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With the introduction of multiple new effective therapeutic options for the treatment of macroglobulinemia, a structured approach to management of this rare lymphoma is currently needed. A review of phase II and III treatment trials over the past 20 years was performed, and high-quality trials are summarized in this manuscript. Because of the lack of large prospective trials comparing different classes of therapy, a uniform recommendation applicable to all patients cannot be made, and the approach must be individualized incorporating patient preferences, comorbidities, and the range of therapeutic toxicities. Therapeutic options for patients with newly diagnosed and previously treated macroglobulinemia are presented on the basis of the best available evidence in the literature.

SummaryBelantamab mafodotin (BLMF) is a B‐cell maturation antigen‐directed antibody‐drug conjugate, recently approved for advanced multiple myeloma (MM). The impact of BLMF‐induced ocular toxicity on patient outcomes is unknown. We studied a cohort of 38 consecutively seen patients treated with BLMF outside of trials. Of those, 75% experienced ocular toxicity, with 69% developing keratopathy. Among patients requiring ocular toxicity‐related permanent BLMF discontinuation (14%) or dose reduction (11%), 70% had progression of MM within a median of 3 months (95% confidence interval: 0.2–not reached) following BLMF interruption or dose reduction. Ocular toxicity is a major deterrent to the continuous use of BLMF in routine clinical practice. Measures to successfully prevent and mitigate ocular toxicity should be developed to achieve the full potential of this agent.

AbstractPurpose: Absolute lymphocyte count recovery at day 15 (ALC-15) post-autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a powerful prognostic indicator for survival for multiple hematologic malignancies and metastatic breast cancer. The relationship of ALC-15 with clinical outcomes in primary systemic amyloidosis is unknown.Experimental Design: We evaluated 145 consecutive patients with primary systemic amyloidosis who underwent ASCT at the Mayo Clinic from 1996 to 2003. The ALC-15 threshold was set at 500 cells/μL based on our previous observations.Results: The median patient follow-up was 22 months (range, 3-87 months). Higher hematologic complete response was observed in patients with an ALC-15 ≥ 500 cells/μL compared with patients with an ALC-15 < 500 cells/μL (41% versus 21%, P < 0.0008, respectively). The median overall survival and progression-free survival times were significantly better for the 59 patients that achieved an ALC-15 ≥ 500 cells/μL compared with 86 patients with ALC-15 < 500 cells/μL (not reached versus 53 months, P < 0.0003 and not reached versus 27 months, P < 0.0001, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed ALC-15 to be an independent prognostic factor for overall survival and progression-free survival.Conclusions: ALC-15 ≥ 500 cells/μL is associated with significantly improved clinical outcomes following ASCT in patients with primary systemic amyloidosis.

TPS8076 Background: Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a progressive and typically fatal disorder caused by misfolded AL protein produced by plasma cells. Birtamimab is a monoclonal antibody designed to neutralize circulating soluble and deposited insoluble amyloid, thus promoting phagocytic clearance. In 2018, the phase 3 VITAL study in newly diagnosed, treatment-naive patients was terminated based on futility analysis of the primary endpoint (time to all-cause mortality [ACM] or time to cardiac hospitalization > 90 days after first study drug infusion); the final hazard ratio (HR) numerically favored birtamimab + standard of care (SOC) over placebo + SOC (0.835 [95% CI: 0.5799, 1.2011]; p = 0.330). Post-hoc analysis of ACM over 9 months revealed a substantial survival benefit (HR = 0.413 [95% CI: 0.191, 0.895]; p = 0.025) in patients at high risk for early death (Mayo Stage IV). Post-hoc analyses of secondary endpoints in this subgroup indicated meaningful improvements in health-related quality of life (assessed with 36-Item Short Form Health Survey version 2; SF-36v2) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance with birtamimab + SOC (p < 0.05) at 9 months. Methods: The phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled AFFIRM-AL study (NCT04973137) will enroll up to 150 Mayo Stage IV patients with newly diagnosed, untreated AL amyloidosis. Patients will be randomized (2:1) to 24 mg/kg intravenous birtamimab or placebo every 28 days. Both arms will receive concomitant chemotherapy with a first-line bortezomib-containing regimen, with or without daratumumab (D), at the discretion of the investigator. Patients will be stratified at randomization based on their 6MWT distance ( < 300 vs ≥300 meters) and initiation of D. The primary efficacy endpoint is time to ACM. Secondary endpoints are change from baseline to month 9 in the physical component summary of the SF-36v2 and 6MWT distance. This trial is powered at a significance level of 0.1 under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Given the > 50% relative risk reduction for ACM observed in the post-hoc analysis of VITAL for patients with Mayo Stage IV disease, the AFFIRM-AL study is designed to confirm this effect of birtamimab. Approximately 130 global sites are planned; site initiation and patient randomization are underway. Conclusion: Treatments that improve survival in AL amyloidosis are needed, particularly for patients with advanced cardiac involvement, as median overall survival for those with Mayo Stage IV disease is ̃6–9 months. The AFFIRM-AL study is designed to confirm the survival benefit observed in the VITAL study in patients with Mayo Stage IV AL amyloidosis. Clinical trial information: NCT04973137.

