Prognostic impact of pretreatment cell-free DNA concentration in newly diagnosed peripheral T-cell lymphomas.

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) have a poor prognosis and, to date, there are no reliable predictive biomarkers of response. In this work we explored the prognostic impact of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) concentration in 75 newly diagnosed patients enrolled in a prospective multicenter study. Pre-treatment cfDNA was strongly associated with clinical risk factors and was identified as a superior predictor for shorter progression-free survival in multivariable analysis, outweighing canonical risk parameters. Furthermore, we identified a cfDNA value above which survival worsens. In conclusion, pre-treatment cfDNA concentration represents an easily usable predictive biomarker that is highly associated with survival of PTCL patients.

Radioimmunotherapy versus autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma: a Fondazione Italiana Linfomi multicenter, randomized, phase III trial.

BACKGROUND: Optimal consolidation for young patilents with relapsed/refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL) remains uncertain in the rituximab era, with an unclear benefit of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). The multicenter, randomized, phase III FLAZ12 (NCT01827605) trial compared anti-CD20 radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with ASCT as consolidation after chemoimmunotherapy, both followed by rituximab maintenance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (age 18-65 years) with R/R FL and without significant comorbidities were enrolled and treated with three courses of conventional, investigator-chosen chemoimmunotherapies. Those experiencing at least a partial response were randomized 1 : 1 to ASCT or RIT before CD34+ collection, and all received postconsolidation rituximab maintenance. Progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary endpoint. The target sample size was 210 (105/group). RESULTS: Between August 2012 and September 2019, of 164 screened patients, 159 were enrolled [median age 57 (interquartile range 49-62) years, 55% male, 57% stage IV, 20% bulky disease]. The study was closed prematurely because of low accrual. Data were analyzed on 8 June 2023, on an intention-to-treat basis, with a 77-month median follow-up from enrollment. Of the 141 patients (89%), 70 were randomized to ASCT and 71 to RIT. The estimated 3-year PFS in both groups was 62% (hazard ratio 1.11, 95% confidence interval 0.69-1.80, P = 0.6662). The 3-year overall survival also was similar between the two groups. Rates of grade ≥3 hematological toxicity were 94% with ASCT versus 46% with RIT (P < 0.001), and grade ≥3 neutropenia occurred in 94% versus 41%, respectively (P < 0.001). Second cancers occurred in nine patients after ASCT and three after radioimmunotherapy (P = 0.189). CONCLUSIONS: Even if prematurely discontinued, our study did not demonstrate the superiority of ASCT versus RIT. ASCT was more toxic and demanding for patients and health services. Both strategies yielded similar, favorable long-term outcomes, suggesting that consolidation programs milder than ASCT require further investigation in R/R FL.

Refractory and 17p-deleted chronic lymphocytic leukemia: improving survival with pathway inhibitors and allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Refractory/early relapsed and 17p deletion/p53 mutation (del(17p)/TP53mut)-positive chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has been conventionally considered a high-risk disease, potentially eligible for treatment with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). In this multicenter retrospective analysis of 157 patients, we compared the outcomes of patients with high-risk CLL treated with alloSCT, a B-cell receptor pathway inhibitor (BCRi), and both. Seventy-one patients were treated with BCRis, 67 patients underwent reduced-intensity conditioning alloSCT, and 19 received alloSCT with a BCRi before and/or after transplantation. Inverse probability of treatment weighting analyses were performed to compare the alloSCT and no-alloSCT groups; in the 2 groups, 5-year OS, PFS, and cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) and relapse were 40% versus 60% (P = .096), 34% versus 17% (P = .638), 28% versus 5% (P = .016), and 38% versus 83% (P = .005), respectively. Patients treated with alloSCT plus BCRi had a 3-year OS of 83%. The 3-year OS and NRM by year of alloSCT, including patients treated with BCRi, were 53% and 17% in 2000 to 2007, 55% and 30% in 2008 to 2012, and 72% and 18% in 2013 to 2018. In conclusion, the combination of pathway inhibitors and alloSCT is feasible and may further improve the outcome of high-risk CLL patients.

Fear of cancer recurrence in haematological cancer patients: exploring socio-demographic, psychological, existential and disease-related factors.

PURPOSE: This study aims to explore the relation between the dimension of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) in haematological cancer patients relapse-free for at least 2 years and socio-demographic, related to the disease, psychological and existential factors. METHODS: A sample of 75 haematological cancer patients agreed to participate in the study through a self-reported online questionnaire (51.9% males). A total of 70.1% had a low recurrence risk. The questionnaire included socio-demographic (gender, age, civil status, level of education and number of children), related to the disease (diagnosis, therapeutic line and years since diagnosis), psychological (anxiety and depression), existential (purpose in life; PIL) factors and Fear of Cancer Recurrence Concerns Inventory (FCRI). Simple and multiple linear regressions were conducted for the analyses, and we performed some preliminary analysis on the reliability of the FCRI. FINDINGS: A total of 53.3% of participants showed clinical levels of FCR on the severity dimension, which was higher than found in previous research in other cancer patients. The coping strategies, triggers, severity and psychological distress dimensions showed higher mean values. Women, patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphomas, years since diagnosis, anxiety and purpose in life are significantly related to one or more dimensions of FCRI. IMPLICATIONS: It is important that the clinicians have at their disposal multiple possibilities to help patients cope with haematological cancer. If future research will confirm the results of this study, the negative correlation between FCR and PIL can suggest indications for planning interventions based on a salutogenic approach.

Treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma in the era of brentuximab vedotin and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

The majority of Hodgkin lymphoma patients are now cured with conventional first-line therapy; however, 10-15% of early-stage disease and less than 30% of advanced-stage patients are refractory(rare) or relapsed. Salvage second-line therapy combined with high-dose therapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation can cure 40-50% of patients. Recently novel agents (Brentuximab Vedotin and Immune Checkpoint inhibitors) have demonstrated evidence of therapeutic activity and are potential bridge to an allogeneic stem-cell transplantation. The review is aimed to present not only salvage strategies; indeed, the paper contains paragraphs about therapy and new treatment options at diagnosis.

Myeloablative versus reduced intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation for relapsed/refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma in recent years: a retrospective analysis of the Lymphoma Working Party of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate long-term outcome of myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) (MAC) versus reduced-intensity allo-SCT (RIC) in patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) in recent years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 312 patients (63 MAC and 249 RIC) with relapsed/refractory HL who received allo-SCT between 2006 and 2010 and were reported to the EBMT Database were included in the study. RESULTS: With a median follow-up for alive patients of 56 (26-73) months, there were no significant differences in non-relapse mortality (NRM) between MAC and RIC. Relapse rate (RR) was somewhat lower in the MAC group (41% versus 52% at 24 months, P = 0.16). This lower RR translated into a marginal improvement in event-free survival (EFS) for the MAC group (48% versus 36% at 24 months, P = 0.09) with no significant differences in overall survival (73% for MAC and 62% for RIC at 24 months, P = 0.13). Multivariate analysis after adjusting for disease status at the time of allo-SCT showed that the use of MAC was of borderline statistical significance for predicting a lower RR and EFS [HR 0.7, 95% CI (0.5-1.0), P = 0.1] and [HR 0.7, 95% CI (0.5-1.0), P = 0.07], respectively, after allo-SCT. CONCLUSIONS: With modern transplant practices, the NRM associated with MAC for HL has strongly decreased, resulting into non-significant improvement of EFS because of a somewhat better disease control compared with RIC transplants. The intensity of conditioning regimens should be considered when designing individual allo-SCT strategies or clinical trials in patients with relapsed/refractory HL.

SIE-SIES-GITMO guidelines for the management of adult peripheral T- and NK-cell lymphomas, excluding mature T-cell leukaemias.

BACKGROUND: In order to promote widespread adoption of appropriate clinical practice, the Italian Society of Hematology (SIE), and the affiliate societies SIES (Italian Society of Experimental Hematology) and GITMO (Italian Group for Bone Marrow Transplantation) established to produce guidelines in the most relevant hematological areas. In this article, we report the recommendations for management of T/NK-cell lymphomas, excluding mature T-cell leukaemias. DESIGN: By using the Grades of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system, we produced evidence-based recommendations for the key clinical questions that needed to be addressed by a critical appraisal of evidence. The consensus methodology was applied to evidence-orphan issues. RESULTS: Six courses of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP) or cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide and prednisone (CHOEP) chemotherapy were recommended for first-line therapy of patients with nodal, intestinal or hepatosplenic T-cell lymphomas (evidence: low; recommendation: do, weak). Except for ALK+ anaplastic large-cell lymphoma and elderly unfit patients, consolidation with high-dose chemotherapy was recommended (evidence: low; recommendation: do, weak). 50 Gy radiotherapy was the recommended first-line therapy for localized extranodal T/NK-cell lymphoma nasal type (evidence: low; recommendation: do, strong), while l-asparaginase-containing chemotherapy regimens were recommended for patients with systemic disease (evidence: very low; recommendation: do, strong). CONCLUSION: In adult T/NK-cell lymphomas, GRADE methodology was applicable to a limited number of key therapeutic issues. For the remaining key issues, due to lack of appraisable evidence, recommendations was based on consensus methodology.

Deregulation of MUM1/IRF4 by chromosomal translocation in multiple myeloma.

The pathogenesis of multiple myeloma (MM), an incurable tumour causing the deregulated proliferation of terminally differentiated B cells, is unknown. Chromosomal translocations (14q1) affecting band 14q32 and unidentified partner chromosomes are common in this tumour, suggesting that they may cause the activation of novel oncogenes. By cloning the chromosomal breakpoints in an MM cell line, we show that the 14q+ translocation represents a t(6;14)x(p25;q32) and that this aberration is recurrent in MM, as it was found in two of eleven MM cell lines. The translocation juxtaposes the immunoglobulin heavy-chain (IgH) locus to MUM1 (multiple myeloma oncogene 1)/IRF4 gene, a member of the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) family known to be active in the control of B-cell proliferation and differentiation. As a result, the MUM1/IRF4 gene is overexpressed--an event that may contribute to tumorigenesis, a MUM1/IRF4 has oncogenic activity in vitro. These findings identify a novel genetic alteration associated with MM, with implications for the pathogenesis and diagnostics of this tumour.

Managing hematological cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: an ESMO-EHA Interdisciplinary Expert Consensus.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has created enormous challenges for the clinical management of patients with hematological malignancies (HMs), raising questions about the optimal care of this patient group. METHODS: This consensus manuscript aims at discussing clinical evidence and providing expert advice on statements related to the management of HMs in the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, an international consortium was established including a steering committee, which prepared six working packages addressing significant clinical questions from the COVID-19 diagnosis, treatment, and mitigation strategies to specific HMs management in the pandemic. During a virtual consensus meeting, including global experts and lead by the European Society for Medical Oncology and the European Hematology Association, statements were discussed and voted upon. When a consensus could not be reached, the panel revised statements to develop consensual clinical guidance. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The expert panel agreed on 33 statements, reflecting a consensus, which will guide clinical decision making for patients with hematological neoplasms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

No improvement of survival with reduced- versus high-intensity conditioning for allogeneic stem cell transplants in Ewing tumor patients.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes of Ewing tumor (ET) patients treated with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) were compared regarding the use of reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) and high-intensity conditioning (HIC) regimens as well as human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched and HLA-mismatched grafts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 87 ET patients from the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Pediatric Registry for Stem Cell Transplantations, Asia Pacific Blood and Marrow Transplantation and MetaEICESS registries treated with allo-SCT. Fifty patients received RIC (group A) and 37 patients received HIC (group B). Twenty-four patients received HLA-mismatched grafts and 63 received HLA-matched grafts. RESULTS: Median overall survival was 7.9 months [±1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.44-10.31] for group A and 4.4 months (±1.06, 95% CI 2.29-6.43) for group B patients (P = 1.3). Death of complications (DOC) occurred in 4 of 50 (0.08) and death of disease (DOD) in 33 of 50 (0.66) group A and in 16 of 37 (0.43) and 17 of 37 (0.46) group B patients, respectively. DOC incidence was decreased (P < 0.01) and DOD/relapse increased (P < 0.01) in group A compared with group B. HLA mismatch was not generally associated with graft-versus-Ewing tumor effect (GvETE). CONCLUSIONS: There was no improvement of survival with RIC compared with HIC due to increased DOD/relapse incidence after RIC despite less DOC incidence. This implicates general absence of a clinically relevant GvETE with current protocols.

