Hayman, Suzanne R.

Abstract Background: Primary systemic amyloidosis (AL) is an incurable plasma cell disorder with a poor survival, especially in patients (pts) with multiple organ involvement. For pts with limited organ involvement, high dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell (SCT) support is an effective approach. However, the toxicity of SCT limits its widespread use. Melphalan and dexamethasone has been previously shown to be effective in pts ineligible for SCT. Methods: We reviewed our experience with melphalan and dexamethasone for treatment of AL. Eighty one pts were treated between 2001 and 2003; median age at start of therapy was 63 years (range, 38–80) and 56 pts (69%) were males. Among these, 46 pts (57%) had 2 or more major organs (cardiac, renal, hepatic) involved. Intravenous melphalan (IV) was used in 45 pts (56%), 32 (40%) received oral melphalan (PO) and the rest received cycles of both. The most common doses were 16 mg/m2 for IV administration (every 4–6 weeks) and 0.22 mg/kg for PO administration (every 4 weeks). Dexamethasone was usually given at a dose of 40 mg for the first 4 days of each cycle. Results: Patients received a median of 5 cycles (range; 1–17). At the time of analysis, 53 (65%) pts were alive with a median follow up of 10.8 months (range, 1.4–47.1).The estimated median overall survival (OS) was 25.6 months for the entire group, with the number or type of organs involved not impacting survival. Hematological response (HR) was defined by a 50% reduction in either serum M-spike, urine M-spike, or the absolute difference between the involved and uninvolved immunoglobulin free light chains. A HR was observed in 43 pts (67%) of the 64 pts measurable for HR by conventional criteria. Achievement of HR was associated with a superior OS with a median post-therapy OS that was not reached, while non-responders had a median OS of 11.1 months (p<0.0001) (Figure 1). Among these pts, an organ response as defined by conventional criteria, was seen in 14 pts (22%), which was significantly correlated with obtaining a hematological response (33% vs. 5%, p=0.01). A 25% reduction in the difference between the involved and uninvolved FLC strongly predicted prolonged OS, with a median post-therapy OS that was not reached for responders vs. 11.3 months for non-responders (p<0.0001) (Figure 2). A decrease in post-therapy brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) also predicted for a survival improvement, with the median OS not reached for responders vs. a median OS of 17 months for non-responders (p<0.016). Conclusion: Treatment with melphalan and dexamethasone is effective and a significant survival advantage is achieved in patients with a hematological response. FLC and BNP response can help identify patients that are likely to benefit from this therapy. Figure Figure Figure Figure

Abstract Background: Primary systemic amyloidosis is an uncommon plasma cell dyscrasia characterized by organ deposition of immunoglobulin light or heavy chain fragments. It is related to the other plasma cell dyscrasias such as multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. cIg-FISH on bone marrow plasma cells has become well established in the initial evaluation of myeloma as the t(4;14), t(14;16),13q-, and the 17p- abnormality are of major prognostic value. The corresponding data does not exist in amyloidosis, as there are only three small studies published to date. Methods: Using a prospectively held dysproteinemia database, we reviewed all cases of amyloidosis seen at our institution who had cIg-FISH or cytogenetics performed as part of their routine clinical testing. Three hundred thirty nine patients were identified with amyloidosis and cytogenetic testing. Of these 69 had cIg-FISH testing results. cIg-FISH was performed with fluorescent-tagged antibodies to kappa/lambda immunoglobulin and FISH probes corresponding to the following anomalies: trisomies 3, 7, 9 and 15; del17p/-17; -13/del13q; 14q32 split; and t(11;14). CCND1/IGH. If an IGH rearrangement was detected that did not involve CCNDI, we also evaluated t(4;14) or IGH/FGFR3 and t(14;16) or IGH/c-MAF. These probes constitute the standard screening panel used in MM at our institution. Results: The study population had a median age of 61 years with a male to female ratio of 1.6:1. Median follow up time was 13.5 months. By conventional cytogenetics, 88% of patients had no detectable abnormality. In contrast, only 33% were normal by cIg-FISH. The abnormalities demonstrated were 28% 13-/del13q, 42% IgH translocation, 33% t(11;14), and 3% t(14;16). No patients had a -17/del 17p- or t(4;14). Nine patients had del13q/-13 with an IgH translocation, with 7 of these having t(11;14). Both t(14;16) patients had del 13q. A trend towards increased mortality was seen in patient with any abnormality (p=0.11), but this could not be demonstrated for any single abnormality, likely due to lack of statistical power. There was no correlation between renal involvement or cardiac involvement and cIg-FISH results. Conclusion: The majority of chromosomal abnormalities in amyloidosis are undetected by conventional cytogenetics. With further study, chromosomal abnormalities may carry the same prognostic value in amyloidosis that they currently enjoy in myeloma. This effect may be independent of currently recognized risk factors. Chromosomal abnormalities in Amyloidosis as detected by cIg-FISH Abnormality Amyloidosis % (n=69) Normal 33(23) −13/del13q 28(19) IgH Abnormality 42(29) t(4;14) 0(0) t(11;14) 33(23) t(14;16) 3(2) del 17 0(0) Other 3(2)

