This is a Phase 1/2, multicenter, open label, dose-escalation, nonrandomized study to evaluate the safety, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy of a 60-minute infusion of carfilzomib for patients with progressive multiple myeloma.

This is a Phase 1/2, multicenter, open label, dose-escalation, nonrandomized study to evaluate the safety, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy of a 60-minute infusion of carfilzomib for patients with progressive multiple myeloma.

The study will consist of a screening period, followed by a treatment period of up to eight 28-day treatment cycles, followed by a period of maintenance treatment. Subjects are to be treated until disease progression.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. MM with relapsing or progressive disease at study entry

   a. Defined as progressive MM on patient's last treatment regimen

2. Measurable disease, as defined by one or more of the following (assessed within 14 days prior to first dose):

   1. Serum M-protein ≥ 0.5 g/dL, or
   2. Urine M-protein ≥ 200 mg/24 hours, or
   3. Only in patients who do not meet a or b, then use serum free light chain (SFLC) > 100 mg/L (involved light chain) and an abnormal kappa/lamda ratio

3. Age ≥ 18 years

4. Life expectancy ≥ 6 months

5. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤ 2

6. Adequate hepatic function within 14 days prior to first dose, with bilirubin < 1.5 × the upper limit of normal (ULN), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) < 3 × ULN

7. LVEF ≥ 40%. 2-D transthoracic echocardiogram (ECHO) is the preferred method of evaluation. Multigated Acquisition Scan (MUGA) is acceptable if ECHO is not available.

8. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1000/mm3 within 14 days prior to first dose. Screening ANC is to be independent of granulocyte colony stimulating factor support for ≥ 1 week and pegylated granulocyte colony stimulating factor for ≥ 2 weeks.

9. Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dL within 14 days prior to enrollment. Use of erythropoietic stimulating factors and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions per institutional guidelines is allowed.

10. Platelet count ≥ 75,000/mm3 (≥ 50,000/mm^3 if myeloma involvement in the bone marrow is > 50%) within 14 days prior to first dose. Patients must not have received platelet transfusions for at least 7 days prior to obtaining the screening platelet count

11. Calculated or measured creatinine clearance (CrCl) of ≥ 15 mL/min within 14 days prior to first dose. Calculation are based on a standard formula, such as the Cockcroft and Gault: [(140 - Age) x Mass (kg) / (72 x Creatinine mg/dL)]; multiply result by 0.85 if female

12. Written informed consent in accordance with federal, local, and institutional guidelines

13. Female patients of childbearing potential (FCBP) must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 14 days prior to first dose and agree to use an effective method of contraception during and for 3 months following last dose of drug (more frequent pregnancy tests may be conducted if required per local regulations). Postmenopausal females (> 45 years old and without menses for > 1 year) and surgically sterilized females are exempt from a pregnancy test

14. Male patients must agree to use an effective barrier method of contraception during study and for 3 months following the last dose if sexually active with a FCBP

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Multiple myeloma of IgM subtype

2. POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein, and skin changes)

3. Plasma cell leukemia (> 2.0 × 109/L circulating plasma cells by standard differential)

4. Waldenström's macroglobulinemia

5. Amyloidosis

6. Glucocorticoid therapy (prednisone > 30 mg/day or equivalent) within 7 days prior to first dose

7. Cytotoxic chemotherapy with approved or investigational anticancer therapeutics within 28 days prior to first dose

8. Treatment with bortezomib, thalidomide or lenalidomide within 21 days prior to first dose

9. Focal radiation therapy within 7 days prior to first dose. Radiation therapy to an extended field involving a significant volume of bone marrow within 21 days prior to enrollment (i.e., prior radiation must have been to < 30% of the bone marrow)

10. Immunotherapy within 21 days prior to first dose

11. Major surgery within 21 days prior to first dose

12. Active congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] Classes III to IV), symptomatic ischemia, or conduction abnormalities uncontrolled by conventional intervention. Myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to first dose.

13. Acute active infection requiring systemic antibiotics, antiviral (except antiviral therapy directed at HBV), or antifungal agents within 14 days prior to first dose

14. Known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity

15. Known hepatitis B or C virus infection (except for patients with HBV receiving and responding to HBV antiviral therapy: these patients are allowed)

16. Patients with known cirrhosis

17. Second malignancy within the past 3 years, except:

    1. Adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer
    2. Carcinoma in situ of the cervix
    3. Prostate cancer < Gleason score 6 with stable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) over 12 months
    4. Breast carcinoma in situ with full surgical resection
    5. Treated medullary or papillary thyroid cancer
    6. Patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

18. Significant neuropathy (Grades 3 to 4) within 14 days prior to first dose

19. Peripheral neuropathy with pain ≥ G2 within 14 days prior to first dose

20. Female patients who are pregnant or lactating

21. Known history of allergy to Captisol® (a cyclodextrin derivative used to solubilize carfilzomib)

22. Prior carfilzomib treatment

23. Prior participation in any Onyx-sponsored phase 3 trial

24. Patients with contraindication to dexamethasone

25. Contraindication to any of the required concomitant drugs or supportive treatments, including hypersensitivity to antiviral drugs, or intolerance to hydration due to preexisting pulmonary or cardiac impairment

26. Ongoing graft-versus-host disease

27. Patients with pleural effusions requiring thoracentesis or ascites requiring paracentesis within 14 days prior to enrollment

28. Uncontrolled hypertension or uncontrolled diabetes within 14 days prior to enrollment

29. Any other clinically significant medical disease or psychiatric condition that, in the Investigator's opinion, may interfere with protocol adherence or a patient's ability to give informed consent