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Time from AML diagnosis to HCT and pre-HCT FLT3 inhibition impact pre-transplant MRD and benefit from post-HCT gilteritinib
Levis, Mark J., Logan, Brent R. , Jones, Richard J. , Singh, Anurag K. , Litzow, Mark R. , Papadopoulos, Esperanza B. , Perl, Alexander E. , Soiffer, Robert J. , Üstün, Celalettin , Oshima, Masumi Ueda, Vasu, Sumithira, Solh, Melhem , Mishra, Asmita , Muffly, Lori , Stelljes, Matthias , Onozawa, Masahiro , Thomson, Kirsty , Chen, Caroline , Hasabou, Nahla, Rosales, Mathew, Gill, Stanley C. , Nuthethi, Rishita, King, Denise , Mendizabal, Adam , Horowitz, Mary, Chen, Yi‐Bin , Muffly, Lori , Levis, Mark J. , Hamadani, Mehdi , Litzow, Mark R. , Wingard, John R. , Oshima, Masumi Ueda, Uy, Geoffrey L. , Waller, Edmund K. , Vasu, Sumithira , Kim, Heeje, Najima, Yuho , Rosales, Mathew, Hill, Jason E. , King, Denise, Devine, Steven M.

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 1058-1058

10.1182/blood-2025-1058 Get It

Abstract Aims BMT CTN 1506 (“MORPHO”) was a global phase 3 study of post-hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) maintenance with gilteritinib versus placebo for patients with FLT3-ITD-mutated AML in CR1. The study did not meet its primary endpoint of improved relapse-free survival (RFS) for post-HCT gilteritinib, but subgroup analysis indicated a benefit for participants with pre-HCT measurable residual disease (MRD). Subgroup analysis also indicated a statistically significant benefit of post-HCT gilteritinib for participants in North America, but no benefit for those in Europe or Asia. RFS for the control arms in Europe and Asia was higher than anticipated, suggesting that participants with different disease biology may have accrued to the study in these different geographic regions. In the primary analysis of the study, pre-HCT FLT3 inhibitor use and MRD across the entire study population were both found to have impacted outcomes. Time from diagnosis to HCT, a reflection of local practice patterns, is also known to impact outcomes for FLT3-ITD AML. We hypothesized that local practice patterns of pre-HCT FLT3 inhibitor use and time from AML diagnosis to HCT could have influenced the disease biology of study pts at the time of enrollment. This would be predicted to result in pre-HCT MRD levels and could provide an explanation for the regional differences observed in the study outcome. Methods We conducted a post-hoc analysis of the data focusing on days from AML diagnosis to HCT, pre-HCT FLT3 inhibitor use, and FLT3-ITD MRD assessed by a high-sensitivity assay. Eligibility requirements included FLT3-ITD-mutated AML in first remission after intensive chemotherapy and HCT occurring within 12 months of achieving remission. Patients refractory to induction therapy, or those with a history of relapse, were ineligible. Results Accrual took place in 16 different countries, with 5 countries accounting for 79.7% of the total accrual: USA 42.7%; Japan 15.7%; Korea 8.4%; UK 6.7%; Germany 6.2%; other countries 20.2%. In two countries, USA and Germany (48.9% of total enrollment), participants underwent HCT a median of 119 days after AML diagnosis, and 90.2% were treated with a FLT3 inhibitor pre-HCT. In contrast, in Japan, Korea, the UK and the other 11 countries all combined, participants underwent HCT a median of 152.5 days after AML diagnosis, and only 30.8% received any FLT3 inhibitor pre-HCT. Amongst all participants, those transplanted < 120 days from AML diagnosis and/or those treated with FLT3 inhibition pre-HCT were more likely to have improved RFS from post-HCT gilteritinib. RFS was improved with post-HCT gilteritinib in the US and Germany (HR 0.397; CI 0.220-0.718), whereas no benefit was evident in all other countries combined (HR 1.184; CI 0.685-2.048). Pre-HCT MRD levels were significantly higher (P = 0.011) in participants transplanted within 120 days from diagnosis as well as in those treated with a FLT3 inhibitor pre-HCT and also transplanted within 120 days (P = 0.019). Pre-HCT MRD was dependent on both FLT3 inhibitor use and time to HCT, as participants treated with successive courses of chemotherapy + FLT3 inhibition had successively lower MRD by the time of HCT. Conclusions The time from AML diagnosis to HCT and FLT3 inhibitor use pre-HCT both appeared to impact MRD levels immediately prior to HCT, and geographic differences in these two practice patterns likely accounted for the regional differences in benefit from post-HCT gilteritinib observed in BMT CTN 1506. Successive courses of chemotherapy without FLT3 inhibition appears to have selected a more favorable risk (e.g., MRD-lower) population for enrollment. Successive courses of chemotherapy combined with FLT3 inhibition progressively eradicated MRD, such that a majority of participants undergoing HCT after 3 or 4 courses were MRD negative and therefore unlikely to benefit from post-HCT gilteritinib. These findings have implications for clinical practice. Increasing the number of courses of chemotherapy combined with FLT3 inhibition before HCT may lower MRD sufficiently to eliminate the need for post-HCT inhibition for some patients but, alternatively, the additional delay could increase the risk of pre-HCT relapse, preventing patients from receiving HCT in first remission.
Correlative biomarker analyses of etentamig in patients with Relapsed/Refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) at optimal dose support its potential to maximize T-cell activity with rapid and transient proinflammatory cytokine responses
Ahsan, Aarif, Mantis, Christine, Luo, Adam , Zheng, Pingping , Liu, Wei , Zhang, Catherine, Rodriguez, Cesar, Voorhees, Peter M. , Safah, Hana, McKay, John, Korde, Neha , Vij, Ravi , Kumar, Shaji, Mian, Hira , Pothacamury, Rajvineeth Kumar, Svensson, Anders , Mian, Hira , D’Souza, Anita , Chung, Alfred , Tuchman, Sascha Alexander , Weisel, Katja C , Teipel, Raphael , Kumar, Shaji , Baljević, Muhamed , Talati, Chetasi , Ross, Jeremy A.