Abstract Background: In patients (pts) with newly diagnosed myeloma (MM) eligible for high dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), the standard approach is 4–6 months of induction therapy followed by ASCT. The combination of thalidomide and dexamethasone is one of the commonly used induction regimens, and has superior response rates compared to dexamethasone or VAD. Almost all patients undergoing an ASCT relapse at a median interval of 18–24 months. The choice of treatments at first relapse is variable, but re-application of the original induction regimen, if effective is often considered. It is not clear if the responses obtained at the time of induction therapy can be replicated at the time of relapse. We studied the response of thalidomide based regimens when used as first treatment after relapse from an ASCT in patients receiving thalidomide as induction treatment. Methods: Pts who received thalidomide and dexamethasone as induction therapy, and thalidomide ± dexamethasone at first relapse after ASCT were identified for the current study. A group of patients receiving dexamethasone as induction therapy and thalidomide ± dexamethasone at first relapse after ASCT was used as the control group. Results: There were 20 pts in the study group (group 1) and 14 patients in the control group (group 2) identified between 2002 and 2007. There were 15 (75%) males in group 1 and 10 (71%) in group 2. In group 1 there was 1(5%) complete response (CR), 5 (25%) very good partial response (VGPR) and 14 (70%) partial responses (PR) to induction therapy. In group 2 there was 1 (7%)VGPR, 12 (86%) PR and 1 (7%)stable disease following dexamethasone induction. Upon treatment with thalidomide based regimens at first relapse after ASCT, there was a high rate of treatment failures in group 1 as compared to group 2 (no response in 14 out of 20 patients (70%) versus 5 of 14 pts (35%), respectively, p = 0.04). Of the 10 patients with progressive disease in group 1 post transplant, 30% had previously achieved a VGPR and 70% had previously achieved a PR to thalidomide/dexamethasone pre-ASCT. Conclusions: Our study provides evidence toward the lack of efficacy of thalidomide based regimens on post ASCT relapse in patients who had thalidomide responsive disease prior to ASCT. It is possible that this applies to other induction regimens when used at post ASCT relapse and raises the possibility of selection of drug resistant clones with initial therapy. Response rates seen with drug regimens prior to ASCT may not be reproducible at the time of relapse after ASCT.

Abstract Background: The international staging system is a simple, but powerful staging system that is based on two simple and easily available laboratory measurements. The system was developed and validated on a large group pf patients from across the world and has become the standard for patients with newly diagnosed myeloma. While it’s prognostic value is clear in patients with newly diagnosed myeloma, its value at relapse has not been explored. Methods: We examined a uniform cohort of patients relapsing after an autologous stem cell transplant to assess the utility of ISS determined at the time of documented relapse. Relapse was defined using standard EBMTR response criteria. Beta-2 microglobulin and albumin values from within 30 days of the date of relapse were extracted from the medical records. ISS was determined based on the published cut offs. Results: Of the 389 patients evaluated, 132 had values available for B2M and 276 patients had the serum albumin available. Only 131 patients had both the data available and the ISS stage could be determined. Of these patients, 64 patients (49%) were ISS stage I, 50 (38%) were stage II and 17 (13%) were stage III. An albumin < 3.5 mg/dL was prognostic for overall survival post relapse with a median survival of 10.5 months for those with albumin < 3.5 mg/dL compared to 26.3 months for the rest of the group (P < 0.0001). Similarly the median OS from relapse was 15 months for those with B2M > 3.5 mg/dL compared to 23.3 months for those with lower B2M (P = 0.014). The ISS stage predicted overall survival for this group of patients with the OS from relapse estimated at 27.3 mos, 17.8 mos and 12.3 months for ISS stage I, II and III respectively. Conclusions: In a uniform group of patients relapsing after autologous stem cell transplantation, the B2M and albumin maintain their prognostic value and allows the use of the International Staging System for determining prognosis. This supports the use of ISS stage in relapsed trials and will allow comparisons across studies. Results should be validated in a larger dataset that will allow comparisons to other known prognostic factors. Figure Figure

