Citations

Abstract Background: Talquetamab (Talq), a GPRC5D-targeting bispecific antibody, shows promising activity in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). However, outcomes in patients (pts) with soft tissue plasmacytoma (STP) remain poorly characterized. Method: We retrospectively analyzed 463 RRMM pts treated with Talq at 15 U.S. centers by Dec 2024. Pts were grouped by presence of STP at Talq start: (1) extramedullary disease (EMD; lesions not contiguous with bone), (2) paraskeletal disease (PSK; bone-contiguous), (3) EMD + PSK, and (4) No-STP. Those receiving Talq as a bridge-to-CAR T (n=103, 22%) were censored at CAR T infusion if progression had not occurred. Time-to-event endpoints were calculated from Talq step-up, using Kaplan-Meier/Cox models. Result: Median age was 66 years (y) (35–89); 54 (11.7%) had EMD, 26 (5.6%) PSK, 60 (13%) EMD+PSK, and 320 (69%) No-STP. EMD pts were younger than No-STP (62 vs 66 y, p=.009), while PSK (66.5) and EMD+PSK (64.5) were similar to No-STP. Median prior lines were higher in PSK (7) vs EMD (5), EMD+PSK (6) and No-STP (6) (p=.035). Median time from diagnosis to Talq was shortest in EMD (3.8 y), followed by EMD+PSK (4.6 y), vs PSK (6.4 y), and No-STP (5.9 y) (p=.015). Among pts with any EMD (EMD or EMD+PSK), 81 (69%) had visceral involvement and 85 (73%) had multiple lesions. Rates of prior BCMA- or GPRC5D-directed therapy, plasma cell leukemia (≥5% circulating plasma cells at the time of Talq), and penta-refractoriness were similar across groups. ECOG ≥ 2 at Talq was more common in EMD (42%), PSK (39%), EMD+ PSK (37%) than in No-STP (23%) (p = .002). Other baseline features were similar. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) rate/severity were similar across groups. The immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) was more frequent in PSK (38%) vs EMD (11%), EMD + PSK (18%), and No-STP (11%), with the most PSK cases (60%, 6/10) being grade ≥2 (p=.006). No difference in CRS/ICANS onset or duration. Infection rates were lower in No-STP (36%) vs EMD (55%), PSK (46%), and EMD+ PSK (48%) (p=.025). Best overall response rates (ORR) were 71% in EMD, 68% in PSK, 67% in EMD+PSK, and 71% in No-STP (p=.9). Complete response (CR) rates were 14% in EMD, 20% in PSK, 13% in EMD+ PSK, and 25% in No-STP (p=.1) [CRs were not required to be confirmatory, which may not meet full IMWG criteria]. Radiographic response was evaluable in 41 EMD (86%), 16 PSK (61.5%), and 48 EMD+PSK (80%) pts, with partial response (PR) or better observed in 48%, 27%, and 38%, respectively. Among pts with any STP, 34% received radiation (XRT) (4 as bridge-to-CAR T), 24 (51%) were evaluable, and 71% (n=17) achieved ≥PR. The median follow-up from Talq initiation was 10.1 months (mo) (95% CI: 8.8–11.4) and was longest in EMD (13.9 mo) compared with PSK (10.8 mo), EMD+PSK (12.4 mo), and No-STP (9.8 mo) (p = .040). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.3 mo (95% CI: 3.6–5.06) in EMD, 4.8 mo (95% CI: 2.2–7.3) in PSK, 3.8 mo (95% CI: 3.1-4.5) in EMD+ PSK, and 8.3 mo (95% CI: 7.0–9.6) in No-STP (p <.001). Among pts receiving XRT for any STP (within 4 weeks prior to or during Talq), responders had longer PFS vs non-responders (15.4 vs. 2.4 mo; p=.009). Multivariable analysis (MVA) showed inferior PFS with EMD (Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.58; 95% CI, 1.04-2.3; p=.029), EMD+PSK (HR 1.91; 95% CI, 1.2–2.8; p = .001), ECOG ≥ 2 (HR 1.4; 95% CI, 1.04–1.9; p = .024), and del(17p) at any timepoint (HR 1.99; 95% CI, 1.1–3.5; p=.017), while longer time from diagnosis to Talq was modestly protective (HR 0.95 per year; p = .016), likely reflecting less aggressive biology in those reaching 5th+ line later. PSK alone showed a non-significant trend toward inferior PFS (HR 1.5; p = .1). Median overall survival (OS) was 13.0 mo (95% CI: not reached [NR]–NR) in EMD, 12.9 mo (95% CI: 6.9–18.9) in PSK, 10.9 mo (95% CI: NR–NR) in EMD+PSK, and NR (95% CI: NR–NR) in No-STP (p = .017). The primary cause of death was disease-related across all groups (p = .6). MVA for OS showed worse outcomes with EMD+PSK (HR 1.7; p=.033), ECOG ≥ 2 (HR 1.98; p <.001), and active PCL at Talq (HR 2.1; p =.010). Conclusion: Soft tissue plasmacytoma, particularly EMD and EMD+PSK, remain strong adverse prognostic factors in Talq-treated patients, with significantly shorter PFS and OS despite similar response rates. Radiation to STP sites was associated with improved outcomes in select cases. Prospective strategies are needed to optimize management for this high-risk population.

