David H. Vesole, MD, PhD, FACP, Co-Division Chief and Director of Research for the Multiple Myeloma Division at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, commented after the presentation of the ASPIRE trial data that the findings were “impressive.”

“It’s not overly surprising to most of us that three drugs have superiority over two drugs. The outcome that is most impressive is the safety signal. It assures us the drug is safe,” Dr. Vesole said. “There have been such concerns about using single-agent carfilzomib (Kyprolis), with the potential for cardiac and pulmonary toxicity. This study of nearly 800 patients shows that the drug can be safely administered with a toxicity profile virtually identical to the lenalidomide (Revlimid) and dexamethasone control arm. I am pleased to see this kind of data.” ■

Disclosure: Dr. Vesole reported no potential conflicts of interest.