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Lesokhin, Alexander M.

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9321-702X

Mayo Clinic

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Citations 29

Genomic Features Do Not Account for Differences in Multiple Myeloma Risk by Ancestry
Maclachlan, Kylee , Papadimitriou, Marios , Blaney, Patrick , Baughn, Linda B. , Shekarkhand, Tala , Poos, Alexandra M. , Ziccheddu, Bachisio , Tang, Hongwei , Yan, Huihuang , Diamond, Benjamin , Zhang, Yanming , Cimera, Robert , Hultcrantz, Malin , Mailankody, Sham , Hassoun, Hani , Tan, Carlyn , Brown, Elizabeth , Winterkorn, Lara , Steinsnyder, Zoe , Vaksman, Zalman , Korde, Neha , Weinhold, Niels , Maclachlan, Kylee , Tang, Hongwei , Dogan, Ahmet , Gagler, Dylan , Boyle, Eileen M , Hultcrantz, Malin , Mailankody, Sham , Hassoun, Hani , Shah, Urvi A , Tan, Carlyn R , Brown, Elizabeth E , Winterkorn, Lara , Chu, Timothy , Steinsnyder, Zoe , Vaksman, Zalman , Davies, Faith E , Korde, Neha , Landgren, C Ola , Raab, Marc S , Lesokhin, Alexander M , Robine, Nicolas , Weinhold, Niels , Usmani, Saad , Maura, Francesco , Morgan, Gareth J , Baughn, Linda B , Diamond, Benjamin T , Blaney, Patrick , Poos, Alexandra M. , Doǧan, Ahmet , Boyle, Eileen M. , Shah, Urvi A. , Davies, Faith E. , Landgren, Ola , Raab, Marc S. , Lesokhin, Alexander M. , Usmani, Saad Z. , Maura, Francesco , Morgan, Gareth J.

Blood Cancer Discovery | June 12, 2026 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: OF1-OF17

10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-25-0259 Get It

Abstract Studies have reported conflicting findings regarding the contribution of germline variants or somatic genomic drivers to racial disparities in multiple myeloma. To comprehensively investigate somatic drivers in relation to inherited genetics in multiple myeloma, we combined newly sequenced whole-genome sequencing data with publicly available datasets (total n = 1,286). Overall, we did not identify germline or somatic genomic differences that explain the different risk of developing multiple myeloma between patients with genetic similarity to African (AFR) or European (EUR) reference populations. A difference in the detectability and timing of APOBEC-associated and germinal center mutational activity was observed. Integrating epidemiologic data and mutational signature-based temporal estimates, we challenge the assumption that individuals in the AFR group develop multiple myeloma at a younger age. Finally, we demonstrate that, with equal access to efficacious therapies, patients in the AFR and EUR groups have equivalent clinical outcomes. Significance: Multiple myeloma is reported to occur at higher rates in individuals who self-identify as non-Hispanic Black. In this large dataset, genomic drivers occur at the same rate among ancestry groups, except for APOBEC mutagenesis. With equivalent therapy, clinical outcomes did not differ for patients grouped by genetic ancestry similarity.
A High-Fiber, Plant-Based Diet in Myeloma Precursor Disorders: Results from the NUTRIVENTION Clinical Trial and Preclinical Vk*MYC Model
Shah, Urvi A. , Cogrossi, Laura Lucia , Garcés, Juan‐José , Policastro, Anna , Castro, Francesca , Derkach, Andriy , Fei, Teng , DeWolf, Susan , Grioni, Matteo , Sisti, Sofia , Blaslov, Jenna , Adintori, Peter , McAvoy, Devin , Baichoo, Mirae , Paredes, Jenny , Anuraj, Aishwarya , Pohl, Charlotte , Zinsmeyer, Victoria , Gipson, Brianna , Marchigiani, Camilla , Pagani, Sara , Salehi, Erica , Block, Torin , Korde, Neha , Tan, Carlyn , Hultcrantz, Malin , Hassoun, Hani , Scordo, Michael , Lahoud, Oscar , Landau, Heather , Peled, Jonathan U. , Chesi, Marta , Mailankody, Sham , D’Souza, Anita , Iyengar, Neil M. , Adintori, Peter A , Hosszu, Kinga K , McAvoy, Devin , Baichoo, Mirae , Cross, Justin R , Paredes, Jenny , Anuraj, Aishwarya , Raj, Sandeep S , Pohl, Charlotte , Zordan, Paola , Zinsmeyer, Victoria , Jesus Faustino Ramos, Ruben J , Lorenzoni, Marco , Gipson, Brianna , Maclachlan, Kylee , Gradissimo, Ana , Boiocchi, Leonardo , Aleynick, Nathan , Marchigiani, Camilla , Pagani, Sara , Salehi, Erica , Koche, Richard P , Chaligne, Ronan , Block, Torin , Korde, Neha , Tan, Carlyn R , Hultcrantz, Malin , Hassoun, Hani , Shah, Gunjan L , Scordo, Michael , Lahoud, Oscar B , Chung, David J , Landau, Heather , Peled, Jonathan U , Clementi, Nicola , Chesi, Marta , Bergsagel, P. Leif , Mailankody, Sham , Pollak, Michael N , D'Souza, Anita , Landgren, C Ola , Chimonas, Susan , Giralt, Sergio , Usmani, Saad , Iyengar, Neil M , Lesokhin, Alexander M , van den Brink, Marcel R M , Bellone, Matteo , Shah, Urvi A , Derkach, Andriy , Garces, Juan-Jose , Fei, Teng , Maclachlan, Kylee , Aleynick, Nathan , Shah, Gunjan L. , Bergsagel, P. Leif , Pollak, Michaël , Landgren, Ola , Giralt, Sergio , Usmani, Saad Z. , Lesokhin, Alexander M. , Bellone, Matteo

