Patient-reported outcomes and daily activity assessed with a digital wearable device in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria treated with ravulizumab: REVEAL, a prospective, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, chronic blood disorder. Symptoms such as fatigue can have a substantial impact on patients' physical activity levels, sleep, quality of life, and work productivity. Ravulizumab treatment can reduce thrombosis risk, improve survival and quality of life, and reduce fatigue in PNH, but information is limited on how it impacts sleep and physical activity. Here, data on resting heart rate, daily physical activity, and sleep in ravulizumab-treated patients with PNH were passively collected via a digital wearable activity-tracking device and patient-reported outcome (PRO) data were collected via weekly surveys in the same cohort. METHODS: REVEAL was a 32-week prospective observational cohort study in individuals with PNH receiving ravulizumab in the USA. A wrist-worn Fitbit™ collected data on resting heart rate, daily step count, and sleep duration from eligible patients. Patients also completed the following electronic weekly surveys: Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) - Fatigue, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Physical Health, PROMIS Global Mental Health, PROMIS Sleep-Related Impairment and Sleep Disturbance, and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire - Specific Health Problem (WPAI-SHP). Data collected from the activity trackers and surveys were compared against US general population values reported in the literature. RESULTS: Twenty-eight ravulizumab-treated patients were included (median age: 34 years; 54% female). PRO scores were within US general population normative values, including FACIT-Fatigue (40.0), PROMIS Global Physical Health (51.0), Global Mental Health (51.0), Sleep-Related Impairment (50.0), and Sleep Disturbance (49.0). Similarly, mean resting heart rate (67 bpm), daily step count (7476), and sleep duration (7.7 h) were within the range of US general population values. Daily step count was positively correlated with PROMIS Global Physical and Mental Health scores. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first study to use digital monitoring technology to collect data on physical activity and sleep in patients with PNH. The findings indicate that ravulizumab treatment enables patients with PNH to achieve activity levels (heart rate, sleep duration, step count) and quality of life that are comparable to those of the US general population. A weak positive correlation was identified between patient-reported physical and mental health and daily physical activity levels.

Long-term outcomes of renal AL amyloidosis patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation: Validating the performance of the renal staging system.

Renal AL amyloidosis can be complicated by end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). In this study, we describe the long-term outcomes of renal AL amyloidosis patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and assess the utility of the renal staging system. Retrospective study of renal AL patients (n = 697; Mayo Clinic, Boston University) who underwent ASCT between 2003 and 2020. Renal stage was assigned based on 24-h proteinuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate measurements. Renal survival was defined as the time from ASCT until initiation of RRT, while patients who were not placed on RRT were censored at their last follow-up. With a median follow-up of 10.4 years, RRT was required in 149 patients (21%). The median time from ASCT to ESRD was 3.4 years, with late events of progression to ESRD seen >10 years from ASCT. Pre-ASCT renal stage was significantly associated with the cumulative incidence of RRT: 3-year RRT rate was 3%, 10%, and 37% for renal stages I, II, and III, respectively. However, in the 2012-2020 period subset, a significant decrease in ESRD risk was noted across all renal stages (3-year RRT 0%, 5%, and 24%, respectively). In multivariate analysis, renal survival was independently associated with the pre-ASCT renal stage, lambda isotype, bone marrow plasmacytosis ≥20%, post-ASCT hematologic response, and year of ASCT. Long-term outcomes of renal AL amyloidosis treated with ASCT are presented. Renal stage reliably predicts renal outcomes in patients with AL undergoing ASCT, despite a reduction in the proportion of patients progressing to RRT in recent years.

Clinical features associated with poor response and early relapse following BCMA-directed therapies in multiple myeloma.

Three classes of BCMA-directed therapy (BDT) exist: antibody drug-conjugates (ADCs), CAR-T, and T-cell engagers (TCEs), each with distinct strengths and weaknesses. To aid clinicians in selecting between BDTs, we reviewed myeloma patients treated at Mayo Clinic with commercial or investigational BDT between 2018-2023. We identified 339 individuals (1-exposure = 297, 2-exposures = 38, 3-exposures = 4) who received 385 BDTs (ADC = 59, TCE = 134, CAR-T = 192), with median follow-up of 21-months. ADC recipients were older, with more lines of therapy (LOT), and penta-refractory disease. Compared to ADCs, CAR-T (aHR = 0.29, 95%CI = 0.20-0.43) and TCEs (aHR = 0.62, 95%CI = 0.43-0.91) had better progression-free survival (PFS) on analysis adjusted for age, the presence of extramedullary (EMD), penta-refractory disease, multi-hit high-risk cytogenetics, prior BDT, and the number of LOT in the preceding 1-year. Likewise, compared to ADCs, CAR-T (aHR = 0.28, 95%CI = 0.18-0.44) and TCEs (aHR = 0.60, 95%CI = 0.39-0.93) had superior overall survival. Prior BDT exposure negatively impacted all classes but was most striking in CAR-T, ORR 86% vs. 50% and median PFS 13-months vs. 3-months. Of relapses, 54% were extramedullary in nature, and a quarter of these cases had no history of EMD. CAR-T demonstrates superior efficacy and where feasible, should be the initial BDT. However, for patients with prior BDT or rapidly progressive disease, an alternative approach may be preferable.

