In active controlled studies, Ddiscontinuations from treatment due to infections were reportedoccurred in 1-4% to 5% of patients. Fatal infections were generally balanced between the intravenous daratumumab containing regimens and active control arms (<2%) in the controlled studies and were primarily due to pneumonia and sepsis.

In patients receiving intravenous daratumumab combination therapy, fatal infections (Grade 5) were reported as follows:

Relapsed/refractory patient studies: DVd: 1%, Vd: 2%; DRd: 2%, Rd: 1%; DPd: 2%

Newly diagnosed patient studies: D-VMP: 1%, VMP: 1%; DRd: 2%, Rd: 2%; DVTd: 0%, VTd: 0%.

Key: D=daratumumab; Vd=bortezomib-dexamethasone; Rd=lenalidomide-dexamethasone; Pd=pomalidomide-dexamethasone; VMP=bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone; VTd=bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone.

………………….

Elderly patients

Of the 3207 patients who received daratumumab (n=490 subcutaneous; n=2717 intravenous) at the recommended dose, 38% were 65 to 75 years of age, and 17% were 75 years of age or older. No overall differences in effectiveness were observed based on age. The incidence of serious adverse reactions was higher in older than in younger patients. Among patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (n=1827), the most common serious adverse reactions that occurred more frequently in elderly (≥65 years of age) were pneumonia and sepsis. Among patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant (n=777), the most common serious adverse reaction that occurred more frequently in elderly (≥75 years of age) was pneumonia.

Immunogenicity

In patients treated with intravenous daratumumab in clinical trials, less than 1% of patients developed treatment-emergent anti-daratumumab antibodies.Patients treated with daratumumab monotherapy (n=199) and combination therapy (n=1051) were evaluated for anti‑therapeutic antibody responses to daratumumab at multiple time points during treatment and up to 8 weeks following the end of treatment. Following the start of daratumumab treatment, none of the monotherapy patients and 2 of the 1051 combination therapy patients tested positive for anti‑daratumumab antibodies; 1 of the combination therapy patients developed transient neutralising antibodies against daratumumab.

However, the employed assay has limitations in detecting anti‑daratumumab antibodies in the presence of high concentrations of daratumumab. Therefore, the incidence of antibody development might not have been reliably determined

5.1     Pharmacodynamic properties

 ………….

A total of 706 patients were randomised: 350 to the D-VMP arm and 356 to the VMP arm. The baseline demographic and disease characteristics were similar between the two treatment groups. The median age was 71 (range: 40-93) years, with 30% of the patients ≥75 years of age. The majority were white (85%), female (54%), 25% had an ECOG performance score of 0, 50% had an ECOG performance score of 1 and 25% had an ECOG performance score of 2. Patients had IgG/IgA/Light chain myeloma in 64%/22%/10% of instances, 19% had ISS Stage I, 42% had ISS Stage II, 38% had ISS Stage III disease and 84% had standard risk cytogenetics. Efficacy was evaluated by PFS based on IMWG criteria and overall survival (OS).

With a median follow‑up of 16.5 months, Tthe primary analysis of PFS in Study MMY3007 showed an improvement in the D-VMP arm as compared to the VMP arm; the median PFS had not been reached in the D-VMP arm and was 18.1 months in the VMP arm (HR=0.5; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.65; p<0.0001)., representing 50% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death in patients treated with D-VMP. Results of an updated PFS analysis approximately 4 months after the original clinical cutoff, continued to show an improvement in PFS for patients in the D-VMP arm compared with the VMP arm. Median PFS was not reached in the D-VMP arm and was 19.3 months in the VMP arm (HR=0.46; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.60; p<0.0001). Results of an updated PFS analysis after a median follow‑up of 40 months continued to show an improvement in PFS for patients in the D‑VMP arm compared with the VMP arm. Median PFS was 36.4 months in the D‑VMP arm and 19.3 months in the VMP arm (HR=0.42; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.51; p<0.0001), representing a 58% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death in patients treated with D‑VMP.

Figure 2:        Kaplan-Meier Curve of Primary Analysis of PFS in Study MMY3007

After a median follow‑up of 40 months, D‑VMP has shown an overall survival (OS) advantage over the VMP arm (HR=0.60; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.80; p=0.0003), representing a 40% reduction in the risk of death in patients treated in the D‑VMP arm. Median OS was not reached for either arm.

