Dispenzieri, Angela

AbstractMetaphase cytogenetic abnormalities, plasma cell proliferation index (PCPro), and gain 1q by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) are associated with inferior survival in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) treated with novel agents; however, their role in risk stratification is unclear in the era of the revised International Staging System (R-ISS). The objective of this study was to determine if these predictors improve risk stratification in newly diagnosed MM when accounting for R-ISS and age. We studied a retrospective cohort of 483 patients with newly diagnosed MM treated with proteasome inhibitors and/or immunomodulators. On multivariable analysis, R-ISS, age, metaphase cytogenetic abnormalities (both in aggregate and for specific abnormalities), PCPro, and FISH gain 1q were associated with inferior progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). We devised a risk scoring system based on hazard ratios from multivariable analyses and assigned patients to low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups based on their cumulative scores. The addition of metaphase cytogenetic abnormalities, PCPro, and FISH gain 1q to a risk scoring system accounting for R-ISS and age did not improve risk discrimination of Kaplan-Meier estimates for PFS or OS. Moreover, they did not improve prognostic performance when evaluated by Uno’s censoring-adjusted C-statistic. Lastly, we performed a paired analysis of metaphase cytogenetic and interphase FISH abnormalities, which revealed the former to be insensitive for the detection of prognostic chromosomal abnormalities. Ultimately, metaphase cytogenetics lack sensitivity for important chromosomal aberrations and, along with PCPro and FISH gain 1q, do not improve risk stratification in MM when accounting for R-ISS and age.

53-year-old male with iMCD developed hematoma at biopsy site. He was diagnosed with acquired hemophilia A and Hashimoto’s both were associated with iMCD. He has been in remission without recurrence of hemophilia after Rituximab 375 mg/M² weekly for 1 month, and 375 mg/M² every 2 months for maintenance.

Abstract Introduction: The immunoglobulin free light chain (FLC) is the precursor protein of amyloid in primary systemic amyloidosis (AL). Historically, the ability to monitor the amyloid protein precursor has been crude. There is now a test that reproducibly measures serum levels of FLC. We evaluated the utility of this assay in patients with AL undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT). Methods: Between March 1, 1996 and July 31, 2004, 98 patients with AL undergoing PBSCT had serial FLC measurements performed either prospectively or on stored sera. Patients who died before their 100 day evaluation were excluded because response could not be estimated. FLC levels were performed using Freelite™ reagents on a Dade-Behring Nephelometer. In order to pool the data of the monoclonal kappa and lambda patients, the clonal free light chain was considered the involved] immunoglobulin free light chain for the purpose of these analyses and is henceforth referred to as FLC. The prognostic effects of the initial concentration and the extent of reduction of monoclonal FLC on survival were evaluated. Results: Pre-transplant, 94% of patients had an abnormal FLC ratio, with a median involved FLC of 152 mg/L [15.2 mg/dL]. Only 14% of 98 patients had a “measurable” serum M-spike (i.e. ≥ 10 g/L [1 g/dL]) on electrophoresis with a median of 1 g/L [0.1 g/dL]. Ten patients have died of their disease during a median follow-up time of 19.5 months, range 3.3 to 103 months. The 2- year and 4-year estimated survivals are 92% and 76%, respectively. Using the 75th percentile value of pre-PBSCT FLC (382 mg/L [38.2 g/dL]) as a grouping variable, there was a significantly higher risk of death 5.4 (95% confidence interval 1.5–19.3) in the patient quartile with the highest baseline FLC. Baseline FLC correlated with serum cardiac troponin T levels (rho 0.51, p<0.0001), suggesting that high FLC levels are associated with more advanced disease. After PBSCT, the median percent reduction of FLC was 81%. The percent FLC reduction did not predict for survival, but the absolute level of FLC achieved after therapy did. The hazard ratio for death for not achieving a post-transplant FLC of 20 mg/L [2 mg/dL] post-transplant was 5.1 (95% confidence interval 1.1–24.1). Of 91 patients evaluable for complete response by EBMT criteria, 45 had a complete hematological response. Sixty-five percent of the patients achieving a FLC level of less than 20 mg/L [2 mg/dL] also had a complete hematologic response. Free light chain response as defined by a post transplant FLC level 20mg/L [2 mg/dL] or lower was a more powerful predictor of survival than complete hematologic response, as defined by the EBMT multiple myeloma criteria. Post-PBSCT FLC level only weakly predicted for organ response, but median follow-up for surviving patients is relatively short at 19.6 months. Conclusion: FLC measurements both pre- and post-PBSCT are important predictors of patient outcome.

