Multiple myeloma patients with a long remission after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Autologous stem cell transplantation (autoHCT) is considered standard of care for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Although most patients eventually progress after autoHCT, a small proportion achieve a durable response. In this retrospective study we included 1576 patients, 244 (15%) of whom were long-term responders (LTR), defined as having a progression-free survival (PFS) of ≥8 years after transplant. Patients in the LTR group were younger than the non-LTR group (median age 58.4 vs. 59.5 years; p = 0.012), less likely to have high-risk cytogenetics (4% vs. 14%; p < 0.001), more often had <50% bone marrow plasma cells (67% vs. 58%; p = 0.018) and R-ISS stage I disease (43% vs. 34%). More patients in the LTR group received post-transplant maintenance (63% vs. 52%; p = 0.002). Patients in the LTR group had higher rates of complete response (CR) at day100 (41% vs. 27%; p < 0.001) and at best post-transplant response (70% vs. 37%; p < 0.001), compared to the non-LTR group. Patients in the LTR groups had a median PFS of 169.3 months and the median overall survival (OS) had not been reached. The leading cause of death in the LTR was disease progression. In conclusion, 15% of patients in the cohort were LTR after upfront autoHCT, with distinct characteristics and a median PFS of more than 14 years.

Laying hen responses to multi-strain Bacillus-based probiotic supplementation from 25 to 37 weeks of age.

Objective: Investigate the efficacy of Bacillus-based probiotics supplemented at two different levels to modulate the productive performance, egg quality, tibia traits, and specific cecal bacteria counts of Hy-Line Brown layers from 25 to 37 weeks of age. Methods: A total of 216 twenty-five-week-old hens were randomly distributed into 3 experimental diets with 12 replicates of 6 birds per cage. Diets included basal diet supplemented with 0 (CON), 3 × 108 (PRO1), or 3 × 109 (PRO2) CFU of the test probiotic containing Bacillus subtilis PB6, Bacillus subtilis FXA, and Bacillus licheniformis G3 per kilogram of feed. Results: Improved egg weights and mass at 29 weeks; and feed intake at 31 weeks (p < 0.10) were noticed with the probiotic-supplemented PRO1 and PRO2 diets. Considering egg quality, the shell thickness, Haugh units, and yolk color were improved; but yolk cholesterol was lowered (p < 0.05) with PRO1 and PRO2 diets at 29 weeks. At both 33 and 37 weeks, the egg-breaking strength, shell color and thickness, albumen height, Haugh units, and yolk color were improved; but yolk cholesterol was similarly lowered (p < 0.05) with the PRO1 and PRO2 diets. Improved tibia Ca, ash, weights, and density; and raised cecal counts of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli (p < 0.05) were noticed with PRO1 and PRO2 diets. Improved tibia P but reduced Clostridia counts (p < 0.10) were also observed with the PRO1 and PRO2 diets. Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation of Bacillus subtilis PB6, Bacillus subtilis FXA, and Bacillus licheniformis G3 at 3 ×108 CFU/kg of feed is adequate to significantly improve egg quality, lower yolk cholesterol, enhance several tibia traits, and raise the populations of beneficial cecal bacteria. Modest improvements in several productive parameters and tibia P but reduced Clostridia were also observed; and could warrant further investigation of probiotic effects beyond the current test period.

