Kumar, Shaji

Abstract Background: There has been major improvement in the survival of patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM) over the past two decades. Such improvement has been attributed to the broader use of hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation and novel drugs that prolong initial remission and more successfully treat relapsed disease. Early mortality (EM), here defined as death in the first year after diagnosis, is uncommon in modern MM trials. The magnitude of EM in unselected patients with MM and its impact on overall outcomes in this disease is unknown Methods: We analyzed EM in MM utilizing data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Result Program (SEER-13). Patients diagnosed with MM as first malignant neoplasm between 1993 and 2010 (follow up until end of 2011) were included. Cases reported from death certificate or autopsy only were excluded, along with patients recorded as alive but with no survival time (<1% of total). Relative EM rates (1 – relative survival) used data from the US population in 2000 as reference. We described EM for different population groups, changes over time and performed multivariate analysis (binary logistic regression) to assess risk factors for EM in MM. To assess the impact of factors other than reduction in EM in the increased survival of MM, we performed a landmark survival analysis including only those patients who survived at least 1 year after diagnosis. Results: There were 30,324 patients in the analysis, 11,439 diagnosed at age < 65 and 18,885 at age ≥ 65. Absolute EM was 17.6% and 35.3% while relative EMwas 16.9% and 31.7% for the younger and the older groups respectively. There was decline of relative EM rates that occurred in both age groups but only became evident among older patients after 2005 (Figure 1). In multivariate analysis, factors associated with increased risk of EM were male sex, age ≥65 years , diagnosis in 1993-2001, presence of primary plasma cell leukemia, low household income and residence in the coverage area of certain SEER registries (Table 1). Landmark analysis of 1-year survivors demonstrated increased survival from 1993-2001 to 2002-2010 for patients < 65 (median 58 vs. 85 months, P<0.001) and for patients ≥ 65 (median 38 vs. 48 months, P<0.001, Figure 2). Conclusions: Reduction in EM partially explains population improvements in MM overall survival. EM remains high in MM and a major barrier for continued improvement in survival outcomes. Table 1 Factor Reference OR 95% C.I. P Female sex Male 0.90 0.85-0.95 <0.001 Year of diagnosis 1993-2001 2002-2010 1.16 1.10-1.22 <0.001 Plasma Cell Leukemia Multiple Myeloma 5.62 4.17-7.58 <0.001 Age ≥65 years < 65 years 2.56 2.42-2.72 <0.001 Race-ethnicity <0.001 NHB NHW 0.97 0.90-1.04 0.39 Hispanic NHW 1.04 0.95-1.14 0.41 AIAN NHW 0.90 0.63-1.28 0.56 API NHW 0.84 0.75-0.94 0.004 Median household income# 0.91 0.87-0.95 <0.001 SEER registry <0.001 Alaska Los Angeles 1.37 0.62-3.02 0.43 Atlanta Los Angeles 1.003 0.89-1.14 0.96 Connecticut Los Angeles 0.83 0.75-0.93 0.002 Detroit Los Angeles 1.06 0.96-1.16 0.23 Hawaii Los Angeles 1.21 1.01-1.45 0.04 Iowa Los Angeles 0.89 0.80-0.99 0.03 New Mexico Los Angeles 0.88 0.77-1.01 0.07 Rural Georgia Los Angeles 1.10 0.76-1.58 0.63 San Francisco-Oakland Los Angeles 0.99 0.86-1.11 0.87 San Jose-Monterey Los Angeles 1.05 0.87-1.12 0.51 Seattle-Puget Sound Los Angeles 0.91 0.83-1.01 0.08 Utah Los Angeles 1.13 0.98-1.29 0.08 NHB= non-Hispanic Blacks;, NHW= non-Hispanic Whites; AIAN= American Indian, Alaska Natives; API= Asian and Pacific Islanders; #Per US$ 10,000 Figure 1 Figure 1. Figure 2 Figure 2. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Abstract 194 Background: Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) are key components of treatment for hematologic malignancies, especially multiple myeloma (MM). Recently, we demonstrated that CRBN expression is the major mediator of IMiD action operating at least in part via interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), however the clinical significance of this finding remains unclear. Methods: To better understand clinical impact, we retrospectively reviewed 148 MM patients whose tumor cells were tested for CRBN expression by Gene Expression Profiling (GEP) prior to treatment with an IMiD containing therapy. Results: GEP studies show no significant differences in CRBN expression between MGUS, smoldering MM (SMM), untreated symptomatic MM and normal plasma cells. However, differences were observed between MM cell lines