Cancer Discovery | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 16 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 697-720

10.1158/2159-8290.cd-25-1101 Get It

Abstract Consumption of a Western diet and high body mass index (BMI) are risk factors for progression from premalignant phenotypes to multiple myeloma, a hematologic cancer. In the NUTRIVENTION trial (NCT04920084), we administered a high-fiber, plant-based diet (HFPBD; meals for 12 weeks, coaching for 24 weeks) to 23 participants with myeloma precursor states and elevated BMI. The intervention was feasible and improved quality of life and modifiable risk factors: metabolic (BMI, insulin resistance), microbiome (diversity, composition), and immune (inflammation, monocyte subsets). Disease progression trajectory improved (n = 2) or was stable. Findings were translated to Vk*MYC mice modeling the myeloma precursor state, in which a high-fiber diet (HFD) delayed disease progression through improved metabolism and microbiome composition, leading to increased short-chain fatty acid production that reinvigorated antitumor immunity and inhibited tumor growth. These effects from fiber consumption were independent of calorie restriction and weight loss. A HFD is a low-risk intervention that may delay progression to myeloma. Significance: A HFPBD in participants with precursor plasma cell disorders and an elevated BMI improved metabolic, microbiome, and immune biomarkers of disease. In a subset, it may delay progression to myeloma. In mouse models, a HFD delayed progression to myeloma independent of calorie restriction. See related commentary by Fairfield and Reagan, p. 623
Long-Term (≥5-Year) Remission and Survival After Treatment With Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel in CARTITUDE-1 Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Jagannath, Sundar , Martin, Thomas G. , Lin, Yi , Cohen, Adam D. , Raje, Noopur , Htut, Myo, Deol, Abhinav , Agha, Mounzer , Berdeja, Jesús G. , Liegel, Jessica J., Dhakal, Binod , Parekh, Samir , de, Rocío Montes , Plaks, Vicki , Sun, Huabin, Banerjee, Arnob , Schecter, Jordan M. , Lendvai, Nikoletta , Lengil, Tamar, Zhu, Jieqing, Koneru, Mythili, Akram, Muhammad, Patel, Nitin , Filho, Octavio Costa, Voorhees, Peter M. , Liegel, Jessica J , Rossi, Adriana , Lieberman-Cribbin, Alex , Usmani, Saad , Dhakal, Binod , Parekh, Samir , Montes de Oca, Rocio , Jakubowiak, Andrzej , Voorhees, Peter , Cohen, Adam D , Jagannath, Sundar , Lin, Yi , Berdeja, Jesús G , Raje, Noopur S , Htut, Myo , Lesokhin, Alexander M. , Rossi, Adriana , Usmani, Saad Z. , Li, Hui, Wang, Rui , Madduri, Deepu , Jakubowiak, Andrzej

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 3, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 25 | Pages: 2766-2771

10.1200/jco-25-00760 Get It

CARTITUDE-1 evaluated ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) in patients with heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). We describe overall survival (OS), ≥5-year progression-free outcomes, associated biomarkers, and safety, with a median study follow-up of 61.3 months. For the 97 treated patients, median OS was 60.7 months (95% CI, 41.9 to not estimable). One third (32/97) of patients remain alive and progression-free for ≥5 years after a single cilta-cel infusion, without maintenance treatment. Twelve of these patients treated at a single center underwent serial minimal residual disease (MRD) and positron emission tomography-computed tomography assessments, and all (100%) were MRD-negative (at least 10 −5 threshold) and imaging-negative at year 5 or later after cilta-cel. Baseline characteristics, including the presence of high-risk cytogenetics and extramedullary disease, were generally comparable for the 32 patients who were progression-free for ≥5 years versus patients who had progressive disease by year 5. A trend of lower baseline tumor burden, higher fraction of naïve T-cells in the cilta-cel drug product, higher T cell-to-neutrophil ratio, higher hemoglobin and platelets at baseline, and higher effector-to-target ratio were associated with ≥5-year progression-free status. The safety profile of cilta-cel remained consistent with previous reports. To our knowledge, our data provide the first evidence that cilta-cel is potentially curative in patients with RRMM.
Cevostamab in Patients with Heavily Pretreated Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM): Updated Results from an Ongoing Phase I Study Demonstrate Clinically Meaningful Activity and Manageable Safety and Inform the Doses and Regimen for Combination Stud
Krishnan, Amrita , Laubach, Jacob P. , Trudel, Suzanne , Forsberg, Peter A. , Kaedbey, Rayan , Spencer, Andrew , Mateos, María‐Victoria , Wong, Chihunt, Tyagi, Tulika, Nakamura, Rin, Choeurng, Voleak, Richter, Joshua , Thomas, Sheeba K. , Cohen, Adam D. , Costa, Luciano J. , Bahlis, Nizar Jacques , Fonseca, Rafaël , Rodríguez‐Otero, Paula , Cooper, James, Lesokhin, Alexander M.

