Citations

Clear

898 citation(s) found for "Cook, D A".

AI multimodal large language model on CAR-T pre-leukapheresis evaluation to predict monitoring needs post infusion for early dismissal planning
Corraes, Andre De Menezes Silva , Shaw, Monica , Holmes, Lucy , Burgstahler, Allison, Riester, Kimberly, Jankowski, Matthew, Hampel, Paul J. , Kapoor, Prashant , Khurana, Arushi , Kourelis, Taxiarchis , Leung, Nelson , Warsame, Rahma , Kumar, Shaji , Ansell, Stephen M. , Johnston, Patrick B. , Guzman, Emmanuel Contreras , Shaw, Monica, Holmes, Lucy, Burgstahler, Allison, Mclean, Jody, Villasboas, José C. , Bennani, N. Nora , Binder, Moritz , Gertz, Morie A. , Kenderian, Saad S. , Cook, Joselle , Shah, Meera , Alkhateeb, Hassan B. , Wang, Yucai , Durani, Urshila , Paludo, Jonas , Lin, Yi

Mayo Clinic

Blood | December 5, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 6131-6131

10.1182/blood-2025-6131 Get It

Abstract Introduction: CAR-T therapy has transformed cancer therapy. with its first Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved product in August 2017. Given the expanding indications and growing experience, particularly with management of immediate toxicities requiring specialized expertise such as Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) and Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), FDA recently removed the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) for CD19 and BCMA targeting CAR-T on June 26th2025. In particular, given that CRS and ICANS typically occur in the first 2 weeks post CAR-T infusion, the minimum required stay near CAR-T treatment center is reduced from one month to 2 weeks. While this could reduce treatment burden for patients (pts) who need to travel away from home to receive CAR-T, there is a need to update the transition of care from CAR-T center to pts' local oncology practice. Pts carry in their rate of recovery and have varying supportive care needs in the second half of the month post CAR-T infusion. To assist with care transition and planning, we examine the use of AI multimodal large language model (LLM) to predict patients' supportive care needs 2 weeks after CAR-T infusion based on the clinical data at the time of CAR-T evaluation, prior to leukapheresis. This timepoint was selected to also maximize travel, lodging and caregiver planning for pts and family as well. Methodology: Pts who were treated with FDA-approved CAR-T at Mayo Clinic Rochester between December 2022 and June 2025 were examined. Based on experiences with referral practices in the Midwest region, we defined patients with high monitoring needs as those who between day 14-30 post CAR-T had either hospital admission due to recurrent CRS or ICANS or required transfusion of more than 1 blood product per week (red blood cell or platelets). Others were classified as low monitoring needs. Clinical notes, labs, vital signs and electrocardiogram at the time of CAR-T evaluation were abstracted and summarized by Gemini LLM for association with patients with high versus low monitoring needs post CAR-T. Model was developed and tested for predicted needs and concordance with actual outcome of these pts. Results: Among the 362 pts who received FDA approved CAR-T in the timeframe, 84 pts had high monitoring needs. An additional 84 pts with low monitoring needs were randomly selected from 278 pts. These were divided into a training cohort and test cohort of 84 pts each, with 42 pts with high and 42 pts with low monitoring needs. Demographics of the two cohorts displayed no statistical difference. LLM analysis of the clinical data at the time of CAR-T eval identified 5 categories associated with risk for high monitoring needs: 1) Disease status (clinical notes about bulky, progressive disease or CNS involvement); 2) inflammatory and tumor burden markers (CRP, LDH); 3) hematologic status (platelet, plt; neutrophil count ANC); 4) renal function; 5) performance status. Using common clinical lab parameter convention (platelets <100, ANC< 1, CrCl< 30ml/min), and prioritizing for not missing pts with high monitoring needs, LLM model was defined to predict patients for high monitoring needs if high risk feature was identified in category 1 or any category combinations; whereas patients with no high risk feature or only 1 category that is not disease status was predicted as low monitoring needs. In this model, the sensitivity was 85.7%, specificity 23.8%, F1 score 65.5%. Applying this model to test cohort 2, the sensitivity was 83.3%, specificity 28.6%, and F1 score 65.4%. Discussion: We demonstrate proof-of-concept that LLM can be used to analyze clinical data at the time of evaluation for CAR-T eligibility to predict for supportive care needs post treatment. Not surprisingly, features identified by LLM to be associated with high monitoring needs are those previously reported by us and others at the time of CAR-T evaluation and or pre-lymphodepletion to be associated with risk for cytopenia, infection, hospitalization and non-relapse mortality. Based on the summary output generated by LLM, additional opportunities for classification methods were identified to improve specificity and balanced accuracy of the LLM model. This is a promising tool for further development to assist clinicians and patients to plan their treatment journey.
Real-world (RW) outcomes of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients (pts) treated with front-line daratumumab (dara), bortezomib (bor), lenalidomide (len) and dexamethasone (dex) (DVRd)
Menezes, Ricardo de, Sledge, Hanna, Yadav, Kanika, Nayyar, Moez, Kapoor, Prashant , Sher, Taimur , Abdallah, Nadine , Lin, Yi, Flott, Caitlin, Yadav, Udit , Warsame, Rahma , Wiedmeier, Julia E. , Kourelis, Taxiarchis , Fernandez, Andre, Kumar, Shaji, Chanan‐Khan, Asher , Wiedmeier-Nutor, Julia E , Parrondo, Ricardo D , Menezes, Ricardo de, Nayyar, Madhavi, Bergsagel, P. Leif , Fonseca, Rafaël , Buadi, Francis K. , Gertz, Morie A. , Dispenzieri, Angela , Roy, Vivek , Binder, Moritz , Chhabra, Saurabh , Rajkumar, S. Vincent , Gonsalves, Wilson I. , Cook, Joselle , Dingli, David , Muchtar, Eli , Leung, Nelson , Siddiqui, Mustaqeem , Kumar, Shaji , Ailawadhi, Sikander

Mayo Clinic

Blood | December 5, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 4585-4585

