Citations 128

Venetoclax Monotherapy for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Safety and Efficacy Results from a Phase I Study

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 488-488

10.1182/blood.v128.22.488.488

Abstract Background: Venetoclax (VEN) is a potent, selective, orally available small-molecule BCL-2 inhibitor that induces cell death in multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines and primary samples, particularly those with t(11;14), which mostly have a favorable high BCL-2, low BCL-XL, and low MCL-1 profile. Methods: In this Phase 1, open-label study, patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory (R/R) MM received VEN monotherapy. Objectives of the study were to assess safety, pharmacokinetics, maximum tolerated dose, recommended phase 2 dose, and efficacy (objective response rate [ORR], time to progression [TTP], and duration of response [DoR]) of VEN. After a 2-week lead in period with weekly dose escalation, VEN was given daily at final doses of 300, 600, 900, or 1200mg in dose escalation cohorts and 1200mg in the safety expansion. Pts who progressed during VEN monotherapy could receive VEN plus dexamethasone and continue in the study. Results: As of 01July2016, 66 pts were enrolled in the study (30 in dose escalation cohorts and 36 in safety expansion). Median age was 63 years and 39 (62%) pts were ISS stage II/III. The median number of prior therapies was 5 (range: 1-15), and 62 (94%) pts had received bortezomib (46 [70%] refractory), 62 (94%) received lenalidomide (51 [77%] refractory), and 50 (76%) had prior autologous stem cell transplant. Thirty (46%) pts had t(11;14) MM. Median time on VEN monotherapy for all pts was 2.5 months (.2-23); 17 (26%) elected to receive VEN and dexamethasone combination after disease progression for a median of 1.4 months (.1-11). Fifty-one (77%) pts discontinued the study for the following primary reasons: 39 related to disease progression, 5 due to AEs/toxicity, 2 withdrew consent, 1 was lost to follow up, and 4 for other reasons not specified. Common adverse events (AEs) in ≥20% of pts were nausea (48%), diarrhea (36%), neutropenia (32%), thrombocytopenia (32%), fatigue (27%), anemia (23%), back pain (21%), and vomiting (21%). Grade 3/4 AEs in ≥10% of pts were thrombocytopenia (26%), neutropenia (20%), lymphopenia (15%), anemia (14%), and decreased white blood cells (12%). Serious AEs in ≥2 pts were pneumonia (n=5), sepsis (3), pain, pyrexia, cough, and hypotension (2 each). Two pts experienced dose-limiting toxicities at 600mg of abdominal pain and nausea. Eight deaths were reported: 6 due to disease progression, 1 due to lung disorder, and 1 due to brain hemorrhage following injury; neither were considered by the investigator as related to VEN. Steady state VEN exposures were approximately dose proportional at all doses but 900mg. As of 20July2016, ORR for all pts on VEN monotherapy was 21% (14/66) and 10 (15%) achieved very good partial response (VGPR) or better (2 stringent complete response [sCR], 2 CR, 6 VGPR) (Figure); median DoR and TTP was 9.7 and 2.6 months, respectively. Most objective responses (12/14 [86%]) were reported in the subset of pts with t(11;14) MM. In this group, ORR was 40% (12/30) and 27% (8/30) achieved a response of ≥VGPR; median DoR for pts with t(11;14) was 9.7 months (95% CI: 6.3, -). Pts who achieved at least minimal response in the t(11;14) group (14/30) had a median of 4 prior therapies and were mostly refractory to bortezomib, lenalidomide, or double refractory (71% [10/14] each). For two pts with response in the non-t(11;14)/undetermined group, 1 had a translocation of chromosome 14 with an unidentified partner, and the other had no cytogenetics data available. DoR was 9.5 and 7.2 months in these pts and both are still ongoing. Median TTP for pts with or without/undetermined t(11;14) was 6.6 and 1.9 months, respectively. The median best percent change in primary M protein for pts with t(11;14) (n=23) was -53% vs +11% in the non-t(11;14)/undetermined group (n=23). Additional biomarker subgroup analyses (n=32) showed that efficacy was primarily observed in pts with myeloma cells expressing a favorable BCL-2 family expression profile (high BCL-2, low BCL-XL, low MCL-1) by immunohistochemistry, which was significantly enriched in the t(11;14) population. Indeed, although high BCL-2 expression was observed in a majority of bone marrow core biopsy samples (88%), the t(11;14) subgroup was enriched (81% vs 25%) for tumors expressing high BCL-2, low BCL-XL, and low MCL-1. Conclusions: VEN monotherapy has an acceptable safety profile and clear anti-myeloma activity in pts with R/R MM, primarily with t(11;14) having a high BCL-2, low BCL-XL and low MCL-1 expression levels. Figure Figure. Disclosures Kumar: Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding; Noxxon Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Skyline: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx: Consultancy, Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Consultancy; AbbVie: Research Funding; Array BioPharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kesios: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy. Kaufman:Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy. Mikhael:Abbvie: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Onyx: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding. Facon:Amgen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol: Consultancy; Millenium/Takeda: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Karyopharm: Consultancy. Benboubker:Takeda: 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; Amgen: 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. Moreau:Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Alzate:AbbVie: Employment. Ross:AbbVie: Employment, Equity Ownership. Dunbar:AbbVie Inc.: Employment, Other: may own stock. Xu:AbbVie: Employment. Agarwal:AbbVie: Employment. Leverson:AbbVie: Employment, Other: Shareholder in AbbVie. Maciag:AbbVie: Employment. Verdugo:AbbVie: Employment, Other: may own stock. Touzeau:AbbVie: Research Funding.
IgM Myeloma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study of 159 Patients

