Combination Maintenance Therapy Research Articles

Real-World Treatment Patterns and Patient Outcomes in Relapsed/Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma in the US

Introduction Brentuximab vedotin (BV), a CD30-directed monoclonal antibody, and programmed cell death-1 inhibitors (PD-1; e.g., nivolumab, pembrolizumab) are efficacious for the treatment of adult patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) at high risk of relapse or progression post-autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). In this study, we investigated the real-world treatment patterns and outcomes of patients with relapsed/refractory HL (RRHL) who had received ≥1 line of therapy (LOT). Methods Patients ≥18 years old with evidence of RRHL in ≥1 inpatient or ≥2 outpatient physician medical notes or evidence of ≥1 autologous/allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) procedure following evidence of HL in the Humedica Electronic Medical Record (EMR) database, were selected between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2020. The earliest evidence of RRHL (medical note or HSCT procedure) was defined as the patient's index date. Patients were excluded if they had evidence of RRHL, non-Hodgkin's disease, other primary cancers, or metastatic disease in the 12 months prior to the index date (baseline period). Patient demographic and clinical characteristics were evaluated during the baseline period and the index date. Patients were followed from their index date until patient death or the end of recorded healthcare activity during which treatment patterns and outcomes were assessed. Results A total of 342 patients with ≥1 LOT post-RRHL during the follow-up period were included in the final study population. Mean age was 44.2 years, 56.7% were male, 75.7% were white, and 61.4% had commercial insurance; mean Charlson Comorbidity Index score was 3.2 (Table 1). Approximately one-third (34.5%) of patients were not eligible for HSCT based on available laboratory data and comorbidity diagnoses during the baseline period or the index date. Across the study population, the average follow-up duration was 25.6 months (median: 23.9 months). Among the overall study population, 90 (26.3%) patients received BV treatment, with most (~86%) receiving BV in LOTs 1 and 2 post-RRHL evidence (Table 2). The average time from index date to initiation of BV treatment was 2.5 months and mean duration of treatment (DOT) with BV was 4.3 months. Most patients treated with BV (n=68) had not received a HSCT. During the follow-up, among those who received BV but not a PD-1 (n=57), the progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 73.7% and overall survival (OS) was 82.5%. Among the overall study population, 56 (16.4%) patients received a PD-1, with most patients (~68%) receiving a PD-1 in LOTs 1 and 2 post-RRHL evidence. The average time from index date to initiation of PD-1 treatment was 5.5 months and mean DOT with a PD-1 was 5.3 months. Among those patients who received a PD-1 but not BV (n=23), the PFS rate was 56.5% and OS was 69.6%. One patient received post-HSCT BV+PD-1 combination maintenance therapy. Among the patients who received BV and/or a PD-1 prior- or post-HSCT, 12 (52.2%) received BV prior to the HSCT and 9 (39.1%) received BV after the HSCT. Among those who received BV and PD-1 treatments (i.e., not at the same time; n=33), the PFS rate was 60.6% and OS was 90.9%. Among the study population, a majority of patients (n=232; 67.8%) did not receive a HSCT during the follow-up period (including the index date). Of these patients without a HSCT, 68 (29.3%) received BV, 46 (19.8%) received a PD-1, and 25 (10.8%) received both BV and a PD-1 (i.e., not at the same time). Conclusions In this real-world evaluation of the treatment patterns and outcomes among patients in post-RRHL evidence setting, BV was administered more frequently in patients without HSCT. Increasing the use of BV in patients with ASCT at high risk for relapse or progression may lead to improved clinical outcomes. This study was based on EMRs from a single administrative database and has a limited sample size; these findings may not apply to all patient populations in post-RRHL evidence setting in the US.

The Efficacy of Obinutuzumab Combined with Pomalidomide and Covalent Btki for the Treatment of TP53 Mutated Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL): A Prospective, Open-Label, Single-Arm Study

