Citations 193

Colon perforation in multiple myeloma patients – A complication of high‐dose steroid treatment

Cancer Medicine | October 6, 2020 | Volume: 9 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 8895-8901

10.1002/cam4.3507 | PMID 33022868

Abstract Gastrointestinal complications of multiple myeloma (MM) treatment are common and include nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. However, acute gastrointestinal events like perforations are rare. We aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients with MM that had colonic perforations during their treatment. This is a retrospective study that included patients from all three Mayo Clinic sites who had MM and developed a colonic perforation. All patients were diagnosed with colonic perforations based on CT scans and were surgically treated. Patients diagnosed with AL amyloidosis, a perforated colon complicating neutropenic colitis during ASCT and those with perforation due to colonic cancer were excluded. A high dose of dexamethasone was defined as ≥40 mg dexamethasone once a week. Thirty patients met inclusion criteria. All patients received steroids at doses ≥10 mg once weekly prior to the perforation, while four (11%) were on high‐dose dexamethasone without chemotherapy. Fourteen patients were given high doses of dexamethasone. Twenty‐five patients required ostomies with all surviving surgery. Twenty‐four perforations (80%) were associated with diverticulitis. Treatment with steroids was resumed in 23 patients with no further gastrointestinal complications. The median OS was 20 months following perforation (IQR 8–59). Within the same timeframe 5854 patients were treated at Mayo Clinic for MM, making the risk of bowel perforation 0.5%. Intestinal perforations in MM are rare and, in our series, always occurred with dexamethasone ≥10 mg per week. Urgent surgery is lifesaving and resumption of anti‐myeloma treatment appears to be safe.
Implications of MYC Rearrangements in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

Clinical Cancer Research | October 2, 2020 | Volume: 26 | Issue: 24 | Pages: 6581-6588

10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-2283 | PMID 33008815

Abstract Purpose: Rearrangements involving the MYC protooncogene are common in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, but their prognostic significance is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of MYC rearrangement on clinical characteristics, treatment response, and survival in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Experimental Design: This is a retrospective study including 1,342 patients seen in Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, from January 2006 to January 2018, who had cytogenetic testing by FISH at diagnosis, including MYC testing using the break apart FISH probe (8q24.1). Results: A rearrangement involving MYC was found in 8% of patients and was associated with elevated β2-microglobulin, ≥50% bone marrow plasma cells, IgA multiple myeloma, and the cooccurrence of trisomies. There were no differences in overall response rates between patients with and without MYC rearrangement when induction chemotherapy was proteasome inhibitor (PI)-based, immunomodulatory drug (IMiD)-based or PI + IMiD-based. Overall survival was shorter in patients with MYC rearrangement compared with patients without MYC rearrangement (5.3 vs. 8.0 years, P < 0.001). MYC rearrangement was associated with increased risk of death on multivariate analysis when high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, ISS stage III, and ≥70 years of age were included (risk ratio: 1.5; P = 0.007). Conclusions: MYC rearrangement is associated with high disease burden and is an independent adverse prognostic factor in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.
Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma with chromosome 1q abnormalities

Blood Advances | August 4, 2020 | Volume: 4 | Issue: 15 | Pages: 3509-3519

10.1182/bloodadvances.2020002218 | PMID 32750129

Abstract A gain in chromosome 1q (+1q) is among the most common cytogenetic abnormalities in multiple myeloma (MM). It is unclear whether +1q is independently associated with decreased overall survival (OS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of +1q on clinical characteristics, treatment response, and survival outcomes. We included 1376 Mayo Clinic patients diagnosed with MM from 2005 to 2018 who underwent fluorescence in situ hybridization testing at diagnosis with a panel including the +1q probe. A gain in 1q was found in 391 patients (28%) and was associated with anemia, hypercalcemia, high tumor burden, International Staging System (ISS) stage 3, high-risk (HR) translocations, and chromosome 13 abnormalities. There was no difference in overall response or deeper responses to proteasome inhibitor (PI)–, immunomodulatory drug (iMiD)–, or PI plus IMiD–based induction. Time to next treatment was shorter in patients with +1q compared with those without +1q (19.9 vs 27.7 months; P < .001). On univariate analysis, +1q was associated with increased risk of death (risk ratio [RR], 1.9; P < .001), and decreased OS was seen in all treatment groups. +1q was independently associated with decreased OS on multivariate analysis when other HR cytogenetic abnormalities, ISS stage 3, and age ≥70 years were included (RR, 1.5; P < .001). Gain of >1 copy of 1q was not associated with worse OS compared with gain of 1 copy (4.9 vs 4.3 years; P = .21). +1q was associated with high tumor burden, advanced disease stage, and HR translocations. It is independently associated with decreased OS, even in the setting of novel therapy and transplant.
Refining amyloid complete hematological response: Quantitative serum free light chains superior to ratio

