Pharmacist Medication Insights: Ixazomib for Multiple Myeloma

Ixazomib (Ninlaro, Takeda) was first approved by the FDA in November 2015 for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The oral proteasome inhibitor is indicated in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy.

The phase 3 TOURMALINE-MM4 study evaluated single-agent oral ixazomib as first-line maintenance therapy versus placebo in 706 adult patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma not treated with stem cell transplantation, who have completed 6 to 12 months of initial therapy and achieved a partial response or better.

Data from the study demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival, which was the primary endpoint of the trial.