10.1182/blood-2025-4585 Get It

Abstract Background: The phase II and III GRIFFIN and PERSEUS studies evaluated DVRd vs. VRd in NDMM pts that were transplant eligible (TE). These studies included consolidation (cons) and dual agent maintenance (maint) with dara and len (DR). Little is known about the efficacy of DVRd in RW practice including frequency of bor use, use of cons, use of DR maint, and subsequent treatment after progression (PD) on DVRd. We aim to evaluate the RW efficacy of NDMM pts treated with DVRd across the tri-site Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer (MCCC). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of pts treated with DVRd between June 2018 and June 2024 at the MCCC. Outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: 464 pts were included; 278 pts were male, and the median (m) age of MM diagnosis was 64 years (yr). 114 pts had ISS III, 205 pts had R-ISS III, 266 pts had high risk (HR) FISH, 80 pts had extramedullary disease, 165 pts had ultra HR disease (dz) (as per 2025 IMS/IMWG consensus), and 47 pts had renal insufficiency (RI) with creatinine >2 mg/dL. Starting len dose was 25mg in 356 pts, 15 mg in 40 pts and ≤10mg in 65 pts. 399 pts received bor 1x per week and 63 2x per week, 91 pts received 1-2 cycles of a different regimen prior to DVRd due to hospitalization (n=23), RI (n=38), poor performance status (n=6), other (n=34). 315 (67.9%) pts underwent autologous transplant (ASCT). The m number of induction cycles was 5; 4 for pts who underwent ASCT and 6 for pts who did not. The best ORR to induction for pts who underwent ASCT was 98% with 247 (79%) achieving ≥VGPR, and 82 (26%) achieving minimal residual disease negativity (MRD-) to at least 10-5. The best ORR for pts who did not undergo ASCT was 87%. For those who underwent ASCT, (96% with melphalan 200mg/m2), the ORR at day 100 was 97% with 56% achieving MRD-. At 1-yr post ASCT, 30% (93/312) were MRD-. 42 pts (13%) received post ASCT cons with DVRd for a m of 2 cycles. 281 pts received post ASCT maint including 107 (38%) len, 53 (19%) bor-len, 91 (32%) dara-len, 14 (5%) dara, 16 (6%) other. 61(13%) pts had change in treatment, due to change to second line therapy (35; 55%), discontinuation (d/c) of len (11; 17%), d/c of dara (3; 5%), d/c of bor (15; 23%), d/c of dex (0; 0%). The m follow-up time for all pts was 26 months (mo) (17-39). The m PFS of pts who underwent ASCT was not reached (NR), and was 57 mo (52-NA) for pts who did not undergo ASCT. For pts who underwent ASCT, the PFS at 24mo for pts who did not have HR FISH was 93% (88-99%) compared to 80% (73-88%) for pts with HR FISH (p=0.12) and 77% (68-87%) for pts with ultra-HR dz (p=0.013).The PFS at 24mo of pts with RI who underwent ASCT was 81% (66-98%) compared to 86% (82-92%) for those without RI, p=0.57. The PFS at 24mo of pts with RI who did not undergo ASCT was 53% (28-100%) compared to 64% (55-75%) for those without RI, p=0.42. The ORR and MRD- rate for pts who received once-weekly bor was 94% and 24%, compared to 94% and 27% for pts who received 2x weekly bor (p=0.85, p=0.93). For pts who underwent ASCT, the PFS at 24mo for pts who received len maint was 91% vs. 83% for pts who receive dual agent maint (DR or VR) (p=0.25), although pts who got dual agent maint were more likely to have HR FISH than pts who received len maint (p<0.001). The PFS at 24mo for pts that received post-ASCT cons was 91% compared to 85% for those that did not (p=0.53); pts who got post-ASCT cons were more likely to have HR FISH (p=0.07). For pts that underwent ASCT, the 3 yr PFS rate is 85% and the 3 yrs OS rate is 96%. For pts that did not undergo ASCT the 3 yrs PFS rate is 60% and the 3 yr OS rate is 85%. 55 pts had functional HR (FHR) MM (relapse within 18 mo) and m PFS for FHR pts who underwent ASCT was 15 mo (11-NA), while m PFS was NR for pts without FHR MM (p<0.001). 79 pts relapsed after 1st line DVRd. The most common 2nd line therapies (tx) were dara-carfilzomib (K)-D, dara-pomalidomide(P)-D, KPD, and other. The m follow-up time from 2nd line tx was 10 mo, the best ORR to 2nd line tx was 76%, and the m PFS with 2nd line tx was 18 mo (7-NA). Conclusion: In this RW analysis, the efficacy and survival outcomes of NDMM pts treated with DVRd was comparable to that reported in the PERSEUS and GRIFFIN trials, although MRD- rates appear lower. DR maint and post-ASCT cons use was not common and was used more frequently in pts with HR FISH. Pts can be effectively salvaged following PD on front-line DVRd with available tx.
Self-reported geriatric impairments and treatment toxicity in older patients with multiple myeloma - a single center prospective study
Marar, Rosalyn, Bodily, Anna, Weivoda, Megan , Aug, Sarah, Kapoor, Prashant , Hayman, Suzanne R. , Cook, Joselle , Zanwar, Saurabh , Kourelis, Taxiarchis , Warsame, Rahma , Lin, Yi, Kumar, Shaji , Abdallah, Nadine , Yee, Claire , Wildes, Tanya M. , Menser, Terri , Buadi, Francis K. , Gonsalves, Wilson I. , Dispenzieri, Angela , Muchtar, Eli , Dingli, David , Cook, Joselle , Binder, Moritz , Gertz, Morie A. , Rajkumar, S. Vincent , Dueck, Amylou C.

