Autologous Stem Cell Support Research Articles

Mosaic chromosomal alterations in hematopoietic cells and clinical outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma.

Mosaic chromosomal alterations (mCAs) in hematopoietic cells increase mortality and risk of hematological cancers and infections. We investigated the landscape of mCAs and their clinical consequences in 976 patients with multiple myeloma undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell support (ASCT) with median 6.4 years of follow-up. mCAs were detected in the stem cell harvest product of 158 patients (16.2%). Autosomal aberrations were found in 60 patients (6.1%) and affected all chromosomes. Loss of chromosome X was found in 51 females (12.7%) and loss of chromosome Y in 55 males (9.6%). Overall survival and progression were similar between carriers of autosomal mCAs and non-carriers. In contrast, female patients with loss of the X chromosome had longer overall survival (age-adjusted[a.a.] HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.32-0.93, p = 0.02), lower risk of progression (a.a. HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.35-0.87; p = 0.01), and better post-transplant response (higher degree of complete response (CR) or very good partial response (VGPR)). The reason for this substantial effect is unknown. Additionally, myeloma clones in the stem cell product was confirmed by mCA analysis in the few patients with multiple mCAs (n = 12 patients). Multiple mCAs conferred inferior overall survival (a.a. HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.02-3.84; p = 0.04) and higher risk of myeloma progression (a.a. HR 3.36, 95% CI 1.67-6.81; p < 0.001), which is presumed to be driven by suspected myeloma contaminants.

The Effect of Age on High-Dose Therapy with Autologous Stem Cell Support in Multiple Myeloma: A Single-Center Experience.

Background: This retrospective one-center study demonstrates the complications related to high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell support (HDT) and the survival of multiple myeloma (MM) patients according to age groups. Methods: We categorized the patients into two groups: those who were ≤65 years old (group 1) (N = 115) and those who were >65 years old (group 2) (N = 26). The mean duration of follow-up was 48 (1-125) months. Results: In group 2 patients, the use of a reduced dosage of melphalan (12 [46%] versus 30 [26%]) was more frequent in comparison to group 1 (p = 0.046). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the neutrophil engraftment days (p = 0.001) and the median progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.02). The PFS was 44 months for group 1 and 30 months for group 2. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in relation to the median duration of hospitalization, presence of bacteremia, intravenous antibiotic administration, and overall survival (OS). Conclusions: The study's results indicate that HDT is a reliable method of treatment for older patients with MM, provided that they obtain a suitable conditioning regimen and, furthermore, these patients achieved a comparable OS rate to that of younger patients.

Carfilzomib plus rituximab, ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide (C-RICE) led to higher response, OS, and PFS in patients with transplant-eligible relapsed or refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

7042 Background: The CORAL study highlighted the need to develop novel salvage regimens for R/Rr/r DLBCL previously treated with R+CHOP. Overall response rate (ORR) to second line immuno-chemotherapy was 51% with a 3-year progression free survival (PFS) of 30% following high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell support (HDC-ASCS). Optimal disease control (complete remission [CR] or partial remission [PR]) prior to HDC-ADCS and more recently to chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR T), correlates with improved outcomes. Dysregulation of Bcl-2 family members has been associated with acquired resistance to rituximab and chemotherapy which we have previously shown may be mitigated by co-treatment with proteasome inhibition in pre-clinical model. Subsequently, we conducted a Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of CRICE as salvage therapy for R/R DLBCL (Blood Adv. 2023 7:1146-1155). Methods: Here we retrospectively compared the clinical outcomes of R/R DLBCL patients treated with CRICE (N=28) versus RICE (N=38) on our prior clinical trial (NCT01959698). Demographic, clinical, and pathological characteristics were collected for both groups (Table). Study endpoints consisted of differences in overall response rate (ORR), CR/PR rates, median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between the two cohorts. Results: The addition of Carfilzomib to RICE resulted in improved clinical outcomes. A higher ORR (92.9 vs 76.3, P=0.073) and CR rates (82.1 vs. 44.7, P=0.002) were observed in CRICE vs. RICE treated patients. Multivariate analysis confirmed the higher CR rates in CRICE vs. RICE when adjusted by DLBCL subtype (GCB vs. nNon-GCB, P=0.003). More CRICE patients proceeded to HDC-ASCS (52.6% vs. 47.4%, P=0.618). The 3yr PFS rate was higher in CRICE (54%, 32-72%) vs. RICE treated patients (35%, 19-51%). While the median PFS was longer in CRICE treated patients 36.8m (0.8, 73.2) vs. 3.2m (0.5, 54.2) (RICE), it did not reach statistical significance (P=0.714). No differences in OS were observed between CRICE &amp; RICE patients, median OS 67.3m vs. 71.8m. Conclusions: The CRICE outcomes were more striking in patients with non-GCB r/r DLBCL (ORR 85%, mPFS and OS not reached). CRICE led to high CR rates and longer PFS among r/r DLBCL patients, especially in non-GCB DLBCL patients. CRICE could be an attractive regimen to achieve disease control in r/r DLBCL patients undergoing consolidation therapy with HDC-ASCT or CAR T-cell therapy. [Table: see text]

Steady-State Versus Chemotherapy-Based Stem Cell Mobilization in Multiple Myeloma: A Single-Center Study to Analyze Efficacy and Safety.