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 3276-3276

10.1182/blood.v128.22.3276.3276

Abstract Introduction: IgM-secreting myeloma is rare, encompassing about 1% of all the myeloma cases. Given its rarity, the characteristics and survival of these patients have not been extensively studied. Therefore, we carried out a multicenter retrospective study in patients with IgM myeloma. Methods: The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of each participating institution. Clinical data were gathered and included age, sex, hemoglobin, calcium, LDH, estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), presence of lytic bone lesions, International Staging System score, cytogenetic abnormalities, final outcome and overall survival (OS) time. OS was defined as the time in months from diagnosis to last follow-up or death. The Chi-square and the rank-sum tests were used to compare categorical and continuous variables, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate OS and the log-rank waas used to compare groups. The Cox proportional-hazard regression method was used to fit univariate and multivariate survival models, reported as hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). All reported p-values are two-sided, and were considered significant if less than 0.05. Results: A total of 159 patients with IgM myeloma from 20 centers from Europe, USA and Latin America were included in this analysis. Patients were diagnosed between 1996 and 2015. The median age at diagnosis was 65 years (range 37-86 years) with a male predominance (68%). The median serum IgM level was 2510 mg/dl (range 27-12,100 mg/dl) with 25% of patients having a serum IgM within normal limits but an IgM monoclonal spike detectable in serum electrophoresis. Hemoglobin levels <10 g/dl were seen in 49 patients (32%), serum calcium was elevated in 24 (16%), estimated GFR of 60 ml/min or less in 56 (37%), lytic lesions were detected in 86 (58%), and serum LDH was elevated in 28 (24%). ISS scores of 1, 2 and 3 were seen in 53 (36%), 63 (43%) and 31 (21%) of patients, respectively. Although immunohistochemistry and/or flow cytometry data were limited, CD20 expression was seen in 15/26 (58%) and cyclin D1 in 10/15 (67%) patients. The most common cytogenetic abnormalities were t(11;14) in 26/67 (39%), del13q in 25/76 (33%) and del17p in 6/76 (8%) patients. 149 patients (94%) received at least one line of systemic therapy for myeloma of which 13 (9%) received rituximab as part of initial therapy. After a median follow-up of 47 months, 74 patients (47%) have died. The median OS was 62 months (95% CI 51-79 months). Cause of death was known in 38 patients, and the most common was myeloma progression (74%). IN the univariate analysis, prognostic factors associated with a worse OS were age (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.06; p=0.01) and ISS score (ISS 2: HR 1.43, 95% CI 0.83-2.48; p=0.2, and ISS 3: HR 3.03, 95% CI 1.54-5.98; p=0.001, using ISS 1 as reference group), while male sex was associated with a better OS (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.34-0.90; p=0.02). Hemoglobin, calcium, estimated GFR and lytic lesions were not associated with OS. In the multivariate analysis, male sex was associated with a better OS (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.35-0.95; p=0.03) and ISS with worse OS (ISS 2: HR 1.57, 95% CI 0.89-2.74; p=0.12, and ISS 3: HR 2.76, 95% CI 1.38-5.55; p=0.004, using ISS 1 as reference group). Conclusion: Patients with IgM myeloma apparently present with similar clinical characteristics as patients with non-IgM myeloma. Pathologically, CD20 and cyclin D1 expression is common. The most common cytogenetic abnormalities identified were t(11;14) and del13q. Survival does not appear shorter than non-IgM myeloma patients, and the ISS appears to have similar prognostic value. Disclosures Castillo: Millennium: Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; Otsuka: Consultancy; Biogen: Consultancy; Abbvie: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria. Ghobrial:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Noxxon: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Hájek:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy. Hungria:International Myeloma Foundation Latin America: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy; Bristol: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Niesvizky:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Onyx: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Reagan:Alexion: Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Richardson:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Spicka:Janssen Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millenium: Honoraria. Gertz:Celgene: Honoraria; Med Learning Group: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Research to Practice: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Prothena Therapeutics: Research Funding; Ionis: Research Funding; NCI Frederick: Honoraria; Sandoz Inc: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Annexon Biosciences: Research Funding.
Clinical Profile of Single-Agent Oprozomib in Patients (Pts) with Multiple Myeloma (MM): Updated Results from a Multicenter, Open-Label, Dose Escalation Phase 1b/2 Study

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 124 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 34-34

