Citations

Abstract Background: Outcome of patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM) is influenced by a variety of baseline prognostic factors, most importantly presence of chromosomal abnormalities. Nevertheless, these biologically determined risk-factors do not account for a significant subset of patients whose outcome varies greatly from what one expects based on the underlying prognostic characteristics. We have previously demonstrated that outcome in myeloma is dictated not only by baseline risk-factors but also response to therapy (R2, risk and response dependent outcome). We studied response duration following initial therapy as a prognostic factor for long-term overall survival in myeloma in three ECOG clinical trials that enrolled patients with newly diagnosed myeloma. Methods: Data from three studies with long-term, mature follow up were analyzed: E9486, E5A93, and E1A00. The regimens used in these studies included Thalidomide/Dex, Dex, VBMCP, VBMCP + alpha-IFN, and VBMCP + Cyclophosphamide. Among progressed/relapsed patients, the association between time to progression and overall survival since relapse was explored using Cox proportional hazards model, in which time to progression was analyzed as a continuous variable. In addition, the association between response duration and overall survival since relapse was explored similarly among relapsed responders. Treatment effect and calendar time of diagnosis have been adjusted in the model. Also, to determine the best cut off point associated with the best differentiation of patients with short OS after relapse, an outcome-oriented method using log likelihood value was applied. Results: Among the 1136 patients enrolled in the three studies, 625 patients who have documented disease relapse have been included in the current study. Of these, 471 patients had responded to the treatment before relapse. Only 33 patients are alive as of Dec., 2007. For all 625 patients, the time to progression (continuous variable) was significantly associated with overall survival from the time of relapse/progression (P<0.0001), with hazard ratio of 0.77 (95%CI: 0.72~0.81) at time to progression increasing by 1 year (i.e., the later the progression/relapse, the lower the risk). The best cutoff point of the time to progression is 3 yrs (the 75th percentile). The hazard ratio of patients progressing within 3 yrs since randomization vs. after 3 yrs is 2.4 (95% CI: 1.9 ~ 2.9) and P-value<0.0001. The median OS from relapse was 0.96 years for the former vs. 2.43 years in the latter group (Figure). Among the 471 relapsed responders, the response duration (continuous variable) was also significantly associated with overall survival since relapse (P<0.0001), with hazard ratio of 0.76 (95%CI: 0.70~0.81) at response duration increasing by 1 year (i.e., the longer the response duration, the lower the risk). The effects seen with each regimen are detailed in the table. The best cutoff point of the response duration is 2 yrs (median). The hazard ratio of patients with response duration less than or equal to 2 yrs vs. more than 2 yrs is 2.1 (95% CI: 1.7 ~ 2.6) and P-value<0.0001. Conclusions: Among patients treated with alkylator based therapy, the duration of response from the initial therapy is an important predictor of the subsequent outcome among patients with myeloma. Given the heterogeneity of the disease and imprecise predictive ability of the known baseline prognostic factors, the duration of response to initial therapy should be taken into account, to deliver risk and response-adapted therapy. The prognostic value of this feature across different clinical trials, points towards the role of underlying disease biology, both disease aggressiveness and ability to rapidly develop resistance to therapies as two important determinants of outcome. Table 1: Hazard ratio of overall survival since relapse for patients progressed within 3 yrs since randomization vs. after 3 yrs in each treatment arm Treatment arm Treatment arm HR (95% CI) P-value TTP<=3yrs vs. >3 yrs Thal/Dex N/A N/A Dex 0.4 (0.05, 3.9) 0.46 VBMCP(E5A93+ E9486) 1.9 (1.4, 2.7) 0.0001 VBMCP+alpha2IFN (E5A93+ E9486) 3.0 (2.2, 4.1) <0.0001 VBMCP+CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE 2.3 (1.5, 3.6) 0.0001 Response duration <=2 yrs vs. >2 yrs Thal/Dex 0.2 (0.003, 18.5) 0.51 Dex 0.15 (0.02, 0.98) 0.048 VBMCP(E5A93+ E9486) 1.7 (1.2, 2.3) 0.0009 VBMCP+alpha2IFN (E5A93+ E9486) 3.0(2.1, 4.3) <0.0001 VBMCP+CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE 2.1 (1.4, 3.3) 0.006 Figure 1: Overall survival since relapse between patients progressed within 3 yrs since randomization vs. after 3 yrs. Figure 1:. Overall survival since relapse between patients progressed within 3 yrs since randomization vs. after 3 yrs.