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 2204-2204

10.1182/blood-2025-2204 Get It

Abstract Background Etentamig is a second-generation B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) x CD3 bispecific antibody that has shown promising efficacy and a favorable safety profile in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Etentamig possesses a unique combination of 2 high-affinity BCMA binding domains, coupled to a low-affinity CD3 binding domain that have been shown to reduce the negative impact of soluble BCMA (sBCMA), decrease risk for cytokine release syndrome (CRS), and drive sustained T-cell activation with reduced immune exhaustion in preclinical models of MM (Blood 2023;142 [suppl 1]:4666). Here, we describe correlative biomarker analyses from Phase 1 (NCT03933735) and Phase 1b (NCT05650632) clinical trials of etentamig in RRMM designed to assess the impact of sBCMA on clinical response and pharmacodynamic changes in proinflammatory cytokines, and T-cell redistribution, activation, proliferation, and exhaustion. Methods Peripheral blood and serum samples from patients with RRMM enrolled in Phase 1 and Phase 1b open-label studies who received etentamig monotherapy were collected at baseline, on treatment, and at disease progression. The Phase 1b study consisted of dose-optimization (DO) and dose-expansion (DE) phases. During DO, patients received a single step-up dose (SUD) of intravenous etentamig (2 or 4 mg) on Cycle (C) 1 Day (D) 1, followed by the target dose of 60 mg on D4. In DE, based on DO findings, patients received the recommended etentamig SUD (2 mg) on C1D1, followed by 60 mg on D4 with modified dexamethasone predosing. Samples were analyzed by flow cytometry for immune cell populations, Luminex® for cytokines, and electrochemiluminescence for sBCMA. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) at baseline and on-treatment were subjected to single-cell Cellular Indexing of Transcriptomes and Epitopes sequencing (scCITEseq) and single-cell T-cell receptors (scTCR) / B-cell receptors clonality analyses. Results While baseline serum sBCMA levels did not correlate with clinical response to etentamig at the selected dose level of 60 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W) with 2 mg SUD, a reduction in sBCMA levels over time was associated with best International Myeloma Working Group response. Etentamig treatment led to a rapid and transient increase of proinflammatory cytokines and promoted T-cell redistribution, activation, and proliferation. Maximum reduction in peak levels of CRS-related cytokines, including (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor–a), were observed in DE compared with DO and 60 mg Q4W without SUD. Peak induction levels of proinflammatory cytokines during C1 correlated with occurrence of CRS (≥Grade [G] 1) as well as clinical response across dose levels. A modified dexamethasone premedication schedule of 2 mg/60 mg Q4W cohort for C1 resulted in significantly reduced baseline levels of IL-6 and key macrophage-associated cytokine/chemokines (eg, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein-3 beta). Incidence of CRS was lowest in the 2 mg/60 mg Q4W cohort (26% G1, 4% G2, 0% ≥G3). Higher T-cell to myeloma cell ratio in BMMCs at baseline correlated with better response to etentamig. scCITEseq and scTCR analysis revealed that at baseline, responders also had greater CD8+ T-cell cytotoxic activities, increased TCR clonality, and elevated inflammatory signatures in T-cells from both peripheral blood and bone marrow. Etentamig at a dosage of 60 mg Q4W resulted in significant clonal expansion of CD8+ effector T-cells and enhanced gene expression signatures related to activation and cytotoxicity in both CD8+ T effector and natural killer cells. Along treatment cycles, responders maintained their T-cell fitness, high clonality, and low T-cell exhaustion levels. Frequency of baseline CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell exhaustion (programmed cell death receptor 1+/ T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 +) did not impact clinical response at optimal dose level of 2 mg/60 mg Q4W etentamig. Conclusions Responses to etentamig were independent of baseline sBCMA levels and resulted in rapid and transient proinflammatory cytokine production that promoted robust T-cell redistribution, activation, and proliferation indicating that the optimal dose of etentamig (2 mg/60 mg Q4W) maximizes its clinical potential as a convenient, safe, and effective therapy for MM.
Clinical course, predictors of development, and therapeutic response in multiple myeloma with central nervous system involvement
Xiao, Alexander , Zanwar, Saurabh , Lin, Yi , Kapoor, Prashant , Abdallah, Nadine , Fonder, Amie , Hayman, Suzanne R. , Hwa, Yi L. , Hobbs, Miriam, Kourelis, Taxiarchis , Lacy, Martha Q. , Leung, Nelson , Tan, Melinda Si Yun , Warsame, Rahma , Kyle, Robert A. , Kumar, Shaji , Xiao, Alexander H , Binder, Moritz , Buadi, Francis K. , Dispenzieri, Angela , Dingli, David , Gertz, Morie A. , Gonsalves, Wilson I. , Muchtar, Eli , Siddiqui, Mustaqeem , Jevremović, Dragan , Rajkumar, S. Vincent

