Global pharma powerhouse Bristol Myers Squibb has announced that its oral therapy mezigdomide, combined with carfilzomib and dexamethasone (MeziKd), significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

 

The interim results of the Phase 3 SUCCESSOR-2 study's safety profile aligned with expectations for both mezigdomide and the combination regimen. Patients will continue to be monitored for long-term survival and safety.

 

“We are excited by these results, which underscore Bristol Myers Squibb’s leadership in treating multiple myeloma and our unwavering commitment to patients living with this persistent and challenging disease,” said Cristian Massacesi, executive vice president, chief medical officer and head of development at Bristol Myers Squibb. 

 

“Importantly, these findings reinforce the value of our CELMoD program and our targeted protein degradation platform, and strengthen our confidence in bringing forward effective, accessible oral treatment options for patients with difficult-to-treat blood cancers and potentially beyond.”

 

Experts highlighted the urgent need for new therapies.

 

“While treatment advances have been meaningful, far too many patients with multiple myeloma still relapse or stop responding—making the need for new options urgent,” said Paul Richardson, Director of Clinical Research and Clinical Program Leader at the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and RJ Corman Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. 

 

“These data underscore the potential of MeziKd as an oral regimen that could address a key unmet need for patients previously exposed to anti-CD38 and lenalidomide.”

 

“It is important for patients to have treatment options that offer enduring disease control,” said Meletios-A. (Thanos) Dimopoulos, Professor and Chairman, Department of Clinical Therapeutics at Alexandra Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. 

 

“These positive interim data show that adding mezigdomide, a CELMoD specifically optimized for enhanced myeloma cell killing and immune activation compared with IMiD agents, to carfilzomib and dexamethasone may provide clinical benefit in earlier relapse.”