Mayo Clinic

Blood | December 5, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 715-715

10.1182/blood-2025-715 Get It

Abstract Introduction: Multiple myeloma (MM) predominantly affects older adults who vary widely in physiological status and treatment outcomes. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is considered the gold standard for frailty assessment in older cancer patients (pts), but clinical useis limited. Current frailty tools for MM include only select GCA domains, rely on trial datasets, and do not incorporate pt-reported outcomes (PROs). Since their development, treatment strategies have evolved with the use of anti-CD38 MAbs and quadruplets in older pts. The impact of geriatric impairments on treatment tolerance in the era of modern therapy remains unclear and changes in geriatric domains during treatment are not well characterized. Aim: This prospective study evaluates the association between pt-reported CGA and treatment outcomes in older MM pts.Methods: We included MM pts ≥60 years initiating a new treatment at Mayo Clinic from March 2023-June 2024. Pts completed the CARG GCA (Hurria et al 2005) electronically prior to and after 4 treatment cycles. We collected data on toxicity using CTCAE and PRO-CTCAE and quality of life using the PROMIS10-GH SF.Results: Ninety pts were enrolled. Median age was 72 (range: 63-86), 42% female, and >90% non-Hispanic white. Over half (59%) were newly diagnosed with 41% and 56% receiving quadruplets and triplets, respectively. Among newly diagnosed pts, 34% had early stem cell transplant. Baseline median self- and physician- reported KPS were 80% and 90%, respectively, with high correlation (r=0.657). The median number of meds per pt was 9 (range:0-30), 39% had ≥3 comorbidities, 21% reported ≥1 fall in the past 6 months, and 40% reported ≥1 IADL limitation. On the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, 3% and 7% had anxiety and depression, respectively. On the Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration test, 19% had mild cognitive impairment, and 1% had severe cognitive impairment. While only 19% had grade (G) ≥3 non-hematologic toxicity by CTCAE, 71% had ≥1 treatment delay, dose reduction, or discontinuation, and 39% had ≥1 ED visit or unplanned hospitalization within the first 4 cycles. This suggests physician grading of non-hem toxicities may inadequately capture toxicity burden from MM therapy. Notably, the rate of G≥3 toxicity by PRO-CTCAE was 49%, highlighting the discrepancy between physician- and pt-reported symptom burden. CGA domains significantly associated with G≥3 non-hem toxicity were: age (74 v 71.5, p=0.032), ≥3 comorbidities (65% v 33%, p=0.015), anxiety (18% v 0%, p=0.006), ≥1 IADL limitation (65% v 33%, p=0.018), physician KPS ≤80 (53% v 27%, p=0.042), limitations in vigorous activities (100% v 78%, p=0.023) and limitations in climbing several flights of stairs (88% v 56%, p<0.001). Predictors of PRO-CTCAE G≥3 toxicity were ≥1 falls (30% v 11%, p=0.030), ≥3 comorbidities (52% v 26%, p=0.011), polypharmacy (≥9 meds) (67% v 43%, p=0.023), and physician KPS ≤80 (43% v 22%, p=0.030). CGA domains associated with ≥1 treatment adjustments were polypharmacy (62% v 33%, p=0.017) and unintentional weight loss (35% v 12%, p=0.028). Polypharmacy was the only domain associated with healthcare utilization (68% v 45%, p = 0.040), which may reflect underlying multimorbidity and greater pain burden. On multivariable logistic regression, any level of limitation in climbing several flights of stairs (OR: 6.0, 95% CI 1.2-30.3; p= 0.030) and older age (OR: 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.1; p=0.032) were independently associated with G≥3 non-hem toxicity, reflecting impaired functional status and reduced physiologic reserve, while ≥3 comorbidities only trended toward significance (OR:1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.9, p=0.051).Compared to baseline, there were no significant changes in CGA domains or PROMIS10 scores after 4 cycles. While there was no significant difference in the proportion of pts reporting limitations in IADLs or physical function, we observed heterogeneity among individual pts, with changes in all 3 directions (improvement, stability, and decline). Conclusions: Geriatric impairments are prevalent in older pts with MM; pt-reported impairments are significantly associated with G≥3 non-hem toxicities, need for treatment modifications, and increased healthcare utilization, even in the era of novel therapies. Physical functional trajectories during treatment are variable among individual pts, underscoring the need for personalized treatment strategies and reassessment of geriatric domains throughout treatment.
Prognostic value of immunoparesis, lymphopenia, high serum ferritin, and suppression of the non-involved serum free light chains (niFLC) in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients (RRMM) receiving bispecific antibodies
Castro, Valentina Cardenas , Arribas, Mariano , Wilson-Miller, Justine L., Nedved, Adrienne, Barreto, Jason N. , Abdallah, Nadine , Warsame, Rahma , Kourelis, Taxiarchis , Hayman, Suzanne R. , Kapoor, Prashant , Yadav, Udit , Wiedmeier, Julia E. , Kumar, Shaji , Lin, Yi, Sandahl, Tyler B. , Wiedmeier-Nutor, Julia E , Shim, Kevin G. , Siddiqui, Mustaqeem , Cook, Joselle , Dingli, David , Gonsalves, Wilson I. , Gertz, Morie A. , Leung, Nelson , Bergsagel, P. Leif , Chhabra, Saurabh , Ailawadhi, Sikander , Parrondo, Ricardo D , Rajkumar, S. Vincent , Dispenzieri, Angela , Fonseca, Rafaël

Mayo Clinic

Blood | December 5, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 5772-5772

10.1182/blood-2025-5772 Get It

Abstract Background The advent of T-cell redirecting bispecific antibodies (BsAb) therapies has led to deeper and durable responses in patients with RRMM. We sought to identify adverse prognostic factors for patients treated with BsAbs. We also explored whether the extent of the non-involved free light chain (niFLC) suppression could serve as a potential marker of T-cell engager activity, given the binding of BsAbs to both clonal and non-clonal plasma cells and the short half-life of serum FLCs. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of RRMM patients treated with BsAbs between 2022 and 2025 at Mayo Clinic. Baseline lymphocyte counts and ferritin levels were collected and analyzed both as continuous and dichotomized variables. niFLC was considered undetectable if it was below the quantification limit, while the magnitude of niFLC suppression was defined as the absolute difference between niFLC levels and the lower normal range threshold at the time of best response. In addition to standard statistical methods, interaction models were used to explore the potential effect modification of niFLC dynamics. Results A total of 158 patients were included (teclistamab, 73%; talquetamab, 15%; elranatamab, 12%). The median follow-up is 12 months (range 0 to 28 months). Median age is 71(range 65 to 77); 52% (n=85) were triple-class refractory (refractory to an IMiD, a PI, and CD38-antibody) and 37% (n=60) were penta-refractory. CAR-T therapy was previously administered in 28% (n = 46) patients, and 70% had undergone an autologous stem cell transplant. One or more high risk cytogenetic features including del(17p), gain(1q), amp(1q), del(1p), t(4;14), and t(14;16) were present in 57% (n = 90) of patients. Extramedullary disease was noted at the time of BsAb therapy in 44% of patients. Utilizing IMWG response criteria, 68% (n=107) achieved ≥partial response, and 64% (n=101) had ≥ very good partial response (VGPR) as best response following BsAb treatment. The median time to best response was 1.6 months (range 0.7 to 4.4). On multivariable analyses, baseline immunoparesis (HR 1.96; 95% CI, 1.08–3.58; p = 0.0274) and elevated ferritin levels (≥ 337 ng/mL) (HR 1.96; 95% CI, 1.24–3.09; p = 0.0041) were independent predictors of inferior progression-free survival (PFS). Lower baseline absolute lymphocyte count, analyzed as a continuous variable, was significantly associated with shorter PFS in the univariable analysis (HR 0.66; 95% CI, 0.44–0.98; p = 0.04), but not in the multivariable model (HR 0.75; 95% CI, 0.5–1.13; p = 0.166). Detectable niFLC at the time of best response was also significantly associated with inferior PFS (HR 1.80; 95% CI, 1.14–2.84; p = 0.0114). However, the magnitude of niFLC suppression did not show a statistically significant impact on PFS. The median PFS was 5 months in patients with high ferritin levels (≥ 337 ng/mL) and 21 months in those with lower ferritin (p = < 0.005). Similarly, PFS was 8 months in those with immunoparesis and not reached in those without baseline immunoparesis (p = 0.008). At the time of best response, detectable niFLC was associated with a trend toward shorter PFS (5 vs. 13 months), although the difference was not significant (p = 0.06). Logistic regression analysis supported these findings, with higher ferritin levels (OR 2.28; 95% CI: 1.09–4.96; p = 0.032) and the presence of baseline immunoparesis (OR 2.60; 95% CI: 1.18–6; p = 0.02) being significantly associated with higher likelihood of progression or death. Patients with deep reduction in niFLC achieved a VGPR or better. In contrast, those with detectable or higher-than-normal niFLC levels did worse in terms of response. Notably, niFLC became undetectable in 72% of patients with ≥VGPR (73/101), compared to 52% of those who did not achieve this level of response (30/57). Conclusion Among RRMM patients treated with BsAbs, baseline immunoparesis and elevated ferritin levels emerged as independent predictors of worse PFS. While failure to induce a deep reduction in niFLC at the time of best response suggests a tumor extrinsic mechanism of resistance, and it is also linked to inferior outcomes.
Disease characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of AL amyloidosis patients with high-risk FISH cytogenetics
Hellou, Tamer , Mariotti, E, Alnughmush, Ahmed , Steinhardt, Max Johannes, Kourelis, Taxiarchis , Zanwar, Saurabh , Hayman, Suzanne R. , Kapoor, Prashant , Hwa, Yi L. , Fonder, Amie , Hobbs, Miriam, Warsame, Rahma , Cook, Joselle , Abdallah, Nadine , Kyle, Robert, Kumar, Shaji, Packard, Daniel George , Gertz, Morie A. , Dispenzieri, Angela , Jevremović, Dragan , Baughn, Linda B. , Buadi, Francis K. , Dingli, David , Leung, Nelson , Cook, Joselle , Binder, Moritz , Lin, Yi , Go, Ronald S. , Siddiqui, Mustaqeem , Kyle, Robert, Rajkumar, S. Vincent , Gonsalves, Wilson I. , Kumar, Shaji , Muchtar, Eli