Background TP53 mutated MCL lacks effective treatment options and has a poor prognosis, posing challenges in management. The guidelines recommend clinical trials as the first choice, pomalidomide as a new generation of immunomodulators (IMiDs), which have immunomodulatory effects and modulates the tumor microenvironment. Individual cases have been reported about pomalidomide be used for relapsed and refractory MCL. In this study, we investigated the application of Pomalidomide combined with Obinutuzumab and covalent BTKi (Ibrutinib and Zanubrutinib) for the treatment of TP53 mutated MCL to provide a new treatment evidence for clinical practice. Methods This was a prospective, single-center, clinical study. The key inclusion criteria include: confirmed diagnosis of MCL, age≥18 years, appropriate organ function, etc, both previously untreated and relapsed patients are eligible for inclusion. All patients receive Obinutuzumab (1000 mg d1) combined with Pomalidomide (4 mg d1-21) and covalent BTKi (Ibrutinib 560mg qd or Zanubrutinib 160mg bid)for 4 cycles, every 28 days as a cycle; If the treatment is effective, patients receive Obinutuzumab (1000 mg d1, every 3 months/time) combined with Pomalidomide (4 mg d1-14/28 days) and covalent BTKi triplet combination maintenance therapy until disease progression. The primary endpoint was overall response (Lugano 2004 criteria). Safety analysis included all patients who received the treatment, irrespective of eligibility or duration of treatment. Minimal residual disease was assessed by NGS in peripheral blood. Results The study included 14 patients with relapsed or refractory mantle-cell lymphoma (12 patients) or previously untreated mantle-cell lymphoma (2 patient). Patients median age 59(44 to 74) with a male-to-female ratio of 6:1, and the lines of previous treatments ranged from none to three. 85.7%（12/14）of patients had mutation of TP53, 28.6%(4/14) had mutation of CCND1, 21.4%(3/14)had mutation of SMARCA4/SAMHD1. 64.3% had a higher Ki-67≥30% and 50% had a high-risk prognostic score of MIPI-c. The complete response rate at 4 course was 64.3% and the overall response rate was 85.7%. 9 patients underwent MRD testing after 4 cycles of treatment, and MRD negative was confirmed in 100% of the patients by NGS. The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were neutropenia (in 5 [35.7%] of 14 patients), thrombocytopenia (in 3 [21.4%] of 14 patients), infections (in 2[14.3%] patients), severe Covid-19 infection was in 2[14.3%] patients. Conclusions Our results provide preliminary evidence that the triplet combination of Obinutuzumab, pomalidomide, and covalent BTKi is an active regimen in MCL patients with the mutation of TP53, and should be evaluated in a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Impact of Prior Lines of Therapy before Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplant on Survival in Standard Risk Multiple Myeloma

Introduction: Patients with standard risk (SR) multiple myeloma (MM), as defined by the absence of high risk cytogenetic abnormalities including immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) gene translocations such as t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), deletion of (17p), or gain/amplification(1q), have favorable prognosis and respond well to standard of care induction with plasma-cell directed therapy followed by AHCT consolida-tion and lenalidomide (LEN)-based maintenance. Despite this, it has been noted that a significant proportion of SRMM patients may suffer from early relapse after AHCT, and could potentially benefit form mitigation strategies. The aims of this study were to assess the impact of prior lines of therapy on post-AHCT outcomes in SR MM patients, and then evaluate the role of an augmented LEN-based maintenance regimen in those who did not achieve a complete response (CR) post transplant. Methods: All MM patients who underwent AHCT at our institutions between January 2011 and January 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Electronic medical charts were searched to collect data on baseline demographic characteristics, disease status, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) cytogenetic studies, blood and bone marrow studies, number of lines of treatments pre-AHCT, as well as maintenance therapy post-transplant. Responses were according to the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria. Kaplan Meier method was used for event free survival (EFS) assessment. Results: A total of 293 SR MM patients were included in this analysis, of whom 188, 63, 32 and 10 received 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 lines of therapy pre-AHCT. Despite having comparable CR rates pre-AHCT (28% vs 19% vs 22% vs 10%, respectively; p=0.3), patients with ≥4 prior lines of therapy experienced significantly worse outcomes as determined by shorter mediant EFS of 8.4 months vs 54.5, 55.9 and 21.7 months (P<0.0001) for the 1, 2, and 3 pre-AHCT lines of therapy groups, respectively ( Figure 1A). We then focused on the subgroup of SR MM patients (n=100) who did not achieve a hematologic CR at day-100 post-AHCT. Among them 87 were placed on LEN-monotherapy, and 13 on LEN-based combination maintenance therapy post-AHCT. Of note, none was LEN-refractory. Both the LEN-monotherapy and combination groups had comparable baseline patients and disease characteristics including age (60.5 vs 56 years, p=0.07), time from diagnosis to transplant (≥12 months in 24% vs 30.8%, p=0.7), hematopoietic cell transplantation-specific comorbidity index (HCT-CI) score ( ≥3 in 44% vs 30.8%, p=0.5), male representation (59% vs 69%, p=0.6), white ethnicity (82 vs 77%, p=0.7), international scoring system stages (p=0.9), pre-AHCT number of lines of therapy (p=0.8), and pre-AHCT bone marrow plasma cell percentage (≥10% in 9.5% vs 7.7%, p=0.9), respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a significantly shorter median estimated EFS for the LEN monotherapy group at 38.1 months vs 68.6 months (p=0.03) for the LEN combination maintenance group ( Figure 1B). Conclusion: SR MM constitute heterogenous group of patients with variable outcomes post-AHCT. Those with heavily pretreated disease, that have received four or more lines or therapy, tend to have worse outcomes post transplant, therefore, should be considered for alternative approaches such as chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies or bispecific agents. For patients who undergo AHCT but do not achieve a CR, LEN-combination maintenance should be strongly considered especially in the setting of relapsed-refractory disease.

