Targeting CD38 with Daratumumab Monotherapy in Multiple Myeloma

Daratumumab was associated with impressive antitumor responses, including complete and very good partial responses, in heavily pretreated patients with myeloma. Infusion reactions were the main adverse effect. Current therapies, including proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory agents, have improved outcomes substantially in patients with multiple myeloma. 1 Unfortunately, the majority of these patients have a relapse and have limited treatment options after exposure to these classes of agents. 2 , 3 Patients with disease that is refractory to both proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs have poor prognoses; the estimated median overall survival is 9 months, and the estimated event-free survival is 5 months at best. 2 , 3 CD38 is a 45-kD, type II transmembrane glycoprotein that associates with cell-surface receptors in lipid rafts, regulates cytoplasmic Ca 2+ flux, and mediates signal transduction in lymphoid . . .