Abstract Purpose: Lenalidomide (CC-5013) is an analogue of thalidomide and a lead clinical compound in a new group of drugs called IMiDS® which have immunomodulatory properties. Lenalidomide has shown promising results in relapsed refractory myeloma. It has a markedly different side-effect profile compared to thalidomide, with significantly fewer non- hematologic adverse events; myelosuppression, especially neutropenia, is the most common toxicity. We report the results of a phase II trial using the combination of lenalidomide plus dexamethasone (Rev/Dex) as initial therapy for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Patients and Methods: 34 patients (23 male and 11 female) were enrolled. Lenalidomide was given orally 25 mg daily on days 1–21 of a 28-day cycle. Dexamethasone was given orally at a dose of 40 mg daily on days 1–4, 9–12, 17–20 of each cycle. Patients were allowed to go off treatment after 4 cycles of therapy to pursue stem cell transplantation, but treatment beyond four cycles was permitted at the physician’s discretion. For patients continuing therapy beyond 4 months, the dose of dexamethasone was reduced to 40 mg on days 1–4 of each cycle. Objective response was defined as a decrease in serum monoclonal (M) protein by 50% or greater and a decrease in urine M protein by at least 90% or to a level less than 200 mg/24 hours, confirmed by two consecutive determinations at least 4 weeks apart. Sub-classification as very good partial response (VGPR) required in addition to criteria for partial response, >=90% reduction in serum M protein, 24 hour urine M protein less than or equal to 100 mg, and 5% or fewer plasma cells on bone marrow examination. All patients received aspirin (81 mg or 325 mg daily) as prophylaxis against DVT. Results: The median age was 64 years (range, 32–78). All patients were evaluable for response and toxicity. Thirty-one of 34 patients (91%) achieved an objective response to therapy, including 2 patients (6%) achieving a complete response (CR) and 11 patients (32%) achieving very good partial response. Of the 3 patients not achieving an objective response, two met criteria for minor response and one had stable disease. Responses were rapid; the median time to response was 1 month. Adequate stem cells (>3.0 million CD34 cells/kg body weight) were obtained in all patients who proceeded to autologous stem cell transplantation. Forty-seven percent of patients experienced grade 3 or higher non-hematologic toxicity, most commonly fatigue (15%), muscle weakness (6%), anxiety (6%), pneumonitis (6%) and rash (6%). One patient died on study, and this was attributed to infection unrelated to therapy; the patient had stopped all therapy for over a month before the fatal infection occurred. One patient developed a pulmonary embolism, but recovered with therapy; no other patient developed deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: Rev/Dex is highly active and well tolerated in the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma with overall responses in over 90% of patients including complete and very good partial responses in 38%. Two large cooperative group trials are currently testing Rev/Dex as initial therapy for multiple myeloma in the United States.