Mayo Clinic

Blood | December 5, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 5741-5741

10.1182/blood-2025-5741 Get It

Abstract Background The prognostic relevance of fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) abnormalities is well-established in multiple myeloma (MM), where high-risk (HR) abnormalities are associated with poor survival. In AL amyloidosis, however, the cytogenetic landscape and its implications might be different. For example, t(11;14), common in AL amyloidosis, has historically been linked to inferior outcomes in the pre-daratumumab era. HR FISH abnormalities are less common and less well-defined in this setting, underscoring the need to evaluate their significance in this disease. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 698 newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis patients seen at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, between 2012–2021 who had baseline FISH testing. HR FISH was defined as del(17p)/monosomy 17, t(4;14), t(14;16) or t(14;20). Baseline characteristics and treatment patterns were compared between the HR and the standard-risk (SR) groups. Staging used the Mayo 2004 system with European modification. Hematologic responses were assessed at 2 and 6 months, and cardiac/renal responses at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months per consensus criteria. Overall response rate (ORR) for hematologic and organ responses included patients who achieved partial response (PR), very good partial response (VGPR), and complete response (CR). Overall survival (OS) was estimated via Kaplan-Meier; comparisons used log-rank testing. Cox regression was used for univariate and multivariable analyses. Results Among 698 patients, 73 (10.4%) had HR FISH. The most common HR abnormality was t(14;16) (n=34, 4.9%), followed by del(17p)/monosomy 17 (n=21, 3%), and t(4;14)/t(14;20) (n=12 each, 1.7%). Across the cohort, t(11;14) was most frequent (51.3%), followed by del(13q) (36.2%), hyperdiploidy/tetraploidy (26.3%), and 1q gain/amp (23.6%). Compared to SR group, HR FISH group had fewer males (43% vs. 69%, p<0.0001), with no difference in age (62.5 vs. 65, p=0.44), cardiac (73% each, p=1) or renal involvement (52% vs. 54%, p=0.71). More HR patients had early cardiac stage (69% vs. 55.9%, p=0.04). Both groups were predominantly lambda isotype (82% vs. 74%, p=0.15), with similar baseline dFLC (21.6 vs. 28.4 mg/dL; p=0.81). Intact immunoglobulin secretion was more common in the HR group (68% vs. 45%, p=0.004). The HR group more often underwent advanced bone imaging (44% vs. 29%, p = 0.015) and had a higher incidence of lytic lesions or fractures (27% vs. 15%, p = 0.046). Use of bortezomib-based therapy, primarily CyBorD, was similar between the groups (67% each). Daratumumab-based therapy (16% vs. 11%, p=0.25) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) (33% vs. 25%, p=0.16) were numerically higher in the HR group, though not statistically significant. Post-ASCT maintenance was more frequent in the HR group (17% vs. 7%, p=0.006). At 2 months, hematologic ORR was higher in the HR group (90% vs. 72%, p=0.007), with higher ≥VGPR (67% vs. 32%, p<0.0001) and CR rates (24% vs. 8%, p=0.0004). At 6 months, the HR group maintained higher ≥VGPR (89% vs. 71%, p=0.008) and CR rates (41% vs. 26%, p=0.04), with no difference in ORR (98% vs. 92%, p=0.18). Cardiac responses at 6 months favored the HR group (VGPR or better: 29% vs. 12%, p=0.013; CR: 13% vs. 3%, p=0.007). At 12 months, cardiac ≥VGPR remained higher (50% vs. 29%, p=0.01), though CR was not significantly different (18% vs. 9%, p=0.1). Renal ≥VGPR at 6 months was more common in the HR group (47% vs. 22%, p=0.004), but not renal CR (9% vs. 7%, p=0.95). At 12 months, renal ≥VGPR remained higher in HR (61% vs. 40%, p=0.004). With a median follow-up of 87 months, median OS was not reached in HR (95% CI: 72.6–NR) vs. 88.9 months (95% CI: 72.8–110.5) in SR (p=0.03). In multivariable analysis, age ≥65 (HR 1.56, p=0.0001) and >2 organ involvement (HR 1.46, p=0.002) were associated with worse OS, while ASCT (HR 0.35, p<0.0001) and cardiac stage I/II (HR 0.48, p<0.0001) predicted better OS. HR FISH was not independently associated with OS (HR 0.74, p=0.14). Conclusions HR FISH abnormalities in AL amyloidosis are not independently associated with OS, unlike in MM. Patients with HR FISH abnormalities more often presented with earlier cardiac stage and demonstrated deeper hematologic and organ responses than patients with SR FISH abnormalities. This study underscores how clonal characteristics can potentially aid in more personalized treatment approaches for patients.
The SCOPE trial: A phase 2 Study of selinexor in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone for patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma
Kapoor, Prashant , Dizona, Paul, Hobbs, Miriam, Fonder, Amie , Hwa, Yi L. , Kourelis, Taxiarchis , Cook, Joselle , Hayman, Suzanne, Abdallah, Nadine , Warsame, Rahma , Knopf, Betsy, Kumar, Shaji, Gertz, Morie A. , Muchtar, Eli , Buadi, Francis K. , Gonsalves, Wilson I. , Dingli, David , Dispenzieri, Angela , Cook, Joselle , Binder, Moritz , Siddiqui, Mustaqeem , Rajkumar, S. Vincent , Knopf, Betsy, Kumar, Shaji

Mayo Clinic

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 2281-2281

10.1182/blood-2025-2281 Get It

Abstract Background Multiple myeloma, the second most common hematologic malignancy, has witnessed incremental progress in its management over the past decade underscored by substantial improvement in patient outcomes, although it remains largely incurable. Due to its relapsing-remitting course with current therapies, patients experience considerable burden, particularly with the use of parenteral regimens that are administered on a continuous basis. As such, exploration of newer oral, finite-duration therapeutic options may be of benefit. Selinexor, an oral selective exportin (XPO)-1 inhibitor has an established synergistic activity with other antimyeloma therapies, including immunomodulatory drugs and proteasome inhibitors. In combination with dexamethasone, selinexor is currently approved at 80 mg twice a week dose, and in combination with bortezomib plus dexamethasone, it is approved at 100 mg once weekly dose for patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Herein, we present the results of Arm B of the 2-arm SCOPE trial that examined an all-oral regimen of selinexor, pomalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone (SPd) regimen for RRMM. Methods The SCOPE trial is an investigator-initiated, single arm, phase 2 study that assessed the efficacy and safety of selinexor (S), 60 mg orally (PO) weekly, pomalidomide (P), 4 mg PO, days 1-21 and dexamethasone (d), 40 mg PO, weekly in 28-day cycles given for a fixed duration (total 18 cycles ) in patients who were exposed to up to 2 prior lines of antimyeloma therapy, at least one of which included both a proteasome inhibitor and the immunomodulatory agent, lenalidomide. Olanzapine, along with a 5-HT3 antagonist comprised the mandatory anti-emetic prophylactic regimen. The trial's primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR), based on confirmed response, and the key secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), duration of response (DOR), overall survival (OS), and safety of SPd. The International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) 2016 criteria were used for response assessment in addition to reporting of the minor response. The distribution of PFS and OS was estimated using the Kaplan Meier method. Toxicity was graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 5. Results At the data cutoff date (May 28, 2025), 28 of 29 enrolled patients with RRMM were evaluable. The median age at study entry was 67.5 years (range: 65-72 years). SPd was used as the first salvage regimen in 21% of patients, and the remaining 79% of patients had previously received 2 lines of therapy at study entry. All patients had previously been exposed to a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent, and 32% were dual refractory. Notably, 64% of patients had previously been exposed to the anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, daratumumab, and 11% of patients were daratumumab-refractory. The median follow-up was 23.9 months (range: 2.9-38.8 months). The patients had received a median of 9 cycles of SPd (range:1-18 cycles), and at data cutoff, 36% of patients had completed all the planned 18 cycles of SPd. The ORR was 61% (95% CI:41-78) and the rate of measurable residual disease (MRD)-negative complete response (CR) was 21%, CR 11%, very good partial response (VGPR) 18%, partial response (PR) 11% as the best response achieved. Additionally, 7% and 25% of patients had attained a minor response (MR) and stable disease (SD), respectively. The median PFS was 24 months [95% CI: 7.1– not-estimable (NE)] months, and the median DOR was not reached (NR). 2-year OS rate was 93%. The toxicity associated discontinuation rate was 7%, and no grade (Gd) 5 events or unexpected toxicities were encountered during treatment. Gd 3 or higher hematologic toxicities occurred in 43% [Gd 3/4 anemia (11%/0%), thrombocytopenia (14%/0%), neutropenia (25%/7%), lymphopenia (4%/4%)]. Gd 3+ non-hematologic toxicities occurred in 46% [Gd 3 /4 (%) infections (21%/0%), fatigue (4%/0%), nausea (7%/0%) and anorexia (0%/7%). No patients experienced Gd 3 or 4 diarrhea, vomiting or weight loss. Additional data will be presented at the meeting. Conclusion Weekly selinexor in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone is an effective and safe, all-oral regimen for patients with RRMM who are previously exposed to a proteasome inhibitor and lenalidomide. SPd regimen is currently being examined in an ongoing phase 3 randomized controlled trial.
Phase II Study of post transplant cyclophosphamide-based graft versus host disease prophylaxis after HLA-mismatched unrelated donor transplantation and reduced intensity conditioning: Results from the NMDP-sponsored access expansion Study
Bo‐Subait, Stephanie, Logan, Brent R. , Leckrone, Erin , Smith, Sarah , Stefanski, Heather, Malmberg, Craig, Modi, Dipenkumar , Meade, Javier Bolaños, Rao, Uttam K. , Milner, Jordan , Jamieson, Katarzyna , Carrum, George, Kosuri, Satyajit, Cook, Rachel J. , Ballen, Karen K. , Loren, Alison W. , Arai, Sally , Choi, Sung Won , Shaw, Bronwen E. , Larkin, Karilyn , Gooptu, Mahasweta , Malki, Monzr M. Al , Auletta, Jeffery J. , Spellman, Stephen R. , Askar, Medhat , Cusatis, Rachel , Khimani, Farhad , Hamadani, Mehdi , Maiers, Martin , Stanek, Joseph , Abboud, Ramzi , Dholaria, Bhagirathbhai , Hogan, William J. , Reshef, Ran , Qayed, Muna , Broglie, Larisa , Devine, Steven M. , Jiménez, Antonio , Shaffer, Brian C.

