Utilization of Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Over Time in Multiple Myeloma: A Population-Based Study.

PURPOSE: Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (autoHCT) is associated with survival benefits in multiple myeloma (MM), but utilization remains low and differs by sociodemographic factors. Prior population-based studies have not fully captured autoHCT utilization or examined relationships between sociodemographic factors and autoHCT trends over time. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used a novel data linkage between the California Cancer Registry, Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, and hospitalizations to capture autoHCT in a population-based MM cohort (n = 29, 109; 1991-2016). Due to interactions by treatment era, stratified multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models determined factors associated with autoHCT. RESULTS: The frequency of MM patients who received autoHCT increased from 5.7% (1991-1995) to 27.4% (2011-2016). In models by treatment era, patients with public/no (vs. private) health insurance were less likely to receive autoHCT (2011-2016 Medicare hazard ratio (HR) 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63-0.78; Medicaid HR 0.81, CI: 0.72-0.91; no insurance HR 0.56, CI: 0.32-0.99). In each treatment era, Black/African American (vs. non-Hispanic White) patients were less likely to receive autoHCT (2011-2016 HR 0.83, CI: 0.72-0.95). Hispanic patients were less likely to undergo autoHCT, most prominently in the earliest treatment era (1991-1995 HR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.37-0.90; 2011-2016 HR 1.07, CI: 0.96-1.19). Patients in lower socioeconomic status neighborhoods were less likely to utilize autoHCT, but differences decreased over time. CONCLUSIONS: Despite increases in autoHCT utilization, sociodemographic disparities remain. Identifying and mitigating barriers to autoHCT is essential to ensuring more equitable access to this highly effective therapy.

Clinical experience with frontline Hyper-CVAD-based regimens, including Hyper-CVAD plus ponatinib, in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated at a comprehensive cancer center.

BACKGROUND: Hyper-CVAD is an established regimen for adult ALL that was developed at the MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC). However, results can vary across different institutions given the heterogeneity of patient populations and institutional practices. Moreover, while a MDACC study demonstrated that the combination of ponatinib plus hyper-CVAD produced remarkable activity in untreated Ph+ ALL, it remains to be externally validated. We sought to validate those findings in previously untreated adult patients with Ph+ ALL. METHODS: This was a retrospective study analyzing the outcomes of previously untreated adult ALL patients treated with hyper-CVAD, with a focus on Ph+ ALL patients treated with ponatinib plus hyper-CVAD. RESULTS: 82 patients were included. The median age was 51 years. The median follow-up was 2.62 years. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were 39.5 % and 28.2 %, respectively. For Ph+ ALL patients (n = 13) receiving ponatinib plus hyper-CVAD, 3-year OS and EFS were both 92.3 %. Univariate analysis showed a high WBC and poor-risk cytogenetics to be associated with inferior outcomes, while CD20 + predicted favorable outcomes in B-ALL patients. On multivariate analysis, CD20 + retained significance for Philadelphia-negative (Ph-) ALL. For Ph+ ALL, ponatinib was associated with better OS and EFS on univariate and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Our data supports the use of ponatinib plus hyper-CVAD as a standard of care regimen for Ph+ ALL. Our outcomes for Ph-ALL and T-cell ALL (T-ALL) show that advances are still needed in the frontline setting, and clinical trial enrollment is recommended.