Prognostic value of the "dynamic" R2-ISS in patients with multiple myeloma undergoing anti-CD38 antibody-based triplet therapies.

To retrospectively analyze whether the second revision of the international staging system (R2-ISS) influenced prognosis at treatment initiation in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) receiving anti-CD38 antibody-based triplet treatments. High-risk chromosomal abnormalities were examined from diagnosis to treatment initiation and considered positive if detected once. R2-ISS was recalculated at the initiation of treatment and defined as "dynamic R2-ISS." Data from 150 patients who underwent the defined treatments were analyzed. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 19.5 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 36.5 months. Dynamic R2-ISS significantly stratified prognoses for both PFS and OS. The median PFS for patients with dynamic R2-ISS IV was 3.3 months, and the median OS was 11.7 months, indicating extremely poor outcomes. Although the Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) calculated at the initiation of treatment significantly stratified treatment outcomes, the patients classified as R-ISS could be further stratified by R2-ISS to provide better prognostic information. Dynamic R2-ISS showed potential as a prognostic tool in patients with MM who are treated with anti-CD38 antibody-based triplet therapies.

Cytomegalovirus Reactivation during Elotuzumab Therapy in Patients with Multiple Myeloma.

INTRODUCTION: Some treatments are associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation (CMVRA) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, no reports exist on the association between elotuzumab and CMVRA. Therefore, we assessed the incidence of CMVRA in patients with MM who received elotuzumab therapy. METHODS: The medical records of 85 patients who underwent elotuzumab therapy were included in the retrospective analysis for CMV positivity. RESULTS: Thirty patients were tested for CMV antigenemia during elotuzumab therapy, and 16 were positive for CMV antigenemia; the cumulative incidence rate of CMVRA 6 months after elotuzumab initiation was 18.4%. The history of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) was significantly more common in the CMVRA group (31.2%) than that of the group without CMVRA (8.7%). However, even among patients who did not undergo allo-HSCT, the cumulative incidence rate of CMVRA at 6 months was 15.1%. During CMVRA, the symptoms included fever in 8 cases, while retinitis was observed in 1 case. Five patients required antiviral therapy and CMV antigenemia resolved in all but 1 case. CONCLUSION: Although the patient population was heterogeneous, CMVRA cannot be underestimated during elotuzumab therapy, and evaluation of CMVRA, especially in symptomatic cases, is clinically important.

[Retrospective analysis of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma after myeloablative conditioning with 8 Gy of total body irradiation].

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is a curative treatment option for multiple myeloma (MM), but few patients are eligible due to its high risk of treatment-related toxicity and relapse. Here, we report the feasibility and efficacy of allo-SCT after myeloablative conditioning with 8 Gy of total body irradiation (TBI) for reducing relapse of MM. We retrospectively analyzed data from 30 consecutive patients who received allo-SCT for MM after 8 Gy of TBI at Japanese Red Cross Medical Center between 2012 and 2021. Median age at allo-SCT was 47 (range 31-61) years. Stem-cell sources were peripheral blood from an HLA-matched related donor (MRD, n=5), bone marrow from an HLA-matched unrelated donor (MUD, n=5), bone marrow from an HLA-mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD, n=13), and cord blood (n=7). All patients received conditioning with 8 Gy of TBI combined with Flu/Mel (n=28) or others (n=2). Five-year PFS and 5-year OS were 36.7% and 46.2%, respectively. Sixteen patients died during the observation period (12 of primary disease and 4 of treatment-related toxicity). Patients with VGPR or better before allo-SCT had significantly better PFS (p=0.009) and OS (p=0.01) than others. Patients who received MMUD cells tended to have better PFS than those with other cell sources. Our report showed that allo-SCT for MM after 8 Gy of TBI is feasible, and the better PFS of MMUD suggests graft-versus-myeloma effects.

Real-world clinical outcomes in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma receiving VTD-PACE treatment in the era of monoclonal antibodies.

Bortezomib (Velcade), thalidomide, dexamethasone, platinum (cisplatin), adriamycin (doxorubicin), cyclophosphamide, and etoposide (VTD-PACE) are commonly used as salvage treatment for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). However, its outcomes in the era of monoclonal antibodies remain unclear. Therefore, this retrospective cohort study assessed the clinical outcomes of 60 patients with RRMM (median four prior treatment lines) administered VTD-PACE. The median follow-up period was 11.1 months, during which they received a median of two cycles of VTD-PACE. The overall response rate (ORR) was 66.7%; ORRs of 53.1 and 82.1% were noted in patients with ≥ 4 and ≤ 3 prior lines (P = 0.027), respectively. The median overall survival (OS) was 17 months, with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 9.8 months. Using the 3-month time point after VTD-PACE treatment as a landmark, 54 patients were still alive. Landmark analysis was conducted for PFS and OS of patients who received or did not receive HSCT or CART after VTD-PACE treatment. Patients who underwent subsequent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CART) following VTD-PACE showed a trend of longer PFS and OS than those who did not undergo subsequent HSCT or CART. The median OS in patients with and without renal dysfunction was 10.7 months and 21.5 months, respectively (P = 0.0091). Therefore, VTD-PACE is useful as a bridging therapy for HSCT or CART, as a response can be expected regardless of organ damage, disease risk, or history of anti-CD38 antibody use.