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 2225-2225

10.1182/blood-2025-2225 Get It

Abstract Background Central nervous system involvement in multiple myeloma (CNS-MM) is a rare but highly aggressive manifestation. Limited data exists regarding its incidence, biology, treatment patterns, and outcomes. A deeper understanding of the features unique to CNS-MM will help inform risk stratification and management strategies. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of CNS-MM patients at our institution between January 2000 and December 2023. We identified 305 MM patients with pathology-proven extramedullary disease (EMD). CNS involvement was defined as the presence of parenchymal (brain or spine) or leptomeningeal involvement by MM. Univariate analysis was performed to compare the clinical characteristics between EMD patients with and without CNS-MM. Results Out of 305 patients with EMD, we identified 22 patients with CNS-MM. Common symptoms prompting evaluation of CNS-MM were headaches (32%), numbness or tingling (32%), weakness (27%), confusion (23%), falls (23%), and visual disturbances (14%). Among these patients, 17 (77%) had detectable disease in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), 12 (55%) in the brain parenchyma, 4 (18%) in the spinal cord parenchyma and 6 (27%) in the leptomeninges. Of the CNS-MM patients, the median age at diagnosis of MM was 58.3 years and the median time to CNS-MM involvement was 16.2 months, with 3 (14%) patients having CNS involvement at diagnosis. The predictors of CNS-MM development were high-risk cytogenetics (OR 2.9, p=0.04) and presence of additional visceral organ involvement outside of the CNS (OR 3.4, p=0.03). EMD was multifocal in 20 CNS-MM patients (83%) and visceral organ involvement [most commonly lymphadenopathy (27%), solid organ (18%) and pleural fluid (14%)] was present in 14 (64%) of these patients, compared to 54% in EMD patients without CNS-MM. High-risk cytogenetics [del(17p), 1q gain/amplification, t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20)] were seen in 16 (73%) patients, most commonly 1q gain or amplification (40%), t(4;14) (23%), and del(17p) (18%). Five (23%) exhibited a double-hit profile. In comparison, 113 (40%) EMD patients without CNS-MM had high risk cytogenetics. The median overall survival (OS) from diagnosis of CNS-MM was 6 months (95%CI:1.26-36) compared to 15.6 months (95%CI: 12-18) from diagnosis of EMD in EMD patients without CNS-MM (p=0.05). Median OS from diagnosis of MM in the CNS-MM cohort was 36 months (95%CI: 22.8-NA) compared to 55.2 months (95%CI: 45.6-68.4) in EMD patients without CNS-MM (P=0.11). When excluding CAR-T or bispecific therapy recipients, median OS from diagnosis of MM for CNS-MM was 22 months versus 48 months in EMD patients without CNS-MM (P=0.02). Overall response rate in our CNS-MM cohort with first treatment for EMD was 32% compared to 48% in EMD patients without CNS-MM (p=0.04). In patients with CNS-MM, median progression-free survival (PFS) from CNS-MM diagnosis was 3.3 months (95%CI: 0.8-12) versus 3.9 months (95%CI: 3-5.1) in EMD patients without CNS involvement (p=0.2). Six (27%) CNS-MM patients received CAR-T; 3 received cilta-cel, 2 received ide-cel and one received a BCMA CAR-T on trial. Bispecific therapy was used in 4 (18%) patients, with 2 receiving Teclistamab and 2 Talquetamab. Three (14%) CNS-MM patients received both CAR-T and bispecific therapy. The median PFS on CAR-T therapy was 10.5 (95%CI: 5.6-NA) months and 12.7 (95%CI: 10.2-NA) months on bispecific therapy. The median OS from diagnosis of CNS-MM for patients who received CAR-T or bispecific therapy was 36 months (95%CI: 14.0-NA), compared to 1.2 months (95%CI: 0-14.4) for those who did not (p=0.002). Six (27%) patients with CNS-MM, all of whom had CSF involvement of disease, received intrathecal therapy; methotrexate in 3, cytarabine in 2, and one receiving both. Two of these patients demonstrated improvement in cerebrospinal fluid findings following intrathecal chemotherapy, in conjunction with other therapies. Patients who received intrathecal chemotherapy had a median OS measured from development of EMD of 10.8 (95%CI: 3.6-NA) months, compared to 15 months (95%CI: 4.8-NA) in those without IT chemotherapy (p=0.59). Conclusion Central nervous system involvement in MM is relatively uncommon and associated with dismal outcomes. High-risk cytogenetics and involvement of other visceral sites are associated with a higher risk of CNS involvement. Intrathecal therapy offers limited value and immune effector therapies represent efficacious options for treatment.
IDH1/2-mutant clonal hematopoiesis: A novel driver of autoinflammatory disease
Mustion, Griffen , Castellan, Flore , Wong, Mei-Kay, Johansson, Kimberly B. , Goldberg, Scott, Chandhok, Namrata S. , Sallman, David A. , Churpek, Jane , Lachowiez, Curtis A. , Yannucci, Jennifer, Fletcher, Luke B. , Schwede, Matthew , Kusne, Yael , Velarde, Alejandro Marinos , Coltoff, Alexander , Myhand, Rickey, Marar, Rosalyn, Stoentcheva, Maria, Petrone, Giulia E.M. , Ddungu, Kyra, Hartman, Hannah , Monahan, Ryan, Vandervort, Karen, Kovacsovics, Tibor , Zhang, Tian Yi , Chung, Stephen S. , Stein, Eytan M. , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Beck, David B. , Cole, John, Wong, Mei-Kay, Goldberg, Scott, Madanat, Yazan F. , Singh, Abhay , Afzal, Amber , Jain, Akriti Gupta , Vij, Kiran R , Mitchell, Hannah, Ddungu, Kyra, Carraway, Hetty E. , Uy, Geoffrey L. , Hiwase, Devendra , Walter, Matthew J , Bolton, Kelly L.

