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42 citation(s) found for "Chari, Ajai".

Electrical signatures of divergent connectivity in the human subgenual cingulate cortex
Qianq, Zekai, Kerezoudis, Panagiotis, Gregg, Nicholas, Hermes, Dora, Klassen, Bryan T. , Chari, Aswin, Miller, Kai J. , Chari, Ajai , Baker, Matthew R , Chari, Aswin , Kerezoudis, Panagiotis , Gregg, Nicholas M. , Hermes, Dora , Tisdall, Martin , Baker, Matthew

Mayo Clinic

No container title available | June 12, 2026 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.64898/2026.06.09.26355288 | PMID 42326819 Get It

Background: Major depressive disorder remains a leading cause of disability. While subgenual cingulate cortex (sgCC) deep brain stimulation (DBS) shows promise for medically refractory depression, clinical outcomes have been heterogeneous, suggesting that individual differences in neural circuitry engagement may critically influence therapeutic efficacy. We aimed to define the electrophysiological signatures of sgCC efferent connectivity using single-pulse electrical stimulation (SPES) with intracranial stereo-EEG (sEEG) to inform rational targeting and physiological biomarkers for sgCC-DBS. Methods: In four patients undergoing clinically indicated sEEG for seizure mapping, SPES was delivered through sgCC pairs, while distributed brain stimulation-evoked potentials (BSEPs) were recorded across cortical and subcortical sites. Responses were characterized using Canonical Response Parameterization to extract reproducible waveforms and per-trial reliability. Results: sgCC stimulation elicited reproducible, spatially organized BSEPs across frontal, limbic, and paralimbic networks, aligning with known anatomical pathways. Frontal recruitment featured robust, lateralized orbitofrontal activation favoring the ipsilateral central, medial OFC and bilateral ventromedial prefrontal responses. Limbic effects demonstrated bilateral cingulate activation with stronger ipsilateral recruitment and lateralized amygdala and hippocampal responses. Paralimbic engagement included insular responses with subject-specific anterior predominance and bi-hemispheric temporal-polar slow-wave deflections. Conclusion: These findings provide direct electrophysiological evidence of distributed, lateralized sgCC divergent network connectivity in the human brain, offering physiologic confirmation of its role in affective circuitry. The observed topography and laterality have direct applications for sgCC-DBS targeting and implicate BSEP signatures as candidate biomarkers to guide patient-specific therapy.
Infections in patients receiving daratumumab for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a pooled analysis of MAIA and ALCYONE
Bahlis, Nizar J. , Facon, Thierry, San-Miguel, Jesus, Usmani, Saad Z., Dimopoulos, Meletios-Athanasios A., Moreau, Philippe, Manier, Salomon , NS, Raje, Orlowski, Robert Z. , Goldschmidt, H, Hulin, Cyrille, Weisel, K, Leleu, Xavier, Plesner, Torben , Jakubowiak, Andrzej J, Cook, Gordon, Quach, H, Venner, Christopher P., Cavo, M, Ngo, Mai, Bolyard, Kasey, Carson, R, Borgsten, Fredrik, Mateos, María‐Victoria , Kumar, Shaji , Miguel, Jesús F. San , Bahlis, Nizar Jacques , San-Miguel, Jesus , Zweegman, Sonja , Perrot, Aurore , Manier, Salomon , Orlowski, Robert Z. , Goldschmidt, Hartmut , Mohty, Mohamad , Leleu, Xavier , Cook, Gordon , Quach, Hang , Mateos, María-Victoria , Kumar, Shaji K , Facon, Thierry T.F. , Usmani, Saad Z. , Dimopoulos, Meletios A , Moreau, Philippe , Chari, Ajai , Goldschmidt, Hartmut , Basu, Supratik , Hulin, Cyrille , Weisel, Katja C , Mohty, Mohamad , Leleu, Xavier , Jakubowiak, Andrzej , Cook, Gordon , Quach, Hang , Cavo, M., Carson, Robin