Abstract Table 1. Samples to p53 deletions p 53 deletion FISH aCGH FISH and aCGH MGUS 142 - - SMM 108 - - Newly diagnosed MM - 182 - Relapsed/refractory MM 62 156 19 HMCLs - 48 - Total 312 386 19 Background: Inactivation of p53 by mutation or allelic loss is a rare event in multiple myeloma (MM) at the time of disease diagnosis and believed to be more common in the late stages of the disease. Here we defined the prevalence of p53 deletions in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), newly diagnosed MM, relapsed MM and human myeloma cell lines (HMCLs). Indirect mechanisms of p53 inactivation such as amplification of MDM2, or deletion of CDKN2A (p14ARF) were also investigated. Patients and Methods: A total of 631 MM samples and 48 HMCLs were analyzed for p53 abnormalities (Table 1) and compared with a cohort of plasma cell leukemia (PCL) previously published by us. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and highresolution array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) were used to detect p53 deletions. MDM2 amplification and p14ARF loss were evaluated by aCGH. Overall survival (OS) was estimated through Kaplan Meier method. Results: The prevalence of p53 deletions was 1.4%, 3.7%, 8.9%, 20% and 87.5% in MGUS, SMM, newly diagnosed MM, relapsed MM and HMCLs respectively (Figure 1). Of interest patients in first relapse showed a p53 deletion prevalence of 18% in comparison with 33% for patients in second relapse or more. We obtained p53 deletion status in 8 patients noted to have deletion at the time of relapse and in whom we had previous samples stored. In 7 of 8 cases deletions had been acquired (absent in the previous samples). The median OS for relapsed MM patients with or without p53 deletion were 4.2 months and 37.8 months respectively (p <0.001). MDM 2 amplification and p14ARF loss was detected in 0.4% and 2% of new diagnosed MM, 0.6% and 5.1% of relapsed MM and 2% and 29% of HMCLs respectively. Discussion: Emergence of p53 deletion/mutations denotes progression genetic events in MM. Importantly we show for the first time the overriding importance of p53 deletions as prognostic markers in relapsed MM. A molecular staging system that is based on the presence of p53 inactivation may be more powerful than classifying patients based on the loss of p53. Other abnormalities involving p53 pathway regulators like MDM2 gain and p14ARF loss are infrequent events in MM, even in advanced disease. Figure 1. Prevalence of p53 deletions Figure 1. Prevalence of p53 deletions

Abstract Smoldering Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia (SWM) is defined as a serum IgM monoclonal protein ≥3 g/dL and/or ≥10% bone marrow lymphoplasmacytic infiltration but no evidence of constitutional symptoms, symptomatic anemia, or hyperviscosity. Forty-eight patients with SWM were identified at Mayo Clinic from 1974 to 1995. Patients with a diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia or lymphoma or history of any antineoplastic therapy before diagnosis of SWM were excluded. The median age at diagnosis was 63 years (range 39–87 years). Only one patient (2%) was < 40 years of age, but 14 percent were < 50 years old. Thirty-two (67%) were men, and 16 (33%) were women. At diagnosis, hepatomegaly was noted in 10%, splenomegaly in 4%, and lymphadenopathy in 8%. The initial hemoglobin level ranged from 8.7 to 15.3 g/dL (median 11.8). The anemia in all 4 patients with an initial hemoglobin < 10 g/dL was due to other causes such as myelodysplastic syndrome, bronchopleural fistula, Barrett’s esophagus, and Coumadin administration. The initial leukocyte level ranged from 3.2 to 13.2 × 109/L (median 5.7), and platelets ranged from 101 to 578 × 109/L (median 285.5). Only one patient had a serum creatinine > 2.0 mg/dL and it was unrelated to SWM. The serum monoclonal protein level at the time of diagnosis ranged from 1.5 to 5.2 g/dL (median 3.3); 12 (25%) were < 3 g/dL, while 10 (21%) were ≥4 g/dL. IgM