e20001 Background: High dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplant (HDM-ASCT) remains the standard of care for transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) despite advances in treatments. Achievement of complete response (CR) is associated with improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS); Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) negativity (-) using next generation flow cytometry with a sensitivity of 10-5 is strongly associated with improved PFS and OS. We investigated the rates of conversion to MRD(-), especially MRD(-) CR following HDM-ASCT in patients with NDMM. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with NDMM who underwent early HDM-ASCT at Mayo Clinic Rochester from May 2018 to July 2019. Response assessment was conducted after induction and within 100 days post-ASCT based on 2016 IMWG criteria, except for using Mass-Fix instead of immunofixation. MRD was assessed in bone marrow using the established Euro Flow protocol with sensitivity of 10-5. The FISH assay was used to risk-stratify patients as high-risk (HR) and standard risk (SR) cytogenetics as per the mSMART guidelines. Primary outcome measure was the conversion to MRD(-) CR after ASCT. Secondary outcomes include the overall conversion to MRD(-) irrespective of IMWG response, the impact of HR cytogenetics and pre-ASCT IMWG response on conversion to MRD(-) CR. Results: Two-hundred and ten patients were included; 126 (60%) were male and median age 62 years (range 32–77 years). There were 78 (44%) patients with HR cytogenetics. Pre-ASCT, 23 patients (11%) achieved MRD(-) CR, and 66 (31%) patients achieved MRD(-) CR post ASCT. Of 187 patients not in MRD(-) CR pre-ASCT, 45 (24%) converted to MRD(-) CR. Table provides a breakdown of the conversion rate of pre-ASCT IMWG response category to MRD(-) CR post ASCT and patients with MRD(+) CR had the highest rate (78%) of conversion. The presence of HR cytogenetics did not impact rates of MRD(-) CR achievement post ASCT irrespective of pre-ASCT IMWG response (p = 1.0). Overall, irrespective of IMWG response, 43 (20%) patients were MRD(-) pre-ASCT (19 in VGPR, 24 in CR or better) and 102 (49%) patients were MRD(-) post-ASCT (36 in VGPR, 66 in CR or better). Among 85 patients in VGPR post-ASCT, 36 were MRD(-) of which 8 (22%) progressed, while 49 were MRD(+) of which 24 (49%) progressed (p = 0.014). Conclusions: Upfront HDM-ASCT in patients with NDMM leads to deeper responses with 24% converting to MRD(-) CR and more than doubling of the total rate of MRD(-) irrespective of IMWG response. [Table: see text]