Mayo Clinic

Blood Advances | May 5, 2026 | Volume: 10 | Issue: 13 | Pages: 4541-4550

10.1182/bloodadvances.2025019323 | PMID 42085642 Get It

Abstract Both the phase 3 MAIA and ALCYONE studies demonstrated significant survival benefit with the addition of daratumumab to standard-of-care Rd (Revlimid [lenalidomide] and dexamethasone; D-Rd) or to VMP (Velcade [bortezomib], melphalan, and prednisone; D-VMP), respectively, vs Rd or VMP alone in transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). Patients with NDMM are highly susceptible to infection; therefore, gaining a greater understanding of infection incidence may help to mitigate future risk. We conducted a pooled analysis of infection incidence, timing, and management strategies from MAIA and ALCYONE. The median (range) age of the pooled population was 72 (40-93) years. Incidence was higher with D-Rd/D-VMP vs Rd/VMP for grade 3/4 (36.9% vs 22.4%) and grade 5 (3.0% vs 1.5%) infections; however, exposure-adjusted incidence rates were generally comparable between groups. Any-grade infections led to the discontinuation of study treatment in ∼2% of patients across treatment groups. Of the timing intervals explored, the highest incidence of grade 3/4 infection occurred within the first 6-month interval of study treatment initiation in both groups. Median time to the first onset of grade 3/4 infections (per Kaplan-Meier estimates) was 83.3 months and not estimable in the D-Rd/D-VMP and Rd/VMP groups, respectively. Although the rates of D-Rd/D-VMP treatment discontinuation due to infection remained low in MAIA and ALCYONE, clinicians should remain vigilant about infections throughout treatment and follow local guidelines and International Myeloma Working Group recommendations to minimize the risk of infection. These trials were registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT02252172 (MAIA) and NCT02195479 (ALCYONE).
Feasibility of decentralized real-world monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccines and COVID-19 outcomes in myeloma
Wood, William A, Kumar, Shaji K, Semmel, Emily, James, Shandra, Chung, David J., Rosenberg, Aaron S., Zonder, Jeffrey A. , Rubinstein, Samuel M., D'Souza, A, Martin, Thomas, Chari, Ajai, Vij, Ravi, Nooka, Ajay K., Anderson, Kenneth C., NEUBERG, D, Torres, Kathleen, Weiss, Brendan M. , Pederson, Levi , Geyer, Susan, Usmani, Saad Z., Wood, William A. , D’Souza, Anita , Rosenberg, Aaron S. , Wood, William A , Kumar, Shaji K , Chung, David J , Rosenberg, Aaron , D'Souza, Anita , Pederson, Levi D , Derkach, Andriy , Kumar, Shaji , Semmel, Emily A., Schroeder, Mark A. , Rubinstein, Samuel M. , Martin, Thomas, Nooka, Ajay K. , Anderson, Kenneth C., Neuberg, Donna , Richard, Shambavi , Torres, Kathleen, Derkach, Andriy , Usmani, Saad Z.

Mayo Clinic

Blood Advances | February 24, 2026 | Volume: 10 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 3094-3102

10.1182/bloodadvances.2025018963 | PMID 41734388 Get It

Abstract Patients with multiple myeloma have an elevated risk of severe complications from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19) infection. To demonstrate proof of concept for a pandemic preparedness and response network, the American Society of Hematology Research Collaborative Multiple Myeloma Program developed a prospective, decentralized study within a site-based provider network. In the COVID-19 outcomes in myeloma and the impact of vaccines (COSMIC) study, patients provided consent, permitted electronic health record data collection, completed patient-reported outcomes at baseline, day 30, and day 180 through an electronic study portal, and were compensated for participation. Clinicians at participating sites facilitated study recruitment and shared best practices monthly to accelerate study execution. The COSMIC study rapidly consented 201 patients from 8 participating sites over 4 months (22 January 2024 through 17 May 2024). Consented participants were 30 to 93 years old, with a median age of 67; 46% were female, 69% were non-Hispanic White, 17% were non-Hispanic Black, and 8% were Hispanic/Latino. Patient-reported data completion was 97% at baseline, 81% at 1 month, and 79% at 6 months. At baseline, 55% of patients reported a history of COVID-19 infection and had received a median of 4 SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. For all patients, there were an additional 18 COVID-19 infections and 57 vaccines received during the 6-month observation period. There were no significant differences in health-related quality of life over time or by history of COVID-19 infection. COSMIC demonstrates the feasibility of an innovative evidence generation strategy to drive rapid accrual of patients to address an evolving area of need. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT05831787.
Cortico‐cortical evoked potentials: Analytical techniques and emerging paradigms for epileptogenic zone localization
Qiang, Zekai , Norris, J. C., Cooray, Gerald , Rosch, Richard , Miller, Kai J. , Hermes, Dora, Chari, Ajai , Miller, Kai J , Chari, Aswin , Hermes, Dora , Tisdall, Martin

Mayo Clinic

Epilepsia | May 23, 2025 | Volume: 66 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 3087-3104