Association of Thrombocytopenia With Disease Burden, High-Risk Cytogenetics, and Survival in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated With Novel Therapies.

BACKGROUND: The effect of thrombocytopenia has not been studied in the era of novel treatments in multiple myeloma (MM). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes in MM patients presenting with thrombocytopenia. MATERIALS: Newly diagnosed MM patients between 2008 and 2018 who received at least 2 novel agents at induction. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count of less than < 150,000/mm3. RESULTS: A total of 648 patients were identified. Thrombocytopenia was found in 120 patients (18.5%). Baseline disease characteristics associated with higher rates of thrombocytopenia at baseline included IgA myeloma, P < .01, ISS 3 versus 1 or 2, P < .01, R-ISS 3 versus 1 or 2, P < .01, renal failure (CrCl < 30 mL/min), P < .01, hypercalcemia (Ca > 11.5 mg/dL), P < .01, elevated LDH, P < .03, anemia (Hb < 10 g/dL), P < .01, higher serum monoclonal protein, P < .02, and > 60% plasma cells in the bone marrow, P < .01. Thrombocytopenia was more prevalent across patients with t(4;14) and t(14;16), but was not associated with an overall high-risk fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) classification. Median OS was significantly lower among patients with thrombocytopenia (64.4 vs. 145.0 months, P < .01). In multivariable Cox regression, thrombocytopenia was associated with mortality (HR = 2.45, 95% CI, 1.7-3.6) independently of age, sex, high-risk FISH, ISS stage, response at induction, percentage of plasma cells in the BM, and anemia. CONCLUSION: We found that thrombocytopenia was seen among one-fifth of MM patients and was more common in patients with (t[4; 14] and t[14; 16]). Thrombocytopenia had an independent association with worse survival.

Clinician and administrator perspectives on outpatient administration of ciltacabtagene autoleucel in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Introduction: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy (CAR T therapy) is a treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma that has led to unprecedented treatment outcomes. Among CAR T therapies available, ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) is a good candidate for outpatient administration due to its generally predictable safety profile. There are multiple advantages of outpatient administration of cilta-cel, including reduced healthcare burden, expanded access, and patient autonomy. This mixed methods qualitative study aimed to identify key factors for outpatient administration of CAR T and best practice recommendations by combining a targeted literature review with expert interviews and panels. Methods: The targeted review (Phase 1) aimed to identify factors for outpatient CAR T administration in the US and determine key topics for the exploratory interviews (Phase 2) and expert panels (Phase 3), which aimed to inform on best practices and challenges of outpatient CAR T administration (focusing on cilta-cel). Participants in clinical and administrative positions based in treatment centers that had experience with real-world outpatient administration of cilta-cel were recruited. Results: Seventeen studies were identified in Phase 1. Key factors for outpatient administration included the development of protocols for CAR T complications, education for caregivers, outpatient specialists, hospital staff, and emergency services staff for identification and referral after possible adverse events, the creation of multidisciplinary teams for effective communication and management, straightforward patient intake processes encompassing financial eligibility review and provision of patient education materials, and close patient monitoring throughout the treatment journey. In Phase 2, 5 participants from 2 centers were interviewed. In Phase 3, 14 participants across 6 treatment centers were interviewed. Two 90-minute virtual panel discussions took place. All participants agreed that cilta-cel can be safely and effectively administered in an outpatient setting. Key recommendations included the creation of educational resources for patients and caregivers, the development of standard operating procedures, dedicated outpatient infrastructure and establishment of interdisciplinary teams, outpatient monitoring for toxicity management, and monitoring of the reimbursement landscape. Discussion: This study offers a comprehensive understanding of the feasibility of outpatient cilta-cel administration in participating CAR T centers and provides actionable recommendations while acknowledging existing challenges.

