Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant for HIV Patients with Hematologic Malignancies: The BMT CTN-0903/AMC-080 Trial.

We set out to assess feasibility and safety of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant in 17 persons with HIV in a phase II prospective multicenter trial. The primary endpoint was 100-day nonrelapse mortality (NRM). Patients had an 8/8 HLA-matched related or at least a 7/8 HLA-matched unrelated donor. Indications for transplant were acute leukemia, myelodysplasia, and lymphoma. Conditioning was myeloablative or reduced intensity. There was no NRM at 100 days. The cumulative incidence of grades II to IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 41%. At 1 year, overall survival was 59%; deaths were from relapsed/progressive disease (n = 5), acute GVHD (n = 1), adult respiratory distress syndrome (n = 1), and liver failure (n = 1). In patients who achieved complete chimerism, cell-associated HIV DNA and inducible infectious virus in the blood were not detectable. Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network 0903/AIDS Malignancy Consortium 080 was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (no. NCT01410344).

A Phase IIb, Multicenter, Open-Label, Safety, and Efficacy Study of High-Dose, Propylene Glycol-Free Melphalan Hydrochloride for Injection (EVOMELA) for Myeloablative Conditioning in Multiple Myeloma Patients Undergoing Autologous Transplantation.

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) after high-dose melphalan conditioning is considered a standard of care procedure for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Current formulations of melphalan (eg, Alkeran for Injection [melphalan hydrochloride]; GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA) have marginal solubility and limited chemical stability upon reconstitution. Alkeran requires the use of propylene glycol as a co-solvent, which itself has been reported to cause such complications as metabolic/renal dysfunction and arrhythmias. EVOMELA (propylene glycol-free melphalan HCl; Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) is a new i.v. melphalan formulation that incorporates Captisol (Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA), a specially modified cyclodextrin that improves the solubility and stability of melphalan and eliminates the need for propylene glycol. This new formulation has been shown to be bioequivalent to Alkeran. EVOMELA (200 mg/m(2)) was administered as 2 doses of 100 mg/m(2) each in a phase IIb, open-label, multicenter study to confirm its safety and efficacy as a high-dose conditioning regimen for patients with MM undergoing ASCT. At 5 centers, 61 patients (26 women) with a median age of 62 years (range, 32-73) were enrolled. All patients achieved myeloablation with a median time of 5 days post-ASCT, and all successfully achieved neutrophil and platelet engraftment with median times of 12 days post-ASCT and 13 days post-ASCT, respectively; treatment-related mortality on day 100 was 0%. Overall response rate (according to independent, blinded review) was high (100%), with an overall complete response rate of 21% (13% stringent complete response; 8% complete response) and overall partial response rate of 79% (61% very good partial response; 18% partial response). The incidence of grade 3 mucositis and stomatitis was low (10% and 5%, respectively) with no grade 4 mucositis or stomatitis reported (graded according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events). Based on investigators' assessment of mucositis using the World Health Organization (WHO) oral toxicity scale, 75% of patients had a shift in mucositis score from WHO grade 0 at baseline to a higher grade on study, of which 13% of patients reported WHO grade 3 as the worst post-treatment mucositis over the course of the study; there were no reports of WHO grade 4 mucositis during the study. This study confirms the efficacy and acceptable safety profile of EVOMELA, a new propylene glycol-free melphalan formulation, as a high-dose conditioning regimen for ASCT in patients with MM.

Plerixafor and abbreviated-course granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for mobilizing hematopoietic progenitor cells in light chain amyloidosis.

Cytokine-based mobilization in light chain (AL) amyloidosis is frequently complicated by fluid overload, weight gain, cardiac arrhythmias, and peri-mobilization mortality. We analyzed hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) mobilization outcomes in 49 consecutive AL amyloidosis patients at our institution between 2004 and 2013 with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G) (10 µg/kg/day) (n = 25) versus an institutional protocol to limit G exposure using plerixafor (P) (.24 mg/kg s.c. starting day 3 of G 10 µg/kg) (n = 24). G+P strategy yielded higher total CD34(+) cells/kg (12.8 × 10(6) versus 6.3 × 10(6); P < .001) and CD34(+) cells/kg collected on day 1 (10.8 × 10(6) versus 4.9 × 10(6), P = .004) compared with the G cohort. More G+P patients collected ≥5 × 10(6) CD34(+) HPCs/kg (22 versus 16, P = .02) and ≥ 10 × 10(6) CD34(+) HPCs/kg (13 versus 5, P = .01). Four patients (16%) had mobilization failure with G; none with G+P. Peri-mobilization weight gain was lower with G+P strategy (median weight gain 1 versus 7 pounds, P = .009). Numbers of apheresis sessions (median, 1 versus 1, P = .52), number of hospitalization days (median, 1.1 versus 1.6, P = .52), transfusions, use of intravenous antibiotics, and cardiac arrhythmias were similar. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that upfront use of G+P as a mobilization strategy results in superior HPC collection, no mobilization failures, and less weight gain than G alone.