Mayo Clinic

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 4232-4232

10.1182/blood-2025-4232 Get It

Abstract Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) using an HLA mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD) with calcineurin inhibitor-based graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis results in increased incidence of non-relapse mortality (NRM) and lower survival compared to matched donor HCT. The NMDP sponsored 15-MMUD study demonstrated that post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy)-based prophylaxis following bone marrow derived MMUD HCT resulted in reduced incidence of GVHD and favorable survival. Because marrow grafts can be difficult to procure and vary in quality, we conducted a phase II, prospective, multicenter study to evaluate PTCy-based GVHD prophylaxis in adult recipients of MMUD using peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) allografts. The primary study aim was to estimate the probability of one-year overall survival (OS) post HCT. Secondary aims were to assess other key clinical endpoints and determine the rate of severe infections. Initial results of the first 70 recipients who received reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) were previously reported by Al Malki et al (JCO 2025) demonstrating a 1-year OS of 78.6% (95% CI, 67% to 86.5%). Here, we report results from a planned expansion of the study that included 123 additional RIC recipients, with updated results from the initial cohort of 70 patients (total N = 193 subjects) treated at 33 centers. Study participants received cyclophosphamide 50 mg/kg (ideal body weight) administered on days 3 and 4 post HCT with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil as previously described (Al Malki, JCO, 2025). The median study participant age was 65.0 (range: 22.9-78.9); 92 (47.7%) of participants were male, and 84 (43.5%) identified as having other than non-Hispanic white ancestry. The HCT comorbidity index was high-risk (>3) in 65 (33.7%). Underlying histologic diagnosis was AML in 96 (49.7%) participants, MDS in 43 (22.3%), ALL in 20 (10.4%), lymphoma or CLL in 24 (12.4%), and CML/other leukemias in 10 (5.2%). Conditioning regimens used were fludarabine and melphalan (100 or 140 mg/m2) (N=120; 62.2%), 2-day busulfan and fludarabine (N=38; 19.7%), and fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation (200 cGy) (N=32; 16.6%). Donor HLA matching (considering HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DRB1) was 7/8 in 131 (67.9%) of participants, 6/8-matched in 51 (26.4%), and 4-5/8-matched in 11 (5.7%) participants. Median donor age was 25.5 years (range: 18.7-35.7). The one-year overall OS estimate was 79.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 73.2-84.7). Survival was similar among HLA 7/8-matched donor recipients (77.8%, 69.7-84%) and <7/8 matched donor recipients (83.7%, 71.8-90.9%). The one-year GVHD-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) was 49.9% (42.6-56.9%) and the one-year progression-free survival was 70.2% (63.2-76.2%). The one-year cumulative incidence (CI) rates of NRM and relapse were 12.5% (8.3-17.6%) and 17.3%(12.3-23%), respectively. The 6-month CI of grade II-IV and grade III-IV acute GVHD were 40.0% (33.0-46.8%) and 7.8% (4.6-12.1%), respectively. The one-year incidence of all chronic GVHD and severe chronic GVHD were 15.6% (10.7-21.2%) and 3.7% (1.6-7%), respectively, by NIH consensus criteria. The CI of grade 1-4 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) by day 7 post HCT was 28.0% (21.8-34.9%), and grade 3-4 CRS was 0.5% (0-2.9%). Primary engraftment failure occurred in 9 (4.7%) participants. Among 145 evaluated participants, 85.5% were >95% donor in blood chimerism at day 100 post HCT. Within the first 100 days after HCT, CTCAE grade 2-5 infections occurred in 113 (58.5%) of participants and grade 3-5 infections occurred in 59 (30.6%) of participants. The most common etiologies of grade 2-5 infections were bacterial (N=78), followed by viral (N=48). The most common grade 3-5 non-infectious toxicities were cardiac disorders, which occurred in 4 (2.1%) of participants. In conclusion, the results including this expansion cohort demonstrate encouraging 1-year OS, NRM and relapse rates in RIC recipients of PTCy-based GVHD prophylaxis and PBSC allografts from MMUDs. This larger cohort of 193 recipients re-affirm the results from the initial cohort with greater robustness.Measures to mitigate infection risk are likely to further improve outcomes. Reducing the dose of PTCy is a candidate approach currently being tested in the ongoing OPTIMIZE trial (NCT 06001385).These results support the extension of PBSC MMUD using PTCy to individuals who lack an HLA-matched donor and require RIC HCT.
Radiomics-based identification of high-risk disease in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Janda, Guneet, Howe, Michael J. A., Shreve, Jacob , Dasari, Surendra , Abdallah, Nadine , Cook, Joselle , Kourelis, Taxiarchis , Hayman, Suzanne R. , Kumar, Shaji, Guzman, Emmanuel Contreras , Howe, Michael, Gonsalves, Wilson I. , Buadi, Francis K. , Cook, Joselle , Gertz, Morie A. , Fonseca, Rafaël , Dispenzieri, Angela , Rajkumar, S. Vincent , Thorpe, Matthew , Kumar, Shaji , Binder, Moritz