of varying drug sensitivity to IMiDs and between other B-cell Neoplasia (eg low grade lymphoma has higher levels). Within the genetic subtypes of MM, levels were significantly higher for hyperdiploid patients (median 1.26) as opposed to significantly lower levels for TC class D2 (median 0.76) and average for the 4p16 (median 0.97). We next screened the University of Arkansas Medical School (UAMS) GEP database of MM patients treated with combination therapies and did not find significant correlation between CRBN expression and survival in this multi-agent regimen. We then focused on patients that received only single agent IMiD therapy with low dose dexamethasone. Review of the twelve lowest expressing patients demonstrated a lack of response to IMiDs in any patient. Finally we analyzed 53 relapsed or relapsed/refractory patients treated homogeneously in a study with pomalidomide 2–4mg daily and weekly dexamethasone 40mg. CRBN levels were assessed prior to therapy initiation. Response rates varied significantly based on gene expression level. The percentage of patients that demonstrated at least a partial response was 0% for CRBN <0.81, 19% for CRBN expression of 0.81–0.90, and 33% for CBN expression >0.9. Significant differences in PFS (3.0 months vs. 8.9 months, p = 0.0006) and in OS (9.1 months vs. 27.2 months, p = 0.01) were observed when the lowest quartile of CRBN expression was compared to the top three quartiles. Values used for the cut offs are as follows: (25%: 0.889687; 50%: 1.026542, 75%: 1.211133). While this study demonstrates a positive correlation between CRBN expression and response to pomalidomide and dexamethasone, an important caveat with respect to PFS and OS is that CRBN mRNA level is primarily a reflection of the number of copies of CRBN. Since focal deletions are uncommon, this mostly reflects chromosome 3p copy number. Since trisomy 3 is common in hyperdiploid, good prognosis disease, CRBN not only is required for IMiD function but higher levels also serve as a surrogate for low risk disease. Optimal gene expression cut offs for survival were determined using the Contal and O'Quigley method. The optimal cut point for PFS was 1.18443 and for OS was 1.17816. Conclusion: In summary, this study demonstrates, for the first time, a clinical correlation between CRBN expression and response to IMiD and dexamethasone therapy. CRBN expression is also predictive of survival outcomes and when quantified prior to therapy could potentially be utilized as a predictive biomarker for response to an IMiD based treatment. Disclosures: Stewart: Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria.

Abstract Abstract 3928 Background: Accumulating data support the critical role of PI3K/Akt in CLL B cell receptor (BCR) mediated signal transduction, cell proliferation and survival. In addition recent preclinical and clinical studies indicate that specific PI3K blockade results in robust preclinical and clinical efficacy in CLL. In our model system of CLL B cell-stromal cultures which feature their interaction, platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) present in CLL culture medium drives VEGF production through PI3K/Akt activation in stromal cells (Blood. 2010. 116:2984). Indeed Akt was found to be activated in leukemic cells during the CLL-stroma interaction (Leuk Res. 2008. 32:1565). Therefore, we hypothesized that Akt inhibition should promote CLL B cell apoptosis and abrogate BCR mediated cytokine production. MK2206 is an orally bioavailable highly specific allosteric Akt inhibitor. It has been tested in patients with refractory solid tumors and was demonstrated to be safely administered in a phase I trial. Therefore the goal of this study was to test the preclinical efficacy of MK2206 on both the survival and the BCR mediated cytokine production of CLL leukemic B cells. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from CLL patients (n=37) were treated with escalating concentrations of MK2206 (1–16 μM) for 24 hours, 48 hours or 72 hours. The levels of leukemic B cell viability were tested using an (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay. The potential impact (antagonistic/additive/synergistic) of Bendamustine in combination with MK2206 was also tested by using the MTT assay. We used the Calcusyn system to calculate the effect of drug interactions. The combination index (CI) as calculated by the program usually indicates synergy when ≤ 0.8 and indicates additive outcomes when between 0.8–1.2. A CI >1.2 indicates antagonism. Downstream signals of Akt