Phase I/II trial of bendamustine, ixazomib, and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

In this phase I/II trial, BID, bendamustine (70, 80, or 90 mg/m2), ixazomib (4 mg), and dexamethasone (40 mg), was administered to 28 patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) exposed to bortezomib and lenalidomide and refractory to at least one. A 3 + 3 dose escalation based on dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) was employed in phase I (total 15); 2/6 patients developed DLTs (neutropenia and thrombocytopenia) at dose level 3 establishing the recommended phase II dose as bendamustine 80 mg/m2, ixazomib 4 mg, and dexamethasone 40 mg. The median age was 67 years (range, 42-72), and 43% were females. Patients received a median of 4 (range, 4-9) prior lines of therapy, of which ~50% were double refractory. In phase II, total 19 patients were treated. With a median follow-up of 17 months, 11% achieved very good partial response, 50% achieved partial response, and 27% achieved stable disease. Median progression free (PFS) and overall (OS) survival were 5.2 months (95% CI, 1.96-8.3) and 23.2 months (95% CI 16.3-30.07). The most frequent adverse events were anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, nausea, diarrhea, and infections. Peripheral neuropathy was infrequent. BID is a well-tolerated and effective combination therapy for patients with RRMM.

A phase II study of extended dose temozolomide and thalidomide in previously treated patients with metastatic melanoma.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of extended dose temozolomide and continuous thalidomide in patients with advanced metastatic cutaneous melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligibility criteria included adults with histologic diagnosis of metastatic melanoma with adequate organ function and performance status. Temozolomide (75 mg/m(2)/day) was administered for 6 weeks followed by a 2-week rest. Thalidomide (200 mg/day) was given for the first 2 weeks and increased by 100 mg/day at weekly intervals up to a maximum of 400 mg/day, if no toxicity. For patients older than 70 years, thalidomide was started at 100 mg/day and the dose was increased by 50 mg/day up to a maximum of 250 mg/day. RESULTS: Twenty-six extensively pretreated subjects, with poor prognostic factors, were entered into this study and included in all analyses. According to the RECIST criteria, one (4%) subject achieved a complete response (CR), two (8%) partial response (PR), and five (19%) stable disease (SD), for a response rate (CR + PR) of 12% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0-24.7%] and a clinical benefit (CR + PR + SD) of 31%. Median time to progression was 1.8 months (95% CI, 1.2-2.4 months) and median survival was 5.2 months (95% CI, 4.1-6.2 months). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of temozolomide and thalidomide is well tolerated in patients with very advanced heavily pretreated metastatic melanoma. It has modest activity in this population with grave prognosis.

Cisplatin and etoposide versus carboplatin and paclitaxel with concurrent radiotherapy for stage III non-small-cell lung cancer: an analysis of Veterans Health Administration data.

PURPOSE: The optimal chemotherapy regimen to use with radiotherapy in stage III non-small-cell lung cancer is unknown. Here, we compare the outcome of patents treated within the Veterans Health Administration with either etoposide-cisplatin (EP) or carboplatin-paclitaxel (CP). METHODS: We identified patients treated with EP and CP with concurrent radiotherapy from 2001 to 2010. Survival rates were compared using Cox proportional hazards regression models with adjustments for confounding provided by propensity score methods and an instrumental variables analysis. Comorbidities and treatment complications were identified through administrative data. RESULTS: A total of 1,842 patients were included; EP was used in 27% (n = 499). Treatment with EP was not associated with a survival advantage in a Cox proportional hazards model (hazard ratio [HR], 0.97; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.10), a propensity score matched cohort (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.91 to 1.24), or a propensity score adjusted model (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.10). In an instrumental variables analysis, there was no survival advantage for patients treated in centers where EP was used more than 50% of the time as compared with centers where EP was used in less than 10% of the patients (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.90 to 1.26). Patients treated with EP, compared with patients treated with CP, had more hospitalizations (2.4 v 1.7 hospitalizations, respectively; P < .001), outpatient visits (17.6 v 12.6 visits, respectively; P < .001), infectious complications (47.3% v 39.4%, respectively; P = .0022), acute kidney disease/dehydration (30.5% v 21.2%, respectively; P < .001), and mucositis/esophagitis (18.6% v 14.4%, respectively; P = .0246). CONCLUSION: After accounting for prognostic variables, patients treated with EP versus CP had similar overall survival, but EP was associated with increased morbidity.