10.1111/epi.18467 | PMID 40407405 Get It

Abstract Cortico‐cortical evoked potentials (CCEPs) are an active electrophysiological technique used during intracranial electroencephalography to evaluate the effective connectivity and influence of therapeutic stimulation between distinct cortical regions and pinpoint epileptogenic zones (EZs) in patients with epilepsy. Various methodologies have been implemented to analyze CCEPs and characterize the epileptogenic networks for EZ localization. Despite its promise, their interpretation remains challenging due to the large volumes of spatially and temporally complex data generated. Early studies focused largely on qualitative descriptors and predefined, semi‐quantitative features such as waveform morphology and peak latencies. However, these methods are limited by the significant heterogeneity in CCEP waveform conformations across patients and cortical regions. The specific technique used for extraction of features, such as the spectral band power and root mean squared values, remains open to empirical refinement, as does choice of appropriate latency windows, with no consensus reached regarding the optimal approach. Graph theoretical metrics such as degree centrality, betweenness centrality, and clustering coefficients can provide a rich representation of epileptogenic network connectivity. However, these metrics are often abstract and difficult to interpret in a clinical setting or to the non‐expert, and their neuroscientific substrates remains poorly understood. The lack of standardization in stimulation protocol and data‐processing pipelines has further contributed to inconsistency in reported findings. Emerging machine learning approaches have been increasingly applied to CCEP data, offering a more data‐driven and potentially generalizable way to identify electrophysiological biomarkers of the epileptogenic effective connectivity. In this article, we discuss qualitative, quantitative, and spectral features; network‐analytical metrics; and more recently, data driven methodologies aimed at improving the interpretability and clinical utility of CCEP data.
Sustained Improvement in Health‐Related Quality of Life in Transplant‐Ineligible Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Treated With Daratumumab, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone: MAIA Final Analysis of Patient‐Reported Outcomes
Plesner, Torben , Kumar, Shaji, Hulin, Cyrille , Orlowski, Robert Z. , Nahi, Hareth , Delforge, Michel, Karlin, Lionel, Arnulf, Bertrand , Gupta‐Werner, Niodita , Kaila, Shuchita, Pei, Huiling , Matt, Kathryn, Gries, Katharine S. , Carson, Robin, Borgsten, Fredrik, Nahi, Hareth , Roussel, Murielle , Arnulf, Bertrand , Orlowski, Robert Z. , Perrot, Aurore , Facon, Thierry T.F. , Usmani, Saad Z. , Kumar, Shaji , Bahlis, Nizar Jacques , Mollee, Peter , Ramasamy, Karthik , Roussel, Murielle , Jaccard, Arnaud , Karlin, Lionel , Chari, Ajai , Wang, George C. , Weisel, Katja C

Mayo Clinic

European Journal of Haematology | February 14, 2025 | Volume: 114 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 883-889

10.1111/ejh.14392 | PMID 39952901 Get It

ABSTRACTObjectivesThis final post hoc analysis evaluated patient‐reported outcomes from the Phase 3 MAIA study of daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (D‐Rd) versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) after median 64.5‐month follow‐up in transplant‐ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM), including patient subgroups.MethodsKey scales from the EORTC QLQ‐C30 (global health status [GHS], physical functioning, pain, and fatigue) were assessed. Scores were evaluated every 3 months for 1 year, then every 6 months until disease progression.ResultsThe intent‐to‐treat population (n = 737) included 46.3% frail, 35.4% 70 to < 75 years old, and 43.6% ≥ 75 years old. D‐Rd‐treated patients showed improvements from baseline that were sustained over 5 years in the intent‐to‐treat population and across subgroups by age, frailty, and bone lesions. Greater proportions of patients treated with D‐Rd versus Rd achieved minimally important changes for improvement at cycle 36 (year ~3) in GHS (odds ratio, 1.84 [95% CI, 1.16–2.91]), physical functioning (1.93 [1.18–3.14]), pain (1.41 [0.90–2.22]), and fatigue (2.00 [1.24–3.23]). Greater proportions of patients with bone lesions improved with D‐Rd versus Rd on GHS and physical functioning.ConclusionsIn transplant‐ineligible patients with NDMM, D‐Rd improved health‐related quality of life over a 5‐year period versus Rd. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02252172
Development of the ASH Research Collaborative Multiple Myeloma Program: A Multicenter, Real-World Evidence Generation Network
Kumar, Shaji , Anderson, Kenneth C., Semmel, Emily A., James, Shandra, Hewitt, Kathleen, Zonder, Jeffrey A. , Rubinstein, Samuel M. , Martin, Thomas G , Vij, Ravi , Bhutani, Manisha , Voorhees, Peter M. , Geyer, Susan M. , Craige, Michael W., Walters, Sam , Wood, William A. , Anderson, Kenneth C. , James, Shandra, Neuberg, Donna , Schroeder, Mark A. , Chung, David J , Rosenberg, Aaron , D’Souza, Anita , Chari, Ajai , Nooka, Ajay K. , Sperling, Adam S. , Craige, Michael W. , Derkach, Andriy , Usmani, Saad Z.

