Citations 1268

Prognostic value of early bone marrow MRD status in CAR-T therapy for myeloma.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 6, 2022 | Volume: 40 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 8022-8022

10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.8022

8022 Background: Bone marrow (BM) assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD) is being considered as a surrogate endpoint in clinical trials and is prognostic for survival in multiple myeloma (MM). Timing of BM assessment is variable across Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell (CART) therapy trials and differs from standard of care practice. BM myeloma cell clearance can be detected by month 1 post CART, even before serum immunofixation becomes negative. BM is still hypocellular at month 1, thus prognostic value of MRD negative (MRDneg) at this timepoint is unclear. We examined impact of Day 30 MRD status in patients (pts) who received CART at Mayo Clinic. Methods: Medical records were reviewed retrospectively for MM pts who received CART between 8/2016 and 6/2021. PFS and OS were plotted by Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Sixty MM pts received CART and had BM biopsy at month 1. Median age was 62 yrs, 53% were male, and 78% were BM MRDneg by flow cytometry. Baseline demographics were similar between MRDneg and MRD+ (Table). Overall, 85% (40/47) who were month 1 BM MRDneg had i/u FLC<normal. Patients who achieved CR/sCR had higher rates of BM MRDneg (100% vs 61%, p<0.001) and i/u FLC< normal (89% vs 58%, p<0.001). At month 1, 24/60 (40%) pts had hypocellular BM. Serial BM samples at month 3 (n=35), 6 (n=28) and 12 (n=23) showed MRDneg rate of 93% (25/27), 56% (9/16) 58% (7/12), respectively.. Rate of hypocellularity was 54% (19/35), 32% (9/28) and 30% (7/23), respectively. Among the MRDneg/hypocellular pts at month 1, hypocellular BM was seen in 8/11 (73%) pts at month 3 and 2/4 (50%) pts at month 6 and 12. Compared to MRD+, pts who had BM MRDneg at months1 had longer PFS (Table). PFS was not statistically significantly different between pts who had BM MRDneg and were either hypocellular or not. MRDneg pts with i/u FLC<normal at months1 had better median PFS compared to those who did not. (MRD+:2.9 months (1.2-NR). MRDneg/FLC>normal: 4.9 months (2.3-NR). vs MRDneg/FLC<normal:17.9 months (11.8-NR), p<0.0001). Conclusions: Hypocellular BM is common in the 3 months post CART. Regardless of BM cellularity, BM MRDneg at month 1 correlates with deep response and prolonged PFS. Majority of BM MRDneg pts at month 1 also had FLC<normal. BM MRDneg status and FLC normalization were associated with longer survival. Our data support the continued evaluation of BM early post CART infusion as a prognostic tool. [Table: see text]
Impact of high-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplant in producing MRD negative complete response in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 6, 2022 | Volume: 40 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: e20001-e20001

10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.e20001

e20001 Background: High dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplant (HDM-ASCT) remains the standard of care for transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) despite advances in treatments. Achievement of complete response (CR) is associated with improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS); Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) negativity (-) using next generation flow cytometry with a sensitivity of 10-5 is strongly associated with improved PFS and OS. We investigated the rates of conversion to MRD(-), especially MRD(-) CR following HDM-ASCT in patients with NDMM. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with NDMM who underwent early HDM-ASCT at Mayo Clinic Rochester from May 2018 to July 2019. Response assessment was conducted after induction and within 100 days post-ASCT based on 2016 IMWG criteria, except for using Mass-Fix instead of immunofixation. MRD was assessed in bone marrow using the established Euro Flow protocol with sensitivity of 10-5. The FISH assay was used to risk-stratify patients as high-risk (HR) and standard risk (SR) cytogenetics as per the mSMART guidelines. Primary outcome measure was the conversion to MRD(-) CR after ASCT. Secondary outcomes include the overall conversion to MRD(-) irrespective of IMWG response, the impact of HR cytogenetics and pre-ASCT IMWG response on conversion to MRD(-) CR. Results: Two-hundred and ten patients were included; 126 (60%) were male and median age 62 years (range 32–77 years). There were 78 (44%) patients with HR cytogenetics. Pre-ASCT, 23 patients (11%) achieved MRD(-) CR, and 66 (31%) patients achieved MRD(-) CR post ASCT. Of 187 patients not in MRD(-) CR pre-ASCT, 45 (24%) converted to MRD(-) CR. Table provides a breakdown of the conversion rate of pre-ASCT IMWG response category to MRD(-) CR post ASCT and patients with MRD(+) CR had the highest rate (78%) of conversion. The presence of HR cytogenetics did not impact rates of MRD(-) CR achievement post ASCT irrespective of pre-ASCT IMWG response (p = 1.0). Overall, irrespective of IMWG response, 43 (20%) patients were MRD(-) pre-ASCT (19 in VGPR, 24 in CR or better) and 102 (49%) patients were MRD(-) post-ASCT (36 in VGPR, 66 in CR or better). Among 85 patients in VGPR post-ASCT, 36 were MRD(-) of which 8 (22%) progressed, while 49 were MRD(+) of which 24 (49%) progressed (p = 0.014). Conclusions: Upfront HDM-ASCT in patients with NDMM leads to deeper responses with 24% converting to MRD(-) CR and more than doubling of the total rate of MRD(-) irrespective of IMWG response. [Table: see text]
Bendamustine rituximab (BR) versus ibrutinib (Ibr) as primary therapy for Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM): An international collaborative study.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 6, 2022 | Volume: 40 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 7566-7566

