Engelhardt, Monika

Solitary plasmacytomas (SPs) are rare localized tumors of clonal plasma cells, either in the bone (solitary bone plasmacytoma) or in soft tissue/extraosseous (extramedullary) with either no or with minimal bone marrow (BM) infiltration (<10% clonal plasma cells by immunohistochemistry) and no evidence of systemic involvement or myeloma defining events. Approximately 50% of SPs will progress to symptomatic myeloma within 5 years after initial definitive local radiotherapy. Increased availability of improved diagnostic and monitoring tools has increased the sensitivity of detection of additional lesions and marrow involvement and has implications for the follow-up strategy after treatment. Thus, the definitions and requirements for the diagnosis and follow-up of SPs are evolving. The diagnosis of SP requires the careful exclusion of multiple myeloma (MM) that would require systemic therapy, by using all the available methods to detect systemic disease (advanced imaging, sensitive BM assessment methods, blood and urine tests). Local radiotherapy remains the mainstay of therapy, and despite the availability of innovative drugs for MM, the clinical benefit of systemic therapy currently remains poorly defined. The International Myeloma Working Group provides here updated recommendations for the diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and response assessment of patients with SPs, incorporating recent data and advances in diagnostic tools.

Abstract The primary cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) is an infection. Therefore, there is great concern about susceptibility to the outcome of COVID-19–infected patients with MM. This retrospective study describes the baseline characteristics and outcome data of COVID-19 infection in 650 patients with plasma cell disorders, collected by the International Myeloma Society to understand the initial challenges faced by myeloma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyses were performed for hospitalized MM patients. Among hospitalized patients, the median age was 69 years, and nearly all patients (96%) had MM. Approximately 36% were recently diagnosed (2019-2020), and 54% of patients were receiving first-line therapy. Thirty-three percent of patients have died, with significant geographic variability, ranging from 27% to 57% of hospitalized patients. Univariate analysis identified age, International Staging System stage 3 (ISS3), high-risk disease, renal disease, suboptimal myeloma control (active or progressive disease), and 1 or more comorbidities as risk factors for higher rates of death. Neither history of transplant, including within a year of COVID-19 diagnosis, nor other anti-MM treatments were associated with outcomes. Multivariate analysis found that only age, high-risk MM, renal disease, and suboptimal MM control remained independent predictors of adverse outcome with COVID-19 infection. The management of MM in the era of COVID-19 requires careful consideration of patient- and disease-related factors to decrease the risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection, while not compromising disease control through appropriate MM treatment. This study provides initial data to develop recommendations for the management of MM patients with COVID-19 infection.

Abstract Introduction: Novel substances such as the next generation IMiD pomalidomide or the recently approved next generation proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib (Cfz) have considerably expanded our treatment options in MM, both of them influencing multiple myeloma (MM) interaction with bone marrow stroma cells (BMSCs), that provides an interesting target for anti MM therapy. More compounds directed at this disease critical crosstalk are currently under investigation, however the development of novel drugs remains inefficient, displayed by a substantial drop out rate of the 376 preclinical single agents tested since 1961 (Rongvaux, Annu Rev Immunol. 