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3169-3169

10.1182/blood-2025-3169 Get It

Abstract Somatic mutations in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (clonal hematopoiesis) are known to alter the immune milieu and can result in autoimmune disorders including VEXAS (Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic) syndrome. There are currently no curative strategies for CH-linked autoimmune disorders besides allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Recent work has shown a high prevalence of autoimmune syndromes among patients with IDH1/2 mutant myeloid neoplasms (MN). We thus hypothesized that IDH1/2-mutant CH might drive a subset of autoimmune disorders. To further characterize a possible association between IDH-mutant CH and autoimmune disease, we used data from two observational cohort studies, the UK Biobank (N=454,218) and All of Us (N=414,830). We observed 264 individuals with IDH1/2-mutant CH. IDH1/2 CH was associated with autoimmune disease (OR=1.8, p=4e-3), and, when compared to other CH genes with at least 100 carriers, showed the strongest effect size. When comparing autoimmune subtypes, we observed significant associations with polymyalgia rheumatica (OR=4.0, p=1e-3) and giant cell arteritis (OR=8.1, p=1e-6). IDH1/2 CH carriers had elevated CRP levels compared to other CH-carriers (p=1e-2) and non-carriers (p=8e-3). IDH1/2 CH was associated with lower neutrophil counts and higher monocyte counts. While most (68%) had blood counts outside the normal range, only a minority (11%) had severe cytopenias that met criteria for CCUS. Since IDH1/2 CH is associated with both autoimmune disease and blood count abnormalities, we sought to define the frequency, clinical presentation, and outcomes of IDH1/2-associated autoimmune disease among individuals with bone marrow biopsy confirmed CCUS. We used data from three CCUS cohorts: first, a multi-institutional cohort of CCUS patients with systemic autoinflammatory disease (SAID) who were UBA1-negative, second, a hospital-based cohort at Mayo Clinic, and third, a cohort of IDH1 carriers enrolled on a phase II clinical trial of ivosidenib (NCT05030441). Within 193 SAID patients who were free of myeloid neoplasm at the time of recruitment, IDH1/2 pathogenic variants were the most observed CH driver, occurring in 2% of individuals. These individuals (N=4) all had recurrent fevers and dermatologic manifestations, requiring chronic glucocorticoid treatment with 75% having inflammatory arthritis requiring multiple Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (range 1-7, median=5). Within the Mayo Clinic cohort, 275 patients with CCUS were serially ascertained. Among those 8 (2.9%) were IDH1-mutant of whom 50% had autoimmune disease (three with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and one with Sweet syndrome). At last follow up (median 16 months), 2 (25%) of 8 patients had progressed to MN. Within our open-label decentralized trial of ivosidenib (IDH1 inhibitor) in CCUS, we enrolled 20 patients, of whom 5 (25%) had a diverse array of pre-existing autoimmune disorders, including two cases of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and one case each of Sweet syndrome, polymyalgia rheumatica, and Sjögren's syndrome. Underlying the clinical presentation of all five cases was episodic joint pain, with half also experiencing episodic dermatologic manifestations. The majority (58%, 11/19) of the IDH1mt-CCUS patients had an elevated hsCRP (>=5; range 6.91–46.2) including all four with co-occurring autoimmune disorders (range 7.97–46.2). Out of the 20 enrolled patients, 17 received at least 8 weeks of therapy, of which 9 had elevated hsCRP at baseline. Most of these (7/9) had normalization of hsCRP (falling below 5 mg/L) while on treatment (median time to hsCRP normalization of 58 days). Among the four patients with autoimmune disease, all had subjective improvement in their autoimmune symptoms following treatment with ivosidenib. In conclusion, we show that IDH1/2 CH is associated with autoimmune disorders and is particularly enriched among IDH1/2 CH carriers with co-occurring cytopenias. IDH1/2-associated autoimmune disease can range from classic rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis to more severe VEXAS like presentations. IDH inhibition demonstrates efficacy for improving inflammatory manifestations within an ongoing clinical trial. Together these results nominate IDH mutant CH as a driver of autoimmune diseases with therapeutic implications.
Cytoplasmic but not nuclear cleaved gsdmd expression in live macrophages and DLBCL cells marks proinflammatory cognate interactions rather than pyroptosis and predicts better patient survival in DLBCL
Kong, Xue, Zhao, Xiaoxian , Visco, Carlo , Nunns, Harry , Yao, Shuna , Wu, Dehong , Wang, Chang , Xu, Alexander M. , Pan, Zenggang , Bernal‐Mizrachi, Leon , Chiu, April , Tam, Wayne , Zu, Youli , Zhang, Shanxiang , Moeller, Michael, Chen, Weina , Au, Qingyan , Merchant, Akil , Zu, Youli , Xu, Alexander M , Xu‐Monette, Zijun Y. , Xu, Zhenming , Hsi, Eric D. , Tzankov, Alexandar , Dybkær, Karen , Yan, Hui Min , Au, Kelly, Montes‐Moreno, Santiago , Zhan, Fenghuang , Parsons, Benjamin M. , Bhagat, Govind , Li, Yong , Young, Ken H.