American Journal of Hematology | July 18, 2020 | Volume: 95 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 1280-1287

10.1002/ajh.25940 | PMID 32681737

AbstractResponse assessment in light chain (AL) amyloidosis is based on serum and urine monoclonal protein studies. Newly diagnosed patients (n = 373) who achieved very good partial response or complete response (CR) to first line therapy were assessed for the survival impact of each of the monoclonal protein studies. At end of therapy (EOT), negative serum/urine immunofixation (IFE) was achieved in 61% of patients, 72% achieved normal serum free light chain ratio (sFLCR), and the median involved free light chain (iFLC) and difference between involved to uninvolved light chain (dFLC) were 17 mg/L and 5 mg/L, respectively. Overall, 46% of patients achieved a CR at EOT. At EOT, iFLC ≤20 mg/L and dFLC ≤10 mg/L were additive in survival discrimination to negative serum/urine IFE and were independent predictors of overall survival. In contrast, normalization of sFLCR did not add survival discrimination to serum/urine IFE and was not independent predictor of survival. We propose a new definition for hematological CR to include serum/urine IFE negativity plus iFLC ≤20 mg/L or dFLC ≤10 mg/L, instead of the current definition of serum/urine IFE negativity and normal sFLCR. Complete response using dFLC ≤10 mg/L had the best performance in those with significant renal dysfunction and by light chain isotype, making it the preferred partner to IFE. Validation of these results in a multicenter cohort is warranted.
Metaphase cytogenetics and plasma cell proliferation index for risk stratification in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

Blood Advances | May 22, 2020 | Volume: 4 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 2236-2244

10.1182/bloodadvances.2019001275 | PMID 32442300

AbstractMetaphase cytogenetic abnormalities, plasma cell proliferation index (PCPro), and gain 1q by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) are associated with inferior survival in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) treated with novel agents; however, their role in risk stratification is unclear in the era of the revised International Staging System (R-ISS). The objective of this study was to determine if these predictors improve risk stratification in newly diagnosed MM when accounting for R-ISS and age. We studied a retrospective cohort of 483 patients with newly diagnosed MM treated with proteasome inhibitors and/or immunomodulators. On multivariable analysis, R-ISS, age, metaphase cytogenetic abnormalities (both in aggregate and for specific abnormalities), PCPro, and FISH gain 1q were associated with inferior progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). We devised a risk scoring system based on hazard ratios from multivariable analyses and assigned patients to low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups based on their cumulative scores. The addition of metaphase cytogenetic abnormalities, PCPro, and FISH gain 1q to a risk scoring system accounting for R-ISS and age did not improve risk discrimination of Kaplan-Meier estimates for PFS or OS. Moreover, they did not improve prognostic performance when evaluated by Uno’s censoring-adjusted C-statistic. Lastly, we performed a paired analysis of metaphase cytogenetic and interphase FISH abnormalities, which revealed the former to be insensitive for the detection of prognostic chromosomal abnormalities. Ultimately, metaphase cytogenetics lack sensitivity for important chromosomal aberrations and, along with PCPro and FISH gain 1q, do not improve risk stratification in MM when accounting for R-ISS and age.
Clinical and cytogenetic features of nonsecretory multiple myeloma (NSMM) in the era of novel agent induction therapy: The Mayo Clinic experience.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 12, 2020 | Volume: 37 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: e19519-e19519