2013; Schüler, Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2013; Kortüm, CLML 2014). Our focus in the projected presented here was to develop a novel bone-derived in vitro 3D co-culture model specifically adapted to mimic the BM niche to more closely study the role of bone and BM bystander cells and to perform more reliable ex vivo compound screening in MM. Methods: Previous 2D models were compared to a novel 3D co-culture model (agarose matrix interlayer, 100 microwells/cm², 1.5mm in depth, permeable for oxygen+cytokines, but not for BMSCs utilizing U266, RPMI-8226, OPM-2 and primary BM patient (pt) cells, with and without HS-5 vs. M210B4 stroma support (Fig. A + Fig. B.a. for pt characteristics). Analyses covered Trypan Blue, Annexin/PI, MTT, FACS, cell cycle analyses and H2B-mCherry/cytochrome c-GFP assays (Udi, Br J Hematol. 2013). In a next step, primary bone-derived stroma cells were acquired from bones of C57BL/6 J mice. Bones were flushed, digested and FACS sorted in order to acquire single BM and bone bystander cell subtypes (MSPCs [mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells], endothelial cells, osteoblasts, PAS [PDFGRalphaSca1] and CaRs [CXCL12-abundant reticular cells]) which were then compared to HS-5 and M210B4 with regard to growth support, cytokine secretion and protection from anti-MM substances. Results: MMCLs and pt specimens were cultured at different concentrations (10 vs. 100 cells per microwell) with and without M210B4 demonstrating a growth advantage with vs. without M210B4 (Fig. B.b). Liquid overlay technique allowed cluster formation of pt specimens leading to more reliable propagation of pt material for up to 20d of culture. Apoptotic changes were assessed by confocal microscopy of RPMI8226 co-expressing fluorescently labelled histone 2B-mCherry (red) and cytochrome c-GFP (green) as indicators of late and early apoptosis. Comparing BMSCLs with regard to their MM growth support capacities, human HS-5 proved even more beneficent than M210B4 stroma (Fig. B.b). Phenotypic analyses of pt specimens showed decreased CXCR4 expression with vs. without BMSCs suggesting a dynamic regulation of homing molecules. The model was then used as an ex-vivo platform allowing both cytotoxicity and cell cycle analyses for the combination of bortezomib (Btz) vs. Cfz with ARRY-520 (kinesin spindle protein inhibitor). Btz (10nM) and Cfz (20nM) proved significantly cytotoxic compared to the control (U266 and pt specimens, respectively) after 48h of single agent treatment Fig.B.c). Compared to Btz (10nM, B10) and Cfz (20nM, C20) as single agents, the additional combination with ARRY-520 showed stronger additive cytotoxicity for Btz (A5+B10, median: 37.5% vs. 13.1%) than for Cfz (A5+C20, 38.6% vs. 34.1%). To note, the model could also be utilized for more profound analyses as depicted for G2/M cell cycle studies in Fig.B.d. 5nM ARRY-520 (A5) led to significant accumulation of OPM-2 cells in G2/M arrest after 48h of treatment confirming prior analyses (Hernández-Garcia Blood Suppl 4710,2014; Fig. B.d). Co-culture studies with different subsets of BM and bone-derived bystander cells are currently ongoing and will be presented at the meeting (Fig. B.e). Conclusions: More complex, 3D bone-derived high-throughput in vitro models are urgently needed to better predict the potency of preclinically tested agents and to better estimate the likelihood of their later clinical adoption into phase I-II trials. With this work, we provide an innovative model which reflects the BM microenvironment as a crucial predictor for in-vivo sensitivity as shown for ARRY-5200. This ex-vivo approach helps to better incorporate MM growth support by bone and BM-derived bystander cells and thus depicts a valid tool to better characterize the role of the BM niche in myeloma. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Engelhardt: Deutsch Krebshilfe: Other: grant. Wäsch:German Cancer Aid: Research Funding; Comprehensiv Cancer Center Freiburg: Research Funding; Janssen-Cilag: Research Funding; MSD: Research Funding.