Abstract Background: Recent advances in the therapy of multiple myeloma (MM) have greatly increased the treatment options for this uniformly fatal plasma cell malignancy. It is not clear if introduction of novel therapies and the increased use of high dose therapy (HDT) in the past decade have translated into better outcome for patients (pts) with MM. Methods: We examined the outcome of two cohorts of pts seen at our institution. The first cohort consisted of 387 pts who relapsed after HDT and was examined for potential improvement in survival following relapse after HDT. These pts were divided into two groups; those who relapsed before or after December 31, 2000. The second cohort consisted of 2981 patients with newly diagnosed MM seen between January 1971 and December 2006 and was used to examine the trends in overall survival (OS). Results: Among those relapsing after HDT, there were 245 males (63%); median (range) age at HDT was 57 years (32.8–75.4) and the median time to HDT was 8.1 months (1–90 months) from diagnosis. The median time to relapse was 13.2 months (1.1 months-10.3 years) from HDT. In this cohort, a clear improvement in OS from time of relapse was seen over the past decade, with those relapsing after 2000 having a median OS of 23.9 months (95% CI; 19.8, 27.6) compared to 11.8 months (95% CI; 8.7, 14.9) for the rest (P < 0.001) (Figure 1). In a multivariate analysis, the effect of the date of relapse on survival was independent of other prognostic factors such as relapse <12 months after HDT, abnormal cytogenetics, and B2M > 5.5 mg/dL. Pts who were treated with one or more of the newer drugs (thalidomide, lenalidomide, bortezomib) had longer survival from relapse (30.9 months (95% CI; 23.6, 38.2) compared to 14.8 months (95% CI; 11.3, 18.4); P < 0.001) for others. Among the newly diagnosed MM cohort, the median age at diagnosis was 66 years (20.2 – 97 years), and 1,770 (59.4%) were males. The median follow up for the entire group was 27.4 months (0–29.4 years); and at the time of analysis 558 patients (18.7%) were alive with a median follow up of 32.7 months (0–29.4 years). Pts diagnosed in the last decade had an improved OS (44.8 months) compared to those diagnosed before this period (29.9 months; P < 0.001) (Figure 2). The improvement in survival seen in the last decade among newly diagnosed patients was predominantly among those younger than 65 years (60.3 mos vs. 33.3 mos improvement in median survival); compared to those over 65 at diagnosis (26.5 mos vs. 32 mos). Conclusion: In this study, for the first time, we demonstrate definite proof for improved outcome in patients with myeloma, both in the relapsed setting as well as at diagnosis, a change that is likely to continue with increased use of these drugs. Figure Figure Figure Figure

