Citations

Mayo Clinic

Clear

1164 citation(s) found for "Xu, Victoria".

Bortezomib-Based Therapy, without Stem Cell Transplantation, for Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients with t(4;14).
Reece, Donna , Rodriguez, Giovanni Piza, Belch, Andrew R. , Szwajcer, David , Pantoja, Mariela, Kovacs, Michael J., Shustik, Chaim, White, Darrell , Chen, Christine , Kukreti, Vishal , Anglin, Peter, Stewart, A. Keith, Trudel, Suzanne , Bahlis, Nizar Jacques

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 114 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 3861-3861

10.1182/blood.v114.22.3861.3861 Get It

Abstract Abstract 3861 Poster Board III-797 Previous studies have reported that multiple myeloma (MM) patients (pts) with t(4;14) identified by FISH who are treated with a single ASCT as part of first-line therapy have worse outcomes than those lacking this adverse cytogenetic marker; two trials have described a median progression-free survival (PFS) of only 8-9 months and median overall survival (OS) of 18 mos in this setting (Chang H, et al. Bone Marrow Transplant 2005; 36: 793; Gertz M, et al. Blood 2005; 106: 2837). Since the novel agent bortezomib appears to have efficacy in patients with t(4;14), we designed a phase II protocol in which pts receive induction with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, bortezomib and dexamethasone (DBD) x 4 cycles, followed by post-induction therapy with oral cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m2 days 1,8 15, 22 with bortezomib 1.5 mg/m2 days 1,8,15 and prednisone 100 mg q 2 days of a 28-day cycle (CyBor-P) x 8 additional cycles. Maintenance therapy with dexamethasone (dex) 40 mg/month was then administered until progression. Although elective stem cell collection was recommended after induction, routine ASCT was not performed in the absence of disease progression. Between February 2008-August 2009, 153 newly diagnosed MM pts were screened for t(4;14) in 7 Canadian centers, and 14 (9%) were found to be positive by FISH. Four did not meet the critieria for symptomatic MM, 2 had received ≥ 2 mos of prior therapy while 8 were entered onto study. One of these was later determined to have a variant abnormality of chromosome 4 but not t(4;14) and underwent ASCT after induction; this pt is included in the safety analysis only. The median age was 56 (49-69) and 43% were male. The median percent nuclei positive for t(4;14) was 30% (10-41%), serum β2-microglobulin 394 nmol/L (190-1695) and albumin 34 g/L (28-39); one pt had ISS stage 1,3 had stage 2 and 3 had stage 3 MM. Immunoglobulin subtype included IgGκ in 2 and IgAκ in 2 and IgAλ in 3. All pts have completed DBD induction, with the best response in the 7 evaluable pts consisting of PR in 2 and VGPR in 5; one in PR progressed quickly after induction and has achieved nCR after D-PACE followed by ASCT and lenalidomide maintenance. Four are receiving post-induction therapy with CyBor-P currently, with VGPR in 3 and PR in 1. No SAEs or grade3/4 neutropenia or thrombocytopenia has occurred; other toxicities were mild, with grade 2 skin toxicity noted in 37.5% and grade 2 neurotoxicity observed in 7.4%. All pts are alive at a median follow-up (F/U) of 8 mos (2-11), and 6 (86%) are free of progression. We conclude: 1) the incidence of t(4;14) in newly diagnosed MM pts appears to be lower than the 15% anticipated; 2) 28% of newly diagnosed pts with this entity have asymptomatic MM; 3) preliminarily, DBD induction has resulted in ≥ PR in all pts although 1 progressed quickly; 4) this bortezomib-based regimen is very well-tolerated; 5) longer F/U is required to determine the PFS and OS with this approach. Disclosures: Reece: Ortho Biotech: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Off Label Use: Use of bortezomib as part of initial therapy with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and dexamethasone. Piza Rodriguez:Ortho Biotech: Honoraria. Belch:Ortho Biotech: Honoraria, Research Funding. Shustik:Ortho Biotech: Honoraria. Bahlis:Ortho Biotech: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. White:Ortho Biotech: Honoraria, Research Funding. Chen:Ortho Biotech: Honoraria. Kukreti:Celgene: Honoraria. Stewart:Genzyme, Celgene, Millenium, Proteolix: Honoraria; Takeda, Millenium: Research Funding; Takeda-Millenium, Celgene, Novartis, Amgen: Consultancy. Trudel:Ortho Biotech: Honoraria, Research Funding.
A Randomized Phase II Trial of Three Novel Regimens for Relapsed/ Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Demonstrates Encouraging Results with a Flavopiridol-Based Regimen: Results of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Trial E1906
Litzow, Mark R. , Wang, Victoria , Karp, Judith E. , Luger, Selina M. , Paietta, Elisabeth , Rowe, Jacob M. , Altman, Jessica K. , Pratz, Keith W. , Broun, E. Randolph, Tallman, Martin S. , Carroll, Martin P , Ketterling, Rhett P. , Kaufmann, Scott H. , Lazarus, Hillard M.

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 124 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 3742-3742

10.1182/blood.v124.21.3742.3742 Get It

Abstract Introduction: The therapy of relapsed/refractory AML remains poor and new treatment options are sorely needed. The Leukemia Committee of ECOG devised a randomized phase II trial of 3 novel regimens to determine overall response rates could be improved. Methods: Patients between the ages of 18 and 70 years with a prior diagnosis of AML who relapsed <1 year after initial achievement of complete remission (CR) or who were refractory to initial induction therapy (<2 courses) or to first reinduction after a relapse (<1 course) were eligible for this trial. Eligible patients were randomized equally to one of three regimens described in Table 1 below. The primary endpoint was achievement of a morphologic complete remission (CR) or a CR with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi). A 2 stage statistical design was planned with 18 patients (assuming 16 eligible) to be accrued in the first stage. If at least 3 CR+CRi were seen among the 16 eligible patients, an additional 19 patients (assuming 17 eligible) would be entered in the second stage. If 8 or more CR+CRi were seen in the 33 eligible patients, this would be considered evidence of a promising response rate. Results: This study activated October 16, 2008 and closed August 2, 2013 with a total of 92 patients accrued (91 eligible). The eligibility criteria were amended during the study to lower the upper age limit from 70 to 65 years because 6 treatment related deaths occurred in the initial 27 patients accrued to the FLAM regimen. All of these patients died of septic shock or multi-organ failure and 5 of the 6 died within 1 month of the start of therapy. Most of these patients were over age 65 ( 53, 62, 67, 68, 69 and 69 years). At the first stage analysis, of the first 16 eligible patients accrued to each arm there were 2 CR and 2 CRi in the CT arm, 2 CR and 2 CRi in the FLAM arm and 2 CR in the sirolimus-MEC arm. Thus, the sirolimus-MEC arm was closed to accrual with a total of 20 eligible patients and second stage accrual continued for the CT and FLAM arms. Among the 35, 36 and 20 eligible patients accrued to arms A, B and C, respectively, there were 2 CR and 3 CRi in the CT arm, 6 CR and 4 CRi in the FLAM arm, and 2 CR and 1 CRi in the sirolimus-MEC arm. All 10 CR or CRi of the FLAM arm were among the first 33 eligible patients, therefore FLAM was the only regimen to achieve our target. The overall response rates for arms A, B and C were 14% (90% CI 7.1% - 34.7%), 28% (90% CI 16.1% - 43.0%) and 15% (90% CI 4.2% - 34.4%), respectively. Among the 92 patients accrued, there were 5, 10 and 2 grade 5 events within 30 days of the end of therapy in arms A, B and C, respectively. The vast majority of these deaths were attributed to infection and multi-organ failure except two which were secondary to disease. Conclusion: In this high risk group of AML patients the FLAM regimen showed an encouraging response rate. A randomized phase II trial has also recently been completed exploring its use in the front-line setting with newly diagnosed high-risk AML. While the FLAM regimen was excessively toxic in elderly patients with relapsed or refractory disease, it is a suitable option for younger patients in this setting. Arm A: CT Carboplatin 150 mg/m2/day over 24 hours by continuous infusion IV for 5 days (days 1-5) Topotecan 1.6 mg/m2/day over 24 hours by continuous infusion IV for 5 days (days 1-5) Arm B: FLAM Flavopiridol 30 mg/m2 for ½ hour followed by 60 mg/m2 over 4 hours IV per day for 3 days Cytarabine 667 mg/m2 over 24 hours by continuous infusion IV for 3 days (days 6-8) Mitoxantrone 40 mg/m2 IV over 1-2 hours (day 9) Arm C: Sirolimus-MEC Sirolimus 12 mg by mouth on day 1, followed by 4 mg by mouth daily for 8 days (days 2-9) Mitoxantrone 8 mg/m2/day over 15 minutes IV for 5 days (days 4-8) Etoposide 100 mg/m2/day over 1 hour IV for 5 days (days 4-8) Cytarabine 1000 mg/m2/day over 3 hours IV for 5 days (days 4-8) Table 2. Responses Table 1. Chemotherapy Regimens Regimen n Median age (range), years Responses (%) Deaths (first 30 days) (%) CT 35 55 (23-67) 5 (14%) 5 (14%) FLAM 36 62 (19-69) 10 (28%) 10 (28%) Sirolimus-MEC 20 52 (22-68) 3 (15%) 2 (10%) Disclosures Off Label Use: Sirolimus-potentiate chemotherapy Carboplatin-chemotherapy for AML treatment Topotecan-chemotherapy for AML treatment.
in Philadelphia-Chromosome-Negative Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Late Relapses Are Not Uncommon, Occur Mostly in Patients at Standard Risk and Have a Relatively Favorable Outcome. Results of the International ALL Trial: MRC Ukallxii/ECOG E2993
Ganzel, Chezi , Victoria, Wang Xin, Rowe, Jacob M. , Richards, Susan , Buck, Georgina , Chopra, Rajesh, Durrant, Ian, Marks, David I. , Franklin, Ian M., McMilan, Andrew K, Litzow, Mark R. , Paietta, Elisabeth , Luger, Selina M. , Wiernik, Peter H. , Douer, Dan , Tallman, Martin S. , Goldstone, Anthony H., Fielding, Adele K. , Richards, Susan M, Durrant, I. Jill, Franklin, Ian M., Lazarus, Hillard M.

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 795-795

10.1182/blood.v126.23.795.795 Get It

Abstract This study was coordinated by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (Robert L. Comis, MD and Mitchell D. Schnall, MD, PhD, Group Co-Chairs) and the Medical Research Counsel, United Kingdom, and supported in part by Public Health Service Grants CA180820, CA180794, CA180790, CA189859, CA180853, CA180791, and from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services. Its content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute. Background: Late relapse in acute leukemia is considered a relatively rare event. Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are often considered cured of the disease at 3 years, but information regarding adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients is scarce. Data are presented from one of the largest prospective adult ALL studies, the MRC UKALLXII/ECOG E2993, to evaluate the rate and characteristics of late relapse in ALL. For this purpose, late relapse was defined, arbitrarily, as relapse 3 years post achievement of complete remission (CR) and very late relapse was defined as relapse > 5 years from CR. Methods: The UKALLXII/ECOG E2993 was an international ALL trial conducted jointly by the MRC in the United Kingdom and ECOG in the United States. All patients received identical induction therapy, followed by central nervous system prophylaxis. Patients with a sibling donor (or a matched unrelated donor in Philadelophia-chromosome-positive ALL) were assigned to receive an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT); all others were randomized to undergo an autologous transplant or protracted standard consolidation/ maintenance therapy. The study accrued 2109 patients from 1993 to 2008. Following relapse, patients were followed for survival. For this report only patients registered before the tyrosine kinase inhibitors era are included in the analysis. Results: 1518 study patients were eligible for this analysis, 1208 (79.6%) Philadelphia-chromosome negative (Ph-neg) and 267 (17.5%) Philadelphia-chromosome positive (Ph-pos). 1381 (91%) of the patients achieved CR; 93% of the Ph-neg and 82% of the Ph-pos. 572 patients (37.7%) underwent allogeneic HSCT. The median duration of follow-up of patients who achieved CR was 10 years. Among the 1381 patients who achieved CR, 626 (45.3%) had a documented relapse; 566 (90.4%) relapsed within 3 years of CR and 60 (9.6%) relapsed beyond 3 years ('late relapse') (Figure 1). Among these 60 patients, 18(2.9%) relapsed after 5 years ('very late relapse'). Table. Patients n CR All relapses Relapses< 3 years Relapses≥ 3 years Relapses≥ 5 years All patients 1518 1381 (91%) 626 (45.3%) 566 (90.4%) 60 (9.6%) 18 (2.9%) Ph-neg 1208 (79.6%) 1123 (93%) 485 (40.1%) 429 (88.5%) 56 (11.5%) 17 (3.5%) Ph-pos 268 (17.5%) 219 (82%) 124 (56.6%) 122 (98.4%) 2 (1.6%) 1 (0.8%) Relapse beyond 3 years occurred in 4.3% of all who achieved CR, in 5% of Ph-neg and 0.01% of Ph-pos patients. Among the 60 late relapses, the median time to relapse was 46 months. 61.7% of the late-relapse patients were males, median age was 32 years, 88.3% were B-lineage ALL and the median white cell count at diagnosis was 6000/ul. 56.7% were in cytogenetic standard risk, 8.3% at high risk and the data of 35% are unknown. The median survival for the late relapse patients was longer than for those who relapsed within 3 years. The overall survival (OS) of the 56 Ph-neg patients who relapsed beyond 3 years is shown in Fig 2. Table.Relapse > 3 yearsRelapse > 3 yearsMedian survival from relapse (months)5.411.23-year OS from relapse6.5%29%5-year OS from relapse5.6%19% Conclusions: Late relapses in adults with Ph-neg ALL are not uncommon. About 10% of relapses occur beyond 3 years and 4.3% of all ALL patients who achieved a CR can expect to have a late relapse. These data are in contrast to AML where only 1% of patients relapse beyond 3 years (Watts JM et al, 2014). Most of the late relapse patients were at standard risk and appeared to have a relatively favorable outcome post relapse. Patients with ALL, particularly those who are Ph-neg, cannot be considered as cured at 3 years and need to be closely followed. Figure 1. Time to relapse of Ph-pos and Ph-neg ALL Figure 1. Time to relapse of Ph-pos and Ph-neg ALL Figure 2. Survival from relapse for Ph-neg patients who relapsed after 3 years from CR. Figure 2. Survival from relapse for Ph-neg patients who relapsed after 3 years from CR. Disclosures Rowe: Amgen: Consultancy; BioSight Ltd.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BioLineRx Ltd.: Consultancy. Douer:Gilead: Consultancy.
Efficacy and Safety of Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone Vs Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone in Patients with Relapsed Multiple Myeloma Based on Cytogenetic Risk Status: Subgroup Analysis from the Phase 3 Study Aspire (NCT01080391)
Hájek, Roman , Mihaylov, Georgi , Mateos, María-Victoria, Wang, Michael , Niesvizky, Rubén, Minařík, Jiří , Palumbo, Antonio , Bensinger, William, Kukreti, Vishal , Ben‐Yehuda, Dina, Tonda, Margaret, Obreja, Mihaela, Hajek, Roman , Avet‐Loiseau, Hervé , Fonseca, Rafaël , Siegel, David S. , Dimopoulos, Meletios Α. , Špıčka, Ivan , Masszi, Tamás , Rosiñol, Laura , Goranova-Marinova, Vesselina S , Maisnar, Vladimír , Mateos, María‐Victoria , Oriol, Albert , Jakubowiak, Andrzej , Moreau, Philippe

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 731-731

10.1182/blood.v126.23.731.731 Get It

Abstract Introduction: Single-agent carfilzomib has shown encouraging activity in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who harbor high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities (Jakubowiak et al, Leukemia 2013;27:2351-56). The phase 3 study ASPIRE (NCT01080391; N=792 patients) demonstrated that progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly improved with carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd), compared with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (RMM) (Stewart et al, N Engl J Med 2015;372:142-52). We present a pre-planned subgroup analysis of the efficacy and safety of KRd vs Rd in the ASPIRE study according to baseline cytogenetic risk status. Methods: Adults with RMM (1-3 prior lines of therapy) were eligible. Patients were randomized (1:1) to KRd or Rd. Treatment was administered in 28-day cycles. Patients in the KRd arm received carfilzomib as a 10-minute intravenous infusion on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 (starting dose, 20 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2 of cycle 1; target dose, 27 mg/m2 thereafter) during cycles 1-12; carfilzomib was omitted on days 8 and 9 during cycles 13-18 and was discontinued after 18 cycles. All patients received lenalidomide 25 mg on days 1-21 and dexamethasone 40 mg on days 1, 8, 15, and 22. The primary end point was PFS. Secondary end points included overall survival, overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), health-related quality of life, and safety. Cytogenetic risk status was assessed using fluorescence in situ hybridization. The high-risk group consisted of patients with the genetic subtype t(4;14) or t(14;16) or with deletion 17p in ≥60% of plasma cells, according to central review of bone marrow samples obtained at study entry. The standard-risk group consisted of all other patients with known baseline cytogenetics. The cutoff value of 60% for the proportion of plasma cells with deletion 17p was used on the basis of recommendations from the International Myeloma Workshop Consensus Panel 2 (Munshi et al. Blood 2011;117:4696-700). Results: A total of 792 patients were randomized to KRd (n=396) or Rd (n=396). In patients with known baseline cytogenetics, baseline cytogenetic risk status was similar between the treatment arms (high-risk: KRd, 24.6%; Rd, 23.4%; standard-risk: KRd, 75.4%; Rd, 76.6%). Efficacy outcomes by cytogenetic risk status are presented in the Table. Median PFS in the high-risk group (n=100) was 23.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.5-24.2) for KRd vs 13.9 months (95% CI: 9.5-16.7) for Rd (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.639; 95% CI: 0.369-1.106). Median PFS in the standard-risk group (n=317) was 29.6 months (95% CI: 24.1-not estimable) for KRd vs 19.5 months (95% CI: 14.8-26.0) for Rd (HR: 0.657; 95% CI: 0.480-0.901). ORRs were 79.2% (KRd) vs 59.6% (Rd) in the high-risk group, and 91.2% (KRd) vs 73.5% (Rd) in the standard-risk group. In the high-risk group, 29.2% (KRd) and 5.8% (Rd) of patients achieved a complete response (CR) or better, including 16.7% (KRd) and 3.8% (Rd) with a stringent complete response (sCR). In the standard-risk group, 38.1% (KRd) and 6.5% (Rd) of patients achieved ≥CR, including 15.0% (KRd) and 3.5% (Rd) with an sCR. Median DOR in the high-risk group was 22.2 months for KRd vs 14.9 months for Rd. Median DOR in the standard-risk group was 30.4 months for KRd vs 20.4 months for Rd. The rate of grade ≥3 adverse events was 89.1% (KRd) vs 78.4% (Rd) in the high-risk group, and 85.6% (KRd) vs 84.5% (Rd) in the standard-risk group. Rates of grade ≥3 adverse events of interest (dyspnea, hypertension, acute renal failure, cardiac failure, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy) by cytogenetic risk status are presented in the Table. Conclusion: In patients with high-risk cytogenetics, treatment with KRd resulted in a median PFS of nearly 2 years, which was a 9-month improvement relative to that in patients treated with Rd. Treatment with KRd also led to a 10-month improvement in median PFS vs Rd in patients with standard-risk cytogenetics; similar reductions in the risk of progression or death with Kd vs Vd were observed in both cytogenetics risk groups. Treatment with KRd also led to higher response rates, greater response depth, and a longer DOR compared with Rd in patients with high- or standard-risk cytogenetics. KRd had a favorable benefit-risk profile in patients with RMM, irrespective of baseline cytogenetic risk status, and improved outcomes in patients with high-risk disease. Disclosures Fonseca: Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Applied Biosciences: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Onyx/Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Binding Site: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Millennium: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding. Siegel:Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Merck: Speakers Bureau. Dimopoulos:Celgene: Honoraria; Onyx: Honoraria; Genesis: Honoraria; Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Spicka:Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Masszi:Novartis: Consultancy; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy. Hájek:Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria; Celgene, Merck Sharp & Dohme: Consultancy, Honoraria. Rosiñol:Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Mateos:Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy. Wang:Celgene: Research Funding. Niesvizky:Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Oriol:Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Jakubowiak:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; SkylineDx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi-Aventis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: institutional funding for support of clinical trial conduct, Speakers Bureau; Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi-Aventis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; SkylineDx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Palumbo:Celgene, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genmab, Janssen-Cilag, Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis, Sanofi Aventis: Honoraria. Bensinger:Onyx: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Acetylon: Research Funding; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Millenium: Research Funding. Kukreti:Lundbeck: Honoraria; Ortho: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Tonda:Onyx: Employment. Obreja:Amgen Inc: Employment. Moreau:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
A Phase I Dose Finding Trial of Eltrombopag during Consolidation Therapy in Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Employing a Unique Dosing Design: PrE0901, a Precog Study
Wang, Victoria , Černý, Jan , Rybka, Witold B. , Tallman, Martin S. , Litzow, Mark R. , Strickland, Stephen Anthony , Lazarus, Hillard M.

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 4053-4053

10.1182/blood.v128.22.4053.4053 Get It

Abstract Introduction: High-dose cytarabine consolidation chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) induces profound transient myelosuppression. Thrombocytopenia is a limiting factor in chemotherapy administration for maintaining dose intensity and schedule as thrombocytopenic-related hemorrhage may contribute to significant morbidity and mortality. Therapeutic and prophylactic platelet (plt) transfusions remain the treatment of choice but the benefits typically last only 3-7 days, are expensive, time consuming, and may induce alloimmunization and transmit infection. PrE0901 was a phase I multi-center study to evaluate the safety and toxicity of eltrombopag, an orally bioavailable thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist, for plt recovery in AML patients (pts) receiving consolidation therapy. Methods: The primary objectives were to determine the safety, tolerability, and optimal dosing of eltrombopag while describing the kinetics of plt recovery in AML pts receiving intensive consolidation. Plt recovery was defined as a sustained plt count of ≥ 20 x 109/L following the nadir with no plt transfusions in prior 7 days or a continued upward trend in plt count for at least 2 successive measurements despite no plt transfusions in 48 hours. We used a standard 3+3 design utilizing a novel dose escalation/de-escalation strategy for pts in either first or second complete remission, ≥18 and ≤70 years of age, who had an ECOG performance status of 0-2. Cytarabine was administered at 3 g/m2 (1.5 g/m2 for pts >60 years) IV over 3 hours twice daily on days 1,3,5. Eltrombopag at assigned dose was administered with a first cycle of cytarabine only. Planned eltrombopag dose levels -2, -1, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 50, 100, 150, 150, 150, 200, and 300 mg, respectively (Table 1). Eltrombopag was to start on days X, X, 3, -1, -5, -5, and -5 relative to day of cytarabine start and levels -2, -1, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively, with day X being variable depending on timing of observed dose limiting toxicities (DLTs). The eltrombopag was continued until plt recovery or for up to 35 consecutive days, whichever occurred first. An exploratory objective was to determine if eltrombopag had an effect on TPO and EPO blood concentrations in this setting. Results: Accrual began on July 31, 2012 and the trial closed on January 8, 2016 upon recommendation after an independent Data and Monitoring Committee reviewed a separate trial of eltrombopag therapy in MDS which demonstrated futility. 104 pts were screened. 54 declined participation and 35 were deemed medically ineligible. A total of 15 eligible pts were enrolled; 14 were treated on study with one pt being withdrawn prior to starting treatment due to infection. Three pts were treated at each of dose levels 1-4 and two were treated on dose level 5. No DLTs were observed. Median time to plt recovery of all pts treated on study was 22.5 (range 16-43) days. Pts in cohort 1 dosed with eltrombopag 150 mg daily starting on day 3 of consolidation demonstrated the fastest plt recovery (median =19 days; range 19, 19, 19) compared to cohort 2 who received 150 mg daily starting on day -1 of consolidation and recovered the slowest (median 23 days; range 16, 23, 43). Dose escalation in terms of starting eltrombopag further in advance of chemotherapy exposure as within cohort 3 (150 mg starting day -5) was associated with a median plt recovery of 27 (range 22, 27, 27) days. Eltrombopag dose intensification with cohort 4 at 200 mg daily and cohort 5 at 300 mg daily was associated with median plt recoveries of 24 (range 18, 24, 26) and 23 (range 19, 27) days, respectively. Kinetics of plt recovery for all cohorts are represented in Figure 1 and duration of eltrombopag exposure for each individual patient is represented in Table 2. Conclusions: Endogenous cytokine (TPO and EPO) levels varied inversely with plt and hematocrit values and did not appear to be affected by eltrombopag dose / schedule (details to be provided at ASH Annual Mtg). Unusually high screen fail numbers warrant examination to guide future trial design in the post-remission setting. The addition of eltrombopag to high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy was well-tolerated and no DLTs were observed. The results for cohort 1 [eltrombopag 150 mg daily starting on day 3 of consolidation] demonstrated the fastest plt recovery. Further investigation is needed to define the optimal role, dose, and schedule of eltrombopag in the treatment of chemotherapy associated myelosuppression. Disclosures Strickland: Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Ambit: Consultancy; Baxalta: Consultancy; Boehringer Ingelheim: Consultancy, Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Sunesis Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Astellas Pharma: Research Funding; Celator: Research Funding; Cyclacel: Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutica: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding.
A Randomized Phase III Trial of Thalidomide and Prednisone as Maintenance Therapy Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT) In Patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM): The NCIC CTG MY.10 Trial
Stewart, A. Keith, Trudel, Suzanne , White, Darrell , Sabry, Waleed , Belch, Andrew R. , Reiman, Tony , Shustik, Chaim, Kovacs, Michael J., Sussman, Jonathan , Meyer, Ralph M., Harnett, Erica, Dănilă, Oana , Chapman, Judy Anne, Shepherd, Lois E. , Bahlis, Nizar Jacques , Roy, Jean , Oana, Danila, Chapman, Judy‐Anne W.

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 116 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 39-39

10.1182/blood.v116.21.39.39 Get It

Abstract Abstract 39 Three randomized trials have previously reported a progression-free survival (PFS) advantage for patients receiving thalidomide (T) maintenance post ASCT in MM. Two trials reported an overall survival (OS) advantage but the largest trial reported shows no OS advantage and in very high risk MM the use of T was deleterious. Recent trial reports demonstrate a PFS but not yet an OS advantage for patients receiving maintenance lenalidomide. We report results of NCIC CTG MY.10 which compared treatment with T (200 mg daily) and prednisone (50 mg alternate days) (T/P) until progression versus observation alone when used as maintenance therapy following ASCT. Importantly, OS was the 1ry endpoint of this study, 2ry endpoints were PFS, quality of life (QoL), toxicity, and the incidence of venous thromboembolism events (VTE). Eligibility: Patients with MM who had ASCT within 1 year of beginning initial treatment for their disease. Patients were randomized 60–100 days post ASCT and had no other medical condition precluding long term use of T/P. Results: 332 patients were enrolled. Median age was 58 years and the arms were balanced. Patients were stratified by age (<60 or >60), and CR status post transplant. Median follow up is 4 years. Only 14% of patients were in CR post transplant. 111 patients died (50 versus 61 in T/P vs. observation). The median OS was 5 years for observation, and has not yet been reached for T/P, however T/P maintenance therapy did not significantly prolong OS: p = 0.18, HR of maintenance vs. observation 0.77 (95% CI 0.53–1.13). The 4 year survival rate was 68% for T/P and 60% for observation. Age and response to transplant had no significant association with OS (p=0.21), while higher disease stage was associated with shorter OS (p=0.03). The median PFS was 28 months for T/P versus 17 months for observation: p<0.0001, HR of T/P vs. observation 0.56 (95% CI 0.43 – 0.73). The 4 year PFS rate was 32% for T/P treated patients versus 14% for patients on observation. At relapse, treatment by arm (T/P vs observation) included lenalidomide (39 vs 34%), T (13 vs 22%) or bortezomib (50 versus 46%). Non hematologic toxicities were seen in more patients with treatment (Grade 3: 92% T/P vs 49% observation, grade 4: 16% vs 7%). Common toxicities of all grades that were significantly higher in T/P treated patients included hyperglycemia, edema, hypertension, fatigue, Cushingoid appearance, constipation, mouth dryness, dyspepsia, anxiety, memory loss, sensory neuropathy, tremor, blurred vision, depressed consciousness, cataracts, dyspnea and bruising. 7% of patients on maintenance T/P developed a VTE in the absence of prophylaxis versus 0% on observation. NCIC CTG standardized response analysis was use to compare QoL data between the 2 treatment arms. Overall, patients on T/P had worse QoL specifically in physical (p=0.07), role (p=0.08), cognitive (p = 0.01) and global (p=0.06) domains, and worse symptoms with dyspnea (p = 0.0007), constipation (p<0.0001), thirst (p=0.003), swelling in leg (p=0.03), numbness (p=0.02), dry mouth (p<0.0001), and balance problems (p<0.0001). However, patients on T/P reported improvement in appetite (p 0.02), and sleep (p=0.04). Conclusions: T/P maintenance did not improve overall survival, the primary objective of this trial, although a trend in favor of T/P was seen. In contrast, PFS was significantly improved in the T/P arm while toxicity was demonstrably increased and quality of life diminished. Disclosures: Stewart: Millennium: Consultancy; Celgene: Honoraria. Trudel:Celgene: Honoraria. Bahlis:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. White:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Meyer:Celgene: Honoraria.
The Vk*MYC Mouse Model of Myeloma Identifies Successful Combination Therapies for the Treatment of Bortezomib Refractory Myeloma Patients
Chesi, Marta , Garbitt, Victoria M. , Palmer, Stephen, Bergsagel, P. Leif

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 116 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 3015-3015

10.1182/blood.v116.21.3015.3015 Get It

Abstract Abstract 3015 Several preclinical models are available to assess the efficacy of novel anti-myeloma therapies, each of them with specific utilities. The most commonly utilized are: 1) Human myeloma cell lines (HMCLs) offer the advantage of being easily manipulated and well genetically characterized and therefore are best used to provide in-vitro target validation and to demonstrate specific target inhibition by a drug. On the other hand, they are highly proliferative and do not recapitulate the complexity of the human disease in an endogenous micro-environment. 2) Xenograft studies, in which HMCLs are injected into immunodeficient mice, serve the purpose of demonstrating that in-vivo target inhibition can be achieved under physiological conditions, but again fail to represent the indolence of human MM and its complex interaction with the BM stromal cells. Drug screenings performed on both these models tend inevitably to overestimate the antimyeloma activity of compounds that simply inhibit proliferation, but are ineffective in targeting the bulk of MM tumor. 3) Direct cytotoxic studies on primary patients cells, alone or in co-culture with stroma cell lines, are useful in assessing a pro-apoptotic activity in a way that is completely independent on proliferation. However, once again this in-vitro model does not capture the complete biology of human MM. The immuno-competent Vk*MYC mouse model of myeloma has already demonstrated high biological fidelity to the human disease, making it an ideal model to study the behavior of myeloma cells in the context of a native microenvironment and immune system. Furthermore, this model offers the advantage of studying both indolent, BM localized, untreated MM (primary MM), and, with the use of transplants into syngeneic hosts, advanced, more proliferative and refractory disease (secondary MM). Using the primary MM model, we have assessed the anti-myeloma activity of 30 known and novel compounds, many of which currently in clinical trials, and found that agents effective in the treatment of patients are active in this model, whereas agents ineffective in the treatment of patients are not. From this study, the most promising class of novel agents in clinical trials are the HDAC inhibitors vorinostat and panobinostat. Based on this promising single agent activity, we sought to model the effects of combination therapy in the secondary myeloma models that we specifically generated to be bortezomib refractory or multidrug resistance. Although transplanted mice treated with full dose single agent bortezomib, vorinostat or panobinostat showed no response and died within three weeks post transplant, recipient mice treated with bortezomib in combination with either vorinostat or panobinostat achieved complete response and are still alive 10 weeks post-transplant. We conclude that the bortezomib + HDAC inhibitors is an active combination that overcomes in vivo bortezomib resistance. Furthermore, the Vk*MYC model provides an excellent platform for the development of novel combinations aimed to the treatment of refractory MM disease. Disclosures: Bergsagel: Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau.
IAP Antagonists Are a Novel Class Of Immunomodulators That Induce Complete Response In Vk*MYC Myeloma By Stimulating Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells To Secrete IFNa
Chesi, Marta , Garbitt, Victoria M. , Palmer, Stephen, Bergsagel, P. Leif

