Comparison of Monoclonal Antibodies targeting CD38, SLAMF7 and PD-1/PD-L1 in combination with Bortezomib/Immunomodulators plus Dexamethasone/Prednisone for the treatment of Multiple Myeloma: An Indirect-Comparison Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract Background In recent years, there were many clinical trials assessed the efficacy and safety of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) in combination with proteasome inhibitors or immunomodulators plus dexamethasone/prednisoneare for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). The treatment outcomes of comparing different MAbs in combination with above-mentioned agents remain unknown. We conducted this meta-analysis to compare indirectly the efficacy and safety of MAbs targeting CD38, SLAMF7 and PD-1/PD-L1 in combination with bortezomib/immunomodulators plus dexamethasone/ prednisone in patients with MM. Methods We electronically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which at least one of the three MAbs was included among multiple arms. We included eleven eligible RCTs with 5367 patients in the meta-analysis. Statistical analysis used StataMP14 and Indirect Treatment Comparisons software. Results We synthesized hazard ratios (HR) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), relative risk (RR) for overall response rate, complete response (CR) or better, very good partial response (VGPR) or better, VGPR, partial response, stable disease and grade 3 or higher adverse events among the three groups. The HR for PFS of the CD38 group vs SLAMF7 group, CD38 group vs PD-1/PD-L1 group and SLAMF7 group vs PD-1/PD-L1 group were 0.662(95CI0.543-0.806), 0.317(95CI 0.221–0.454) and 0.479(95CI0.328-0.699) respectively. The HR for OS of the CD38 group vs SLAMF7 group was 0.812(0.584–1.127). The RR for CR or better in the CD38 group versus SLAMF7 group was 2.253(95CI1.284-3.955). The RR for neutropenia of the CD38 group versus SLAMF7 group was 1.818(95CI1.41-2.344). Conclusions Treatment with the CD38 group resulted in longer PFS and better treatment response than the SLAMF7 and PD-1/PD-L1 group. In addition, the SLAMF7 group prolonged PFS compared with the PD-1/PD-L1 group, and had a lower incidence of grade 3 or higher neutropenia than the CD38 and PD-1/PD-L1 group. In