Evidence for a bone marrow B cell transcribing malignant plasma cell VDJ joined to C mu sequence in immunoglobulin (IgG)- and IgA-secreting multiple myelomas.

Multiple myeloma is a B cell malignancy characterized by the expansion of plasma cells producing monoclonal immunoglobulins (Ig). It has been regarded as a tumor arising at the B, pre-B lymphocyte, or even stem cell level. Precursor cells are presumed to proliferate and differentiate giving rise to the plasma cell clonal expansion. Antigenic features and specific Ig gene rearrangement shared by B lymphocytes and myeloma cells have supported this hypothesis. However, the existence of such a precursor is based upon indirect evidence and is still an open question. During differentiation, B cells rearrange variable (V) regions of Ig heavy chain genes, providing a specific marker of clonality. Using an anchor polymerase chain reaction assay, these rearranged regions from five patients with multiple myeloma were cloned and sequenced. The switch of the Ig constant (C) region was used to define the B cell differentiation stage: V regions are linked to C mu genes in pre-B and B lymphocytes (pre-switch B cells), but to C gamma or C alpha in post-switch B lymphocytes and plasma cells (post-switch B cells). Analysis of bone marrow cells at diagnosis revealed the presence of pre-switch B cells bearing plasma cell V regions still joined to the C mu gene. These cells were not identified in peripheral blood, where tumor post-switch B cells were detected. These pre-switch B cells may be regarded as potential myeloma cell precursors.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome associated with Aspergillus terreus pulmonary infection in an autologous stem cell transplant recipient.

We describe an autologous stem cell transplant recipient who developed immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) associated with Aspergillus terreus invasive pulmonary infection after recovery from neutropenia. Clinical and radiological worsening of pulmonary invasive aspergillosis coincident with a robust decline of serum galactomannan values and rising neutrophil counts should be interpreted as IRIS and should not require changes to antifungal therapy.

Nilotinib in steroid-refractory cGVHD: prospective parallel evaluation of response, according to NIH criteria and exploratory response criteria (GITMO criteria).

We conducted a phase I-II study to evaluate Nilotinib (NIL) safety and pharmacokinetics in 22 SR-cGVHD patients; we also evaluated ORR by using in parallel NIH criteria and an exploratory approach, combining objective improvement (OI) without failure criteria (GITMO criteria). Results: 22 patients were enrolled. After dose escalation up to 600 mg/day, MTD was not reached. Main toxicities were asthenia, headache, nausea, pruritus, cramps, and mild anemia. Mean and median plasma concentrations of NIL (C-NIL) were 817 (SD ± 450) and 773 ng/ml. ORR at 6 months, according to 2005 and 2014 NIH and GITMO criteria were 27.8%, 22.2%, and 55.6% respectively; close correspondence has been observed for ORR, according to 2014 NIH criteria, both assessed in a conventional way and assisted by dedicated software (CROSY). At 48 months OS was 75% while FFS, according to NIH and GITMO criteria, was 30 and 25%. In conclusion the safety profile of NIL and long-term outcome makes NIL an attractive option in SR-cGVHD. Exploratory GITMO criteria could represent an alternative tool for easy response evaluation in patients with prevalent skin and lung involvement, but require validation in a larger population; CROSY software showed excellent reliability in capturing ORR according to the 2014 NIH criteria.

First salvage treatment with bendamustine and brentuximab vedotin in Hodgkin lymphoma: a phase 2 study of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi.

