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Shou, Yaping

Mayo Clinic

Trillium Therapeutics (Canada)

Citations 6

Updates from Ongoing, First-in-Human Phase 1 Dose Escalation and Expansion Study of TTI-621, a Novel Biologic Targeting CD47, in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Hematologic Malignancies
Foran, James M. , Maris, Michael B., Sawas, Ahmed , Okada, Craig , Feldman, Tatyana , Minden, Mark D. , Sokol, Lubomir , Villa, Diego , Percival, Mary‐Elizabeth M. , Jagadeesh, Deepa , Akilov, Oleg E. , Lin, Gloria H. Y. , Catalano, Tina, Petrova, Penka S., Uger, Bob, Molloy, Naomi, Large, Kathleen, Shou, Yaping, Ansell, Stephen M. , Akilov, Oleg E , Horwitz, Sarah McCue , Sokol, Lubomir , Mei, Matthew , Flinn, Ian W. , Savage, Kerry J. , Diefenbach, Catherine , Kim, Youn H

Blood | February 6, 2021 | Volume: 136 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 41-43

10.1182/blood-2020-136198 Get It

Background CD47 is an innate immune checkpoint that binds signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) and delivers a "do not eat" signal to suppress macrophage phagocytosis. Overexpression of CD47 can allow tumor cells to escape immune surveillance. TTI-621 (SIRPαFc) is a fusion protein consisting of the CD47 binding domain of human SIRPα linked to the Fc region of human IgG1, designed to enhance phagocytosis and antitumor activity by blocking the CD47-SIRPα interaction between malignant cells and macrophages, and engaging Fcγ receptors. Here we report updates from the first-in-human study of TTI-621 (NCT02663518) in hematologic malignancies. Methods Study Part 1 tested increasing weekly intravenous doses of TTI-621 based on 3+3 escalation. The maximum tolerated dose was initially determined to be 0.2 mg/kg based on dose limiting toxicity (DLT) of thrombocytopenia [Grade (Gr) 4 of any duration]. Expanded testing followed in patients (pts) with hematologic malignancies, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. In Part 2, most pts received 0.2 mg/kg. However, based on investigator discretion, a subset of pts received escalating doses up to 0.5 mg/kg. In Part 3, pts with T-cell lymphomas received stepwise dose escalations from 0.2 to 0.5 mg/kg over the first 5−8 weeks. In over 200 pts tested in Parts 1−3, thrombocytopenia did not increase with dose, typically recovered within 2−4 days, and was not associated with clinical sequelae. Part 4 was then undertaken to optimize TTI-621 dosing and is currently escalating doses in a 3+3 manner through pre-planned dose levels (0.5, 0.7, 1, and 1.4 mg/kg) in pts with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). The DLT criteria was modified to require Gr 4 thrombocytopenia lasting >72 hours. Safety monitoring includes weekly clinical laboratories and assessments of adverse events (AEs) per CTCAE v 4.03. Blood samples are obtained for pharmacokinetics (PK) and for pharmacodynamic (PD) assessments of receptor occupancy (RO) on normal peripheral T cells. Disease assessments are performed per Olsen's criteria. Results In Parts 1−3 (n=214), the most common related AEs were infusion-related reaction (IRR, 43%; 3% Gr ≥3), thrombocytopenia (30%; 22% Gr ≥3), chills (21%; 0% Gr ≥3), and fatigue (15%; 1% Gr ≥3). Objective responses to single agent TTI-621 were achieved in 14/71 (20%) NHL pts including CTCL (n=42, 1 CR, 7 PRs), PTCL (n=22, 2 CRs, 2 PRs) and DLBCL (n=7, 1 CR, 1 PR). In Part 4, as of July 10, 2020, 15 pts (9M/6F, median age 67 years) have enrolled into 4 dose cohorts (0.5−1.4 mg/kg). CTCL subtypes include mycosis fungoides (MF, n=10) and Sézary syndrome (n=5) with advanced (≥IIB) disease in 9 (60%) pts who received a median of 3 (range 1−12) prior systemic therapies. Related AEs have occurred in 11 (73%) pts including IRR (n=10) and thrombocytopenia (n=3); Gr ≥3 AEs have occurred in 4 (27%) pts including thrombocytopenia (n=3), IRRs (n=2), and exfoliative dermatitis (n=1). Thrombocytopenia generally occurred on dosing days, recovered in 2-4 days, and has not worsened with increasing doses. IRRs typically occurred during initial infusions. The Gr 3 IRR events occurred in 2 pts in the 1 and 1.4 mg/kg cohorts; low Gr IRRs have occurred across doses in 8 pts. IRRs typically resolved without recurrence and low Gr events often resolved