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Ocular events w/ Belantamab Mafodotin in Myeloma
Ocular events w/ belantamab mafodotin in myeloma, according to research as well as a patient’s experience are detailed below.
I am posting about this therapy for three reasons:
- belantamab mafodotin is a relatively new anti-BCMA MM therapy having received FDA approval in 2020 and
- Ocular events w/ belantamab mafodotin in myeloma is a unique side effect but common for belantamab mafodotin patients
- As a long-term MM survivor who has struggled with short, long-term and late stage therapy-induced side effects, I believe that side effects must be explained.
I know of no therapies to reduce or eliminate the risk of ocular adverse events other than regular eye exams by an ophthalmologist, and the drug may need to be paused or discontinued if significant ocular toxicity occurs.
Hi David- I am on a clinical trial currently using belantamab mafodotin along with pomalidomide in a 28 day cycle. The belantamab mafodotin is infused every 12 weeks.
A side effect of this drug is that it affects your eyes. It forms cysts on the cornea which causes varied vision throughout the time between treatments. The cysts eventually move out and the next treatment can commence.
Other than the vision problems my experience has been very good. I feel good and it has kept the myeloma as bay for a year now. If anyone is considering this route I would recommend it as a treatment option.”
What ocular side effects occur with belantamab mafodotin?
The most common ocular side effects include:
- Keratopathy (Corneal Epithelial Changes): This is the most frequent side effect, characterized by changes in the corneal epithelium, such as microcysts or irregularities. It may cause blurred vision, eye dryness, and discomfort.
- Blurred Vision: Often due to keratopathy, patients may experience decreased visual acuity or difficulty seeing clearly.
- Dry Eye: Some patients may experience symptoms of dry eye, which can include irritation, burning, and a sensation of grittiness.
- Photophobia: Sensitivity to light is another potential side effect, making bright lights uncomfortable.
- Conjunctival Injection (Red Eyes): Inflammation of the conjunctiva can lead to redness in the eyes.
- Corneal Ulceration (Rare): In more severe cases, untreated corneal changes can progress to ulcers, which can be painful and may require medical attention.
I think the MM survivor testimony says it all- “Other than the vision problems my experience has been very good. I feel good and it has kept the myeloma at bay for a year now. If anyone is considering this route I would recommend it as a treatment option.”
Myeloma patients who are refractory to
- proteasome inhibitors,
- immunomodulatory agents, and
- anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies
have few therapy opinions. And if belantamab mafodotin is relatively well-tolerated and can “keep the myeloma at bay” then it is a reasonable treatment option.
Email me at David.PeopleBeatingCancer@gmail.com if you have any questions about belantamab mafodotin.
Hang in there,
David Emerson
- MM Survivor
- MM Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
Belantamab Mafodotin, Pomalidomide, and Dexamethasone in Multiple Myeloma
“BACKGROUND-Triplet or quadruplet therapies incorporating proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators, and anti-CD38 antibodies have led to prolonged survival among patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma; however, most patients have a relapse. Frontline lenalidomide therapy has increased the number of patients with lenalidomide-refractory disease at the time of the first relapse.
- belantamab mafodotin, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone (BPd), compared with
- pomalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (PVd),
in lenalidomide-exposed patients who had relapsed or refractory myeloma after at least one line of therapy. The primary end point was progression-free survival. Disease response and safety were also assessed.
- Grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in 94% of the patients in the BPd group
- and 76% of those in the PVd group.
Ocular events occurred in 89% of the patients who received BPd (grade 3 or 4 in 43%) and 30% of those who received PVd (grade 3 or 4 in 2%); ocular events in the BPd group were managed with belantamab mafodotin dose modification.
Ocular events led to treatment discontinuation in 9% of the patients in the BPd group and in no patients in the PVd group.
Management of Ocular Toxicity in Patients Receiving Belantamab Mafodotin
“The urgency for more treatment modalities remains, as patients who are refractory to
- proteasome inhibitors,
- immunomodulatory agents, and
- anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies
have a median survival of only 5.8 to 13 months. Belantamab mafodotin, a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2020 for patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma who have received at least four prior therapies, including an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, a proteasome inhibitor, and an immunomodulatory agent.
It produced an overall response rate of 31%, and the median progression-free survival was 2.9 months when administered as a single agent. While generally well tolerated, ocular toxicities were a notable adverse event reported…