Greenberg, Alexandra J.

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the impact of an interdisciplinary graduate level course on students’ knowledge and interests in immunotherapy and CAR-T cell therapy. It was a one week course conducted in November 2018. Students were surveyed before and after the course. The survey included questions regarding background, self-perceived knowledge/confidence in skills, and interests/predicted behaviors. Students were assigned to work in interdisciplinary teams to develop a research proposal. A total of 25 students taking the course for graduate level credit were surveyed. Of these, all 25 (100%) completed the surveys. Students came from variable backgrounds and were at different stages of graduate training. After completion of the course, there was a statistically significant increase in self-perceived knowledge of immunotherapy (mean±standard deviation score of 3.6±0.9 post-course vs 2.6±1.0 pre-course, on a 5 point Likert scale, P<0.001), knowledge of the benchtop research to clinic translational process (3.7±0.8 post-course vs 3.0±0.9 pre-course, P<0.001), confidence in critical reading skills (4.3±0.6 post-course vs 4.0±0.5 pre-course, P=0.008), confidence in immunotherapy focused grant writing skills (3.6±0.9 post-course vs 2.8±1.1 pre-course, P<0.001), interest in working in interdisciplinary teams (4.8±0.4 post-course vs 4.6±0.6 pre-course, P=0.02), and interest in attending immunotherapy educational events (3.5±1.3 post-course vs 3.2±1.3 pre-course, P≤0.05). In conclusion, this course helps trainees to build knowledge and interest in the fields of immunotherapy and CAR-T cell therapy and can potentially serve as a platform for future educational courses in interdisciplinary, translational research.

Purpose: Despite the large impact heart disease has on morbidity and mortality, many are unaware of the risk factors and the steps they can take to reduce their own risk. Participation in clinical trials for discovering new approaches for the prevention and treatment of heart disease is important. This study sought to determine interest in participation in clinical trials of those diagnosed with heart disease and hypertension as compared to those without such diagnoses, and to assess associated sociodemographic characteristics of interest in participation Methods: Analyses were conducted using data from the 2014 administration of the National Cancer Institute's Health Information National Trends Survey . HINTS is a nationally-representative survey of the US adult (18+) population. The primary outcome of interest was whether respondents expressed interest in participating in research. Bivariate analyses were conducted initially to explore potential associations between sociodemographic factors and having had a diagnosis of hypertension or heart disease. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess relationships between sociodemographic factors and outcomes, controlling for relevant sociodemographic characteristics and prior diagnosis of hypertension or heart attack. Weighted analyses were done to obtain population-level estimates. Findings: Of the 3,498 respondents, 1,569 (33.3%,) reported having a prior diagnosis of hypertension; 362 of 3,493 (7.0%,) respondents indicated that they had a previously diagnosed heart condition. Logistic regression showed that younger hypertensive participants had higher odds of being interested in participating in clinical trials as compared to those aged 75 years and older (OR = 3.62, 95% CI = 1.94-6.78). Those with regular care providers had higher odds of being interested in clinical trial participation compared to those without regular providers (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.07-2.11). Likewise, younger participants aged 18-34 reporting heart conditions (OR = 3.58, 95% CI = 1.79-7.16) had higher odds of being interested in clinical trial participation compared to those aged 75 and older. No statistical differences were seen in clinical trial awareness, participation, or interest across race or gender. Conclusions: Participants who have a diagnosis of heart disease or hypertension and report being interested in engaging in clinical trial research are generally younger and have a regular health care provider. Therefore, behavioral intervention efforts should focus on translating clinical trial participation interest to participation in younger adults. Clinical trial recruitment efforts should also focus on unique methods to increase interest and subsequent trial enrollment in older adults and those without regularly provided care.

