Bergsagel, P. Leif

Abstract Bispecific T-cell engagers (TCEs) targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and CD3, induce deep hematologic responses in ∼60% of heavily pretreated patients with multiple myeloma (MM). We and others found that high tumor burden leads to resistance to TCE and novel strategies are urgently needed to improve responses in this setting. Ikaros degraders, including immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) and cereblon E3 ligase modulatory drugs (CELMoDs), represent logical partners for TCEs due to their direct anti-MM effects and additional immune-stimulatory activity; however, it is unclear how to optimally combine them with TCEs. Taking advantage of the immunocompetent IMiD-sensitive Vk∗MYChCRBN murine model of MM, we optimized strategies to overcome primary resistance to BCMA-TCEs and achieve sustained remission, while maintaining a manageable safety profile. The addition of anti–programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) and pomalidomide reduced the T-cell exhaustion that occurs in response to TCEs in high tumor burden settings. This allowed for a higher degree of T-cell activation and significant improvement in response rates but also increased risk of lethal cytokine release syndrome (CRS). To moderate the response and prevent CRS, we evaluated Ikaros degraders and dexamethasone (DEX) with step-up–dosed TCEs. Pretreatment with iberdomide and DEX reshaped the bone marrow T-cell compartment, promoted infiltration of naïve T cells, and generated 100% response rates and the longest survival in subjects with high tumor burden. This was accompanied by more favorable T-cell profiling, with limited expansion of regulatory T cells and exhaustion. Overall, administering a TCE after DEX and iberdomide treatments provided deeper and more durable responses with a reduced risk of CRS.

Abstract Purpose: R,R-1,2 cyclohexanediamine-pyrophosphato-platinum(II) (PT-112) is a novel immunogenic cell death–inducing small molecule under phase II development in several cancer types. It inhibits ribosome biogenesis and causes organelle stresses, leading to selective immunogenic cell death in cancer cells. The possibility of PT-112’s pyrophosphate moiety driving high drug concentrations to bone sites of disease has led to an interest in PT-112’s use in multiple myeloma. In this study, we present findings from phase I and in vivo studies for PT-112 in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Experimental Design: PT-112 biodistribution was analyzed in mice via laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The activity of PT-112 was assessed in de novo and transplantable Tg(Igkv3-5*-MYC)#Plbe (Vk*MYC) multiple myeloma mouse models as monotherapy or combination therapies. M-spike levels and survival were measured. A phase I dose escalation study of PT-112 monotherapy was conducted using a 3 + 3 design in patients with heavily pretreated relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma with exhausted available therapies. Results: In vivo biodistribution imaging revealed high concentrations in the bone, kidney, lung, skin, and liver. PT-112 was active in Vk*MYC multiple myeloma mouse models, both alone and in combination. Phase I data showed that PT-112 monotherapy was safe and well-tolerated, establishing a recommended phase II dose of 360 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle. Confirmed responses and other signals of activity were observed. Conclusions: These results suggest a lack of cross-resistance with the standard of care and support the translational value of the Vk*MYC model system. Further clinical investigation of PT-112 is warranted in multiple myeloma.

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies targeting CD38 are a therapeutic mainstay in multiple myeloma (MM). Although they have contributed to improved outcomes, most patients still experience disease relapse, and little is known about tumor-intrinsic mechanisms of resistance to these drugs. Antigen escape has been implicated as a mechanism of tumor-cell evasion in immunotherapy. Yet, it is unknown whether MM cells can develop permanent resistance to anti-CD38 antibodies by acquiring genomic events leading to biallelic disruption of the CD38 gene locus. Here, we analyzed whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing data from patients 701 newly diagnosed MM, 67 patients at relapse with naivety to anti-CD38 antibodies, and 50 patients collected at relapse after anti-CD38 antibodies. We report a loss of CD38 in 10 of 50 patients (20%) after CD38 therapy, 3 of whom exhibited a loss of both copies. Two of these cases showed convergent evolution in which distinct subclones independently acquired similar advantageous variants. Functional studies on missense mutations involved in biallelic CD38 events revealed that 2 variants, L153H and C275Y, decreased binding affinity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of the commercial antibodies daratumumab and isatuximab. However, a third mutation, R140G, conferred selective resistance to daratumumab, while retaining sensitivity to isatuximab. Clinically, patients with MM are often rechallenged with CD38 antibodies after disease progression and these data suggest that next-generation sequencing may play a role in subsequent treatment selection for a subset of patients.