Abstract Background Translocation of chromosomes 4 and 14 (t(4;14)) results in overexpression of MMSET and has been associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients (pts) with multiple myeloma (MM). KTX-1001 is a first-in-class, potent, and selective oral inhibitor of MMSET (also known as NSD2) developed as the first investigational therapy to directly target the high-risk t(4;14) translocation, a key molecular driver in MM. KTX-1001 binds to and inhibits the catalytic SET domain of MMSET, thereby suppressing the deposition of dimethylated histone H3 lysine 36 (H3K36me2), leading to downregulation of oncogenic histone modifications and epigenetic reprogramming of malignant plasma cells. Preclinically, KTX-1001 synergistically inhibited cell viability in MM cell lines when combined with a proteasome inhibitor (PI), immunomodulatory drug (IMiD), or cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD™). Preliminary findings were previously reported from the initial cohort of 18 pts enrolled in a first-in-human phase 1 trial evaluating KTX-1001 in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM; NCT05651932; Bories et al. Blood. 2024;144[Suppl 1]:3370). Here, we present updated results from this study. Methods RRMM pts who received ≥3 prior therapies, including PI, IMiD and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody (anti-CD38 mAb), received oral KTX-1001 across 9 dose levels using a 3+3 dose-escalation design. Primary objective was to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Secondary objectives included pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics (PD), and primary efficacy. The dose expansion phase has been initiated to evaluate KTX-1001 in combination with either carfilzomib or the investigational CELMoD™ mezigdomide in t(4;14) RRMM pts. Results As of 13 June 2025, 40 pts have been treated in the monotherapy dose-escalation phase. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was exceeded due to dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) in 2 pts: two Grade (Gr) 4 thrombocytopenia and one Gr 3 epistaxis. Backfill at selected dose levels is ongoing to further characterize safety profile and refine dose optimization. The median time from initial MM diagnosis was 8 years (range:2-20) with a median of 6.5 prior lines of therapy (range: 3-25). This included stem cell transplant (70%), BCMA CAR-T (42.5%), and non-CAR-T BCMA targeted drugs such as antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies (57.5%). The median age was69 years (range:50-83); 21 were female and 19 were male. Extra-medullary disease was present in 13 (32.5%) pts. Nineteen (47.5%) pts had t(4;14) translocation, 5 (12.5%) had 1q21 gain and 4 (10%) had deletion 17p. A total of 16 (40%) pts have shown a treatment response according to IMWG criteria or have achieved stable disease: 1 VGPR (10+ months), 1 PR (4+ months), 2 MR (3+ and 12 months), 12 SD (2-20+ months). KTX-1001 has demonstrated a favorable tolerability profile. Grade 3 or higher treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in 31 (77.5%) pts. The most frequent (≥20% pts) Gr 3/4 TEAEs were thrombocytopenia in 12 pts (30%; grade 4 in 8 [20%]), neutropenia in 12 pts (30%; febrile neutropenia in 2 [5%]), anemia in 10 (25%) pts. Gr 3 infections were observed in 5 (12.5%) pts and fatigue in 5 (10%) pts. The main reason for treatment discontinuation was progressive disease (57.5%), other pts discontinued due to