The study is ongoing in its expansion cohort at the optimal dose of tasquinimod in combination with the standard anti-myeloma regimen of ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (IRd). Data from 11 patients so far treated with the combination indicate that adding tasquinimod to IRd shows no unexpected or dose-limiting toxicity and is generally well tolerated. The specific anti-myeloma activity of tasquinimod in this combination is evidenced by three patients with clinical benefit (one partial response and two minimal responses) among the 9 patients who were previously refractory to their most recent combination regimen including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory drug.

Enrollment in the study continues with a goal of enrolling up to 6 more patients who are refractory to their most recent proteasome inhibitor/ immunomodulatory drug combination.

“These are clinically meaningful disease responses in patients with highly refractory multiple myeloma who based on their prior treatment history would not have been expected to have a response to the IRd backbone regimen itself. These results increase our enthusiasm for the role of tasquinimod in modulating the bone marrow microenvironment to overcome treatment resistance and improve current myeloma therapies. We look forward to enrolling more patients to further confirm the clinical benefit of tasquinimod in multiple myeloma.” Says Dr Dan Vogl, Principal Investigator.