Impact of the changing landscape of induction therapy prior to autologous stem cell transplantation in 540 newly diagnosed myeloma patients: a retrospective real-world study.

INTRODUCTION: Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard treatment for younger patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). However, due to restrictive exclusion criteria, more than half of eligible patients are usually excluded from transplant studies. METHODS: This retrospective monocentric analysis included 540 patients with MM who received an ASCT between 1996 and 2019. RESULTS: Up to 2005, induction therapy consisted mainly of conventional chemotherapies, e.g. vincristine/doxorubicin/dexamethasone (VAD). In the following years, the triple-combinations based on bortezomib coupled with doxorubicin/dexamethasone (PAD), melphalan/prednisolone (VMP), cyclophposphamide/dexamethasone (VCD) or bendamustine/prednisolone (BPV) became the most popular treatment options. A progressive improvement in PFS was observed in patients treated with the two current induction therapies BPV (47 months) or VCD (54 months) compared to VAD (35 months, p < 0.03), PAD (39 months, p < 0.01 and VMP (36 months, p < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in median OS (VAD 78, PAD 74, VMP 72, BPV 80 months and VCD not reached). In our analysis, we also included 139 patients who do fulfill at least one of the exclusion criteria for most phase 3 transplant studies (POEMS/amyloidosis/plasma cell leukemia, eGFR < 40 mL/min, severe cardiac dysfunction or poor general condition). Outcome for these patients was not significantly inferior compared to patients who met the inclusion criteria for most of the transplant studies with PFS of 36 vs 41 months (p = 0.78) and OS of 78 vs 79 months (p = 0.34). CONCLUSIONS: Our real-world data in unselected pts also stress the substantial value of ASCT during the first-line treatment of younger MM pts.

Prognostic impact of rapid reduction of involved free light chains in multiple myeloma patients under first-line treatment with Bendamustine, Prednisone, and Bortezomib (BPV).

INTRODUCTION: Light chain involvement is observed in almost every patient (pt) with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Owing to a relatively short half-life, rapid reduction in the involved free light chain (iFLC) is of potential prognostic value. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 92 pts with newly diagnosed MM treated with bendamustine, prednisone, and bortezomib (BPV). RESULTS: After a median number of two (range 1-5) BPV cycles, the majority of pts (n = 86; 93%) responded with either sCR (n = 21), CR (n = 1), nCR (n = 25), VGPR (n = 20), or PR (n = 19). PFS and OS at 48 months were 39% and 67%, respectively. At baseline, 79 out of 92 pts (86%) had iFLC levels above the upper standard level and an abnormal ratio of involved to uninvolved free light chain ≥ 8. In a subgroup analysis of these pts, we evaluated the prognostic importance of an early reduction of the iFLC during the first two BPV cycles. A reduction ≥ 50% of the iFLC on day 8 of the first cycle was observed in 31 of 69 pts. These pts had a significantly better median PFS of 49 months as compared to 20 months in 38 pts with a lower iFLC reduction (p = 0.002). In contrast, OS did not differ significantly with a 48 months survival of 77% vs 69% (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a rapid decrease in the iFLC on day 8 is an early prognostic marker for newly diagnosed MM pts undergoing BPV treatment.

Lenalidomide in combination with bendamustine and prednisolone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: results of a phase 2 clinical trial (OSHO-#077).

INTRODUCTION: While lenalidomide monotherapy is established for relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (MM) treatment, combination therapies including lenalidomide are still under investigation in a number of phase 2/3 studies. In the current study, a treatment regime of lenalidomide (Revlimid®), bendamustine and prednisolone (RBP) was tested in patients with relapsed/refractory MM. METHODS: In the previously completed phase 1 study RBP with a dose of 75 mg/m2 bendamustine days 1-2, prednisolone 100 mg days 1-4 and 25 mg lenalidomide days 1-21 was well tolerated. RESULTS: Between July 2011 and September 2013, 25 patients were included in this analysis. The median number of previous treatments was 1 (range 1-2). Twenty-two patients (88%) responded after at least two cycles of RBP (one sCR, five nCR, eight VGPR and eight PR). The median time to first haematological response was 28 days, and median time to best response was 56 days. Due to increased haematological toxicity a dose reduction in most patients required in subsequent cycles of therapy. The median progression-free and overall survival was 22 and 38 months, respectively. In conclusion RBP is a highly effective therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory MM. In contrast to our phase 1 study, dose reduction was necessary in many patients because of haematological toxicity.