Despite significant improvements in survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM), outcomes remain heterogeneous, and a significant proportion of patients experience suboptimal outcomes. Importantly, traditional prognostic factors based on data from patients treated with older therapies no longer capture prognosis accurately in the contemporary era of novel triplet or quadruplet therapies. Therefore, risk stratification requires refinement in the context of available and investigational treatment options in routine practice and clinical trials, respectively. The current identification of high-risk MM (HRMM) in routine practice is based on the Revised International Staging System, which stratifies patients using a combination of widely available serum biomarkers and chromosomal abnormalities assessed via fluorescence in situ hybridization. In recent years, a substantial body of evidence concerning additional clinical, biological, and molecular/genomic prognostic factors has accumulated, along with new MM risk stratification tools and consensus reports. The International Myeloma Society, along with the International Myeloma Working Group, convened an Expert Panel with the primary aim of revisiting the definition of HRMM and formulating a practical and data-driven consensus definition, based on new evidence from molecular/genomic assays, updated clinical data, and contemporary risk stratification concepts. The Panel proposes the following Consensus Genomic Staging (CGS) of HRMM which relies upon the presence of at least one of these abnormalities: (1) del(17p), with a cutoff of >20% clonal fraction, and/or TP53 mutation; (2) an IgH translocation including t(4;14), t(14;16), or t(14;20) along with 1q+ and/or del(1p32); (3) monoallelic del(1p32) along with 1q+ or biallelic del(1p32); or (4) β2 microglobulin ≥5.5 mg/L with normal creatinine (<1.2 mg/dL).

ABSTRACT Intratumor heterogeneity arises from ongoing somatic evolution complicating cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Here we present TEATIME (es t imating e volution a ry events t hrough s i ngle-ti m epoint s e quencing), a novel computational framework that models tumors as mixtures of two competing cell populations: an ancestral clone with baseline fitness and a derived subclone with elevated fitness. Using cross-sectional bulk sequencing data, TEATIME estimates mutation rates, timing of subclone emergence, relative fitness, and number of generations of growth. To quantify intratumor fitness asymmetries, we introduce a novel metric—fitness diversity—which captures the imbalance between competing cell populations and serves as a measure of functional intratumor heterogeneity. Applying TEATIME to 33 tumor types from The Cancer Genome Atlas, we revealed divergent as well as convergent evolutionary patterns. Notably, we found that immune-hot microenvironments constraint subclonal expansion and limit fitness diversity. Moreover, we detected temporal dependencies in mutation acquisition, where early driver mutations in ancestral clones epistatically shape the fitness landscape, predisposing specific subclones to selective advantages. These findings underscore the importance of intratumor competition and tumor-microenvironment interactions in shaping evolutionary trajectories, driving intratumor heterogeneity. Lastly, we demonstrate that TEATIME-derived evolutionary parameters and fitness diversity offer novel prognostic insights across multiple cancer types.

