Schönland, Stefan

BACKGROUND: AL amyloidosis is a rare, progressive, and typically fatal disease caused by both soluble and insoluble (amyloid) forms of misfolded immunoglobulin light chain (LC) proteins, with no approved treatments. Production and tissue deposition of LC aggregates result in various organ system dysfunction (most commonly cardiac and renal), causing significant morbidity and mortality. NEOD001 is an investigational humanized IGg1 designed to directly neutralize soluble toxic aggregates of misfolded LCs and promote phagocytic clearance of amyloid deposits. AIM: To evaluate efficacy and safety of NEOD001 + standard of care (SOC) vs placebo + SOC in patients with AL amyloidosis by assessing time to all-cause mortality (ACM) or cardiac hospitalization (CH). METHODS: This Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled study randomized 260 newly diagnosed, untreated AL amyloidosis patients (stratified by Mayo stage (Kumar et al., 2012), renal stage, & 6MWD) with cardiac involvement. Patients were randomized 1:1 to 24 mg/kg IV NEOD001 + SOC or placebo + SOC every 28 days. SOC was concomitant chemotherapy with a first line bortezomib-containing regimen. Primary endpoint (PE) was time to ACM or time to centrally adjudicated CH (CH: >90 days after first study drug infusion). Futility analysis based on 103 adjudicated events favored NEOD001 but was not statistically significant (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.57-1.204, p=0.386). The study was terminated early and post hoc analyses were performed. To our knowledge, this study was the first randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 study evaluating an amyloid-targeting agent in AL amyloidosis. RESULTS: Study arms were balanced with regard to demographics and baseline clinical characteristics. The final PE results (intent-to-treat, ITT) were consistent with the futility analysis: HR 0.835, 95% CI 0.5799-1.2011, p=0.330. Favorability of HR for NEOD001 was largely attributable to time to all-cause mortality rather than cardiac hospitalization. Study termination was the primary reason for discontinuation (majority occurring after 12 months). The 12-month study period was defined as modified ITT (mITT). Further mITT analyses by prognostic Mayo staging categories suggest benefit favoring NEOD001 for both PE (HR=0.635) and ACM (HR=0.498) in stage IV patients (n=77), who have highest risk of early mortality. Median overall survival in stage IV (mITT) was 8.3 months for placebo + SOC and was not reached (>12 months) for NEOD001 + SOC. One or more treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were experienced by 257 patients. Of the 88 NEOD001-treated patients with a serious adverse event (SAE), the majority of SAEs (95.5%) were considered not related to study drug. The most common TEAEs (fatigue, nausea, peripheral edema, constipation, and diarrhea) were similar in both arms. Overall safety results were similar within and across Mayo stages. CONCLUSION: After study termination, further calculations supported that the VITAL study as designed would not have achieved statistical significance. No statistically significant differences between NEOD001 + SOC vs. placebo + SOC were observed for the PE. Overall, the incidence, severity, and seriousness of AEs were similar in each arm, suggesting that NEOD001 was generally safe and well tolerated. Post hoc analyses suggest a potential survival benefit of NEOD001 for AL amyloidosis patients with the highest risk of early mortality (Mayo stage IV). This population has historically been the most in need of therapy to improve outcomes, therefore additional clinical studies for NEOD001 are warranted. Disclosures Gertz: Ionis/Akcea: Consultancy; Alnylam: Consultancy; Annexon: Consultancy; Physicians Education Resource: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Medscape: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Appellis: Consultancy; Prothena Biosciences Inc: Consultancy; Spectrum: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy; Abbvie: Other: personal fees for Data Safety Monitoring board; Research to Practice: Consultancy; DAVA oncology: Speakers Bureau; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Proclara: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; i3Health: Other: Development of educational programs and materials; Springer Publishing: Patents & Royalties; Amyloidosis Foundation: Research Funding; International Waldenstrom Foundation: Research Funding; Johnson and Johnson: Speakers Bureau; Teva: Speakers Bureau. Cohen:Poseida Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding. Comenzo:Caelum: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Research Funding; Unum: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Myself: Patents & Royalties: Patent 9593332, Pending 20170008966; Sanofi-Aventis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Prothena Biosciences: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Du Mond:Inclin, Inc.: Employment; Prothena: Consultancy. Kastritis:Genesis: Honoraria; Prothena: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria. Landau:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Research Funding; Caelum: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Prothena: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Libby:Alnylam: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics and Janssen: Consultancy; Akcea: Consultancy. Liedtke:Adaptive: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Research Funding; Amgen/Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BlueBirdBio: Research Funding; Caelum: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celator: Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Genentech/Roche: Research Funding; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; IQVIA/Jazz: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Prothena: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Merlini:University of Pavia: Employment. Sanchorawala:Proclara: Consultancy, Honoraria; Caelum: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Prothena: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Schönland:Prothena: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Medac: Other: Travel Grant; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Wechalekar:Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Amgen: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Zonder:Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncopeptides: 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; Intellia: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Caelum: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Alnylam: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kinney:Prothena Biosciences Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties: named inventor on multiple patents and patent applications related to NEOD001.