physician decision (5%), consent withdrawal (5%), and one pt due to adverse event. Twelve (30%) pts remain on treatment. At Cycle 1 Day 15, drug exposure and steady-state concentrations of KTX-1001 increased with dose. A dose-dependent reduction in H3K36me2, the primary PD marker of KTX-1001 activity, was observed in peripheral blood at Cycle 2 Day 1 and beyond, which plateaued above dose-level 4. Paired bone marrow samples further confirmed on-target PD effects, with a marked reduction in H3K36me2 levels in MM cells at Cycle 2 Day 1 with observed anti-MM effect of reduced proliferation of MM cells with concomitant increased proliferation in immune cells in pts achieving clinical benefit. ConclusionsKTX-1001 is a novel agent showing tolerable safety profile in RRMM and demonstrating promising single agent activity in heavily pretreated, triple class refractory RRMM including those with high-risk features. KTX is currently evaluated in ongoing study in combination with carfilzomib and the investigational CELMoD™ mezigdomide in t(4;14) RRMM pts.

ABSTRACT: Despite the high prevalence of kidney involvement in patients with light chain (AL) amyloidosis, a significant knowledge gap exists in understanding how immunoglobulin light chains drive kidney injury. The chief reason is the lack of molecular data from high-quality kidney tissue samples from this patient population. The RAIN trial (NCT03168906) was a phase 2b randomized placebo-controlled, clinical trial that evaluated the efficacy of NEOD001, a monoclonal antibody targeting amyloid fibrils, versus placebo in patients with AL nephropathy. Before drug administration, renal biopsies were taken and analyzed. OBJECTIVE: Identifying amyloid-specific molecular signatures in kidney biopsy tissue. MATERIALS & METHODS: Renal biopsies were collected on all RAIN participants before randomization to NEOD001 or placebo. Clinical data was collected and correlated to histologic and molecular findings. Histologic assessment included a composite scarring injury score (CSIC) as determined by the degree of glomerular and tubulointerstitial scarring, and a novel amyloid score (AS), as quantified by the extent and distribution of amyloid deposition. Glomerular (G) and tubulointerstitial (TI) compartments were micro-dissected and sequenced separately. To identify enriched pathways in AL nephropathy, the expression data was compared to the glomerular and tubular expression profiles of healthy living donor (LD) from the Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE) study. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were determined . RESULTS: Ten patients were enrolled, randomized and treated in the RAIN trial (5 NEOD001 and five placeboes) before trial closure in April 2018. Kidney tissue was available in nine of the ten patients. Cluster analysis revealed two distinct patient clusters (G1 and G2) within the glomerular and TI compartments ( See Figure 1). Key clinical data pertaining to kidney function and biopsy morphology by compartment and cluster type were documented. Despite similar eGFR and degree of proteinuria, there was a significantly higher AS score in the TI compartment (6.5 vs. 4.5; p=0.0290) of G2 which was driven most entirely by an increase in mesangial and capillary wall amyloid deposition. Pathway Enrichment in G2 versus G1: Glomeruli showed activation of fibrotic pathways accompanied by a reduction in metabolic processes including gluconeogenesis, lipid transport and xenobiotics. There was an increase in canonical signaling of LPS/IL-1 that drives increased IL1 and TNF release from macrophages. Transcriptomic evidence of TNF activation was also noted in the TI compartment. Other enriched ingenuity canonical pathways to note in the TI included ‘coagulation system’, ‘GADD45 signaling’, ‘Wnt/Ca+ pathway’, ‘intrinsic prothrombin activation pathway’ among others. Of note, genes like BRCA and CDKN1A were enriched between G1 and G2, both of which have been associated with molecular mechanisms that underly certain