e19503 Background: The uptake of BCMA directed ADCs in MM has been hindered by ocular toxicity. Belantamab mafodotin (BM) and MEDI2228 (MEDI) are BCMA directed monoclonal antibodies conjugated to the microtubule inhibitor, monomethyl auristatin F and the alkylator, pyrrolobenzodiazepine, respectively. Differences in the ADCs payload, antibody specificity and linker stability influence ocular toxicity. We investigated the patterns of ocular toxicity and tolerability of BCMA directed ADC therapy. Methods: Retrospective study of MM patients who commenced treatment with a commercial or investigational BCMA directed ADC at the Mayo Clinic between 2019-22. Results: 111 patients were included, the median age was 69 and median follow up 40 months. The median number of prior treatments was 6, 87% of patients were triple class refractory, 50% penta class refractory, 14% had prior BCMA directed therapy and 24% had extraosseous disease. Treatments included BM (n=56, 50%), BM in combination with other MM therapy (n=12, 11%) and MEDI (n=43, 39%). The overall response rate was 30% for BM and 44% for MEDI. The median OS and PFS for BM was 8 and 2 months, the median OS and PFS for MEDI was 11 and 5 months. The median number of ADC cycles was 2.5. Ocular toxicity is summarized in the table 1. Keratopathy was more common with BM (p=0.004). Only 4 MEDI patients developed keratopathy, all grade 1 and associated with dry eyes and/or photophobia. In contrast, 60% of BM patients developed keratopathy (13% grade 3-4 keratopathy). The median time to keratopathy onset was 1 month with BM, and 2.8 with MEDI. The median time until keratopathy was 4.6 months for BM. Loss of best-corrected visual acuity (VA) was significantly more common with BM (p<0.001). The median time to any decline in VA was 1.5 months for BM and 2.3 for MEDI. The median time until VA returned to baseline was 2.4 months for BM and 2.3 for MEDI. The frequency of dose delays for ocular toxicity was comparable between ADCs, as was the number of dose reductions (16% BM vs. 12% MEDI, p=0.5). The most common reasons for treatment discontinuation were progression or death (BM=69%, MEDI=44%) and ocular toxicity (BM=18%, MEDI=30%). Conclusions: Treatment interruptions, dose reductions and drug discontinuation are common with BCMA directed ADC therapy. Further research to optimize the administration schedule of these agents is warranted. BM and MEDI produce distinct patterns of ocular side effects, namely keratopathy and reduced VA with the former, and photophobia and dry eyes with the latter. BM N = 68 MEDI N = 43 p-value 2 Prophylactic steroid eye drops 4 (6%) 28 (68%) <0.001 Prophylactic lubricant eye drops 42 (63%) 33 (80%) 0.051 Max grade keratopathy 0.004 1-2 29 (47%) 4 (19%) 3-4 8 (13%) 0 (0%) VA equal or worse than 20/40 26 (68%) 6 (20%) <0.001 Days of ADC treatment 59 (33, 167) 68 (41, 105) 0.9 Dose delay for ocular toxicity 19 (28%) 8 (19%) 0.2 n (%); Median (IQR); 2 Chisq test; Wilcoxon rank sum.

7522 Background: Movement and neurocognitive treatment emergent adverse events (MNTs), cranial nerve palsies (CNPs) and immune-effector cell enterocolitis (IEC-EC) are late onset toxicities associated with cilta-cel and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify predisposing risk factors to allow for formulating risk-reduction strategies. Methods: Retrospective study of MM pts who received FDA approved cilta-cel at Mayo Clinic between Feb 2022-Dec 2024. Interrogated factors included demographics, disease and treatment characteristics, and selected lab values at different time points. In odds ratio (OR) analyses, pts were divided by toxicity type (1) No delayed toxicity (2) MNT (3) IEC-EC without MNT (4) isolated CNP. Differences between pts in the MNT, IEC-EC and CNP groups were compared separately in a pairwise manner vs. those with no delayed toxicity. Results: Of 235 pts, 26 (11%) had delayed toxicity [MNT = 8 (3%), IEC-EC = 9 (4%), CNP = 14 (6%)]; 3 pts had both MNT/IEC-EC and 2 had both CNP/IEC-EC. Median onset from CAR-T infusion for MNT, IEC-EC and CNP was 19 (range 8-96), 106 (35-169) and 21 (7-43) days respectively. Of 164 evaluable pts, those who had ICANS had increased odds for any delayed toxicity (OR 4.7; 95% CI 1.6-13.8). Pts who had ICANS (OR 7.7; 1.6-36.9), HLH/MAS (OR 6.2; 1.1-6.7) and Ferritin >400mcg/L at time of lymphodepletion (OR 6.3; 1.5-32) had increased odds for MNTs. Pts who received alkylator-based bridging therapy had increased odds (OR 6.1; 1.1-35) for IEC-EC. Analysis of serial post-CAR infusion lab values showed that peak ALC was the most significant variable with differences between groups shown in table. Median time to peak ALC was 12 days (IQR 11-13). ROC analysis determined peak ALC >3 x 10 9 /L as a meaningful cut point. Pts with peak ALC >3.0 x 10 9 /L had increased odds of developing any delayed toxicity (OR 9.3; 3.5-29.3), MNT and CNP (table). Absolute risk of any delayed toxicity was 33% in pts with peak ALC >3 x 10 9 /L vs 5% without. At this threshold, number needed to treat was 3.6. Conclusions: Real-world data shows that cilta-cel associated delayed toxicity is seen in ~10% of patients, with specific toxicity rates between 4-8%. Factors associated with these toxicities predominantly occur in the post CAR-T infusion period. Given that ALC expansion in the first 2 weeks correlate with CAR-T expansion, peak ALC is potentially predictive of toxicity and 3 x 10 9 /L may be an interventional threshold for primary prophylaxis. Peak ALC by toxicity groups. No ToxN=138 MNTN=8 CNPN=12 IEC-ECN=6 p value Peak ALC (10 9 /L), median (IQR) 1.8 (1.0-4.1) 6.2 (4.8-14.4) 4.3 (3.2-6.7) 3.6 (1.9-5.2) <0.001 1 ALC >3 x 10 9 /L, n (%) 43 (31%) 7 (88%) 10 (83%) 4 (67%) <0.001 2 Odd Ratios vs no Tox 3 , 95% CI 15.5 (2.6-293.7) 11.0 (2.8-73.9) 4.4 (0.8-25.0) 1 Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis Tests, 2 Chi square test, 3 Logistic regression analysis.