Mayo Clinic

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 924-924

10.1182/blood-2025-924 Get It

Abstract Introduction: Suboptimal response to therapy, early disease relapse, and limited long-term survival remain critical challenges in a substantial number of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). While cross-sectional imaging studies are commonly obtained in clinical practice, only limited information is currently incorporated into risk stratification efforts and clinical decision making. Here, we investigate the use of novel image-based biomarkers to identify patients at high risk for adverse outcomes. Methods: We obtained the pretreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT scans of patients with newly diagnosed MM with available clinical and laboratory data seen at Mayo Clinic between 2006 and 2022. In this analysis, we included 637 patients with detectable metabolic tumor volume on their pretreatment scan. The native DICOM images were pre-processed and subjected to automated image segmentation using nnU-Net (nnU-Net v1.0, inference using a pre-trained hematologic malignancies model). Limitations of this automated segmentation approach include heterogeneity introduced by varying image quality, technical variability in PET reconstruction, and potential inclusion of non-neoplastic FDG-avid lesions in segmented regions. PyRadiomics was used to extract quantitative radiomics features for clinical prediction modeling. We evaluated the predictive power of tumor size-, shape-, and texture-related radiomics features for identifying high-risk disease (advanced ISS stage at diagnosis, the presence of high-risk FISH abnormalities, failure to achieve a stringent complete response [sCR] to first-line therapy by IWMG criteria, and early mortality). All radiomics features were quantile-normalized for downstream modeling. Forward and backward feature selection as well as testing for multicollinearity were used to remove redundant features. Results: Median age at diagnosis of the 637 myeloma patients was 64 years (range 22–90), and 387 patients (61%) were male. After a median follow-up of 4.4 years (95% CI 0.2–11.7), median overall survival (OS) was 7.3 years (95% CI 6.3–8.3). Increased total tumor volume (upper tertile vs lower tertiles), measured by the total tumor surface area, was associated with advanced ISS stage (III vs I+II; OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.24–2.42, p=0.001, n=637). Increased tumor density (dichotomized at the median), measured by the median gray level intensity (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.94–3.12, p=0.007, n=303), and decreased tumor heterogeneity (lower tertile vs upper tertiles), measured by the variability of gray-level intensities (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.49–3.12, p=0.012, n=303), were associated with the presence of high-risk cytogenetics. Both increased total tumor volume (4.9% increase per tertile, 95% CI 2.2–7.6, p<0.001, n=600) and tumor density (8.9% increase per tertile, 95% CI 4.5–13.3, p<0.001, n=600) were independently associated with more extensive bone marrow involvement at diagnosis. Increased tumor heterogeneity (upper tertiles vs lower tertile), as measured by rapid changes of gray level intensities, was associated with failure to achieve a stringent complete response to first-line therapy (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.30–0.82, p=0.006, n=351). Increased tumor volume was associated with shorter OS (HR 1.35 per tertile, 95% CI 1.11–1.63, p=0.002, n=301), independent of age, sex, ISS stage, and the presence of high-risk cytogenetics. A simple additive score consisting of tertiles of total tumor volume, ISS stage, and plasma cell labeling index ≥2% identified patients at risk of mortality within 3 years of diagnosis (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.40–2.85, p<0.001, n=126), with moderate discrimination (AUC=0.71). Sensitivity analysis demonstrated total tumor volume and texture as most predictive of overall survival in a random forest survival model (C-index 0.712, 95% CI 0.649–0.775) and tumor texture as most predictive of response to therapy in a random forest classification model (C-index 0.693, 95% CI 0.607–0.779). Conclusions: Automated image segmentation and radiomics feature extraction from 18F-FDG PET/CT scans produces biomarkers that capture disease stage, burden, and risk in newly diagnosed MM. Total tumor volume and heterogeneity are strongly associated with important disease characteristics and can be used to identify patients at high risk for therapeutic resistance, early mortality, and inferior long-term outcomes.
Mismatching of unrelated donors beyond a single HLA-locus does not adversely impact outcomes at one year following transplantation: Results from the NMDP sponsored ACCESS study
Bo‐Subait, Stephanie, Logan, Brent R. , Smith, Sarah , Leckrone, Erin , Stefanski, Heather, Malmberg, Craig, Modi, Dipenkumar , Meade, Javier Bolaños, Rao, Uttam K. , Milner, Jordan , Jamieson, Katarzyna , Carrum, George, Kosuri, Satyajit, Cook, Rachel J. , Ballen, Karen K. , Loren, Alison W. , Arai, Sally , Choi, Sung Won , Shaw, Bronwen E. , Larkin, Karilyn , Malki, Monzr M. Al , Auletta, Jeffery J. , Spellman, Stephen R. , Askar, Medhat , Cusatis, Rachel , Shaffer, Brian C. , Khimani, Farhad , Gooptu, Mahasweta , Hamadani, Mehdi , Maiers, Martin , Stanek, Joseph , Abboud, Ramzi , Dholaria, Bhagirathbhai , Hogan, William J. , Reshef, Ran , Qayed, Muna , Broglie, Larisa , Devine, Steven M. , Jiménez, Antonio

Mayo Clinic

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 936-936

10.1182/blood-2025-936 Get It

Abstract Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remains inaccessible to many patients, particularly those of non-European ancestry, due to the limited availability of matched unrelated donors (URD). While single-HLA mismatched donors (7/8) often yield acceptable outcomes, URD HCT mismatched at ≥ 2 HLA alleles (<7/8) has historically been associated with poor survival and prohibitive toxicity. Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) has improved outcomes following mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD) HCT, potentially enabling less stringent donor matching. Whether the degree of donor-recipient HLA disparity remains prognostic after MMUD HCT when PTCy is used is unknown. The ACCESS trial (NCT04904588) was conducted by the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research Clinical Research Organization and prospectively evaluated PTCy-based graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis in adult recipients of 4–7/8 (HLA-A, -B, -C and -DRB1) MMUD peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) from donors age ≤35 years old following either myeloablative (MAC) or reduced intensity/non-myeloablative (RIC/NMA) conditioning. This analysis focused on all adult recipients of <7/8 grafts enrolled on the study across both conditioning strata, with descriptive comparison to patients who received 7/8 MMUD PBSC grafts. The primary endpoint was 1-year overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints included primary graft failure (PGF), non-relapse mortality (NRM), relapse, acute and chronic GVHD, and GVHD-free relapse-free survival (GRFS). A total of 268 adults received MMUD PBSC grafts: 85 with <7/8 matches (MAC: n=23; RIC/NMA: n=62) and 183 with 7/8 matches (MAC: n=52; RIC/NMA: n=131). Among <7/8 recipients, median age was 57 years old (range, 24–78), 49% were male, with diagnoses of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (55%), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) (15%), and lymphoma (14%). HLA mismatch distribution in the <7/8 group was 6/8 in 82%, 5/8 in 14%, and 4/8 in 4%. Most received fludarabine/melphalan (44%) or myeloablative busulfan/fludarabine (21%). Median CD34+ cell dose was 5.5 ×10^6/recipient kg (range: 3.2-8.0) and 75% of grafts were cryopreserved prior to infusion. Median donor age was 25.8 (range: 18.7-35.7) in the 7/8 group and 25.0 (range: 18.3-34.8) in the <7/8 group. The <7/8 cohort was racially and ethnically diverse, with 61% identifying as other than non-Hispanic white. The 7/8 cohort had a median age of 63 years old (range, 20–79), with 52% male. Disease distribution, conditioning intensity, and infused cell doses were similar to the <7/8 group. A smaller proportion of grafts were cryopreserved (61%), and 47% of patients identified as other than non-Hispanic White. One-year OS for <7/8 recipients was 86% (95% CI: 76–92%), compared to 79% (95% CI: 72–84%) in 7/8 recipients. One-year incidence of relapse was 23% (95% CI: 14–33%) in the <7/8 group and 17% (95% CI: 12–23%) in 7/8 recipients; NRM was 8% (95% CI: 4–16%) and 14% (95% CI: 9–19%), respectively. GRFS was 55% (95% CI: 43–65%) for <7/8 and 51% (95% CI: 44–58%) for 7/8 recipients. PGF occurred in 8% (95% CI: 3–18%) of <7/8 RIC recipients and 3% (95% CI: 1–8%) of 7/8 RIC recipients; no MAC recipients had PGF. At 6 months post-HCT, grade II–IV acute GVHD occurred in 34% (95% CI: 24–44%) of <7/8 patients and 39% (95% CI: 32–46%) of 7/8; grade III–IV acute GVHD was observed in 7% (95% CI: 3–14%) and 8% (95% CI: 5–13%), respectively. Moderate to severe chronic GVHD (NIH consensus criteria) at one year occurred in 8% (95% CI: 3–15%) of <7/8 recipients and 11% (95% CI: 7–16%) of 7/8 recipients. When grouped by conditioning intensity, 1-year outcomes within the <7/8 cohort were: OS 91% after MAC and 84% after RIC/NMA; relapse in 32% after MAC and 20% after RIC/NMA, respectively; GRFS was 53% for MAC and 55% for RIC/NMA; and NRM remained low at 9% after MAC and 8% after RIC/NMA. In this cohort of adult recipients of <7/8 MMUD PBSC grafts with PTCy-based GVHD prophylaxis enrolled on the ACCESS study, 1-year OS exceeded 80% and was comparable to 7/8 recipients. Relapse, NRM, and GVHD rates were similarly favorable and consistent with outcomes reported in 7/8 donor recipients. These findings support extending suitable MMUD match considerations to include 4-6/8 in the context of PTCy, potentially enabling near-universal donor access, while allowing for optimization of other non-HLA donor factors.
Prophylactic dexamethasone to reduce risk of cilta-cel associated immune effector cell delayed neurotoxicity
Dooley, Katharine , Corraes, Andre De Menezes Silva , Carabenciov, Darin D., Hwa, Yi L. , Stephens, Haily, Kapoor, Prashant , Tan, Melinda Si Yun , Kourelis, Taxiarchis , Warsame, Rahma , Bergsagel, P. Leif , Yadav, Udit , Wiedmeier, Julia E. , Geyer, Susan M. , Zanwar, Saurabh , Abdallah, Nadine , Kumar, Shaji, Ζεκερίδου, Αναστασία , Wiedmeier-Nutor, Julia E , Lim, Kenneth J C , Parrondo, Ricardo D , Chhabra, Saurabh , Gertz, Morie A. , Stephens, Haily, Cook, Joselle , Binder, Moritz , Bergsagel, P. Leif , Ailawadhi, Sikander , Fonseca, Rafaël , Kumar, Shaji , Lin, Yi