Blood | December 6, 2024 | Volume: 144 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 1021-1021

10.1182/blood-2024-199542 Get It

Background: Fc receptor-homolog 5 (FcRH5) is a type I membrane protein that is expressed exclusively in the B-cell lineage, and at a higher level on multiple myeloma (MM) cells than on normal B cells. Cevostamab is a FcRH5xCD3 bispecific antibody that facilitates T cell-mediated killing of MM cells. In an ongoing Phase I dose-escalation and dose-expansion study (GO39775; NCT03275103), cevostamab monotherapy demonstrated target dose (TD)-dependent activity and manageable safety in patients (pts) with heavily pretreated RRMM (Trudel et al. ASH 2021). We report updated efficacy and safety data from pts who received cevostamab once every 3 weeks (Q3W) at the 160mg TD level. Methods: Eligible pts were those with RRMM for which no established therapy was available or appropriate. Cevostamab was initiated with Cycle (C) 1 single-step (SS) dosing, double-step (DS) dosing (Trudel et al. ASH 2021), or triple-step (TS) dosing (step doses on D1, D2 [or D3 or D4 depending on the emergence and resolution of cytokine release syndrome [CRS] with the previous administration], and D8, TD on D9 [or D10 or D11]). Cevostamab was then continued at the TD on D1 of each subsequent 21-day cycle. Cevostamab was continued for 17 cycles, unless disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred. Results: As of February 23, 2024, 167 pts (median age: 66 years, range: 40-90; ECOG PS: 0, 35% or 1, 65%; median time from first MM therapy: 6.3 years, range: 0.3-21.8) had received cevostamab at the 160mg TD level (SS: n=10; DS: n=97; TS: n=60); 28% of pts had extramedullary disease and 38% of pts with a conclusive assay result (38/100) had high-risk cytogenetics (t(4;14), t(14;16), or del(17p)). The median number of prior lines of therapy was 6 (range: 2-18). Almost all pts (95.8%) were triple-class refractory and 73.7% were penta-drug refractory; 85.0% were refractory to their last prior therapy. A majority (57%) of pts had received ≥1 prior B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-targeted therapy. Twenty four percent of pts had received ≥1 prior bispecific antibody. Median observation time was 11.3 months (range: 0.5-42.8). The overall response rate (ORR) in all pts who received cevostamab at the 160mg TD level was 43.1% (72/167 pts); 6.6% achieved a stringent complete response (CR), 6.6% a CR, 12.6% a very good partial response (VGPR), and 17.4% a partial response (PR). The VGPR or better rate was 25.7%. Median time to first response (PR or better) was 1.4 months (range: 0.6-4.6) and to best response was 2.4 months (range: 0.7-13.4). Median duration of response was 10.4 months (95% CI: 6.8, 10.5). ORR was 30.2% (29/96) in pts with ≥1 prior BCMA-targeted therapy and 60.6% (43/71) in those without. ORR was 30.0% (12/40) in pts with ≥1 prior bispecific antibody, 33.3% (20/60) with ≥1 prior chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell, and 41.2% (14/34) with ≥1 prior antibody-drug conjugate. Common (≥20%) adverse events (AEs) included CRS (74.3%; Grade [Gr] 1: 52.7%; Gr 2: 19.8%; Gr 3: 1.2%; Gr 4: 0.6%), neutropenia (31.1%; Gr 1-2: 3.0%; Gr 3: 12.0%; Gr 4: 16.2%), cough (30.5%; Gr 1-2: 29.9%; Gr 3: 0.6%), nausea (28.1%; Gr 1-2: 27.5%; Gr 3: 0.6%), diarrhea (24.0%; all Gr 1-2), anemia (23.4%; Gr 1-2: 5.4%; Gr 3: 17.4%; Gr 4: 0.6%), and fatigue (21.0%; Gr 1-2: 19.8%; Gr 3: 1.2%). Possible immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) occurred in 13.2% of pts (Gr 1: 6.0%; Gr 2: 5.4%; Gr 3: 1.8%). Infections occurred in 53.9% of pts, with serious events and Gr ≥3 events in 22.2% and 19.2%, respectively. Treatment-related AEs leading to cevostamab discontinuation occurred in 11 pts (6.6%) and treatment-related Gr 5 (fatal) AEs in 3 pts (1.8%; hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, n=2; disseminated intravascular coagulation and pseudomonal sepsis, n=1). In the 0.3/1.2/3.6/160mg TS cohort, CRS occurred in 19/30 pts (63.3%) and was all Gr 1 (46.7%) or Gr 2 (16.7%). Pts with CRS were managed with tocilizumab (47.4%), steroids (21.1%), or both agents (10.5%). No pts discontinued cevostamab due to CRS and all events were resolved at cut-off. Conclusions: Cevostamab demonstrates clinically meaningful activity and manageable safety at the 160mg TD level in pts with heavily pretreated RRMM. C1 TS dosing provides effective CRS mitigation. Cevostamab combination studies may use the 0.3/1.2/3.6mg TS regimen and the Q3W 160mg TD (or similar TD exposure).
A High-Fiber Dietary Intervention (NUTRIVENTION) in Precursor Plasma Cell Disorders Improves Biomarkers of Disease and May Delay Progression to Myeloma
Cogrossi, Laura Lucia , Policastro, Anna , Jenna, Blaslov, Adintori, Peter , McAvoy, Devin , Baichoo, Mirae , Anuraj, Aishwarya , Pohl, Charlotte , Sanchez, Jenny Paredes, Gipson, Brianna , Block, Torin , Korde, Neha , Tan, Carlyn , Hultcrantz, Malin , Hassoun, Hani , Scordo, Michael , Landau, Heather J., Chesi, Marta, Bergsagel, P. Leif , Mailankody, Sham , Giralt, S., Iyengar, Neil M. , Pohl, Charlotte , Shah, Urvi A. , Derkach, Andriy , Castro, Francesca , Fei, Teng , DeWolf, Susan , Garcés, Juan‐José , Grioni, Matteo , Sisti, Sofia , Hosszu, Kinga K , Cross, Justin R , Ramos, Ruben, Maclachlan, Kylee , Gradissimo, Ana , Boiocchi, Leonardo , Koche, Richard P , Chaligne, Ronan , Shah, Gunjan L. , Lahoud, Oscar , Chung, David J , Landau, Heather , Peled, Jonathan U. , Clementi, Nicola , Chesi, Marta , Bergsagel, P. Leif , Pollak, Michaël , D’Souza, Anita , Landgren, Ola , Chimonas, Susan , Usmani, Saad Z. , Lesokhin, Alexander M. , Bellone, Matteo , van den Brink, Marcel R M