Abstract Background: Cytotoxic T-cell infiltrates are a nearly universal finding in the bone marrow of patients with multiple myeloma. It has been postulated that presence of T-cells in the bone marrow of multiple myeloma (MM) patients represents an immune response against the tumor and therefore, might be associated with an improved prognosis. However, the impact of bone marrow T-cells on the prognosis of multiple myeloma patients has not been studied systematically. Methods: Bone marrow biopsies of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma were stained by immnohistochemistry for the CD8 antigen and reviewed by a blinded hematopathologist. Three high power fields are reviewed for each biopsy and the total number of CD8 positive cells counted and reported. For patients with more than 300 cells per 3 fields, results were reported as >300. The number of bone marrow CD8 positive cells was then correlated with patients’ clinical data, including other prognostic factors and overall survival. Results: Bone marrow biopsy specimens from 100 patients, performed within the week of a diagnosis of multiple myeloma and collected between May 1998 and January 2001 were evaluated. The median number of CD8 positive cells was 270 (33 – >300). Patients’ characteristics are shown in Table 1. Median follow up was 30 months (0–80). The number of cytotoxic T-cells as a continuous variable was a risk factor for shortened overall survival, HR 1.86 (95% CI 1.11–3.35). Using minimal p value approach, the cutoff of 270 cells (the median) risk stratified patients into two groups: the median survival of patients with > 270 CD8 positive cells was 16 months vs. 48 months in patients with ≤270 cells, p=0.005 (Figure). In multivariate analysis including age, B2M, albumin, CRP, bone marrow plasma cell percentage and plasma cell labeling index, the number of cytotoxic T-cells was an independent predictor of overall survival was HR 3.1, p=0.0017. Conclusion: We show that the number of cytotoxic T-cells in the bone marrow is a strong and independent prognostic factor in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Our observation does not contradict the hypothesis that cytotoxic T-cells participate in an immune response against the tumor since our findings may represent a higher level of immune response associated with baseline aggressive disease biology. However, our study suggests for the first time that increased marrow cytotoxic T-cells have an adverse effect on outcome in myeloma, and suggest that these cells may have a direct facilitating effect on tumor growth and on the marrow microenvironment. Further studies of the biology of behind this observation are warranted. Characteristic N Median (range) Gender male 61 CRP 81 0.4mg/L (0.01–11.2) Albumin 99 3.6 g/dL (2.6–5.4) B2microglobulin 94 4.0 (0.9–28) μg/mL Marrow PC% 90 45% (11–99) PC labeling index 90 high (>1%) 36 BM CD8 cells 100 270 (33 – >300) ISS 94 1 19 2 41 3 34 Figure Figure

Abstract The infused autograft absolute lymphocyte count (A-ALC) is an independent prognostic factor for survival after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT) in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Previous studies have shown that A-ALC directly correlates with the peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte count (PC-ALC) at the time of apheresis collection. However, factors affecting the PC-ALC at apheresis remain undefined. We hypothesized that one possible factor impacting PC-ALC may be the time interval from last chemotherapy to stem cell collection (TILC). Data from 160 patients who underwent AHSCT for treatment of relapsed NHL at Mayo Clinic between 1993 and 2001 were collected and analyzed. The primary end point of this study was correlation between TILC and PC-ALC, and our analysis revealed a strong correlation (r = 0.67, p < 0.0001). Further analysis revealed higher PC-ALC numbers in patients with TILC ≥ 60 days versus TILC < 60 days (median of 7.44 x 109/L in the ≥ 60 day group versus 3.87 x 109/L in the < 60 day group, p < 0.0001). Both the median overall survival (figure below) and the progression-free survival were longer in the TILC ≥ 60 days group versus the TILC < 60 days group (76 versus 21 months, p < 0.0037; 76 versus 11 months, p < 0.018, respectively). These findings were independent of other prognostic indicators for relapsed NHL patients undergoing APHSCT. The data supports our hypothesis that TILC affects PC-ALC and survival post-AHSCT in NHL. Figure Figure

e19519 Background: NSMM is a rare subtype of myeloma that has not been well characterized in the era of novel agent induction therapy. Thus, we evaluated the clinical and cytogenetic features of patients with newly diagnosed NSMM evaluated at our institution. Methods: We evaluated all NSMM patients seen at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester from 2008-2017 based on the absence of a detectable monoclonal protein in their serum and urine electrophoresis and having a concurrent involved serum immunoglobulin light chain of less than 5 mg/dL. Survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method and clinical and cytogenetic features were reported descriptively. Results: This cohort consisted of 30 consecutive patients with NSMM with a median age of 62 years (40-79) of which 16 (53%) were male. The median bone marrow plasma cell involvement was 70% (Range: 0 – 100). There were 3/25 (12%) patients who presented with a creatinine of 2 mg/dL or greater and 6/23 (26%) patients who presented with hypercalcemia (11 mg/dL or greater). The ISS classification of this cohort is as follows: Stage 1- 8 (36%) patients, Stage 2- 3 (14%) patients and Stage 3- 11 (50%) patients. There were 6 (21%) out of 28 patients with high risk cytogenetics (either del 17p, t(4;14), t(14;16) or t(14;20). The distribution of primary cytogenetic abnormalities among this cohort was as follows: t(11;14) – 16 (57%), t(4;14) – 1 (4%), trisomies – 6 (21%) and other - 5 (13%). The median overall survival (OS) for patients in this cohort was 59 months (95% CI: 34 – 64). In comparison to a control cohort of newly diagnosed secretory myeloma patients matched for age, gender and year of diagnosis in a 1:2 ratio, the median OS was worse for the NSMM cohort but this was not statistically significant (59 vs. 92 months, p = 0.257). Conclusions: Patients diagnosed with NSMM had a predisposition towards having a t(11;14) primary cytogenetic abnormality. In the era of novel agent induction therapy, they may have a survival outcome that may be worse than newly diagnosed secretory myeloma patients.