Abstract Background Systemic AL amyloidosis is a life-threatening disease with limited treatment options. Response criteria have been recently updated and retrospectively validated (Palladini et al, J Clin Oncol 2012). Hematologic response (suppression of FLCs) has been shown to predict for both organ response and survival (ibid). Preliminary results from the present phase 1 study (NCT01318902) regarding the safety, tolerability, and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of ixazomib (the first oral PI to be investigated in the clinic) in RRAL were reported previously (Merlini et al, ASH 2012). At that time, 11 pts had received the MTD/RP3D of ixazomib - 4.0 mg. Here we update the safety data (primary objective) and report hematologic and organ responses, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) (secondary objectives) for the extended population of 22 pts receiving the RP3D. Methods Pts with RRAL after ≥1 prior therapy and with measureable heart/kidney involvement and cardiac biomarker stage I/II disease were eligible. Two expansion cohorts (PI-naïve and PI-exposed) were enrolled at the RP3D. Pts received oral ixazomib on days 1, 8, and 15 for up to 12 x 28-day cycles; continuation until disease progression was allowed. Pts with less than partial response (PR) after 3 cycles received added dexamethasone (Dex) 40 mg, days 1–4 from cycle 4 onwards. Adverse events (AEs) were graded by NCI-CTCAE v4.03. Responses were assessed per standard criteria (Palladini et al, J Clin Oncol 2012). Results At data cut-off (Dec 6, 2013), 27 pts had been enrolled, 22 at the RP3D of ixazomib 4.0 mg; the other 5 pts were enrolled at 5.5 mg and are not included in these analyses. In pts who received ixazomib 4.0 mg, median age was 64.5 yrs (range 54–78); 13 were male. Mayo cardiac biomarker risk stage was I/II/III in 11/10/1 pts, respectively. Median baseline FLC differential (dFLC) and NT-proBNP were 146 mg/L (range 40–734) and 849 pg/mL (range 51–5691). Major organ involvement included heart, kidney, or both in 9, 8, and 5 pts, with a median of 2 (range 1–6) organ systems involved. Pts had received a median of 3 prior therapies, including transplantation in 16 pts; 16 pts had received prior bortezomib (PI exposed) and 6 were PI naïve. Other prior therapies included melphalan (n=21), Dex (n=16), IMiDs (n=11), and cyclophosphamide (n=10). Best hematologic response to prior therapy was complete response (CR) in 3 pts, very good PR (VGPR) in 4, PR in 14, and stable disease (SD) in 1 pt; organ response was achieved by 5 pts, with 12 pts having no response. Exposure and outcome data by prior PI exposure are shown in the table. Pts discontinued due to disease progression (n=6), pt withdrawal, symptomatic deterioration (each n=3), or unsatisfactory response (n=2); 5 pts completed 12 cycles; 3 pts are ongoing. Overall hematologic response rate (ORR) was 52%. After a median follow-up of 16.9 mos, the 9 pts who achieved ≥VGPR, had a median PFS of 17.0 mos compared with 10.7 mos in pts who achieved a lesser response (p=0.03). Cardiac/renal response was observed in 50%/18% of pts (all ≥VGPR). The most common drug-related AEs included diarrhea, nausea (each n=7), fatigue, thrombocytopenia (each n=6), peripheral neuropathy, and pyrexia (each n=4). Drug-related grade 3 AEs (>1 pt) were thrombocytopenia (n=3), diarrhea, and maculo-papular rash (each n=2). Table.PI naïven=6PI exposed n=16TotalN=22Cycles received, median (range)12 (1–22)3.5 (1–16)5.5 (1–22)Dex added, n358Hematologic response-evaluable ptsn=5n=16N=21Response, n (%)ORR5 (100)6 (38)11 (52)CR2 (40)02 (10)VGPR3 (60)4 (25)7 (33)PR02 (13)2 (10)SD09 (56)9 (43)Cardiac response/heart evaluable, n/N (%)3/4 (75)3/8 (38)6/12 (50)Renal response/kidney evaluable, n/N (%)1/3 (33)1/8 (13)2/11 (18)1 yr hematologic PFS rate, %8341602 yr OS rate, %835157 Conclusions This is one of the first studies prospectively assessing hematologic and organ response according to the updated consensus criteria. These data suggest weekly oral ixazomib 4.0 mg is feasible and generally well tolerated in RRAL pts with vital organ dysfunction. High quality hematologic responses (≥VGPR) were observed in 43% of pts; these responses were sustained at 1 yr in 60% of this heavily-pretreated population. Achieving ≥VGPR was associated with cardiac response and extended PFS. These results warrant a phase 3 study