Mayo Clinic

Blood | December 6, 2024 | Volume: 144 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3792.5-3792.5

10.1182/blood-2024-210957 Get It

Background: Contemporary questions about treatment and outcomes of patients (pts) living with multiple myeloma (MM) demand efficient and timely evidence generation methods, where real-world/ everyday practice data can play an important role. Relevant potential applications include understanding and addressing disparities in treatment access, mitigating toxicities of novel therapies while maintaining quality of life, appropriately sequencing treatments within long-term management strategies, and disseminating and appropriately using surrogate endpoints in practice, such as minimal residual disease. However, existing real-world data (RWD) repositories are limited by an inability to implement interventions in response to issues identified through retrospective data analysis, which is pivotal for the use of newer therapies. The ASH Research Collaborative (ASH RC) MM Data Hub Program was developed to address these gaps. Methods: We developed a multicenter network of US-based tertiary academic medical centers, engaging site clinicians, patients, biostatisticians, informaticians, and data scientists. Initial activities included constructing a shared real-world MM data model comprised of consensus core data elements. Pt data from each site, dating back to at least 2019, is currently being entered through electronic case report forms, batch uploaded utilizing existing institutional data repositories, and soon direct electronic health record import in standard data acquisition formats. Data are aggregated in the Data Hub and shared in a confidential Site Portal with each site. The Portal allows sites to track their own pts, analyze outcomes, and identify ways to improve the quality of care provided to individuals living with MM. We also developed an innovative evidence generation learning community of site clinicians who meet monthly and collaborate on the “COVID-19 OutcomeS in Myeloma and the Impact of VaCcines (COSMIC)” study, a prospective, decentralized observational study that rapidly accrued pts and collects relevant practice information. The group also shares best practices in study conduct to accelerate study enrollment and execution. Results: The MM Data Hub Program now contains twelve centers: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, University of California San Francisco, University of California Davis, Medical College of Wisconsin, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, University of North Carolina Medical Center at Chapel Hill, Emory University Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Atrium Health. From this Network, six centers have contributed data from 8,824 pts (2,825 with sufficiently complete data are included in this analysis). The median age at time of MM diagnosis is 63, and of the 627 deceased pts, the median age at death is 70.6 years, with median time to death from first MM diagnosis of 6 years. The proportions of pts by decade of diagnoses are 34.9% from 2020-2024; 57.6% from 2010-2019; 7.3% from 2000-2009; and 0.9% prior to 2000. 83.1% of pts had a diagnosis of plasma cell myeloma (non-light chain), and 14.4% of pts had a diagnosis of light chain myeloma. 42.3% of pts are female, and the self-reported patient races are: 85.0% white; 9.2% black or African; and 4.3% all other races (race was not documented in 1.5% of pts). 2.8% of pts are of Hispanic ethnicity. Participant data files are currently undergoing completion and cleaning procedures; the analysis will include updated results at the meeting, and a Network-wide analytic data set will be available for initial retrospective data analyses in early 2025. The COSMIC study opened for enrollment on January 22, 2024, and completed enrollment of 200 pts on May 17, 2024. Conclusions: The ASH RC Data Hub MM Program launched in 2023 and is comprised of 12 sites that collectively have contributed participant files for 8,824 pts thus far. Utilizing the structure of the Network, we successfully implemented and established the feasibility of collecting data directly from pts electronically to monitor SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and COVID-19 related outcomes. The Program serves as a successful proof-of-concept model, providing an enduring RWD resource and a prospective evidence generation platform for the myeloma community.
Delayed Neurotoxicity after CAR-T in Multiple Myeloma: Results from a Global IMWG Registry
Kumar, Anupama, Hashmi, Hamza , Corraes, Andre De Menezes Silva , Htut, Myo, Scheller, Lukas , Kadel, Sofie‐Katrin , Hájek, Roman , Martínez‐López, Joaquín , Biran, Noa , Abrahamsen, Ingerid Weum , Chen, Szu-Ying, Ng, Melissa , Harrison, Simon J, Costello, Caitlin , Matos, Isadora, Gupta, Sasha , Lin, Yi, Hajek, Roman , Martinez-Lopez, Joaquin , Abrahamsen, Ingerid Weum , Atallah‐Yunes, Suheil Albert , Rajeeve, Sridevi , Abdelhak, Ahmed , Htut, Myo , Rodríguez‐Otero, Paula , Parrondo, Ricardo D , Chhabra, Saurabh , Kortüm, K. Martin , Einsele, Hermann , Donk, Niels W.C.J. van de , Mihalyova, Jana , Larrea, Carlos Fernández de , Chen, Szu‐Ying , Patiño-Escobar, Bonell , Harrison, Simon J , Matos, Isadora, Crusoé, Edvan de Queiroz , Costa, Luciano J. , Wiita, Arun P. , Martin, Thomas G. , Chari, Ajai