Impact of prior lenalidomide or proteasome inhibitor exposure on the effectiveness of ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: A pooled analysis from the INSURE study.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the impact of prior exposure and refractoriness to lenalidomide or proteasome inhibitors (PIs) on the effectiveness and safety of ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (IRd) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). METHODS: INSURE is a pooled analysis of adult RRMM patients who had received IRd in ≥2 line of therapy from three studies: INSIGHT MM, UVEA-IXA, and REMIX. RESULTS: Overall, 391/100/68 were lenalidomide-naïve/-exposed/-refractory and 37/411/110 were PI-naïve/-exposed/-refractory. Median duration of therapy (DOT) was 15.3/15.6/4.7 months and median progression-free survival (PFS) was 21.6/25.8/5.6 months in lenalidomide-naïve/exposed/refractory patients. Median DOT and PFS in PI-naïve/exposed/refractory patients were 20.4/15.2/6.9 months and not reached/19.8/11.4 months, respectively. The proportion of lenalidomide-naïve/exposed/refractory patients in INSIGHT and UVEA-IXA who discontinued a study drug due to adverse events (AEs) was ixazomib, 31.6/28.2/28.0% and 18.6/6.7/10.5%; lenalidomide, 21.9/28.2/16.0% and 16.1/6.7/10.5%; dexamethasone, 18.4/20.5/16.0% and 10.6/0/10.5%, respectively. The proportion of PI-naïve/exposed/refractory patients in INSIGHT and UVEA-IXA who discontinued a study drug due to AEs was: ixazomib, 44.4/28.8/27.8% and 22.2/16.7/15.7%; lenalidomide, 33.3/22.0/19.4% and 16.7/15.9/11.8%; dexamethasone, 33.3/17.4/16.7% and 16.7/9.5/7.8%, respectively. REMIX AE discontinuation rates were unavailable. CONCLUSION: IRd appeared to be effective in RRMM patients in routine clinical practice regardless of prior lenalidomide or PI exposure, with better outcomes seen in lenalidomide- and/or PI-nonrefractory versus refractory patients.

Report of a semi-branched stent-graft to treat a type 1a endoleak after failed EVAR.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular techniques are advancing with the change of treatment paradigm for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Fenestrated EVAR (fEVAR) and branched EVAR (bEVAR) are used for complex aortic aneurysm repair. Both fEVAR and bEVAR have their own advantages and disadvantages. Semi-branches are a new feature that attempt to combine the advantages of both fEVAR and bEVAR. TECHNIQUE: We describe the use of a 4-vessel semi-branched EVAR in a failed EVAR case with a type 1a endoleak. CONCLUSION: The novel feature of semi-branches in custom-made EVAR devices in endovascular aortic treatment following failed EVAR appear to be a feasible option.

Impact of revised International Staging System 2 risk stratification on outcomes of patients with multiple myeloma receiving autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

The second revision of the International Staging System (R2-ISS) is a simple tool to risk-stratify newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients. Here, we completed a retrospective analysis to evaluate the utility of R2-ISS in NDMM patients who underwent up-front autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HCT). A total of 1291 patients were included, with a median age of 62 years (range 29-83). The distribution of R2-ISS stages was: 123 (10%) stage I, 471 (36%) stage II, 566 (44%) stage III and 131 (10%) stage IV. With a median follow-up of 42.2 months (range 0.3-181.0), the median PFS was 73.0, 65.2, 44.0 and 24.8 months, (p < 0.001) and the median OS was 130.8, 128.5, 94.2 and 61.4 months (p < 0.001) for patients with R2-ISS stages I, II, III and IV respectively. On multivariable analysis (MVA) for PFS, using R2-ISS stage I as reference, R2-ISS stages III (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.55 [1.05-2.29]; p = 0.028) and IV (2.04 [1.24-3.36]; p = 0.005) were associated with significantly inferior PFS. In the MVA of OS, using R2-ISS stage I as reference, only R2-ISS stage IV was associated with significantly inferior OS (2.43 [1.18-5.01]; p = 0.017). Overall, we found that R2-ISS is a reliable prognostic tool for NDMM patients undergoing up-front auto-HCT.

Waldenström Macroglobulinemia/Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma, Version 2.2024, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.

The treatment of Waldenström macroglobulinemia/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (WM/LPL) has evolved to include several new options. The NCCN Guidelines for WM/LPL provide a framework on which to base decisions regarding diagnosis, treatment, assessment of response to treatment, and follow-up of both newly diagnosed and previously treated WM/LPL.

INSURE: a pooled analysis of ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone for relapsed/refractory myeloma in routine practice.