……………………

With a median follow‑up of 13.5 months, the primary analysis of PFS in Sstudy MMY3003 demonstrated an improvement in PFS in the DRd arm as compared to the Rd arm; the median PFS had not been reached in the DRd arm and was 18.4 months in the Rd arm (HR=0.37; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.52; p<0.0001)., representing 63% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death in patients treated with DRd Results of an updated PFS analysis after a median follow‑up of 55 months continued to show an improvement in PFS for patients in the DRd arm compared with the Rd arm. Median PFS was 45.0 months in the DRd arm and 17.5 months in the Rd arm (HR=0.44; 95% CI: 0.35, 0.54; p<0.0001), representing a 56% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death in patients treated with DRd (see Figure 34).

Figure 34:      Kaplan-Meier Curve of PFS in Study MMY3003

……..

………….

With a median follow‑up of 7.4 months, the primary analysis of PFS in Sstudy MMY3004 demonstrated an improvement in PFS in the DVd arm as compared to the Vd arm; the median PFS had not been reached in the DVd arm and was 7.2 months in the Vd arm (HR [95% CI]: 0.39 [0.28, 0.53]; p-value<0.0001), representing a 61% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death for patients treated with DVd versus Vd. Results of an updated PFS analysis after a median follow‑up of 50 months continued to show an improvement in PFS for patients in the DVd arm compared with the Vd arm. Median PFS was 16.7 months in the DVd arm and 7.1 months in the Vd arm (HR [95% CI]: 0.31 [0.24, 0.39]; p-value<0.0001), representing a 69% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death in patients treated with DVd versus Vd (see Figure 45).

4.1       Therapeutic indications

DARZALEX is indicated:

• in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone or with bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant.
• in combination with bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplant.
• in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, or bortezomib and dexamethasone, for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy.
• as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, whose prior therapy included a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent and who have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy.
   
   
  4.2       Posology and method of administration
  Dosing schedule in combination with bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone (4-week cycle regimens) for treatment of newly diagnosed patients eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT):

The recommended dose is DARZALEX 16 mg/kg body weight administered as an intravenous infusion according to the following dosing schedule in Table 3.

For dose and schedule of medicinal products administered with DARZALEX, see section 5.1 and the corresponding Summary of Product Characteristics.

4.8       Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

The most frequent adverse reactions (≥ 20%) were infusion reactions, fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, pyrexia, dyspnoea, cough, back pain, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anaemia, oedema peripheral, asthenia, peripheral sensory neuropathy and upper respiratory tract infection. Serious adverse reactions were pneumonia, bronchitis, upper respiratory tract infection, pulmonary oedema, influenza, pyrexia, dehydration, diarrhoea and atrial fibrillation.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Table 5 6 summarises the adverse drug reactions that occurred in patients receiving DARZALEX. The data reflects exposure to DARZALEX (16 mg/kg) in 1530 2066 patients with multiple myeloma including 1374 1910 patients who received DARZALEX in combination with background regimens and 156 patients who received DARZALEX as monotherapy. Post‑marketing adverse reactions are also included.

In Study MMY3006, the number of CD34+ cell yield was numerically lower in the D-VTd arm compared with the VTd arm (Median: D-VTd: 6.3 x 106/kg; VTd 8.9 x 106/kg) and among those who completed mobilization, more patients in the D-VTd group received plerixafor compared to those in the VTd arm (D-VTd: 21.7%; VTd: 7.9%). The rates of engraftment and haematopoietic reconstitution was similar among the transplanted subjects in the D-VTd and VTd arms (D-VTd: 99.8%; VTd: 99.6%; as measured by the recovery of neutrophils > 0.5 x 109/L, leukocytes > 1.0 x 109/L, and platelets > 50 x 109/L without transfusion).

Frequencies are defined as very common (≥ 1/10), common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100), rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000) and very rare (< 1/10,000). Within each frequency grouping, where relevant, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Infusion‑related reactions

In clinical trials…….. vomiting and nausea (see section 4.4).

When DARZALEX dosing was interrupted in the setting of ASCT (Study MMY3006) for a median of 3.75 (range: 2.4; 6.9) months, upon re-initiation of DARZALEX the incidence of IRRs was 11% at first infusion following ASCT. Infusion rate/dilution volume used upon re-initiation was that used for the last DARZALEX infusion prior to interruption due to ASCT. IRRs occurring at re-initiation of DARZALEX following ASCT were consistent in terms of symptoms and severity (Grade 3/4: <1%) with those reported in previous studies at Week 2 or subsequent infusions.