Successful treatment of patients with newly diagnosed/untreated light chain multiple myeloma with a combination of bendamustine, prednisone and bortezomib (BPV).

INTRODUCTION: Patients with light chain myeloma frequently have a light chain tubular cast nephropathy, which can lead to severe renal impairment. In the present retrospective study, bortezomib was combined with other active substances like bendamustine and prednisone (BPV), in order to assess the efficacy and toxicity of the combination therapy in patients with light chain multiple myeloma. METHODS: Between September 2008 and May 2015, 25 patients with newly diagnosed light chain multiple myeloma were treated with bendamustine 60 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2, bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8 and 11, and prednisone 100 mg on days 1, 2, 4, 8 and 11 once every 21 days (BPV). Prior to treatment, 4 patients (16%) had moderate renal dysfunction and 14 patients (56%) severe renal dysfunction or renal failure/dialysis. RESULTS: The median number of the BPV cycles was 2 (1-5). 24 patients (96%) responded with 4 stringent complete responses, 6 near-complete responses, 5 very good partial responses and 9 partial responses. The myeloma light chains decreased rapidly, reaching the best response after the first cycle in 9 and after the second cycle in additional 12 patients. 17 patients discontinued therapy after median 2 cycles of BPV treatment to receive autologous or allogeneic SCT. All together 12 of 18 patients with at least moderate renal failure improved their renal function. 3 of the 6 dialysis-dependent patients became dialysis-independent. With a median follow-up of 27 months, median progression-free survival and overall survival for patients at 30 months were 68 and 96%, respectively. The most common severe side effect was grade 3/4 leukocytopenia in 20% of the patients. Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia was observed in 12% of the patients. Moderate to severe infection were seen in six patients. We conclude that BPV is effective and well tolerated in patients with newly diagnosed/untreated light chain multiple myeloma.

Stem cell mobilization and autologous stem cell transplantation after pretreatment with bendamustine, prednisone and bortezomib (BPV) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

INTRODUCTION: Reliable information on stem cell toxicity and mobilization of stem cells for autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) after induction treatment with a combination of bendamustine, prednisone and bortezomib (BPV) is missing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of peripheral blood stem cell mobilization and autologous SCT was performed in 35 patients with MM who had received at least one cycle of a BPV-induction therapy consisting of bendamustine 60 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 2, bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2) on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 and prednisone 100 mg on days 1, 2, 4, 8 and 11 between October 2008 and May 2014. The mobilization regimen consisted of cyclophosphamide 4 g/m(2) and G-CSF (2 × 5 µg/kg). Apheresis was started as soon as peripheral CD34(+) counts exceeded 20 × 10(6)/L with a harvest target of 8 × 10(6) CD34(+)/kg. The minimal accepted target was 2 × 10(6) CD34(+)/kg. The transplantation conditioning therapy consisted of melphalan 200 mg/m(2). RESULTS: A median number of two (range 1-5) BPV cycles were given. The majority of patients (n = 31, 89 %) responded with two sCR, five nCR, 11 VGPR and 13 PR after BPV induction. Three patients had MR, and one SD. Stem cell mobilization and harvest were successful in all patients. In 19 of 35 patients (54 %), a single apheresis was sufficient to reach the target. The median number of aphereses was one (range 1-4), and the median CD34(+) cell-count/kg was 13.5 (range 3.2-33.1)  × 106. All patients received an autologous SCT. Engraftment was successful in 34 of 35 patients. The median time to a leukocyte count >l × 10(9)/L was 11 days, and the time to untransfused platelet count of >50 × 10(9)/L was 13 days. Thirty-four patients (97 %) responded after the autologous SCT with 11 sCR, two CR, seven nCR, seven VGPR and seven PR. The progression-free survival at 18 months was 87 %, and overall survival was 92 %. CONCLUSION: Stem cell mobilization and autologous SCT are feasible in MM patients who have received BPV-induction therapy .