10.1182/blood.v124.21.34.34

Abstract Background: Oprozomib (OPZ) is an oral epoxyketone proteasome inhibitor that selectively and irreversibly binds to its target. Preliminary findings of OPZ in pts with hematologic malignancies (HM) have been reported previously (Savona, ASH 2012, 203; Kaufman, EHA 2013, P223; Ghobrial, ASH 2013, 3184). Updated safety and efficacy results from the subset of pts with MM enrolled in this ongoing phase 1b/2 study in pts with HM are presented. Methods: This open-label, phase 1b/2 study (NCT01416428) is enrolling adult pts with HM who have relapsed after receiving ≥1 line of therapy. The primary objectives (phase 1b portion) are to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the safety and tolerability profile of OPZ. The primary objective (phase 2 portion) is to determine the best overall response rate (ORR; ≥PR). In the phase 1b portion, OPZ is being administered once daily on days 1, 2, 8, and 9 of a 14-day cycle (2/7 schedule) or on days 1–5 of a 14-day cycle (5/14 schedule). The starting dose was 150 mg/day (mg/d); doses were escalated in 30-mg increments up to 330 mg/d. In the phase 2 portion, pts are receiving OPZ (240 mg/d) on the 5/14 schedule (initial phase 2 schedule opened to enrollment). For this report, all enrolled patients with HM are included in the description of the MTD while only the subset of patients with WM is included in the safety and efficacy results. Results: As of July 21, 2014, 106 pts with HM (including 68 pts with MM) were enrolled and treated with the OPZ tablet. Enrollment and baseline demographic information for pts with MM are presented in Table 1. Median treatment duration (phase 1b) was 21.3 weeks (range, 0.3–62.1; 2/7 schedule) and 10.1 weeks (range, 0.3–81.1; 5/14 schedule); preliminary median treatment duration in the ongoing phase 2 portion was 5.4 weeks (range, 0.7–26.7). In all patients with HM, the MTD for the 2/7 schedule was 300 mg/d and 240 mg/d for the 5/14 schedule. Of 3 dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) on the 2/7 schedule, all 3 DLTs (including hypotension [300 mg/d, n=1], grade 3 diarrhea and grade 4 thrombocytopenia [330 mg/d, n=1 each]) were observed in pts with MM. Of 4 DLTs on the 5/14 schedule, 2 DLTs (grade 3 renal failure [180 mg/d, n=1] and grade 3 tumor lysis syndrome [270 mg/d, n=1]) were observed in pts with MM. The most common adverse events (AEs) in patients with MM are shown in Table 2. Grade 4 AEs included 8 pts (11.8%) with thrombocytopenia, 4 pts (5.9%) with anemia, and 1 pt each (1.5%) with sepsis, leukopenia, decreased platelet count, hyperkalemia, and acute renal failure. Two pts died from upper gastrointestinal bleeding (5/14 schedule, 240 mg/d). One pt (5%) on the 2/7 schedule (phase 1b), 3 pts (15%) on the 5/14 schedule (phase 1b), and 8 pts (30%) on the 5/14 schedule (phase 2) discontinued treatment due to an AE; 6 pts (29%) on the 2/7 schedule (phase 1b), 7 pts (35%) on the 5/14 schedule (phase 1b), and 11 pts (41%) on the 5/14 schedule (phase 2) had their dosage reduced at least once due to an AE. Thirty-four pts in the phase 1b portion were eligible for response. In the phase 1b portion, the ORR in 15 pts on the 2/7 schedule (all were carfilzomib [CFZ]-naïve) was 33.3%; the clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 46.7% (3 very good partial response [VGPR], 2 partial response [PR], and 2 minimal response [MR]). Among 19 pts on the 5/14 schedule (phase 1b portion; all were CFZ-naïve), the ORR was 36.8%; the CBR was 42.1% (1 complete response, 2 VGPR, 4 PR, and 1 MR). In the 5/14 schedule (phase 1b), the ORR among bortezomib [BTZ]-refractory pts (n=7) was 14.3%. On the phase 2 portion (5/14 schedule), the ORR among CFZ-refractory pts (n=11) and CFZ-sensitive pts (n=12) was 27.3% (3 PR) and 33.3% (2 VGPR and 2 PR), respectively; the ORR among BTZ-refractory pts (n=12) was 25.0%. Conclusions: The MTD of OPZ was 300 mg/d in the 2/7 schedule and 240 mg/d in the 5/14 schedule; these MTDs were determined from all patients with HM. The most common grade 3 AEs were diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting; grade 4 AEs were infrequent. Additional measures will be taken to improve gastrointestinal tolerability. Single-agent OPZ continues to have promising antitumor activity. Enrollment of pts with MM is continuing on the phase 2 study in both treatment schedules. Extended-release OPZ tablets will be introduced and assessed for safety, activity, and pharmacokinetics. Updated results will be presented at the meeting. Figure 1 Figure 1. Figure 2 Figure 2. Disclosures Vij: Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Onyx: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria; Jannsen: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Millennium: Honoraria; Array: Honoraria. Off Label Use: Carfilzomib as treatment in multiple myeloma and solid tumors. Savona:Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Siegel:Celgene: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Onyx: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Kaufman:Millennium: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Spectrum: Consultancy, Honoraria; Merck: Research Funding. Ghobrial:BMS: Advisory Board Other; Celgene: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other; Millennium: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other; Onyx: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other. Paner:Celgene Corporation: Honoraria. Jagannath:Millenium: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Onyx: Honoraria; Merck: Honoraria; Ortho: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; im: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Medicom Worldwide: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Optum Health Worldwide: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; PER group: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Jakubowiak:BMS: Advisory Board Other, Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Advisory Board, Speaking, Advisory Board, Speaking Other, Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Advisory Board, Speaking, Advisory Board, Speaking Other, Consultancy, Honoraria; Millennium: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other, Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Advisory Board Other, Honoraria; Onyx: Advisory Board, Speaking Other, Consultancy, Honoraria; Skyline Dx: Advisory Board Other, Honoraria. Mikhael:Onyx: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Kapoor:Onyx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Neuman:Onyx: Employment. Lee:Onyx Pharmaceuticals, an Amgen subsidiary: Employment.
Selinexor and Low Dose Dexamethasone (Sd) in Patients with Lenalidomide, Pomalidomide, Bortezomib, Carfilzomib and Anti-CD38 Ab Refractory Multiple Myeloma (MM): STORM Study