Development of the NOGGO GIS v1 Assay, a Comprehensive Hybrid-Capture-Based NGS Assay for Therapeutic Stratification of Homologous Repair Deficiency Driven Tumors and Clinical Validation.

The worldwide approval of the combination maintenance therapy of olaparib and bevacizumab in advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer requires complex molecular diagnostic assays that are sufficiently robust for the routine detection of driver mutations in homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes and genomic instability (GI), employing formalin-fixed (FFPE) paraffin-embedded tumor samples without matched normal tissue. We therefore established a DNA-based hybrid capture NGS assay and an associated bioinformatic pipeline that fulfils our institution's specific needs. The assay´s target regions cover the full exonic territory of relevant cancer-related genes and HRR genes and more than 20,000 evenly distributed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci to allow for the detection of genome-wide allele specific copy number alterations (CNA). To determine GI status, we implemented an %CNA score that is robust across a broad range of tumor cell content (25-85%) often found in routine FFPE samples. The assay was established using high-grade serous ovarian cancer samples for which BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation status as well as Myriad MyChoice homologous repair deficiency (HRD) status was known. The NOGGO (Northeastern German Society for Gynecologic Oncology) GIS (GI-Score) v1 assay was clinically validated on more than 400 samples of the ENGOT PAOLA-1 clinical trial as part of the European Network for Gynaecological Oncological Trial groups (ENGOT) HRD European Initiative. The "NOGGO GIS v1 assay" performed using highly robust hazard ratios for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), as well a significantly lower dropout rate than the Myriad MyChoice clinical trial assay supporting the clinical utility of the assay. We also provide proof of a modular and scalable routine diagnostic method, that can be flexibly adapted and adjusted to meet future clinical needs, emerging biomarkers, and further tumor entities.

A randomized trial of olaparib, durvalumab, and cancer vaccine, UV1, as maintenance therapy in patients with BRCAwt with recurrent ovarian cancer: ENGOT-OV56/NSGO-CTU-DOVACC trial.

TPS5615 Background: Most ovarian cancers (OC) are diagnosed at an advanced stage and despite initial therapy, the disease will often relapse and require further treatment Thus, there is a need for novel therapeutic options. PARP inhibitors lead to increasing tumour neoantigen, and modulation of the tumour microenvironment, which may facilitate a more profound antitumour immune response. UV1 is a therapeutic cancer vaccine directed against telomerase. Since telomerase is an essential enzyme and universally expressed by most tumor cells, it represents a unique cancer antigen as a basis for immunotherapy (IO). The rationale for integrating immunotherapy as maintenance therapy following chemotherapy is based on preclinical studies which have shown that chemotherapy induces immunogenic cell death leading to increased recognition of the tumor by the immune system. The proposed study is evaluating the use of the therapeutic cancer vaccine UV1 in combination with olaparib and the PD-L1 inhibitor, durvalumab as maintenance therapy after response to platinum-based chemotherapy. Methods: The primary objective is to demonstrate efficacy of UV1-olaparib-durvalumab combination maintenance therapy against olaparib in maintenance after platinum combination therapy for BRCAwt patients with relapsed ovarian cancer. Key eligibility criteria include: histologically confirmed, platinim sensitive recurrent OC in response to last platinum-containing chemotherapy, BRCAwt. Patients may be previously treated with PARPi, however prior IO is not permitted. Patients are stratified by HRD status and previous use of PARPi. 184 patients are randomized to three arms (1:1:2): arm A: olaparib single agent, arm B: olaparib-durvalumab and arm C: olaparib, durvalumab-UV1. Duration of therapy: olaparib until progression of disease; durvalumab for 24 months; intradermal UV1, 8 doses within 5 months. Intradermal sargramostim is used as vaccine adjuvant. Primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) of arm C versus arm A. Key secondary endpoints include PFS arm B versus C, patient reported outcomes, and overall survival. This NSGO-CTU sponsored trial is enrolling patients in 11 countries. The following cooperative groups are participating: NSGO-CTU (DK, FIN, NOR, SWE, LTU), BGOG (BE), HeGOG (GRC, CYP), NOGGO (DE), AGO-A (AUT) & DGOG (NL). Clinical trial information: NCT04742075 .

To Bev or Not to Bev during Ovarian Cancer Maintenance Therapy?