High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell support is recommended in the treatment of eligible multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of steady-state versus chemotherapy-based stem cell mobilization in our Hungarian patient population. The subjects were 210 MM patients who underwent stem cell mobilization procedure between 2018 and 2022. Solo granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was administered in 104 cases, while 106 patients received chemotherapy which was followed by G-CSF administration. We evaluated the ratio of successful mobilizations, the amount of collected stem cells, the incidence of infections and cost-effectivity in the two groups. In the steady-state group, there was a significantly higher need for plerixafor (45% vs. 13%, P < 0.001), unsuccessful stem cell mobilization was more frequent (11% vs. 3%, P = 0.024) and the mean amount of collected stem cells was lower (6.9 vs. 9.8 × 106, P < 0.001) than in the chemotherapy group. However, infections were less frequent (4% vs. 27%, P < 0.001) and the number of days spent in hospital was significantly lower (6 vs. 14 days, P < 0.001). Plerixafor was more frequently administered in those who had received lenalidomide or daratumumab than in those who had been treated with other regimens (41% vs. 23%, P = 0.007 and 78% vs. 23%, P < 0.001, respectively). Steady-state mobilization is a safe method; however, the higher rate of plerixafor administration and unsuccessful attempts may question its superiority to chemomobilization.

PSORIASIS COMBINED WITH SYSTEMIC AMYLOIDOSIS: CLINICAL OBSERVATION

Secondary amyloidosis is a frequent complication of chronic inflammatory processes. That is why comorbid conditions are possible in which the underlying disease is combined with systemic amyloidosis. Once started, secondary amyloidosis becomes an independent process that complicates the course of the underlying disease that caused it and often becomes the main cause of death of the patient. The aim is to present a case report of psoriasis combined with systemic amyloidosis. Material and methods. The material was a clinical case of psoriasis combined with AL-amyloidosis in a 36-year-old patient who was in a state of persistent clinical remission for 12 years after treatment with melphalan in combination with the introduction of autologous stem cells. From the biopsy material of a psoriatic plaque, we made paraffin sections with a thickness of 5 microns, which were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, or hematoxylin and Congo Red, or thioflavin and subjected to light, polarization and luminescence microscopy. Results. Amyloid deposits were found in the dermis of the patient's psoriatic plaque, which were detected by examining sections stained with Congo Red in polarized light and thioflavin under luminescent microscopy. Conclusions. Despite a persistent clinical remission of systemic AL-amyloidosis, comorbid to preceding psoriasis, obtained as a result of the use of a modern pathogenetic method for treating such conditions – a course of melphalan in combination with autologous stem cell support – amyloid deposits in the psoriatic duty plaque were found in the examined patient.

Assessment of Effectiveness and Adverse Effect of New Combination Chemotherapy (irinotecan, cisplatin, and dexamethasone) in Relapse and Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Background: Chemotherapy with Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, and Dacarbazine (ABVD regimen) cannot cure all patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and adverse effect of a new regimen consist Irinotecan, Cisplatin, and Dexamethasone (ICD) in relapsed and refractory Hodgkin lymphoma as the second to fifth line of treatment. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective study in 26 relapsed or refractory patients with Hodgkin lymphoma receiving at least the first-line chemotherapy regimen (ABVD) and (ICD) as salvage therapy in Thaleghany Hospital from 2012 to 2018. This regimen consisted of Irinotecan 65mg/m2 D1, D8, Cisplatin 30mg/m2 D1, D8, and dexamethasone 40mg D1, 2, 8, and 9 was administered every 3 weeks for 6 cycles. Treatment was discontinued in cases of disease progression or severe toxicity. Response to treatment was evaluated after two cycles. Patients with complete and partial remission were candidates for high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. Twenty-four patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of 22 patients was 31.5 (19-67) years. Seven patients (29.1%) were in the first recurrence, and 17 (70.8%) were in the second or subsequent recurrence. Results: According to this study, three patients (12.5%) had complete response, 13 (45%) had partial response, four (16.6%) had stable disease, and four (16.6%) had progressive disease. Nine patients (37.5%) received high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell support after ICD regimen. None of the cycles of chemotherapy were delayed due to treatment-related adverse event. Overall survival after six months in all patients was 91%, and mortality rate was 8.3% at the end of the study. Conclusion: The goal of salvage chemotherapy in relapsed or refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma is achieving CR or PR preparation patients for stabilization with BMT. Thus, we recommend ICD as one of the most effective protocols with overall response rate of 66% in this population.

17th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma, Palazzo dei Congressi, Lugano, Switzerland, 13 - 17 June, 2023.

Introduction: Peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are a rare, heterogeneous group of hematological malignancies with too often poor prognosis for almost all subtypes. The T-Cell Project (TCP; registered at clinicaltrials.gov identifier: 01142674) was a prospective cohort study aimed at better understanding clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with PTCL. Here we report the results of 10-year follow up, focused on late relapses and long term survival. Methods: The TCP started in September 2006 as a prospective registry of patients with mature PTCLs. Between December 2006 and March 2018, 1669 patients were registered and 1,553 patients were eligible in the study. Recently, a survey was launched asking for the willingness of the centers to provide long term follow up data. So far, out of 1,553 eligible patients, 713 were referred by Centers that provided information on long-term follow-up and have been included in the present analysis; 840 cases, referred by centers that did not participate to this long term survival analysis were excluded. However, both groups showed similar baseline characteristics and 5y OS (44% vs. 44%) and PFS (37% vs. 35%), thus minimizing selection biases Result: Out of these 713 patients, 255 patients (36%) had a diagnosis of PTCL NOS, 133 (19%) of AITL, 124 (17%) of ALCL ALK-, 62 (8%) of ACL ALK- and 13 (2%) of NKTCL. The median age at diagnosis was 56 years (range, 18–88 years), with a slight male predominance (55%). B symptoms were present in 44% and extranodal involvement in 56% of patients. Patients receiving chemotherapy alone and radiotherapy alone comprises 58% and 3% respectively; while the 18% received CHT+RT. Of evaluable patients, 60% received anthracycline-based chemotherapy, 24% anthracycline/etoposide and 12% etoposide alone. A minority (16%) of the total cohort underwent high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support as first-line consolidation. After a median follow-up of 82 months, 35 (12%) of patients had an event of progression or death beyond 5 years. The 5- and 10-year rates of both overall survival and progression-free have decreased from 44% and 40%, to 31% and 27%, respectively (Figure 1). For those patients alive at 5 years, the chance of surviving the subsequent 5 years was 83% (95% CI: 61–99). Furthermore, for patients progression free at 5 years the probability of being disease alive and free in the subsequent 5 years was 78% (95% CI: 60–96). Ten year OS and PFS rates for patients alive at 5 years were: 77% and 73% for PTCL NOS, 85% and 76% for AITL, 88% and 87% for ALCL ALK-, 100% and 100% for ALCL ALK+), and 78% and 80% (for NKTCL). Keyword: aggressive T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma No conflicts of interests pertinent to the abstract.

Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT) Improves Survival Outcome in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma (PCNSL) in a Minority Rich, Underserved Inner City Population in the Real-World Setting

Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) is rare and aggressive with distinct biological features and grim prognosis. Defining optimum treatment for PCNSL is challenging due to a dearth of randomized clinical trials. Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) (also referred to as high dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue) has been recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN®) as part of the treatment of PCNSL. There are no comprehensive studies of this disease and therapeutic modalities in real world settings. The aim of our study was to specifically compare the survival outcomes in patients receiving various induction and consolidation regimens used for the treatment of PCNSL. We sought to study patients with a primary diagnosis of primary CNS lymphoma, treated at our institution from June 2000 to April 2022. Fifty-three unique records of patients with PCNSL patients at Montefiore Medical Center/ Albert Einstein College of Medicine and 32 % (17) patients got ASCT. Mean age at diagnosis was 61 years. Baseline characteristics are in table 1. The most common induction regimen used was RMV (Rituximab, high dose Methotrexate and Vincristine) on 22 patients (41.5% of our cohort), other regimens used are in table 1. Whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) was used on 2 patients for induction. Consolidation was used in 35 patients (66%). The most common consolidation strategies were: 1) high dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support (ASCT) in 17 patients (32%); 2) WBRT in 12 patients (22.6%); 3) Cytarabine (AraC) in 4 patients (7.5%). Eighteen patients (34%) did not receive consolidative therapy while one patient received both cytarabine and WBRT for consolidation. Patients receiving autologous stem cell transplantation were studied based on the conditioning regimen used. The most common regimens used were: 1) Thiotepa, Busulfan and Cytarabine (TBC) in 10 patients (62.5%); 2) BCNU, Etoposide, AraC and Melphalan (BEAM) in 5 patients (31.25%) and BCNU alone in one patient. Table 1 illustrates the comparison of survival outcomes of various consolidation regimens. The mean overall survival in those receiving ASCT was significantly better that patients receiving other consolidation modalities.(p=0.01, depicted in figure 1) We observed that one-year overall survival favored autologous stem cell transplant over WBRT (87% vs 76%). Out of all the patients receiving consolidation with ASCT 14/16 (87.5%) were alive at the time of the last visit [range time from transplant: 161 months - 2 months, median survival after ASCT 30 months]. Notably, WBRT had a remarkable benefit with 9/12 (75%) alive at last follow-up . Patients not receiving consolidative therapy had a worse outcome with 14/21 alive at last follow-up (66.6%) and a significantly worse OS compared to those receiving any consolidation. (58 vs 150 months, p = 0.01). The addition of Rituximab or procarbazine to induction regimens did not result in improved outcomes in survival (p=0.9 and p=0.23 respectively). In our minority rich urban cohort, we observed that autologous stem cell transplantation consolidation in primary CNS lymphoma resulted in an impressive survival of 87.5% after more than 10 years follow-up. Underutilization of this potentially curative strategy was observed with only 32% having access to autologous SCT. Investigation of the causes precluding transplant access is needed to improve outcomes in this disease. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Predictive value of ectopic HORMAD1 tumor expression for high-dose platinum-based chemotherapy benefit in patients with high-risk HER2-negative breast cancer.

541 Background: The meiotic DNA break regulator HORMAD1 is aberrantly expressed in many cancers and is associated with increased genomic instability. The susceptibility of HORMAD1 expressing tumors to agents targeting DNA damage repair (DDR) pathways is poorly understood since clinical data within the context of a randomized clinical trial (RCT) is lacking. Here, we retrospectively studied HORMAD1 expression as a putative predictive biomarker in an RCT for benefit of adjuvant high-dose platinum-based chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous stem cell support in patients with high-risk HER2-negative early breast cancer (BC). Methods: Patients with stage III BC participated in an RCT comparing HDCT to conventional chemotherapy (CDCT; Rodenhuis et all, NEJM, 2003; Steenbruggen et all, JAMA Oncol, 2020). We studied the subgroup with HER2-negative BC for whom tumor BRCA1-like classification was previously determined using a validated DNA comparative genomic hybridization algorithm (Vollebergh et all, BCR, 2014). Tumor HORMAD1 expression was determined on FFPE samples using RNAscope, an RNA in situ hybridization method, and classified as negative (no expression) or positive (any expression detected). Results: For 195/246 (79.3%) HER2-negative patients treated according to protocol, HORMAD1 RNAscope status was available; dropout was due to absence or insufficient quality of tumor specimens. HORMAD1 positivity was enriched in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (23/47; 48.9%). Furthermore, in all HER2-negative BCs, HORMAD1 positivity (45/195; 23.1%) was associated with age ≤40 years, histological grade III, &lt;10 positive lymph nodes, breast-conserving surgery, BRCA1-like profile, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) &gt;10%. Such association, although not significant, was also observed within TNBC. During a median follow-up of 20.3 years, 124 (63.6%) recurrences and 115 deaths (59.0%) occurred. The prognostic effect of HORMAD1 positivity on overall survival (OS) varied with follow-up time and was borderline significant at 10 years and significant thereafter (10-year: adjusted (adj.) HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.21-1.04; 15-year: adj. HR 0.25, 95% CI 0.07-0.91). Benefit on RFS from HDCT over CDCT was stronger in patients with HORMAD1-positive tumors (adj. HR 0.18, 95% CI 0.06-0.54) than in patients with HORMAD1-negative tumors (adj. HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.46-1.02) (P-interaction = 0.02). Similar results were observed for OS. Conclusions: In this retrospective sub study of 195 patients with high-risk HER2-negative BC participating in an RCT, tumor HORMAD1 expression is predictive for benefit of high-dose platinum-based chemotherapy. Our observations are consistent with the prior observations that HORMAD1 expression is associated with genomic instability and impaired DDR pathways. Further research is warranted to validate our findings. Clinical trial information: NCT03087409.