e19562 Background: Considerable healthcare resource utilization and financial burden have been associated with the treatment of Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia (WM); however, the impact of health insurance status on patient outcomes has not been explored. We aimed to assess the insurance-based outcome relationship in WM using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Methods: We analyzed patient-level data obtained from the NCDB, a database representing more than 70% of newly diagnosed cancer cases nationwide. All newly diagnosed WM cases (n = 8540) between 2004 to 2017 were identified. Only patients who underwent treatment were included. Insurance status was recorded by assessing the primary payer at the time of diagnosis. Due to Medicare eligibility criteria, age-based (< 65 and ≥65 years) stratified analysis was conducted. Cox proportional hazards model was utilized to analyze survival. Time-to-event analysis was conducted based on date-of-diagnosis using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Results: Analysis was conducted on 3878 patients after meeting inclusion criteria, with a median follow-up time of 54.6 months. Among patients < 65 years (n = 1249; median age: 58 years; male: 62.4%), those with non-private insurance had inferior survival on multivariate analysis (Table) after adjusting for patient demographics, comorbidities, income, education, treatment center characteristics, and treatment start time. Significant overall survival (OS) differences were seen in those < 65 years (log-rank p < 0.001), with 5-year OS highest among patients with private insurance 91.2%, compared to Medicaid 79.8%, uninsured 77.4%, and Medicare 70.2%. In patients < 65 years, compared to private insurance, uninsured patients were more likely to be of Black race, reside in lower income areas, and be treated at non-academic centers (all p < 0.05). Both Medicaid and Medicare patients < 65 years were more likely to have a higher Charlson-Deyo comorbidity index (> 1) and live in areas of lower educational attainment and household income compared to private insurance (all p < 0.05). In patients ≥65 years (n = 2629; median age: 75 years; 60.6% males), no insurance-based OS (log-rank p = 0.096) differences were seen. Conclusions: Based on our study, significant insurance-based disparities exist in WM, where patients < 65 years old who are uninsured, or non-privately insured are at a higher risk of mortality. While the root cause of these differences is not fully elucidated, efforts should focus on ensuring that all patients have equal access to care regardless of primary payer status.[Table: see text]

7566 Background: Parenteral limited-duration BR chemoimmunotherapy and continuous orally administered Ibr, a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, dominate the treatment landscape of WM, a rare B cell lymphoma. No trials have assessed the comparative effectiveness of these 2 vastly different approaches. We conducted a multiinstitutional, international, collaborative study to compare BR and single-agent Ibr in patients (pts) with treatment naïve (TN) WM. Methods: Data from 347 pts with active TN WM, seen between 2011 and 2021 in the US and Europe, were analyzed. The pts on rituximab maintenance were excluded. The modified IWWM-6 criteria (based on IgM alone) were used for response assessment. All time-to-event analyses were performed from the frontline therapy initiation, using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The median age of the pts treated with BR (n=208) and Ibr (n=139) was 66 (range 40-86) years (y) and 69 (39-97) y, respectively, (p=0.005). With a median follow up of 4.2 y (95% CI 3.8-4.5), the 4-y progression free survival (PFS) was 73% in each group, p=0.6, and 4-y overall survival (OS) was 94% (95% CI 91-98) in the BR group versus ( v) 82% (95% CI 75-90) in the Ibr group, p=0.01. In a bivariate analysis adjusting for age and the treatment type, only age emerged as a predictor for OS (HR 7.2, p=0.0001). Therefore, a 1:1 age-matched analysis of 246 pts who received Ibr (n=123) or BR (n=123) was performed. Pts with a known MYD88WT status who had received Ibr and their age matched controls on BR were excluded. The international prognostic scoring system (IPSS) WM was comparable between the 2 groups (Table). A higher proportion of pts on BR attained very good partial or deeper response (≥VGPR) as the best response in comparison to the pts on Ibr (Table). The 4-y PFS for the BR and Ibr groups was similar [72% (95% CI 63-82) v 78% (95% CI 70-87), p=0.14] and 4-y OS was 95% (95% CI 91-99) with BR v 86% (95% CI 80-93) with Ibr (p=0.3). Premature discontinuation, during active treatment, due to adverse effects (AEs) or lack of response was noted in 13% and 33% of pts on BR and Ibr, respectively. A detailed assessment of the AEs will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: Both BR and Ibr lead to comparable outcomes in pts with TN WM, although deeper responses are attained with BR. These findings require confirmation in prospective studies. For pts who harbor MYD 88L265P mutation, selection between the 2 approaches should be dictated by their potential toxicities, pt comorbidities, pt/clinician preference (parenteral fixed-duration v continuous oral) and access to therapies. [Table: see text]