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 7079-7079

10.1182/blood-2025-7079 Get It

Abstract Background: Pyroptosis is a form of programmed cell death characterized by cleavage of gasdermin (GSDM) family proteins that form pores in the plasma membrane, cell rupture, and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Its pro-inflammatory potential has garnered significant research attention in recent years but has not been studied in lymphoma. Patients and Methods: We performed immunohistochemistry for cleaved GSDMD (n-terminal) in two large cohorts of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with multiplex fluorescent IHC (mfIHC) data, and analyzed for prognostic and immune impact. Results: Cleaved GSDMD was frequently expressed in DLBCL, and only the cytoplasmic (versus nuclear) form of expression correlated with significantly better patient survival in two DLBCL cohorts. To understand the expression at the single-cell level, we examined mfIHC results, which revealed that GSDMD+cells were tumor or immune cells, and varied in Ki-67, BCL2, and MYC expression. Cases with cytoplasmic cleaved GSDMD expression had higher mean and median levels of CD38+ (activated) M1 macrophages in two cohorts and lower PD-1/PD-L1 expression, as well as phenotypes of cognate interactions between live activated M1 macrophages, DLBCL cells, and T cells in spatially resolved immune landscape by mfIHC. In contrast, phagocytosis of pyroptotic lymphoma cells by M2 macrophages and cell death of T cells were observed in cases with predominantly nuclear form of cleaved GSDMD expression. Bulk gene expression profiling analysis identified a large proportion of RNA genes upregulated in DLBCLs with cytoplasmic cleaved GSDMD expression, and deconvolution analysis found decreased frequency of the “Inflammatory” lymphoma microenvironment (LME) subtype, increased frequency of cell states and ecotypes with favorable prognostic associations, and decreased frequency of T cell exhaustion states. Summary: Analysis of pyroptosis-inducing cleaved GSDMD (n-terminal) expression in a large number of DLBCL patients revealed dinstinctive cytoplasmic and nuclear expression patterns in live and pyroptotic cells associated with different prognostic and immune effects. Cytoplasmic cleaved GSDMD expression is a marker of cognate interactions between live cells (e.g., activated M1 macrophages) associated with adaptive responses and favorable prognostic effects, whereas nuclear cleaved GSDMD expression is associated with immunosuppressive mechanisms, including T cell death and phagocytosis by M2 macrophages.
Reprogrammed regulatory T cells as cytotoxic effectors drive anti-tumor immunity under bispecific T cell engager therapy
Michel, Julius, Metzler, Anna D, Schach, Antonia , Thiel, Vera , Wagner, Tim , Brobeil, Alexander , Bergsagel, P. Leif , Goldschmidt, Hartmut, Einsele, Hermann, Rasche, Leo , Chesi, Marta , Weinhold, Niels , Frenking, Jan Hendrik , Metzler, Anna D. , Meermeier, Erin W. , Thiel, Vera, Kehl, Niklas , Huhn, Stefanie , Müller‐Tidow, Carsten , Bergsagel, P. Leif , Goldschmidt, Hartmut , Raab, Marc S. , Friedrich, Mirco