….

Infections

In patients receiving DARZALEX combination therapy, Grade 3 or 4 infections were reported as follows:

Relapsed/refractory patient studies: DVd: 21%, Vd: 19%; DRd: 27%, Rd: 23%; DPd: 28%

Newly diagnosed patient studies: D‑VMP: 23%, VMP: 15%; DRd: 32%, Rd: 23%; D-VTd: 22%, VTd: 20%.

Pneumonia was the most commonly reported severe (Grade 3 or 4) infection across studies. In the active controlled studies, discontinuations from treatment due to infections (1-4%) and fatal infections were generally infrequent and balanced between the DARZALEX containing regimens and active control arms. Fatal infections were primarily due to pneumonia and sepsis.

Key: D=daratumumab; Vd=bortezomib-dexamethasone; Rd=lenalidomide-dexamethasone; Pd=pomalidomide-dexamethasone; VMP=bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone; VTd=bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone.

5.       PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1     Pharmacodynamic properties

Combination treatment with bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone (VTd) in patients eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT):

Study MMY3006 is a 2 Part, open-label, randomized, active-controlled Phase 3 study. Part 1 compared induction and consolidation treatment with DARZALEX 16 mg/kg in combination with bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone (D-VTd) to treatment with bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone (VTd) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma eligible for ASCT. The consolidation phase of treatment began a minimum of 30 days post-ASCT, when the patient had recovered sufficiently, and engraftment was complete. In Part 2, subjects with at least a partial response (PR) by Day 100 post-transplant were re-randomized in a 1:1 ratio to daratumumab maintenance or observation only. Only results from Part 1 are described henceforth.

Bortezomib was administered by SC injection or IV injection at a dose of 1.3 mg/m² body surface area twice weekly for two weeks (Days 1, 4, 8, and 11) of repeated 28 day (4-week) induction treatment cycles (Cycles 1-4) and two consolidation cycles (Cycles 5 and 6) following ASCT after Cycle 4. Thalidomide was administered orally at 100 mg daily during the six bortezomib cycles. Dexamethasone (oral or intravenous) was administered at 40 mg on Days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23 of Cycles 1 and 2, and at 40 mg on Days 1-2 and 20 mg on subsequent dosing days (Days 8, 9, 15, 16) of Cycles 3-4. Dexamethasone 20 mg was administered on Days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 in Cycles 5 and 6. On the days of DARZALEX infusion, the dexamethasone dose was administered intravenously as a pre-infusion medication. Dose adjustments for bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone were applied according to manufacturer’s prescribing information.

A total of 1085 patients were randomized: 543 to the D-VTd arm and 542 to the VTd arm. The baseline demographic and disease characteristics were similar between the two treatment groups. The median age was 58 (range: 22 to 65) years. All patients were ≤ 65 years: 43% were in the age group ≥ 60-65 years, 41% were in the age group ≥ 50-60 years and 16% below age of 50 years. The majority were male (59%), 48% had an ECOG performance score of 0, 42% had an ECOG performance score of 1 and 10% had an ECOG performance score of 2. Forty percent had International Staging System (ISS) Stage I, 45% had ISS Stage II and 15% had ISS Stage III disease.

Efficacy was evaluated by the stringent Complete Response (sCR) rate at Day 100 post-transplant and Progression free survival (PFS).

Results of a PFS analysis by censoring patients who were randomized to daratumumab maintenance in the second randomization, at the date of the second randomization showed HR=0.50; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.75; p=0.0005.

4.1       Therapeutic indications

DARZALEX is indicated:

• in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone or with bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant.
• in combination with bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplant.
• in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, or bortezomib and dexamethasone, for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy.
• as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, whose prior therapy included a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent and who have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy.
   
   
  4.2       Posology and method of administration
  Dosing schedule in combination with bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone (4-week cycle regimens) for treatment of newly diagnosed patients eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT):

The recommended dose is DARZALEX 16 mg/kg body weight administered as an intravenous infusion according to the following dosing schedule in Table 3.

For dose and schedule of medicinal products administered with DARZALEX, see section 5.1 and the corresponding Summary of Product Characteristics.

