(RxWiki News) For multiple myeloma patients who haven't responded to past treatments, a newly approved medication could provide hope.
That new drug is Darzalex (daratumumab). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it today to treat multiple myeloma in patients who have received at least three other treatments.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the blood. It attacks a type of white blood cell and can lead to a compromised immune system and bone health problems, among other issues.
Darzalex is an injected monoclonal antibody that helps the immune system attack multiple myeloma cancer cells.
Two studies, covering 148 total patients with multiple myeloma, found that this Janssen Biotech drug was safe and effective overall. In one study of 106 patients, 29 percent saw their tumors either reduce in size or disappear for around 7.4 months. In the other study, 36 percent of the patients saw a similar effect.
Some patients in these studies reported side effects. These included fever, cough, back pain, fatigue and nausea, among others. Pregnant women should not use this drug, according to the FDA.