Assessment of Circulating Tumor DNA in Newly Diagnosed DLBCL Patients Randomly Treated By R-CHOP or R-High Dose Chemotherapy Plus Autologous Stem Cell Support

PurposeDiffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The association of rituximab to CHOP chemotherapy is nowadays the standard of care for de novo DLBCL patients; however 40% of these patients relapse or are refractory to treatment within 2 years. Before rituximab, patients treated by high dose chemotherapy plus autologous stem-cell support (HDT) had a significantly better outcome than by CHOP alone 1. Between 2005 and 2008, the GOELAMS 075 French multicentric clinical trial (NCT00561379) enrolled 323 de novo DLBCL patients randomly treated by R-CHOP or R-HDT, and showed that rituximab erases the survival difference between the two arms of frontline treatment 2.The main objective of this study was to evaluate circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) concentration measured by an easy-to-collect and cost-effective method in the GOELAMS 075 de novo DLBCL patients, in regards of the two frontline treatments.MethodsPlasma samples were collected at inclusion for 123 patients and 6 months after the end-of-treatment (EOT) for 50 patients in complete remission (CR) at EOT. The 123 patients were representative of the 323 eligible patients. Among the 123 patients, 68 were assigned to the R-CHOP arm and 55 to the R-HDT arm, of which, respectively, 59 and 51 achieved CR at EOT. Baseline characteristics, overall (OS) and progression free survivals were not different between randomization arms for the 123 patients. No difference in baseline characteristics was found between both studied cohorts.ctDNA concentration in ng per ml of plasma was measured as the enrichment of DNA fragments between 100 and 300 base pairs. For survival analysis, the ctDNA threshold was defined as equal to 10 times the maximum cell-free DNA concentration measured in healthy subjects. For paired samples, mutation profiles at baseline and 6 months after EOT were assessed by capture-based targeted DNA sequencing using a panel of 43 genes known to be associated to DLBCL in the literature. Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis was performed, unless otherwise mentioned.ResultsElevated ctDNA at diagnosis was found significantly associated with adverse clinical factors (R-IPI ≥3 ; number of extranodal sites ≥2), as well as intake of salvage therapy. Patients with ctDNA ≥ 54.9 ng/ml had significantly worse OS (HR=2.4, 95 th CI : 1.1-5.2 ; Pvalue=0.029). Patients with elevated ctDNA were more likely to require a salvage therapy, regardless of the randomisation arm. Only for ITT R-CHOP patients, elevated ctDNA was associated with a significantly shorter OS (HR=4.4, 95th CI : 1.6-12.3 ; Pvalue=0.004; Figure 1). Patients with elevated ctDNA who received the initially planned 8 R-CHOP cures (no salvage therapy) had a significantly worse OS than any other patients (67% deaths ; 5-years OS : 33% ; Pvalue=0.0002).Focusing on the cohort of 50 patients in CR at the EOT, we found a significant decrease of ctDNA 6 months after EOT compared to baseline only for ITT R-HDT patients (Pvalue=0.006). Noticeably, out of the 7 patients with higher ctDNA 6 months after EOT, six had been assigned to the R-CHOP arm, and five of those did not benefit salvage therapy. Mutation profiling was performed for 46 CR patients (ITT, R-CHOP, n=23 ; R-HDT, n=23) at baseline and 6 months after EOT. Mutations were detected in 48% of R-CHOP patients and 61% of R-HDT patients. The tumor mutational burden, defined as the number of gene mutations found on the total of 164 Kb sequenced, was significantly decreased 6 months after EOT only for R-HDT patients (Pvalue=0.005). The number of mutations, especially the number of new variants, and the number of deleterious and likely oncogenic variants, increased significantly in the R-CHOP arm 6 months after EOT while decreasing in the R-HDT arm (Pvalue<0.001; Figure 2). All 46 patients in CR at EOT remained in CR 5 to 10 years after treatment, except for 3 patients, who did not receive salvage therapy and relapsed more than 5 years after EOT. All 3 patients belonged to the R-CHOP arm patients with higher ctDNA 6 months after EOT compared to baseline.ConclusionUsing an easy-to-measure and low-cost method, ctDNA concentration at diagnosis was shown, in an intention-to-treat analysis, to be an adverse prognostic factor only for de novo DLBCL patients treated by standard R-CHOP. Furthermore ctDNA was not significantly cleared in plasma at CR only for ITT R-CHOP patients, with the number of mutations increased 6 months after EOT compared to baseline. [Display omitted] DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Aberrant Plasma Cell Contamination of Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Autografts, Assessed by Next-Generation Flow Cytometry, Is a Negative Predictor for Deep Response Post Autologous Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma; A Prospective Study in 199 Patients.