Effective salvage options inducing high complete metabolic response (CMR) rates without significant toxicity are needed for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients failing induction treatment and who are candidate to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Brentuximab vedotin (BV) and bendamustine are active monotherapies in the relapsed/refractory setting and their combination (the BBV regimen) possibly enhances their activity. This single-arm multicenter phase 2 study investigated the efficacy and safety of BBV as first salvage therapy in 40 patients with relapsed/refractory HL. Thirty-eight patients were evaluable for efficacy: 30 (78.9%) had a CMR and 2 (5.3%) a partial response, leading to an overall response rate (ORR) of 84.2%. The ORR in the primary refractory subset was 75.0%, among relapsed patients it was 94.4%. Thirty-five patients could mobilize peripheral blood stem cells and 33 underwent ASCT. At a median follow-up of 23 months, the estimated 3-year overall survival and progression-free survival are 88.1% and 67.3%. During therapy, only 3 grade IV cases of neutropenia occurred and resolved within a week. No grade 4 extrahematologic toxicities were reported; skin reactions were however rather frequent (65%). These results suggest that the BBV regimen exhibits promising efficacy and a manageable toxicity in a challenging subpopulation of HL patients.

Indications for allogeneic stem cell transplantation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: the EBMT transplant consensus.

The aim of this project was to identify situations where allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) might be considered as a preferred treatment option for patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Based on a MEDLINE search and additional sources, a consented proposal was drafted, refined and approved upon final discussion by an international expert panel. Key elements of the consensus are (1) allo-SCT is a procedure with evidence-based efficacy in poor-risk CLL; (2) although definition of 'poor-risk CLL' requires further investigation, allo-SCT is a reasonable treatment option for younger patients with (i) non-response or early relapse (within 12 months) after purine analogues, (ii) relapse within 24 months after having achieved a response with purine-analogue-based combination therapy or autologous transplantation, and (iii) patients with p53 abnormalities requiring treatment; and (3) optimum transplant strategies may vary according to distinct clinical situations and should be defined in prospective trials. This is the first attempt to define standard indications for allo-SCT in CLL. Nevertheless, whenever possible, allo-SCT should be performed within disease-specific prospective clinical protocols in order to continuously refine transplant indications according to new developments in risk assessment and treatment of CLL.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation following reduced-intensity conditioning can induce durable clinical and molecular remissions in relapsed lymphomas: pre-transplant disease status and histotype heavily influence outcome.

The safety and efficacy of reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) for relapsed lymphomas remains unresolved. We conducted a prospective, multicentered, phase II trial. A total of 170 relapsed/refractory lymphomas received a RIC regimen followed by SCT from sibling donors. The primary study end point was non-relapse mortality (NRM). Histologies were non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) (indolent (LG-NHL), n=63; aggressive (HG-NHL), n=61; mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), n=14) and Hodgkin's disease (HD, n=32). Median follow-up was 33 months (range, 12-82). The results show that frequencies were as follows: cumulative NRM at 3 years, 14%; acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) 35 and 52%, respectively; 3-year overall survival (OS), 69% for LG-NHL, 69% for HG-NHL, 45% for MCL and 32% for HD (P=0.058); and 3-year relapse incidence, 29, 31, 35 and 81%, respectively (P<0.001). Relapse risk differed significantly at 3 years between follicular lymphoma (FL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (14 versus 46%, P=0.04). Molecular remission occurred in 94 and 40% (P=0.002) of patients with FL and CLL, respectively. On multivariate analysis, OS was influenced by chemorefractory disease (hazard ratio (HR)=3.6), diagnosis of HD (HR=3.5), and acute GVHD (HR=5.9). RIC allogeneic SCT is a feasible and effective salvage strategy in both indolent and aggressive NHL.

Prolonged survival in poor-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma following front-line treatment with rituximab-supplemented, early-intensified chemotherapy with multiple autologous hematopoietic stem cell support: a multicenter study by GITIL (Gruppo Italiano Terapie Innovative nei Linfomi).