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 491-491

10.1182/blood.v128.22.491.491

Abstract Introduction - With over 12,000 deaths from MM anticipated in 2016, nearly all patients (pts) with multiple myeloma (MM) will become "quad refractory" to IMIDs (lenalidomide and pomalidomide) and proteasome inhibitors (bortezomib and carfilzomib), and eventually "penta refractory" to anti-CD38 Abs (daratumumab and isatuximab), defining high unmet need populations. Selinexor, an oral selective XPO1 inhibitor, induces nuclear accumulation and activation of tumor suppressor proteins, inhibition of NF-kB, and inhibition of translation of several oncoprotein mRNAs such as c-myc and cyclin D. Selinexor showed potent induction of apoptosis of MM cells independent of p53 signaling. In phase 1 clinical studies, selinexor with low dose dexamethasone (Sd) demonstrated potent anti MM activity in pts with MM. Methods - This phase II clinical trial evaluated Sd in pts with MM refractory to bortezomib, carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide ("quad"), with a subset also refractory to an anti-CD38 Ab ("penta"). Inclusion required CrCL≥20 mL/min, ANC≥1000/µL, platelets ≥50K/µL (≥30K if plasma cells were ≥50% of marrow cellularity). Pts were treated twice weekly (BIW) with oral selinexor 80 mg for 6 or 8 doses per 28 day cycle and dexamethasone (dex) 20 mg BIW. All pts received 5-HT3 antagonists. The primary objective was to determine the overall response rate (ORR) per IMWG criteria and duration of response (DOR), both adjudicated by an independent review committee (IRC). Secondary endpoints include progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). FISH analyses and gene expression profiling were performed on bone marrow aspirates. Results - 79 pts were enrolled: 48 quad (24 M/24 F, median age 62 yrs) and 31 penta (13 M / 18 F, median age 68 yrs). Both groups had a median of 7 prior treatment regimens including multiple dex-containing regimens. Baseline laboratory abnormalities included grade (Gr)≥3 anemia in 13% and Gr≥3 thrombocytopenia in 8%. Most penta pts received 8 doses / cycle (65%); most quad pts received 6 doses / cycle (83%). Common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) hematological: thrombocytopenia (72%, Gr 3/4 58%), anemia (48%, Gr 3 25%) and neutropenia (29%, Gr≥3 21%). TRAEs non-hematological: nausea (72%, Gr 3 6%), fatigue (62%, Gr 3 14%) anorexia (49%, Gr 3 3%), vomiting (43%, Gr3 4%), asymptomatic hyponatremia (42%. Gr 3 20%), diarrhea (42%, Gr 3 5%) and weight loss (33%, Gr 3 1%). There was one case of febrile neutropenia (1%) and one case of clinically significant bleeding related to thrombocytopenia (1%). Seventy pts have discontinued therapy: PD (73%), AEs (17%), physician/pt preference (1%) and 6 deaths (one case related to selinexor, intracranial bleed in pt with Gr4 thrombocytopenia). Nine pts remain on study. Efficacy was evaluated in 78 pts (1 pt did not have measurable disease). The IRC-determined ORR (≥PR) for all pts was 21%, including 5% VGPR. ORR was 21% for quad pts and 20% for penta pts. Clinical benefit rates (≥MR) were 32% (all), 29% (quad), and 37% (penta). Median OS was 9.3 months (mo) for all pts, >11 mo (median not reached) for responders (≥PR), and 5.7 mo for non-responders. Median DOR in responding pts was 5 mo, and median PFS in all pts was 2.1 mo. Baseline cytogenetics were assessed in 41 pts. The ORR in 18 pts with high-risk FISH abnormalities was 33% (Table 1). Notably, 3 of the 13 pts with a 17p abnormality responded (ORR 23%). Transcriptomic profiling revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between responders and non-responders in both whole blood RNA and CD138+ bone marrow cells. Pathways enriched in responders included IL-6, IL-8 and IGF-1 pathways. Conclusions - Oral Sd is active in heavily pretreated pts with refractory MM, including those with MM refractory to anti-CD38 Ab and those with high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities. Response was associated with longer survival. The main toxicities of Sd are thrombocytopenia, nausea, anorexia, and fatigue. AEs were manageable with supportive care and dose interruptions/reductions. To our knowledge, this is the first report of anti-tumor activity in the penta-refractory MM population. This population of MM pts has exhausted all currently available treatment options and has an extremely poor prognosis and therefore requires new therapies. Expansion of this trial in this high unmet medical need, penta refractory population is planned. Table 1 Activity of Sd in Patients with High Risk MM Cytogenetics Table 1. Activity of Sd in Patients with High Risk MM Cytogenetics Disclosures Vogl: Constellation: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Acetylon: Research Funding; GSK: Research Funding; Calithera: Research Funding; Teva: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding. Jagannath:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy. Baz:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Takeda/Millennium: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Signal Genetics: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding. Nooka:Spectrum, Novartis, Onyx pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Richter:Takeda: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau. Vij:Karyopharm: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Schiller:Incyte Corporation: Research Funding. Costa:Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding. Chari:Array Biopharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen Inc.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding. Siegel:Takeda: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Merck: Honoraria. Fonseca:Janssen: Consultancy; AMGEN: Consultancy; Millennium, a Takeda Company: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; Patent Pending: Patents & Royalties: The use of calcium isotopes as biomarkers for bone metabolisms; Patent: Patents & Royalties: Prognostication of MM based on genetic categorization of FISH of the disease; AMGEN: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Millennium, a Takeda Company: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; AMGEN: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Millennium, a Takeda Company: Consultancy; Millennium, a Takeda Company: Consultancy; Patent: Patents & Royalties: Prognostication of MM based on genetic categorization of FISH of the disease; Bayer: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Patent Pending: Patents & Royalties: The use of calcium isotopes as biomarkers for bone metabolisms; AMGEN: Consultancy; Patent: Patents & Royalties: Prognostication of MM based on genetic categorization of FISH of the disease; Patent: Patents & Royalties: Prognostication of MM based on genetic categorization of FISH of the disease; Patent Pending: Patents & Royalties: The use of calcium isotopes as biomarkers for bone metabolisms; Patent Pending: Patents & Royalties: The use of calcium isotopes as biomarkers for bone metabolisms; Celgene: Consultancy. Kauffman:Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Shacham:Karyopharm Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Saint-Martin:Karyopharm: Employment. Picklesimer:Karyopharm: Employment. Friedlander:Karyopharm Therapeutics: Employment. Choe-Juliak:Karyopharm Therapeutics: Employment.
HLA Haplotypes Are Associated with Multiple Myeloma Risk in the African American Multiple Myeloma Study (AAMMS)

