The Myeloma Canada Research Network (MCRN) is Trailblazing the Clinical Research Landscape with MCRN 003 – The KCd Trial
Dr Andrew Belch, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton
Carfilzomib (Kyprolis®), a new proteasome inhibitor, was approved by Health Canada in January 2016, but is not yet funded by any provincial drug plan. The MCRN 003 trial provides this new drug to eligible patients through the KCd triplet combination of carfilzomib (
Kyprolis®),
cyclophosphamide and
dexamethasone. Cyclophosphamide is believed to have immunomodulatory properties and provides a more cost-effective alternative to other carfilzomib triplet combinations that have been studied.
The currently approved dosing schedule for carfilzomib is twice weekly. The trial is evaluating a once-weekly dosing regimen which will not only be more convenient for the patient, but also be more cost-effective. The overall lower cost of this combination may help influence provincial drug funding decisions in the future.
Dr Chris Venner, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton
The trial is being led by Dr Andrew Belch and Dr Christopher Venner from the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton. There are currently 56 patients enrolled out of 76. Participating sites:
Toronto - Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Ottawa - The Ottawa General Hospital
London – London Health Sciences Centre
Edmonton - Cross Cancer Institute
Montreal - Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital
Kingston- Kingston General Hospital
Halifax - Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre
Saint John - Saint John Regional Hospital
Quebec City - Hôtel-Dieu de Québec
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