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 122 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 128-128

10.1182/blood.v122.21.128.128 Get It

Abstract LCL161 is a IAP antagonist targeting the cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins cIAP1 and -2 (cIAP1/2). We previously reported that loss of the ubiquitin ligase cIAP1/2 results in the stabilization of NIK and activation of the non-canonical NFkB pathway, a pathway we found frequently activated by a promiscuous array of mutations in multiple myeloma (MM), including the homozygous deletion of cIAP1/2 themselves. This suggests that LCL161 treatment will have no direct anti-tumor activity, and may even increase the already high level of NFkB in MM. However, this pathway is also a key regulator of the host immune response and LCL161 has been shown to induce some activation of the immune system that can potentiate the effects of anti-tumor vaccines. Like IMiDs, which target another ubiquitin ligase complex containing cereblon, we found that LCL161 inhibits TNFa secretion by LPS-stimulated monocytes in vitro. Also like IMiDs, LCL161 has little direct anti-tumor activity against primary MM cells and MM cell lines in vitro, or immunodeficient xenograft models in vivo, which, contrary to preclinical studies in other tumor types, is not potentiated by the addition of TNFa. At concentrations ten times higher than the ones required for target modulation (cIAP1/2 degradation, achieved at nanomolar doses), direct cytotoxicity was observed, as reported by other investigators, most likely derived from off target inhibition of the caspase inhibitor XIAP. LCL161 has been studied in a phase I study in solid tumors where it was well tolerated with a cytokine release syndrome as the dose limiting toxicity and is now being studied in a phase II study in combination with paclitaxel. Surprisingly we found that LCL161 has dramatic activity in vivo against MM that develops spontaneously in an immunocompetent genetically engineered mouse model of MM (Vk*MYC). This model has been rigorously validated and found to have a positive predictive value for clinical activity of 67%, and a negative predictive value for clinical inactivity of 88%. Among nearly 50 drugs tested as single agents, only LCL161, proteasome inhibitors and alkylating agents induce complete response in this model. We found that LCL161 has no activity in vitro against these same tumor cells, suggesting an important role for the host in mediating the anti-tumor effect. MM that develops in congenic recipient mice transplanted with unfractionated bone marrow from Vk*MYC donor mice with MM, but not from those transplanted with purified CD138+ MM cells, is sensitive to LCL161. Cell fractionation and “add back” transplantation experiments in Vk*MYC mice have identified plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) as the key mediators of LCL161 anti-MM activity, which is completely independent of adaptive immunity. pDCs infiltrate the BM of MM patients, and similarly of Vk*MYC mice, where they stimulate tumor growth through release of inflammatory cytokines and NFkB activation. It has been shown that engagement of TLR with CPG abrogates this effect. MM is a tumor exquisitely dependent on pro-inflammatory cytokines for survival, but also sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of type-I IFN. We found that the dramatic anti-MM activity of LCL161 is directly mediated by pDCs. In normal condition pDCs support MM growth by providing a cytokine rich environment. LCL161, however, turns them into killers by suppressing the MYD88 pathway responsible for IL6 and TNFa production while simultaneously activating IFNa production. Although the response rate to single agent IFNa in MM patients is approximately 20%, its use in the treatment of MM has been discontinued because of toxicity. LCL161 may represent a novel way of administering high level of IFNa directly to the tumor bed, limiting toxicity and increasing efficacy. Interestingly, IMiDs have been recently shown to augment IFNb production downstream of MYD88 in lymphoma, and their anti-lymphoma activity can be inhibited by antibodies to IFNb. We conclude that LCL161 is a novel immunomodulator with very potent anti-MM activity in vivo and well-defined molecular and cellular targets. A phase II clinical trial of LCL161 in MM is ongoing. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Simplified in-House Deep Sequencing Method of Inmunoglobulin Genes for Minimal Residual Dissease Quantification and Risk Stratification in Multiple Myeloma
Sánchez-Vega, Beatriz, Ruiz, Yanira, Marin, Carlos, Maldonado, Roberto, Rapado, Inmaculada, Jiménez, Cristina , Martínez, Rafael , Echeveste, M Asuncion, Bladé, Joan , Mateos, María‐Victoria , Martinez-Lopez, Joaquin , Martinez-Lopez, Joaquin , Barrio, Santiago , García‐Sánz, Ramón , Paiva, Bruno , Cervera, José , Ayala, Rosa , Cedena, María‐Teresa , San-Miguel, Jesus , Ocio, Enrique M. , Rosiñol, Laura , Miguel, Jesús F. San , Lahuerta, Juan José , Martínez‐López, Joaquín

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 2972-2972

10.1182/blood.v126.23.2972.2972 Get It

Abstract BACKGROUND: The first step to the cure of Multiple myeloma (MM) is achieving a clinical complete response (CR). However, a majority of patients relapse in part due to the persistence of low levels of pathological plasma cells after treatment (minimal residual disease (MRD)). In previous work, we have shown that Next generation sequencing (NGS) of immunoglobulin (IG) rearranged genes is an effective technology to identify and quantify pathological clonal cells in MM, and also it is a good predictor of patient prognosis. However, this technology is a proprietary multiplex PCR, uses a reference plasmid, it is performed at the centralized laboratories, and it is not broadly available. AIMS: To present a new in-house simplified method for quantification of IG gene clonal rearrangements by NGS. To test the suitability of the method for MRD detection in MM patients compared with 8-color high sensitivity Flow Cytometry (8c-MFC) data on a prospective way. To determine its capability as a predictor of patient prognosis. METHOD: We use deep sequencing to prospectively analyzed DNA from bone marrow samples of 58 patients (58 diagnostic samples and 80 follow-up samples) of patients included the GEM10 clinical trial. The method employs the primers developed by BIOMED-2 for IGH and IGK, and a set of specific mathematical and bioinformatics tools. First, we identified the clonal rearrangement(s) (clonotype) in the diagnostic sample by fragment analysis and NGS. Second, we searched the NGS sequences from follow-up samples to detect and quantitate (MRD) the presence of the clonotype identified in the diagnostic sample. Overall Survival (OS) and Progression free Survival (PFS) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The survival curves generated were compared with the log-rank test for trend. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the method is 10-5 for 150.000 cells. Reproducibility is >90%. The Spearman correlation coefficient between NGS and 8c-MFC data for diagnosis and follow-up samples was R=0.6903, p<0.0001. When we applied the criteria of 10-5 for NGS, discordant results were as follow: 121 cases were positive by both methods, 2 cases were positive (>10-5) by 8c-MFC but negative (<10-5) by NGS; 7 samples were negative (<10-5) by 8c-MFC but positive (>10-5) by NGS; and 7 cases were negative by both methods. Next we analyzed de correlation of OS and PFS with MRD levels determined by NGS and by 8c-MFC. For NGS data, median PFS (FigA) was 34 months for patients with values of MRD>10-5 vs not reached for patients with values of MRD<10-5 (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.69, P =0 .0109). Also, for 8c-MFC data, the patients with values of MRD<10-5 had longer PFS than those with values of MRD>10-5 (34 months versus 47; HR = 3.69, P =0 .0109). Median OS (FigB) was also significantly longer in MRD<10-5 (NGS) patients (not yet reached), compared to MRD>10-5 (NGS) patients (41 months, HR = 3.6, P =0.0495). For 8c-MFC we did not get a significant association (41 vs 50 months, HR=1.979, p=0.228). It should be noted that this comparison was made with the standard 8c-MFC and it is probable that the sensitivity will be inferior to that of the Next generation flow. There were no significant differences in terms of PFS between the data obtained by our in-house method, 8c-FCM and previous data obtained with LymphoSight technology. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirms that analysis of MRD levels determined by deep sequencing is capable of predict survival outcomes in myeloma patients. NGS sequencing of Ig genes is an effective technology to identify and quantify pathological clonal cells in MM. This approach is a methodological and economical alternative to MFC and other methods for MRD follow-up. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Paiva: Janssen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; BD Bioscience: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; Binding Site: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy; Millenium: Consultancy; EngMab AG: Research Funding. Ocio:Pharmamar: Consultancy, Research Funding; MSD: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Mundipharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Amgen/Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Array BioPharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Jassen: Honoraria. Mateos:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria; Onyx: Consultancy. San Miguel:Novartis: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Millennium: Honoraria; Onyx: Honoraria; Sanofi-Aventis: Honoraria.
Mir-15a/16-1 Haploinsufficiency Contributes To Myeloma Progression
Chesi, Marta , Garbitt, Victoria M. , Palmer, Stephen, Bergsagel, P. Leif

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 122 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 1850-1850

10.1182/blood.v122.21.1850.1850 Get It

Abstract Deletions of chromosome 13 occur in about 50% of multiple myeloma (MM) patients, with monosomy being the most common (85%), and small interstitial deletions, often involving the Rb gene, representing only 15% of cases. In contrast to CLL, where a minimal deleted region (MDR) has been mapped to the DLEU2/miR-15a/16-1 locus, no MDR has been identified in MM. The prognostic significance of monosomy 13 has been overshadowed by its strong association with high-risk MM, mostly t(4;14) and t(14;16) translocations. Genomic analysis of 28 MM tumors from Vk*MYC mice identified recurrent (27%) monosomy of the syntenic chromosome 14, with focal bi-allelic deletions of Rb1 in three independent tumors. One tumor presented a focal monoallelic interstitial deletion of the mirR15a-16.1 cluster. Reasoning that the biological significance of monosomy 13 would be conserved between human and murine MM, we carried out genetic crosses between Vk*MYC and mice heterozygous for Rb1 (MYC/Rb1), for the DLEU2/miR-15a/16-1 locus (MYC/MDR) or for the miR-15a/16-1 cluster only (MYC/MIR). All of the MYC/Rb1 mice died around one year of age of pituitary tumors without a significant plasma cell expansion compared to the Vk*MYC mice alone. In contrast, both the MYC/MDR+/- and MYC/MIR+/- mice exhibited a progressive monoclonal plasmacytosis affecting secondary lymphoid organs, with associated shorter overall survival. The development of extra-medullary MM was further accelerated in MYC/MDR -/- and MYC/MIR -/- mice, and was reminiscent of that observed in Vk*MYC crossed with Emu-BCL2 mice. As previously shown for the CLL-like disease that develops in the MIR and MDR mice, the MM phenotype is more pronounced in the MYC/MDR than the MYC/MIR, and in the homozygous than the heterozygous mice. Although BCL2 has been proposed as a target of the miR-15a/16-1, it has not been identified among genes whose expression is altered in MIR null B lymphocytes, where instead miR-15a/16-1 deletion promotes proliferation. In contrast, we found significant BCL2 upregulation in some MM tumors from MYC/MIR and MYC/MDR, suggesting that miR-15a/16-1 deletion in MM provides a survival signal that renders plasma cells less dependent on the BM microenvironment. We propose that selection for monosomy 13 in MM is driven in at least in part by loss of one copy of the miR cluster. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.