Maintenance therapy with PARP inhibitors and bevacizumab is approved for ovarian cancer treatment in the first and second line settings, but selecting the optimal sequence is challenging due to restrictions on using the same medication twice. This review aims to establish guidelines for ovarian cancer maintenance therapy based on the strength of scientific evidence, the most effective treatment strategy, and the impact on the healthcare system. Six questions were formulated to evaluate the scientific evidence supporting different maintenance therapy options using the AGREE II guideline evaluation tool. The questions address the acceptability of reusing the same medication, the efficacy of bevacizumab and PARP inhibitors in the first and second line settings, the comparative efficacy of these medications, the potential benefit of combination maintenance therapy, and the economic impact of maintenance therapy. Based on the available evidence, bevacizumab should be preserved for second line maintenance therapy, and maintenance therapy with PARP inhibitors should be offered to all advanced ovarian cancer patients who have responded to first line platinum-based chemotherapy. Additional molecular predictors for bevacizumab efficacy are needed. The presented guidelines offer an evidence-based framework for selecting the most effective maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer patients. Further research is necessary to refine these recommendations and improve outcomes for patients with this disease.

Older patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma: Survival and prognostication across 20 U.S. cancer centers.

There is a paucity of large-scale data delineating outcomes and prognostication of older patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). We retrospectively analyzed 539 newly-diagnosed PCNSL patients ages ≥60 years across 20 U.S. academic centers. The median age was 70 years (range 60-88); at least one geriatric syndrome was present in 46%; the median Cumulative Index Ratings Scale-Geriatrics (CIRS-G) score was 6 (range, 0-27); and 36% had impairment in activities of daily living (ADL). The most common induction regimens were high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) ± rituximab; methotrexate, temozolomide, rituximab (MTR); and rituximab, methotrexate, procarbazine, vincristine (R-MPV). Overall, 70% of patients achieved remission, with 14% undergoing consolidative autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and 24% receiving maintenance. With 58-month median follow-up, median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 17 months (95% CI 13-22 months) and 43 months (95% CI 31-56 months), respectively. Three-year PFS and OS were highest with MTR (55% and 74%, respectively). With single-agent methotrexate ± rituximab, 3-year PFS and OS were 30% (p=.0002) and 47% (p=.0072). On multivariate analysis, increasing age at diagnosis and Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) was associated with inferior PFS; age, hypoalbuminemia, higher CIRS-G score, and ECOG PS adversely affected OS. Among patients receiving maintenance, 3-year PFS was 65% versus 45% without maintenance (p=0.02), with 3-year OS of 84% versus 61%, respectively (p=.0003). Altogether, outcomes in older PCNSL patients appeared optimized with HD-MTX combination induction regimens and maintenance therapy. Furthermore, several prognostic factors, including geriatric measures, were associated with inferior outcomes.

Comparison of maintenance regimens in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia patients

Maintenance therapy in APL is still a standard especially in high-risk patients treated with chemotherapy+ATRA combination whereas the role of the maintenance therapy in low-risk patients is controversial. This study aims to compare the efficacy and toxicity of ATRA monotherapy and ATRA+MTX+ 6-MP combination as the maintenance treatment for 2 years in APL patients who achieved molecular complete response after induction and consolidation with ATRA+chemotherapy. A total of 71 patients from 4 different centers were included in this study. After a median follow-up of 54 months (5–180 months), the 5-year RFS was 89 % in the ATRA monotherapy arm, the 5-year RFS was 78.5 % in the combined treatment arm (p = 0.643, HR:1.3, 95 % CI: 0.35–5.3). Hematological toxicity in all grades and Grade III/IV hematological toxicity was observed significantly more in the combined treatment arm than in the ATRA monotherapy arm (All grades: 76.9 % vs 18.9 %, p < 0.001; Grade III/IV: 20.5 % vs. 3.1 %, p = 0.035). Hepatotoxicity at all levels was significantly higher in the combined treatment arm than in the ATRA monotherapy arm (61.5 % vs 25 %, p = 0.002). Our study concluded that two years of ATRA monotherapy and combined maintenance therapy, both of which were found to be similar in terms of disease control and long term survival, ATRA Monotherapy could be a safer maintenance treatment option since both hematological and non-hematological toxicities were observed less often in the ATRA monotherapy arm.

Predictors of lenalidomide maintenance duration after autologous stem cell transplant in patients with multiple myeloma.

For patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who have undergone autologous stem cell transplant (auto-SCT), the immunomodulatory agent lenalidomide is a first-line option for maintenance therapy. Because longer durations of lenalidomide maintenance are associated with improved survival, identifying strategies to avoid premature cessation of maintenance is an important priority in the post-transplant setting. The primary objective of this analysis was to identify specific clinical predictors of lenalidomide treatment duration that could guide optimal medication management. Key secondary objectives included predictors of intolerable toxicity, rationale for lenalidomide dose reduction/discontinuation, and characterization of dose adjustments. This retrospective, multi-center cohort study included adults with MM who underwent auto-SCT and initiated maintenance lenalidomide between 01/01/2012 and 02/28/2021. Variables assessed as potential predictors of maintenance duration or intolerable toxicity included age, body mass index (BMI), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status at time of auto-SCT, renal function, initial lenalidomide dose, use of combination maintenance therapy, and cytogenetic risk category. Among 299 patients included, the median age at time of auto-SCT was 62 years (range 30-77). The majority of patients had standard-risk cytogenetics (64%) and an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1 (72%). In the overall population, the median duration of maintenance was 1.3 years (range 0.3-8.6 years). The median initial dose of lenalidomide was 10 mg daily (range 2.5-25 mg). During the study period, 35% of patients had a dose reduction due to toxicity, 21% stopped lenalidomide due to disease progression, and 19% stopped due to toxicity. Multivariate linear regression analyses did not identify any significant predictors of lenalidomide duration or discontinuation due to intolerable toxicity. The most frequently reported toxicities leading to discontinuation were cytopenias, rash, and fatigue. This analysis did not identify any significant risk factors to predict the duration of lenalidomide maintenance or discontinuation for toxicity following auto-SCT in patients with MM. While limited by the retrospective design and relatively small sample size, our findings suggest that a priori lenalidomide dose reductions based on patient co-morbidities or performance status may not substantially affect the duration of lenalidomide maintenance.

Current status and prospects of anti-angiogenic small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the therapy of soft tissue sarcoma

Chemotherapy is the main systemic treatment for patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma, and immunotherapy is only effective for some special subtypes. Anti-angiogenic small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors represented by pazopanib and anlotinib are the main drugs of targeted therapy. They have been clearly recommended as the second-line treatment of non-specific soft tissue sarcoma in guidelines. In recent years, in addition to second-line monotherapy in patients with advanced sarcoma, some studies have been carried out in second-line combination therapy, maintenance therapy, first-line therapy and neoadjuvant therapy. This article briefly reviews the application status and prospect of anti-angiogenic small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors in advanced soft tissue sarcoma.

Rituximab-associated hypogammaglobulinemia in ANCA-associated vasculitis: Incidence and time course.

Rituximab (RTX) is approved for remission induction and maintenance of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). Observational studies demonstrate decline in immunoglobulin (IgG) in AAV post-RTX. The time course for the onset of hypogammaglobulinemia (Hypo-IgG) post-RTX is unknown. This is a key determinant in deciding whether to continue RTX for reinduction or maintenance of remission for AAV. We evaluated the trends of Hypo-IgG among AAV patients post-RTX therapies. An observational single-tertiary-center study of AAV patients treated with RTX for remission induction or maintenance (induction therapy, maintenance therapy, and combined induction and maintenance therapy) between 1998 and 2018. Poisson regression was used to compare the inciden- ces of Hypo-IgG: mild (450-700 mg dL-1), moderate (200-450 mg dL-1), and severe (􏰃200 mg dL-1). Ig levels were measured every 3-6 months after RTX use. Mean (SD) age at last visit was 59 (16) years, 93% were Caucasians, 64% were females, and 71 (63%) had granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Hypo-IgG occurred in 47 patients: one (2%) severe, 13 (28%) moderate, and 33 (70%) mild. Lower incidences of mild Hypo-IgG post-RTX were seen during induction compared to maintenance (IR 5.04 per 100 000 days vs 5.45 per 100 000 days, incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.08, 95% CI 0.34, 3.19). Moderate Hypo-IgG occurred at 2.29 per 100 000 days during induc- tion and 1.82 per 100 000 days during maintenance (IRR 0.79, 95% CI 0.08, 4.84). Hypo-IgG is common among AAV treated with RTX, occurring in 42% of patients in this single-center cohort. The nadir IgG levels occur during remission induction, and the IgG levels remain relatively stable or increase over time in those receiving RTX for remission maintenance.

Safety and Efficacy of Combination Maintenance Therapy with Ixazomib and Lenalidomide in Patients with Posttransplant Myeloma.