kappa accounted for 75%, IgM lambda 21%, and 2 (4%) were biclonal. Immunofixation of the urine was positive in 97% (kappa 80%, lambda 17%, indeterminate 3%) of those tested. The size of the urine M protein ranged from unmeasurable to 1.4 g/24h (median 0.04 g/24h). Serum albumin ranged from 2.5 to 4.3 g/dL (median 3.6). Five patients (10%) had an albumin value < 3 g/dL. Ten (26%) had a reduction of 1 uninvolved immunoglobulin, while 8 (21%) had a reduction of both IgG and IgA immunoglobulins. Lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the bone marrow ranged from 3% to 80%, (median 30%). Three (6%) had less than 10% infiltration, while 13 (27%) had 50% or greater infiltration. The 48 patients were followed for a total of 292 (range 0.5 to 22.6 years; median 3.7) person-years, during which time 33 progressed to symptomatic WM and one to AL amyloidosis. The expected number of WM based on the SEER data was 0.004 cases. Thus, relative risk of progression to WM was increased 7,586-fold (95% CI, 5,083 to 10,373). The median time to progression was 4.6 years. The absolute risk of progression to WM was 6% at 1 year, 39% at 3 years, and 55% at 5 years. The median survival after progression to symptomatic WM was 5.1 years. Seventy-three percent of patients died, indicating a robust follow-up. We evaluated sex, hemoglobin level, size of serum M protein, reduction of uninvolved immunoglobulins, presence of urinary monoclonal light chains, serum albumin level, and the proportion of lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the bone marrow as risk factors for progression. Significant risk factors for progression with univariate analysis included size of the serum M protein, hemoglobin level, reduction in uninvolved immunoglobulins, and degree of bone marrow lymphoplasmacytic cell infiltration. Multivariate modeling revealed that the size of the M protein and the degree of bone marrow infiltration were the most important risk factors. We conclude that smoldering WM is a distinct clinical entity that needs to be differentiated from IgM MGUS and symptomatic Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia.

Abstract Background: Primary systemic amyloidosis (AL) is an incurable plasma cell disorder associated with varying degree of organ infiltration with light chain derived amyloid protein and consequent organ dysfunction. Various acquired coagulopathies, predominantly Factor X (FX) deficiency have been previously described in AL. The factor deficiencies are thought to be due to the direct binding of blood coagulation proteins to amyloid fibrils. Little is known regarding the prognostic significance of abnormal coagulation parameters in AL patients (pts). Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval, we performed a retrospective review of the medical records of 625 consecutive pts who had presented within 3 months of a diagnosis of AL to be evaluated at Mayo Clinic from June 2001 to June 2006. 540 pts had coagulation studies performed within 2 months of presentation. 51 of those pts were on oral anticoagulation and were excluded from the analysis. Results: Of the 489 pts included in the analysis, the median age was 62 years and 61% were male. The median overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort was 26.8 months. Table 1 lists the prevalence of abnormal coagulation tests in the remaining 489 patients. Prothrombin time (PT) was available in the majority of pts. 61 pts (12.6%) had elevated PT, and 63 pts (20.4%) had a decreased FX. 37 of the 61 pts with elevated PT had available FX levels, of which 31 (84%) of those had a decreased FX, suggesting that the cause of elevated PT was mostly due to a low FX. Indicators of hepatic involvement such as alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels were higher among the patients with prolonged PT and low FX. An elevated PT (more than 12.4 seconds) was strongly predictive of an adverse outcome, with a median OS of 8.7 months