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3951-3951

10.1182/blood-2025-3951 Get It

Abstract Background: Bispecific T cell engagers (BTCEs) have transformed the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) and B cell malignancies by redirecting cytotoxic T cells toward malignant targets. While clinical responses can be deep and durable, the immunological determinants of BTCE efficacy, and mechanisms of eventual immune escape, remain poorly understood. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), enriched early in MM, are classically immunosuppressive, but whether they are modulated by BTCEs and contribute to therapeutic outcomes has not been systematically investigated. Methods We performed longitudinal single-cell RNA/TCR/ATAC-sequencing and immune profiling of 17 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients across induction therapy. 11 patients were treated with teclistamab plus daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (Tec-DRD, n = 11) in the ongoing MajesTEC-5 (HD10/DSMMXX) trial (NCT05695508). As controls, patients receiving standard-of-care DRD (n = 6) were included. Functional validation used newly established NDMM plasma cell-T cell co-cultures, real-time killing assays, cytokine ELISAs, intracellular flow cytometry and arrayed quantitative PCRs of key T cell signaling pathways. Mechanistic studies employed CRISPR-mediated perturbations and combination treatments with IMiDs. Generalizability was tested using three BTCEs in vitro: teclistamab (BCMA×CD3), blinatumomab (CD19×CD3), and glofitamab (CD20×CD3) to redirect primary human Tregs towards MM (MM.1S), lymphoma (Raji), and B-ALL (NALM-6) cell lines. Non-targeting BTCEs as well as anti-CD3 antibodies were used as controls. Preclinical in vivo studies used an immunocompetent, transplantable Bcma+ Vk*MYC tumor model treated with murinized BTCE surrogates and IMiDs. Results BTCE therapy induced robust transcriptional and epigenetic reprogramming of bone marrow Tregs into a FOXP3lowIL2RAlow cytotoxic phenotype (“exTregs”) expressing NKG7, GZMA/B, TBX21, and CCL5. In contrast, this Treg phenotype conversion was absent in DRD-treated controls. Although comprising only ~2% of marrow-infiltrating T cells, exTregs mediated direct plasma cell lysis in vitro, strictly dependent on BTCE-mediated antigen-specific synapse formation and not recapitulated by CD3 stimulation alone. IMiDs synergized with BTCEs by destabilizing the suppressive Treg phenotype via Helios (IKZF2) downregulation, augmenting granzyme and cytokine production. Single-cell ATAC-seq of Tregs isolated from Tec-DRD-exposed trial participants revealed increased chromatin accessibility at AP-1 motifs and we confirmed BATF/JUNB-driven AP-1 signaling as a central transcriptional axis orchestrating Treg effector conversion in vitro. This cytotoxic reprogramming was conserved across BTCEs targeting BCMA, CD19, and CD20, and validated in immunocompetent mouse models, indicating a generalizable, BTCE-driven mechanism of Treg repurposing, rather than target- or engager-specific biology. Conclusion Our findings uncover a novel mechanism by which BTCEs actively convert suppressive Tregs into cytotoxic, pro-inflammatory effectors that contribute to tumor clearance. We identified the BATF/JUNB transcriptional axis and IMiD-mediated Helios destabilization as targetable regulators of this process. These results redefine Treg function under BTCE pressure, support rational combination regimens with IMiDs, and suggest exTreg signatures as biomarkers and therapeutic targets to enhance T cell-redirecting immunotherapies across hematological malignancies.
Ivosidenib leads to durable responses in IDH1 mutated clonal cytopenias of undetermined significance: A phase II decentralized clinical trial
Chandhok, Namrata S. , Sallman, David A. , Churpek, Jane , Fletcher, Luke B. , Schwede, Matthew , Lachowiez, Curtis A. , Myhand, Rickey, Velarde, Alejandro Marinos , Marar, Rosalyn, Kovacsovics, Tibor , Stoentcheva, Maria, Johansson, Kimberly B. , Petrone, Giulia E.M. , Ddungu, Kyra, Hartman, Hannah , Monahan, Ryan, Vandervort, Karen, Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Kusne, Yael , Coltoff, Alexander , Yannucci, Jennifer, Zhang, Tian Yi , Chung, Stephen S. , Stein, Eytan M. , Bolton, Kelly L. , Madanat, Yazan F. , Singh, Abhay , Vij, Kiran R , Afzal, Amber , Mitchell, Hannah, Cole, John, Jain, Akriti Gupta , Walter, Matthew J , Carraway, Hetty E. , Uy, Geoffrey L.