Simple SummaryAutologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) remains the standard of care for transplant-eligible newly diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM) patients. However, despite its overall benefit, patients undergo various clinical outcomes post ASCT. Therefore, the identification of biomarkers that could explain, at least partially, this heterogeneity is of utmost clinical significance. The aim of this study was to assess clonal plasma cell contamination of the stem cell grafts of NDMM and evaluate its potency as a predictive/prognostic marker. Our results showed that worse responses to induction therapy correlate with higher levels of graft contamination. Importantly, our data revealed the significantly higher risk of delaying or not achieving complete remission and minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative responses among patients with graft contamination. Graft contamination is emerging as a promising predictive biomarker of clinical relevance that could be used to stratify patients post ASCT.High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support (ASCT) is the standard of care for eligible newly diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients. Stem cell graft contamination by aberrant plasma cells (APCs) has been considered a possible predictive marker of subsequent clinical outcome, but the limited reports to date present unclear conclusions. We prospectively estimated the frequency of graft contamination using highly sensitive next-generation flow cytometry and evaluated its clinical impact in 199 myeloma patients who underwent an ASCT. Contamination (con+) was detected in 79/199 patients at a median level 2 × 10−5. Its presence and levels were correlated with response to induction treatment, with 94%, 71% and 43% achieving CR, VGPR and PR, respectively. Importantly, con+ grafts conferred 2-fold and 2.8-fold higher patient-risk of not achieving or delaying reaching CR (4 vs. 11 months) and MRD negativity (5 vs. 18 months) post ASCT, respectively. Our data also provide evidence of a potentially skewed bone marrow (BM) reconstitution due to unpurged grafts, since con+ derived BM had significantly higher prevalence of memory B cells. These data, together with the absence of significant associations with baseline clinical features, highlight graft contamination as a potential biomarker with independent prognostic value for deeper responses, including MRD negativity. Longer follow-up will reveal if this corresponds to PFS or OS advantage.

Reality of Care for Patients with Multiple Myeloma 1995-2016. New Drugs in Routine Care Lead to Improved Survival

Introduction: Retrospective evaluation of all patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who were diagnosed and treated in an oncology group practice in Germany 1995-2016.Methods: All relevant data were extracted from patient files into a database and analysed statistically using SPSS.Results: 402 patients with a median age of 68 (27-92) were analysed. 56% were male, 44% female. 43% were symptomatic at diagnosis. Age adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was distributed as follows: CCI 2-3: 20%, CCI 4: 21%, CCI 5: 32%, CCI 6-13: 28%. ECOG score was 0-1 in 80% and 2-4 in 20%. Stage distribution according to Durie and Salmon was: Stage I: 39%, II: 13%, III: 48%. 82% of all patients needed therapy. Therapy included high-dose melphalan with autologous stem cell support in 21%. Patients received a median of 3 therapy lines (1-15). Therapy lines most frequently applied were: lenalidomide+dexamethason (RD) 9%, melphalan/prednisone (MP) 9%, thalidomide 8%, melphalan (high-dose) 6% and bortezomib+dexamethason (VD) 5%. Drugs used in the order of frequency were: melphalan 21%, bortezomib 19%, thalidomide 15%, lenalidomide 15% and cyclophosphamide 13%. 81% of the patients received treatment with new drugs (thalidomide, lenalidomide, pomalidomide, bortezomib, carfilzomib, panobinostat, elotuzumab, daratumumab). Overall survival (OS) of the whole cohort was 5.6 years (0.1-31.0). Median OS according to stage was: I: 9.4 years (1.3-31.0), II: 4.8 years (0.4-16.5+), III: 4.3 years (0.1-28.4). Patients who had received treatment with new drugs had a significant longer OS compared to patients who never received new drugs (6.1 years (0.1-31.0) versus 3.2 years (0.4-15.9)) (p<.001). 59% of patients diagnosed before 2005 received new drugs compared to 96% of patients diagnosed after 2005. Multivariate analysis revealed as independent prognostic factors age, stage, treatment with new drugs, CCI and symptomatic disease at diagnosis.Conclusion: OS of patients with multiple myeloma who received new drugs has improved in routine care during the last 20 years. OS in routine care is comparable to treatment results achieved in randomized controlled trials. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Prospective SPECT-CT Organ Dosimetry-Driven Radiation-Absorbed Dose Escalation Using the In-111 (111In)/Yttrium 90 (90Y) Ibritumomab Tiuxetan (Zevalin®) Theranostic Pair in Patients with Lymphoma at Myeloablative Dose Levels.