Mayo Clinic

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 5953-5953

10.1182/blood-2025-5953 Get It

Abstract Introduction Cila-cel is associated with a 10-15% risk of delayed neurotoxicity (DNT) with rates of cranial nerve palsies (IEC-NP) and parkinsonism (IEC-PKS) seen at a rate of 10% and 1-4% respectively and can occur as early as 3-4 weeks after infusion. We and others have shown that high post-infusion peak absolute lymphocyte count (ALCpeak) of >3x10^9/L is associated with an increased risk of delayed neurotoxicity (Lim et al., ASCO 2025) whilst the risk was negligible (~1%) when ALCpeak fell below that threshold. Since December 2024, we implemented prophylactic administration of dexamethasone (PPX DEX) when ALC was >3x10^9/L (defined as high ALCpeak). Outcome of these patients are described here. Methods Analysis of clinical outcome included 230 pts treated between Feb 2022 and Nov 2024 as a historical cohort and 102 patients treated between Dec 2024 and May 2025 after the introduction of dexamethasone prophylaxis using an oral dose of 10mg twice a day for at least three days in the high ALCpeak cohort. Results No significant differences were seen between the new and historical cohort in pre-lymphodepletion disease burden (bone marrow plasma cell %, involved light chain or M-spike level), and rates of all/high-grade CRS or ICANS, IEC-HS and rates of tocilizumub use. Median follow-up in the new cohort of 102 pts was 3.6 months (95% CI 3.3-4.2). Eleven (10.8%) developed DNT [3 (2.9%) with IEC-PKS, 8 (7.8%) with IEC-NP]. High ALCpeak of >3x10^9/L was observed in 51 (50%) pts. Among pts with high ALCpeak, DNT was observed in 10 (20%) pts [3 (5.9%) with IEC-PKS, 7 (13.7%) with IEC-NP] whereas among 51 pts with ALCpeak <3x10^9/L, DNT was observed in 1 (2%) pt [1 (2%) with IEC-NP]. In the high ALCpeak cohort, 38 (75%) received DEX [6 (12%) for toxicity management, 32 (63%) PPX DEX]. Of the 38 pts treated with DEX, DNT was observed in 6 (16%) pts (2 (5.3%) IEC-PKS, 4 (10.5%) IEC-CNP). We next compared DNT rates between this new cohort of high ALCpeak pts receiving DEX (n=38) against the historical cohort with high ALCpeak (n=98). Estimated 90-day DNT by Kaplan-Meier method was (19.2% vs 20.5%; p=0.53): IEC-PKS (5.8% vs 7.2%; p=0.60) and IEC-NP (11.7% vs 13.3%; p=0.58). In patients with high ALCpeak, the use of DEX did not appear to significantly reduce the risk of DNT compared to historical controls (HR 0.76, 0.33-1.78), IEC-PKS (HR 0.67, 0.14-3.10) or IEC-NP (0.73, 0.24-2.23). We next compared ALC expansion over the first month post CAR-T infusion (area under the curve, AUC). Among the new cohort of 102 patients, no difference was seen in the AUC of pts who received DEX but did not develop DNT vs those who developed DNT (31.0 vs 57.9, p=0.28); No difference in AUC was seen in the new high ALCpeak cohort receiving DEX vs the historical cohort with high ALCpeak (36.0 vs 43.8, p=0.15) Of the eight cases of IEC-NP, 4 received PPX DEX. No noticeable differences were observed in the severity of presentation, laterality of cranial nerve involvement and rates of multiple cranial nerve involvement between these 4 cases who received PPX DEX and the 16 cases from the historical cohort. At the time of database freeze, 3 of the 4 cases had resolved and 1 was improving. Median time to complete symptom resolution was 38 days vs 69 days in the historical cohort. Of the three cases of IEC-PKS, 2 received PPX DEX. Median time to symptom onset for IEC-PKS was 46 days (vs. 24 days in historical cohort). Both cases had severe symptoms non-responsive to first line high-dose methylprednisolone, second line intrathecal chemotherapy and third line high-dose cyclophosphamide. Both pts subsequently died from sepsis 28 and 67 days post-cyclophosphamide. Conclusion While ALCpeak >3x10^9/L predicts risk of DNT in pts treated with cilta-cel, the use of PPX DEX does not appear to significantly reduce ALC expansion and does not appear to significantly reduce the risk of DNT, IEC-PKS or IEC-NP. Other strategies to reduce ALC or alter T cell functions may need to be considered.