What the trial was testing
The COLUMBA enrolled 522 patients with multiple myeloma. The study was sponsored by Janssen Research & Development, LLC 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 under-the-skin shot worked just as well as the IV version, with 41% of patients responding to treatment.
The Lancet. Haematology · 2020 · NCT03277105
These findings — that the subcutaneous shot was as effective as the IV infusion — were published in the The Lancet. Haematology and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 522 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
Daratumumab is FDA-approved for multiple myeloma and now comes in both IV and subcutaneous forms. The subcutaneous version takes just minutes instead of hours for infusion and may cause fewer reactions during treatment. Talk to your doctor about which form might work best for you.
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.
Open multiple myeloma trials
Primary Multiple Myeloma Who Achieved MRD Negativity After Induction Therapy, ASCT or Not
The goal of this observational study is to compare the efficacy and safety of autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) versus non ASCT regimens in primary multiple myeloma patients achieved MRD negativity after induction. The main question it aims to answer is: In primary multiple myeloma patients who achieved MRD negativity after induction, non ASCT regimens are not inferior to ASCT or not? Participants will receive ASCT or non ASCT regimen according to their own choice. Researchers will compare ASCT and non ASCT group see if any significant difference in efficacy and safety.
To Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Human BCMA Targeted CAR-NK Cells Injection for Subjects With R/R MM or PCL
This study is a single-arm, open-label, dose-escalation trial to explore the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics characteristics of human BCMA targeted CAR-NK Cells injection, and to preliminarily observe the efficacy of the trial drug in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma or plasma cell leukemia.