Blood | December 5, 2024 | Volume: 144 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 671-671

10.1182/blood-2024-202224 Get It

Introduction Poor diet quality, elevated body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance, microbiome dysbiosis, inflammation as well as immune dysfunction have all been implicated in progression from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) to multiple myeloma (MM). Plant-based diets have been associated with reduced risk of MGUS and MM in epidemiological studies. Whether a dietary intervention can impact these modifiable risk factors and delay disease progression has not been investigated. Methods We conducted a pilot, single-arm trial providing controlled high fiber plant based dietary (HFPBD) intervention for 12 weeks and health coaching for 24 weeks in 20 patients with MGUS/SMM with BMI≥25 (NCT04920084). The primary endpoint was feasibility (adherence and BMI reduction). Secondary and exploratory endpoints included quality of life, metabolic markers (insulin, adiponectin, leptin, LDL cholesterol), microbiome (diversity and composition by 16S and shotgun sequencing) and immune profiling in peripheral blood (flow cytometry and Olink inflammation panel) and bone marrow (scRNAseq and ATACseq). We also conducted an in vivo study in transgenic Vk*MYC mice fed a high fiber or control diet at the phase of mouse(m)SMM. The mice were monitored for the progression to active mMM. Differences in microbiome and immune response profiles between high fiber- and control-treated mice were assessed via microbiome 16S sequencing and flow cytometry. Results The HFPBD intervention was safe, feasible, improved quality of life and addressed modifiable risk factors - metabolic profile (improved BMI, insulin resistance, adiponectin leptin ratio), microbiome profile (increased alpha-diversity and butyrate producers) and immune (decreased inflammation and increased anti-inflammatory classical monocyte) subsets. A reduction in long-term progression trajectory was observed in 2 patients. Consistently, the high fiber diet delayed progression from mSMM to mMM in Vk*MYC mice increasing median progression-free survival from 12 weeks in the control arm to 30 weeks in the high fiber diet intervention arm. Additionally, in the intervention arm 40% of mice did not progress to mMM during the study period whereas all mice in the control arm progressed. Both human and mouse data showed that HFPBD modulated gut microbiota composition favoring the expansion of butyrate-producing bacteria. Additionally, short-chain fatty acids were increased in the feces of mice fed a high fiber diet. Integrated analysis from human bone marrow and peripheral blood analysis indicated that the dietary intervention reduced inflammatory biomarkers and skewed the immune response towards T helper and CD14+ monocytes. Consistently, the bone marrow of Vk*MYC mice fed high fiber diet was more infiltrated by IFNg-producing T lymphocytes while displaying less exhausted T cells and immunosuppressive myeloid cells. Conclusion This is the first interventional clinical trial and in vivo study to show that a HFPBD intervention may delay progression from MGUS/SMM to MM. To our knowledge there has been no similar dietary interventional study in hematological cancers or solid tumors. Together our in vivo and clinical data support the beneficial anti-inflammatory role of a HFPBD providing a link between diet, microbiota, and immune modulation to delay disease progression in MGUS/SMM.
Mutationally Enriched Regions of the Non-Coding Genome Harbor Functionally Impactful Mutations That Dysregulate Key Genes Involved in Multiple Myeloma Pathogenesis
Blaney, Patrick , Papadimitriou, Marios , Zhang, Di , Cirrincione, Anthony , Poos, Alexandra M. , Korde, Neha , Rasche, Leo , Mai, Elias K., Weinhold, Niels , Brown, Elizabeth , Bergsagel, Leif, Blaney, Patrick , Maclachlan, Kylee , Mikulášová, Aneta , Gagler, Dylan , Braunstein, Marc , Lahoud, Oscar , Kaminetzky, David , Wang, Yubao , Liu, Sanxiong , Ziccheddu, Bachisio , Kaddoura, Marcella , Chojnacka, Monika , Diamond, Benjamin , Lesokhin, Alexander M. , Usmani, Saad Z. , Mai, Elias K., Raab, Marc S. , Robine, Nicolas , Bergsagel, P. Leif , Walker, Brian A. , Landgren, Ola , Maura, Francesco , Davies, Faith E. , Morgan, Gareth J.

