Continued monoclonal protein response beyond day 100 after auto-transplantation for multiple myeloma.

Abstract

8587 Background: Patients (pts) undergoing an auto-transplant (ASCT) for multiple myeloma (MM) have disease assessment approximately 100 days later. This result may direct decisions of further therapy versus observation. However, some pts continue to experience a decline in their serum or urine monoclonal (M) - protein after day 100 without more therapy. Little is known about the prevalence and significance of this phenomenon. Methods: We identified 903 MM pts who underwent ASCT within 12 months (mos) of diagnosis (Dx) at our institution. Their day 100 post-ASCT M-protein from serum and urine electrophoresis with immunofixation as well as serum free light chains were compared to subsequent values during follow-up. The IMWG criteria were used to evaluate response. Results: Of the pts included, 510 (56%) were male and median age at ASCT was 59 (range 28-76). Median follow up from Dx and ASCT was 82 mos (95% CI; 75 - 86) and 74 mos (95% CI; 70 - 79) respectively. There were 453 (50%) pts seen in follow-up who had not achieved a CR at Day 100 nor initiated on maintenance therapy. Of these pts, 167 (37%) had a further decrease in their M-protein after day 100 at a median of 9.4 mos (95% CI; 8 – 10) post-ASCT. Given the time taken for maximal response, we assessed patients’ clinical response at one year post-ASCT. Compared to patients who did not have further clinical response between day 100 and 1 year, pts experiencing further response had a longer time to next therapy (TTNT) (43 mos vs. 17 mos, P < 0.001) as well as overall survival (OS) (96 mos vs. 62 mos, P < 0.001). Positive predictors for continued response included having an IgG isotype, evolution from a pre-existing MGUS, smoldering myeloma or solitary plasmacytoma and a Day 100 bone marrow plasma cell < 3%. In a multivariate analysis, elevated creatinine at Dx and lack of continued response predicted for shorter TTNT and OS post-ASCT. Older age and high-risk MM by FISH also predicted a shorter OS. Conclusions: In MM pts undergoing ASCT, continued M - protein response was seen in a third of the pts lacking a CR at day 100. This phenomenon appears prognostic and must be considered when interpreting studies evaluating post-ASCT response and the need for further therapy.