The impact of clinical trial participation on quality of life and psychosocial well-being in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their parents.

Clinical trials provide Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients access to medication. Nevertheless, such involvement can impose certain burdens, as the protocol may entail strict adherence and additional demands. This study assessed the psychosocial functioning and quality of life in boys with DMD and their parents who participate in clinical trials. DMD families participating in clinical trials (n = 25) and families with DMD patients not involved in clinical trials (N = 18) were included. Questionnaires assessing psychosocial well-being and quality of life were completed by the participants and their parents. MANOVAs were employed to compare outcomes between groups. The results showed that mothers in the clinical trial group experienced significantly higher scores of somatic complaints. Fathers in the clinical trial group reported significantly fewer psychological issues compared to fathers from the other group. DMD patients participating in clinical trials reported a better overall and emotional quality of life compared to them not involved in clinical trials. This study suggests that clinical trial participation may have positive effects on quality of life and psychosocial outcomes. It highlights the importance of providing support and counseling throughout the clinical trial decision making process to minimize potential burden for both eligible and ineligible patients.

Selinexor, Bortezomib and Dexamethasone: An Effective Salvage Regimen for Heavily Pretreated Myeloma Patients.

Purpose: Multiple myeloma (MM) patients with triple- and penta-refractory disease have a poor survival and limited treatment options. Selinexor, in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone, demonstrated clinical activity in the STOMP study as well as in the BOSTON study in previously treated patients with disease refractory to a proteasome inhibitor (PI). Patients and Methods: Here, we report a real-world case series of 7 heavily pretreated MM patients who had been extensively pretreated with bortezomib and had disease refractory to PIs, including carfilzomib; who were administered a starting dose of 100 mg of selinexor, 20-40 mg dexamethasone and 1.3 mg/m2 of bortezomib, each once weekly. The majority of these patients (6 patients, 86.0%) had penta-refractory disease, with 5 patients (71.4%) having disease refractory to bortezomib and carfilzomib, and all 7 patients having pomalidomide refractory disease. The median number of prior lines of therapy was 8 (range 4-12). Results: The seven patients in this case series received selinexor for a median of 5 cycles (range 1-10). Four patients (57.1%) had a dose reduction of selinexor. Five patients (71.4%) had a response, of which 2 (29.0%) had a very good partial response (VGPR) and 3 (43.0%) had a partial response (PR). One patient (14.3%) had stable disease (SD) and 1 (14.3%) had progressive disease (PD). There were no new safety signals. Conclusion: The selinexor, bortezomib, and dexamethasone triplet combination demonstrates activity in PI-resistant MM and patients with heavily pretreated MM with refractory disease and after multiple lines of therapy.