Real-world clinical outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma treated with isatuximab after daratumumab treatment.

Isatuximab and daratumumab are anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies used to treat refractory multiple myeloma. Isatuximab is often used after unsuccessful daratumumab treatment; however, the clinical benefits of receiving isatuximab after daratumumab treatment have not been fully evaluated. Therefore, this retrospective cohort study assessed the clinical outcomes of 39 patients with multiple myeloma who were administered isatuximab after daratumumab. The median follow-up period was 8.7 months (range 0.1-25.0 months). The overall response rate was 46.2% (18 patients). The 1-year overall survival was 53.9%, with a median progression-free survival of 5.6 months. The median progression-free survival in patients with high and normal lactate dehydrogenase levels was 4.5 and 9.6 months, respectively (P = 0.004). The median progression-free survival in patients with and without triple-class refractory disease was 5.1 months and not reached, respectively (P = 0.001). The median overall survival in patients with high and normal lactate dehydrogenase levels was not reached and 9.3 months, respectively (P = 0.001). The median overall survival in patients with and without triple-class refractory disease was 9.9 months and not reached, respectively (P = 0.038). Our findings provide insight into the optimal use and timing of anti-CD38 antibody therapy.

[Acute myeloid leukemia with t (8;21) translocation diagnosed at 21 weeks of gestation resulting in full-term delivery without chemotherapy].

A 28-year-old female was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) due to t (8;21) (q22;q22.1); RUNX1-RUNX1T1 at 21 weeks of gestation. Because no adverse prognostic genetic mutations were discovered, we decided to continue the pregnancy without chemotherapy for as long as possible. After careful monitoring with blood tests every two weeks, the disease did not progress until full-term, and a cesarean section was performed at 39 weeks of gestation. About two months after delivery, blasts in the peripheral blood increased to 46.5%, and myeloblasts in the bone marrow increased to 21.2%. The patient received idarubicin and cytarabine induction therapy, followed by three cycles of high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy, and complete remission was maintained. Here we report a rare case who could avoid chemotherapy until full-term labor without progression of AML.

[A retrospective analysis of 124 patients with multiple myeloma who received up-front autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation following triplet induction therapy].

The IFM/DFCI group reported that VRD induction followed by up-front autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and maintenance therapy led to median PFS of 50 months, which established up-front ASCT as the standard of care even in the era of novel agents. We conducted a retrospective analysis on outcomes of patients who received triplet induction therapy followed by up-front ASCT at our institution. A total of 124 patients received ASCT between November 2016 and December 2021 at Japanese Red Cross Medical Center. Patient characteristics, treatment response before and after ASCT, and PFS and OS were retrospectively analyzed. VRD-based induction therapy was used for 94%. Among 118 evaluable patients, 116 (98%) received either consolidation and/or maintenance therapy. Best responses were ≥CR 77% and ≥VGPR 94%, respectively. Sixty-eight out of 104 patients achieved MRD-negativity by multiparameter FCM (<10-5). Five-year estimated PFS and OS were 54.7% and 80.2%, respectively. Age ≥65, high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, and

Prognostic impact of circulating tumor DNA status post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in AML and MDS.

This study was performed to assess the utility of tumor-derived fragmentary DNA, or circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), for identifying high-risk patients for relapse of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (AML/MDS) after undergoing myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). We retrospectively collected tumor and available matched serum samples at diagnosis and 1 and 3 months post-alloSCT from 53 patients with AML/MDS. After identifying driver mutations in 51 patients using next-generation sequencing, we designed at least 1 personalized digital polymerase chain reaction assay per case. Diagnostic ctDNA and matched tumor DNA exhibited excellent correlations with variant allele frequencies. Sixteen patients relapsed after a median of 7 months post-alloSCT. Both mutation persistence (MP) in bone marrow (BM) at 1 and 3 months post-alloSCT and corresponding ctDNA persistence (CP) in the matched serum (MP1 and MP3; CP1 and CP3, respectively) were comparably associated with higher 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) rates (MP1 vs non-MP1, 72.9% vs 13.8% [P = .0012]; CP1 vs non-CP1, 65.6% vs 9.0% [P = .0002]; MP3 vs non-MP3, 80% vs 11.6% [P = .0002]; CP3 vs non-CP3, 71.4% vs 8.4% [P < .0001]). We subsequently evaluated whether subset analysis of patients with 3 genes associated with clonal hematopoiesis, DNMT3A, TET2, and ASXL1 (DTA), could also be helpful in relapse prediction. As a result, CP based on DTA gene mutations also had the prognostic effect on CIR. These results, for the first time, support the utility of ctDNA as a noninvasive prognostic biomarker in patients with AML/MDS undergoing alloSCT.

Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis during pregnancy.

An 11-week pregnant, 32-year-old Japanese woman who had recovered from infectious mononucleosis visited our center due to fever, anorexia, and bilateral hypochondrial pain. Blood tests revealed leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and elevated ferritin. She was diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). A high viral load of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was recognized, indicating EBV-HLH. She was treated with a single dose of dexamethasone to protect the fetus. However, the disease was uncontrollable, necessitating etoposide and cyclosporine administration. Remission was obtained with these medications, and she has remained in remission for the 10 months since completion of chemotherapy. Although the occurrence of EBV-HLH during pregnancy is rare, it is possible that a change in cellular immunity associated with the pregnancy may contribute to EBV-HLH development.

[IgE-κ type multiple myeloma achieving complete response with novel agents].

IgE multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare subtype of MM characterized by an aggressive and poor prognosis. Although novel agents have improved the prognosis of MM, there are few case reports of IgE MM treated with these agents. A 53-year-old male patient presented with pain in the right rib and was diagnosed with IgE-κ MM. He was treated with multidrug chemotherapy, including bortezomib and lenalidomide, and underwent autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT). Finally, he achieved a complete response after the initiation of pomalidomide. In previous reports, majority of patients with refractory IgE MM treated with novel agents had a poor prognosis. In contrast, patients who were treated with novel agents from the beginning and underwent ASCT had a long-term survival. Overall, the use of novel agents as the first-line therapy is expected to improve IgE MM prognosis.

Structural basis for Arf6-MKLP1 complex formation on the Flemming body responsible for cytokinesis.

A small GTPase, Arf6, is involved in cytokinesis by localizing to the Flemming body (the midbody). However, it remains unknown how Arf6 contributes to cytokinesis. Here, we demonstrate that Arf6 directly interacts with mitotic kinesin-like protein 1 (MKLP1), a Flemming body-localizing protein essential for cytokinesis. The crystal structure of the Arf6-MKLP1 complex reveals that MKLP1 forms a homodimer flanked by two Arf6 molecules, forming a 2:2 heterotetramer containing an extended ß-sheet composed of 22 ß-strands that spans the entire heterotetramer, suitable for interaction with a concave membrane surface at the cleavage furrow. We show that, during cytokinesis, Arf6 is first accumulated around the cleavage furrow and, prior to abscission, recruited onto the Flemming body via interaction with MKLP1. We also show by structure-based mutagenesis and siRNA-mediated knockdowns that the complex formation is required for completion of cytokinesis. A model based on these results suggests that the Arf6-MKLP1 complex plays a crucial role in cytokinesis by connecting the microtubule bundle and membranes at the cleavage plane.

Cytomegalovirus infection during daratumumab therapy in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

The introduction of daratumumab has improved treatment outcomes for multiple myeloma (MM). However, infectious complications are a concern in patients receiving daratumumab. Although some reports have explored the association between daratumumab and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, most of these have focused on relapsed or refractory cases, and few describe patients with newly diagnosed MM (NDMM). In this study, we retrospectively analyzed CMV infections in 53 patients with NDMM who received daratumumab as induction therapy. CMV infection was defined as CMV antigenemia positivity. The median age at treatment initiation was 71 years (range, 50-82 years), and 50.9% of the patients were female. The median duration of daratumumab administration was 10.0 months (range, 0.3-63.8 months). Nine patients developed CMV infection, and the cumulative incidence rate at six months was 18.1% (95% confidence interval: 8.9-30.1%). One patient experienced CMV retinitis and required antiviral therapy, while the remaining eight patients did not require treatment and could be managed through observation. Few cases of CMV infection during daratumumab treatment for NDMM required treatment. However, the incidence of CMV infection was not negligible, suggesting that regular monitoring for CMV is worth considering to ensure more appropriate management during daratumumab treatment.

Explainable AI for Estimating Pathogenicity of Genetic Variants Using Large-Scale Knowledge Graphs.