compared to a median OS of 29 months (p<0.0001) in pts with normal PT (Figure 1). Similarly, pts with decreased FX (less than 60% activity), was associated with significantly worse outcomes with a median OS of 14.9 months versus a median OS of 33 months (p<0.0001) in pts with normal FX (Figure 2). In a Cox proportional hazards model containing cardiac troponin (cTnT), NT-Pro BNP, serum alkaline phosphatase, and free light chain difference (involved minus uninvolved), prolonged PT or FX deficiency were independently prognostic for overall survival. Conclusion: Abnormalities of PT and FX are seen in a sizable proportion of pts with newly diagnosed AL. An elevated PT and or FX deficiency appear to adversely affect the outcome of these patients. It is likely that the elevated PT in these patients relate to FX deficiency in the majority which in turn may reflect the amyloid ‘burden’. The effect of other organ involvement like the hepatic involvement may also have an impact on FX and PT. Table 1. Prevalence of abnormal coagulation testing in patients with newly diagnosed primary systemic amyloidosis. Coagulation study N (Test results available) N of abnormal results (%) Elevated prothrombin time 486 61 12.6 Elevated activated partial thromboplastin time 312 48 15.4 Elevated thrombin time 315 84 26.7 Elevated fibrinogen 140 118 84.3 Decreased Factor II activity 62 26 41.9 Decreased Factor V activity 63 9 14.3 Decreased Factor VII activity 63 17 27 Decreased Factor X activity 309 63 20.4 Elevated D-dimer 130 72 55.4 Figure 1. Survival grouped by normal versus elevated Prothrombin time. Figure 1. Survival grouped by normal versus elevated Prothrombin time. Figure 2. Survival grouped by normal versus low Factor X levels. Figure 2. Survival grouped by normal versus low Factor X levels.

Abstract Melphalan (M), Prednisone (P) and Lenalidomide (R) are active in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). We evaluated the toxicity and efficacy of MPR in a phase I/II trial. Results of phase I part were previously reported (Blood2006, 108(11) abst 3558). M 5 mg/m2 on days (d) 1–4, 60 mg/m2 d 1–4 and R 10 mg d 1–21 of a 28 day cycle was determined as MTD for the phase II study. Methods: Patients with previously untreated MM who were not candidates for stem cell transplantation, age ≥18 yr, ECOG PS 0–3, evaluable or measurable disease, ANC >1500, platelets > 100,000 and creatinine ≤ 3.0 mg/dL were eligible. All patients received aspirin 325 mg/d as DVT prophylaxis. Routine antibacterial prophylaxis was not used. G/GM-CSF was used at the discretion of the treating physician for neutropenia. Response rate (RR), confirmed on two consecutive determinations was the primary end-point. The study had 90% power to detect a RR of at least 45%. Results: Twenty-six patients were accrued between July ’06 and Feb ’08. The median age was 74 y (64 – 87y), 17 (65%) were men. Six, 13, 6, 1 (23%, 50%, 23%, and 4%) patients had ECOG PS 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Three (12%), 11 (42%) and 10 (38%) patients were ISS stage 1, 2 and 3. A total of 106 cycles were administered; median 4.5 (1–13). Seventy-seven % patients experienced at least 1 grade 3 or 4 toxicity. Neutropenia (42%/8%) and thrombocytopenia (20%/8%) were the most common grade 3/4 adverse events followed by anemia (16%/0%), fatigue (8%/4%), rash (11%/0%), and hyperglycemia (4%/0%). There were 20 treatment delays in 9 patients, and 18 dose reductions (9 in R, 11 in M and 1 P) occurred in 7 patients, most commonly because of neutropenia or thrombocytopenia. Eleven patients (42%) required G-CSF treatment. Eleven patients are currently receiving treatment; 15 have gone off study (4 completed per protocol, 3 refused, 3 adverse effects, 3 unrelated illnesses, 2 other). Median follow up of survivors is 8 m (0 – 22m). Eighteen (69 %; 95%CI 48–86) patients had a PR or better according to International Myeloma Working Group Uniform Response criteria; 3 (12 %) CR, 5 (19 %) VGPR and 10 (38%) PR. Median number of cycles before achieving a response was 2 (1 – 11). Median Progression Free and Overall Survival is 16.7m (95% CI 11.2–23.0), and 23 m (95% CI: 22 – 23), respectively. Conclusions: MPR combination is feasible with a manageable toxicity profile and has significant activity in the treatment of patients with MM who are not candidates for stem cell transplant, with an overall response rate of 69%, and a CR plus VGPR rate of 31%. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia was the most common toxicity, seen in up to 50% of patients in this cohort of predominantly elderly patients. Dose reduction in R and/or M was required in 27% patients. No patient developed neuropathy or thromboembolic complications.

Abstract Background: Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is defined by a monoclonal protein concentration in serum of 3 g/dL or less and a proportion of plasma cells in the bone marrow of 10% or less, absence of lytic bone lesions, anemia, hypercalcemia, and renal insufficiency related to the proliferation of the monoclonal plasma cells. Two major questions remain unanswered: What proportion of patients with MGUS in the population is unrecognized clinically? What is the likely duration of MGUS at the time of its discovery? Methods: We examined the serum of 21,463 (77%) of the 28,038 enumerated residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, in a population-based screening study and found that MGUS was present in 1.3% of persons 50 years of age and 3.8% of those 70 years of age. The risk of progression of MGUS to multiple myeloma (MM), primary amyloidosis (AL), Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (WM), or related plasma cell disorders was 1% per year. Results: By age 70, only 21% of Olmsted County residents with MGUS, as determined by the prevalence study, had been recognized by routine clinical practice (Fig. 1). This is probably higher in Olmsted County than elsewhere because serum protein electrophoresis is frequently ordered on Mayo Clinic patients. The incidence of MGUS, estimated from the prevalence data, indicates onset of the condition long before clinical recognition. The duration of MGUS prior to detection at age 70 is shown in Fig. 2. Thus, 30% of patients recognized to have MGUS at age 70 probably had MGUS onset before age 50 and 55% had a prior (unrecognized) MGUS already by age 60. The median duration of MGUS prior to its recognition on the basis of clinical practice is 11 years (median). Linear extrapolation of the incidence curve implies a first appearance of MGUS around 30 years of age. Figure 1 Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 2

Abstract Background: Primary systemic amyloidosis (AL) is an incurable plasma cell disorder. Lenalidomide, especially in conjunction with dexamethasone, has been shown to be highly active in patients with multiple myeloma. We previously reported a hematologic response rate of 41% and an organ response rate of 23% among 22 AL patients treated with lenalidomide and on-demand dexamethasone (Dispenzieri et al, Blood 2007). Long term outcomes of AL patients treated with lenalidomide have not yet been described. Methods: Thirty-seven patients were treated on an IRB approved treatment trial with single agent lenalidomide, starting doses of 25 mg in 22 and reduced dose of 15 mg in the last 15. If progression within or no evidence of hematologic response after 3 cycles, dexamethasone was added. Patients were classified according to cardiac biomarker stage (cut-offs for serum troponin T <0.035 ng/ml and NT-proBNP <332 pg/ml--Stage I neither above cutoff; Stage III, both above cut-off; and Stage II, any one above cut-off). Survival estimates were done according to the methods of Kaplan and Meier. Results: Median age was 64 years (range 44–88), with 70% male. Sixty-five percent of patients were previously treated, and the median time from diagnosis to study entry was 8.9 months (range 