Factors determining utilization of stem cell transplant for initial therapy of multiple myeloma by patient race: exploring intra-racial healthcare disparities.

Multiple myeloma (MM) therapeutics have evolved tremendously in recent years, with significant improvement in patient outcomes. As newer treatment options are developed, stem cell transplant (SCT) remains an important modality that provides excellent disease control and delays the progression of disease. Over the years, SCT use has increased overall in the U.S., but two distinct gaps remain, including suboptimal use overall and racial-ethnic disparities. We evaluated the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to study what sociodemographic factors might play a role within a given racial-ethnic group leading to disparate SCT utilization, such that targeted approaches can be developed to optimize SCT use for all. In nearly 112,000 cases belonging to mutually exclusive categories of non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB), Hispanics, non-Hispanic Asians (NHA), and others, we found certain factors including age, comorbidity index, payor type, facility type (academic vs. community) and facility volume to be uniformly associated with SCT use for all the racial-ethnic groups, while gender was not significant for any of the groups. There were several other factors that had a differential impact on SCT utilization among the various race-ethnicity groups studied, including year of diagnosis (significant for NHW, NHB, and Hispanics), income level (significant for NHW and Hispanics), literacy level (significant for NHW and NHB), and geographic location of the treatment facility (significant for NHW and NHA). The suboptimal SCT utilization overall in the U.S. suggests that there may be room for improvement for all, even including the majority NHW, while we continue to work on factors that lead to disparities for the traditionally underserved populations. This study helps identify sociodemographic factors that may play a role specifically in each group and paves the way to devise targeted solutions such that resource utilization and impact can be maximized.

A phase II study of ibrutinib in combination with ixazomib in patients with Waldenström macroglobulinaemia.

This phase II study evaluated time-limited (24 cycles) treatment with ibrutinib and ixazomib in newly diagnosed (NDWM; n = 9) and relapsed/refractory (RRWM; n = 12) Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM). The overall response rate (ORR) was 76.2% (n = 16) in 21 evaluable patients with no patient achieving a complete response (CR). The median duration of treatment was 15.6 months, and after a median follow-up time of 25.7 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 22.9 months. While the primary end-point was not met (CR rate at any time) and 28.5% discontinued treatment due to toxicity, ibrutinib plus ixazomib led to a clinically meaningful ORR and PFS. Combined Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) and proteasome inhibition merits further evaluation in WM.

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.

MicroRNA and long non-coding RNA analysis in IgM monoclonal gammopathies reveals epigenetic influence on cellular functions and oncogenesis.

Not available.

The digital divide: Racial disparities in adoption and utilization of health information technology among patients with lymphoid cancers.

INTRODUCTION: Health information technology (HIT) has the potential to improve healthcare delivery and engagement. Studying racial-ethnic disparities in HIT engagement will help understand and overcome challenges to healthcare utilization. METHODS: We undertook a patient-reported survey among patients with lymphoid malignancies at two campuses of Mayo Clinic, Florida to explore HIT-related disparities. Variables between Whites and non-Whites, and non-Whites from the two campuses were compared. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 1004 respondents, with 71% whites, 27% non-Whites (race-ethnicity not reported by 2%). Non-Whites included 30% responders at the main campus and 64% at an inner-city campus. Whites were significantly older and had higher education, while non-Whites had lesser access to a computer. Only 51% of non-Whites were registered to use electronic medical records (EMR) as compared to 72% Whites (p < 0.001) and significantly lesser number of non-Whites even knew that EMR existed (81% vs. 92%, p < 0.001). Encouragingly, a higher number of non-Whites wanted to engage in EMR. Non-Whites from the main campus were older, more educated and had more access to a computer as compared to those from the inner-city campus. Similar disparate factors were noted among minorities from the two campuses, suggesting impact of socioeconomic backgrounds on EMR usage among non-Whites. Linguistic barriers were more striking among inner-city campus non-Whites. CONCLUSIONS: Non-Whites continue to struggle with suboptimal utilization of the healthcare system and barriers related to integration in HIT, including disparities representing socioeconomic differences. Efforts need to be made at several levels to help racial-ethnic minorities overcome awareness, access, and linguistic barriers to HIT utilization.

