Belantamab mafodotin had single-agent activity in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, a finding that supports further evaluation of the agent in combination with standard-care therapies. In this phase 3, open-label, randomized trial, we evaluated belantamab mafodotin, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (BVd), as compared with daratumumab, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (DVd), in patients who had progression of multiple myeloma after at least one line of therapy. The primary end point was progression-free survival. Key secondary end points were overall survival, response duration, and minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative status. In total, 494 patients were randomly assigned to receive BVd (243 patients) or DVd (251 patients). At a median follow-up of 28.2 months (range, 0.1 to 40.0), median progression-free survival was 36.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 28.4 to not reached) in the BVd group and 13.4 months (95% CI, 11.1 to 17.5) in the DVd group (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.53; P<0.001). Overall survival at 18 months was 84% in the BVd group and 73% in the DVd group. An analysis of the restricted mean response duration favored BVd over DVd (P<0.001). A complete response or better plus MRD-negative status occurred in 25% of the patients in the BVd group and 10% of those in the DVd group. Grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in 95% of the patients in the BVd group and 78% of those in the DVd group. Ocular events were more common in the BVd group than in the DVd group (79% vs. 29%); such events were managed with dose modifications, and events of worsening visual acuity mostly resolved. As compared with DVd therapy, BVd therapy conferred a significant benefit with respect to progression-free survival among patients who had relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after at least one line of therapy. Most patients had grade 3 or higher adverse events. (Funded by GSK; DREAMM-7 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04246047; EudraCT number, 2018-003993-29.).

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important cause of cardioembolic stroke, and population aging has increased its prevalence. Objective To evaluate the incidence of cardioembolic stroke caused by AF in the city of Joinville, Brazil, as well as previous diagnoses and use of medication. Methods Between 2017 and 2020 we extracted data from the population-based Joinville Stroke Registry. Demographic characteristics, diagnosis of AF, and patterns of medication use were collected, and the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) system was used to classify the etiology. Results There were 3,303 cases of ischemic stroke, 593 of which were cardioembolic, and 360 had AF. Of the patients with AF, 258 (71.6%) had a previous diagnosis of the disease, and 102 (28.3%) were newly diagnosed after the stroke. Among patients with a previously-diagnosed AF, 170 (47.2%) were using anticoagulants, and 88 (24.4%) were using other medications. Conclusion During the analyzed period, ischemic stroke caused by AF was a significant burden on the population of Joinville, and a considerable number of patients had undiagnosed or untreated AF.

Introdução: A estimativa da prevalência de fibrilação atrial (FA) sem diagnóstico ou tratamento é crucial para a prevenção do acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico (AVCI) relacionado à FA. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de FA sem diagnóstico ou tratamento na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Métodos: Realizamos um estudo prospectivo transversal não randomizado em Joinville, Brasil, entre indivíduos idosos em Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS). Resultados: Foram incluídos mil indivíduos, com idade média de 69 ± 7 anos, 57% dos quais eram mulheres. A prevalência de FA foi de 3%, com 50% dos pacientes com FA não-diagnosticada e 33% dos pacientes diagnosticados previamente sem receber anticoagulação oral apesar de indicação clínica. Usando prevalências padronizadas por idade, estimamos 68 e 27.342 AVCI por ano devido à FA sem diagnóstico ou tratamento em Joinville e no Brasil, respectivamente. Conclusão: A observação de que dois em cada três pacientes com FA estavam sem diagnóstico ou tratamento é muito alarmante. Estratégias de rastreamento para alcançar esta população são urgentemente necessárias.