Abstract Introduction: Customized gene panel sequencing is an attractive approach to genomic tumor characterization in clinical care. Based on published MM exome data we developed a MM Mutation Panel (M3 P) that includes the most commonly mutated genes, actionable drug targets, genes targeted by current standard of care (SOC) therapies and which allows tracking of clonal evolution, copy number and sample purity. Methods and Material: M3 P (v3.0) covers 88 genes (1327 amplicons, 181kb). MM samples from 504 patients (pts) have been analyzed (corresponding germline in 81%) through collaborations between Mayo Clinic and Hospital-12-de-Octubre (Madrid, Spain), the DSMM and GMMG (Würzburg, Ulm, Freiburg and Heidelberg, Germany) and the HOVON trial groups (Rotterdam, The Netherlands). The investigated cohort includes 410 untreated pts (81%), which includes a high risk cohort of 72 pts with del17p, 25 paired samples with later follow up from the same cohort, and 94 relapsed patients, of which 50 were relapsed and refractory. Results: Overall coverage per mutation averaged >500x depth. We identified 945 variants (1.9 per pt) and in 83% of the pts a mutation was found. Clonal heterogeneity was assessed with mutations ranging from 3%-100% variant reads suggesting the presence of a significant number of subclones (e.g. 21% of mutations were in < 10% of reads). The mutation incidence was compared with and closely resembles the most recent MM comprehensive genomic data from the MMRF CoMMpass study: We compare here all pts sequenced by M3 P, untreated pts sequenced by M3 P and CoMMpass: KRAS (24%/23%/24%), NRAS (20%/20%/18%), DIS3 (13%/14%/10%), BRAF (9%/7%/6%), FAM46C (6%/6%/8%) and TRAF3 (6%/6%/7%). TP53 mutation incidence, however, was significantly increased in our cohort (14%/12%/4.2%), a difference explained by the inclusion of del17p (untreated) and relapsed refractory MM in panel sequenced pts, cohorts with elevated incidences of TP53 mutations (32% / 26% respectively). Potentially actionable targets include BRAF mutationsin 43 patients (9%), with druggable p.V600E in 19 or 5%, 8 pts (2%) with FGFR3 (p.R248C and p.G375C one patient each), p.R132 mutation in 4 out of 5 IDH1 (1%) and p.R172K IDH2 mutation in 1 of 3 (1%) pts. Mutations in the MAPK pathway (NRAS, KRAS, BRAF) were detected in 59% of pts, ranging from 36% untreated MM to 72% in refractory MM. Similarly, the CRBN/CUL4B/IKZF1/IKZF3/IRF4 pathway, important for IMiD function, harbored a significant enrichment of mutations in advanced disease (6% untreated vs 17% relapsed), including CRBN mutations (0.5% vs 7%). Nine of 17 IRF4 mutations were located at the p.K123R hotspot, with minor difference between early or late disease (1% vs 3%). Notably, in 8 of 9 pts with CRBN mutation and clinical information, all were unresponsive to IMiD therapy, supporting association of these mutations with resistance to IMiDs. Conversely, M3 P genes related to other SOC therapies, including NR3C1 (targeted by steroids) and 5 proteasome subunit genes (proteasome inhibitors), were rarely mutated across the cohorts not exceeding 1% mutation incidence for each gene. Significant differences in DIS3 and FAM46C mutation incidences were observed across cohorts: DIS3 mutations are more common in untreated pts with a 1.7 fold increased predominance (14% untreated and 8% treated). FAM46C has an expected incidence of 8% but was rarely mutated in untreated del17p high risk disease with only one of 100 patients harboring both mutations. The significance of this finding needs to be determined but implies a possible overlap in function. Finally we assessed impact on survival of the mutation variants identified in 142 untreated Mayo patients and found STAT3 mutations negatively impacting PFS (p=0.034) and OS (p=0.001). This gene is rarely mutated in MM (2% of the total cohort) thus the sample size was small and this finding needs further validation. Conclusion: We here describe 504 MM patients sequenced using the M3 P gene panel, which identified mutations in >80% of investigated patients, overlaps well with published whole exome sequence data and provides clinically relevant information. New findings were the high frequency of minor clones, the relative lack of overlap of del17 and FAM46C mutation, a higher frequency of DIS3 mutation at diagnosis compared to relapse, the prognostic significance of STAT3 mutation and the frequent presence of CRBN pathway mutation in drug resistant relapsed patients. Disclosures Sonneveld: Janssen-Cilag, Celgene, Onyx, Karyopharm: Honoraria, Research Funding; novartis: Honoraria. Mai:Janssen-Cilag: Other: Travel Grant; Onyx: Other: Travel Grant; Mundipharma: Other: Travel Grant; Celgene: Other: Travel Grant. Goldschmidt:Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Millenium: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Chugai: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Knop:Celgene