Objectives. To examine prevalence and predictors of digital health engagement among the US population. Methods. We analyzed nationally representative cross-sectional data on 7 digital health engagement behaviors, as well as demographic and socioeconomic predictors, from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 5, cycle 2, collected in 2018; n = 2698–3504). We fitted multivariable logistic regression models using weighted survey responses to generate population estimates. Results. Digitally seeking health information (70.14%) was relatively common, whereas using health apps (39.53%) and using a digital device to track health metrics (35.37%) or health goal progress (38.99%) were less common. Digitally communicating with one’s health care providers (35.58%) was moderate, whereas sharing health data with providers (17.20%) and sharing health information on social media (14.02%) were uncommon. Being female, younger than 65 years, a college graduate, and a smart device owner positively predicted several digital health engagement behaviors (odds ratio range = 0.09–4.21; P value range < .001–.03). Conclusions. Many public health goals depend on a digitally engaged populace. These data highlight potential barriers to 7 key digital engagement behaviors that could be targeted for intervention.

AbstractThere is increasing interest in health care organizations functioning as learning health systems (LHSs) to improve the quality and efficiency of health care delivery while generating new knowledge. Individuals must be trained in associated concepts and competencies and subsequently positioned (or embedded) within the delivery system for maximum effect as they perform their scholarship. Potential researchers within LHSs come from many different training backgrounds; therefore, each LHS scholar requires a goal‐directed plan tailored to his or her needs. There are few tools available to guide development, training, or evaluation of individuals interested in becoming leaders of research in LHSs. In this paper, we present a newly developed tool for guiding the training of such researchers, the Learning Health Systems Competency Appraisal Inventory (LHS‐CAI). The LHS‐CAI is modeled after the Clinical Research Appraisal Index (CRAI) used within Clinical and Translational Science Award sites across the United States. The LHS‐CAI is a tool for trainees at all levels to use with their mentors in an interactive manner. The tool can then identify areas in which more training is needed and at what level to ensure success as a researcher within LHSs. We further modified the CRAI format to better leverage the LHS‐CAI as a key part of an LHS scholar's individual development plan. To implement the LHS‐CAI, we have identified key points within the Minnesota Learning Health System Mentored Career Development Program (MN‐LHS) at which assessment of expertise for each competency would be useful to LHS scholars, mentors, and program leaders. Scholars in this program come from various clinical and academic backgrounds but are all targeting their career trajectories toward leading embedded LHS research. They will reevaluate their expertise upon completion of the program, with comparison to baseline serving as a key program evaluation tool. The LHS‐CAI is currently being implemented with the first cohort of scholars in the MN‐LHS program.

Abstract The introduction of novel immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), such as lenalidomide, has drastically improved the survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). While it has been shown that patients with specific cytogenetic subtypes, namely t(4;14), have the best outcomes when treated with bortezomib-based regimens, the relationship between cytogenetic subtypes and response to IMiDs remains unclear. Using DNA synthesis and apoptosis assays, we investigated the relationship between cytogenetic subtype and lenalidomide response in a representative panel of human myeloma cell lines (HMCLs). Additionally, we examined HMCL protein expression levels of the lenalidomide target cereblon (CRBN) and its putative downstream target interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), both of which have previously been shown to be predictive of lenalidomide response in HMCLs. Our results reveal that response to lenalidomide did not correlate with specific cytogenetic translocations. There were, however, distinct groups of lenalidomide-responsive and non-responsive HMCLs, as defined by inhibition of cellular proliferation; notably, all of the hyperdiploid HMCLs fell into the latter category. Repeated dosing of lenalidomide significantly lowered the IC50 of the responsive HMCL ALMC-1 (IC50 = 2.6 μM versus 0.005 μM, p=0.004), but did not have an effect on the IC50 of the non-responsive HMCL DP-6 (p>0.05). Moreover, no association was found between lenalidomide responsiveness and CRBN or IRF4 expression levels. In summary, our data indicate that lenalidomide sensitivity is independent of cytogenetic subtype in HMCLs. Additionally, while CRBN and IRF-4 have been shown to be associated with response to lenalidomide in patients, these findings do not translate back to HMCLs, which could be attributable to factors present in the bone marrow microenvironment. These results suggest that the development of a new treatment paradigm based on cytogenetic subtype of MM alone may be insufficient, and that additional markers may need to be incorporated. Furthermore, the disconnect between our findings of expression of CRBN and IRF-4 in lenalidomide-treated HMCLs and patient data highlights the need for further investigation into the role of the bone marrow microenvironment on the regulation of these previously demonstrated markers of lenalidomide response. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Abstract 1808 Background: Approximately 50% of the Multiple Myeloma (MM) cases are associated with hyperdiploidy (Hyperdiploid MM, HDMM), usually of the odd numbered chromosomes. The majority of the remaining patients with MM have translocations involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus on chromosome 14q32 (Translocated MM, TMM).(Fonseca R, Leukemia 2009;23:2210-21) However, most of these estimates are from studies done in predominantly white populations. MM is approximately two fold more common in blacks, and results from the phase 3 study of lenalidomide and dexamethasone suggested that blacks may have better outcome. (Rajkumar SV, Lancet Oncol 2010;11(1):29-37) Goals: The purpose of this study was to determine the cytogenetic characteristics and outcome of MM in blacks, and to compare this with a similar population of white patients seen during the same time period. Methods: We studied African American and African patients with MM diagnosed from May 2002 through June 2010 at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County (CC), Chicago, IL and comparable Caucasian population seen at Mayo Clinic (MC), Rochester, MN between these dates with available cytogenetic studies (karyotyping and/or fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) data) at diagnosis. The results between both populations were then compared. Results: 65 blacks (25 men and 40 women) and 490 Caucasians (290 men and 200 women) with MM were studied. Karyotyping was available in 98% of patients from both cohorts, and FISH was available for 35% and 64% of the CC and MC cohorts, respectively. A molecular classification was possible in 16 (25%) of the CC cohort (12 HDMM, 4 TMM) and 294 (60%) of the MC cohort (38% HDMM, 22% TMM). In the remaining patients, both tests were normal or showed changes not definitive for either IgH translocations or hyperdiploidy. At diagnosis, abnormal cytogenetics by karyotyping was present in 25/65 (38%) of the CC cohort and 154/479 (32%) of the MC cohort. The median overall survival (OS) from diagnosis for the CC and MC cohorts was similar at 64 months. The median OS was significantly shorter for those with an abnormal cytogenetics; 35 months vs. 65 months in the CC cohort (P0.03) and 49 months vs. not reached for the MC cohort (P < 0.01). OS was superior among patients in the CC cohort initially treated with an immunomodulatory agent (IMiD) containing regimen (65 months vs. 35 months for those receiving a bortezomib or other non-IMiD containing regimens (P=0.02; Figure 1). Similarly, in the MC cohort, patients receiving an IMiD based regimen had a superior OS (not reached vs. 42 months; P < 0.001). The use of immunomodulatory therapy did not differ across cytogenetic types. Conclusions: The current study suggests that IgH translocations were less frequently seen in blacks compared with what is typically reported in the literature. This may explain the relatively better survival reported in blacks compared with whites in recent trials. We found a significantly superior outcome in blacks treated initially with regimens containing immunomodulatory agents compared to other regimens. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract We and others previously demonstrated an increased risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) in first-degree relatives of multiple myeloma (MM) and MGUS patients, underscoring a familial component to this disease. However, MM is known to be a collection of cytogenetically distinct diseases, with 40-50% of MM cases having a reciprocal translocation involving the IgH locus on chromosome 14q32 and in many of the remaining patients, trisomies. In a small proportion of cases, both IgH abnormalities and trisomies are found in the same clone. These MM cytogenetic subtypes are associated with differential prognosis. Whether there are differences in familial risk by cytogenetic subtypes is not known. Patients with MM were recruited from the Mayo Clinic Hematology practice in Rochester, Minnesota (MN) between 2005 and 2015. Serum samples were collected from first-degree relatives and subjected to electrophoresis and immunofixation for MGUS determination. Age- and sex-specific rates of MGUS from the population-based Olmsted County, MN, prevalence study were used as expected rates for the calculation of risk ratios (RRs) for comparisons of first-degree relatives. Cytogenetic subtypes were classified by FISH testing performed in the clinic and categorized into groups defined by IgH translocation , trisomy, intermediate/ high-risk disease (t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), and del17p). Further, the distribution of cytogenetic subtypes was compared between MM cases with and without evidence of MGUS in first degree relatives using Chi square tests. Analyses were also subset to MM probands diagnosed in MN. There were a total of 442 MM probands, with 1235 first-degree relatives recruited and eligible for the study. MGUS was detected in 78 relatives, for an age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of 6.1% (4.7%-7.5%). Analyses comparing prevalence of MGUS in first degree relatives to population-based rates from Olmsted County showed a 2.5-fold (95% CI=1.9-3.0) increased prevalence. When performing analyses among MN probands only (RR=2.9; 95% CI=2.1-3.8), results were similar. Of the 442 probands, 310 had FISH performed on plasma cells (identified by cIG staining; cIg-FISH) at diagnosis. Of these cases, 49% had a trisomy, 23% had an IgH translocation, and 9% had both. Although the proportion of trisomies and IgH translocations were 4-6% higher among MM probands with a relative with MGUS compared to those without, these differences were not statistically significant (Table 1). MM probands with a first degree relative with MGUS also had a similar proportion of cytogenetic subtypes that are considered of intermediate or high risk compared to those MM without a family history (26.9% vs 25.2%) (p=0.79) (Table 1). When restricted to MM probands from MN, results remained non-statistically significant (Table 1). We showed an increased risk of MGUS in first-degree relatives of MM cases, implying shared environment and/or genetics underlying this malignancy. However, we did not find an association between family history of MGUS in MM probands and the cytogenetic subtypes examined. Larger cohorts are needed to examine if a relationship exists between cytogenetic subtypes of MM and familial risk. Disclosures Kumar: Noxxon Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Array BioPharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Onyx: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Consultancy; Kesios: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Skyline: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy.

Abstract Abstract 4000 Background: We have previously reported that there is an increased risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) in first-degree relatives of patients with multiple myeloma (Vachon CM. Blood 2009 114: 785–790). There are several cytogenetic subtypes of myeloma, and there are no data on whether certain cytogenetic subtypes of myeloma are more frequently associated with familial MGUS. Methods: We studied patients with myeloma who participated in the familial MGUS study in whom presence or absence of MGUS in the first-degree relatives had been ascertained (Vachon CM. Blood 2009 114: 785–790). Probands were seen at the Mayo Clinic Hematology/Oncology practice (Rochester, MN, USA) between February 2006 and September 2007. Cytogenetic data was acquired via electronic medical record abstraction of fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) lab reports, and used to categorize patients into one of nine cytogenetic subgroups: trisomy(ies), t(6;14), t(11;14), t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), Mixed (those with trisomy(ies) and an IgH translocation), other cytogenetic abnormalities (in the absence of trisomy(ies) or IgH translocation), and normal (Kumar S. Blood 2012;119:2100–2105). We examined whether a difference in the distribution of the six primary cytogenetic categories of myeloma existed between probands with a family history of MGUS and/or myeloma and those without. Results and Conclusions: Of the 248 patients invited to participate, FISH data (with sufficient plasma cells) was available on 119 participants to establish the primary molecular cytogenetic classification of myeloma. All had available information regarding family history of MGUS and multiple myeloma. 27 had an affected first-degree relative with MGUS, and 92 did not. Distributions of cytogenetic subtypes in the two groups are shown in Table 1. IgH translocated MM was more common in myeloma patients who lacked an affected first-degree relative compared to those with familial MGUS (19% vs 30%, P=0.32) Interestingly, the t(11;14) subtype was more common in myeloma patients without familial MGUS compared to those with an first-degree relative with MGUS (19.6% vs 7.4%, P=0.24). The differences in Table 1 did not reach statistical significance, possibly due to the small numbers of individuals with a family history in this sample. However, the distribution (Table 1) suggests that the distribution of cytogenetic subtypes may be different in myeloma that is not associated with familial MGUS compared with myeloma in which a familial tendency is detected. IgH translocated MM appears to have a lower risk of familial tendency. Further investigation is needed to estimate the risk of familial MGUS within each cytogenetic subtype. Disclosures: Kumar: Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria; Millennium: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Genzyme: Research Funding.