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 3250-3250

10.1182/blood.v128.22.3250.3250

Abstract Background: Persons of African ancestry (AA) have a 2-3-fold higher risk of multiple myeloma (MM) than persons of European ancestry (EA). Like other B-cell malignancies, genome-wide association scans (GWAS) have identified MM risk variants in the HLA region in persons of EA. We conducted a case-control analysis with data from the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)1comprising MM patients typed for bone marrow transplant to donor controls matched by race-ethnicity, and found associations between specific HLA alleles/haplotypes and MM risk that varied by race and ethnicity. To confirm our results and identify additional novel signals, we have now investigated associations between HLA alleles and haplotypes and MM risk in the African American Multiple Myeloma Study (AAMMS) Cohort. Methods: The source of subjects was the AAMMS, in which AA MM patients were identified from 10 cancer centers and 4 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End-Results (SEER) Program cancer registries in order to identify genetic risk factors for MM among AAs. A GWAS was conducted using the Illumina Human Core BeadChip array on DNA samples from 1,305 AA MM patients in the AAMMS comparing results to those from 7,078 AA controls with GWAS data generated from the Illumina 1MDuo2. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were imputed to classical HLA variants using HIBAG. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate HLA associations, adjusting for sex, age and the first 2 principal components. P-values were adjusted for false discovery rate (FDR) for each locus group. Results: We did not identify any single HLA alleles associated with MM risk among AAs. However, several B*07:02-containing haplotypes were associated with MM risk (odds ratios [OR] ranging from 2.38 to 2.64 and FDR P-values ranging from 1.43 x 10-6 to 3.57 x 10-8). We found associations between MM risk and genotypes containing DRB3*02:02, including DRB3*02:02~DRB1*11:01+ DRB3*02:02~DRB1*11:01 (OR=1.93, PFDR= 9.36 x 10-5) similar to those observed in the NMDP study1. Novel findings included associations between MM risk and HLA Class I haplotypes B*53:01+ B*57:01 (OR=1.94, PFDR= 0.003) and C04:01~B*53:01+C*06:02~B*57:01 (OR=1.96, PFDR= 0.0050). Results from an ongoing meta-analysis between the two data sets (one based on an imputed GWAS and one based on NMDP HLA typing) will be presented. Conclusions: This study is the second to examine HLA alleles and risk of MM among AA's and is by far the largest. We confirmed a previously observed association between an HLA Class II DRB3 variant and MM risk and confirmed an association with B*07 haplotypes previously observed among EAs1. We also identified novel associations between other HLA Class I haplotypes and MM risk in AA's. Because HLA is highly polymorphic, many HLA alleles are rare variants for which genetic associations are difficult to detect without very large sample sizes. Further investigation with large sample sizes will be necessary to refine these associations in order to better identify the underlying causal alleles and determine the functional significance of these HLA associations. 1Beksac M, Gragert L, Fingerson S, et al.: HLA polymorphism and risk of multiple myeloma.Leukemia. 2016 Jul 27. doi: 10.1038/leu.2016.199. 2Rand KA, Song C, Hwang AE, et al. Genetic susceptibility markers of multiple myeloma in African-Americans. Abstract # 2030, 56th Annual American Society of Hematology Meeting, San Francisco, California, 2014. Disclosures Ailawadhi: Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Amgen Inc: Consultancy; Takeda Oncology: Consultancy. Nooka:Spectrum, Novartis, Onyx pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Zonder:Pharmacyclics: Other: DSMC membership; Prothena: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Lonial:BMS: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Millenium: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy.
Inherited Loss of Samsn1 Contributes to Increased Risk of MGUS and MM through Effects on Multiple Cell Types, Including B-Cells, Transformed Myeloma Cells, and Macrophages

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 124 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 2075-2075