10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.7566

7566 Background: Parenteral limited-duration BR chemoimmunotherapy and continuous orally administered Ibr, a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, dominate the treatment landscape of WM, a rare B cell lymphoma. No trials have assessed the comparative effectiveness of these 2 vastly different approaches. We conducted a multiinstitutional, international, collaborative study to compare BR and single-agent Ibr in patients (pts) with treatment naïve (TN) WM. Methods: Data from 347 pts with active TN WM, seen between 2011 and 2021 in the US and Europe, were analyzed. The pts on rituximab maintenance were excluded. The modified IWWM-6 criteria (based on IgM alone) were used for response assessment. All time-to-event analyses were performed from the frontline therapy initiation, using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The median age of the pts treated with BR (n=208) and Ibr (n=139) was 66 (range 40-86) years (y) and 69 (39-97) y, respectively, (p=0.005). With a median follow up of 4.2 y (95% CI 3.8-4.5), the 4-y progression free survival (PFS) was 73% in each group, p=0.6, and 4-y overall survival (OS) was 94% (95% CI 91-98) in the BR group versus ( v) 82% (95% CI 75-90) in the Ibr group, p=0.01. In a bivariate analysis adjusting for age and the treatment type, only age emerged as a predictor for OS (HR 7.2, p=0.0001). Therefore, a 1:1 age-matched analysis of 246 pts who received Ibr (n=123) or BR (n=123) was performed. Pts with a known MYD88WT status who had received Ibr and their age matched controls on BR were excluded. The international prognostic scoring system (IPSS) WM was comparable between the 2 groups (Table). A higher proportion of pts on BR attained very good partial or deeper response (≥VGPR) as the best response in comparison to the pts on Ibr (Table). The 4-y PFS for the BR and Ibr groups was similar [72% (95% CI 63-82) v 78% (95% CI 70-87), p=0.14] and 4-y OS was 95% (95% CI 91-99) with BR v 86% (95% CI 80-93) with Ibr (p=0.3). Premature discontinuation, during active treatment, due to adverse effects (AEs) or lack of response was noted in 13% and 33% of pts on BR and Ibr, respectively. A detailed assessment of the AEs will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: Both BR and Ibr lead to comparable outcomes in pts with TN WM, although deeper responses are attained with BR. These findings require confirmation in prospective studies. For pts who harbor MYD 88L265P mutation, selection between the 2 approaches should be dictated by their potential toxicities, pt comorbidities, pt/clinician preference (parenteral fixed-duration v continuous oral) and access to therapies. [Table: see text]
Neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage, tobacco use, and cessation indicators among adults with cancer in the United States: Results from 10 ECOG-ACRIN trials.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 6, 2022 | Volume: 40 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 6514-6514