activation in CLL B cells were evaluated by testing their expression of Mcl-1, 4EBP1 and p70S6K using immunoblot. The impact of Akt inhibition by MK2206 on cytokine production in response to B-cell receptor ligation with anti-IgM was also tested using a multiplex cytokine analysis (Invitrogen) in a time-course experiment. Results: MK2206 treatment induced concentration- and time-dependent apoptosis in CLL leukemic cells. At 72 hours, the IC50 of MK2206 in the experiments using CLL leukemic cells in vitro is ∼8 mM. MK2206 incubation at 1 or 5 mM cultured with CLL B cells over a 48-hour period abolished of Akt and p70S6K phosphorylation while native PARP was cleaved into the 85 kD polypeptide fragment. However, the expression level of the upstream signal molecule, PI3K, was not changed. Among the CLL patients tested (n = 37), we did not find any difference in sensitivity to MK2206 induced apoptosis based on critical prognostic factors of CD38, ZAP-70, IGHV and del(17p) status. Importantly, we detected synergistic or additive activity between MK2206 and Bendamustine in 11 tested CLL samples when these combinations were used to treat CLL cells in vitro for 72hrs. Thus the median CI value for this group of patients was 0.8 (0.1 – 1.1). Six were found to have CI ≤ 0.8 and five fell within the additive CI values (0.8 – 1.2). Production of immune or chemotactic cytokines (e.g. CCL3, CCL4, MCP-1, IL-1Ra, IL-8 and IL-2R) at 24 hour incubation increased significantly above baseline when CLL cells were stimulated anti-IgM. Akt inhibition with MK2206 selectively abrogated upregulation of CCL3, CCL4, MCP-1 and IL-2R production, but not for IL-8 or IL-1Ra secretion. MK2206 also abolished BCR mediated Akt activation and decreased Erk activation. Conclusion: MK2206, a robust and selective Akt inhibitor, induced significant in vitro apoptosis of CLL B-cells in vitro. Preclinical evidence of a synergistic effect between MK2206 and Bendamustine was also observed independent of prognostic risk. MK2206 abolished BCR mediated Akt activation and selectively abrogates BCR mediated production of cytokines that may promote apoptotic resistance. These findings support the use of MK2206 in treating CLL and indeed we have initiated a phase I/II trial of MK2206 in combination with Bendamustine and Rituximab for relapsed CLL patients(N1087, October 2011). Acknowledgments: This study was funded by the NCI-K23, NCCTG and CLL Global Foundation. Disclosures: Shanafelt: Cephalon: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding. Kumar:Genzyme: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria. Kay:Celgene: Research Funding.

Abstract Abstract 1988 Background With the utilization of novel agent-based combination therapies and autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) in multiple myeloma (MM), the rigorous response category of stringent complete remission (sCR) in the international uniform response criteria is increasingly becoming attainable. In addition to the standard criteria for complete remission (CR), sCR requires normalization of the free light chain ratio and disappearance of clonal cells as determined by the marrow immunofluorescence or immunohistochemistry. We have previously validated the new response category of sCR created in by the International Myeloma Working Group and demonstrated that sCR represents a deeper level of response, translating into a superior OS. Herein we report the survival outcomes of patients attaining sCR or standard CR, from a 2-year landmark after ASCT in a cohort of patients with extended follow-up. Additionally, we report the outcome of patients who remained in sCR for at least 6 months (sustained-sCR) after ASCT. Patients and Methods Maximal response rates of four hundred and forty-five consecutive patients who underwent ASCT within 12 months of diagnosis of MM were determined. The population achieving varying degrees of complete remission (n=237) is the focus of this study. We performed a landmark analysis 2 years after ASCT to ensure that all the patients attaining at least CR had sufficient time to reach the response levels being studied. Patients were categorized as having sustained sCR (sus-sCR) if the duration of sCR was at least 6 months. Overall survival (OS) was estimated by the Kaplan Meier method and the survival curves were compared by log-rank test. Results The median follow-up of the entire cohort was seventy-seven months (95% CI: 73–82 months). The sCR rate after ASCT was 24% (n=109). Median time to progression (TTP) of patients attaining sCR was 50 months