Abstract Chimeric antigen receptor T (CART) cell therapy has shown clinical successes in B cell hematological malignancies. Two B cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed CART cell therapies treating multiple myeloma (MM) were approved by FDA but most patients relapse within 1-2 years. Ex vivo-expanded antigen specific T cells as cancer treatment rely on TCR-mediated killing of tumors. We hypothesized that arming ex vivo enriched tumor-specific T cells with CARs targeting a different antigen improves T cell functions. First, we expanded mucin 1 (MUC1)-activated T cells from patients with MM through ex vivo stimulation by MUC1 peptides-loaded autologous PBMCs for 19 days. Then, we engineered MUC1-activated T cells with 4-1BB-co-stimulated BCMA CAR to generate MUC1 TCR+BCMA CAR+ T cells. Baseline T cells without MUC1 stimulation were engineered with BCMA CAR as control. Baseline T cells, MUC1 T cells, baseline BCMA CART cells, or MUC1 BCMA CART cells were cocultured with luc+ RPMI-8226, a MUC1+BCMA+ MM cell line, for 3 days. MUC1 BCMA CART cells showed stronger tumor killing than BCMA CART or MUC1 T cells in all 3 patients (p&lt;0.0001). MUC1 BCMA CART showed improved proliferation than BCMA CART or MUC1 T cells (p=0.0765, p&lt;0.0001, respectively) after a 5-day stimulation by RPMI-8226. To exclude possibility of metabolic alterations by 19-day PBMC incubation leading to better T cell functions in MUC1 BCMA CART, baseline and MUC1-stimulated T cells from 3 healthy donors were processed for the same assays. Day-19 BCMA CART cells showed inferior tumor killing compared to baseline BCMA CART in all 3 donors (p&lt;0.0001). Lower T cell proliferation was also observed in day-19 BCMA CART (p=0.0838). Our data indicate that improved T cell functions in MUC1 BCMA CART were unlikely due to metabolic changes and required stimulation by tumor antigens prior to CAR engineering likely through MUC1 TCR. Additionally, MUC1 T cells, BCMA CART, or MUC1 BCMA CART cells from tested patients were stimulated by RPMI-8226 for bulk RNA sequencing. Both BCMA CART and MUC1 T cells had distinct transcriptomic features from MUC1 BCMA CART cells. Differential gene expression analysis showed upregulation of T cell function-associated genes (RYR2, ITGA1, GNLY, GZMA, etc.) in MUC1 BCMA CART vs BCMA CART. Enrichment of T cell function-associated pathways was also observed in MUC1 BCMA CART. Analysis between MUC1 T cell and MUC1 BCMA CART showed upregulation of T cell function-associated genes (CSF2, CRTAM, IFNG, GZMB, etc.) and enrichment of immune response pathways in MUC1 BCMA CART. Our findings suggest that equipping ex vivo-enriched tumor-specific T cells with CARs targeting a different antigen improves T cell functions in vitro. Importantly, this provides a rationale for a therapeutic regimen where patients receive ex vivo-enriched tumor-induced T cells followed by CAR engineering. Persistence of the engineered T cells is being investigated Citation Format: Kun Yun, R. Leo Sakemura, Ismail Can, Omar Gutierrez Ruiz, Ekene J. Ogbodo, Truc N. Huynh, Claudia Manriquez Roman, Olivia Sirpilla, Carli M. Stewart, Jennifer M. Feigin, Grace E. DeFranco, Sophia Y. Goldberg, Dominic A. Skeele, Mariam Stein, Dara Missan, Latha Pathangey, Long Mai, Hong Xia, Brooke Kimball, Lionel A. Kankeu Fonkoua, Mehrdad Hefazi, Michael W. Ruff, Elizabeth L. Siegler, Leif Bergsagel, Michael Gustafson, Sandra Gendler, Saad S. Kenderian. BCMA CAR engineering arms T cells with superior functions post ex vivo stimulation by MUC1 peptide-loaded autologous PBMCs [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 6103.