A prospective multicenter program was performed to evaluate the combination of rituximab and high-dose (hd) sequential chemotherapy delivered with multiple autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) support (R-HDS-maps regimen) in previously untreated patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLB-CL) and age-adjusted International Prognostic Score (aaIPI) score 2-3. R-HDS-maps includes: (i) three APO courses; (ii) sequential administration of hd-cyclophosphamide (CY), hd-Ara-C, both supplemented with rituximab, hd-etoposide/cisplatin, PBPC harvests, following hd-CY and hd-Ara-C; (iii) hd-mitoxantrone (hd-Mito)/L-Pam + 2 further rituximab doses; (iv) involved-field radiotherapy. PBPC rescue was scheduled following Ara-C, etoposide/cisplatin and Mito/L-Pam. Between 1999 and 2004, 112 consecutive patients aged <65 years (74 score 2, 38 score 3) entered the study protocol. There were five early and two late toxic deaths. Overall 90 patients (80%) reached clinical remission (CR); at a median 48 months follow-up, 87 (78%) patients are alive, 82 (73%) in continuous CR, with 4 year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) projections of 76% (CI 68-85%) and 73% (CI 64-81%), respectively. There were no significant differences in OS and EFS between subgroups with Germinal-Center and Activated B-cell phenotype. Thus, life expectancy of younger patients with aaIPI 2-3 DLB-CL is improved with the early administration of rituximab-supplemented intensive chemotherapy compared with the poor outcome following conventional chemotherapy.

CD3+ graft cell count influence on chronic GVHD in haploidentical allogeneic transplantation using post-transplant cyclophosphamide.

The effects of graft or donor characteristics in haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) using post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PT-Cy) are largely unknown. In this multicenter retrospective study we analyzed the correlations between graft cell composition (CD34+, CD3+) and donor features on transplant outcomes in 234 patients who underwent HCT between 2010 and 2016. On multivariate analysis, the use of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) was associated with an increased incidence of grade 2-4 acute GVHD [HR 1.94, 95% confidence Interval (CI) = 1.01-3.98, p = 0.05]. An elevated CD3+ graft content was associated with an increased incidence of all-grade chronic GVHD [HR 1.36 (95% CI = 1.06-1.74), p = 0.01]. This effect was confirmed only for the PBSC graft group. A higher CD34+ graft content had a protective role on non-relapse mortality [HR 0.78 (95% CI = 0.62-0.96), p = 0.02] but this was confirmed only for the bone marrow (BM)-derived graft cohort. Donor characteristics did not influence any outcomes. GVHD prophylaxis should be modulated accordingly to CD3+ graft content, especially when a PBSC graft is used. These results need further validation in prospective trials.

Phase 1/2 study of weekly carfilzomib, cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone in newly diagnosed transplant-ineligible myeloma.

This multicentre, open-label phase 1/2 trial determined safety and efficacy of weekly carfilzomib plus cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone (wKCyd) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients aged ⩾65 years or transplant ineligible. Patients received wKCyd for up to nine 28-day cycles, followed by maintenance with carfilzomib until progression/intolerance. The phase 1 portion used a 3+3 dose-escalation scheme to determine the maximum tolerated dose of weekly carfilzomib: 12 patients received wKCyd with carfilzomib doses of 45, 56 and 70 mg/m2. The recommended phase 2 dose was established at 70 mg/m2 and 54 patients (phase 1 and 2) received weekly carfilzomib 70 mg/m2: 85% of them achieved ⩾partial response (PR), 66% ⩾very good PR, 30%⩾near-complete response (CR) and 15% CR. Responses improved in 40 patients who started maintenance: 98% achieved ⩾PR, including 29% CR and 10% stringent CR. After a median follow-up of 18 months, the 2-year progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 53.2% and 81%, respectively. The most frequent grade 3-5 toxicities were neutropenia (22%) and cardiopulmonary adverse events (9%). This is the first study of weekly carfilzomib plus an alkylating agent in elderly patients with NDMM. wKCyd was effective, with an acceptable risk/benefit ratio, and thus can be a valid option in this setting.