Bendamustine and prednisone in combination with bortezomib (BPV) in the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed/untreated multiple myeloma.

INTRODUCTION: Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor that has shown important clinical efficacy either as a single agent or in combination in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). In the present protocol, bortezomib was combined with bendamustine and prednisone, in order to assess the efficacy and safety of this combination therapy in patients with newly diagnosed/untreated MM. METHODS: Between June 2006 and October 2013, 49 patients with newly diagnosed/untreated MM were treated with bendamustine 60 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 2, bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2) on days 1, 4, 8 and 11, and prednisone 100 mg on days 1, 2, 4, 8 and 11 bendamustine, prednisone and bortezomib (BPV) once every 21 days. Patients were divided into three groups: group A (n = 19) consisted of patients with normal renal function or mild dysfunction (eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min), group B (n = 15) patients with moderate or severe renal dysfunction (eGFR 15-59 ml/min) and group C (n = 15) patients with renal failure/dialysis (eGFR <15 ml/min). RESULTS: A median number of two (range 1-5) BPV treatment cycles were given to the patients. The majority of the patients (n = 40, 82 %) responded after at least one cycle of BPV therapy with five stringent complete responses (CRs), nine near complete responses, 12 very good partial responses and 14 partial responses. Five patients had MR, three stable and one progressive disease. After a median observation time of 13 months, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) at 12 months were 92 and 94 %, respectively, for patients with normal renal function or mild renal dysfunction (group A) and 83 and 93 %, respectively, for patients with moderate or severe renal dysfunction (group B). Outcome for these patients was slightly better but not statistically significantly better than that for patients with renal failure/dialysis (group C), who had a PFS, and OS of 66 % (p = 0.08) and 73 % (p = 0.05), respectively. These results indicate that this BPV combination is feasible, effective and well tolerated in patients with newly diagnosed MM and normal or impaired renal function.

Lenalidomide, bendamustine and prednisolone exhibits a favourable safety and efficacy profile in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: final results of a phase 1 clinical trial OSHO - #077.

This phase 1 dose finding study tested a combination of lenalidomide, bendamustine and prednisolone (RBP) in 21 patients in five cohorts with advanced multiple relasped/refractory myeloma (MM) to determine the maximum tolerable dose (MTD) of the combination. The first cohort received a starting dose of lenalidomide 10 mg/d, days 1-21, bendamustine 60 mg/m(2) /d, days 1-2, and prednisolone 100 mg/d, days 1-4. Dose escalation was done in cohorts of three to six patients with lenalidomide dose increasing to 15, 20 and 25 mg, and after reaching 25 mg/d, bendamustine was increased to 75 mg/m(2) . A total of 21 patients were enrolled and all completed at least two cycles. Two patients developed dose-limiting haemotoxicity: one patient on lenalidomide 25 mg/d and bendamustine 60 mg/m(2) and another patient at the highest dose level (lenalidomide 25 mg/d and bendamustine 75 mg/m(2) ). The MTD was not reached. Sixteen patients (76%) responded after at least two cycles of RBP with one stringent complete response (CR), one near CR, five very good partial response and nine partial response. After a median observation time of 16 months, progression-free survival at 18 months was 48% and overall survival was 64%. In conclusion, RBP with lenalidomide 25 mg/d, days 1-21 and bendamustine 75 mg/m(2) days 1-2 is well tolerated in patients with relapsed/refractory MM.