Simple SummaryWe prospectively evaluated the feasibility of SPECT-CT/planar organ dosimetry-based radiation dose escalation radioimmunotherapy in patients with recurrent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma using the theranostic pair of 111In and 90Y anti-CD20 ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin®) at myeloablative radiation-absorbed doses with autologous stem cell support. Unlike most routine dose escalation approaches, our approach used patient-individualized measurements of organ radiation absorbed dose from the tracer study, with patient-specific adjustments of the injected therapy dose to deliver a pre-specified radiation absorbed dose to the liver. Our approach was feasible, stem cell engraftment was swift, resulted in an 89% tumor response rate in treated patients, demonstrated over 3 fold variability in liver dosimetry/injected activity among patients, allowed us to exceed the FDA approved administered activity by over 5 fold and demonstrated the normal liver maximum tolerated dose to exceed 28 Gy. Dose escalation was not continued due to lack of drug availability. With modern dosimetry approaches, patient specific dosimetry-driven radiation dose escalation is feasible, allows adjustment of administered activity for heterogeneous pharmacokinetics and allows marked dose escalation vs. non-dosimetry driven approaches.Purpose: We prospectively evaluated the feasibility of SPECT-CT/planar organ dosimetry-based radiation dose escalation radioimmunotherapy in patients with recurrent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma using the theranostic pair of 111In and 90Y anti-CD20 ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin®) at myeloablative radiation-absorbed doses with autologous stem cell support. We also assessed acute non-hematopoietic toxicity and early tumor response in this two-center outpatient study. Methods: 24 patients with CD20-positive relapsed or refractory rituximab-sensitive, low-grade, mantle cell, or diffuse large-cell NHL, with normal organ function, platelet counts > 75,000/mm3, and <35% tumor involvement in the marrow were treated with Rituximab (375 mg/m2) weekly for 4 consecutive weeks, then one dose of cyclophosphamide 2.5 g/m2 with filgrastim 10 mcg/kg/day until stem cell collection. Of these, 18 patients with successful stem cell collection (at least 2 × 106 CD34 cells/kg) proceeded to RIT. A dosimetric administration of 111In ibritumomab tiuxetan (185 MBq) followed by five sequential quantitative planar and one SPECT/CT scan was used to determine predicted organ radiation-absorbed dose. Two weeks later, 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan was administered in an outpatient setting at a cohort- and patient-specific predicted organ radiation-absorbed dose guided by a Continuous Response Assessment (CRM) methodology with the following cohorts for dose escalation: 14.8 MBq/kg, and targeted 18, 24, 28, and 30.5 Gy to the liver. Autologous stem cell infusion occurred when the estimated marrow radiation-absorbed dose rate was predicted to be <1 cGy/h. Feasibility, short-term toxicities, and tumor response were assessed. Results: Patient-specific hybrid SPECT/CT + planar organ dosimetry was feasible in all 18 cases and used to determine the patient-specific therapeutic dose and guide dose escalation (26.8 ± 7.3 MBq/kg (mean), 26.3 MBq/kg (median) of 90Y (range: 12.1–41.4 MBq/kg)) of ibritumomab tiuxetan that was required to deliver 10 Gy to the liver. Infused stem cells engrafted rapidly. The most common treatment-related toxicities were hematological and were reversible following stem cell infusion. No significant hepatotoxicity was seen. One patient died from probable treatment-related causes—pneumonia at day 27 post-transplant. One patient at dose level 18 Gy developed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), 4 patients required admission post-90Y RIT for febrile neutropenia, 16/18 patients receiving 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan (89%) responded to the therapy, with 13 CR (72%) and 3/18 PR (17%), at 60 days post-treatment. Two patients had progressive disease at sixty days. One patient was lost to follow-up. Median time to progression was estimated to be at least 13 months. MTD to the liver is greater than 28 Gy, but the MTD was not reached as the study was terminated due to unexpected discontinuation of availability of the therapeutic agent. Conclusions: Patient-specific outpatient 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan RIT with myeloablative doses of RIT up to a targeted 30.5 Gy to the liver is feasible, guided by prospective SPECT/CT + planar imaging with the theranostic pair of 111In and 90Y anti-CD20, with outpatient autologous stem cell transplant support. Administered activity over 5 times the standard FDA-approved activity was well-tolerated. The non-hematopoietic MTD in this study exceeds 28 Gy to the liver. Initial tumor responses were common at all dose levels. This study supports the feasibility of organ dosimetry-driven patient-specific dose escalation in the treatment of NHL with stem cell transplant and provides additional information on the radiation tolerance of the normal liver to radiopharmaceutical therapy.

How should we use ibrutinib in patients with mantle cell lymphoma?

How should we use ibrutinib in patients with mantle cell lymphoma?

Potentiate Immune Activation and Function By Targeting Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins (IAPs) in Relapse/Refractory DLBCL