Detailed safety profile of acalabrutinib vs ibrutinib in previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the ELEVATE-RR trial.

ELEVATE-RR demonstrated noninferior progression-free survival and lower incidence of key adverse events (AEs) with acalabrutinib vs ibrutinib in previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We further characterize AEs of acalabrutinib and ibrutinib via post hoc analysis. Overall and exposure-adjusted incidence rate was assessed for common Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor-associated AEs and for selected events of clinical interest (ECIs). AE burden scores based on previously published methodology were calculated for AEs overall and selected ECIs. Safety analyses included 529 patients (acalabrutinib, n = 266; ibrutinib, n = 263). Among common AEs, incidences of any-grade diarrhea, arthralgia, urinary tract infection, back pain, muscle spasms, and dyspepsia were higher with ibrutinib, with 1.5- to 4.1-fold higher exposure-adjusted incidence rates. Incidences of headache and cough were higher with acalabrutinib, with 1.6- and 1.2-fold higher exposure-adjusted incidence rate, respectively. Among ECIs, incidences of any-grade atrial fibrillation/flutter, hypertension, and bleeding were higher with ibrutinib, as were exposure-adjusted incidence rates (2.0-, 2.8-, and 1.6-fold, respectively); incidences of cardiac events overall (the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities system organ class) and infections were similar between arms. Rate of discontinuation because of AEs was lower for acalabrutinib (hazard ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-0.93). AE burden score was higher for ibrutinib vs acalabrutinib overall and for the ECIs atrial fibrillation/flutter, hypertension, and bleeding. A limitation of this analysis is its open-label study design, which may influence the reporting of more subjective AEs. Overall, event-based analyses and AE burden scores demonstrated higher AE burden overall and specifically for atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and hemorrhage with ibrutinib vs acalabrutinib. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02477696.

Novel BCL-2 Inhibitor Lisaftoclax in Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Other Hematologic Malignancies: First-in-Human Open-Label Trial.

PURPOSE: This global phase I trial investigated the safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of lisaftoclax (APG-2575), a novel, orally active, potent selective B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) inhibitor, in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (R/R CLL/SLL) and other hematologic malignancies (HMs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase II dose were evaluated. Outcome measures were safety and tolerability (primary) and pharmacokinetic variables and antitumor effects (secondary). Pharmacodynamics in patient tumor cells were explored. RESULTS: Among 52 patients receiving lisaftoclax, MTD was not reached. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) included diarrhea (48.1%), fatigue (34.6%), nausea (30.8%), anemia and thrombocytopenia (28.8% each), neutropenia (26.9%), constipation (25.0%), vomiting (23.1%), headache (21.2%), peripheral edema and hypokalemia (17.3% each), and arthralgia (15.4%). Grade ≥ 3 hematologic TEAEs included neutropenia (21.2%), thrombocytopenia (13.5%), and anemia (9.6%), none resulting in treatment discontinuation. Clinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic results demonstrated that lisaftoclax had a limited plasma residence and systemic exposure and elicited rapid clearance of malignant cells. With a median treatment of 15 (range, 6-43) cycles, 14 of 22 efficacy-evaluable patients with R/R CLL/SLL experienced partial responses, for an objective response rate of 63.6% and median time to response of 2 (range, 2-8) cycles. CONCLUSIONS: Lisaftoclax was well tolerated, with no evidence of tumor lysis syndrome. Dose-limiting toxicity was not reached at the highest dose level. Lisaftoclax has a unique pharmacokinetic profile compatible with a potentially more convenient daily (vs. weekly) dose ramp-up schedule and induced rapid clinical responses in patients with CLL/SLL, warranting continued clinical investigation.

AT-101 Enhances the Antitumor Activity of Lenalidomide in Patients with Multiple Myeloma.

Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 proteins play a role in multiple myeloma (MM) cell survival, for which targeted inhibitors are being developed. AT-101 is an oral drug, which disrupts Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 function, impedes mitochondrial bioenergetic processes and induces apoptosis in MM cells. When combined with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd), AT-101 significantly reduced tumor burden in an in vivo xenograft model of MM. These data provided rationale for a phase I/II study to establish the effective dose of AT-101 in combination with Rd (ARd regimen) in relapsed/refractory MM. A total of 10 patients were enrolled, most with high-risk cytogenetics (80%) and prior stem cell transplant (70%). Three patients were lenalidomide-refractory, 2 were bortezomib-refractory and 3 were daratumumab-refractory. The ARd combination was well tolerated with most common grade 3/4 adverse events being cytopenia's. The overall response rate was 40% and clinical benefit rate was 90%. The median progression free survival was 14.9 months (95% CI 7.1-NE). Patients responsive to ARd showed a decrease in Bcl-2:Bim or Mcl-1:Noxa protein complexes, increased CD8+ T and NK cells and depletion of T and B-regulatory cells. The ARd regimen demonstrated an acceptable safety profile and promising efficacy in patients with relapsed/refractory MM prompting further investigation in additional patients.

Risk factors for severe infection and mortality In patients with COVID-19 in patients with multiple myeloma and AL amyloidosis.

Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have a lower efficacy from COVID-19 vaccination and a high rate of mortality from COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. However, the overall rate and severity of COVID-19 infection in all settings (including non-hospitalized patients) and the independent impact of plasma cell-directed therapies on outcomes needs further study. We reviewed the medical records of 9225 patients with MM or AL amyloidosis (AL) seen at Mayo Clinic Rochester, Arizona, and Florida between 12/01/2019 and 8/31/2021 and identified 187 patients with a COVID-19 infection (n = 174 MM, n = 13 AL). The infection rate in our cohort was relatively low at 2% but one-fourth of the COVID-19 infections were severe. Nineteen (10%) patients required intensive care unit (ICU) admission and 5 (3%) patients required mechanical ventilation. The mortality rate among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 was 22% (16/72 patients). Among patients that were fully vaccinated at the time of infection (n = 12), two (17%) developed severe COVID-19 infection, without any COVID-related death. On multivariable analysis, treatment with CD38 antibody within 6 months of COVID-19 infection [Risk ratio (RR) 3.6 (95% CI: 1.2, 10.5), p = .02], cardiac [RR 4.1 (95% CI: 1.3, 12.4), p = .014] or pulmonary comorbidities [RR 3.6 (95% CI 1.1, 11.6); p = .029] were independent predictors for ICU admission. Cardiac comorbidity [RR 2.6 (95% CI: 1.1, 6.5), p = .038] was an independent predictor of mortality whereas MM/AL in remission was associated with lower mortality [RR 0.4 (95% CI: 0.2-0.8); p = .008].

Molecular Clusters and Tumor-Immune Drivers of IgM Monoclonal Gammopathies.

PURPOSE: IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) represent a disease spectrum with highly varied therapeutic management, ranging from observation to chemoimmunotherapy. The current classification relies solely on clinical features and does not explain the heterogeneity that exists within each of these conditions. Further investigation is warranted to shed light on the biology that may account for the clinical differences. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We used bone marrow (BM) clonal CD19+ and/or CD138+ sorted cells, matched BM supernatant, and peripheral blood serum from 32 patients (7 MGUS, 25 WM) to perform the first multi-omics approach including whole-exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics, and mass cytometry. RESULTS: We identified three clusters with distinct pathway activation, immune content, metabolomic, and clinical features. Cluster 1 included only patients with WM and was characterized by transcriptional silencing of genes involved in cell cycle and immune response, enrichment of mitochondrial metabolism, infiltration of senescent T effector memory cells, and aggressive clinical behavior. Genetic/structural alterations of TNFAIP3 were distinct events of this cluster. Cluster 2 comprised both MGUS and WM patients with upregulation of inflammatory response, senescence and glycolysis signatures, increased activated T follicular helper and T regulatory cells, and indolent clinical behavior. Cluster 3 also included both MGUS and WM patients and exhibited intermediate features, including proliferative and inflammatory signaling, as well as glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified three distinct molecular clusters, suggesting a potential biologic classification that may have therapeutic implications.

