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LONDON, July 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration on Friday said it would review GlaxoSmithKline's
experimental treatment for multiple myeloma, a common form of
blood cancer, for a reported side-effect which affects the eyes
of patients.
Approval for belantamab mafodotin is seen as important for
GSK's growing oncology portfolio, and it is currently being
assessed by the U.S. drug regulator.
If approved, the drug could be a rival to Johnson & Johnson
and Genmab's Darzalex treatment.
The FDA on Friday published submissions ahead of a meeting
of the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) on July 14,
where they will evaluate how belantamab mafodotin can cause
keratopathy, a side-effect where deposits gather on the cornea
of the eye.
"The concerns and uncertainties regarding the ocular
toxicities raises questions about the overall benefit-risk
profile of the belantamab mafodotin in the proposed patient
population," a briefing document published on the FDA's website
said.
"The FDA seeks input from the committee on whether the
demonstrated benefit of belantamab mafodotin outweighs the risks
in the proposed patient population with multiple myeloma."
In its mid-stage study DREAMM-2, nearly 100 patients were
given the belantamab mafodotin at the dosage for which GSK has
submitted for approval.
Of those patients, 27% experienced medically severe
ketatopathy. One patient discontinued treatment due to the side
effect but no patients experienced life threatening symptoms.
The trial was testing the drug, also known as GSK2857916, in
patients who had received four to seven prior other treatments,
including drug Darzalex.
GSK is confident in the benefit/risk profile of the drug,
and believe it can be managed through modifying or interrupting
the course of treatment.
GSK has other trials planned aimed at showing its benefits
in earlier stages of treatment.
(Reporting by Alistair Smout)