of ixazomib plus Dex vs physician's choice of treatment, which is ongoing (NCT01659658). Disclosures Merlini: Pfizer: Honoraria; Millennium: the Takeda Oncology Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Off Label Use: Use of the investigational agent ixazomib, an oral proteasome inhibitor, in the treatment of relapsed or refractory light-chain amyloidosis. Sanchorawala:Celgene: Research Funding; Millennium: the Takeda Oncology Company: Research Funding; Onyx: Research Funding. Jeffrey:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kukreti:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria. Schoenland:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Jaccard:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria. Dispenzieri:Millennium: the Takeda Oncology Company: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding. Cohen:Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other, Research Funding; Janssen: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other; Celgene: Member, Independent Response Adjudication Committee Other. Berg:Takeda Pharmaceutical International Co.: Employment. Yuan:Takeda Pharmaceutical International Co.: Employment. Hui:Takeda Pharmaceutical International Co.: Employment. Comenzo:Millennium:the Takeda Oncology Company: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Teva: Research Funding; Prothena: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

Abstract Abstract 731 Background: Treatment with bortezomib achieves high hematologic response rates and rapid and durable responses in AL patients (pts), providing the rationale for proteasome inhibition in this population. MLN9708 is an investigational, oral, potent, reversible, and specific 20S proteasome inhibitor (PI). In preclinical studies, MLN9708 has shown improved antitumor activity compared to bortezomib in a range of xenograft models. This phase 1 study (NCT01318902) assessed weekly doses of oral MLN9708 in pts with relapsed or refractory AL. Methods: Pts aged ≥18 years with relapsed or refractory AL after ≥1 prior therapy, cardiac biomarker stage I/II disease, and measurable major organ (heart/kidney) involvement, received increasing doses of oral MLN9708 (standard 3+3 dose escalation fixed doses of 4.0 and 5.5 mg), on days 1, 8, and 15 of 28-day cycles for up to 12 cycles. Pts with no major hematologic response (<PR) after 3 cycles received dexamethasone (dex; 40 mg, days 1–4). Two expansion cohorts of PI-naïve and PI-exposed pts were enrolled at the MTD. The primary objectives were to determine the safety, tolerability, and MTD. Secondary objectives included analysis of plasma pharmacokinetic (PK) and whole blood pharmacodynamic effects of MLN9708, and assessment of overall hematologic response rate, time to and duration of hematologic and organ response. Adverse events (AEs) were graded using NCI-CTCAE version 4.03. Blood samples were collected at multiple timepoints pre- and post-MLN9708 dosing for PK analysis during cycle 1. Hematologic response and amyloid-related organ assessments were performed according to standardized criteria. Results: At data cut-off (June 29, 2012) 16 pts had been enrolled and received ≥1 MLN9708 dose (safety population). The median age was 66.5 years (range 54–78) and 7 were male. Median number of prior therapies was 3 (range 1–7); 10 received prior transplant, 7 received prior bortezomib. Major organ involvement, defined by standard criteria, included heart, kidney, or both in 7/5/4 pts, respectively, with a median of 2 (range 1–5) involved organ systems, and Mayo cardiac biomarker risk stage was I, II, III in 6, 9, 1 pts. Five pts were treated in the 5.5 mg cohort and 11 pts were treated in the 4.0 mg (n=6 dose escalation; n=5 dose expansion) cohorts. Of the 11 pts treated at 4.0 mg, 4 were PI-naïve, 7 were PI-exposed. Pts received a median of 3 cycles (range 1–12); 5 pts received ≥5 cycles, and 8 pts remain on treatment. Dex was added in 4 pts (2 in each MLN9708 dose level). There were no on-study deaths. Pts discontinued due to disease progression (n=5), AE, withdrawal by pt, or unsatisfactory response (each n=1); 2 pts completed planned 1 year of therapy. One pt in the 4.0 mg cohort experienced a DLT of grade 3 thrombocytopenia. Two pts in the 5.5 mg dose cohort experienced DLTs: grade 3 diarrhea in 1 pt, and renal failure, respiratory failure (both grade 