Normalization of Hemoglobin, Lactate Dehydrogenase, and Fatigue in Patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria Treated with Pegcetacoplan.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We determined normalization rates for hemoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and fatigue in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) treated with pegcetacoplan (PEG) in the PEGASUS (NCT03500549) and PRINCE (NCT04085601) phase III trials. METHODS: Enrolled patients had PNH and hemoglobin < 10.5 g/dL despite ≥ 3 months of eculizumab (ECU) [PEGASUS], or were complement component 5 (C5) inhibitor-naive, receiving supportive care only, with hemoglobin less than the lower limits of normal (LLN) [PRINCE]. Hematologic and fatigue normalization endpoints were hemoglobin greater than or equal to the LLN (females: 12 g/dL; males: 13.6 g/dL) in the absence of transfusion; LDH ≤226 U/L in the absence of transfusion; and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue ≥ 43.6, the general population norm. Safety was assessed by investigators using standardized terms and definitions for seriousness and severity. RESULTS: Hemoglobin normalization occurred in 34.1% (14/41) of PEG-treated patients at Week 16 (randomized controlled period) in PEGASUS (vs. 0% [0/39] of ECU-treated patients) and in 45.7% (16/35) of PEG-treated patients at Week 26 in PRINCE (vs. 0% [0/18] of supportive care-treated patients). At Week 48 (open-label period) in PEGASUS, 24.4% of PEG-treated patients (PEG-to-PEG) and 30.8% of patients treated with ECU through Week 16 who switched to PEG through Week 48 (ECU-to-PEG) had hemoglobin normalization. Rates of LDH normalization in PEGASUS were 70.7% (PEG-treated patients) and 15.4% (ECU-treated patients) at Week 16, and 56.1% (PEG-to-PEG) and 51.3% (ECU-to-PEG) at Week 48. In PRINCE, 67.5% of PEG-treated patients at Week 26 had normalized LDH concentrations. Rates of FACIT-Fatigue score normalization in PEGASUS were 48.8% and 10.3% in PEG- and ECU-treated patients, respectively, at Week 16, and 34.1% and 51.3% in PEG-to-PEG- and ECU-to-PEG-treated patients, respectively, at Week 48. In PRINCE, 68.6% of PEG-treated patients and 11.1% of supportive care patients had FACIT-Fatigue score normalization at Week 26. PEG was safe and well tolerated. Injection site reactions, mostly mild, were the most common adverse event of special interest in PEG-treated patients in the PEGASUS randomized controlled period (36.6%) and in PRINCE (30.4%). CONCLUSION: PEG is superior to ECU and supportive care in hemoglobin, LDH, and FACIT-Fatigue score normalization for patients with PNH and persistent anemia despite ≥3 months of treatment with ECU, and in C5 inhibitor-naive patients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The PEGASUS trial (NCT03500549) was registered on 18 August 2018, and the PRINCE trial (NCT04085601) was registered on 11 September 2019.

Outcomes of patients with multiple myeloma refractory to standard dose vs low dose lenalidomide.

Refractoriness to lenalidomide is an important factor determining the choice of therapy at first relapse in multiple myeloma (MM). It remains debatable if resistance to lenalidomide varies among MM refractory to standard doses vs low dose maintenance doses. In this study, we assessed the outcomes with subsequent therapies in patients with MM refractory to standard dose vs low dose lenalidomide. We retrospectively reviewed all patients with MM at our institution who received first line therapy with lenalidomide containing regimens, and assessed progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival for these patients for second line therapy, and with lenalidomide retreatment. For second line therapy, we found no difference in the PFS between standard dose refractory and low dose refractory groups (median PFS 14 months vs 14 months, p = 0.95), while the PFS for both these groups was inferior to the not refractory group (median PFS 30 months, p < 0.001 for both pairs). Similar trends were seen among these groups on lenalidomide retreatment, and on multivariable analysis. These data suggest that refractoriness to lenalidomide is not dose dependent, and definition of lenalidomide refractoriness should not depend on the dose of lenalidomide to which the disease was considered refractory.

Mode of progression in smoldering multiple myeloma: a study of 406 patients.

The approach to patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) varies among clinicians; while some advocate early intervention, others reserve treatment at progression to multiple myeloma (MM). We aimed to describe the myeloma-defining events (MDEs) and clinical presentations leading to MM diagnosis among SMM patients seen at our institution. We included 406 patients diagnosed with SMM between 2013-2022, seen at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. The 2018 Mayo 20/2/20 criteria were used for risk stratification. Median follow-up was 3.9 years. Among high-risk patients who did not receive treatment in the SMM phase (n = 71), 51 progressed by last follow-up; the MDEs included: bone lesions (37%), anemia (35%), hypercalcemia (8%), and renal failure (6%); 24% met MM criteria based on marrow plasmacytosis (≥60%) and/or free light chain ratio (>100); 45% had clinically significant MDEs (hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, and/or bone lesions). MM diagnosis was made based on surveillance labs/imaging(45%), testing obtained due to provider suspicion for progression (14%), bone pain (20%), and hospitalization/ED presentations due to MM complications/symptoms (4%). The presentation was undocumented in 14%. A high proportion (45%) of patients with high-risk SMM on active surveillance develop end-organ damage at progression. About a quarter of patients who progress to MM are not diagnosed based on routine interval surveillance testing.