Abstract Introduction: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B-cell-derived malignancy associated with immune dysregulation. Anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) therapies have shown improved outcomes in patients with MM. Silbermann et al. showed that anti-CD38 mAb-containing therapies lead to profound hypogammaglobulinemia and reduction in Ig gene repertoire. The effect of modern therapies such as CAR-T and bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) on B-cell repertoire has not been well described. In this study, we sought to investigate the effect of these therapies on B-cell repertoire in patients with MM. Methods: This is a single-institution retrospective observational study evaluating MM patients treated with anti-BCMA CAR-T and BsAbs. Baseline characteristics, laboratory data, treatment history, were extracted from medical records. Total unique sequences (TUS) and total sequences of IgH, IgK, and IgL were identified and quantified using clonoSEQ. Patients were classified in two groups: CAR-T and BsAbs. The primary objectives were (1) characterize changes in TUS and total sequences within IgH, IgK, and IgL before and after treatment, and (2) examine how the sequences evolve over time following CAR-T. Results: 76 MM patients received CAR-T or BsAbs. Among those, 22 CAR-T and 5 BsAbs patients had pre- and post-treatment sequences available. Median age at initiation of treatment was 66 years in the CAR-T group (42-81 y) and 65 years in the BsAbs group (48-71 y). Based on mSMART v3 criteria, 72% of CAR-T and 60% of BsAbs recipients were classified as high-risk. Median number of prior lines of therapy was 5 (2-8) in the CAR-T group and 6 (5-13) in the BsAbs group.CAR-T recipients were classified into early (&lt;40 days) and late (&gt;40 days), based on when the post-CAR-T treatment clonoSEQ assay was performed. Changes in TUS and total sequences of IgH, IgK, and IgL were calculated, and the averages were assessed independently. The mean early and late change in total unique IgH sequences were (-75, 586 and 131, 038, p=0.052), unique IgK (-57, 797 and 52, 586, p=0.020), and unique IgL (-22, 354 and 25, 056, p=0.011). A subgroup of 8 patients with sequential MRD reports post-CAR-T therapy were identified, six patients showed improvement in B-cell sequence dynamics and two patients showed a decrease over time. For patients who received BsAbs, results indicated a similar pattern, with an early decrease in B-cell repertoires, characterized by reductions in sequence diversity and quantity. Conclusions: Our analysis of B-cell repertoires following CAR-T revealed changes before and after treatment. Patients receiving CAR-T therapy showed a decline in the number of TUS and total sequences of IgH, IgK, and IgL, likely due to the lymphodepletion regimen, followed by a gradual restoration reflecting immune recovery. Longer follow-up and a larger cohort will be necessary to assess the implications of these B-cell repertoire changes on patient outcomes. Citation Format: Feba Miriam Jacob, Rodolfo Garza-Morales, Joseph G Hentz, Alex Wonnaparhown, Julia E. Wiedmeier-Nutor, Mariano Arribas, Gabriela Alatorre, Sharene Best, Jayden Poulignot, Udit Yadav, Saurabh Chhabra, P. Leif Bergsagel, Rafael Fonseca, Talal Hilal. Dynamics of B-cell repertoires following CAR-T and bispecific antibody therapy in multiple myeloma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 4537.