10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.6514

6514 Background: Tobacco use is a modifiable risk factor for adverse outcomes among patients diagnosed with cancer. Despite ASCO’s recommendation for assessment and treatment of tobacco use, integration into cancer care is suboptimal. Socioeconomic contexts influence access and utilization of tobacco treatment, but little is known about the relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage (NSD) and tobacco assessment, assistance, and cessation among cancer patients enrolled in clinical trials. Methods: The NCI Cancer Patient Tobacco Use Questionnaire (C-TUQ) was centrally administered to participants enrolled in 10 ECOG ACRIN clinical trials (9 therapeutic, 1 imaging). We examined associations of NSD with patient-reported rates of receiving brief tobacco cessation support (i.e., Ask, Assist (counseling)) and cessation (past 30d quit attempts and duration). NSD was measured using the national Area Deprivation Index (ADI) based on participant’s zip code. Associations between ADI (low, intermediate, and high) and tobacco variables were evaluated using logistic regression and ANOVA. Results: 740 patients, completing the C-TUQ between June 2017-October 2021, can be classified as 402 (54%) never smokers, 81 (11%) current smokers, and 257 (35%) former smokers. Patients were 70% male; 94% white; 3% Hispanic; mean age 58.8 (SD 9.0). Cancer diagnoses were 36% leukemia; 19% lymphoma, 18% prostate, 11% breast; 9% melanoma, 7% myeloma, and 0.5% head and neck. Patients were categorized into high (33%), intermediate (34%) and low (33%) disadvantaged neighborhoods. Patients in high (vs. low) disadvantaged neighborhoods were more likely to report being asked about smoking (OR = 3.90; 95% CI (confidence interval), 1.61 to 9.46; p = 0.0062) but less likely to report receiving counseling to help quit smoking (OR = 0.20; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.73; p = 0.0234). Patients from high disadvantaged neighborhoods had the shortest quit duration, followed by patients from intermediate and low disadvantaged neighborhoods (mean = 145.78, 187.66, and 210.98 months, respectively, p = 0.0372). Conclusions: Greater socioeconomic neighborhood disadvantage was associated with increased assessment of tobacco use but decreased tobacco treatment referral, and the shortest quit duration. More research is needed to promote increased referral to tobacco treatment for individuals with cancer from disadvantaged neighborhoods to promote and sustain cessation.
Sarcopenia identified by computed tomography (CT) imaging using a machine learning–based convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm impacts survival in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM).

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 6, 2022 | Volume: 40 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 110-110

10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.110

110 Background: Sarcopenia or a loss of muscle mass increases with aging and is associated with increased overall mortality in patients with cancer. Recent advances in machine learning–based CNN algorithms have allowed for the rapid processing of digital images to produce image classifications of body composition. Since incidence of MM is highly associated with aging, we sought to determine if the presence of sarcopenia, as determined by utilizing this machine learning–based CNN algorithm on CT images, had prognostic value in patients with NDMM. Methods: We identified all patients with NDMM from January 2003 to July 2019 who had a standard-dose CT scan that included the L3 vertebral level performed within 6 months of diagnosis. Using a machine learning–based CNN-algorithm, abdominal CT images were analyzed to measure muscle area. These measurements were normalized by dividing the area values by the height of the patient squared (m2) to obtain skeletal muscle index (SMI) values. Patients were categorized as sarcopenic according to international gender-specific consensus cutoffs for SMI (male: < 55 cm2/m2 and female: < 39 cm2/m2). Patients with the following FISH cytogenetics were considered high risk (HR): t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), and deletion 17p/monosomy 17 whereas the remainder were standard risk (SR). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared via the log-rank method. Results: The study cohort consisted of 344 patients. 68 (20%) were categorized as HR based on FISH cytogenetics.187 (54%) patients were sarcopenic based on their peri-diagnosis standard-dose CT scan. Sarcopenic patients were more likely to have ISS-3 disease (45% vs. 30%; p =.023), be male (73% vs. 48%; p <.001), and be ≥ age 75 (27% vs. 14%; p =.002) compared to non-sarcopenic patients. The median OS for patients with HR FISH and ISS 2 / 3 disease was 40 months and 57 months respectively compared to 90 months and 119 months for those with SR FISH and ISS-1 disease respectively (FISH: p <.004; ISS: p <.001). The median OS for sarcopenic patients was 44 months compared to 90 months for those not sarcopenic (p <.001). The time to next therapy (TTNT) for sarcopenic patients was 39 months compared to 45 months for those not sarcopenic (p =.05). In a multivariable model, the presence of sarcopenia (HR 1.64, 95% CI, 1.05–2.56; p =.03) retained significance in the presence of HR FISH, ISS 2 / 3 disease, and age ≥ 75. Conclusions: Gender-specific sarcopenia identified by a machine learning–based CNN algorithm significantly affects OS in patients with NDMM and is independent of age, ISS stage, and cytogenetic status. Future studies utilizing this machine learning–based methodology of assessing sarcopenia in larger prospective clinical trials are required to validate these findings.
The International Consensus Classification of Mature Lymphoid Neoplasms: a report from the Clinical Advisory Committee