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 635-635

10.1182/blood-2025-635 Get It

Abstract BACKGROUND Ivosidenib is an oral inhibitor of mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase type I (IDH1) currently approved for the treatment of IDH1 mutated acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells carrying preleukemic mutations, referred to as clonal hematopoiesis (CH), are the origin of myeloid neoplasms (MN). Individuals who have cytopenias and CH, but do not meet diagnostic criteria for a hematologic malignancy, are classified as having Clonal Cytopenias of Undetermined Significance (CCUS), a condition associated with a high risk of progression to MN. While CCUS patients (pts) can have multiple mutations, they show lower mutational burden on average compared to MN. Thus, we hypothesized that treatment with ivosidenib would improve cytopenias in IDH1-mutant CCUS. METHODS; We performed a decentralized phase II single-arm study to characterize the safety and efficacy of ivosidenib in IDH1-mutant CCUS (NCT0503044). Drug was shipped to pts with local oncologists performing standard-of-care clinical exams supplemented by study team lead interviews for adverse event monitoring. Research labs were drawn by local providers or through Quest. QT corrected interval (QTc) was monitored through a mobile electrocardiogram device (AliveCor). Eligible patients were aged ≥ 18 years and had confirmed IDH1-mutant CCUS with at least 6 months of unexplained cytopenias (hemoglobin<10 g/dL, platelets<100 x109/L or absolute neutrophil count <1.8 x109/L). The primary endpoint was hematologic response of at least 8 weeks in duration based on the IWG 2006 criteria for MDS. RESULTS 20 pts with IDH1-mutant CCUS have been enrolled. Most were male (70%) with a median age of 66 (range 41-79). Overall, 74% had a self-reported race of non-Hispanic white, 11% of Hispanic white, 5% of Asian and 11% of black or African American. Most pts presented with neutropenia (95%) including some with co-occurring thrombocytopenia (21%). One pt presented with anemia and thrombocytopenia without neutropenia. Prior to treatment, the average number of co-mutations beyond IDH1 was 2 (range 0-3), with most pts (74%) harboring a co-occurring spliceosome gene mutation. The IDH1 variant allele fraction (VAF) was lower in the blood (mean=19%, range 3-35%) than in the bone marrow (mean=31%, range 18-43%) in most (93%) patients. Out of the 20 enrolled pts, 17 received at least 8 weeks of therapy at the time of our data cutoff (7/29/2025) and were included in the efficacy analysis. Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) occurred in five patients (26%) including two with grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (pancytopenia and sepsis in the first pt, rash in the second pt). The most common all-grade treatment-related adverse events were nausea (n=5, 26%), prolonged QTc (n=3, 16%), anemia (n=3, 16%), and diarrhea (n=3, 16%). There were no instances of reported differentiation syndrome. Overall, 82% of pts achieved a hematologic response (14/17) including improvement in neutropenia (88%) and thrombocytopenia (75%). With a median follow-up of 16 months (range 0.6-24 months), the median duration of hematologic response was not reached. Among responders, 86% had a continued response at one year. Two pts progressed to MDS after 4 and 17 months of treatment characterized by recurrence of cytopenias and the emergence of new clones. A surveillance bone marrow biopsy was performed at 18 cycles for the 8 pts who remained on treatment with none showing disease progression. Most pts (90%, N=9/10) treated for at least 12 months had a decrease in IDH1-mutant CH VAF over time and 40% (N=4/10) showed IDH1 mutation clearance (VAF <2%) with a median time to clearance of 9 months. Among those with decreasing IDH1 clonal burden, all had a corresponding decrease in other co-occurring mutations present at baseline with one responder showing emergence of a newly detectable CHEK2 mutation without disease progression. CONCLUSIONS Decentralized trials represent a feasible solution for the conduct of clinical trials in rare hematologic neoplasms and precursor conditions. Ivosidenib was well-tolerated and induced durable hematologic remissions in IDH1-mutant CCUS. Most pts showed a reduction in clonal burden with mutation clearance commonly seen with long-term treatment demonstrating that ivosidenib modifies the natural history of IDH1-mutant CCUS.
The use and safety of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIV) vs central venous catheters (CVC) for lymphoma patients receiving frontline anthracycline-based chemotherapy: A large multicenter real-world analysis (RWA)
Glennan, Patrick, Nedved, Adrienne, Lukowski, Joseph , Minhaj, Adeeb A., Sanjurjo, Alexander , Harbhajan, Melinda, Norrell, Jacqueline , Mubeen, Suhaym , St‐Pierre, Frédérique , Kindl, Gabriel, Patel, Keem, Adewale, Olutobi, Allen, Harris, Luyten, Sophia, Dasari, Srilatha, Martin, Peter W., Lunning, Matthew A. , Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Tiger, Yun Kyoung , Sanjurjo, Alexander Daniel , Mubeen, Salmaan, Kindl, Gabriel, Adewale, Olutobi, Allen, Harris, Omer, Zulfa , Martin, Peter, Tolu, Seda , Casulo, Carla , Evens, Andrew M.