Aim: We pooled data from three observational studies (INSIGHT MM, UVEA-IXA and REMIX) to investigate the real-world effectiveness of ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (IRd) in relapsed/refractory myeloma. Materials & methods: INSIGHT MM was a prospective study conducted in countries across Europe, Asia and North/Latin America while UVEA-IXA and REMIX were multicenter, retrospective/prospective studies conducted in Europe. Patients who had received IRd as ≥2nd line of therapy were analyzed. Primary outcomes were time-to-next treatment (TTNT) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Overall, 564 patients were included (median follow-up: 18.5 months). Median TTNT and PFS were 18.4 and 19.9 months; both outcomes were numerically longer for earlier versus later lines. Median treatment duration was 14.0 months. Overall response rate was 64.6%. No new safety concerns were noted. Conclusion: The effectiveness of IRd in routine practice appears similar to the efficacy observed in TOURMALINE-MM1. IRd benefit in earlier versus later lines was consistent with previous reports.

Outcomes of patients with multiple myeloma and 1q gain/amplification receiving autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant: the MD Anderson cancer center experience.

The prognostic impact of additional copies of chromosome 1q (1q + ) on outcomes of newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients undergoing autologous transplantation (autoSCT) is unclear. We conducted a retrospective single-center analysis of NDMM patients with 1q21 gain/amplification (3 or ≥4 copies of 1q, respectively) that received autoSCT between 2008-2018. 213 patients were included (79% 1q gain; 21% 1q amplification). The most commonly used induction regimen was bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (41%). At day100 post-autoSCT and at best post-transplant response, 78% and 87% of patients achieved ≥VGPR, and 38% and 50% achieved MRD-negative ≥VGPR, respectively. Median PFS and OS for the entire cohort were 35.5 months and 81.4 months, respectively. On multivariable assessment for PFS, MRD negative ≥VGPR before autoSCT (HR 0.52, p = 0.013) was associated with superior PFS, whereas 1q amplification was associated with inferior PFS (2.03, p = 0.003). On multivariate analysis for OS, achieving MRD negative ≥VGPR at best post-transplant response was associated with superior survival (0.29, p < 0.001), whereas R-ISS III and concomitant del17p or t(4:14) were associated with inferior survival (6.95, p = 0.030, 2.33, p = 0.023 and 3.00, p = 0.047, respectively). In conclusion, patients with 1q+ NDMM, especially 1q amplification, have inferior survival outcomes compared to standard-risk disease after upfront autoSCT, though outcomes are better than other high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities.

Novel Anti-B-cell Maturation Antigen Alpha-Amanitin Antibody-drug Conjugate HDP-101 Shows Superior Activity to Belantamab Mafodotin and Enhanced Efficacy in Deletion 17p Myeloma Models.

B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) plays a pathobiologic role in myeloma and is a validated target with five BCMA-specific therapeutics having been approved for relapsed/refractory disease. However, these drugs are not curative, and responses are inferior in patients with molecularly-defined high-risk disease, including those with deletion 17p (del17p) involving the tumor suppressor TP53, supporting the need for further drug development. Del17p has been associated with reduced copy number and gene expression of RNA polymerase II subunit alpha (POLR2A) in other tumor types. We therefore studied the possibility that HDP-101, an anti-BCMA antibody drug conjugate (ADC) with the POLR2A poison α-amanitin could be an attractive agent in myeloma, especially with del17p. HDP-101 reduced viability in myeloma cell lines representing different molecular disease subtypes, and overcame adhesion-mediated and both conventional and novel drug resistance. After confirming that del17p is associated with reduced POLR2A levels in publicly available myeloma patient databases, we engineered TP53 wild-type cells with a TP53 knockout (KO), POLR2A knockdown (KD), or both, the latter to mimic del17p. HDP-101 showed potent anti-myeloma activity against all tested cell lines, and exerted enhanced efficacy against POLR2A KD and dual TP53 KO/POLR2A KD cells. Mechanistic studies showed HDP-101 up-regulated the unfolded protein response, activated apoptosis, and induced immunogenic cell death. Notably, HDP-101 impacted CD138-positive but not-negative primary cells, showed potent efficacy against aldehyde dehydrogenase-positive clonogenic cells, and eradicated myeloma in an in vivo cell line-derived xenograft (CDX). Interestingly, in the CDX model, prior treatment with HDP-101 precluded subsequent engraftment on tumor cell line rechallenge in a manner that appeared to be dependent in part on natural killer cells and macrophages. Finally, HDP-101 was superior to the BCMA-targeted ADC belantamab mafodotin against cell lines and primary myeloma cells in vitro, and in an in vivo CDX. Together, the data support the rationale for translation of HDP-101 to the clinic, where it is now undergoing Phase I trials, and suggest that it could emerge as a more potent ADC for myeloma with especially interesting activity against the high-risk del17p myeloma subtype.