110 Background: Sarcopenia or a loss of muscle mass increases with aging and is associated with increased overall mortality in patients with cancer. Recent advances in machine learning–based CNN algorithms have allowed for the rapid processing of digital images to produce image classifications of body composition. Since incidence of MM is highly associated with aging, we sought to determine if the presence of sarcopenia, as determined by utilizing this machine learning–based CNN algorithm on CT images, had prognostic value in patients with NDMM. Methods: We identified all patients with NDMM from January 2003 to July 2019 who had a standard-dose CT scan that included the L3 vertebral level performed within 6 months of diagnosis. Using a machine learning–based CNN-algorithm, abdominal CT images were analyzed to measure muscle area. These measurements were normalized by dividing the area values by the height of the patient squared (m2) to obtain skeletal muscle index (SMI) values. Patients were categorized as sarcopenic according to international gender-specific consensus cutoffs for SMI (male: < 55 cm2/m2 and female: < 39 cm2/m2). Patients with the following FISH cytogenetics were considered high risk (HR): t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), and deletion 17p/monosomy 17 whereas the remainder were standard risk (SR). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared via the log-rank method. Results: The study cohort consisted of 344 patients. 68 (20%) were categorized as HR based on FISH cytogenetics.187 (54%) patients were sarcopenic based on their peri-diagnosis standard-dose CT scan. Sarcopenic patients were more likely to have ISS-3 disease (45% vs. 30%; p =.023), be male (73% vs. 48%; p <.001), and be ≥ age 75 (27% vs. 14%; p =.002) compared to non-sarcopenic patients. The median OS for patients with HR FISH and ISS 2 / 3 disease was 40 months and 57 months respectively compared to 90 months and 119 months for those with SR FISH and ISS-1 disease respectively (FISH: p <.004; ISS: p <.001). The median OS for sarcopenic patients was 44 months compared to 90 months for those not sarcopenic (p <.001). The time to next therapy (TTNT) for sarcopenic patients was 39 months compared to 45 months for those not sarcopenic (p =.05). In a multivariable model, the presence of sarcopenia (HR 1.64, 95% CI, 1.05–2.56; p =.03) retained significance in the presence of HR FISH, ISS 2 / 3 disease, and age ≥ 75. Conclusions: Gender-specific sarcopenia identified by a machine learning–based CNN algorithm significantly affects OS in patients with NDMM and is independent of age, ISS stage, and cytogenetic status. Future studies utilizing this machine learning–based methodology of assessing sarcopenia in larger prospective clinical trials are required to validate these findings.

PURPOSE: Patients' concerns regarding clinical trial (CT) participation include apprehension about side effects, quality of life (QoL), financial burden, and quality of care. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated the experience of patients with multiple myeloma or lymphoma who were treated on CTs (CT group, n = 35) versus patients treated with standard approaches (non-CT group, n = 88) focusing on QoL, financial burden of care, and patients' perception of quality of care over a 1-year period. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in any of the patient-reported outcomes in CT versus non-CT groups. We observed an initial decline in overall QoL in the first 3 months across both groups, driven primarily by physical and functional well-being. QoL gradually improved and was above baseline by month 12. Patients reported highest improvement in the functional well-being subdomain. Patients in both groups reported high satisfaction with the quality of care received, and there were no differences in overall satisfaction, communication with team, or access to care. At baseline, 16%-19% of patients reported financial burden, which increased to a peak of 33% in the CT group and to 49% in the non-CT group over the course of 1 year. There was no significant difference in financial burden in the two groups overall. Most of the patients reported getting all the care that was deemed medically necessary in both groups. However, a significant proportion of patients reported having to make other kinds of financial sacrifices because of their cancer (CT group: 33% of patients at baseline and 21%-40% over 1 year; non-CT group: 19% at baseline and 25%-36% over 1 year). CONCLUSION: Patients treated on CTs reported comparable QoL and quality of care with the non-CT group. A high proportion of patients reported financial burden over time in both groups. Our findings can serve as a guide to educate patients regarding CT participation and highlight the need to address the significant financial burden experienced by patients with cancer.

Abstract The current standard of care in smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is close surveillance, outside of clinical trials. Efforts are being made to understand the pathobiologic process that leads to the progression of SMM to active MM. This review provides a critical description of available data, including risk factors and risk models of progression, as well as clinical trials investigating interventions for this patient population. We describe 2 cases in which patients were seen before the concept of a myeloma-defining event was established. Today, based on the International Myeloma Working Group criteria, both patients would have been identified as experiencing myeloma-defining events, and therapy would have been initiated. These cases show that occasionally, patients can undergo observation only, even when they exceed criteria for high-risk SMM.