from ASCT, and median overall survival (OS) is not reached, in contrast to those attaining standard CR (n=37, TTP=20 months, OS=81 months) or near CR/nCR (n=91; TTP= 19 months, OS=60 months, p<0.0001 for both TTP and OS). OS of patients surviving at least 2 years from ASCT (Figure 1a) continued to remain superior for those attaining sCR (n=105, median: not reached) versus 70 months for the CR group (n=32; p=0.004). Among patients achieving sCR (n=109), OS of patients with sus-sCR (n= 75) at 6 months from ASCT is not reached (5-year OS=91%, 7-year OS=86%) versus median OS of 66 months (5-year OS=49%, 7-year OS=37%; p<0.0001) for those who had non-sustained-sCR (n=34) after ASCT (Figure 1b). Conclusion In our landmark analysis of patients with MM who survived at least 2 years from ASCT, those attaining sCR have a markedly superior outcome compared to those attaining standard CR. However, among patients attaining sCR, those with sustained sCR of 6 months or greater had the best outcome. Myeloma trials reporting response rates should identify patients achieving sCR and CR separately owing to markedly disparate outcomes of the two categories. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Introduction Lenalidomide-based therapies are a standard of care for patients with newly diagnosed, transplant-ineligible MM. Daratumumab (DARA) is a human, CD38-targeted, IgG1κ monoclonal antibody which has single-agent activity in heavily pretreated MM patients. As previously reported in 3 phase 3 studies, the addition of DARA to standards of care in both relapsed refractory (D-Rd, DARA plus bortezomib and dexamethasone [D-Vd]) or transplant-ineligible NDMM (DARA plus bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone [D-VMP]) resulted in a ≥50% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death (Palumbo A, et al. N Engl J Med 2016;375:754-766; Dimopoulos MA, et al. N Engl J Med 2016;375:1319-1331; Mateos MV, et al. N Engl J Med 2018;378:518-528). Of these, the POLLUX study with D-Rd showed the greatest benefit with a 63% reduction in risk of disease progression or death in patients with MM who had at least one prior line of therapy. Based on the efficacy and tolerable safety profile of D-Rd, we conducted a phase 3 study (MAIA) to evaluate D-Rd vs Rd in transplant-ineligible NDMM. Here we report the prespecified interim analysis of the MAIA study. Methods Patients ineligible for high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation due to age ≥65 years or comorbidities were randomized 1:1 to Rd ± DARA. Stratification was based on International Staging System stage (ISS [I, II, III]), region (North America vs other), and age (<75 vs ≥75 years). All patients received 28-day cycles of treatment with Rd ± DARA. R: 25 mg (oral) QD on Days 1-21; d: 40 mg (oral) on Days 1, 8, 15 and 22. In the D-Rd arm, DARA was given at 16 mg/kg (intravenously) QW for Cycles 1-2, Q2W for Cycles 3-6, and Q4W thereafter. In both arms, patients were treated until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Key secondary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR), minimal residual disease (MRD)-negativity rate (10-5 sensitivity, clonoSEQ® version 2.0), and safety. Results This international study randomized 737 patients (368 to D-Rd; 369 to Rd) from 14 countries. Key baseline characteristics were well balanced between the two arms. The median (range) age was 73 (45-90) years with 44% of patients ≥75 years, and 52% were male. Two thirds of patients had ECOG scores ≥1: ECOG score 0, 34%; 1, 50%; ≥2, 17%. Overall, 27%, 43%, and 29% were ISS stage I, II, and III, respectively. Of 642 patients evaluable for FISH/karyotyping analysis, 86% and 14% were standard and high cytogenetic risk, respectively. The prespecified interim analysis occurred after 239 PFS events on 24 September 2018 with a median follow up of 28 months. For the primary endpoint, the hazard ratio was 0.55 (95% CI, 0.43 to 0.72; P <0.0001), representing a 45% reduction in the risk of progression or death in patients treated with D-Rd (Figure). The median PFS for the Rd arm was 31.9 months and not reached for the D-Rd arm. Adding DARA to Rd resulted in deeper responses with a complete response (CR) or better rate of 47.6% in the D-Rd arm compared with 24.7% in the Rd arm (odds ratio [OR] 2.75, 95% CI, 2.01 to 3.76; P <0.0001). The very good partial response (VGPR) or better rate was 79.3% in the D-Rd arm compared with 53.1% in the Rd arm (OR 3.4, 95% CI, 2.45 to 4.72; P <0.0001). A total of 19% of patients have died and the HR for OS