In this study, the addition of ixazomib to lenalidomide maintenance post-autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in 64 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma was evaluated on the basis of the observed benefit of lenalidomide-only maintenance in prior studies. Patients were started on maintenance therapy with lenalidomide and ixazomib within 60-180 days of stem cell infusion. Response rates deepened over time from baseline post-ASCT for 39 patients. The complete response (CR)/stringent CR rate was 43% and median overall survival was not reached with a median follow-up of 62 months (range, 25-82 months). Median PFS (mPFS) for all patients was 73 months and has not been reached for those with International Staging System (ISS) stage 1 disease. mPFS in 9 patients who had ISS stage 3 disease and 14 patients who had high-risk cytogenetics was 34 and 25 months, respectively. Twenty-two patients had progressive disease, while 19 patients continue to receive dual maintenance. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events included neutropenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, lung infections, diarrhea, and maculopapular rash. Second primary malignancies occurred in 9 patients. Toxicity led to dose reductions in ixazomib and lenalidomide in 20 and 31 patients, respectively. Discontinuation of ixazomib due to toxicity occurred in 4 patients. Grade 1/2 neuropathy occurred in 22 patients and led to reduction or discontinuation of ixazomib in 2 patients. The addition of ixazomib to lenalidomide maintenance demonstrated a better than expected PFS compared with historical data using lenalidomide alone and was safe and tolerable.

Safety and Efficacy of Combination Maintenance Therapy with Ixazomib and Lenalidomide in Post-Transplant Myeloma Patients

Safety and Efficacy of Combination Maintenance Therapy with Ixazomib and Lenalidomide in Post-Transplant Myeloma Patients

Bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone with or without elotuzumab in patients with untreated, high-risk multiple myeloma (SWOG-1211): primary analysis of a randomised, phase 2 trial

The introduction of immunomodulatory agents, proteasome inhibitors, and autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation has improved outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma, but patients with high-risk multiple myeloma have a poor long-term prognosis. We aimed to address optimal treatment for these patients. SWOG-1211 is a randomised phase 2 trial comparing eight cycles of lenalidomide (25 mg orally on days 1-14 every 21 days), bortezomib (1·3 mg/m2 subcutaneously on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 every 21 days), and dexamethasone (20 mg orally on days 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, and 12 every 21 days; RVd) induction followed by dose-attenuated RVd maintenance (bortezomib 1 mg/m2 subcutaneously on days 1, 8, and 15; lenalidomide 15 mg orally on days 1-21; dexamethasone 12 mg orally on days 1, 18, and 15 every 28 days) until disease progression with or without elotuzumab (10 mg/kg intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15 for cycles 1-2, on days 1 and 11 for cycles 3-8, and on days 1 and 15 during maintenance). Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either RVd or RVd-elotuzumab. High-risk multiple myeloma was defined by one of the following: gene expression profiling high risk (GEPhi), t(14;16), t(14;20), del(17p) or amp1q21, primary plasma cell leukaemia and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (two times the upper limit of normal or more). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival, and all analyses were done on intention-to-treat basis among eligible patients who were evaluable for response. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01668719. 100 (RVd n=52, RVd-elotuzumab n=48) patients were enrolled between Oct 27, 2013, and May 15, 2016, across 26 cooperative group institutions in the USA. Median age was 64 years (IQR 57-70, range 36-85). 74 (75%) of 99 had International Staging System stage II or stage III disease, 47 (47%) of 99 had amp1q21, 37 (37%) of 100 had del17p, 11 (11%) of 100 had t(14;16), eight (9%) of 90 were GEPhi, seven (7%) of 100 had primary plasma cell leukaemia, five (5%) of 100 had t(14;20), four (4%) of 100 had elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase, and 17 (17%) had two or more features. With a median follow-up of 53 months (IQR 46-59), no difference in median progression-free survival was observed (RVd 33·64 months [95% CI 19·55-not reached], RVd-elotuzumab 31·47 months [18·56-53·98]; hazard ratio 0·968 [80% CI 0·697-1·344]; one-sided p=0·45]. 37 (71%) of 52 patients in the RVd group and 37 (77%) of 48 in the RVd-elotuzumab group had grade 3 or worse adverse events. No significant differences in the safety profile were observed, although some notable results included grade 3-5 infections (four [8%] of 52 in the RVd group, eight [17%] of 48 in the RVd-elotuzumab group), sensory neuropathy (four [8%] of 52 in the RVd group, six [13%] of 48 in the RVd-elotuzumab group), and motor neuropathy (one [2%] of 52 in the RVd group, four [8%] of 48 in the RVd-elotuzumab group). There were no treatment-related deaths in the RVd group and one death in the RVd-elotuzumab group for which study treatment was listed as possibly contributing by the investigator. In the first randomised study of high-risk multiple myeloma reported to date, the addition of elotuzumab to RVd induction and maintenance did not improve patient outcomes. However, progression-free survival in both study groups exceeded the original statistical assumptions and supports the role for continuous proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drug combination maintenance therapy for this patient population. National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

HYDRALAZINE-INDUCED LUPUS VASCULITIS PRESENTING AS DIFFUSE ALVEOLAR HEMORRHAGE

SESSION TITLE: Medical Student/Resident Pulmonary Manifestations of Systemic Disease Posters SESSION TYPE: Med Student/Res Case Rep Postr PRESENTED ON: October 18-21, 2020 INTRODUCTION: Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) as the presenting symptom in occult vascular disease is a rare occurrence. We present an exceedingly unique case of hydralazine-induced lupus vasculitis who improved after emergent plasmapheresis and combined maintenance therapy of rituximab and steroids. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-year-old male with hypertension and coronary artery disease, on hydralazine 100mg TID, presented to the emergency department after 10 days of dyspnea and hemoptysis. On presentation, he was hypoxic and lab work revealed an acute kidney injury, new-onset anemia, and peripheral eosinophilia. His erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were markedly elevated at >145mm/h and 105.1mg/L, respectively. Urinalysis was concerning for a nephritic syndrome and CT scan of the chest suggested multifocal pneumonia with fibrotic lung pattern and ground-glass nodularity. Bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchoscopy confirmed DAH, and he was emergently started on intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone and plasmapheresis. Autoimmune workup revealed a hypocomplementemia with elevations in multiple antibodies including ANA, MPO, PR3, pANCA, anti-cardiolipin, and antiphospholipid. Renal biopsy showed acute tubular necrosis without immune complex nephropathy. His symptoms resolved after plasmapheresis, IV steroids, combined rItuximab/prednisone, and discontinuation of hydralazine. DISCUSSION: Hydralazine-induced vasculitis is a rare occurrence in medicine and presentation as DAH has not been described in the literature. This case is unique in that its antibody biomarker distribution was positive for a multitude of diagnostic markers suggestive of Lupus-associated vasculitis or ANCA-associated vasculitis. There is agreement upon initial treatment with IV glucocorticoids, however, efficacy comparing plasmapheresis, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab is debated. PLEX, PLEXIVAS, and RAVE trials suggested non-inferiority in mortality. However, these trials suggest differing secondary endpoints when comparing plasmapheresis vs non-plasmapheresis therapy in regards to end-stage renal disease and renal recovery time. PLEXIVAS also suggests a therapeutic benefit of low dose glucocorticoids combined with rituximab as maintenance therapy. CONCLUSIONS: We present a case of presumed hydralazine-induced lupus vasculitis presenting as DAH that resolved after discontinuation of the culprit agent, plasmapheresis, and maintenance therapy. Early autoimmune workup and diagnosis via bronchoscopy and renal biopsy are paramount. Further treatment guidelines for pulmonary-renal vasculitis require additional clinical trials to decipher a clear therapeutic benefit. Reference #1: McGeoch L, Twilt M, Famorca L, Bakowsky V, et al. CanVasc Recommendations for the Management of AntiNeutrophilic Cytoplasm Antibody-associated Vasculitides. J Rhematol. Jan 43(1);97-120. doi 10.3899/jrheum.150376 Reference #2: Walsh M, Merkel PA, Jayne D. The Effects of Plasma Exchange and Reduced-Dose Glucocorticoids during Remission-Induction for Treatment of Severe ANCA-Associated Vasculitis [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2018; 70 (suppl 10). Reference #3: Jayne DR, Gaskin G, Rasmussen N, Abramowicz D et al. Randomized trial of plasma exchange or high dose methylprednisolone as adjunctive therapy for severe renal vasculitis. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2007 Jul; 18(7):2180-8 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Andrew Pajak, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Shivam Thakur, source=Web Response

Primary analysis of the randomized phase II trial of bortezomib, lenalidomide, dexamthasone with/without elotuzumab for newly diagnosed, high-risk multiple myeloma (SWOG-1211).

8507 Background: The introduction of immunomodulatory agents, proteasome inhibitors, and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has improved outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma (MM), but those with high risk MM (HRMM) have a poor long-term prognosis. To date, no trials have addressed optimal treatment for these patients. Methods: S1211 is a randomized phase II trial (NCT01668719) comparing 8 cycles of lenalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone (RVd) induction followed by dose-attenuated RVd maintenance until disease progression with or without elotuzumab. Stem cell collection was allowed, but ASCT was deferred until progression. HRMM was defined by one of the following: gene expression profiling high-risk (GEPhi), t(14; 16), t(14; 20), del(17p) or amplification 1q21, primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL) and elevated serum LDH (&gt; 2X ULN). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary end-point, using a one-sided stratified log-rank test at a one-sided significance level of 0.1. Secondary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR), adverse events (AE), serious adverse events (SAE) and OS. Response was assessed using the IMWG 2009 criteria. Results: S1211 enrolled 103 evaluable patients, RVd n = 54, RVd-Elo n = 49. 75% had ISS II/III, 47% amp1q21, 38% del17p, 12% t(14; 16), 9% GEPhi, 7% pPCL, 5% t(14; 20) and 4% elevated serum LDH (18.5% &gt; 1 feature). With median follow-up of 53 months (mos.), no difference in median PFS was observed [RVd-Elo = 31 mos., RVd = 34 mos.,HR = 0.968 (80% CI = 0.697-1.344), p = 0.449]. No difference in OS was observed [RVd-Elo = 68 mos, RVd = not reached, HR = 1.279 (80% CI: 0.819, 2.000), p-value = 0.478]. 72% pts had &gt; Grade 3 AEs, no differences in the safety profile were observed except &gt;Grade 3 infections (RVd 8%, RVd-Elo 16%), &gt;Grade 3 sensory neuropathy (RVd 8%, RVd-Elo 13%). Conclusions: In the first randomized HRMM study reported to date, the addition of elotuzumab to RVd induction and maintenance did not improve patient outcomes. However, the PFS and OS seen in both arms of the study exceeded the original statistical assumptions and support the role for PI/IMiD combination maintenance therapy for this patient population. The S1211 data will serve as an important benchmark for future HRMM clinical trials. Clinical trial information: NCT01668719 .