0.4–237). The biomarker staging breakdown was: I, 16%; II, 43%; and III, 41%. As of 7/11/08, 5 patients remain on active therapy. The overall hematologic response rate was 43% (1 CR and 15 PR), with only one patient responding to single agent lenalidomide, and the overall organ response rate was 20%. If one excludes the 13 patients who did not complete 3 months of therapy and have the opportunity of having dexamethasone added to their program, the respective hematologic and organ response rates were 62% and 32%. With a median follow-up of 33.6 months (range 14.4–42), twenty-two patients (59%) have died, but only 2 had deaths possibly related to treatment. Median duration of response, progression free survival and overall survival were 31 months, 14.8 months (95%CI: 5.7–28.1), and 18.8 months (95%CI: 11.7-not reached), respectively. Overall survival from diagnosis was 48 months (95%CI: 21.6–153.6). As shown in Table below, outcomes were dependent on underlying risk stratification and ability to stay on therapy. High risk patients were more likely to drop out early and less likely to respond. High risk patients had shorter OS All Patients Outcome Stage I Stage II Stage III p N 6 16 15 Survival from enrollment, mo NR 18.8 (11.7–33.6) 5.7 (3.2–18.3) 0.01 Survival from Diagnosis, mo NR 48.4 (20.4–62) 21.1 (11.2–31.7) 0.005 Progression Free Survival, mo 34.7 (33.7–NR) 18.3 (6.2–28.1) 4.4 (3–8.6) NS Drop out by cycle 4, % 17 31 60 NS Median # of cycles administered 31 6 3 0.04 Time to response, mo 6.2 (3.6–9.3) 6.4 (5.2–NR) 4.7 (3.8–NR) NS Hematologic response rate, % 83 38 27 0.05 Organ response rate, % 40 20 13 NS Duration of Response, mo NR 27.2 (13.6–NR) NR NS Subgroup analysis of patients receiving >3 cycles of therapy (i.e getting Len and Dex) N 5 12 7 Time on therapy, mo 35.2 8 10.5 Hematologic Response Rate, % 100 50 56 Organ response rate, % 50 27 25 Conclusions: Based on these data, single agent lenalidomide is not recommended for patients with AL; however, lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone can be associated with good progression free and overall survival rates, even among patients with relapsed or refractory disease.

Abstract Background: The plasma cell labeling index (LI), a slide-based measure of the percentage of bone marrow plasma cells in the S-phase of cell cycle, is a powerful prognostic tool in multiple myeloma (MM). A high LI is a marker of poor outcome, and is a useful adjunct to cytogenetics and fluorescent in-situ hybridization to risk-stratify MM patients. It has been shown to provide additional prognostic information in International Staging System (ISS) stages 1 and 2 patients treated with conventional chemotherapy ± autologous stem cell transplantation. However, the impact of a high LI is not known in patients receiving novel agents that have been integrated into the current treatment paradigm of newly diagnosed MM. The objective of this study was to determine the value of LI in patients treated with thalidomide-dexamethasone (Thal/Dex) or lenalidomide-dexamethasone (Len/Dex). Patients and Methods : Data from 125 newly diagnosed MM patients enrolled in clinical trials with either thalidomide (200mg/d) plus dexamethasone (Thal-Dex; n=50), or lenalidomide (25 mg/d on days 1–21 of a 4-week cycle) plus dexamethasone (Len-Dex; n=75) as initial therapy, were utilized. Patients within both the studies were categorized into 2 LI groups based on baseline LI: high (≥1%) vs. low (<1%) LI. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using Kaplan Meier method, and compared between the two LI groups within the Thal Dex and Len-Dex studies using log rank tests. Results : The median follow-up for patients on Thal-Dex and Len-Dex was 7.5 and 3 years, respectively. 