allowing for completion of infusions. For initial infusions, the Gr 3 IRRs prompted increasing infusion times from 1 hour up to 4 hours and discretional use of steroid pre-medication. The exfoliative dermatitis occurred Day 80 and led to treatment discontinuation in 1 pt with MF whose underlying disease confounded the etiology. PK results reveal dose dependent increases in exposure; PD studies indicate ~60% RO at end of infusion up to 1 mg/kg. Antitumor activity to date includes 1 PR and 1 skin CR in 6 evaluable pts in the 1 mg/kg cohort; 2 responding pts bridged to allogeneic transplantation. The mean % change in mSWAT scores were -0.4%, -27%, and -37% for 0.5, 0.7 and 1 mg/kg cohorts, respectively. 1.4 mg/kg cohort results will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions In Parts 1−3, TTI-621 doses of 0.05 to 0.5 mg/kg were well-tolerated and demonstrated single agent activity in multiple hematologic malignancies. Preliminary data from Part 4 dose optimization indicate that weekly infusions of TTI-621 up to 1.4 mg/kg are well-tolerated without dose limiting or cumulative thrombocytopenia. Antitumor activity was seen at 1 mg/kg; dose escalation is continuing at 2 mg/kg. Disclosures Horwitz: Janssen: Consultancy; Verastem: Consultancy, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy; ASTEX: Consultancy; Portola: Consultancy, Research Funding; C4 Therapeutics: Consultancy; Beigene: Consultancy; Myeloid Therapeutics: Consultancy; Vividion Therapeutics: Consultancy; Infinity/Verastem: Research Funding; Aileron: Consultancy, Research Funding; ADCT Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Affirmed: Consultancy; Trillium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Corvus: Consultancy; Millenium/Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kyowa Hakka Kirin: Consultancy, Research Funding; Innate Pharma: Consultancy; Forty Seven: Consultancy, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kura Oncology: Consultancy; Miragen: Consultancy; Mundipharma: Consultancy. Foran:Agios: Honoraria, Research Funding; H3Biosciences: Research Funding; Xencor: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Kura Oncology: Research Funding; Aptose: Research Funding; Aprea: Research Funding; Actinium: Research Funding; Boehringer Ingelheim: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Servier: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Revolution Medicine: Consultancy. Sawas:Flatiron Health: Current Employment; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Speakers Bureau; Daiichi Sankyo: Speakers Bureau; Affimed: Research Funding; Roche: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Feldman:AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Viracta: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Janssen: Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Kyowa Kirin: Consultancy, Research Funding; Eisai: Research Funding; Cell Medica: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Other, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Kite: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Corvus: Research Funding; Rhizen: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Portola: Research Funding. Sokol:EUSA Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Kyowa/Kirin Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kymera Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Mei:Sanofi: Consultancy; Morphosys: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Flinn:Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Research Funding; F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Vincera Pharma: Consultancy; Agios: Research Funding; Iksuda Therapeutics: Consultancy; Great Point Partners: Consultancy; Genentech, Inc.: Research Funding; Forty Seven: Research Funding; Forma Therapeutics: Research Funding; ArQule: Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Trillium Therapeutics: Research Funding; Triphase Research & Development Corp.: Research Funding; Curio Science: Consultancy; Constellation Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; MorphoSys: Consultancy, Research Funding; Curis: Research Funding; Nurix Therapeutics: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Consultancy, Research