Combined bendamustine, prednisone and bortezomib (BPV) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

INTRODUCTION: Bortezomib (Velcade) is a proteasome inhibitor that has shown important clinical efficacy either as a single agent or in combination with other cytostatic agents in multiple myeloma (MM). In the present protocol, bortezomib was combined with other active substances like bendamustine and prednisone (BPV), in order to assess the efficacy and toxicity of the combination therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory MM. METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2011, 78 patients with relapsed or refractory MM were treated with bendamustine 60 (-120) mg/m(2) on days 1 and 2, bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2) on days 1, 4, 8 and 11, and prednisone 100 mg on days 1, 2, 4, 8 and 11. The median number of prior therapies was 2 with a wide range of 1-9. Thirty-three patients had pre-existing severe thrombocytopenia and/or neutropenia (WHO grade 3 or 4). RESULTS: A median number of two (range 1-7) BPV treatment cycles were given to the patients. The majority of the patients (n = 54; 69 %) responded after at least one cycle of chemotherapy with 3 CR, 10 nCR, 10 VGPR and 31 PR. Median PFS and OS for patients without severe hematological toxicities due to previous treatments (n = 45) were 11 and 50 months, respectively. Outcome for these patients was significantly better than that for patients with severe hematological toxicities (grade 3 or 4, n = 33) with a PFS, and OS of 3 months (p < 0.05) and 5 months (p < 0.001), respectively. The regimen was well tolerated with few significant side effects in patients without severe hematological toxicities due to previous treatments. These results indicate that the combination of bortezomib, bendamustine and prednisone is well tolerated in patients with relapsed or refractory MM.

Successful treatment of patients with newly diagnosed/untreated multiple myeloma and advanced renal failure using bortezomib in combination with bendamustine and prednisone.

PURPOSE: Renal failure is a frequent complication of multiple myeloma (MM) and, if present at diagnosis, a considerable risk factor for outcome. Treatment with chemotherapy and/or new agents may result in recovery of renal function in up to 50 % of patients. The window of opportunity to reverse renal impairment is, however, rather small, making an immediate and highly active treatment strategy mandatory. Bortezomib as well as bendamustine has been demonstrated to be potent drugs in the treatment of MM. METHODS: A total of 18 patients with newly diagnosed/untreated MM and renal insufficiency (GFR < 35 ml/min) were treated with bendamustine, prednisone, and bortezomib (BPV). RESULTS: The majority of them (n = 15; 83 %) responded after at least one cycle of chemotherapy with three sCR, five nCR, five VGPR, and two PR. With a median follow-up of 17 months, PFS at 18 months was 57 % and OS was 61 %. The myeloma protein decreased rapidly, reaching the best response after the first cycle in four and after the second cycle in additional seven patients. Thirteen patients (72 %) improved their renal function after treatment. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the combination of bortezomib, bendamustine, and prednisone is effective and well tolerated in patients with a newly diagnosed MM and renal failure.

Combined bendamustine, prednisolone and thalidomide for refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma after autologous stem-cell transplantation or conventional chemotherapy: results of a Phase I clinical trial.

Thalidomide is an effective agent for advanced refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma (MM), although dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) may limit its use. This Phase I study found that a combination of low-dose thalidomide with bendamustine and prednisolone (BPT) maintained or increased efficacy, whilst avoiding DLT in 28 patients with MM that was refractory or that had relapsed after conventional chemotherapy or high-dose therapy with stem-cell support. BPT comprised fixed doses of bendamustine (60 mg/m(2)) and prednisolone (100 mg), and escalating doses of thalidomide (50, 100, 200 mg). Treatment cycles were repeated every 28 d until the occurrence of maximum response, DLT, or disease progression. Twenty-four patients responded after at least two cycles (four complete remission, six very good partial remission, 14 partial remission). Median progression-free and overall survival for all patients was 11 and 19 months respectively. Only mild/moderate non-haematological side effects were observed and no patient developed dose-limiting haematotoxicity. Transient grade 3-4 neutropenia was reported in 12 patients, and grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia occurred in two patients. We conclude that BPT therapy was well tolerated in patients with relapsed or refractory MM, with a response rate higher than 80%. The maximum tolerated dose of thalidomide was not reached in this study.