10.1182/blood.v124.21.2075.2075

Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy of plasma B-cells that is invariably preceded by monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a pre-neoplastic plasma cell proliferative disorder. C57Bl/KaLwRij (KaLwRij) is a spontaneous inbred mouse strain predisposed to benign idiopathic paraproteinemia (BIP), a plasma cell dyscrasia that parallels many features of human pathology including progression to myeloma. In both humans and mice, the genetic basis for MGUS/MM risk is unknown. We sought to identify the genetic basis for MGUS/MM risk in KaLwRij mice to shed light on genes or pathways that mediate disease risk in humans. Using an integrative approach, we combined KaLwRij x B6 haplotype analysis (418 genes) and a MM patient association study (180 genes) to identify five candidate genes likely to contribute to both murine BIP-susceptibility and human MM risk. Surprisingly, we found KaLwRij mice had homozygous germline deletion of one of the five candidate genes, Samsn1, a putative negative regulator of B-cell activation. Consistent with the reported inhibitory function of SAMSN1 in B-cells, KaLwRij mice had enhanced naïve B-cell response in vitro following stimulation with IL4 and LPS and in vivo following immunization. We found that re-expression of Samsn1 in KaLwRij-derived myeloma cell line 5TGM1 decreased MM tumor growth in vitro, suggesting that loss of Samsn1 contributes to tumor growth in part through a cell intrinsic mechanism. Importantly, germline risk alleles may also influence cell types beyond the pre-malignant B-cells. It is established that the host environment also plays a critical role in supporting myeloma growth in KaLwRij mice. We found that Samsn1 is highly expressed in macrophages, but not in other MM-supportive cell types including osteoclasts and bone marrow stromal cells. Myeloma-associated macrophages play critical roles in supporting tumor growth and are broadly classified as anti-tumor M1 macrophages and tumor-promoting M2 macrophages. Microarray analysis of macrophages from B6 and KaLwRij mice prior to onset of BIP revealed three differentially expressed genes, but only one, Samsn1, is conserved in the human genome. We found that both unpolararized primary peritoneal and MCSF cultured bone marrow macrophages from healthy KaLwRij mice had markedly elevated expression of pro-tumorigenic M2 macrophage markers FIZZ1 and YM1 compared to B6 controls, despite the absence of activating cytokines. To confirm that loss of Samsn1 influenced macrophage activation and M2 polarization, we obtained bone marrow macrophages from mice with a targeted deletion of Samsn1 and found that unpolarized Samsn1-/- cells had similarly increased pro-tumor M2 macrophage marker expression. To evaluate the biologic significance of Samsn1 loss in macrophages on MM tumor growth, we established 5TGM1 MM tumors and injected M2 polarized macrophages from B6, KaLwRij, or Samsn1-/- mice. We found that MM tumor burden was markedly enhanced by the addition of a Samsn1-/- or KaLwRij macrophages compared to wild type macrophages. Thus, we found that loss of Samsn1 in macrophages enhances M2 polarization, prior to MGUS/MM development and can promote established myeloma tumor growth. Together, this data suggests that Samsn1 is a gene contributing to BIP-susceptibility in KaLwRij mice through mutually exclusive functions in multiple cell types including B-cells and macrophages. It is likely that SAMSN1 and its pathway members contribute to human MM progression, and may represent a point for preventative therapeutic intervention. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
A Study of High Dose Lenalidomide Induction and Low Dose Lenalidomide Maintenance for Patients with Hypomethylating Agent Refractory MDS

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 124 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 1931-1931

10.1182/blood.v124.21.1931.1931

Abstract BACKGROUND: Azacitidine and decitabine are indicated for the first line treatment of intermediate and high risk MDS. About 40% to 47% of patients respond to 1st line hypomethylating agents. The median duration of response is 13 months. There are no effective therapies for patients who fail to respond to or progress on hypomethylating agents. A phase II trial of high dose lenalidomide (50mg/day) induction therapy followed by low dose (10mg/day) maintenance therapy in elderly patients with AML had demonstrated a high CR/CRi of 30%. CR was restricted to patients with presenting WBC counts <10000/µL, peripheral blast counts <1000/ µL and < 30%, many of whom could have been classified as having MDS rather than AML by FAB criteria. With the rationale that MDS and AML represent a continuum of disease, and the promising results in AML we aimed to assess the clinical activity of high dose lenalidomide by conducting a clinical trial of high dose Lenalidomide induction followed by low dose maintenance in patients with hypomethylating agent refractory MDS. METHODS: We conducted an open label, single arm, multi-center phase II trial of high dose lenalidomide induction (50mg/day for two 28 day cycles) followed by low dose lenalidomide maintenance therapy (10mg/day for 12 cycles) for patients with MDS (as defined by FAB criteria) refractory to hypomethylating agents. Patients who had failed to show CR, PR or HI (hematological improvement) after at least 6 cycles of azacytidine or decitabine or who had progressed on treatment were considered eligible. Patients were enrolled in a Simon's optimal two-stage design with an intended sample size of 43. The primary endpoint was proportion of confirmed responses (CR, PR or HI), as defined by international working group criteria, during the 14 cycles of treatment. RESULTS: 24 patients were enrolled in the first stage of the study. 16 patients completed at least one cycle of therapy and were considered evaluable for efficacy. Efficacy: Characteristics and outcomes of patients are detailed in Table 1. There were no complete or partial remissions. Marrow complete remission (MCR) was seen in 8/16 patients (50%). One of the 8 patients with a MCR had 5q- karyotype; 3/8 had trisomy 8 and one patient had a complex karyotype with monosomy 7. Median duration of MCR was 70 days (range 28-336 days). MCR lasted beyond the high dose induction period in 2 patients, one of whom had a 5q interstitial deletion (112 days) and one patient with trisomy 8 (336 days). Hematologic improvement (HI) was seen in 2/16 patients (12.5%) (Refer to table below). Toxicity: ≥grade 3 toxicities included pneumonia (12/24, 50%), sepsis (4/24, 17%), febrile neutropenia (8/24, 33%), rash (2/24, 8%), thromboembolic event (1/24), MI (1/24), new cancer -mammary analogue salivary carcinoma- (1/24). TABLE 1 Pt No: Age IPSS Prior cycles of 5-aza/ decitabine Cycles of Lenalidomide Reason off trial Best Response 1 69 1.5 2 4 Pancytopenia MCR 2 78 3 8 1 Death-Unrelated SD 3 73 2 7 1 Consent withdrawn SD 4 87 2 14 12 Progression MCR, HI-p&n 6 72 2 13 2 Thrombocytopenia MCR 7 69 2 13 1 PE SD 8 75 1 7 2 New Cancer MCR 9 74 1 4 3 Progression SD 10 75 2 0 2 Progression SD 11 72 1 13 3 Thrombocytopenia MCR 12 75 3 6 1 Progression PD 13 78 1 9 3 Gr3 Fatigue MCR 14 70 0 19 2 Progression MCR, HI-p 15 72 1 23 1 Progression PD 16 73 1 8 2 Gr 3 fatigue MCR CONCLUSIONS: High dose lenalidomide followed by standard dose maintenance in hypomethylating agent refractory MDS resulted in a marrow complete remission rate of 50% and hematological improvement rate of 12.5%. Future protocols should explore whether an extended schedule of intermittent dosing of high dose lenalidomide would allow for improved efficacy with acceptable toxicity. Disclosures Off Label Use: Lenalidomide is used in this study in patients with MDS both with and without deletion 5q.Use in patients without deletion 5q is off label use.. Tibes:Tetralogic Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Stockerl-Goldstein:Celgene: Speakers Bureau. Jacoby:Norvo Nordisk: Consultancy. Cashen:Celgene: Speakers Bureau. Vij:Onyx: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria; Jannsen: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Millennium: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding.
Pre-Transplant Salvage Therapy Prior to Autologous Transplant (AHCT) in Patients Not Responding to Initial Induction for Multiple Myeloma (MM)