Background: The prognosis of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (r/r DLBCL) that had progressed after or are ineligible for high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell support (HDC-ASCS) is extremely poor (median overall survival of 6.3 months). Cellular based immunotherapy with Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell against CD19 (CART-19) has proven high effective in r/r DLBCL with an overall response rate of 52-83% and an overall survival rate of 40%. While r/r DLBCL benefits from CART-19 therapy, a significant number of progress after initial response stresses the need to improve the efficacy of this novel approach. A significant amount of work is being done in improving the manufacturing or activation of CART cells. However, there is few data on lymphoma associated factors that could influence response to CART-19 therapy. Previously we reported an imbalance and dysfunction of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins, including Bak/Bax, Mcl-1/BCLxL/Survivin and upregulation of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family proteins in rituximab+chemotherapy (R-chemo) resistant DLBCL. Targeting IAPs by small inhibitor LCL161 in lymphoma cells significantly overcame chemotherapy resistance in vitro and in vivo. LCL161 potentiated CART-19 cell cytotoxicity mediated in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma pre-clinical models. Here, we investigate the mechanism of action to enhance immune activation by targeting IAPs in r/r DLBCL. Methods: Primary T-cells were isolated and activated from peripheral blood apheresis samples from consenting adults (healthy human donors or patients with DLBCL) using Pan T-Cell Isolation Kit (MACS) and activated by T-cell Dynabeads human activator CD3/CD28 kit. Cells were expanded in RPMI media supplemented with IL2 for 2 weeks. At day 14, cells phenotype analysis was performed (CD3, CD4, CD8) by flow cytometry. T-cell number was calculated by trypan blue exclusion assay and proliferation was measured by presto blue assay after exposure to LCL161 or control for 48hrs. After exposure, CD4 and CD8 ratios were determined by cellular surface staining. T-cell function assay was determined by intracellular staining with perforin and granzyme B. Regulatory T-cells were determined as CD25+ and FOXP3+ staining cells. T-cell cytolytic activity was accessed by 51Cr release assay using 51Cr labeled rituximab-chemotherapy sensitive (Raji and RL cells) or resistant (Raji 4RH and RL 4RH) cell lines as target cells (effector/target ratio 10/1). To confirm the role of IAP proteins in the effects of LCL161 in T-cell activation, we conducted cytotoxicity assays using XIAP knock out lymphoma cell lines as target cells. Stable XIAP knock out cell lines were generated by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system. Lentiviral Cas9 nuclease particles were transduced into Raji and Raji 4RH cells followed by lentiviral XIAP sgRNA transduction. Lentiviral sgRNA non-targeting control was also used as negative control. Result: In vitro exposure of T-cells to LCL161 did not affect cell viability. On the other hand, it led to an increase in CD8+ T-cells and in the CD8:CD4 ratio. In addition, the percentage of regulatory T cells (CD25+ and FOXP3+) was reduced following LCL161 exposure. Using the T-cell function assay, we found that perforin and granzyme B inside T-cell was significantly increased post LCL161 exposure. The presence of LCL161 significantly improved the T-cell killing activity towards rituximab-chemotherapy sensitive and more importantly resistant cell lines. XIAP knock out in target cells resulted in abrogation of the enhance cytotoxicity exhibited by T-cells exposed to LCL161. Conclusion: Our data suggest that besides its previously documented direct anti-tumor activity, LCL161 has dual functions modulating immune cells function. LCL161 improve T-cell function by increasing the number of CD8+ T-cells and intracellular levels of granzyme B and perforin leading to an increase in T-cell cytotoxicity. In addition, LCL161 decreases the number of T-reg cells further enhancing immune activation. Taking together, targeting IAPs would be an attractive approach that potentiate current CART-19 immunotherapy in the clinical setting. Disclosures Hernandez-Ilizaliturri: Astra Zeneca: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Epyzome: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy.

Postremission therapy with repeated courses of high-dose cytarabine, idarubicin, and limited autologous stem cell support achieves a very good long-term outcome in European leukemia net favorable and intermediate-risk acute myeloid leukemia.

Consolidation treatment in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients achieving complete remission (CR) is warranted. High-dose cytarabine (HDAC) is considered first choice in favorable risk and an option in intermediate-risk AML. However, its optimal dose and schedule, as well as the benefit of additional chemotherapy agents remain controversial. Herein, we report on the long-term outcome of consecutive unselected AML patients treated with repeated courses of HDAC, with the addition of idarubicin, followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) support, in order to limit toxicity, according to Northern Italy Leukemia Group (NILG) AML-01/00 study (EUDRACT number 00400673). Among 338 patients consecutively diagnosed from 2001 to 2017 at our center, 148 with high-risk AML (adverse cytogenetic, isolated FLT3-internal tandem duplication mutation, refractory to first induction) were addressed to allogeneic stem cell transplant. All other cases, 186 patients (55%), median age 53 (range 19-75), were considered standard-risk and received the NILG AML-01/00 program. After achieving CR, patients were mobilized with cytarabine 8 g/sqm to collect autologous CD34+-PBSC and received three consolidation cycles with HDAC (20 g/sqm) plus idarubicin (20 mg/sqm) per cycle, followed by reinfusion of limited doses of CD34+ PBSC (1-2x106/kg). The program was completed by 160 (86%) patients. Toxicity was acceptable. Neutrophils recovered a median of 10 days. Treatment-related mortality was 3/160 (1.8%). After a median follow-up of 66.4 months, overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) at 5-years were 61.4% and 52.4%, respectively. Twenty-eight selected patients aged >65 had similar outcomes. According to European leukemia net-2010 classification, the OS and RFS at 5-years were 76.4% and 65% in favorable risk, without differences between molecular subgroups, 52.3% and 47.2% in Intermediate-I, 45.2% and 36.5% in Intermediate-II risk patients, respectively. In conclusion, consolidation including repeated courses of high dose cytarabine and idarubicin, with limited PBSC support, proved feasible and very effective in nonhigh risk patients. The incorporation of novel agents in its backbone may be tested to further improve patient's prognosis.

Salvage treatment for children with relapsed/refractory germ cell tumors: The Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica (AIEOP) experience.

Malignant germ cell tumors (GCTs) are a heterogeneous group of rare neoplasms in children. Optimal outcome is achieved with multimodal therapies for patients with both localized and advanced disease, especially after the introduction of platinum-based chemotherapy regimens. In this respect, data on salvage treatment for children with relapsed or platinum-refractory disease are still limited. Retrospective analysis of data regarding patients affected by malignant GCTs with platinum-refractory or relapsed disease after first-line treatment according to AIEOP TCGM 2004 protocol was conducted. Twenty-one patients, 15 females and 6 males, were considered for the analysis. All 21 patients received second-line conventional chemotherapy (SLCT), two of these immediately after surgery for local relapse removal. Two patients showed a progression of disease during SLCT and died of disease shortly thereafter, whereas 19 patients were in partial remission (PR) or complete remission (CR) after SLCT. Treatment after SLCT consisted in surgery on residual tumor mass (9/19) followed by high dose of chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous hematopoietic stem cell support (16/19). The overall survival (OS) and event-free survival of the whole populations are 71% and 66.6%, respectively. Platinum-refractory patients OS is 54.5% compared with 91.5% of the relapsed group. There were no treatment-related deaths. SLCT followed or not by HDCT is an effective salvage treatment for children with relapsed/refractory GCTs. However, the role of HDCT following SLCT needs to be further investigated, especially regarding the identification of specific patient subgroups, which can benefit from this more intensive treatment.