8039 Background: Treatment of MM has evolved significantly over the past decade, with increasing use of multi-drug combinations for initial therapy. In addition, supportive care approaches have also improved. We examined how these improvements have translated to survival outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed MM. Methods: Patients (n=3449) with a diagnosis of MM made between 2004 and 2017 and seen at Mayo Clinic within six months of the diagnosis, were included in this analysis. Patients were divided into three groups based on the year of diagnosis; group 1- 2004-07 (n=831), group 2-2008-12 (n=1161), and group 3-2013-17 (n=1457). Survival of the groups were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method, and compared using log rank test. Results: The median age was 64 years (22 to 96); 60% were male and 40% were female. 14% were >75 years, 33% were aged 65-75 and 53% were <65 years. The median overall survival for the whole cohort was 5.7 years (95%CI; 5.4, 6.3). The median OS for the groups 1, 2 and 3 were 3.9, 6.3 and NR, respectively; p<0.001. The 4-year survival estimates were 50%, 62%, and 75%, respectively. We then explored the improvements in patient subgroups. While all patients experienced improvements in OS over time, improvement in group 3 was most prominent for those >75 years. In patients <65 years, the 4-yr OS for groups 1, 2 and 3 were 57, 71, and 79% respectively. In patients 65-75 years of age, the 4-yr OS for groups 1, 2 and 3 were 48, 60, and 75% respectively. In patients >75 years, the 4-yr OS for groups 1, 2 and 3 were 24, 35, and 56% respectively. While patients with high-risk disease did not see as much benefit in the earlier period, substantial progress was seen in the last group. The 3-yr OS for patients with high-risk cytogenetics were 52, 55, and 73% for groups 1, 2 and 3 compared to 67, 75, and 85% for standard-risk cytogenetics respectively. 2067 patients were staged according to the International Staging System and the median OS for stages 1, 2 and 3 were 6.5, 4.6 and 2.4 in group 1; 9.2, 6.6 and 3.5 in group 2 and NR for any of the stages in group 3. Conclusions: The results confirm continued improvement in survival of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients, including elderly and high-risk MM.

8034 Background: Minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment in multiple myeloma (MM) has improved our ability to assess disease activity, resulting in more advanced prognostication. While MRD assessment remains confined to the bone marrow (BM) plasma cell population, serum studies including immunofixation (IFE) are required to complete response evaluation. The significance of those who are MRDneg yet have detectable monoclonal protein through IFE remains unclear. Methods: We retrospectively studied 256 MM patients who had MRD assessment via the Euroflow multiparametric flow cytometry on the BM with concomitant serum IFE testing. Patients who were MRDneg were included in the study. Outcomes included probability of disease progression (PD) at 1 year. The Cox-proportional hazards model was used to compare probability of PD among different groups. Time to progression (TTP) was calculated as the difference from date of MFC analysis to PD in months. Results: Among the entire cohort, 178 (70%) patients were MRDneg and median follow-up from MRD assessment was 6.3 months. Among these patients, 74 (42%) had a positive IFE at the time of MRD analysis. Within the MRDneg/IFEpos group, 31 (42%) patients remained IFEpos after a median follow up of 5.5 mo from initial MRD/IFE testing while 34 patients eventually became IFEneg after a median of 2.8 mo with no subsequent IFE available in 9 patients. The 1 year probability of PD in the MRDneg/IFEneg group was 20% compared to 41% in the MRDneg/IFEpos group (P < 0.01, Wilcoxon test). When comparing subsequent IFE status in those who were MRDneg/IFEpos, those who remained IFEpos had a trend towards shorter TTP compared to patients who later became IFEneg. Conclusions: Persistent monoclonal protein in the face of MRD negativity predicts for a shorter TTP. This likely reflects persistent disease that was not sampled on the BM aspirate in many of these patients compared to those who eventually become IFEneg with a trend towards longer TTP owing to the prolonged half-life and therefore clearance of M protein. This supports the current strategy of assessing for MRD at the time of suspected complete response to reduce the chance of positive MRD tests and thus avoidance of multiple BM exams.