36% (18/50) of patients in the Thal-Dex study and 35% (26/75) in the Len-Dex study had high LI. The baseline patient-characteristics, including age, stage (ISS), lactate dehydrogenase, calcium, hemoglobin and creatinine were comparable between the 2 studies. The median OS for patients receiving Thal-Dex was 4.7 years (95% CI 3.1–8.1); 2.3 years (95% CI 1.3–4.6) for patients with LI ≥1 compared to 6.9 years (95% CI: 3.9–NA) for those with LI <1 (P=0.02). The median OS for patients on Len-Dex was not reached for either the high or low LI group (P=0.80). The median PFS for all Thal-Dex patients was 1.7 years (95% CI: 1.4–3.1); 1.3 years (95% CI: 0.2–2.0) for patients with high LI vs.2.3 years (95% CI: 1.3–3.3) for patients with low LI; P = 0.01. The median PFS for Len-Dex patients was 2.6 years (95% CI: 1.8–3.1) years, and no significant difference was observed between the 2 LI groups, with PFS of 2.3 years (95% CI: 1.4–3.1) for patients with high LI, and 3.1 years for patients in the low LI group. Due to a shorter median follow-up of Len-Dex patients, a separate analysis censoring all patients in both the studies at 3 years was performed with similar results. Conclusion : LI remains a significant determinant of PFS and OS in newly diagnosed MM patients treated with Thal-Dex, with high baseline LI predicting poorer outcome. In contrast, during first 3 years of follow-up, the unfavorable prognostic effect of LI is not apparent with Len-Dex therapy, and longer follow-up is needed to determine if Len-Dex therapy overcomes the poor prognostic effect of high LI. Figure Figure

Abstract Introduction: Immunotherapy is most likely to work in a setting of low tumor burden, making vaccine strategies attractive as maintenance therapy post autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) for multiple myeloma (MM). However, it is difficult to ascertain the effects of the vaccines from delayed responses to the transplant. A novel immunotherapeutic, APC8020 (Mylovenge), was studied as consolidation therapy after for MM post PBSCT (Mayo vaccine trial). Mylovenge is prepared from autologous antigen presenting cells, including dendritic cells, partially purified from an unmobilized leukapheresis product by gradient density isolation and then incubated for two days with autologous serum containing M protein obtained pretransplant. We report long term results of the Mayo vaccine trial compared retrospectively to a consecutive cohort of MM patients who underwent autologous stem cell transplant at Mayo Clinic during the same time period. Methods: The Mayo vaccine trial patients had transplants between July of 1998 and May of 2001. Using these cutoff dates we analyzed 151 total MM patients, 27 from the vaccine trial (9 newly diagnosed and 18 relapsed) and 124 from database (DB) (50 newly diagnosed patients and 74 relapsed). The median (range) of follow-up for alive patients in vaccine trial is 6.5 years (2.9 – 8), and in the DB is 7.1 years (6 – 8). Two-sided Fisher’s exact tests and stratified log rank tests (with newly diagnosed or relapsed as the stratum) were used to compare baseline patient characteristics and time to event distributions (overall survival – OS, progression free survival – PFS, and time to progression – TTP) between the two groups. Results: The median (range) of age in vaccine trial and DB was 56 (30–69) and 57 (36–71) years respectively. There were no significant differences in the known prognostic factors including PCLI, B2M, and CRP. The median (95% confidence interval - CI) TTP for the vaccine trial and DB patients was 1.5 years (1.3 – 2.4) and 1.6 years (1.3 – 1.8); stratified log rank p value = 0.46. The median (95% CI) PFS for the vaccine trial and DB patients was 1.5 years (1.3 – 2.4) and 1.5 years (1.1 – 1.8), stratified logrank p value = 0.30. The median (95% CI) OS for the vaccine trial and DB patients was 5.3 years (4.0 -N/A), and 3.4 years (2.7 – 4.6); stratified logrank p value = 0.02. Conclusions: Despite the fact that no difference was seen in TTP or PFS, post-transplant vaccine therapy was associated with prolonged survival. This is similar to what has been reported in other tumor systems including prostate cancer and glioblastoma multiforme. This approach warrants further investigation, including preclinical studies aimed at optimizing the immune response and randomized trials to define the role of vaccine therapy in myeloma. Figure Figure