Blood | June 2, 2022 | Volume: 140 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 1229-1253

10.1182/blood.2022015851 | PMID 35653592

Abstract Since the publication of the Revised European-American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms in 1994, subsequent updates of the classification of lymphoid neoplasms have been generated through iterative international efforts to achieve broad consensus among hematopathologists, geneticists, molecular scientists, and clinicians. Significant progress has recently been made in the characterization of malignancies of the immune system, with many new insights provided by genomic studies. They have led to this proposal. We have followed the same process that was successfully used for the third and fourth editions of the World Health Organization Classification of Hematologic Neoplasms. The definition, recommended studies, and criteria for the diagnosis of many entities have been extensively refined. Some categories considered provisional have now been upgraded to definite entities. Terminology for some diseases has been revised to adapt nomenclature to the current knowledge of their biology, but these modifications have been restricted to well-justified situations. Major findings from recent genomic studies have impacted the conceptual framework and diagnostic criteria for many disease entities. These changes will have an impact on optimal clinical management. The conclusions of this work are summarized in this report as the proposed International Consensus Classification of mature lymphoid, histiocytic, and dendritic cell tumors.
Perspectives on the Risk-Stratified Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

Blood Cancer Discovery | June 2, 2022 | Volume: 3 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 273-284

10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-21-0205 | PMID 35653112

Summary: The multiple myeloma treatment landscape has changed dramatically. This change, paralleled by an increase in scientific knowledge, has resulted in significant improvement in survival. However, heterogeneity remains in clinical outcomes, with a proportion of patients not benefiting from current approaches and continuing to have a poor prognosis. A significant proportion of the variability in outcome can be predicted on the basis of clinical and biochemical parameters and tumor-acquired genetic variants, allowing for risk stratification and a more personalized approach to therapy. This article discusses the principles that can enable the rational and effective development of therapeutic approaches for high-risk multiple myeloma.
Patient Experience in Clinical Trials: Quality of Life, Financial Burden, and Perception of Care in Patients With Multiple Myeloma or Lymphoma Enrolled on Clinical Trials Compared With Standard Care

JCO Oncology Practice | May 17, 2022 | Volume: 18 | Issue: 8 | Pages: e1320-e1333

10.1200/op.21.00789 | PMID 35580285

PURPOSE: Patients' concerns regarding clinical trial (CT) participation include apprehension about side effects, quality of life (QoL), financial burden, and quality of care. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated the experience of patients with multiple myeloma or lymphoma who were treated on CTs (CT group, n = 35) versus patients treated with standard approaches (non-CT group, n = 88) focusing on QoL, financial burden of care, and patients' perception of quality of care over a 1-year period. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in any of the patient-reported outcomes in CT versus non-CT groups. We observed an initial decline in overall QoL in the first 3 months across both groups, driven primarily by physical and functional well-being. QoL gradually improved and was above baseline by month 12. Patients reported highest improvement in the functional well-being subdomain. Patients in both groups reported high satisfaction with the quality of care received, and there were no differences in overall satisfaction, communication with team, or access to care. At baseline, 16%-19% of patients reported financial burden, which increased to a peak of 33% in the CT group and to 49% in the non-CT group over the course of 1 year. There was no significant difference in financial burden in the two groups overall. Most of the patients reported getting all the care that was deemed medically necessary in both groups. However, a significant proportion of patients reported having to make other kinds of financial sacrifices because of their cancer (CT group: 33% of patients at baseline and 21%-40% over 1 year; non-CT group: 19% at baseline and 25%-36% over 1 year). CONCLUSION: Patients treated on CTs reported comparable QoL and quality of care with the non-CT group. A high proportion of patients reported financial burden over time in both groups. Our findings can serve as a guide to educate patients regarding CT participation and highlight the need to address the significant financial burden experienced by patients with cancer.
Lack of a caregiver is associated with shorter survival in myeloma patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation

Leukemia & Lymphoma | May 12, 2022 | Volume: 63 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 2422-2427

10.1080/10428194.2022.2074993 | PMID 35549799

Outcomes after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation in POEMS syndrome and comparison with multiple myeloma

Blood Advances | May 4, 2022 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 13 | Pages: 3991-3995

10.1182/bloodadvances.2022007218 | PMID 35507742