neoplasms ( See Figure 2). Pathway enrichment in Amyloid kidney disease versus LD: IPA analysis identified unique activation signatures in the glomeruli and tubules. In the glomeruli, there was increased signaling of TNF, NFKB, IL33, IL-8 and IL15, consistent with an important inflammatory response. There was also an enrichment in pathways related to migration, adhesion and integrin signaling. PI3K/Akt signaling was also noted. Tubules showed increased activation of transcriptional regulators TP53, TP73 and PI3K/AKT signaling. Some gene regulators of cellular proliferation such as ABL1, BCL2 and AKT1 were found to be enriched in the amyloid group. CONCLUSIONS: While the RAIN trial closed prematurely and NEOD001 cannot be evaluated, the molecular data revealed the presence of two distinct molecular subtypes of AL nephropathy. Whether these distinct molecular subtypes reflect different stages of the disease along a continuous spectrum or are of unique prognostic entities in of themselves remains unclear. Detailed studies, of a larger cohort of patients including investigating diseased tissue at a single cell resolution can help identify the response of individual kidney cell types. Understanding the cellular responses of key cell types to injury from amyloid deposits could provide novel therapeutic targets to mitigate renal injury and improve patient outcomes. Based on this early work, targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway may be a worthy pursuit in this disease.

Background: Seventy percent of patients with light chain (AL) amyloidosis present with renal involvement. The phases of the disease include asymptomatic seeding, increasing proteinuria, and progression to end stage renal disease. In an attempt to identify genes relevant to renal reprogramming due to persistent disease,renal biopsies from treated AL patients were obtained for systematic histologic evaluation and transcriptional profiling. Correlates were sought between these two approaches. Methods: Renal biopsies from 10 patients with persistent proteinuria (>500mg/day) following hematologic responses to anti-plasma cell therapy were scored independently by 2 expert renal pathologists employing a novel histologic tool that assessed scarring, fibrosis and the distribution of amyloid, and were successfully evaluated by transcriptional profiling in the Michigan Kidney Translational Medicine Core lab. Clinical data and histologic scores (CSIC = composite scarring injury score, AS = amyloid score) were correlated to the expression profiles of specific tubular and glomerular gene sets. Results: Baseline characteristics and histologic scores are in Table 1. Using a false discovery rate corrected P-value of < 0.10, numerous genes of interest were identified (Table 2). Transcriptional profiling revealed 2 distinct patient clusters (G1 and G2) within the tubular and glomerular gene expression sets. The histopathologic features were different between G1 and G2; the amyloid score was significantly higher in G2 in both the tubular (7.0 vs. 4.25; p=0.03) and the glomerular (6.92 vs. 4.38; p= 0.04) compartments. The differential expression for the genes of interest between G1 and G2 were also determined (Table 2). Conclusion: This effort has generated multiple genes of interest. ICQD and PODXL, in particular, correlated with the distribution of amyloid in the capillaries and mesangium. We are currently comparing these expression profiles to those of other nephropathies to identify genes whose expression levels may be specific to AL nephropathy, hopefully leading to further novel histologic and protein-based investigations. Disclosures Comenzo: Takeda: Research Funding; Prothena Biosciences: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sanofi-Aventis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Caelum: Consultancy, 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; Unum: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Myself: Patents & Royalties: Patent 9593332, Pending 20170008966.