Management and Outcomes of Patients with Refractory Solitary Plasmacytoma after Treatment with Definitive Radiation Therapy.

PURPOSE: Radiation therapy (RT) is the standard treatment for solitary plasmacytoma (SP); however, the optimal management of RT-refractory SPs is unknown. We examined outcomes after early systemic therapy, surgical resection, or observation for patients with RT-refractory disease and assessed the potential impact of treatment selection on disease outcomes. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with SP treated with definitive radiation and evaluated at a single institution with persistent disease on imaging or biopsy. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize patient and disease characteristics and treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Of 102 total SP patients, 17 (17%) were RT-refractory. The median RT dose was 45 Gy, and median follow-up was 71 months from end of RT. Fifteen patients had additional treatment for refractory disease at a median time of 9.5 months after RT, with the following subsequent interventions: surgical resection (n = 4), additional RT (n = 2), systemic therapy without evidence of multiple myeloma (MM; n = 4), systemic therapy for progression to MM (n = 5), and observation (n = 2). Of 4 patients treated with surgical resection, 3 progressed to MM 22 to 43 months after diagnosis. Of 2 patients treated with additional RT, neither responded, and both had pathologic confirmation of residual disease after the second course. Four patients treated with systemic therapy without MM all had complete responses on positron emission tomography and no subsequent MM progression. Eight patients were initially observed after RT for ≥12 months (n = 8) or ≥24 months (n = 6). Of the 2 patients in continued observation, both had stable/unchanged avidity after radiation treatment for 12 and 22 months and ultimately had a slow decrease of disease avidity over multiple years. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with RT-refractory SPs can achieve good local control with alternative therapies, such as surgery or systemic therapy, if needed. Additional RT does not seem to be effective. Given the known high rates of progression from SP to MM, close observation of asymptomatic persistent disease until disease progression is likely sufficient in most cases.

In-class transition from bortezomib-based therapy to IRd is an effective approach in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Aim: To compare the effectiveness of in-class transition to all-oral ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (IRd) following parenteral bortezomib (V)-based induction versus continued V-based therapy in US oncology clinics. Patients & methods: Non-transplant eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) receiving in-class transition to IRd (N = 100; US MM-6), or V-based therapy (N = 111; INSIGHT MM). Results: Following inverse probability of treatment weighting, overall response rate was 73.2% with IRd versus 57.5% with V-based therapy (p < 0.0001). Median duration of treatment was 10.8 versus 5.3 months (p < 0.0001). Overall, 18/24% of patients discontinued IRd/V-based therapy due to adverse events. Conclusion: IRd after V-based induction was associated with significantly improved overall response rate and duration of treatment than continued V-based combination therapy. Clinical Trial Registration: US MM-6: NCT03173092; INSIGHT MM: NCT02761187 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Real-World Utilization of Radiation Therapy in Multiple Myeloma: An Analysis of the Connect MM Registry.