Funding; Portola Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Teva: Research Funding; Loxo: Research Funding; BeiGene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Calithera Biosciences: Research Funding; Johnson & Johnson: Other; Rhizen Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Yingli Pharmaceuticals ≠: Consultancy, Research Funding; Verastem: Consultancy, Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; IGM Biosciences: Research Funding; Infinity Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Unum Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Acerta Pharma: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding. Villa:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; AZ: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Kite/Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; Nano String: Consultancy, Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sandoz Canada: Consultancy, Honoraria; Immunovaccine: Consultancy, Honoraria; Purdue Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria. Percival:Pfizer: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Nohla Therapeutics: Research Funding; Biosight: Research Funding; Oscotec: Research Funding; Cardiff Oncology: Research Funding; Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Glycomimetics: Research Funding. Jagadeesh:Seattle Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Regeneron: Research Funding; Verastem: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; MEI Pharma: Research Funding; Debiopharm Group: Research Funding. Savage:Merck, BMS, Seattle Genetics, Gilead, AstraZeneca, AbbVie, Servier: Consultancy; Roche (institutional): Research Funding; Merck, BMS, Seattle Genetics, Gilead, AstraZeneca, AbbVie: Honoraria; BeiGene: Other: Steering Committee. Akilov:Mallinckrodt: Consultancy; Medivir: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Consultancy; Kyowa Hakko Kirin: Consultancy; Soligenix: Honoraria; Pfizer: Research Funding; Actelion: Consultancy, Research Funding; Trillium Therapeutics Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding. Diefenbach:Trillium: Research Funding; Millenium/Takeda: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; MEI: Research Funding; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Genentech, Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Denovo: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding. Kim:Kyowa-Kirin Pharma: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Medivir: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Horizon Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; miRagen: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Galderma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Eisai: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Corvus: Research Funding; Elorac: Research Funding; Forty Seven Inc: Research Funding; Neumedicine: Consultancy, Research Funding; Innate Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Solingenix: Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Portola: Research Funding. Lin:Trillium Therapeutics Inc.: Current Employment. Catalano:Trillium Therapeutics Inc.: Current Employment. Petrova:Trillium Therapeutics Inc.: Current Employment. Uger:Trillium Therapeutics Inc.: Current Employment. Molloy:Trillium Therapeutics Inc.: Current Employment. Large:Trillium Therapeutics Inc.: Current Employment. Shou:Trillium Therapeutics Inc.: Current Employment. Ansell:Affimed: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Regeneron: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; AI Therapeutics: Research Funding.
Phase I Study of the CD47 Blocker TTI-621 in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Hematologic Malignancies
Ansell, Stephen M. , Maris, Michael B., Lesokhin, Alexander M. , Chen, Robert W., Flinn, Ian W. , Sawas, Ahmed , Minden, Mark D. , Villa, Diego , Percival, Mary‐Elizabeth M. , Foran, James M. , Mei, Matthew , Zain, Jasmine , Akilov, Oleg E. , Johnson, Lisa D. , Catalano, Tina, Petrova, Penka S., Uger, Robert A. , Milea, Anca, Roberge, Kathleen, Shou, Yaping, O’Connor, Owen A. , Mei, Matthew , Akilov, Oleg E , Johnson, Lisa D S , Sievers, Eric L , Lesokhin, Alexander M , Flinn, Ian W , Advani, Anjali S. , Horwitz, Steven M. , Savage, Kerry J. , Querfeld, Christiane , Sievers, Eric L.