Cisplatin versus carboplatin-based regimens for the treatment of patients with metastatic lung cancer. An analysis of Veterans Health Administration data.

BACKGROUND: While platinum-based doublet chemotherapy is standard of care for patients presenting with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer, the optimal platinum agent (cisplatin versus carboplatin) is unclear. We therefore compared survival and toxicity among persons receiving these agents at Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals. METHODS: We used the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry to identify veterans presented between 2001 and 2008 with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer, then selected those receiving initial platinum doublet chemotherapy. We compared survival between those receiving cisplatin and carboplatin using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models and propensity score analyses to adjust for imbalances in demographics and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: We identified 4352 eligible persons; 4061 (93%) received carboplatin. Patients treated with cisplatin were younger (median age 61 versus 63, p < 0.01) and had less comorbidities (summary comorbidity score > 2, 7.7% versus 12.8%, p = 0.01) and higher eGFR (87 versus 84 mL/min/1.73 m). Median survival was similar for persons receiving cisplatin and carboplatin (8.1 versus 7.5 months, p = 0.54). In an adjusted survival analyses, the use of cisplatin was not associated with a better survival (hazard ratio 0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.84-1.14, p = 0.79). We performed subgroup analysis defined by histology and second agent, the hazard ratio for mortality ranged spanned 1 and none of these approached statistical significance (all p values > 0.20). Cisplatin-treated patients were more likely to have more hospitalization (1.7 versus 1.3, p < 0.01) and outpatient visits (11 versus 9.6, p < 0.01). Cisplatin-treated patient had more subsequent encounters for infection (41.6% versus 34.3%, p < 0.01) and acute kidney injury/dehydration (29.2% versus 15.5%, p < 0.01) CONCLUSIONS:: Patients receiving cisplatin and carboplatin-based doublets did not have significantly different survival, but cisplatin use was associated with an increase morbidity and healthcare use.

Capped-dose mitomycin C: a pooled safety analysis from three prospective clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Mitomycin C (MMC) up-regulates topoisomerase-I and thymidine phosphorylase making it ideal to combine with irinotecan or capecitabine. One of the most devastating toxicities MMC has been associated with is thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS) in 4-15% of patients, especially when receiving cumulative doses higher than 60 mg/m(2). METHODS: We conducted a pooled safety analysis of 140 patients enrolled in three prospective clinical trials at our institution from 2001 to 2008. MMC on all our studies was capped to a cumulative dose of 36 mg/m(2) to limit toxicity while retaining efficacy. We reviewed our electronic medical records and clinical trial database for individual patient data on these studies with a specific intent to identify patients meeting criteria for TTP/HUS. RESULTS: In combination with irinotecan or capecitabine, MMC was associated with manageable toxicities. We found no cases of MMC-associated TTP/HUS. There were no reported cardiac or pulmonary toxicities in our analysis. Most common grade 3/4 toxicities were diarrhea (19%), neutropenia (17%) and dehydration (12%) predominantly when MMC was combined with irinotecan. CONCLUSIONS: In this large pooled analysis, we found MMC, when capped at a cumulative dose of 36 mg/m(2), to be safe and tolerable in combination with capecitabine or irinotecan with no reportable cases of TTP/HUS.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors involving the prostate: presentation, course, and therapeutic approach.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are relatively rare soft-tissue neoplasms arising from the gastrointestinal tract. The clinical presentation of gastrointestinal stromal tumors varies and depends on the tumor size and location. We present 2 patients with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor who presented with genitourinary symptoms and were diagnosed by transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. We describe the clinical presentation and diagnostic and therapeutic approach to these cases, highlighting the successful preoperative use of imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) followed by prostatectomy.