Mauermann, Michelle L.

8019 Background: POEMS syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome caused by an underlying plasma cell disorder. Most of the information regarding treatment has been gleaned from retrospective data. The combination of a proteasome inhibitor, an IMiD and corticosteroid is known to be highly effective among patients with myeloma. Methods: We designed a pilot using a 28-day oral regimen of ixazomib (4 mg days 1, 8, 15), lenalidomide (25 mg days 1-21), and dexamethasone (20 mg days 1, 8, 15, 22). Aspirin and acyclovir were used for prophylaxis. Eligibility included a diagnosis of POEMS syndrome, a plasma VEGF > 200 pg/ml, a PS < 3. There were two groups [gp] (intended enrollment 15 per gp): Gp A, 13 cycles for patients (pts) who had relapsed or refractory disease; Gp B, 3 cycles for pts destined for high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant. Primary endpoint was VEGF complete response (CR = normalization) after 3 cycles. Secondary endpoints included safety, hematologic response, and overall survival at 3 and 12 months. Other domains including PET response, clinical responses including neurologic response were also studied. To date, 13 pts enrolled since 10/31/2016—4 to Gp A and 9 to Gp B. 11 pts were analyzed (2 dropped out before receiving any therapy). Data were frozen as of 1/21/2019. Results: Median age was 55; 73% were male. So far, overall 64% met primary endpoint of VEGF CR (Table). The median follow-up of survivors is 12.4 mo (6, 24). 1 pt came off study for non-responsive disease and died thereafter. 38% of patients had grade 3+hematologic AE; 72% had grade 3-4 non-hematologic AE. These included: rash, respiratory infection and hypotension in 2 each; atrial fibrillation, diarrhea, edema, dyspnea, and thromboembolism in 1 each. 4 pts had non-objective worsening of their neuropathy. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that Ixa-Len-Dex is an effective and tolerable regimen for patients with POEMS syndrome. Clinical trial information: NCT02921893. [Table: see text]

Background: POEMS syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome caused by an underlying plasma cell disorder. The combination of a proteasome inhibitor, an IMiD and corticosteroid is known to be highly effective among patients with myeloma. Methods: We conducted a pilot using a 28-day oral regimen of ixazomib (4 mg days 1, 8, 15), lenalidomide (25 mg days 1-21), and dexamethasone (20 mg days 1, 8, 15, 22). Aspirin and acyclovir were used for prophylaxis. Eligibility included a diagnosis of POEMS syndrome, a plasma VEGF 2x normal, a PS < 3. There were two groups [gp] (intended enrollment 15 per gp): Gp 1, 3 cycles for pts destined for high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant; Gp 2, 13 cycles for patients (pts) who had relapsed or refractory disease. Primary endpoint was VEGF complete response (CR=normalization) after 3 cycles. Secondary endpoints included safety, hematologic response, and overall survival at 3 and 12 months. Other domains including PET response (50% reduction in sum of SUVmax from baseline), clinical responses including neurologic response were also studied. Neurologic assessments were done using the modified neurological impairment score (mNiS+7POEMS), the overall neuropathy limitation scale, and the polyneuropathy disability score. To date, 13 pts enrolled since 10/31/2016-4 to Gp 1 and 9 to Gp 2. 11 pts were analyzed (2 dropped out before receiving any therapy). Data were frozen as of 07/15/2019. Results: Median age was 55; 73% were male. Of the evaluable patients, three were newly diagnosed (Gp 1), and 8 had relapsed or refractory disease (Gp 2). 72% met primary endpoint of VEGF CR (Table). At 3 months, the following improvements were seen: VEGF, 10/11; hematologic, 1/3; PET 1/3; neurologic impairment score, 3/11. By 12-months according to the modified nerve impairment scale, 3/6 had achieved objective improvement and 2/6 stable disease. With a median follow-up of 16 months, 2 patients have died of progressive disease and another patient progressed on therapy (Gp 2) with an extravascular leak progression. 27% of patients had grade 3+hematologic AE; 81% had grade 3-4 non-hematologic AE. These included: rash, respiratory infection, diarrhea, and hypotension in 2 each; atrial fibrillation, edema, dyspnea, and thromboembolism in 1 each. 5 pts had non-objective worsening of their neuropathy. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that Ixa-Len-Dex is an effective and tolerable regimen for patients with POEMS syndrome. Longer follow-up will be important to determine durability of this approach and for neurologic assessment given the slow rate of remyelination. Figure Disclosures Dispenzieri: Akcea: Consultancy; Intellia: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Pfizer: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Alnylam: Research Funding. Lacy:Celgene: Research Funding. Kapoor:Cellectar: Consultancy; Janssen: Research Funding; Glaxo Smith Kline: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; Amgen: Research Funding. Leung:Takeda: Research Funding; Prothena: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Aduro: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Omeros: Research Funding. Dingli:alexion: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Rigel: Consultancy; Millenium: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy. Kumar:Takeda: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding. Gertz:Proclara: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Springer Publishing: Patents & Royalties; Research to Practice: Consultancy; Physicians Education Resource: Consultancy; Abbvie: Other: personal fees for Data Safety Monitoring board; Ionis/Akcea: Consultancy; Alnylam: Consultancy; Prothena Biosciences Inc: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Spectrum: Consultancy, Research Funding; Annexon: Consultancy; DAVA oncology: Speakers Bureau; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; i3Health: Other: Development of educational programs and materials; Amyloidosis Foundation: Research Funding; International Waldenstrom Foundation: Research Funding; Teva: Speakers Bureau; Johnson and Johnson: Speakers Bureau; Appellis: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Medscape: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. OffLabel Disclosure: No drugs approved for POEMS syndrome. Ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone

Abstract Introduction Although peripheral neuropathy and cardiomyopathy are well‐recognized manifestations of transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis, myopathy has been rarely reported. Methods In this study we reviewed our muscle biopsy database (January 1998 to June 2018) to identify patients with ATTR amyloid myopathy confirmed by molecular or proteomic analysis. Clinical and laboratory findings were reviewed. Results We identified eight ATTR amyloid myopathy patients (5 hereditary ATTR [ATTRv] and 3 wild‐type ATTR [ATTRwt]). Myopathy was the initial manifestation in all ATTRwt patients and followed peripheral neuropathy (4 patients) or cardiomyopathy (1 patient) in ATTRv patients. One ATTRv patient developed myopathy after liver transplant. Peripheral neuropathy and cardiac amyloidosis occurred in seven and six patients, respectively. Muscle biopsy showed interstitial amyloid deposition in all patients, rare necrotic/regenerating fibers in six, and vacuoles in four. Discussion Myopathy can be the initial manifestation of ATTRwt amyloidosis and can precede the peripheral neuropathy or occur after liver transplant in ATTRv amyloidosis.

AbstractIntroductionAmyloid transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is a progressive and often fatal disease caused by the buildup of mutated (hereditary ATTR [hATTR]; also known as ATTR variant [ATTRv]) or normal transthyretin (wild‐type ATTR) throughout the body. Two new therapies—inotersen, an antisense oligonucleotide therapy, and patisiran, an RNA interference therapy—received marketing authorization and represent a significant advance in the treatment of amyloidosis. Herein, we describe the clinical presentation of ATTR, commonly used procedures in its diagnosis, and current treatment landscape for ATTR, with a focus on hATTR.MethodsA PubMed search from 2008 to September 2018 was conducted to review the literature on ATTR.ResultsUntil recently, there have been few treatment options for polyneuropathy of hATTR. Inotersen and patisiran substantially reduce the amyloidogenic precursor protein transthyretin and have demonstrated efficacy in patients with early‐ and late‐stage disease and in slowing or improving neuropathy progression. In contrast, established therapies, such as liver transplantation, typically reserved for patients with early‐stage disease, and tafamidis, indicated for the treatment of early‐stage disease in Europe, or diflunisal, a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug that is used off‐label, are associated with side effects and/or unclear efficacy in certain patient populations. Thus, inotersen and patisiran are positioned to be the preferred therapeutic modalities.ConclusionsImportant differences between inotersen and patisiran, including formulation, dosing, requirements for premedications, and safety monitoring, require an understanding and knowledge of each treatment for informed decision making.