4.8       Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

The most frequent adverse reactions (≥ 20%) were infusion reactions, fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, pyrexia, dyspnoea, cough, back pain, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anaemia, oedema peripheral, asthenia, peripheral sensory neuropathy and upper respiratory tract infection. Serious adverse reactions were pneumonia, bronchitis, upper respiratory tract infection, pulmonary oedema, influenza, pyrexia, dehydration, diarrhoea and atrial fibrillation.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Table 5 6 summarises the adverse drug reactions that occurred in patients receiving DARZALEX. The data reflects exposure to DARZALEX (16 mg/kg) in 1530 2066 patients with multiple myeloma including 1374 1910 patients who received DARZALEX in combination with background regimens and 156 patients who received DARZALEX as monotherapy. Post‑marketing adverse reactions are also included.

In Study MMY3006, the number of CD34+ cell yield was numerically lower in the D-VTd arm compared with the VTd arm (Median: D-VTd: 6.3 x 106/kg; VTd 8.9 x 106/kg) and among those who completed mobilization, more patients in the D-VTd group received plerixafor compared to those in the VTd arm (D-VTd: 21.7%; VTd: 7.9%). The rates of engraftment and haematopoietic reconstitution was similar among the transplanted subjects in the D-VTd and VTd arms (D-VTd: 99.8%; VTd: 99.6%; as measured by the recovery of neutrophils > 0.5 x 109/L, leukocytes > 1.0 x 109/L, and platelets > 50 x 109/L without transfusion).

Frequencies are defined as very common (≥ 1/10), common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100), rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000) and very rare (< 1/10,000). Within each frequency grouping, where relevant, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Infusion‑related reactions

In clinical trials…….. vomiting and nausea (see section 4.4).

When DARZALEX dosing was interrupted in the setting of ASCT (Study MMY3006) for a median of 3.75 (range: 2.4; 6.9) months, upon re-initiation of DARZALEX the incidence of IRRs was 11% at first infusion following ASCT. Infusion rate/dilution volume used upon re-initiation was that used for the last DARZALEX infusion prior to interruption due to ASCT. IRRs occurring at re-initiation of DARZALEX following ASCT were consistent in terms of symptoms and severity (Grade 3/4: <1%) with those reported in previous studies at Week 2 or subsequent infusions.

….

Infections

In patients receiving DARZALEX combination therapy, Grade 3 or 4 infections were reported as follows:

Relapsed/refractory patient studies: DVd: 21%, Vd: 19%; DRd: 27%, Rd: 23%; DPd: 28%

Newly diagnosed patient studies: D‑VMP: 23%, VMP: 15%; DRd: 32%, Rd: 23%; D-VTd: 22%, VTd: 20%.

Pneumonia was the most commonly reported severe (Grade 3 or 4) infection across studies. In the active controlled studies, discontinuations from treatment due to infections (1-4%) and fatal infections were generally infrequent and balanced between the DARZALEX containing regimens and active control arms. Fatal infections were primarily due to pneumonia and sepsis.

Key: D=daratumumab; Vd=bortezomib-dexamethasone; Rd=lenalidomide-dexamethasone; Pd=pomalidomide-dexamethasone; VMP=bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone; VTd=bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone.

5.       PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1     Pharmacodynamic properties

Combination treatment with bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone (VTd) in patients eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT):

Study MMY3006 is a 2 Part, open-label, randomized, active-controlled Phase 3 study. Part 1 compared induction and consolidation treatment with DARZALEX 16 mg/kg in combination with bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone (D-VTd) to treatment with bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone (VTd) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma eligible for ASCT. The consolidation phase of treatment began a minimum of 30 days post-ASCT, when the patient had recovered sufficiently, and engraftment was complete. In Part 2, subjects with at least a partial response (PR) by Day 100 post-transplant were re-randomized in a 1:1 ratio to daratumumab maintenance or observation only. Only results from Part 1 are described henceforth.

Bortezomib was administered by SC injection or IV injection at a dose of 1.3 mg/m² body surface area twice weekly for two weeks (Days 1, 4, 8, and 11) of repeated 28 day (4-week) induction treatment cycles (Cycles 1-4) and two consolidation cycles (Cycles 5 and 6) following ASCT after Cycle 4. Thalidomide was administered orally at 100 mg daily during the six bortezomib cycles. Dexamethasone (oral or intravenous) was administered at 40 mg on Days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23 of Cycles 1 and 2, and at 40 mg on Days 1-2 and 20 mg on subsequent dosing days (Days 8, 9, 15, 16) of Cycles 3-4. Dexamethasone 20 mg was administered on Days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 in Cycles 5 and 6. On the days of DARZALEX infusion, the dexamethasone dose was administered intravenously as a pre-infusion medication. Dose adjustments for bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone were applied according to manufacturer’s prescribing information.