Clinical Cancer Research | January 15, 2021 | Volume: 27 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 2190-2199

10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-3706 Get It

Abstract Purpose: TTI-621 (SIRPα-IgG1 Fc) is a novel checkpoint inhibitor that activates antitumor activity by blocking the CD47 “don't eat me” signal. This first-in-human phase I study (NCT02663518) evaluated the safety and activity of TTI-621 in relapsed/refractory (R/R) hematologic malignancies. Patients and Methods: Patients with R/R lymphoma received escalating weekly intravenous TTI-621 to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). During expansion, patients with various malignancies received weekly single-agent TTI-621 at the MTD; TTI-621 was combined with rituximab in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) or with nivolumab in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. The primary endpoint was the incidence/severity of adverse events (AEs). Secondary endpoint included overall response rate (ORR). Results: Overall, 164 patients received TTI-621: 18 in escalation and 146 in expansion (rituximab combination, n = 35 and nivolumab combination, n = 4). On the basis of transient grade 4 thrombocytopenia, the MTD was determined as 0.2 mg/kg; 0.1 mg/kg was evaluated in combination cohorts. AEs included infusion-related reactions, thrombocytopenia, chills, and fatigue. Thrombocytopenia (20%, grade ≥3) was reversible between doses and not associated with bleeding. Transient thrombocytopenia that determined the initial MTD may not have been dose limiting. The ORR for all patients was 13%. The ORR was 29% (2/7) for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and 25% (8/32) for T-cell NHL (T-NHL) with TTI-621 monotherapy and was 21% (5/24) for DLBCL with TTI-621 plus rituximab. Further dose optimization is ongoing. Conclusions: TTI-621 was well-tolerated and demonstrated activity as monotherapy in patients with R/R B-NHL and T-NHL and combined with rituximab in patients with R/R B-NHL.
Weekly MLN9708, an investigational oral proteasome inhibitor (PI), in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM): Results from a phase I study after full enrollment.
Kumar, Shaji , Bensinger, William, Zimmerman, Todd M., Reeder, Craig B. , Berg, Deborah, Hui, Ai‐Min , Bacco, Alessandra Di , Jiang, Yu , Shou, Yaping, Niesvizky, Rubén, Berenson, James R. , Gupta, Neeraj

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 12, 2020 | Volume: 31 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: 8514-8514

10.1200/jco.2013.31.15_suppl.8514 Get It

8514 Background: MLN9708 is an investigational, orally bioavailable, potent, reversible, specific inhibitor of the 20S proteasome that has demonstrated antitumor activity in in vivo models of MM. We report safety, activity and pharmacokinetics (PK) of weekly oral MLN9708 in a phase 1 trial in patients (pts) with relapsed and/or refractory MM after full enrollment (NCT00963820). Methods: Pts received MLN9708 (days 1, 8, 15; 28-day cycles) at 0.24–3.95 mg/m2 (dose-escalation phase) and at the MTD, 2.97 mg/m2, in relapsed and refractory (RR), bortezomib (btz)-relapsed, PI-naïve, and prior carfilzomib (CZ) expansion cohorts. Adverse events (AEs) were graded by NCI-CTCAE v3.0. Response was assessed by IMWG uniform criteria. Results: 60 pts (33 male, median age 64 yrs [40–79]) were enrolled, 32 in the dose-escalation phase and 31 to the expansion cohorts (11 RR, 10 btz-relapsed, 6 PI-naïve, 4 CZ; 2 RR and 1 btz-relapsed pts included from MTD dose-escalation cohort). Median time from MM diagnosis was 4.9 yrs (1.5–18.8). Median number of prior regimens was 6 (2–18), including btz, lenalidomide, thalidomide, and CZ in 83%, 95%, 52%, and 13%, respectively; 76% were refractory to last therapy (17% btz-refractory). At data cut-off (Nov 29, 2012) pts had received a median of 2 cycles (1–11); 5 pts remained on treatment. All-grade/grade ≥3 drug-related AEs were seen in 83%/52% of pts; common drug-related grade ≥3 AEs were thrombocytopenia (33%), diarrhea, neutropenia (17%), decreased appetite, fatigue, and lymphopenia (8%). 6 pts (10%) had drug-related PN (no grade ≥3). 5 pts discontinued due to drug-related AEs; 1 pt died on study due to an unrelated AE. By investigator assessment in 41 evaluable pts, responses included1 VGPR, 5 PR, 1 MR, and 15 with SD. MLN9708 was rapidly absorbed, with a terminal half-life of 4–12 days (supporting weekly dosing) and a proportional increase in plasma AUC with dose (0.8–3.95 mg/m2). PK data were similar across expansion cohorts. Conclusions: Current data suggest weekly oral MLN9708 is generally well tolerated with infrequent PN, and shows activity in this heavily pretreated population with prior exposure to immunomodulatory drugs and btz. Clinical trial information: NCT00963820.
Phase 1 study of weekly dosing with the investigational oral proteasome inhibitor ixazomib in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma
Kumar, Shaji , Bensinger, William, Zimmerman, Todd M., Reeder, Craig B. , Berg, Deborah, Hui, Ai-Min, Gupta, Neeraj , Bacco, Alessandra Di , Jiang, Yu , Shou, Yaping, Niesvizky, Rubén, Berenson, James R. , Gupta, Neeraj

