Carfilzomib: a novel treatment in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma

Carfilzomib is a second-generation proteasome inhibitor with well-documented clinical activity as a single agent in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Carfilzomib can partially overcome resistance in bortezomib-refractory patients and has significant efficacy in bortezomib-naïve patients. Responses generally occur rapidly and are durable in the majority of cases. Carfilzomib can be safely administered in patients with renal failure and adverse cytogenetics do not seem to interfere with its activity. Moreover, carfilzomib has the advantage of a favorable safety profile, especially a low incidence of peripheral neuropathy, which is often the dose-limiting factor in thalidomide and bortezomib-based regimens. The most frequently observed high-grade adverse event is cytopenia. However, long-term tolerability is good with no cumulative toxicity. The place of carfilzomib in the treatment of the advanced and the newly diagnosed myeloma patient is currently under examination in several ongoing phase 3 clinical trials.