Blood | December 5, 2024 | Volume: 144 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 4655-4655

10.1182/blood-2024-211012 Get It

Introduction The pathogenic role of somatic non-coding (nc) single nucleotide variants (SNVs) is underexplored in multiple myeloma (MM) and additional characterization of these regions has the potential to provide significant new insights into disease progression. To investigate the role of ncSNVs and their relationship with MM pathogenesis, we have characterized a novel series of WGS from 294 cases of MGUS, SMM, and MM using computational tools optimized to identify functional driver SNVs in these regions. We hypothesize the ncSNVs that co-localize to sites of super-enhancers (SEs) active in plasma cells (PC) are sites of high functional impact SNVs and these mutations lead to the dysregulated expression of genes that should be silent at the terminally differentiated stage of PCs, providing a selective advantage that shapes the fitness of the MM genomic landscape. Methods We analyzed 294 high-coverage matched tumor/normal pairs (80x tumor and 40x normal) derived from 21 MGUS, 86 SMM, 167 NDMM and 40 RRMM. In addition to previously sequenced samples, newly sequenced patients were obtained from NYU Langone Health, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham and University of Miami following IRB-approved informed consent. DNA was extracted from CD138+ purified bone marrow plasma cells using standard approaches. We used the MGP1000 (https://github.com/pblaney/mgp1000) to process sequencing data which employs a union-consensus mechanism for determining the final set of variants. We collected enhancer elements (E/SEs) active in GC B-cells, ABC-DLBCL and GBC-DLBCL (Bal, et al. Nature, 2022) and PC specific E/SEs (Loven, et al. Cell 2013). FunSeq2 was used to score ncSNVs. GRAM was used to predict how variants alter TF binding and gene expression in a subset of 6 cases with paired WGS in our series and will expand this analysis on a validation set of 263 NDMM and 93 RRMM cases from University-Hospital Heidelberg enrolled in the GMMG-HD6 clinical trial. Results We identified 1,952,232 high-quality SNVs with 18,199 (0.93%) accumulating in 280 focal sites we termed “mutationally enriched regions” or MERs. To discern SNVs in MERs with the highest potential for imparting a selective advantage, we clustered mutations based on the density of FunSeq2 impact scores which uses reference data contexts on sequence conservation, modification of transcription factor (TF) binding, and gene linkage to regulatory elements and network hubs from pan-cancer studies. We show that MERs are enriched for ncSNVs with high impact scores (mean=2.57) compared to random similarly-sized regions of the genome (Fisher's exact test P<9.7e-12, OR=10.10 [3.88-37.40]). The high impact ncSNVs (hi-ncSNVs) in MERs (n=220) account for 8.09% of all hi-ncSNVs and are present in 46.3% of cases (136/294) with some patients having up to 7. The proportion of cases carrying a MER hi-ncSNVs was similar across disease stages (MGUS=42.9%, SMM=46.5%, MM=40.7%, and RR=47.5%). Analysis of the VAF of MER hi-ncSNVs shows a minor shift towards more clonal versus subclonal mutations (53.6% vs 46.4% VAF>=0.25) suggesting some high impact mutations are acquired in the GC but additional hi-ncSNV are acquired later in PC development, providing evidence that hi-ncSNVs accumulate in MERs throughout disease progression. We mapped these hi-ncSNVs to associated genes then intersected the loci with E/SEs active in GCBs and PCs to determine their functional context. This approach identified 12 genes affected by hi-ncSNVs including the previously identified nc-drivers NEAT1, MIR142, ZCCHC7, and IGLL5 as well as the PC differentiation genes IRF8, BACH2, proliferation genes RHOH, SPRED2, known coding MM drivers CCND1, ZFP36L1, and chr1q genes BTG2 and CROCC. We predicted the effect of ncSNVs on expression through modulation of TF binding at this set of putative nc drivers in MM and identified a trend towards increase in expression of SPRED2, CCND1, NEAT1, and IGLL5 compared to non-mutated cases (P=0.089). We will present data on the validation of this set of genes on a larger set of data derived from the Heidelberg group. Conclusions We identified a set of 12 putative nc driver genes in MM that modify expression and have the potential to significantly alter the pathogenesis of MM by providing a selective survival advantage. We will present the impact of these by clinical stage and on outcome.
Biomarker Correlates and Clinical Activity of Cevostamab in Patients (pts) with Triple-Class Refractory Multiple Myeloma (MM) Who Have Received ≥1 Prior B-Cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA)-Targeted Bispecific Antibody (BsAb): Results from the Phase I/II CAMMA
Delforge, Michel , Cohen, Yaël C. , Sborov, Douglas W, París, Laura , Dachs, Laura Rosiñol, Kanwar, Manisha, Catalani, Olivier, Sewpaul, Paresh, Wassner-Fritsch, Elisabeth, Mishra, A. , Trunzer, Kerstin , Kumar, Shaji , Richter, Joshua , Corradini, Paolo , Lesokhin, Alexander M. , Berdeja, Jesús G. , Gatt, Moshe E. , Quach, Hang