Mayo Clinic

Blood | December 6, 2024 | Volume: 144 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 4758-4758

10.1182/blood-2024-201783 Get It

Background Emerging evidence has demonstrated rare subacute to late neurological toxicities (NTs) after BCMA CAR T-cell therapy (CAR-T) in multiple myeloma (MM). These adverse events can be categorized as: 1) Parkinsonism (PD), 2) cranial nerve (CN) palsies, and 3) peripheral neuropathies/Guillan Barré syndrome (GBS). These toxicities can cause significant morbidity, but given their relative rarity in clinical trials, there is limited data regarding evaluation and treatment. To our knowledge, this is the largest and only global registry of delayed NTs after BCMA CAR-T. Methods We retrospectively established a registry of NTs via the Immune Therapy Working Committee of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG). We gathered data pertaining to demographics, MM characteristics, MM response, NT signs/symptoms, diagnostic workup, and treatment. Result A total of 52 patients with delayed neurotoxicity were included from 14 institutions and 6 countries; 92% received ciltacel, 4% idecel, and 4% investigational CAR-T. Median age at CAR-T infusion was 65 years; 69% were male and 88% were Caucasian. Median bone marrow plasma cell (PC) burden was 15% prior to CAR-T (range 0-95%). Patients received a median of 4 prior lines of therapy (LOT), with 67% progressing on last LOT. Seventeen percent had pre-existing neurological diagnoses (including stroke, epilepsy, migraines). We identified sixteen cases of PD (94% with movement disorder, 69% with cognitive impairment, 75% with personality changes), occurring at a median of 26 days (range: 15-87) after CAR-T. Ninety four percent had CRS (grade (G)1 50%, G2 38%, G3 6%, G4 0%), while 19% had ICANS (G1 13%, G2 6%, G3-G4 0%). Median peak absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) was 9.5 x 109/L, peak C-reactive protein (CRP) 60.9 mg/L, and peak ferritin 1893.5 ug/L within the first 30 days. Concurrently, 3 upper respiratory infections (URIs) and 2 low-level HHV7 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were detected. A median of 73% of T-cells in the CSF were CAR-T, based on a flow cytometry assay. Ten patients received steroids (median 19 days after symptoms, 70% partial response, 20% no response, 10% unknown), 2 received intrathecal (IT) methotrexate-based therapy (median 32 days after symptoms, 1 with no response, 1 unknown), 5 received intravenous (IV) cyclophosphamide (median 31 days after symptoms, 40% full response, 20% partial response, 40% no response), 4 received high-dose IVIG ≥1g/kg for one or more dose (50% partial response, 50% no response), and 6 received dopamine agonists. There were 37 CN palsies (76% CN7, 15% CN6, 7% CN5, 2% CN3), occurring at a median of 37.5 days (range: 7-482) after CAR-T. Eighty one percent had CRS (G1 68%, G2 14%, G3-G4 0%); 11% had G1 ICANS (G2-G4 0%). Median peak ALC was 4.1 x 109/L, CRP 25.4 mg/L, and ferritin 543 ug/L within the first 30 days. We identified 2 concurrent URIs, 4 CMV viremia (50% with viral load &gt;1500 IU/mL), 1 HHV6 viremia, and 1 HSV in the CSF. Thirty-two (86%) received steroids for a median duration of 12 days, 50% with full response, 3% with no response, and 47% with partial response (of which 43% had later full recovery without further intervention). One received IT methotrexate and another received IV cyclophosphamide without response. Thirteen (41%) received IVIG, of which 38% was high-dose IVIG. Four patients with CN palsies developed peripheral neuropathy/GBS. Eight patients (15%) in this cohort were not heavily pre-treated (≤1 prior LOT); 7 developed CN palsies (6 after ciltacel, 1 after investigational CAR-T) and 1 PD (after idecel). These patients had median &lt;5% PC; none had extramedullary disease. Median ALC was 4.14 x 109/L, CRP 33 mg/L, and ferritin 448.5 ug/L within the first 30 days. Conclusions Delayed NT requires prompt recognition, evaluation for alternative causes, and treatment. In our cohort, the majority of patients were male and Caucasian, suggesting that sex and race may impact the likelihood of developing NT. Individuals with PDs had greater inflammatory response (CRS, ALC, CRP, ferritin) compared to those with CN palsies. CN palsies responded to steroids and/or IVIG, whereas PD had at best partial response to steroids, prompting additional therapy. These toxicities notably did occur in less heavily pre-treated patients, perhaps driven by immune fitness and greater circulating T-cells rather than MM burden. At the time of the annual meeting, data will be updated with additional NTs from less heavily pre-treated patients.
Feasibility and Implementation of the ASH Research Collaborative's COVID-19 Outcomes in Myeloma and the Impact of Vaccines (COSMIC): A Decentralized, Real-World Evidence Study for Patients with Multiple Myeloma to Monitor Outcomes Related to COVID-19 Vacci
Semmel, Emily A., James, Shandra, Hewitt, Kathleen, Anderson, Kenneth C., Kumar, Shaji, Zonder, Jeffrey A. , Rubinstein, Samuel M. , Martin, Thomas G , Vij, Ravi , Weiss, Brendan M. , Pederson, Levi , Geyer, Susan M. , Wood, William A. , James, Shandra, Neuberg, Donna , Anderson, Kenneth C. , Kumar, Shaji , Schroeder, Mark A. , Chung, David J , Rosenberg, Aaron , D’Souza, Anita , Chari, Ajai , Nooka, Ajay K. , Derkach, Andriy , Usmani, Saad Z.