Overall Survival With Daratumumab, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone in Previously Treated Multiple Myeloma (CASTOR): A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase III Trial.

PURPOSE: At the primary analysis of CASTOR (median follow-up, 7.4 months), daratumumab plus bortezomib and dexamethasone (D-Vd) significantly prolonged progression-free survival versus bortezomib and dexamethasone (Vd) alone in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). We report updated efficacy and safety results at the final analysis for overall survival (OS). METHODS: CASTOR was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase III study during which eligible patients with ≥ 1 line of prior therapy were randomly assigned to Vd (up to eight cycles) with or without daratumumab (until disease progression). After positive primary analysis and protocol amendment, patients receiving Vd were offered daratumumab monotherapy after disease progression. RESULTS: At a median (range) follow-up of 72.6 months (0.0-79.8), significant OS benefit was observed with D-Vd (hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.92; P = .0075). Median OS was 49.6 months with D-Vd versus 38.5 months with Vd. Prespecified subgroup analyses demonstrated an OS advantage with D-Vd versus Vd for most subgroups, including patients age ≥ 65 years and patients with one or two prior lines of therapy, International Staging System stage III disease, high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, and prior bortezomib treatment. The most common (≥ 10%) grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events with D-Vd versus Vd were thrombocytopenia (46.1% v 32.9%), anemia (16.0% v 16.0%), neutropenia (13.6% v 4.6%), lymphopenia (10.3% v 2.5%), and pneumonia (10.7% v 10.1%). CONCLUSION: D-Vd significantly prolonged OS in patients with RRMM, with the greatest OS benefit observed in patients with one prior line of therapy. To our knowledge, our results, together with the OS benefit observed with daratumumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone in the phase III POLLUX study, demonstrate for the first time an OS benefit with daratumumab-containing regimens in RRMM (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02136134 [CASTOR]).

Clinical outcomes in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia with disease progression on ibrutinib.

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with disease progression on ibrutinib have worse outcomes compared to patients stopping ibrutinib due to toxicity. A better understanding of expected outcomes in these patients is necessary to establish a benchmark for evaluating novel agents currently available and in development. We evaluated outcomes of 144 patients with CLL treated at Mayo Clinic with 2018 iwCLL disease progression on ibrutinib. The median overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort was 25.5 months; it was 29.8 months and 8.3 months among patients with CLL progression (n = 104) and Richter transformation (n = 38), respectively. Longer OS was observed among patients with CLL progression who had received ibrutinib in the frontline compared to relapsed/refractory setting (not reached versus 28.5 months; p = 0.04), but was similar amongst patients treated with 1, 2, or ≥3 prior lines (18.5, 30.9, and 26.0 months, respectively, p = 0.24). Among patients with CLL disease progression on ibrutinib, OS was significantly longer when next-line treatment was chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (median not reached) or venetoclax-based treatment (median 29.8 months) compared to other approved treatments, such as chemoimmunotherapy, phosphoinositide 3'-kinase inhibitors, and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (9.1 months; p = 0.03). These findings suggest an unmet need for this growing patient population.

Lisaftoclax (APG-2575) Is a Novel BCL-2 Inhibitor with Robust Antitumor Activity in Preclinical Models of Hematologic Malignancy.

