Isatuximab, carfilzomib and dexamethasone (Isa-Kd) for the management of relapsed multiple myeloma.

Lay abstract For patients with multiple myeloma, navigating cancer relapses can be difficult. The combination of isatuximab, carfilzomib and dexamethasone (Isa-Kd), which was studied in the large ongoing IKEMA study, has recently been approved by government authorities in both the USA and Europe for treating multiple myeloma that has relapsed after initial therapy. Isatuximab is a drug that attacks the CD38 protein on myeloma cancer cells, while carfilzomib is a drug that prevents myeloma cancer cells from properly using and reusing proteins. Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that has been shown to improve how well other antimyeloma drugs work. In this review, we discuss potential strengths and weaknesses of the Isa-Kd combination for patients with multiple myeloma that has relapsed.