Mayo Clinic

Blood | December 6, 2024 | Volume: 144 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 2393-2393

10.1182/blood-2024-203892 Get It

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had an outsized impact on individuals with immune compromise, such as multiple myeloma, leading to increased rates of severe COVID, hospitalization, and death in these groups. The pandemic also demonstrated the need for rapid and efficient evidence generation to address rapidly changing medical needs and accelerated the use of innovative trial designs to accomplish this goal. Methods: We designed and established a prospective, decentralized study within a site-based provider network, COVID-19 OutcomeS in Myeloma and the Impact of VaCcines (COSMIC), for patients with multiple myeloma at ASH Research Collaborative sites to monitor outcomes related to COVID-19 infection and vaccination. The direct-to-patient approach was accomplished using a study application accessed with a QR code provided to patients during usual clinical care. All study activities occurred within the patient portal at Baseline, Day 30, and Day 180, minimizing burden on site personnel and staff. Study activities included eligibility confirmation, consenting, electronic health record (EHR) data permissions, and patient-reported outcome (PRO) surveys. PRO data (EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ MY-20) were made available to clinicians through the portal to visualize results from their patients. Patients shared if they received a COVID-19 vaccination or booster and if they had a COVID-19 infection. Patients with a history of COVID-19 infection included method of confirmation and if hospitalization was required. Patients were provided compensation for participation. Automated text and email messages were sent at three separate intervals: 24 hours, Day 8, and Day 15 for participants who initiated but did not complete study activities. A personal email reminder per participant was sent for those whose second study visit window was approaching. ASH Research Collaborative clinicians met regularly to share best practices related to enrollment and study conduct, thereby creating an innovative evidence generation learning community. We studied the feasibility of data collection in a decentralized format by focusing on the number of participants who interacted with the system, those who consented, and those who completed baseline PRO assessments. Results: The COSMIC study rapidly accrued and consented 200 patients from eight participating ASH Research Collaborative sites over four months (1/22/2024 through 5/17/2024): 69% self-reported as non-Hispanic White (NHW). Of enrolled participants, 57.5% opted to permission sharing of their EHR data, which included disease and treatment-related clinical data, laboratory results, pathology reports, and imaging reports. A total of 196 patients (98%) provided demographic and COVID-related disease and vaccine data at baseline; nearly all of these patients (n=195) provided baseline PRO data, and 150 patients provided further information at Day 30 at the time of this analysis. Those who did not provide Day 30 data were not significantly different from those who did in terms of age (median: 68 [no Day 30 data] vs. 67 [Day 30 data] years; p=0.44), sex (41% [no Day 30 data] vs. 47% [Day 30 data] Female; p=0.47), or race (65% [no Day 30 data] vs. 71% [Day 30 data] NHW; p=0.60). A higher proportion of Hispanic patients were retained at Day 30 (13/15=87%) vs. 78% of non-Hispanic patients or those who declined reporting ethnicity (2/7=29%; p=0.007). COVID-19 vaccination data were submitted by 196 patients, 186 of whom had ever received a COVID-19 vaccination. Data on number, type, brand, and dates for these vaccinations were provided. Conclusions: The COSMIC study conducted by the ASH Research Collaborative was able to rapidly accrue a diverse cohort of patients using a decentralized workflow within a site-based provider network, with high consent and compliance rates. This platform, and the innovative evidence generation learning community of ASH Research Collaborative investigators and patients, sets a precedent to address a variety of real-world questions related to disease management, infections, vaccinations, and PROs in this population of patients with multiple myeloma.
Initial Results from the ASH Research Collaborative's COVID-19 Outcomes in Myeloma and the Impact of Vaccines (COSMIC): A Decentralized, Real-World Evidence Study for Patients with Multiple Myeloma to Monitor Outcomes Related to COVID-19 Vaccines and Infec
Semmel, Emily A., James, Shandra, Zonder, Jeffrey A. , Rubinstein, Samuel M. , Martin, Thomas G , Vij, Ravi , Anderson, Kenneth C., Hewitt, Kathleen, Weiss, Brendan M. , Pederson, Levi , Geyer, Susan M. , Kumar, Shaji, Usmani, Saad Z. , James, Shandra, Wood, William A. , Schroeder, Mark A. , Chung, David J , Rosenberg, Aaron , D’Souza, Anita , Chari, Ajai , Nooka, Ajay K. , Anderson, Kenneth C. , Neuberg, Donna , Derkach, Andriy , Kumar, Shaji