PURPOSE: Radiation therapy (RT) is an important treatment modality for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Although patients are living longer with MM, they are more likely to have comorbidities related to treatment, such as bone pain; however, RT can provide symptom relief. To date, the characterization of patients who have received RT in the real-world setting has been limited. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The Connect® MM Registry is a large, US multicenter, prospective observational cohort study of adult patients with newly diagnosed MM from mostly community sites. RT utilization and outcomes were analyzed quarterly throughout treatment. Factors associated with RT use were identified via multivariable analysis. RESULTS: A total of 3011 patients were enrolled in the Connect MM Registry with 903 patients (30%) having received RT at any time. There was a significant difference (P < .05) in overall RT use among patients with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 1 versus ≥2, International Staging System disease stage I/II versus III, a history of plasmacytoma or a novel agent in their first regimen, and any number of bone lesions or severe osteoporosis/fracture. RT use was associated with having bone lesions or severe osteoporosis (vs not having bone lesions). Additionally, RT use was associated with ethnicity (Hispanic vs not) and Connect MM Registry cohort (cohort 1 [enrolled 2009-2011] vs 2 [enrolled 2012-2016]). In the 6 months before death, increased RT use was associated with increasing number of treatment lines (P < .0001) and high- versus standard-risk disease (per International Myeloma Working Group criteria; P = .0028). CONCLUSIONS: Real-world results from the Connect MM Registry show RT is frequently used and is associated with clinical factors, including performance status and disease stage. Earlier in MM diagnosis, RT may be used as an adjunct to palliate symptoms or delay systemic therapy. Toward the end of life, RT is more frequently used for palliation when treatment options are often limited.

Impact of pretransplant minimal residual disease in patients with multiple myeloma and a very good partial response or better receiving autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) status before autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHCT) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) has not been clearly elucidated. METHODS: Retrospective single-center study of adult MM patients who achieved ≥very good partial response (VGPR) after induction therapy from 2015 to 2021 received upfront autoHCT and had available pretransplant MRD status by next-generation flow cytometry. The cohort was divided into pretransplant MRD-negative (MRDneg) and MRD-positive (MRDpos) groups. RESULTS: A total of 733 patients were included in our analysis; 425 were MRDneg and 308 MRDpos at autoHCT. In the MRDpos group, more patients had high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities (48% vs. 38%, respectively; p = .025), whereas fewer patients achieved ≥CR before autoHCT (14% vs. 40%; p < .001). At day 100 after autoHCT, 37% of the MRDpos versus 71% of the MRDneg achieved ≥CR, and at best posttransplant response 65% versus 88% achieved ≥CR, respectively. After a median follow-up of 27.6 months (range, 0.7-82.3), the median PFS was significantly shorter for patients in the MRDpos group compared to the MRDneg group: 48.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3-80.5) versus 80.1 months (95% CI, 0.5-80.1), respectively (p < .001). There was no significant difference in overall survival between the two groups (p = .41). Pretransplant MRDpos status was predictive of shorter PFS in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.31-2.46; p < .001). The impact of pretransplant MRD status was retained in most of the examined subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients achieving ≥VGPR to induction, pretransplant MRDpos status was associated with a lower CR rate after autoHCT and a shorter PFS.

Multiple Myeloma, Version 2.2024, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.

The treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM) has evolved to include several new options. These include new combinations with second generation proteasome inhibitors (PI); second generation immunomodulators, monoclonal antibodies, CAR T cells, bispecific antibodies, selinexor, venetoclax, and many others. Most patients with MM undergo several cycles of remissions and relapse, and therefore need multiple lines of combination therapies. Selecting treatment options for relapsed/refractory MM requires consideration of resistance status to specific classes, and patient-specific factors such as age and other comorbidities should be considered. The NCCN Guidelines for MM provide a framework on which to base decisions regarding workup, treatment, and follow-up of newly diagnosed and previously treated MM. This manuscript outlines the recommendations from NCCN Guidelines for MM specific to relapsed/refractory disease.

First-in-human clinical trial of personalized neoantigen vaccines as early intervention in untreated patients with lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.

Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) is an incurable low-grade B-cell lymphoma of the bone marrow. Despite a cumulative risk of progression, there is no approved therapy for patients in the asymptomatic phase. We conducted a first-in-human clinical trial of a novel therapeutic DNA idiotype neoantigen vaccine in nine patients with asymptomatic LPL. Treatment was well tolerated with no dose limiting toxicities. One patient achieved a minor response, and all remaining patients experienced stable disease, with median time to disease progression of 61+ months. Direct interrogation of the tumor microenvironment by single-cell transcriptome analysis revealed an unexpected dichotomous antitumor response, with significantly reduced numbers of clonal tumor mature B-cells, tracked by their unique BCR, and downregulation of genes involved in signaling pathways critical for B-cell survival post-vaccine, but no change in clonal plasma cell subpopulations. Downregulation of HLA class II molecule expression suggested intrinsic resistance by tumor plasma cell subpopulations and cell-cell interaction analyses predicted paradoxical upregulation of IGF signaling post vaccine by plasma cell, but not mature B-cell subpopulations, suggesting a potential mechanism of acquired resistance. Vaccine therapy induced dynamic changes in bone marrow T-cells, including upregulation of signaling pathways involved in T-cell activation, expansion of T-cell clonotypes, increased T-cell clonal diversity, and functional tumor antigen-specific cytokine production, with little change in co-inhibitory pathways or Treg. Vaccine therapy also globally altered cell-cell communication networks across various bone marrow cell types and was associated with reduction of protumoral signaling by myeloid cells, principally non-classical monocytes. These results suggest that this prototype neoantigen vaccine favorably perturbed the tumor immune microenvironment, resulting in reduction of clonal tumor mature B-cell, but not plasma cell subpopulations. Future strategies to improve clinical efficacy may require combinations of neoantigen vaccines with agents which specifically target LPL plasma cell subpopulations, or enable blockade of IGF-1 signaling or myeloid cell checkpoints.

Radiation Therapy Can Be Safely Incorporated into Pretransplantation Treatment Regimens for Patients with Multiple Myeloma.

Primary treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) often involves systemic induction therapy (SIT) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Radiation therapy (RT) is sometimes used for palliation; however, many practitioners avoid RT out of concern that future peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) collection required for ASCT may be compromised. In this study, we retrospectively examined the possible effect of RT on PBPC collection. We reviewed the charts of 732 patients with MM treated with RT at our institution from 1999 to 2017, including patients who received RT prior to PBPC collection for planned ASCT. RT plans (both MM and non-MM RT) were reviewed to estimate the percentage of bone marrow (BM) treated using published estimates of skeletal BM distribution. Statistics were performed using Pearson correlation and the t-test. The 732 MM patients included 485 planned for ASCT; of these, 223 received RT prior to PBPC collection and were included in the final cohort. The median age at PBPC collection was 59 years (range, 33 to 80 years). For SIT, patients received combination regimens including the following agents: bortezomib (142 patients; 64%), lenalidomide (111 patients; 50%), and alkylators (46 patients; 21%). Nine patients (4%) received dexamethasone alone. The median cumulative %BM treated per patient was 6.7 (range .0 to 47.4). The median RT dose was 24 Gy (range, 10.0 to 75.6 Gy). Mobilization was performed using granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) alone (189 patients; 85%), G-CSF with plerixafor (15 patients; 7%), or chemotherapy (19 patients; 9%). A median of 7.8 × 106 CD34+/kg PBPCs (range, .5 to 54.8× 106 CD34+/kg) were collected in a median of 3 (range, 1 to 9) apheresis procedures. One hundred ninety-six patients (99%) collected ≥2.0 × 106 CD34+/kg PBPCs, and 166 (83%) collected >5.0 × 106 CD34+/kg PBPCs. The number of PBPCs collected was not associated with %BM treated (P = .15) or RT dose (P = .56). The number of apheresis procedures performed was not associated with %BM treated (P = .54) or RT dose (P = .85). The amount of PBPCs collected did not differ significantly between patients receiving RT to the pelvis/sacrum (P = .20) and those receiving RT to the spine (P = .13). The time to platelet engraftment was longer for patients with higher %BM treated (P = .02). Eleven patients did not undergo a confirmed ASCT, owing to patient preference (3 patients), trial therapy (1 patient), comorbidities (1 patient), election for hospice (1 patient), inadequate collection (4 patients), or inadequate follow-up (1 patient). In our study cohort, RT prior to ASCT did not impair successful ASCT. RT must be carefully planned and delivered to ensure safe incorporation into pre-ASCT treatment regimens.

