Daratumumab Enhances Survival in Cancer Patients with Reduced Physical Function: New Study Findings

A recent study published in the European Journal of Haematology has uncovered promising results regarding the use of daratumumab, a monoclonal antibody therapy for multiple myeloma. The research highlights that patients' subjective physical ability before starting treatment can predict how well they will respond and their overall survival chances. Researchers analyzed data from 1,804 patients enrolled across three major clinical trials—MAIA, POLLUX, and CASTOR—with a median age of 66 years, nearly half of whom were female. Participants were either assigned to receive daratumumab-containing therapy or standard treatment without it.

Before beginning treatment, patients completed a standardized questionnaire assessing their daily physical functioning, including tasks like walking and dressing. The results showed that patients reporting lower physical functioning—indicating more difficulty with daily activities—gained significant benefits from daratumumab, including a 47% reduction in mortality risk and a 66% decrease in disease progression risk. Conversely, those with higher self-reported physical function experienced a smaller, though still positive, benefit.

Interestingly, while traditional doctor-rated health scores (such as the ECOG Performance Status) did not effectively predict treatment success, patient-reported physical function emerged as a more accurate prognostic tool. Patients’ own assessments of their physical capabilities at treatment initiation outperformed clinical scales in predicting survival outcomes.

This discovery offers a simple and cost-effective method to guide treatment decisions, particularly for older or frail patients. The findings demonstrate that understanding a patient’s subjective physical status can inform personalized therapy plans and improve outcomes. Importantly, daratumumab was well tolerated across all physical function groups, with no additional severe side effects observed in patients with low physical resilience.

The implications of these findings extend beyond individual care, urging clinicians and policymakers to incorporate patient-reported outcomes into routine evaluation and trial designs. By prioritizing patients’ perspectives, healthcare providers can better tailor treatments and optimize survival benefits.

As multiple myeloma incidence increases globally, with projections indicating a 71% rise in cases by 2045, such personalized approaches are increasingly vital. Experts emphasize that listening to patient-reported physical function can bridge gaps in current assessment tools, enhancing the precision and compassion of cancer care.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-daratumumab-cancer-patients-physical-function.html