Mayo Clinic

Blood | December 6, 2024 | Volume: 144 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 1972-1972

10.1182/blood-2024-210377 Get It

Background: Data from the ASH Research Collaborative COVID-19 Registry for Hematology demonstrated that patients with multiple myeloma and other immune compromise had elevated risk for severe complications from COVID-19 infection. To address current evidence gaps and to demonstrate proof of concept for a pandemic preparedness and response network, the ASH Research Collaborative Multiple Myeloma Program developed a prospective, decentralized study within a site-based provider network to investigate COVID-19 infections, vaccinations, and quality of life in patients with multiple myeloma. Methods: We designed and established the COVID-19 OutcomeS in Myeloma and the Impact of VacCines (COSMIC) to study COVID-19 in patients with multiple myeloma at ASH Research Collaborative network sites. A study application was accessed with a QR code and shared with patients during usual clinical care. Patients provided consent, optionally gave permission for electronic health record data collection, and completed patient-reported outcomes (EORTC QLQ-C30 and MY20) at baseline, Day 30, and Day 180 through the study portal. Clinicians at participating sites facilitated study enrollment and shared best practices monthly to accelerate study execution. Study objectives related to feasibility of data collection in a decentralized format are reported in a separate abstract. Here, we report interim results related to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination history, COVID-19 infection, and how these relate to patient reported outcomes and clinical outcomes in enrolled participants. Results: The COSMIC study rapidly accrued and consented 200 patients from eight participating ASH Research Collaborative sites over four months (1/22/2024 through 5/17/2024). Consented participants' ages ranged from 29 to 93 years, with median of 67 years; 46% were female, 69% were non-Hispanic White (NHW), 17% were non-Hispanic Black (NHB), and 8% were Hispanic/Latino. Of the 196 patients who reported COVID-19 data, 111 (57%) reported at baseline that they had a history of COVID-19 infection, with 12 having required hospitalization for this (12/111=11%). Overall, 95% (186/196) reported a history of COVID-19 vaccination, where the median number of vaccinations was 4 (range: 1 to 6); 44 patients (23%) expressed willingness to discuss getting a yearly booster vaccine with their provider. At 1-month follow-up, there were 3 additional patients who reported a COVID-19 infection and 18 patients who received an additional COVID-19 vaccination. The baseline EORTC QLQ-C30 median Global Health Status/QOL score was 66.7 (mean=64.4, range: 8.3 - 100, n=196). This overall global QOL score was not significantly different between those who did vs. did not have a history of COVID-19 infection (mean [SD]: 63.7 [19.3] vs. 65.8 [17.6]; p=0.57). In analyses adjusted for age, biological sex, and race/ethnicity group, history of COVID-19 infection was not associated with HRQOL (odds ratio=0.93, 95% CI: 0.78 - 1.10; p=0.38). Data collection is ongoing and final study results will be reported at a later date. Conclusion: COSMIC is a prospective, decentralized study within a site-based provider network conducted by the ASH Research Collaborative Multiple Myeloma Program that demonstrates the feasibility of using an innovative evidence generation strategy to drive rapid accrual of patients to address a rapidly evolving area of need. The COSMIC study also provides proof of concept that a real-world evidence generation network can play an important role in national pandemic preparedness and response. The COSMIC experience reinforces the ability to accrue diverse patient populations representing the demographic of myeloma patients in the US.
Heterogeneity in Access and Toxicity Management of Commercially Available BCMA-Directed CAR-T and Bispecific T-Cell Engager Therapy Among the International Myeloma Community
Kumar, Shaji , Mateos, María‐Victoria , Avigan, David , Martínez‐López, Joaquín , Sonneveld, Pieter , Krishnan, Amrita , Munshi, Nikhil C. , Midha, Shonali , Martinez-Lopez, Joaquin , Hassan, Hamza , Samur, Mehmet , Cohen, Adam D. , Moreau, Philippe , Rodríguez‐Otero, Paula , Sperling, Adam S. , Nadeem, Omar , Hudecek, Michael , Larrea, Carlos Fernández de , Themeli, Maria , Yong, Kwee , Berdeja, Jesús G. , Chari, Ajai , Gay, Francesca , Usmani, Saad Z. , Anderson, Kenneth C. , Jagannath, Sundar , Einsele, Hermann