Blood | December 5, 2024 | Volume: 144 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 4732-4732

10.1182/blood-2024-199519 Get It

Background: Proven salvage therapies for pts with triple-class refractory MM who progress on BCMA-targeted therapies are lacking.Fc receptor-homolog 5 (FcRH5) is a type I membrane protein that is expressed exclusively in the B-cell lineage. Cevostamab is a FcRH5xCD3 BsAb that facilitates T cell-mediated killing of MM cells. In an initial Phase I study (GO39775), cevostamab monotherapy was clinically active and had manageable toxicity in pts with heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory MM (Trudel et al. ASH 2021). In Cohort A1 of the subsequent Phase I/II CAMMA 2 study (CO43476; NCT05535244), cevostamab was highly active and had manageable safety at the 160mg target-dose (TD) level in pts with triple-class refractory MM who had received a prior BCMA-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC; overall response rate [ORR]: 60%, 6/10 pts) or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy (ORR: 73%, 8/11 pts) but had not received a prior BCMA-targeted BsAb (Kumar et al. EHA 2024). We present initial results from Cohort A2, which enrolled pts with triple-class refractory MM who had received prior BCMA-targeted therapies, including ≥1 BCMA-targeted BsAb. An exploratory analysis of baseline patient and tumor-related factors is also presented. Methods: Cevostamab was initiated with step dosing (Cycle [C] 1 Day [D] 1: 0.3mg; C1D2, D3, or D4 depending on the emergence of cytokine release syndrome [CRS] after the initial administration: 3.3mg) and continued at the 160mg TD on C1D8 and on D1 of each subsequent 21-day cycle until disease progression (PD) or unacceptable toxicity. Cytokine, tumor antigen, T-cell function/activation, and inhibitory immune checkpoint expression were assessed in blood and tumor samples collected at baseline and during treatment. Results: As of February 23, 2024, 21 pts (median age: 64 years, range: 46-84) had been enrolled into Cohort A2. Seven pts (33%) had extramedullary disease and 5/12 pts (42%) with a conclusive assay result had high-risk cytogenetics (t(4;14), t(14;16), or del(17p)). All pts were heavily pretreated (median prior lines of therapy: 8, range: 5-14); 62% had received ≥2 prior BCMA-targeted therapies (median time since last: 122 days, range: 68-558) and 33% had received ≥2 prior BsAbs (median time since last: 139 days, range: 68-782). Most pts (86%) were refractory to their last line of therapy; 62% were penta-drug refractory. Median follow-up was 173 days (range: 20-360). Grade (Gr) 3-4 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 71% of pts (15/21). Gr 3-4 AEs in >3 pts were neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia (38% each), and infections (29%). CRS occurred in 76% of pts (16/21) and was mainly Gr 1 (43%) or Gr 2 (29%); 1 patient had Gr 3 CRS. One treatment-related Gr 5 (fatal) AE of pneumonia was reported in the context of PD. No treatment-related AEs leading to cevostamab discontinuation occurred. Objective responses (partial response [PR] or better) were observed in 2/21 pts (ORR: 10%). Both pts achieved a very good PR and had ongoing responses at cut-off. Stable disease was observed in 10 pts (48%). Pts in the prior BsAb group had received more prior lines of therapy than those in the prior ADC and CAR-T groups (median 8 vs 5 and 6, respectively) and more prior BCMA-targeted therapies (median 2 vs 1 and 1). The percentage of pts with low levels (<4.5 ng/mL) of soluble BCMA in plasma was also higher in the prior BsAb group (47% vs 0% and 18%). At baseline, inhibitory immune checkpoint expression across T-cell subsets was more common in the prior BsAb group. Notably, the median frequency of PD1+CD8+Tnaive and TIGIT+CD8+Tnaive cells in blood was higher in the prior BsAb group (21% and 29%, respectively) than in the prior ADC (3% and 6%) and CAR-T groups (4% each). Peak median IL-6 and IFN-γ levels were delayed until the first TD in the prior BsAb group, suggesting a different pharmacodynamic profile. Conclusions: Cevostamab has manageable safety in pts with triple-class refractory MM who have received prior BCMA-targeted therapies, including ≥1 BCMA-targeted BsAb. Clinical responses were less frequent in the prior BsAb group than in the prior ADC and CAR-T groups, which could be explained by the higher number of prior lines of therapy and T-cell exhaustion due to multiple prior exposures to BsAbs. Notably, the high frequency of CD8+ T-cell subsets expressing inhibitory immune checkpoints in the prior BsAb group suggests a level of T-cell dysfunction that could prevent effective T-cell activation.
Evaluation of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) receiving step-up priming doses and longer dosing intervals of elranatamab: MagnetisMM-9.
Sborov, Douglas W. , Ishida, Tadao, Huang, Jeffrey, Iida, Shinsuke , Popat, Rakesh , Pianko, Matthew J. , Ramakrishnan, Aravind , Dabak, Vrushali, Conte, Umberto, Soltantabar, Pooneh , Vandendries, Erik, Pawlyn, Charlotte , Ishida, Tadao , Benjamin, Reuben , Popat, Rakesh , Kuroda, Junya , Schuster, Steven Robert , Lesokhin, Alexander M. , Soltantabar, Pooneh , Hong, Fangxin , Fonseca, Rafaël