Abstract Background: Immunoglobulin free light chains (FLC) form the substrate for synthesis of amyloid fibrils in patients with AL amyloidosis. Development of FLC assay (Freelite) has allowed us to better assess the clonal cell burden in patients with AL amyloid. The relationship of the light chain types and their levels in serum to the clinical feature at presentation and the eventual outcome has not been systematically studied. Methods: We identified 730 patients with biopsy proven AL amyloidosis, who were seen at Mayo Clinic between January 1980 and July 2006, who were seen within 90 days of their diagnosis and in whom FLC levels were performed or had stored serum available for analysis. Cardiac biomarkers (cTnT, NT ProBNP) were also performed on stored serum for some of the patients as part of previous studies. Clinical data and follow up status are prospectively collected into the Dysproteinemia database, which was used for the study. Results: The median age of the study population was 63 years (range; 32–90) and 463 patients (63%) were male. The median estimated survival for the entire group was 37 months from diagnosis and the median follow up for the 263 patients (37%) alive at the time of the analysis was 27.8 months (range; 1–177 months). The plasma cell clone was lambda in 528 patients (72%) and kappa in 202 (28%) patients. The median absolute difference between the FLCs was 19.6 mg/dL for the entire group (range; 0.01–2478); for the kappa patients was 29.4 mg/dL (range; 0.01–1359) and for the lambda patients was 18.2 mg/dL (range; 0.03–2478). Kappa AL was associated with more involvement of the GI tract and liver as indicated by higher alkaline phosphatase (1.8 vs. 1.3 fold; P=0.03), higher total bilirubin (0.95 vs. 0.78 mg/dL, P = 0.04) and lower serum carotene (119 vs. 155 ug/dL; P = 0.0002). On the contrary, renal involvement was more in the lambda AL with the 24 hour urinary albumin higher in the lambda AL (2.4 gm vs. 1.4 gm; P = 0.0002) and lower serum albumin (2.77 vs. 2.97 mg/dL; P = 0.001). While there was no difference in the overall survival (OS) between the kappa and lambda AL, the median OS for those without a heavy chain was significantly shorter (12.6 months vs. 29.9 months; P= 0.01) compared to those with a heavy chain identified. There was also a correlation between high FLC difference and degree of organ involvement, especially cardiac. Among the 202 kappa AL patients, the median survival for those with a high FLC difference ( > 29.4 mg/dL) was 13 months vs. 48.8 months for those with low difference (P = 0.001). Similarly among the 528 patients with lambda AL, those with high difference (> 18.2 mg/dL) had a median OS of 9.3 months compared to 33 months for those with low difference (P < 0.0001) (Figure). The FLC difference was independent of the cTnT, NT Pro BNP, uric acid and fold-increase in alkaline phosphatase, all of which were significant in the multivariable analysis. Conclusions: The type of FLC impacts the spectrum of organ involvement, with gastrointestinal involvement observed more frequently with kappa, and renal involvement with lambda FLC. The FLC burden correlates with the degree of organ involvement, and is a significant predictor of overall survival in AL amyloidosis. Lambda FLC exerts similar effect as kappa FLCs, but at lower levels confirming the increased “amyloidogenicity” of lambda FLC. Finally, lack of a chaperone heavy chain is associated with a poorer outcome. Figure 1. Overall survival form diagnosis in patients with high vs. low FLC difference (using median values for cutoffs for kappa and lambda FLC) Figure 1. Overall survival form diagnosis in patients with high vs. low FLC difference (using median values for cutoffs for kappa and lambda FLC)