Blood | October 9, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 597-597

10.1182/blood.v120.21.597.597

Abstract Abstract 597 Back-ground: Planned upfront AHCT after initial induction improves both overall and progression free survival (OS and PFS) for patients with MM in randomized trials. However, it is unclear whether patients with less than partial response after a finite period of initial therapy should receive AHCT immediately or undergo salvage therapy to improve the level of response pre-AHCT. Methods: We addressed this question by querying the CIBMTR (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research) database. Between 1995 and 2010, 575 patients received upfront AHCT (within 12 mo of diagnosis) for MM after failing to achieve partial or complete response (PR/CR) to initial induction therapy. The 2326 patients who achieved CR/PR pre- AHCT had superior survival and were excluded (Fig 1). The study groups included: the 324 who received additional salvage chemotherapy after non-response to first line therapy (SALVAGE) and then proceeded to AHCT; and 251 who had no additional salvage chemotherapy but proceeded to AHCT immediately (NOSALVAGE). Outcomes of non-relapse mortality (NRM), relapse, PFS, and OS were compared measuring overall survival from diagnosis. Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazard models incorporated the following variables: age, gender, Karnofsky performance score, immunoglobulin isotype, stage, serum creatinine at diagnosis, disease status pre-AHCT, conditioning regimen, time from diagnosis to transplant, type of transplant (single/tandem), novel agents (thalidomide/bortezomib/lenalidomide), time-period of transplant and number of lines of pre-transplant therapy (= or &gt; 1 line) on outcomes. Results: Study cohorts were well balanced with respect to age, gender, Karnofsky performance status, immunoglobulin isotype, disease stage. More pts in NOSALVAGE received VAD (60% vs. 47%, p=0.002) for first line therapy and had a base-line creatinine &gt; 1.5mg/dl (27% vs. 17%, p=0.008). In the SALVAGE cohort, 245 (75%) received one, 65 (20%) two and 14 (4%) three salvage regimens. 197/245(61%), 47/65(59%), 2/14 (14%) were sensitive to 1st, 2nd and 3rd line salvage therapies prior to transplant resulting in 55% in SALVAGE achieving CR/PR pre-AHCT. In NOSALVAGE, 93% were in a minimal response or stable disease state and 7% with progressive disease. In SALVAGE, 55% received AHCT after 2004 compared with 38% in NOSALVAGE likely reflecting additional agents available for salvage. The majority of patients in either cohort (&gt;90%) received Melphalan based AHCT and a minority (&lt;20%) planned tandem AHCT. In the SALVAGE cohort, 44% had AHCT &lt;8 months after diagnosis as compared to 74% in NOSALVAGE (P&lt;0.001). Median follow-up for survivors was 61 mo and 68 mo, respectively. Six year NRM (p=1.0), relapse (p=0.2), PFS (p=0.2) or OS (p=0.5) were no different between the two cohorts). On multivariate analysis, a higher creatinine at diagnosis (&gt; 1.5 vs &lt; 1.5) predicted for higher NRM (p=0.008) and inferior OS (p=0.003), and the use of novel agents predicted for lower risk of NRM (HR = 0.37, P=0.04). Since more time elapsed between diagnosis and transplant among patients who received additional salvage chemotherapy, a left-truncated multivariate analysis was performed to reduce this potential waiting time bias. This multivariate analysis produced similar outcomes for TRM, relapse, treatment failure and OS irrespective of whether or not salvage regimens were used (Fig 2). Conclusions: In the setting of upfront AHCT, no additional benefit could be demonstrated for salvage regimens to upgrade response prior to AHCT. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Influence of Cytogenetics in Patients with Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma (MM) Treated with Carfilzomib (CFZ).

Blood | October 9, 2019 | Volume: 114 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 1827-1827

