stella
Multiple MyelomaNovember 2020Summary reviewed June 2026

What the BOSTON Trial Found — Selinexor for Multiple Myeloma

Researchers tested whether adding selinexor to a standard treatment could help people with multiple myeloma who had tried one to three other treatments. Patients who got selinexor with bortezomib and dexamethasone went nearly 14 months before their cancer worsened, compared to about 9.5 months with bortezomib and dexamethasone alone.

What the trial was testing

The BOSTON enrolled 402 patients with multiple myeloma. The study was sponsored by Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.

It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.

What the results showed

The combination kept cancer from getting worse for 13.93 months versus 9.46 months with standard treatment.

Lancet (London, England) · 2020 · NCT03110562

These findings — that nearly 4.5 months longer than standard treatment before the cancer got worse — were published in the Lancet (London, England) and represent the headline result of the study.

Researchers tracked outcomes across 402 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.

What this means for patients

For patients with multiple myeloma, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.

What you can do now

Selinexor combined with bortezomib and dexamethasone is FDA-approved for multiple myeloma that has come back after other treatments. The once-weekly dosing schedule is more convenient than twice-weekly bortezomib alone and caused less nerve damage. Talk to your oncologist about whether this combination is right for your situation.

Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.