Daratumumab-lenalidomide and daratumumab-pomalidomide in relapsed lenalidomide-exposed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Daratumumab is an anti-CD38 mAb, used frequently in combination with lenalidomide and pomalidomide. No studies compared daratumumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (DRd) to daratumumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone (DPd) in lenalidomide-exposed multiple myeloma. We identified 504 consecutive multiple myeloma patients who received daratumumab at Mayo Clinic between January 2015 and April 2019. We excluded patients who received daratumumab in the first line, received more than four lines of therapy prior to daratumumab use, did not receive lenalidomide prior to daratumumab, or had an unknown status of lenalidomide exposure, and patients who received daratumumab combinations other than DRd or DPd. We examined the impact of using DRd compared to DPd on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Out of 504 patients, 162 received DRd or DPd and were included; 67 were lenalidomide-exposed and 95 were lenalidomide-refractory. DRd was used in 76 (47%) and DPd in 86 (53%) patients. In lenalidomide-exposed multiple myeloma, there was no difference in median PFS; 34.2 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 22.8-44.6] for DRd compared to 25.2 months (95% CI, 4.9-35.3) for DPd, P  = 0.2. In lenalidomide-refractory multiple myeloma, there was no difference in median PFS; 18.6 months (95% CI, 13-32) for DRd compared to 9 months (95% CI, 5.2-14.6) for DPd, P  = 0.09. No difference in median OS was observed in DRd compared to DPd. Our study shows combining daratumumab with lenalidomide in patients with prior lenalidomide use is a viable and effective treatment option.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: Review of the patient experience and treatment landscape.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare disorder caused by complement-mediated hemolysis and thrombosis through the alternative pathway. The most common symptom of PNH is fatigue due to chronic anemia, which can negatively impact quality of life (QoL) and affect overall well-being. The currently approved therapies for PNH significantly limit intravascular hemolysis (IVH) and reduce the risk of thrombosis; however, they are associated with an infusion schedule that can become burdensome, and not all patients experience complete disease control. Several new complement inhibitors are in development that address the need for convenient routes of administration and aim to provide better disease control. With the variety of new treatment options on the horizon, hematologic markers as well as QoL concerns, patient opinion, and lifestyle factors should be considered to choose the optimal PNH treatment for each specific patient.

Predictors and Impact of Timing of Disease Progression Following Primary Therapy in Multiple Myeloma.

In multiple myeloma (MM) significant variation in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) is observed. We examined the outcomes of 1557 MM patients stratified into short (<2 years), medium (between 2 and 5 years) and long (>5 years) PFS. Short PFS occurred in 758 patients (48.7%), medium in 561 patients (36.2%), and long in 238 patients (15.3%). Median post-progression PFS was 9.2 months (95% CI: 8.1-11.0) in the short PFS and 33.1 months (95% CI: 29.0-42.1; P < .001) in the long PFS group. Median post-progression OS was 26.6 months (95% CI: 23.9-29.8) in the short PFS and 87.8 months (95% CI: 71.3- NR; P < .001) in the long PFS. Worse survival in the short PFS was irrespective of high risk (HR) fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) features, defined as deletion 17p and/or translocation t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20). In a multivariable analysis short PFS was associated with HR FISH, extramedullary plasmacytoma, plasma cell labeling index ≥2% at diagnosis, nonimmunoglobulin G isotype, treatment without autologous stem cell transplantation and achieving less than very good partial remission. In conclusion, the duration of the PFS significantly influences survival, regardless of HR cytogenetic features. Therefore, it should be considered an important parameter for risk stratification in patients experiencing a relapse.

Muscle and fat composition in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Measures of muscle and adipose tissue mass have been associated with outcomes in several malignancies, but studies in multiple myeloma (MM) are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between muscle and fat areas and radiodensity, and overall survival (OS) in patients with newly diagnosed MM. We included 341 patients diagnosed with MM from 2010-2019 who had an 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography at diagnosis. A cross-sectional image at the third lumbar vertebrae was segmented into muscle and fat components. Median follow up was 5.7 years. There was no association between sarcopenia and baseline disease characteristics or OS. Low muscle radiodensity was associated with higher disease stage, anemia, and renal failure. OS was 5.6 vs. 9.0 years in patients with muscle radiodensity in the lower vs. middle/upper tertiles, respectively (P = 0.02). High subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) radiodensity was associated with higher stage, anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypercalcemia, renal failure, and high LDH. OS was 5.4 years vs. not reached in patients with SAT radiodensity in the upper vs. middle/lower tertiles, respectively (P = 0.001). In conclusion, sarcopenia was not associated with OS in MM patients. High SAT radiodensity and low muscle radiodensity were associated with advanced disease stage and adverse laboratory characteristics.