Blood | June 6, 2014 | Volume: 124 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 1047-1055

10.1182/blood-2014-01-548941 Get It

Key Points Weekly oral proteasome inhibitor ixazomib appears generally well tolerated with manageable toxicity, limited grade 1/2 neuropathy. Data show that more than 25% of 30 evaluable relapsed/refractory myeloma patients who received the MTD had clinically meaningful responses.
Nilotinib (formerly AMN107), a highly selective BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is effective in patients with Philadelphia chromosome–positive chronic myelogenous leukemia in chronic phase following imatinib resistance and intolerance
Kantarjian, Hagop M. , Gattermann, Norbert , Bhalla, Kapil N. , Alimena, Giuliana, Palandri, Francesca , Ossenkoppele, Gert J., Nicolini, Franck-Emmanuel, O’Brien, Stephen G., Litzow, Mark R. , Cervantes, Francisco , Shou, Yaping, Resta, Debra, Weitzman, Aaron, Hochhaus, Andreas , Coutre, Philipp le , Giles, Francis Joseph , Bhatia, Ravi , Haque, Md Ariful , Palandri, Francesca , Kantarjian, Hagop

Blood | August 22, 2007 | Volume: 110 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 3540-3546

10.1182/blood-2007-03-080689 Get It

Abstract Nilotinib, an orally bioavailable, selective Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is 30-fold more potent than imatinib in pre-clinical models, and overcomes most imatinib resistant BCR-ABL mutations. In this phase 2 open-label study, 400 mg nilotinib was administered orally twice daily to 280 patients with Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) after imatinib failure or intolerance. Patients had at least 6 months of follow-up and were evaluated for hematologic and cytogenetic responses, as well as for safety and overall survival. At 6 months, the rate of major cytogenetic response (Ph ≤ 35%) was 48%: complete (Ph = 0%) in 31%, and partial (Ph = 1%-35%) in 16%. The estimated survival at 12 months was 95%. Nilotinib was effective in patients harboring BCR-ABL mutations associated with imatinib resistance (except T315I), and also in patients with a resistance mechanism independent of BCR-ABL mutations. Adverse events were mostly mild to moderate, and there was minimal cross-intolerance with imatinib. Grades 3 to 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 29% of patients; pleural or pericardial effusions were observed in 1% (none were severe). In summary, nilotinib is highly active and safe in patients with CML-CP after imatinib failure or intolerance. This clinical trial is registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov as ID no. NCT00109707.
Diverse karyotypic abnormalities of the c -myc locus associated with c -myc dysregulation and tumor progression in multiple myeloma
Shou, Yaping, Gabrea, Ana, Brents, Leslie A., Roschke, Anna V. , Dewald, Gordon W., Bergsagel, P. Leif , Kuehl, W. Michael, Martelli, Marialuisa , Ying, Qi , Kirsch, Ilan R. , Bergsagel, P. Leif

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences | July 26, 2002 | Volume: 97 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 228-233

10.1073/pnas.97.1.228 Get It

Translocations involving c -myc and an Ig locus have been reported rarely in human multiple myeloma (MM). Using specific fluorescence in situ hybridization probes, we show complex karyotypic abnormalities of the c -myc or L -myc locus in 19 of 20 MM cell lines and approximately 50% of advanced primary MM tumors. These abnormalities include unusual and complex translocations and insertions that often juxtapose myc with an IgH or IgL locus. For two advanced primary MM tumors, some tumor cells contain a karyotypic abnormality of the c -myc locus, whereas other tumor cells do not, indicating that this karyotypic abnormality of c -myc occurs as a late event. All informative MM cell lines show monoallelic expression of c -myc . For Burkitt's lymphoma and mouse plasmacytoma tumors, balanced translocation that juxtaposes c -myc with one of the Ig loci is an early, invariant event that is mediated by B cell-specific DNA modification mechanisms. By contrast, for MM, dysregulation of c -myc apparently is caused principally by complex genomic rearrangements that occur during late stages of MM progression and do not involve B cell-specific DNA modification mechanisms.