Abstract Background: Although thalidomide induced neuropathy has been described for decades, many features such as incidence, risk factors, severity and character of the neuropathy are not well defined. We retrospectively reviewed the incidence and clinical course of peripheral neuropathy in patients treated with thalidomide or thalidomide/dexamethasone (Thal/Dex) on a Phase II Mayo Clinic trial. Methods: Patients who participated in a Mayo Clinic Phase II trial of thalidomide in myeloma were studied. In this trial, patients with SMM and RMM received thalidomide 200 mg per day escalated as tolerated to a maximum of 800 mg/day. Patients with NMM received thalidomide 200 mg/day plus dexamethasone 40 mg/day orally on days 1–4, 9–12, 17–20 (odd cycles) and 40 mg/day days 1–4 (even cycles) repeated monthly. The incidence and clinical course of neuropathy was assessed by chart review. The study was approved by the Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board. Results: All 113 patients (70 male, 43 female) treated on trial were studied; 31 patients with smoldering/indolent myeloma (SMM), 32 patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma (RMM) and 50 patients with newly diagnosed myeloma (NMM). Patients were accrued to the parent protocol from April 1999 through March 2002. The median age was 62 years (range, 36–78). The median duration of thalidomide therapy on protocol was 15 months in SMM, 6 months in RMM and 4 months in NMM. Overall, 63 patients (56 %) developed symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. The incidence of neuropathy was 77%, 50%, and 46% in patients with SMM, RMM, and NMM, respectively. Neuropathy worsened during the treatment phase with/without dose reduction or after cessation in 15%, remained stable in 52%, and improved in 27%. Overall grade of neuropathy was grade 1 in most pts; 11% of all patients had grade 2 neuropathy and 2% had grade 3 neuropathy. Predominant symptoms of neuropathy were tingling and numbness involving both upper limb and lower limbs. Small subsets of patients complained of hearing loss 6 patients), and erectile dysfunction (4 patients). Electromyographic studies and nerve conduction studies were performed in 11 patients; the most common finding was a length dependent axonal neuropathy. Conclusion: Peripheral neuropathy is an important and common adverse event with thalidomide therapy that often limits the dose and duration of treatment. Its incidence and severity are likely related to dose and duration of therapy.

Abstract Background: Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a premalignant plasma cell disorder that carries a 1% per year risk of progression to multiple myeloma (MM) or related malignancy. The prevalence and natural history of MGUS, in which by definition intact immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) is expressed, has been well described. However, up to 20% of myeloma (MM) is characterized by complete lack of IgH expression (Light-chain MM); the prevalence of a corresponding precursor entity, light chain MGUS (LC-MGUS) has not been determined. We report the first prevalence estimates of LC-MGUS in the general population from a large, well-defined geographic population using modern laboratory techniques. Methods: The cohort for this study was derived from one previously assembled by us to estimate the prevalence of MGUS (N Engl J Med2006;354:1362-9). The original cohort used to estimate the prevalence of MGUS consisted of 21,463 of the 28,038 enumerated residents aged 50 or over of Olmsted County Minnesota as of January 1, 1995. The sensitive serum free light chain (FLC) assay (The Binding Site Limited, Birmingham, U.K.) was performed on stored serum samples from these 21,463 persons. IgH expression was determined by immunofixation on all FLC results that had an abnormal kappa/lambda ratio (<0.26 or >1.65). LC-MGUS was defined as the presence of an abnormal FLC ratio and a negative immunofixation for IgH expression. Results: Adequate stored serum samples were available in 20,733 (97%) of the 21,463 persons. To date, the FLC assay has been performed and results were available for analysis on samples from 16,637 persons. An abnormal FLC ratio was observed in 572 persons. IgH expression was detected in 255 of these cases on immunofixation; these persons are considered as having MGUS, and were excluded from the estimation of LC-MGUS prevalence. This resulted in 317 persons out of 16,637 who had an abnormal FLC ratio without evidence of IgH expression, resulting in an estimated prevalence of LC- MGUS of 2%. Of the 317 cases of LC-MGUS identified in this study, 217 were kappa and 100 were lambda; in 35 cases the presence of the corresponding monoclonal light chain was apparent on immunofixation. The median age of the cohort of LC-MGUS was 62 years; males=151, females =166. The involved FLC level ranged from 0.118–270.0 mg/dL. The FLC ratio ranged from 0.014–0.253 (lambda) and 1.67–511.01 (kappa). So far, progression to multiple myeloma has occurred in 4 patients, a rate much higher than what is expected based on the prevalence of myeloma in the general population. Two additional patients have developed CLL. Conclusions: LC-MGUS is prevalent in 2% of the general population aged 50 years of age or older. The natural history of this disorder needs to be determined.