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 10, 2024 | Volume: 42 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 7522-7522

10.1200/jco.2024.42.16_suppl.7522 Get It

7522 Background: Elranatamab (ELRA) is a humanized BCMA-CD3 bispecific antibody. In the phase 2 registrational MagnetisMM-3 (MM-3) trial, SC ELRA was given as 2 step-up priming doses (12 mg on C1D1 and 32 mg on C1D4) followed by 76 mg QW in patients (pts) with RRMM. Overall, 56.3% of pts had CRS (grade 2, 14.3%; no grade ≥3). Most events occurred after doses 1 (44.5%), 2 (20.2%), and 3 (5.9%); 0.8% (1 pt) had CRS with doses 4+. Recurrent CRS (>1 event) occurred in 15.1% of pts (Lesokhin Nat Med 2023). Methods: MagnetisMM-9 (MM-9; NCT05014412) is a phase 1/2, open-label, nonrandomized study of ELRA examining an alternative 2-dose step-up priming regimen (4 and 20 mg on C1D1 and C1D4, respectively). Eligible pts had RRMM and were refractory to ≥1 IMiD, ≥1 PI, and ≥1 anti-CD38 antibody. After the priming doses, ELRA 76 mg was given QW for 6 cycles (Part 1) or for 1 cycle followed by 116 or 152 mg Q2W for 5 cycles (Part 2A). The RP2D from Part 2A (152 mg) was evaluated in Part 2B (dose expansion). The rate of grade ≥2 CRS per ASTCT criteria during C1 is the primary endpoint for both parts. Secondary endpoints include evaluation of AEs and PK. Here, we report the overall safety and CRS profile associated with the 4/20 mg priming regimen. Results: For 85 treated pts, median age was 64.0 y; 49.4% were male; 23.5% had EMD; 31.8% had high-risk cytogenetics. Pts had a median of 5.0 (range, 1-12) prior LOTs; 85.9% had triple-class refractory disease. After a median follow-up of 7.4 mo, the most common (>50%) AEs were CRS (63.5%; grade ≥2, 15.3%) and neutropenia (54.1%; all grade ≥2). ICANS occurred in 4.7% of pts (all grade ≤2). The grade ≥2 CRS rate in C1 was 14.1% (90% CI, 8.4-21.9). CRS rates after the first 3 doses are in the the table. For doses 4+, any grade (grade ≥2) CRS was observed in 10.6% (3.5%) of pts overall, 12.1% (3.0%) of pts continuing to receive 76 mg (n=33), 25.0% (0%) of pts receiving 116 mg (n=12), and 5.0% (5.0%) of pts receiving 152 mg (RP2D; n=40). Overall, recurrent CRS was observed in 20.0% of pts. The geometric means (CV%) of free ELRA concentrations 24 h (Cmax-24h) after step-up doses 1 and 2 were 85.64 (48%) and 242.8 (55%). Conclusions: The 4/20 mg step-up priming regimen and alternative dosing schedules resulted in similar safety and incidence of overall and grade ≥2 CRS events vs the regimen used in MM-3 (12/32 mg), with no new safety signals identified. However, the CRS profile in this study differed, with more CRS after doses 2, 3, and 4+ and a higher prevalence of recurrent CRS. The Cmax-24h of free ELRA (CV%) after the priming doses were lower than those in MM-3 (107.4 [47%] and 405.1 [72%], respectively). Thus, the priming regimen used in MM-3 remains the optimal regimen for mitigating CRS. Future analyses of ongoing studies will be used to confirm these results. Clinical trial information: NCT05014412 . [Table: see text]
Dose Escalation of ISB 1342, a Novel CD38xCD3 Bispecific Antibody, in Patients with Relapsed / Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM)
Kapoor, Prashant , Stevens, Don A., Leleu, Xavier , Merzoug, Karim Belhadj, Karlin, Lionel , Manier, Salomon , Hulin, Cyrille , Chase, Cristiana Costa, Huff, Carol Ann , Vesole, David H. , Matous, Jeffrey, Wolff, Eileen, Shah, Tejas , Koch-Olsen, Jeppe, Garton, Andrew, Menon, Vinu, Gn, Sunitha , Zhukovsky, Eugene, Konto, Cyril, Pacaud, Lida , Chalopin, Thomas , Perrot, Aurore , Berdeja, Jesús G. , Touzeau, Cyrille , Moreau, Philippe , Mohan, Sanjay , Lesokhin, Alexander M. , Richter, Joshua , Perro, Mario , Mohty, Mohamad