Corporation: Consultancy. Kull:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Martinez-Lopez:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Meyer Squibb: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Einsele:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen/Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Raab:Novartis: Research Funding. Stewart:Oncospire Inc.: Equity Ownership; Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Abstract Introduction: In the past decade, substantial progress has been made in the understanding of multiple myeloma (MM) cell biology and its interaction with the bone marrow microenvironment (BMM). Binding of MM cells to BM stroma cells (BMSCs) alters the expression of SDF-1α and its receptor CXCR4, leading to the secretion of anti-apoptotic cytokines, promoting tumor growth, drug resistance and migration. MM cancer stem cells migrate to endosteal BM niches, where they escape therapies in a quiescent state causing relapse in the course of the disease. The development of novel agents that aim to target the MM and BMM interaction includes drugs as promising as 2nd and 3rdgeneration IMIDs or proteasome inhibitors. Despite these profound advances, the failure rate of preclinically proven cytotoxic single substances is sizeable, as preclinical models often lack the biological, genetic, etiological and immunological properties of the disease (Schüler, Expert. Opin. Biol. Ther. 2013; Kortüm. CLML 2014; Rongvaux. Annu Rev Immunol 2013). Methods & Results: We have previously demonstrated that BM interaction and homing to niches, mediated by the adhesion molecules CXCR4, CD49d and CD44, protect MM cell lines (MMCL) and primary plasma cells (PC) from the cytotoxic effect of anti-MM agents, such as bortezomib (Bor), vorinostat (Vor) and pomalidomide (Pom). Our in vitro and in vivo observed cytotoxic effects from Bor, Vor and Pom confirmed their potent cytotoxicity, whereas cocultivation with M2-10B4 substantially reduced apoptosis and induced tumor protective effects. Additional treatment with the CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 blocked CXCR4 in coculture, but left CD49d, CD44 and CD11a widely unchanged. Toxic or therapeutic effects from AMD3100 monotherapy were excluded for the doses used. Comparison of the CXCR4 antibody (ab)-clones 12G5, 44717 and 4G10 revealed that AMD3100 treatment of U266 cells reduced CXCR4 expression with use of 12G5 and 44717, whereas binding of both FITC- and PE-coupled 4G10 was not influenced, making the latter the most reliable for CXCR4 analysis. Use of image cytometry (IC) allowed accurate visualization of co-localisation of CXCR4 expression both on the cell surface and within the cytoplasm of MM cells. IC correlated with flow cytometry-determined CXCR4 expression and allowed the detailed assessment of treatment studies with and without anti-MM agents and AMD3100. Of note, AMD3100 resensitized MM cells to Bor, Vor and Pom (Waldschmidt. Blood 2012:2450), whereas carfilzomib (Cfz) reduced CXCR4 expression in MMCL and could not be antagonized by stroma coculture. Cfz sensitivity was not increased by adding AMD3100 (Simon. Blood 2013:3851). These preclinical studies need additional adaptation to the clinical setting in order to surpass prior drug failure rates, and there is a need to develop more broadly available and better predictive preclinical systems. Therefore, we are currently assessing a 3D co-culture MM model composed of agarose matrix interlayers, based on a novel liquid overlay technique. This model has been specifically adapted to MM cell and BM component interactions as described (Udi. BJH 2013; Zlei. Exp Hematol 2007; Schüler. EOBT 2013). MM cells are cultivated in conical microwells of a non-adherent agarose matrix after BMSCs were plated on the bottom of each plate, allowing the diffusion of soluble cytokines but no direct contact between BMSC and MMCL. Therein, we are presently testing novel anti-MM substances in comparison to our standard-coculture system. Conclusion: Targeting microenvironmental mediators, like SDF-1α and CXCR4, is a promising approach to expand the choice of antimyeloma agents and amplify the effects of established antimyeloma drugs, as previously shown by us and others for the combination of AMD3100 and Bor or Pom. However, as our knowledge on MM and its BMM has dramatically increased a great effort has been made in the preclinical testing of promising new anti-MM agents, and more complex high-throughput in vitro models are urgently needed to better predict the potency of these substances in order to reduce dropouts in clinical trials. We hereby provide a novel approach which better reflects the spatial growth of human MM samples in BMSC coculture, and more closely mimics the growth and proliferation of human MM clones in vivo. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.