10.1200/jco.2019.37.15_suppl.e19519

e19519 Background: NSMM is a rare subtype of myeloma that has not been well characterized in the era of novel agent induction therapy. Thus, we evaluated the clinical and cytogenetic features of patients with newly diagnosed NSMM evaluated at our institution. Methods: We evaluated all NSMM patients seen at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester from 2008-2017 based on the absence of a detectable monoclonal protein in their serum and urine electrophoresis and having a concurrent involved serum immunoglobulin light chain of less than 5 mg/dL. Survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method and clinical and cytogenetic features were reported descriptively. Results: This cohort consisted of 30 consecutive patients with NSMM with a median age of 62 years (40-79) of which 16 (53%) were male. The median bone marrow plasma cell involvement was 70% (Range: 0 – 100). There were 3/25 (12%) patients who presented with a creatinine of 2 mg/dL or greater and 6/23 (26%) patients who presented with hypercalcemia (11 mg/dL or greater). The ISS classification of this cohort is as follows: Stage 1- 8 (36%) patients, Stage 2- 3 (14%) patients and Stage 3- 11 (50%) patients. There were 6 (21%) out of 28 patients with high risk cytogenetics (either del 17p, t(4;14), t(14;16) or t(14;20). The distribution of primary cytogenetic abnormalities among this cohort was as follows: t(11;14) – 16 (57%), t(4;14) – 1 (4%), trisomies – 6 (21%) and other - 5 (13%). The median overall survival (OS) for patients in this cohort was 59 months (95% CI: 34 – 64). In comparison to a control cohort of newly diagnosed secretory myeloma patients matched for age, gender and year of diagnosis in a 1:2 ratio, the median OS was worse for the NSMM cohort but this was not statistically significant (59 vs. 92 months, p = 0.257). Conclusions: Patients diagnosed with NSMM had a predisposition towards having a t(11;14) primary cytogenetic abnormality. In the era of novel agent induction therapy, they may have a survival outcome that may be worse than newly diagnosed secretory myeloma patients.
Continued improvement in survival in multiple myeloma (MM) including high-risk patients.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 12, 2020 | Volume: 37 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: 8039-8039

10.1200/jco.2019.37.15_suppl.8039

8039 Background: Treatment of MM has evolved significantly over the past decade, with increasing use of multi-drug combinations for initial therapy. In addition, supportive care approaches have also improved. We examined how these improvements have translated to survival outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed MM. Methods: Patients (n=3449) with a diagnosis of MM made between 2004 and 2017 and seen at Mayo Clinic within six months of the diagnosis, were included in this analysis. Patients were divided into three groups based on the year of diagnosis; group 1- 2004-07 (n=831), group 2-2008-12 (n=1161), and group 3-2013-17 (n=1457). Survival of the groups were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method, and compared using log rank test. Results: The median age was 64 years (22 to 96); 60% were male and 40% were female. 14% were >75 years, 33% were aged 65-75 and 53% were <65 years. The median overall survival for the whole cohort was 5.7 years (95%CI; 5.4, 6.3). The median OS for the groups 1, 2 and 3 were 3.9, 6.3 and NR, respectively; p<0.001. The 4-year survival estimates were 50%, 62%, and 75%, respectively. We then explored the improvements in patient subgroups. While all patients experienced improvements in OS over time, improvement in group 3 was most prominent for those >75 years. In patients <65 years, the 4-yr OS for groups 1, 2 and 3 were 57, 71, and 79% respectively. In patients 65-75 years of age, the 4-yr OS for groups 1, 2 and 3 were 48, 60, and 75% respectively. In patients >75 years, the 4-yr OS for groups 1, 2 and 3 were 24, 35, and 56% respectively. While patients with high-risk disease did not see as much benefit in the earlier period, substantial progress was seen in the last group. The 3-yr OS for patients with high-risk cytogenetics were 52, 55, and 73% for groups 1, 2 and 3 compared to 67, 75, and 85% for standard-risk cytogenetics respectively. 2067 patients were staged according to the International Staging System and the median OS for stages 1, 2 and 3 were 6.5, 4.6 and 2.4 in group 1; 9.2, 6.6 and 3.5 in group 2 and NR for any of the stages in group 3. Conclusions: The results confirm continued improvement in survival of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients, including elderly and high-risk MM.
Ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone for patients with POEMS syndrome.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 12, 2020 | Volume: 37 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: 8019-8019

10.1200/jco.2019.37.15_suppl.8019

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

American Journal of Hematology | March 4, 2020 | Volume: 95 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 637-642

10.1002/ajh.25773 | PMID 32129510

AbstractThe diagnosis of primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL) has been made by quantifying circulating plasma cells (cPCs) morphologically on a peripheral blood (PB) smear. However, this technique is not sufficiently sensitive. Multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) provides a readily available and highly sensitive method to identify and quantify cPCs that could complement PB smear assessment. However, an optimal quantitative cutoff for cPCs by MFC to identify pPCL has not been established. Thus, a total of 591 patients newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients who had their PB samples evaluated morphologically by PB smear, and immunophenotypically by MFC prior to beginning therapy were evaluated. The presence of ≥200 cPCs/μL by MFC (N = 25 or 5% of the total population) was chosen to identify patients with ≥5% cPCs by PB smear with a specificity of 99% and a sensitivity of 77%. For patients with ≥200 cPCs/μL by MFC compared to the remainder of the cohort, the median Time to next therapy (TTNT) was 18 vs 30 months and the median OS was 38 vs 70 months respectively. Thus, MFC assessment of PB can be utilized in conjunction with the morphological assessment of a PB smear to aid in improving the identification of pPCL among NDMM patients.
Phase 2 Trial of Daratumumab, Ixazomib, Lenalidomide and Modified Dose Dexamethasone in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