10.1182/blood.v114.22.1827.1827

Abstract Abstract 1827 Poster Board I-853 Background It is now well established that cytogenetic abnormalities can affect the responses to therapies in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Bortezomib, used alone or in combination with other agents, has been shown to overcome the adverse impact of several common unfavorable cytogenetic features. More recently, responses with lenalidomide and dexamethasone have been reported in patients with some types of unfavorable cytogenetics. Carfilzomib (CFZ) is a novel proteasome inhibitor that has demonstrated single agent activity in relapsed and/or refractory MM patients. The objective of this analysis was to provide the first preliminary information on the influence of cytogenetics in patients (pts) with relapsed and/or refractory MM treated with CFZ. Methods We evaluated 79 pts treated on two single agent CFZ studies (PX-171-003 and PX-171-004) in relapsed and/or refractory myeloma in which metaphase cytogenetics and/or FISH analysis for del 13q, t(4:14), and t(14;16) chromosomal abnormalities were available. Metaphase cytogenetics was conducted for all pts in the analysis; fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) results were available for 28 of the 79 pts. Twenty-one pts with relapsed and refratory MM (PX-171-003) and 58 pts with relapsed or refractory MM (PX-171-004) received CFZ at 20 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 in a 28-day cycle for up to 12 cycles. For this analysis, responders were defined as pts who achieved at least a Minor Response (MR) [MR + Partial Response (PR) + Very Good Partial Response (VGPR) + Complete Response (CR)] by IMWG and EBMT criteria. Results The median age of analysed pts was 63 yrs and 100% of pts were relapsed, with 70% refractory to their last therapy. Analysis of their histories demonstrated prior thalidomide treatment in 75% of pts, prior lenalidomide treatment in 57%, prior bortezomib treatment in 55%, and prior stem cell transplantation in 84%. The response rate (≥MR) for the entire group of patients was 40.5%. Twenty three of 79 pts had at least one of the abnormalities. The presence of del 13q, t(4;14), or t(14;16) did not significantly change the response rates, with 43.5% of pts with one or more abnormalities responding compared to 39.3% with none. The median time to progression (TTP) for all patients in this analysis was 203 days. The TTP for pts with one or more of the abnormalities was 195 days and was not significantly different from the TTP of 208 days for pts with none of the abnormalities (Figure; P > 0.05). Conclusion In this preliminary analysis, CFZ showed comparable activity in relapsed and relapsed/refractory MM with del 13q and/or t(4:14), and/or t(14;16) versus none of these abnormalities, with ≥MR in 43.5% vs. 39.3% of patients, and a TTP of 195 vs. 208 days, respectively. Updated efficacy data and TTP data will be presented at the meeting. Disclosures Jakubowiak: Millennium: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Centocor Ortho Biotech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Exelixis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers-Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Wang:Proteolix, Inc.: Research Funding. Jagannath:Millennium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Merck: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Siegel:Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Stewart:Takeda-Millenium, Celgene, Novartis, Amgen: Consultancy; Takeda, Millenium: Research Funding; Genzyme, Celgene, Millenium, Proteolix: Honoraria. Kukreti:Celgene: Honoraria. Lonial:Celgene: Consultancy; Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Gloucester: Research Funding. McDonagh:Proteolix: Research Funding. Vallone:Proteolix, Inc.: Employment. Kauffman:Proteolix, Inc.: Employment. Vij:Proteolix: Research Funding.
PB2155 ONLINE CME SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTS MULTIPLE MYELOMA CLINICIANS: EXPERIENCE FROM A MULTI‐YEAR CURRICULUM WITH 33,699 LEARNERS

HemaSphere | June 17, 2019 | Volume: 3 | Issue: S1 | Pages: 968-969

10.1097/01.hs9.0000567104.86214.98

Background:The treatment paradigm for multiple myeloma (MM) has evolved rapidly following new drug approvals and combinations. These improvements have the potential to improve outcomes for patients, but only if specialists in hematology/oncology (hem/oncs) have up‐to‐date knowledge on selection of treatments, prevention and management of adverse events (AEs), and comfort with emerging clinical trial data.Aims:We sought to determine if a curriculum of online continuing medical education (CME) activities could improve hem/onc knowledge and competence in treating patients with MM.MethodsThis analysis included hem/onc data from a MM curriculum spanning over 4 years, with 54 activities. For each year of the curriculum, an expert panel identified knowledge/competence gaps to be addressed through CME. Within the analysis, assessment questions were grouped into learning topics and the average for pre and post‐education was calculated for 2016‐2018 of the curriculum for each topic. The analysis elucidated the impact of the curriculum on narrowing gaps in knowledge/competence using a pre/post design. Statistical significance was assessed using a chi‐square statistic (P < .05 level).Results:As of December 2018, the curriculum had reached 33,699 US hem/onc learners and 2144 participated in the outcomes assessment. Treatment Selection: The curriculum significantly improved hem/onc knowledge/competence over time for selecting treatment for patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) MM (pre/post: 2016, 41%/51%, P < .001; 2018, 48%/64%, P < .001). Managing AEs: The curriculum led to sustained knowledge gains for hem/oncs over time related to managing treatment‐related AEs in patients with MM (pre/post: 2016, 39%/53%, P < .001; 2018, 80%/84%, P = .427). Knowledge of Clinical Trial Data: Activities within the curriculum also significantly improved hem/onc knowledge of clinical trial data for consolidation and maintenance therapy (pre/post: 2016, 63%/76%, P < .001; 2017, 68%/74%, P < .05; 2018, 62%/76%, P < .001). Potential Patient Impact: The reach of Medscape Oncology CME has a large impact on how US hem/oncs treat patients with MM. Of all hem/onc specialists with MM diagnostic encounters, 64% are members of Medscape. Additionally, 70% of all high decile (deciles 7‐10) hem/onc specialists with MM diagnostic encounters are members of Medscape. Based on the number of learners for the curriculum and the average number of patient encounters, this education has the potential to impact 33,894 MM patient encounters.[IQVIA Data]Summary/Conclusion:This analysis shows that online CME, as part of a sustained educational curriculum, using various formats (video, text, panel discussion, case‐based) can significantly improve the knowledge and competence of hem/oncs in multiple areas related to MM. Statistically significant gains in knowledge and competence selecting treatment for R/R MM were seen even with the introduction of new clinical evidence in this area. The analysis also shows the potential impact on patients and the large reach that is achievable with online education. As new therapies and combinations of treatments continue to change practice, additional education is needed to aid hem/oncs in staying abreast of new data, managing AEs, and tailoring therapy selection for individual patients with MM.