2), and cardiac arrest (grade 4) in another pt. The MTD was determined as 4.0 mg. AEs were reported in 14 pts. The most common drug-related AEs included nausea (n=5), diarrhea and thrombocytopenia (each n=4), abdominal pain and fatigue (each n=3). Grade ≥3 AEs (any cause) reported in >1 pt were thrombocytopenia (n=4), dyspnea (n=3), maculo-papular rash, dehydration, and abdominal pain (each n=2); all were grade 3. Preliminary response data are shown in the table. At data cut-off, one responder had progressed, and the median duration of hematologic response was 7.4 months (range 1.3–11.5+); 2 pts had cardiac organ response. Preliminary PK data showed that MLN9708 was rapidly absorbed, with a median Tmax of 1 hr (range 0.5–6). MLN9708 day 15 plasma Cmax was 73.6 ± 40.2 ng/mL (mean ± SD) and AUC0–168was 1250 ±530 ng*hr/mL (n=8 at 4.0 mg dose cohort). MLN9708 PK parameter values in this study appear similar to other MLN9708 studies in myeloma pts. Conclusions: These data suggest weekly oral administration of MLN9708 is feasible in pts with relapsed or refractory AL. The MLN9708 MTD was determined as 4.0 mg. Assessment is ongoing, with preliminary evidence of hematologic responses noted. A phase 3 study of MLN9708 plus dex versus physician's choice of treatment is planned (NCT01659658). Disclosures: Merlini: Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy. Off Label Use: Use of the investigational agent MLN9708, an oral proteasome inhibitor, in the treatment of relapsed or refractory light-chain amyloidosis. Sanchorawala:Celgene: Research Funding; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding; Onyx: Research Funding. Zonder:Celgene: Research Funding; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Consultancy, Research Funding. Kukreti:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Schonland:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria. Dispenzieri:Janssen Research & Development: Research Funding; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Cohen:Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Meyers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Berg:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Liu:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Di Bacco:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Gupta:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Hui:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Comenzo:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

Abstract Abstract 1364 In light chain (AL) amyloidosis, as well as in multiple myeloma, response to treatment is increasingly being used as a surrogate endpoint in clinical trials. In 2005 a consensus statement of the International Society of Amyloidosis (ISA) established the criteria for hematologic and organ response. Since then, several studies emphasized the prognostic relevance of the measurement of the amyloidogenic precursor, the circulating free light chain (FLC). Moreover, it was reported that patients who with treatment achieved decreases in the cardiac biomarker N terminal natriuretic peptide type B (NT-proBNP) had longer survival, although echocardiographic criteria of response were not attained. The ISA Consensus Panel reconvened in 2010 to update hematologic and organ response criteria. The panel felt that any new criteria should be validated in a large patient population. Thus, we systematically gathered from 7 referral centers in Europe and in the United States a cohort of 649 patients with systemic AL amyloidosis who had been evaluated for hematologic and organ responses at diagnosis and 6 months after treatment initiation, excluding patients who died earlier. At diagnosis, 430 patients (66%) had heart involvement, 377 (58%) had NT-proBNP ≥650 ng/L, 455 (70%) had renal involvement (95, 15%, with glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min) and 100 (15%) had liver involvement. Two-hundred eighty-nine patients (44%) were treated with melphalan and dexamethasone, 118 (18%) received thalidomide based therapy, 73 (11%) underwent autologous stem cell transplant, 35 (5%) were treated with regimens including lenalidomide, 20 (3%) received bortezomib-based therapy, and the rest received other alkylating agents, nucleoside analogues or dexamethasone. The median follow-up of living patients was 24 months, and 233 patients (34%) died. The ability of response