was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.56 to 1.1); follow-up is ongoing. Higher rates (5% or more difference) of grade 3/4 pneumonia, neutropenia, and leukopenia were observed in the D-Rd arm. The safety profile is consistent with previously reported DARA studies. The complete topline data set will be presented with additional efficacy endpoints, including MRD negativity rate. Conclusion The addition of DARA to Rd in patients with transplant-ineligible NDMM significantly reduced the risk of progression or death by 45%. There are no new safety signals using DARA plus Rd in NDMM. These data together with the phase 3 ALCYONE study (D-VMP vs VMP) support the addition of DARA to standard of care combinations in patients with NDMM ineligible for transplant. Disclosures Facon: Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncopeptides: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kumar:KITE: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Plesner:Celgene: Other: Independent Response Assessment Comittee; Janssen: Consultancy. Orlowski:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi-Aventis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BioTheryX: Research Funding; Spectrum Pharma: Research Funding. Moreau:Abbvie: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Bahlis:Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Hulin:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding. Goldschmidt:Adaptive Biotechnology: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Chugai: Honoraria, Research Funding; Mundipharma: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; ArtTempi: Honoraria. O'Dwyer:Janssen: Consultancy. Perrot:Janssen: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Honoraria. Venner:Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Weisel:Celgene: Consultancy; Angeb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Juno: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol Myers SquibbMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Ahmadi:Genmab: Employment, Equity Ownership. Chiu:Janssen Research & Development, LLC: Employment, Equity Ownership. Wang:Janssen Research & Development, LLC: Employment. Van Rampelbergh:Janssen: Employment. Uhlar:Janssen: Employment. Kobos:Janssen Research & Development: Employment. Qi:Janssen Research & Development, LLC: Employment. Usmani:Abbvie, Amgen, Celgene, Genmab, Merck, MundiPharma, Janssen, Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Amgen, BMS, Celgene, Janssen, Merck, Pharmacyclics,Sanofi, Seattle Genetics, Takeda: Research Funding.

The NCCN Guidelines for Multiple Myeloma provide recommendations for diagnosis, workup, treatment, follow-up, and supportive care for patients with monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance, solitary plasmacytoma, smoldering myeloma, and multiple myeloma. These NCCN Guidelines Insights highlight some of the important updates and changes in the 1.2020 version of the NCCN Guidelines for Multiple Myeloma.

SummaryIbrutinib‐related data in Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM) remain sparse, particularly outside of trials. We report on 80 patients [previously treated, n = 67 (84%), treatment‐naïve, n = 13 (16%)] with WM, evaluated consecutively at Mayo Clinic, who received ibrutinib off‐study after its approval in 2015 for WM. Overall response rate (ORR) was 91%; major‐response rate (MRR) was 78%. The median time to first response and best response was 2·9 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2–4] and 5·7 (95% CI: 4–12) months, respectively. The median follow‐up was 19 (95% CI: 14–21) months; 18‐month progression‐free survival (PFS) was 82%. The median time on therapy was 12·5 (95% CI: 9·3–16·7) months, and the median duration‐of‐response was 32 (range: 23–32) months. Twenty‐five patients (31%) had discontinued therapy at last follow‐up (68% due to treatment‐related toxicities) and 18% of patients required dose reduction. Fatigue (12%) and atrial‐fibrillation (11%) were common non‐haematological toxicities. IgM rebound occurred in 36% of patients who abruptly discontinued ibrutinib. Following ibrutinib discontinuation, 84% of patients received subsequent treatment, achieving an ORR of 57% and MRR of 50%. The median PFS from commencement of subsequent salvage therapy was 18 months. Ibrutinib therapy, outside of clinical trials, is effective in WM, but is associated with toxicities and challenges, including IgM rebound and a high drug discontinuation rate for reasons other than disease progression.