A total of 1085 patients were randomized: 543 to the D-VTd arm and 542 to the VTd arm. The baseline demographic and disease characteristics were similar between the two treatment groups. The median age was 58 (range: 22 to 65) years. All patients were ≤ 65 years: 43% were in the age group ≥ 60-65 years, 41% were in the age group ≥ 50-60 years and 16% below age of 50 years. The majority were male (59%), 48% had an ECOG performance score of 0, 42% had an ECOG performance score of 1 and 10% had an ECOG performance score of 2. Forty percent had International Staging System (ISS) Stage I, 45% had ISS Stage II and 15% had ISS Stage III disease.

Efficacy was evaluated by the stringent Complete Response (sCR) rate at Day 100 post-transplant and Progression free survival (PFS).

Results of a PFS analysis by censoring patients who were randomized to daratumumab maintenance in the second randomization, at the date of the second randomization showed HR=0.50; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.75; p=0.0005.

4.1     Therapeutic indications

DARZALEX is indicated:

• in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone or with bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant.
• as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, whose prior therapy included a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent and who have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy.
• in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, or bortezomib and dexamethasone, for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy.
• as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, whose prior therapy included a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent and who have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy.

4.2     Posology and method of administration

DARZALEX should be administered by a healthcare professional, in an environment where resuscitation facilities are available.

Pre‑ and post‑infusion medications should be administered to reduce the risk of infusion‑related reactions (IRRs) with daratumumab. See below “Recommended concomitant medications”, “Management of infusion‑related reactions” and section 4.4.

Posology

Dosing schedule in combination with lenalidomide (4‑week cycle regimen) and for monotherapy:

The recommended dose is DARZALEX 16 mg/kg body weight administered as an intravenous infusion according to the following dosing schedule in Table 1.

For dose and schedule of medicinal products administered with DARZALEX, see section 5.1 and the corresponding Summary of Product Characteristics.

Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

Dosing schedule in combination with bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone (6-week cycle regimens) for patients ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant:

The recommended dose is DARZALEX 16 mg/kg body weight administered as an intravenous infusion according to the following dosing schedule in Table 12.

Bortezomib is given twice weekly at Weeks 1, 2, 4 and 5 for the first 6-week cycle, followed by once weekly at Weeks 1, 2, 4 and 5 for eight more 6-week cycles. For information on the VMP dose and dosing schedule when administered with DARZALEX, see section 5.1.

Relapsed/Refractory multiple myeloma

Dosing schedule for monotherapy and in combination with lenalidomide (4‑week cycle regimen):

The recommended dose is DARZALEX 16 mg/kg body weight administered as an intravenous infusion according to the following dosing schedule in Table 2.

For dose and schedule of medicinal products administered with DARZALEX, see section 5.1 and the corresponding Summary of Product Characteristics.

4.5     Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

……

Clinical pharmacokinetic assessments of daratumumab in combination with lenalidomide, pomalidomide, thalidomide, and bortezomib and dexamethasone indicated no clinically-relevant drug-drug interaction between DARZALEX and these combination therapiessmall molecule medicinal products.

4.8     Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

The most frequent adverse reactions (≥ 20%) were infusion reactions, fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, muscle spasmsconstipation, pyrexia, dyspnoea, cough, back pain, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anaemia, oedema peripheral, peripheral sensory neuropathy and upper respiratory tract infection. Serious adverse reactions were pneumonia, bronchitis, upper respiratory tract infection, pulmonary oedema, influenza, pyrexia, dehydration, diarrhoea and atrial fibrillation.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Table 5 summarises the adverse drug reactions that occurred in patients receiving DARZALEX. The data reflects exposure to DARZALEX (16 mg/kg) in 1530 patients with multiple myeloma including 1374 patients who received DARZALEX in combination with background regimens and 156 patients who received DARZALEX as monotherapy 1166 patients with multiple myeloma including 872 patients from three Phase III active-controlled trials who received DARZALEX in combination with either lenalidomide and dexamethasone (DRd; n=283; Study MMY3003), bortezomib and dexamethasone (DVd; n=243; Study MMY3004), or bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone (D‑VMP, n=346; Study MMY3007), and five open-label, clinical trials in which patients received DARZALEX either in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (DPd; n=103), in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (n=35) or as monotherapy (n=156). Post‑marketing adverse reactions are also included.