PURPOSE: Development of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2)-specific inhibitors poses unique challenges in drug design because of BCL-2 homology domain 3 (BH3) shared homology between BCL-2 family members and the shallow surface of their protein-protein interactions. We report herein discovery and extensive preclinical investigation of lisaftoclax (APG-2575). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Computational modeling was used to design "lead" compounds. Biochemical binding, mitochondrial BH3 profiling, and cell-based viability or apoptosis assays were used to determine the selectivity and potency of BCL-2 inhibitor lisaftoclax. The antitumor effects of lisaftoclax were also evaluated in several xenograft models. RESULTS: Lisaftoclax selectively binds BCL-2 (Ki < 0.1 nmol/L), disrupts BCL-2:BIM complexes, and compromises mitochondrial outer membrane potential, culminating in BAX/BAK-dependent, caspase-mediated apoptosis. Lisaftoclax exerted strong antitumor activity in hematologic cancer cell lines and tumor cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, or Waldenström macroglobulinemia. After lisaftoclax treatment, prodeath proteins BCL-2‒like protein 11 (BIM) and Noxa increased, and BIM translocated from cytosol to mitochondria. Consistent with these apoptotic activities, lisaftoclax entered malignant cells rapidly, reached plateau in 2 hours, and significantly downregulated mitochondrial respiratory function and ATP production. Furthermore, lisaftoclax inhibited tumor growth in xenograft models, correlating with caspase activation, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 cleavage, and pharmacokinetics of the compound. Lisaftoclax combined with rituximab or bendamustine/rituximab enhanced antitumor activity in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that lisaftoclax is a novel, orally bioavailable BH3 mimetic BCL-2-selective inhibitor with considerable potential for the treatment of certain hematologic malignancies.

CD38 as a multifaceted immunotherapeutic target in CLL.

CD38 is a glycoprotein expressed on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells, which functions to amplify B-cell receptor signaling and regulate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolism. Increased CD38 expression on CLL cells is associated with an unfavorable disease course, resulting in shorter overall survival. While the role of CD38 as a negative prognostic marker in CLL has been established for over two decades, the therapeutic benefit to be derived by patients from its inhibition has, till date remained an unresolved subject. With the development of high-affinity anti-CD38 targeting drugs, tremendous insight has been gained on which functions of CD38 are detrimental to CLL cell survival as well as the mechanisms of leukemic cell death engaged by these anti-CD38 agents. The current review attempts to resolve how the enzyamtic and receptorial functions of CD38 contribute to CLL pathogenesis, our ability to exploit these functions for immunotherapeutic effect and development of novel strategies targeting CD38.

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma, Version 3.2022.

The treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) has significantly evolved in recent years. Targeted therapy with Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors and BCL-2 inhibitors has emerged as an effective chemotherapy-free option for patients with previously untreated or relapsed/refractory CLL/SLL. Undetectable minimal residual disease after the end of treatment is emerging as an important predictor of progression-free and overall survival for patients treated with fixed-duration BCL-2 inhibitor-based treatment. These NCCN Guidelines Insights discuss the updates to the NCCN Guidelines for CLL/SLL specific to the use of chemotherapy-free treatment options for patients with treatment-naïve and relapsed/refractory disease.

Ibrutinib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma: Phase I trial results.

Therapeutic strategies that target novel pathways are urgently needed for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Ibrutinib is an oral covalent inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase, which is overexpressed in MM cells. This phase 1 dose-escalation study examined various doses of ibrutinib in combination with standard doses of lenalidomide (25 mg) and dexamethasone (40 mg) using a standard 3 + 3 design in RRMM patients. The primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of ibrutinib in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone. Patients (n = 15) had received a median of 4 prior regimens, 53% were triple-class exposed, 33% were penta-exposed, and 54% were lenalidomide-refractory. The MTD of ibrutinib was 840 mg (n = 6) and only 1 dose-limiting toxicity; a grade 3 rash possibly related to ibrutinib was noted. The most common ≥ grade 3 adverse events were rash in 2 (13%), lymphopenia in 2 (13%), leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia all occurring in 3 (20%) patients each. One patient achieved a partial response for an overall response rate of 7%. The clinical benefit rate was 80%. The median time to progression was 3.8 months. Ibrutinib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone appears to be a safe and well-tolerated regimen with reasonable efficacy in heavily pretreated RRMM patients.