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.
The Impact of Melphalan Conditioning and CD34+ Cell Dose and Schedule on Post‐Transplant Outcomes in AL Amyloidosis
American Journal of Hematology | April 11, 2025 | Volume: 100 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 1141-1151
ABSTRACTThe optimal conditioning schedule and CD34+ cell dose for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for AL amyloidosis is unknown. Patients (n = 1704) who underwent ASCT for AL amyloidosis between 2003 and 2020 in 9 centers were included. Data on melphalan conditioning dose, number of conditioning days, whether a rest day between conditioning and stem cell infusion was given or not, and infused CD34+ cell dose were collected. Full‐dose melphalan (≥ 180 mg/m2) was administered in 63.7% of the patients, and 80.4% had melphalan split into 2‐day conditioning. A rest day (day −1) between the conditioning regimen and stem cell infusion was provided in 52.5% of patients. The median infused CD34+ cell count was 4.7 × 106/kg. An infused CD34+ cell count ≥ 4.5 × 106/kg was associated with a shorter time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment. In a nominal regression analysis, full‐dose melphalan, 1‐day melphalan conditioning, and omitting a rest day between conditioning and stem cell infusion were independent predictors of post‐ASCT higher deep hematological response. The median follow‐up was 8.6 years, and 38% of patients died. Independent predictors of superior overall survival in multivariate Cox regression analysis included full‐dose melphalan, having no rest day, and infused CD34+ cells ≥ 4.5 × 106/kg. Independent predictors of higher day‐100 transplant‐related mortality (TRM) in nominal logistic regression analysis included poorer performance status, NT‐proBNP/BNP ≥ 1800/400 pg/mL, serum albumin < 2.5 g/dL, CD34+ cells < 4.5 × 106/kg, and not having a rest day. In conclusion, 1 day of melphalan conditioning and administration of CD34+ cells ≥ 4.5 × 106/kg are recommended for ASCT in AL amyloidosis.
The molecular landscape of
AL
amyloidosis
British Journal of Haematology | April 11, 2025 | Volume: 206 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 1297-1311
Summary Amyloid light‐chain (AL) amyloidosis is a systemic clonal plasma cell disorder characterized by the production and deposition of misfolded immunoglobulin light chains (LCs), resulting in multiorgan dysfunction. Due to its intricate molecular mechanisms and diverse organ involvement, the disease poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This review explores the molecular landscape of AL amyloidosis, emphasizing genetic, transcriptomic and proteomic alterations. Key findings include chromosomal abnormalities, somatic mutations, aberrant gene expression, disrupted protein folding pathways and the role of cytokine and chemokine secretion. These factors collectively drive the overproduction and destabilization of amyloidogenic LCs, leading to organ‐specific amyloid deposition, clinical heterogeneity and variable patient outcomes. Despite therapeutic advancements, the disease's complexity challenges the development of effective biological models. Progressing towards personalized therapies requires the development of preclinical models and the identification of biomarkers and molecular data to design targeted interventions. This review highlights the importance of integrating DNA, RNA and protein‐level analyses to deepen the understanding of AL amyloidosis pathogenesis. Such insights are pivotal for improving diagnostics, prognostics and therapeutic strategies, ultimately advancing precision medicine for this challenging disease.
A pilot study to determine the feasibility and safety of pharmacist and nurse driven management of venetoclax ramp-up in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice | April 2, 2025 | Volume: 32 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 875-882
Purpose Venetoclax-based treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can be a logistically burdensome regimen due to extensive required monitoring of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of pharmacist and registered nurse (RN) driven management of venetoclax ramp-up in CLL. Methods This was a prospective, pilot program for patients receiving venetoclax-based therapy for CLL. Patients had nine weekly visits during the first three cycles of therapy, of which five visits were independently performed by a pharmacist or RN. Laboratory tests to evaluate TLS were ordered and monitored independently by the RN in collaboration with clinicians (physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant). Results Thirty CLL patients, median age 67 years, 73% treated in the frontline setting, started venetoclax between May 2022 and January 2023. After the initial three weeks of obinutuzumab treatment, TLS risk prior to venetoclax initiation had improved to low (93%), medium (3%), and high (3%). There was zero incidence of laboratory or clinical TLS by Howard criteria during the venetoclax ramp-up for all patients. Pharmacist and RNs performed 139 independent visits and monitored 197 sets of TLS labs. Conclusion Use of independent pharmacist and RN visits for toxicity checks and TLS monitoring during weekly venetoclax dose ramp-up did not lead to increased incidence of TLS in patients with CLL. These visits increased both access and efficiency within the CLL clinic. This concept has the potential to be applied in other cancer care settings with a variety of treatment regimens.
Supportive care for systemic amyloidosis: International Society of Amyloidosis (ISA) expert panel guidelines