Perineuriomas are rare nerve sheath tumors, divided into intraneural and extraneural (soft tissue) types. Intraneural perineuriomas frequently contain TRAF7 mutations, and rarely, chr22q12 deletions. While chr22q losses can occur in soft tissue perineuriomas, comprehensive high-resolution molecular profiling has not been reported in these tumors and TRAF7 status is unknown. We used whole-exome sequencing and OncoScan single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array to evaluate 14 soft tissue perineuriomas. Thirteen cases showed 2 or more chromosomal abnormalities, composed primarily of large deletions. Recurrent chr22q deletions, containing the NF2 locus (n=6) and the previously unreported finding of chr17q deletions, with the NF1 locus (n=4) were frequent events and were mutually exclusive in all but1 case. In addition, 5 cases had varying chr2 deletions; and 4 cases had chr6 deletions. A chr10 deletion (previously reported in the sclerosing variant of soft tissue perineurioma) was observed in one case and another case had chr7 chromothripsis as the sole chromosomal abnormality. No TRAF7 mutations or alterations were identified in any case and no other evaluated gene (MAF<0.0001) had recurrent, deleterious mutations in >2 cases. The molecular genetic profiles showed no association with patient sex, age, tumoral histology or anatomic site. OncoScan SNP array analysis was performed on 10 cases and showed high concordance with the whole exome data, validating the large-scale deletions, duplications, and chr7 chromothripsis findings. In soft tissue perineuriomas, recurrent 22q12 deletions (with NF2) and 17q11 deletions (with NF1) appear to be mutually exclusive events, and alterations in NF1 or NF2 likely contribute to perineurioma pathogenesis, similar to other nerve sheath tumors. Moreover, the lack of TRAF7 mutations in soft tissue perineuriomas indicates divergent pathogenetic mechanisms from those of intraneural perineuriomas.

Abstract BACKGROUND Several hypotheses have been proposed for the pathophysiology of suprascapular nerve (SSN) palsy, including compression, traction, and nerve inflammation. OBJECTIVE To provide insight into the pathophysiology of isolated nontraumatic SSN palsy by performing critical reinterpretations of electrodiagnostic (EDX) studies and magnetic resonance (MR) images of patients with such diagnosis. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all patients referred to our institution for the past 20 yr with a diagnosis of nontraumatic isolated suprascapular neuropathy who had an upper extremity EDX study and a shoulder or brachial plexus MR scan. Patient charts were reviewed to analyze their initial clinical examination, and their original EDX study and MR images were reinterpreted by an experienced neurologist and a musculoskeletal radiologist, respectively, both blinded from the authors’ hypothesis and from each other's findings. RESULTS Fifty-nine patients were included. Fifty of them (85%) presented with at least 1 finding that was inconsistent with an isolated SSN palsy. Forty patients (68%) had signs on physical examination beyond the SSN distribution. Thirty-one patients (53%) had abnormalities on their EDX studies not related to the SSN. Twenty-two patients (37%) had denervation atrophy in other muscles than the spinati, or neural hyperintensity in other nerves than the SSN on their MR scans, without any evidence of SSN extrinsic compression. CONCLUSION The great majority of patients with presumed isolated SSN palsy had clinical, electrophysiological, and/or imaging evidence of a more diffuse pattern of neuromuscular involvement. These data strongly support an inflammatory pathophysiology in many cases of “isolated” SSN palsy.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The objective of this study was to answer the typical questions from patients regarding the likely neurologic outcome and likelihood of recurrence when discussing peroneal intraneural ganglion cysts preoperatively. Methods: Retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent surgery for a peroneal intraneural ganglion cyst between January 1, 2000, and April 1, 2017, was performed. Postoperative neurologic outcomes and radiologic recurrences are reported. Results: There were 65 patients. Average clinical follow‐up was 14 months. Median dorsiflexion and eversion preoperatively were 2/5 and 4/5, respectively. Median dorsiflexion and eversion at last follow‐up postoperatively were 5/5. Radiologic recurrence occurred in 6 (9%) patients, all extraneural. Discussion: The data support excellent postoperative motor outcomes, despite frequent dense weakness of peroneal‐innervated musculature preoperatively. The surgical approach appears to eliminate risk of intraneural recurrence and minimizes risk of extraneural recurrence. Muscle Nerve 57: 989–993, 2018