Outcomes of Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Ultra-High-Risk Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) patients with high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities have inferior survival outcomes and are underrepresented in clinical trials. There is scarce data on MM patients with more than one high-risk cytogenetic aberration (ie, ultra- high-risk MM). This study was conducted to evaluate outcomes of newly diagnosed MM patients with ultra-high-risk MM who underwent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHCT). We conducted a retrospective single-center chart review analysis of adult patients with ultra-high-risk MM who underwent autoHCT between 2008 and 2018 at MD Anderson Cancer Center. High-risk cytogenetics were defined as del(17p), t(4;14), t(14;16), or 1q21 gain or amplification (1q+) by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Seventy-nine patients with two or more high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities were included in our analysis. The median age of 61 years (range, 33.5 to 76.5 years), and 57% were female. Sixty-seven patients had two high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, and 12 patients had three high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities. The most common combinations of high-risk abnormalities were [1q+, t(4:14)] (n = 25; 32%) and [1q+, del17p] (n = 21; 27%). The majority of patients received either bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (48%) or carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (16%) as induction therapy. Prior to autoHCT, 52 patients (66%) achieved a very good partial response or better (≥VGPR), whereas 23 patients (29%) achieved minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative ≥VGPR. Fifty-six patients (71%) received post-transplantation maintenance therapy. Thirty-six patients (46%) achieved MRD-negative ≥VGPR at day +100 after autoHCT, and 40 patients (51%) did so at best post-transplantation response. With a median follow-up in surviving patients of 38.3 months (range, 11.9 to 104.8 months), the median PFS and OS in the entire cohort were 22.9 months and 71.5 months, respectively. For the subset of patients with three HR abnormalities, the median PFS was 15.6 months and median OS was 28.0 months. In multivariate analysis, achieving MRD-negative ≥VGPR prior to autoHCT was associated with improved PFS (hazard ratio [HR], .42; P = .045), whereas male sex (HR, .15; P = .009) and achieving MRD-negative ≥VGPR post-autoHCT (HR, .27; P = .026) were associated with improved OS. In conclusion, patients with ultra-high-risk MM have a median PFS of <24 months with the current standard of care that includes consolidation with autoHCT. These patients may benefit from earlier use of newer treatment modalities, such as chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy and bispecific antibodies.

Single-agent belantamab mafodotin in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: Final analysis of the DREAMM-2 trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) have a high unmet treatment need. Belantamab mafodotin (belamaf), a first-in-class, B-cell maturation antigen-binding antibody-drug conjugate, eliminates myeloma cells through direct cell killing and an anti-myeloma immune response. METHODS: DREAMM-2 (NCT03525678) was a phase 2, two-arm, open-label trial in patients with heavily pretreated RRMM who had three or more prior therapies, were refractory to an immunomodulatory agent and a proteasome inhibitor, and refractory or intolerant to an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. Belamaf was given at 2.5 or 3.4 mg/kg every 3 weeks. The primary end point was overall response rate (ORR); secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), safety, ocular symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). RESULTS: This final analysis (cutoff date, March 31, 2022), N = 223, with median follow-up of 12.5 and 13.8 months, demonstrated an ORR of 32% and 35%, median PFS of 2.8 and 3.9 months, and median OS of 15.3 and 14.0 months in the 2.5 mg/kg and 3.4 mg/kg cohorts, respectively. Median duration of response was 12.5 and 6.2 months. No new safety signals were observed; the most common Grade 3 and 4 adverse events were keratopathy (29% vs. 25%), thrombocytopenia (22% vs. 29%), and anemia (21% vs. 28%). HRQOL outcomes suggest that overall global health status/quality of life, physical and role functioning, and overall disease symptoms were maintained or improved during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This final analysis of DREAMM-2 confirms that in patients with triple-class refractory RRMM, single-agent belamaf results in durable and clinically meaningful responses with a manageable safety profile.

A Longitudinal Study of Multimodal Bronchoscopy Training in Uganda.