BACKGROUND: To treat diseases caused by genetic variants, it is necessary to identify disease-causing variants in patients. However, since there are a large number of disease-causing variants, the application of AI is required. We propose AI to solve this problem and report the results of its application in identifying disease-causing variants. METHODS: To assist physicians in their task of identifying disease-causing variants, we propose an explainable AI (XAI) that combines high estimation accuracy with explainability using a knowledge graph. We integrated databases for genomic medicine and constructed a large knowledge graph that was used to achieve the XAI. RESULTS: We compared our XAI with random forests and decision trees. CONCLUSION: We propose an XAI that uses knowledge graphs for explanation. The proposed method achieves high estimation performance and explainability. This will support the promotion of genomic medicine.

Real-World Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Multiple Myeloma Administered With Elotuzumab-Based Treatment.

Objective Elotuzumab is used to treat relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (MM). However, the optimal patient selection and sequencing in MM therapy are less clear. Therefore, this retrospective cohort study assessed the clinical outcomes of patients with MM who underwent elotuzumab-based therapy. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 85 patients with relapsed/refractory MM who received elotuzumab for the first time. Participants were divided into progressive disease (PD group) and those without PD (non-PD group) at elotuzumab treatment initiation, and each group was analyzed separately. Survival rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared using log-rank tests. Results The median follow-up period was 33.6 (range: 0.5-72.0) months. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of PD and non-PD groups at elotuzumab therapy initiation were 5.3 months and not reached (NR), respectively (P < 0.0001), and 26.8 months and NR, respectively. Patients with triple-class refractory disease in both groups had worse PFS and OS. Twenty-one patients in the non-PD group received elotuzumab as post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, whose PFS and OS were NR (95% CI, 21.4 months-NR) and NR (95% CI, NR-NR), respectively. Conclusions Elotuzumab exhibited limited therapeutic efficacy in patients with triple-class refractory MM but better treatment outcomes in situations with adequate disease control and post-transplant treatment.

Distinct roles of Rab11 and Arf6 in the regulation of Rab11-FIP3/arfophilin-1 localization in mitotic cells.

Rab11 family interacting protein 3/arfophilin-1 is a dual effector of Rab11 and Arf6 and exhibits Rab11-dependent localization to recycling endosomes in interphase. Furthermore, FIP3 undergoes dynamic redistribution to the intercellular bridge during cytokinesis. However, regulation of FIP3 redistribution and its local function by Rab11 and Arf6 has remained controversial. In this study, we developed a procedure for detecting endogenous FIP3, Arf6, and Rab11 and determined that FIP3 is localized near the intercellular bridge during cytokinesis, and to the Flemming body (the midbody) immediately before abscission; Rab11 is localized near the intercellular bridge, but not to the Flemming body; and Arf6 is localized to the Flemming body. Time-lapse analyses showed that FIP3 is transported to the intercellular bridge during cytokinesis, together with Rab11; before abscission, FIP3 becomes localized to the Flemming body, where Arf6 is already present. After abscission, FIP3 and Arf6 are incorporated into one of the daughter cells as a Flemming body remnant. Based on these observations, we propose that FIP3 localization to recycling endosomes in interphase and their transport to the intercellular bridge during cytokinesis depend on Rab11, and targeting of FIP3-positive endosomal vesicles to the Flemming body in the abscission phase depends on Arf6.

Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction with Specific Primers for Mucorales in the Serum of Patients with Hematological Malignancies.

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic infection occurring in immunocompromised hosts with hematological malignancies. Mortality due to mucormycosis in patients with hematological malignancies is high. However, the clinical symptoms of mucormycosis are poorly characterized, and diagnosis is difficult due to the lack of specific culture or serological markers or antigens. We present two cases in which nested polymerase chain reaction with specific primers was used in the serum of patients with hematological malignancies.

Recruitment of Tom1L1/Srcasm to endosomes and the midbody by Tsg101.

Tom1 (target of Myb 1) and its related proteins (Tom1L1/Srcasm and Tom1L2) constitute a protein family, which share an N-terminal VHS (Vps27, Hrs and STAM) domain and a following GAT (GGA and Tom1) domain. Tom1L1 has potential binding sequences for Tsg101, which is one of key regulators of the multivesicular body (MVB) formation. To obtain a clue to the role of Tom1L1 in the MVB formation, we have characterized the Tom1L1-Tsg101 interaction. We have found that not only the PTAP sequence in the GAT domain but also the PSAP sequence in the C-terminal region of Tom1L1 is responsible for its interaction with the UEV domain of Tsg101 and competes with the HIV-1 Gag protein for the Tsg101 interaction. Furthermore, we show that, by means of Tsg101, Tom1L1 associates with the midbody during cytokinesis as well as endosomes. Taken into account the topological equivalency among the events of the MVB formation, viral egress from the cell, and cytokinesis, the data obtained here suggest that Tom1L1 is implicated in these three distinct cellular processes.