Blood | February 14, 2020 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 864-864

10.1182/blood-2019-131476

Background: The current commonly used regimens in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) utilize steroids (dexamethasone or prednisone) in various combinations: bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRd), bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone (VTd), daratumumab, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (DRd) and daratumumab, bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone (DVMP). However, steroid therapy may be associated with various adverse effects, including, but not limited to mood changes, insomnia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, osteoporosis, adrenal suppression, muscle weakness, and increased risk of opportunistic infections. A recent trial demonstrated improved tolerability of a regimen (Rd-R) involving an abbreviated course of dexamethasone, without compromising the efficacy in patients with intermediate-fit NDMM (Lorocca A., et al., ASH 2018). We designed a phase 2 clinical trial to examine the safety and efficacy of daratumumab, an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody in combination with an all-oral regimen of ixazomib, a proteasome inhibitor, lenalidomide, an immunomodulatory drug, and modified dose dexamethasone (IRd). Patients and Methods: NDMM patients with measurable disease and adequate organ function were enrolled, irrespective of their transplant eligibility. The primary objective was to determine the rate of complete response (CR) to daratumumab-IRd. Treatment consisted of daratumumab, 16 mg/kg, weekly for two cycles, every other week during cycles 3-6 and then every 4 weeks, ixazomib, 4 mg days 1, 8, 15, lenalidomide, 25 mg days 1-21, and dexamethasone upto 40 mg intravenously weekly for no more than two cycles, followed by use only as a prophylactic premedication for daratumumab-associated infusion reactions. Myeloma risk stratification was assessed by cytoplasmic immunoglobulin fluorescence in-situ hybridization (cIg FISH) analysis. Results: Overall, 40 patients were accrued, with data available on all patients for analysis at the cutoff date of July 19, 2019. The median age at enrollment was 64.5 (33-81) years; 37.5% were female. Eight (20%) patients were high risk by FISH. The median number of cycles was 6 (2-11) and the median follow up was 6.1 (2-11.7) months. Among 40 patients who had received at least 2 cycles of therapy, responses were attained rapidly; at the end of cycle 2, 88% patients achieved at least a partial response and 33% at least a very good partial response (VGPR) that improved to 52% at the end of 4 cycles among 29 patients who had completed at least 4 cycles. The overall best confirmed response rate among all 40 patients (Figure 1) was 95%, including 10% stringent CR, 5% CR and 23% near CR (13% VGPR excluding nCR). Stem cell collection was completed in 17 patients so far, all of whom required filgrastim and plerixafor. The median CD34+ cell count was 7.7 (range 2.9-11.6) million/kg . All patients were alive and 39 (97.5%) patients were progression-free at last follow up. Four (10%) patients proceeded to autologous stem cell transplantation off study, per patient and/or investigator discretion (1 in CR, 2 in PR, 1 with progressive disease). Overall, 224 cycles have been administered across the study, with dose reduction/ hold required in a subset of patients; ixazomib (10%), lenalidomide (20%), daratumumab (0%) and dexamethasone (13%); the most frequent reasons for dose adjustment were skin rash and hematologic toxicities. A grade 3 or higher adverse event, at least possibly attributed to the study drugs, was observed in 40% of patients; hematologic in 30% (lymphopenia 25%, neutropenia 15%, thrombocytopenia 5% and anemia 2.5%) and non-hematologic in 18% of patients (hyperglycemia 8%, diarrhea 5%, infections 5%, ileus 2.5%, maculopapular rash 2.5%, and fatigue 2.5%). Updated results with additional 6 months of follow up and minimal residual disease assessment related data will be presented at the meeting. Conclusion: Our early results suggest that the combination of daratumumab, ixazomib, lenalidomide and modified dose dexamethasone is well-tolerated, with excellent activity, and does not adversely impact stem-cell mobilization in patients with NDMM. Disclosures Kapoor: Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Research Funding; Glaxo Smith Kline: Research Funding; Cellectar: Consultancy. Gertz:Spectrum: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Prothena: Honoraria; Alnylam: Honoraria; Ionis: Honoraria. Dingli:alexion: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Millenium: Consultancy; Rigel: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Research Funding. Leung:Takeda: Research Funding; Prothena: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Aduro: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Omeros: Research Funding. Dispenzieri:Pfizer: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy; Intellia: Consultancy; Akcea: Consultancy; Takeda: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Alnylam: Research Funding. Lacy:Celgene: Research Funding. Kumar:Takeda: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: Daratumumab in combination with Ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the management of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma