Citations

OBJECTIVES: Investigate the challenges experienced by survivors of critical illness and their caregivers across the transitions of care from intensive care to community, and the potential problem-solving strategies used to navigate these challenges. DESIGN: Qualitative design—data generation via interviews and data analysis via the framework analysis method. SETTING: Patients and caregivers from three continents, identified through the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s THRIVE international collaborative sites (follow-up clinics and peer support groups). SUBJECTS: Patients and caregivers following critical illness. INTERVENTIONS: Nil MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: From 86 interviews (66 patients, 20 caregivers), we identified the following major themes: 1) Challenges for patients—interacting with the health system and gaps in care; managing others’ expectations of illness and recovery. 2) Challenges for caregivers—health system shortfalls and inadequate communication; lack of support for caregivers. 3) Patient and caregiver-driven problem solving across the transitions of care—personal attributes, resources, and initiative; receiving support and helping others; and acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: Survivors and caregivers experienced a range of challenges across the transitions of care. There were distinct and contrasting themes related to the caregiver experience. Survivors and caregivers used comparable problem-solving strategies to navigate the challenges encountered across the transitions of care.

8022 Background: Maintenance therapy in multiple myeloma (MM) after first autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT1) is considered standard of care. Data regarding maintenance therapy after a salvage AHCT (AHCT2) in the setting of relapsed MM are scarce. Therefore, we used data from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) registry to examine the use of maintenance therapy after AHCT2 in MM patients and its effect on post-transplant patient outcomes. Methods: We included US adult MM patients who underwent AHCT2 after melphalan conditioning regimen from 2010-2018, and excluded patients who underwent tandem transplants. Outcomes of interest included non-relapse mortality (NRM), relapse/progression (REL), progression-free and overall survival (PFS, OS). Cox proportional hazards models were developed to study the main effect (maintenance use) with other covariates of interest including age, sex, race, performance status, HCT-comorbidity index, MM subtype, stage, creatinine, cytogenetic, conditioning melphalan dose, disease status at transplant, and time from AHCT1 to AHCT2. Results: Of 522 patients, 342 received maintenance therapy and 180 did not after AHCT2. Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. Median follow up was 58 months in the maintenance group and 61.5 months in the no-maintenance group. Common maintenance regimens included immunomodulatory drugs (IMID)-lenalidomide (N = 145, 42%) or pomalidomide (N = 46, 13%) and proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib (N = 45, 13%). Univariate analysis showed superior outcomes at 5 years in maintenance compared to the no-maintenance group: NRM 2 (0.7-3.9)% vs 9.9 (5.9-14.9)%, p < 0.001, REL 70.2 (64.4-75.8)% vs 80.3 (73.6-86.3)%, p 0.003, PFS 27.8% (22.4-33.5) vs. 9.8% (5.5-15.2), p < 0.001, and OS 54% (47.5-60.5) vs 30.9% (23.2-39.2) p < 0.001, respectively. IMID-containing maintenance regimens were associated with an improved 5-year PFS and OS compared to other maintenance regimens. Use of maintenance therapy retained its association with improved outcomes in multivariate analysis, including NRM: hazard ratio (HR) 0.19 (0.08-0.44), p 0.0001, REL: HR 0.58 (0.47-0.72), p < 0.0001, PFS HR 0.52 (0.43-0.64), p < 0.0001, and OS HR 0.46 (0.36-0.60), p < 0.0001. We conducted additional analyses to investigate a possible selection bias in the maintenance group including landmark analysis at 100-days and 6-months post-AHCT2 as well as a subgroup analysis of patients who received melphalan 200mg/m2 as conditioning for AHCT2 (as a surrogate for fitness)- all these analyses also showed improved outcomes in the maintenance group. Second cancers were reported in 17 (5%) patients in the maintenance group and 6 (3%) patients and no-maintenance group (p 0.39). Conclusions: Maintenance therapy after AHCT2 is associated with superior outcomes in MM patients.

8016 Background: Patients (pts) with RRMM previously exposed to immunomodulatory agents, proteasome inhibitors (PIs), and CD38 antibodies (mAbs) have poor outcomes with subsequent treatments. Ide-cel, a BCMA-directed CAR T cell therapy, showed frequent, deep, and durable responses in heavily pretreated pts with RRMM in the pivotal KarMMa trial (Munshi NC, et al. J Clin Oncol 2020;38[suppl 15]. Abstract 8503). Here, we present updated data. Methods: Pts with ≥ 3 prior regimens (including immunomodulatory agent, PI, and CD38 mAb) and refractory to their last regimen per IMWG criteria were eligible (NCT03361748). Pts received 150─450 × 106 CAR+ T cells (target dose range) after 3 days of lymphodepletion (cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m2 + fludarabine 30 mg/m2). Endpoints included overall response rate (ORR; primary) and complete response (CR) rate (key secondary). Additional secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Results: KarMMa enrolled 140 pts, and 128 received ide-cel. Pts had a median age of 61 years and a median of 6 (range, 3-16) prior regimens; 84% were triple-class refractory, and 26% were penta-class refractory (lenalidomide, pomalidomide, bortezomib, carfilzomib, and daratumumab). Most pts (88%) had bridging therapy. Median follow-up was 15.4 mo (data cutoff, 7 Apr 2020). ORR was 73% and median PFS was 8.8 mo in all treated pts; both increased with higher dose (Table). At the highest target dose (450 × 106 CAR+ T cells), the ORR was 81%, the CR rate was 39%, and the median PFS increased to 12.2 months with longer follow-up. Responses were observed in all subgroups including difficult-to-treat subsets (eg, extramedullary disease [ORR, 70%], high tumor burden [71%], and R-ISS stage III disease [48%]). OS continues to mature and the median has not been reached; the 15-month event-free rate for OS was 71%. Cytopenias (97%) and cytokine release syndrome (CRS; 84%) were the most common any-grade toxicities. CRS was mostly grade 1/2; 5 pts (4%) had grade 3, 1 had grade 4 (at 300 × 106), and 1 had grade 5 (at 300 × 106). Investigator-identified neurotoxicity was reported in 23 pts (18%); 4 pts (3%) had grade 3 and 0 had grade ≥ 4. Tocilizumab was used in 67 and 3 pts with CRS and neurotoxicity, respectively. Conclusions: Updated results from the KarMMa trial continue to demonstrate deep, durable responses with ide-cel in heavily pretreated pts with RRMM. Efficacy and safety reflect prior reports and support a favorable clinical benefit-risk profile for ide-cel across the target dose range. Clinical trial information: NCT03361748. [Table: see text]

8009 Background: Measuring response among patients with multiple myeloma is essential for the care of patients. Deeper responses have been associated with better progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Serum (SIFE) and urine immunofixation are the currently used markers for biochemical documentation of CR after which marrow is tested for plasma cell clearance. Next generation flow cytometry and sequencing are used to document the presence of minimal residual disease (MRD). Mass spectrometry of blood by MALDI (Mass-Fix) is a new simple, inexpensive, sensitive, and specific means of detecting monoclonal immunoglobulins. To better test the hypothesis that Mass-Fix is superior to existing methodologies to predict for survival outcomes—especially SIFE-- samples from the STAMINA trial (NCT01109004), a trial comparing 3 transplant approaches among patients who have already received induction, were employed. Methods: Five-hundred and seventy-five patients were included. Samples from enrollment post-induction (post-I) and 1-year post enrollment (1YR) were tested when available. Four response parameters were assessed univariately: Mass-Fix, SIFE, complete response, and MRD by next generation flow cytometry. Mass spectrometry spectra were evaluated in a blinded fashion. Complete response was according to the 2006 International Myeloma Working Group criteria. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models using stepwise regression were developed to explore the independent effect of the different response parameters on PFS and OS and interactions with other risk factors. Results: Of the 4 response measures, only MRD and Mass-Fix predicted for PFS and OS at multiple testing points on multivariate analyses (Table). Of the 4 post-I measurements, only MRD predicted for PFS; however, Mass-Fix was the only post-I measurement to predict for OS. Of all the 1-year measures, both 1YR Mass-Fix and 1YR MRD positivity predicted for inferior PFS and OS. In models including MRD and Mass-Fix, SIFE and CR were not prognostic for PFS or OS. Conclusions: Mass-Fix is a powerful means to track monoclonal proteins. The full utility of Mass-Fix was not exploited given the absence of a diagnostic sample and the fact that only serum (and not urine) was tested. Despite these limitations, it performed well at pre-induction and at 1 year. Mass-Fix provides a convenient and non-invasive means of predicting for myeloma outcomes. Clinical trial information: NCT01109004. [Table: see text]

8036 Background: Ide-cel, a BCMA-directed CAR T cell therapy, showed promising efficacy in patients (pts) with RRMM in the KarMMa study with an ORR of 73% and a CRR of 33% across target doses of 150–450 × 106 CAR+ T cells (Munshi NC, et al. J Clin Oncol 2020;38[suppl 15]. Abstract 8503). Associations of neurotoxicity (NT) with pt and disease characteristics, pt management, and impact on outcomes in the KarMMa study are reported here. Methods: Enrolled pts were triple-class exposed and refractory to their last regimen, with ide-cel given at target doses of 150, 300, or 450 × 106 CAR+ T cells after lymphodepletion (NCT03361748). Investigator-identified NT events were captured under the single preferred term of neurotoxicity and graded according to NCI CTCAE v4.03. Events were managed with corticosteroids (CS), anakinra (ANR), and tocilizumab (Toci) as needed. Results: Of 128 pts treated with ide-cel, NT was reported in 23 (18%); 12 pts (9%) had maximum grade (gr) 1 NT, 7 (5%) had gr 2, and 4 (3%) had gr 3. No gr 4 or 5 NT occurred. Most baseline characteristics were similar in pts with and without NT, including stage III disease (22% and 15%), high-risk cytogenetics (39% and 34%), and extramedullary disease (35% and 40%); exceptions were high tumor burden (65% and 48%) and sex (48% and 62% men). NT (any gr/gr 3) occurred in 0%/0%, 17%/1%, and 20%/6% of pts at doses of 150, 300, and 450 × 106 CAR+ T cells. Median time to onset was similar regardless of gr, and there were no late-onset events (Table). NT was managed with CS in 10 pts (43%), Toci in 3 (13%), and ANR in 1 (4%). Median (range) time to first use of CS was 2 d (1–6). ORR and DOR were similar in pts with and without NT (Table). All NT occurred in the proximity of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) events with the start date of NT events either overlapping with or occurring within 1 wk of the start of a CRS event. Conclusions: NT occurred early in the KarMMa study, was generally of short duration, and was mostly gr 1/2 with no gr ≥4 events. All NT was proximal to CRS. Pts with NT had a favorable ORR after ide-cel treatment. These results continue to demonstrate the durable efficacy and tolerability of ide-cel in pts with RRMM. Clinical trial information: NCT03361748. [Table: see text]

Study Design: Retrospective comparative analysis of prospective cohort. Objective: To determine whether sacroiliac (SI) screw fixation ipsilateral to hand dominance compared to bilateral fixation impacts personal hygiene (wiping) after toileting. Methods: Inclusion criteria were adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients with long arthrodesis (≥T12-pelvis) who had undergone primary unilateral or bilateral SI fixation with a minimum of 2-years-follow-up. Results: 117 consecutive patients were included and separated into 2 groups: bilateral SI fixation (BL, n = 61) and unilateral SI fixation (UNI, n = 56), with no difference in age. Of UNI patients, 10.7% (6) performed personal hygiene with a different hand after surgery, compared to 6.6% (4) of patients who received BL fixation ( P = 0.422). All UNI patients who switched hands were right-hand dominant, and 5/6 received right-sided fixation. There was no statistical difference found between number of levels fused (<8, 9-11, or >11 levels) and changes in personal hygiene habits. Over a third of patients from both groups had difficulty performing personal hygiene after fusion (UNI = 39.3% BL = 36.1%, P = 0.719). Conclusion: SI screws increase the difficulty of performing personal hygiene; yet, the side of unilateral screws does not significantly change personal hygiene habits when compared to bilateral screw placement. Moreover, the length of the construct does not have a significant impact on ability to perform personal hygiene, cause changes in habits, or require the assistance of another individual. However, among our sample of individuals, bilateral fixation did result in a higher rate of revision instrumentation.

AbstractHigh‐grade gliomas (HGGs) are aggressive, treatment‐resistant, and often fatal human brain cancers. The TNF‐like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK)/fibroblast growth factor‐inducible 14 (Fn14) signaling axis is involved in tissue repair after injury and constitutive signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous solid cancers. The Fn14 gene is expressed at low levels in the normal, uninjured brain but is highly expressed in primary isocitrate dehydrogenase wild‐type and recurrent HGGs. Fn14 signaling is implicated in numerous aspects of glioma biology including brain invasion and chemotherapy resistance, but whether Fn14 overexpression can directly promote tumor malignancy has not been reported. Here, we used the replication‐competent avian sarcoma‐leukosis virus/tumor virus A system to examine the impact of Fn14 expression on glioma development and pathobiology. We found that the sole addition of Fn14 to an established oncogenic cocktail previously shown to generate proneural‐like gliomas led to the development of highly invasive and lethal brain cancer with striking biological features including extensive pseudopalisading necrosis, constitutive canonical and noncanonical NF‐κB pathway signaling, and high plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) expression. Analyses of HGG patient datasets revealed that high human PAI‐1 gene (SERPINE1) expression correlates with shorter patient survival, and that the SERPINE1 and Fn14 (TNFRSF12A) genes are frequently co‐expressed in bulk tumor tissues, in tumor subregions, and in malignant cells residing in the tumor microenvironment. These findings provide new insights into the potential importance of Fn14 in human HGG pathobiology and designate both the NF‐κB signaling node and PAI‐1 as potential targets for therapeutic intervention.Main PointsThis work demonstrates that elevated levels of the TWEAK receptor Fn14 in tumor‐initiating, neural progenitor cells leads to the transformation of proneural‐like gliomas into more aggressive and lethal tumors that exhibit constitutive NF‐κB pathway activation and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 overexpression.

PURPOSEDiagnosis of AIDS lymphoma in low-resource settings, like South Africa, is often delayed, leaving patients with limited treatment options. In tuberculosis (TB) endemic regions, overlapping signs and symptoms often lead to diagnostic delays. Assessment of plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) by next-generation sequencing (NGS) may expedite the diagnosis of lymphoma but requires high-quality cfDNA.METHODSPeople living with HIV with newly diagnosed aggressive B-cell lymphoma and those with newly diagnosed TB seeking care at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and its surrounding clinics, in Soweto, South Africa, were enrolled in this study. Each participant provided a whole blood specimen collected in cell-stabilizing tubes. Quantity and quality of plasma cfDNA were assessed. NGS of the immunoglobulin heavy chain was performed.RESULTSNine HIV+ patients with untreated lymphoma and eight HIV+ patients with TB, but without lymphoma, were enrolled. All cfDNA quantity and quality metrics were similar between the two groups, except that cfDNA accounted for a larger fraction of recovered plasma DNA in patients with lymphoma. The concentration of cfDNA in plasma also trended higher in patients with lymphoma. NGS of immunoglobulin heavy chain showed robust amplification of DNA, with large amplicons (> 250 bp) being more readily detected in patients with lymphoma. Clonal sequences were detected in five of nine patients with lymphoma, and none of the patients with TB.CONCLUSIONThis proof-of-principle study demonstrates that whole blood collected for cfDNA in a low-resource setting is suitable for sophisticated sequencing analyses, including clonal immunoglobulin NGS. The detection of clonal sequences in more than half of patients with lymphoma shows promise as a diagnostic marker that may be explored in future studies.