Background: Flexible bronchoscopy is an essential tool in diagnosing and managing pulmonary diseases. However, there is limited capacity for bronchoscopy in low and middle income countries (LMICs). In 2019, a pilot program for flexible bronchoscopy training was launched for local physicians in Kampala, Uganda. We then conducted a follow up multimodal bronchoscopy course after 2 years. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess a longitudinal multimodal bronchoscopy training in an LMIC setting. Methods: A multimodal follow up curriculum was developed with pulmonologists from Uganda and the United States. The training was delivered to Ugandan providers who attended previous bronchoscopy training and new participants. The training included a prepared curriculum consisting of lectures, simulations, and deliberate practice-based proctoring. A 12-question multiple-choice exam was administered at the beginning and end of the course, assessing knowledge. Procedural competency was measured using a validated assessment tool called the BSTAT (Bronchoscopic Skills and Tasks Assessment Tool). Results were analyzed to evaluate the retention of knowledge among those who took part in previous training and the efficacy of the follow-up curriculum for participants without previous training. Results: Among the participants who attended didactic training in 2022 (11), mean exam scores were improved after training, from 43.9 (standard deviation [SD], 11.3) to 59.8 (SD, 16.1) (mean difference [MD], +15.9; SD, 13.9; P = 0.008), but were lower compared with post didactic scores in 2019: 90.8 (SD, 6.1; MD, -31; P < 0.0001). Participants who completed BSTAT assessments (8) had mean scores similar in 2019 and 2022, at 72.1 and 75.2, respectively (MD, 3.1; P = 0.38). Conclusion: This study provides an example of how a longitudinal multimodal bronchoscopy curriculum can improve competency and proficiency for local physicians in an LMIC.

A Multicenter, Single-Arm, Prospective Trial Assessing the Diagnostic Yield of Electromagnetic Bronchoscopic and Transthoracic Navigation for Peripheral Pulmonary Nodules.

Rationale: Strict adherence to procedural protocols and diagnostic definitions is critical to understand the efficacy of new technologies. Electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB) for lung nodule biopsy has been used for decades without a solid understanding of its efficacy, but offers the opportunity for simultaneous tissue acquisition via electromagnetic navigational transthoracic biopsy (EMN-TTNA) and staging via endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic yield of EBUS, ENB, and EMN-TTNA during a single procedure using a strict a priori definition of diagnostic yield with central pathology adjudication. Methods: A prospective, single-arm trial was conducted at eight centers enrolling participants with pulmonary nodules (<3 cm; without computed tomography [CT]- and/or positron emission tomography-positive mediastinal lymph nodes) who underwent a staged procedure with same-day CT, EBUS, ENB, and EMN-TTNA. The procedure was staged such that, when a diagnosis had been achieved via rapid on-site pathologic evaluation, the procedure was ended and subsequent biopsy modalities were not attempted. A study finding was diagnostic if an independent pathology core laboratory confirmed malignancy or a definitive benign finding. The primary endpoint was the diagnostic yield of the combination of CT, EBUS, ENB, and EMN-TTNA. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 160 participants at 8 centers with a mean nodule size of 18 ± 6 mm were enrolled. The diagnostic yield of the combined procedure was 59% (94 of 160; 95% confidence interval [CI], 51-66%). Nodule regression was found on same-day CT in 2.5% of cases (4 of 160; 95% CI, 0.69-6.3%), and EBUS confirmed malignancy in 7.1% of cases (11 of 156; 95% CI, 3.6-12%). The yield of ENB alone was 49% (74 of 150; 95% CI, 41-58%), that of EMN-TTNA alone was 27% (8 of 30; 95% CI, 12-46%), and that of ENB plus EMN-TTNA was 53% (79 of 150; 95% CI, 44-61%). Complications included a pneumothorax rate of 10% and a 2% bleeding rate. When EMN-TTNA was performed, the pneumothorax rate was 30%. Conclusions: The diagnostic yield for ENB is 49%, which increases to 59% with the addition of same-day CT, EBUS, and EMN-TTNA, lower than in prior reports in the literature. The high complication rate and low diagnostic yield of EMN-TTNA does not support its routine use. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03338049).