criteria to identify patients who died was compared by evaluating the areas under Receiver Operator Characteristic curves based on death at 1 year, and by calculating the Harrell C statistic and the Royston explained variation. Survival was calculated from the time of evaluation of response. We maintained the category of complete response (CR: negative serum and urine immunofixation, normal FLC kappa/lambda ratio and normal marrow studies) and examined candidate criteria for partial (PR) and very good partial responses (VGPR), based on percentage changes or absolute values achieved after treatment of involved (amyloidogenic) FLC (iFLC), and alternatively on the difference between iFLC and uninvolved FLC (dFLC). With respect to cardiac response and progression, NT-proBNP-based criteria were defined as a decrease or an increase of both >30% and >300 ng/L, and a threshold of evaluability based on NT-proBNP baseline level >650 ng/L was chosen. The most powerful criteria for PR were those based on dFLC percent decrease, and a 50% cutoff was preferred because of easier clinical use. Among candidate criteria for VGPR, the best were based on iFLC absolute value achieved after therapy, but the performance of those based on dFLC absolute value was only slightly lower. Therefore, a definition of VGPR based on dFLC (<40 mg/L) was adopted for the sake of harmonization with the dFLC-based definition of PR. The adopted hematologic response criteria and their prognostic significance are reported in Table 1. These criteria identified 4 groups with significantly different survivals (Figure 1). Also the proposed criteria of NT-proBNP response and progression were significantly associated with survival (Figure 2). Our 2010 revised consensus criteria for hematologic response include maintenance of the definition of CR, and with use of dFLC re-casting the definition of PR and introducing a VGPR category, and for cardiac response and progression introducing the use of changes in NT-proBNP levels. In a further analysis we will address the definition of measurable dFLC at baseline and evaluate the applicability of the response criteria to earlier evaluation of response. The revised criteria improve the framework for clinical research in AL. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Thalidomide, lenalidomide, bortezomib for systemic AL amyloidosis. Dispenzieri:The Binding Site: Honoraria. Gertz:Celgene: Honoraria; Millennium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Dimopoulos:Ortho-Biotech: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Millennium: Honoraria. Merlini:Millennium: Honoraria; Ortho-Biotech: Honoraria.

Abstract This phase 1/2 study assessed the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of the oral proteasome inhibitor (PI) ixazomib in patients with relapsed/refractory immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis. Ixazomib was administered to adult patients with relapsed/refractory AL amyloidosis after 1 or more prior lines of therapy (including bortezomib) on days 1, 8, and 15 of 28-day cycles, for up to 12 cycles. Patients with less than partial response after 3 cycles received oral dexamethasone (40 mg, days 1-4) from cycle 4. A 3+3 dose-escalation phase was followed by 2 expansion cohorts (PI-naive and PI-exposed patients) at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Twenty-seven patients were enrolled: 11 during dose escalation (6 at 4.0 mg and 5 at 5.5 mg) and 16 during dose expansion (4.0 mg). Three patients experienced dose-limiting toxicities: 1 at 4.0 mg and 2 at 5.5 mg; the MTD was determined as 4.0 mg. Most common adverse events (AEs) included nausea, skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (SSTD), diarrhea, and fatigue; grade 3 or higher AEs included dyspnea, fatigue, and SSTD. Overall, the hematologic response rate was 52% in patients treated at the MTD (n = 21). Organ responses were seen in 56% of patients (5 cardiac, 5 renal). Median hematologic progression-free survival was 14.8 months; 1-year progression-free and overall survival rates were 60% and 85%, respectively (median follow-up, 16.9 months). Weekly oral ixazomib appears to be active in patients with relapsed/refractory AL amyloidosis, with a generally manageable safety profile. The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01318902. A phase 3 study is ongoing (#NCT01659658).