Phase I Study of a CD45-Targeted Antibody–Radionuclide Conjugate for High-Risk Lymphoma

External-beam radiation is the single most effective therapy for localized lymphoma. However, toxicity limits its use for multifocal disease. We evaluated CD45 as a therapeutic target for an antibody-radionuclide conjugate (ARC) for the treatment of lymphoma based on its ubiquitous expression, infrequent antigen loss or blockade, and the ability to target minimal disease based on panhematopoietic expression. We performed a phase I trial of escalating doses of single-agent CD45-targeted ARC based on per-patient dosimetry using the BC8 antibody labeled with iodine-131 (131I) followed by autologous stem cell support in adults with relapsed, refractory, or high-risk B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), T-cell NHL (T-NHL), or Hodgkin lymphoma. The primary objective was to estimate the maximum tolerated radiation absorbed dose. Sixteen patients were enrolled: 7 patients had B-NHL, 6 had Hodgkin lymphoma, and 3 had T-NHL. Median number of prior therapies was three (range: 2-12). Absorbed doses up to 32 Gy to liver were delivered. No dose-limiting toxicities occurred. Nonhematologic toxicity was infrequent and manageable. Objective responses were seen across histologies. Fourteen patients had measurable disease at enrollment, 57% of whom achieved complete remission (CR), including all 3 with T-NHL. Three patients with B-NHL treated among the highest dose levels (26-32 Gy) remain in CR without subsequent therapy 35-41 months later. CD45-targeted ARC therapy is well-tolerated at doses up to at least 32 Gy to the liver. Objective responses and long-term remissions were observed in patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma. These data validate continued evaluation of anti-CD45 ARCs in lymphoma.

BCL-Xl Expression Is Druggable Biomarker Associated with a Poor Clinical Outcome in Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)

Background: Although first-line chemo-immunotherapy cures a significant number of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients, long term survival is only observed in 30% or 41% of patients treated with second-line therapy followed with high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell support (HDC-ASCS) or chimeric antigen receptor anti-CD19 T-cell therapy (CART-19) respectively. The use of third-line therapy with chemotherapy drugs or current available small molecule inhibitors for relapsed/refractory (rel/ref) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is associated with a poor response rate and a median survival of 6.3 months, stressing the need to identify druggable biomarkers associated with therapy resistance and poor clinical outcomes. Methods: To this end, we identified patients with rel/ref DLBCL that failed at least 2 prior lines of therapy treated at our Institute. Demographic, clinical and pathological characteristics were identified. Archived pathological material from the biopsy performed at the second relapse/progression was obtained for each patient. Using the Nanostring nCounter Analysis System (Nanostring Technologies, Seattle, WA), gene expression profiling (GEP) was performed for each sample as previously described using a custom designed code set containing 770 genes. Analysis and normalization of the raw Nanostring data was performed using nSolver Analysis Software v1.1. Raw counts were normalized to internal levels of 7 reference genes: CNOT2, GAPDH, HPRT1, PHGDH, SUMO2, SYS1 and WDR45L. A background count level was estimated using the average count of the 8 negative control probes in every reaction plus 2 standard deviations. Correlation between clinical outcomes (response rate to third line therapy, progression free-survival [PFS] and overall survival [OS]) and IPI score, clinical characteristics and GEP. Subsequently and based on the GEP results, we evaluated the expression of Bcl-XL and other Bcl-2 family proteins in a panel of DLBCL cell lines. Immuno-precipitation (IP) studies were conducted to determine protein-protein interaction between Bcl-XL and other Bcl-2 related proteins. In addition, cell lines were exposed to A1331852, a novel Bcl-XL inhibitor at different doses alone or in combination with chemotherapy drugs. Cell viability was evaluated using Presto Blue assay and IC50 values were calculated using the GraphPad Prism6 software. Results: A total of 53 rel/ref DLBCL were identified that received third line therapy at our Institute. The median age was 59yrs. The median PFS and OS was 23 months and 21 months respectively. Over-expression of BCL-XL RNA levels was associated with a shorter OS (P=0.015, HR=1.17). Pre-clinically higher levels of Bcl-XL as determined by western blotting were found in lymphoma cell lines resistant to chemotherapy agents in vitro. IP studies demonstrated a strong interaction between Bcl-XL and BIM in chemotherapy resistant cell lines. In vitro exposure of DLBCL cell lines to A1331852 resulted in dose- and time-dependent cell death. Moreover, synergistic activity was observed when A1331852 was combined with chemotherapy drugs (doxorubicin, vincristine and etoposide). Conclusion: Our data suggests that high expression level of BCLxL was associated with inferior prognosis in the refractory and/or relapsed DLBCL patients. Inhibition of Bcl-XL results in cell death of rituximab-chemotherapy resistant lymphoma cell lines and potentiates the anti-tumor activity of chemotherapy agents. Selective targeting of Bcl-XL may be a novel therapeutic strategy for rel/ref aggressive B-cell lymphoma. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Absence of Aberrant Plasma Cells in the Apheresis Product Predicts for Minimal Residual Disease Negativity after Autologous Transplantation in Myeloma Patients Who Receive First Line Therapy

Despite recent therapeutic advances, multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease. High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support (ASCT) is the standard frontline therapy for eligible patients.