Mayo Clinic

Blood | December 1, 2023 | Volume: 142 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 7248-7248

10.1182/blood-2023-184710 Get It

Introduction: BCMA-directed CAR-T and Bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) therapies have shown remarkable overall response rates in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). This has led to the approval of idecabtagene vicleucel, ciltacabtagene autoleucel and teclistamab by the FDA, EMA and other regulatory agencies. We performed a global survey on accessibility, practice patterns, and toxicity management of commercially available CAR-T and BiTE therapies. Methods: An online survey was completed by clinicians attending the International Myeloma Society's Immune Effector Cell Therapies in Multiple Myeloma Workshop, in-person or virtually, made available for 30 days after the meeting held in March 2023, Boston, MA. Results: 87 clinicians from 16 countries completed the survey, most practicing in an academic practice (86%) and in an urban environment (89%). Sixty-four percent of the respondents practice in North America followed by Europe (25.3%) including Germany, United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, France, Greece, and Cyprus, and 6.9% from Asia and 3.4% from Australia. Seventy-seven percent reported CAR-T cell therapy was approved in their country with 44.8% treating 1-5 patients and 14.9% treating &gt;5 patients per month; 67% reported BiTE therapy was approved in their country with 14.9% treating &gt;5 patients per month. Of evaluable responses (n = 40), 62% administered CAR-T therapy inpatient and 15% administered CAR-T therapy outpatient ≥ 50% of the time. Length of time between decision to treat with CAR-T therapy to infusion was 6-12 weeks for 42% of responders and &lt;6 weeks for only 20%. Most (75%) reported inpatient administration of BiTE therapy step-up dosing; 17.5% reported outpatient step-up dosing administered ≥ 50% of the time. Use of institutional or practice SOPs for CAR-T and BiTE therapy patient selection was reported by 85% and 58%, respectively, with the factors influencing SOP outlined in Table 1. Of available CAR-T therapies, 53% prefer cilta-cel and 23% reported CAR-T therapy preference depended most on patients' co-morbidities/frailty (89%), timing of next available apheresis (67%), age (56%), CNS disease (44%) and other factors. Maintenance therapy after CAR-T therapy was reportedly used by 25% and 5% of respondents in 1-10% and 11-50% of their patients, respectively, to “maintain level of response achieved” (50%) or “achieve a deeper level of response” (25%). About half (43%) of the respondents reported using an SOP or particular criteria for secondary Hemophagocytic Lympho-Histiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome/CAR-related-HLH (sHLH/MAS/CarHLH) management that varied between the use of ASTCT Working Group IEC associated HLH-like syndrome Criteria (47%) (Hines 2023), CARTOX HLH Criteria (24%) (Neelapu 2017) and HLH-2004 criteria (6%). Tocilizumab was used as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) prophylaxis only by one responder. Keppra neurologic prophylaxis was used by 47.5% and 15% of responders for CAR-T and BiTE therapy, respectively. Delayed neurotoxicity with CAR-T was reported in 1-5% of patients by 57.5% of responders and 6-10% of patients by 15% of responders; most common manifestations were other movement/neuromuscular disorder (62%), nerve palsy (55%), and Parkinsonism (45%). Infectious prophylaxis was used to protect against HSV (92.5%), PJP (90%), bacterial pathogens (55%), fungal pathogens (60%), and IVIG (77.5%). However, criteria for infectious prophylaxis use varies widely incorporating IgG levels, infectious history, CD4+ count, B-cell aplasia and cytopenias (48.1 - 88.9%). Most respondents (46.3 - 86.5%) reported completing an infectious work-up including CMV, EBV, Hep B/C, and HIV ( Table 2). Conclusions: Trends of CAR-T and BiTE therapy use and patterns of concurrent prophylactic and supportive care in MM vary widely among academic centers across the globe, demonstrating a need for further understanding of toxicity pathogenesis, toxicity management and consistent guidelines. This survey also demonstrates the great unmet need for access beyond urban centers among the international myeloma community. Prospective studies and claims data analysis should be utilized to evaluate the longitudinal cost of care, quality of life, duration of response and management of infectious disease, neurological or related complications of CAR-T and bispecific TCE therapies.