Purpose Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is caused by the accumulation of misfolded proteins, which induces the dysfunction of vital organs. NEOD001 is a monoclonal antibody targeting these misfolded proteins. We report interim data from a phase I/II dose-escalation/expansion study of NEOD001 in patients with AL amyloidosis and persistent organ dysfunction (NCT01707264). Patients and Methods Patients who had completed at least one previous anti–plasma cell-directed therapy, had partial hematologic response or better, and had persistent organ dysfunction received NEOD001 intravenously every 28 days. Dose levels of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 mg/kg were evaluated (3 + 3 study design). Primary objectives were to determine the maximum tolerated dose and the recommended dose for future studies and to evaluate safety/tolerability. Secondary and exploratory objectives included pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and organ responses on the basis of published consensus criteria. Results Twenty-seven patients were enrolled in seven cohorts (dose-escalation component). No drug-related serious adverse events (AEs), discontinuations because of drug-related AEs, dose-limiting toxicities, or antidrug antibodies were reported. The most frequent AEs were fatigue, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, and dyspnea. Recommended dosing was 24 mg/kg. Pharmacokinetics support intravenous dosing every 28 days. Of 14 cardiac-evaluable patients, eight (57%) met the criteria for cardiac response and six (43%) had stable disease. Of 15 renal-evaluable patients, nine (60%) met the criteria for renal response and six (40%) had stable disease. Conclusion Monthly infusions of NEOD001 were safe and well tolerated. Recommended future dosing was 24 mg/kg. Organ response rates compared favorably with those reported previously for chemotherapy. A phase II expansion is ongoing. A global phase III study (NCT02312206) has been initiated. Antibody therapy targeting misfolded proteins is a potential new therapy for the management of AL amyloidosis.

Purpose To identify the criteria for hematologic and cardiac response to treatment in immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis based on survival analysis of a large patient population. Patients and Methods We gathered for analysis 816 patients with AL amyloidosis from seven referral centers in the European Union and the United States. A different cohort of 374 patients prospectively evaluated at the Pavia Amyloidosis Research and Treatment Center was used for validation. Data was available for all patients before and 3 and/or 6 months after initiation of first-line therapy. The prognostic relevance of different criteria for hematologic and cardiac response was assessed. Results There was a strong correlation between the extent of reduction of amyloidogenic free light chains (FLCs) and improvement in survival. This allowed the identification of four levels of response: amyloid complete response (normal FLC ratio and negative serum and urine immunofixation), very good partial response (difference between involved and uninvolved FLCs [dFLC] < 40 mg/L), partial response (dFLC decrease > 50%), and no response. Cardiac involvement is the major determinant of survival, and changes in cardiac function after therapy can be reliably assessed using the cardiac biomarker N-terminal natriuretic peptide type B (NT-proBNP). Changes in FLC and NT-proBNP predicted survival as early as 3 months after treatment initiation. Conclusion This study identifies and validates new criteria for response to first-line treatment in AL amyloidosis, based on their association with survival in large patient populations, and offers surrogate end points for clinical trials.

In rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral blood T cells have age-inappropriate telomeric erosion. We examined whether HLA-DRB1 * 04 alleles, the major susceptibility genes for this disease, confer risk for T cell senescence. In healthy individuals, HLA-DRB1 * 04 alleles were associated with excessive loss of telomeres in CD4 + T cells. Accelerated telomeric erosion occurred during the first two decades of life and was followed by reduced homeostatic T cell proliferation during adulthood. Premature telomeric loss also affected granulocytes, suggesting that the hematopoietic stem cell is the primary target. Telomeric repair mechanisms were intact in HLA-DRB1 * 04 + donors. We propose that HLA-DRB1 * 04 alleles or genes in linkage disequilibrium regulate stem cell replication and contribute to the accumulation of senescent and autoreactive T cells in rheumatoid arthritis.