Abstract Introduction: The association of amyloidosis with immunoglobulin light chain disorders is well recognized. It is less commonly appreciated that amyloidosis can be associated with IgM monoclonal gammopathies. One of the available therapies for treating amyloidosis is stem cell transplantation. It is unknown whether the clinical outcomes in patients with IgM amyloidosis differs from those patients with light chain amyloidosis. Patients: Among 242 amyloidosis patients receiving stem cell transplants 10 (4%) had an IgM monoclonal protein. Eight were Mλ. One was biclonal Mλ Mκ and one was biclonal Mκ Gλ. The age range was 56 to 71, median 64 years. Seven were men. The monoclonal protein ranged in size from 0.1 to 2.3 g/dL (median 1.2 g/dL). Patients were transplanted from 2 to 8 months (median 4 months) following histologic diagnosis of amyloid. The median time from the recognition of the IgM monoclonal protein to the diagnosis of amyloid was 1.3 months, but 2 patients, both of whom had overt Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, were diagnosed 45 and 115 months respectively before amyloidosis developed. Of the cohort of 10, 3 fulfilled the criteria for symptomatic Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia. Results: Amyloid syndromes were recognized in the kidney, heart, peripheral nerve and liver in 8, 3, 3 and 1 patient, respectively. Of the 3 peripheral neuropathy patients one also had autonomic failure. Seven of the 8 renal amyloid patients were confirmed with a renal biopsy. Their urinary protein loss ranged from 0.1 to 9.5 g/24h with a median of 4.7 g/24h. Six of the 10 patients had single organ involvement, 3 had 2 organ involvement and 1 had 3 organ involvement. All 3 Waldenström’s patients had prior exposure to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Amyloid deposits were seen in the bone marrow, fat and lymph node in 6, 5 and 1 patient, respectively. Patients underwent from 1 to 7 (median 3) apheresis with a median CD34 yield of 4.5 x 106/kg. Conditioning was Melphalan at 140 and 200 mg/m2 in 2 and 8 patients respectively. Neutrophil engraftment 500/μL occurred between day 11 and 30 (median 14) and for platelets 20,000/μL between day 11 and 406 (median day 16). The median number of hospitalization days ranged from 0 to 32 (median 12). Nine of the 10 patients fulfilled criteria for a hematologic response and to date 3 of these 9 have also achieved an organ response, including normalization of urinary protein loss in 2 nephrotic patients and a greater than 50% reduction in urinary protein loss in the third. None of the patients with amyloid neuropathy responded. One of the patients with cardiac amyloid showed echocardiographic evidence of improvement. At this time 8 survive and 2 died; 1 a treatment-related death (day +40) and 1 of relapse post transplant with progressive amyloid at 45 months. The median follow-up of surviving patients is 29 months. Conclusion: The outcomes in patients with IgM amyloidosis following transplantation do not appear to be different from those with immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis. There is no suggestion that the response rates are lower or that alternate conditioning schemes such as BEAM should be considered.

Abstract Due to the diagnostic sensitivity of serum free light chain quantitation for monoclonal light chain diseases, it has been suggested that urine assays no longer need be performed as part of the diagnostic algorithm for monoclonal proteins. We reviewed our experience to determine the relative diagnostic contribution of urine assays. Methods: Patients with a monoclonal gammopathy and monoclonal urinary protein at initial diagnosis who also had a serum immunofixation and serum free light chain quantitation within 30 days of diagnosis were identified (n = 428). The laboratory results for serum protein electrophoresis, serum immunofixation, serum free light chain, urine protein electrophoresis, and urine immunofixation were reviewed. Results: The patients in this cohort had diagnoses of multiple myeloma, primary amyloid, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, smoldering multiple myeloma, solitary plasmacytomas, and other less frequently detected monoclonal gammopathies. By definition of the cohort, all 428 had a monoclonal urine protein. 86% had an abnormal serum free light chain K/L ratio, 81% had an abnormal serum protein electrophoresis, and 94% had an abnormal serum immunofixation. In only 2 patients, however, were all 3 serum assays normal. Both of these were patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (idiopathic Bence Jones proteinuria). Conclusion: Discontinuation of urine studies and reliance on a diagnostic algorithm using solely serum studies (protein electrophoresis, immunofixation, and free light chain quantitation), missed 2 of the 428 monoclonal gammopathies (0.5 %) with urinary monoclonal proteins, and these 2 cases required no medical intervention.