Blood | December 1, 2023 | Volume: 142 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3339-3339

10.1182/blood-2023-186664 Get It

Introduction: ISB 1342 is a humanized CD38xCD3 bispecific T-cell engager using Ichnos proprietary Bispecific Engagement by Antibodies based on the T cell receptor (BEAT ®) platform, designed to simultaneously bind CD38 on multiple myeloma (MM) cells and CD3ε on T cells, to induce tumor killing. This mechanism of action is different from existing monospecific CD38 targeting therapies and was designed to overcome resistance to daratumumab in MM. ISB 1342 exhibits potent killing of the primary MM cells and MM cell lines with low sensitivity to daratumumab ( Pouleau B. et al. Blood 2023; 142 (3): 260-273). We report here, the updated findings from the weekly dose-escalations of intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) injections of an ongoing, single-agent phase 1 study (NCT03309111) of ISB 1342 in patients with RRMM. Methods: Adult patients with RRMM that relapsed after or were refractory to prior therapies, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory drug, and an anti-CD38 antibody; received ISB 1342 on a weekly (QW) schedule by IV or SC injection with a priming dose on the first day in 2 parallel dose-escalation schemas. Patients had measurable disease per the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria (2016). Dose escalation in the QW schedule began at 0.2/0.3 mg/kg priming/treatment dose and followed a “3 + 3” design. The primary study objectives are to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and select a recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of ISB 1342. Secondary objectives includ evaluation of anti-myeloma activity, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics, and immunogenicity of ISB 1342. Results: As of July 18, 2023, based on ongoing clinical database, 39 subjects had received weekly IV infusions of ISB 1342 in 8 dose-escalation groups from 0.2/0.3 mg/kg to 4.0/16.0 mg/kg as priming/treatment dose; and 7 additional subjects had received weekly SC injections at 2.0/8.0 mg/kg. Two different formulations have been tested in SC group. Median number of cycles administered was 2. The majority were male (57%) and white (74%); 13% were Black or African American. The median age was 69 years (range, 54-76) and the median time since diagnosis was 6.6 years (range, 2.8-22.2). The median number of prior anti-myeloma lines of therapy was 6 (range 1-12). Twenty-one (67%) subjects were considered to be triple-class refractory and 18 (48%) penta-drug refractory. Forty-one (89%) subjects experienced treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of any grade. Most TRAEs were grade 1-2, including infusion related reactions (37%), cytokine release syndrome (CRS, 34%, all grade 1or 2), anemia (24%), neutropenia (24%), and thrombocytopenia (17%). Five subjects in SC group (71% of SC) had injection site reaction, all grade 1 or 2. Grade 3 or higher TRAEs occurring in more than 5% of subjects were infusion related reaction (no grade 4), anemia (no grade 4), neutropenia, leukopenia. No Grade 5 TRAE was observed. After QW IV infusion, ISB 1342 serum concentration peaked at the end of infusion and then showed bi-exponential decline. ISB 1342 serum exposures increased in a dose linear fashion across the tested IV infusion dose range. The limited PK data after SC injection suggest slow presentation of ISB 1342 into the systemic circulation leading to lower C max and delayed T max relative to IV. Transient increases in serum cytokines were observed within 24 hours after ISB 1342 dosing, including IFNg, TNFa, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10. Transient increases in T-cell activation were observed by flow cytometry at 24-48 hours after ISB 1342 dosing at 1.0 / 4.0 μg/kg and above, based on increased expression of CD69 on peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell populations (Figure 1). Comparison of the available data from subjects treated at 2 / 8 μg/kg (Cohort 109) indicated reduced T-cell activation following SC compared to IV administration of ISB 1342. The efficacy signals observed in Cohorts 108 and 109 are consistent with the estimates of the lower boundary of the predicted efficacious dose range using a quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) model based on preclinical data. Updated clinical data, including response rates and safety data, will be present at the meeting. Conclusions: Treatment with ISB 1342 was well tolerated at higher dose levels evaluated. Observed CRS events were moderate. No increased risk of infection has been observed . Updated safety, efficacy, biomarker and PK data will be presented.