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 518-518

10.1182/blood-2025-518 Get It

Abstract Background: Given a potential risk of extravasation with vesicants and irritants, central venous catheters (CVCs), such as port-a-cath or peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC), are commonly used for the administration of anthracycline-based chemotherapy. However, CVC placement can result in treatment delay, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), catheter malfunction, and added burdens (eg, financial, travel, etc), partly due to the need for regular flushing. Peripheral intravenous (PIV) access is often utilized in the academic setting with select frontline chemotherapy regimens. However, there is limited data reporting on the safety of PIV in this setting. This large, multicenter RWA evaluated the use and associated complications of PIV and CVC for administering CHOP- or ABVD-based chemotherapy in patients (pts) with lymphoma. Methods: We conducted a retrospective RWA across 8 U.S. centers among pts aged ≥18 years with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma who were consecutively treated with ABVD or CHOP-based anthracycline chemotherapy via PIV or CVC access between 2010-2024. Choice of catheter placement was at the discretion of the pt's treating physician. Detailed baseline and safety data were collected. The primary outcome was extravasation; secondary outcomes included infiltration, DVT, cellulitis, erythema, and pain. Standard definitions of extravasation and other complications were used (Jackson-Rose J. CJON 2017). Rates of complications were compared via Fischer exact testing. Results: A total of 1,414 pts were included in the analysis: 790 in each arm (ie, PIV vs CVC). Of these, 624 were unique to each group, while 166 pts received chemotherapy via both modalities (PIV and CVC during the treatment course). Overall, 78.9% of pts completed all treatment as planned via PIV. Median age was 63 years (IQR 45–75) in the PIV group and 61 years (IQR 40–73) in the CVC group. Male sex comprised 57% vs 51%, ECOG 0–1 performance status was 83% vs 76%, and advanced-stage disease (stage III/IV) was present in 51% vs 62%, respectively. Lymphoma subtypes were comparable: DLBCL/high-grade/B-cell NOS (54.5% vs 56.1%), Hodgkin lymphoma (27.2% vs 27.5%), T-cell lymphoma (12.4% vs 6.6%), and indolent/mantle cell lymphoma (5.6% vs 6.7%). Among those receiving chemotherapy via CVC, 78.5% were treated through a port-a-cath and 21.5% via PICC. CHOP-based and ABVD-based regimens were administered to 68% and 32% of PIV pts, and 69.6% and 30.4% of CVC pts, respectively. A total of 4,084 (PIV) vs 3,859 (CVC) treatment cycles were delivered, corresponding to 4,347 (PIV) vs 4,884 (CVC) anthracycline infusion days. There was 1 documented case of extravasation in the CVC group and 2 suspected cases in the PIV group (p=0.9); for PIV, this translates to a per pt risk of 0.3% (or 0.05% of infusion days). The two PIV cases involved elderly women with DLBCL receiving CHOP. Both developed localized symptoms post-infusion and were treated conservatively (DMSO/warm compresses or dexrazoxane/ice), with full symptom resolution within 1 week and 1 day, respectively. No tissue or vascular injury occurred. Additionally, there were no significant differences between the PIV and CVC groups in the rates of induration/swelling (1.8% vs 2.0%, p=0.85), phlebitis/cellulitis (2.4% vs 2.4%, p=0.9), venous thromboembolism (VTE; 1.4% vs 2.0%, p=0.32), or erythema (3.8% vs 5.1%, p=0.27). Pain or tenderness at the infusion site (8.5% vs 2.9%, p=0.001) and infiltration (1.4 vs 0.13%, p=0.006) were more frequent in the PIV group. Chronic vascular complications related to prior VTE was slightly lower in the PIV group (0.13% vs 0.9%, p=0.06), but not significant. Additional details from a propensity score-matched analysis will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: This is the largest known analysis to date evaluating the safety of PIV access for anthracycline-based chemotherapy in >1,500 lymphoma pts over a recent 15-year period, representing >9,000 total treatments with CHOP or ABVD. PIV access was found to be safe and associated with a low rate of serious complications. Moreover, extravasation was rare and there was not a significant difference observed between PIV and CVC use. While PIV use was associated with higher rates of local pain/tenderness and infiltration, the events were uncommon and self-limited. Despite the widespread default to CVC placement in many centers, these findings support the selective use of PIV in appropriate pts as elucidated here.
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 | PMID 41342739 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