Budesonide/formoterol therapy: effective and appropriate use in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Aim: Quality, real-world comparative effectiveness (CE) studies of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease therapy efficacy are scarce. We identified and evaluated peer-reviewed CE and appropriate-use evaluations of budesonide/formoterol combination (BFC) maintenance therapy. Materials & methods: Analyses were limited to retrospective, real-world utilization studies of BFC delivered by pressurized metered-dose inhalers. Results: In a CE study of BFC versus fluticasone/salmeterol combinations (FSC)in asthma, BFC users had fewer total exacerbations. In appropriate-use studies of asthma treatment, BFC patients were consistently more likely to meet treatment escalation recommendations. BFC comparisons with FSC or tiotropium for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease found differences in exacerbation rates and rescue inhaler use. Conclusion: We found available, good quality BFC CE and appropriate-use articles; however, all had limitations.

Efficacy and toxicities of combination maintenance therapy in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: an up-to-date meta-analysis.

Background: Single agent maintenance therapy has been approved for the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) due to its potential survival benefits, but whether combined maintenance therapy would improve the survival of advanced NSCLC remains undetermined.Methods: Relevant trials were identified by searching electronic databases and conference meetings. Prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing combination maintenance therapy in advanced NSCLC patients were included. Outcomes of interest included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and grade 3–4 toxicities.Results: A total of 1950 advanced NSCLC patients received combination maintenance treatment from six trials were included for analysis. The use of doublet maintenance therapy in NSCLC patients significantly improved PFS (HR 0.74, 95%CI: 0.59–0.93, P = 0.010), but not for OS (HR 0.95, 95%CI: 0.85–1.07, P = 0.40) in comparison with single agent maintenance therapy. Similar results were observed in sub-group analysis according to treatment regimens. In addition, there was no significantly risk difference between doublet and single agent maintenance therapy in terms of grade 3/4 hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities.Conclusion: The findings of the present study show that doublet combination maintenance therapy is superior to single agent maintenance therapy in terms of PFS, without increased grade 3–4 toxicities. Future prospective studies are recommended to clearly assess the long-term clinical benefit of doublet maintenance therapy and its impact on health-related quality of life.

Incidence of serious adverse events in bortezomib, lenalidomide and bortezomib plus lenalidomide maintenance for multiple myeloma: Interim analysis of MMRF-CoMMpass study.

e19516 Background: Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) followed by maintenance therapy is the standard of care for transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Maintenance typically consists of lenalidomide (LEN), however, bortezomib (BOR) and bortezomib-lenalidomide combination are other options. The respective toxicity of these regimens has not been well studied. We performed secondary data analysis to compare incidence of serious adverse events associated with each maintenance therapy group during post-ASCT maintenance treatment period. Methods: Data was extracted from the open-access MMRF Researcher Gateway corresponding with interim analysis from the CoMMpass study. We extracted data of first-time autologous stem cell transplant patients who completed maintenance therapy post-ASCT. We categorized patients into three sub groups bortezomib, lenalidomide or combination (bortezomib and lenalidomide) maintenance therapy. Incidence rate for serious adverse events (grade 3 or higher) was calculated by number of events per 100 person-months for each maintenance therapy. Results: 231 patients were eligible for our analysis. 169 patients received lenalidomide, 27 bortezomib and 35 combination. The most common adverse event was neutropenia and second most common is pneumonia. Neutropenia incidence was 1.1,0.7 and 0.9 per 100 person-months in lenalidomide, bortezomib and combination regimens respectively. Incidence of deep vein thrombosis, GI intolerance and peripheral neuropathy 0.1 per 100 person-months respectively was observed in lenalidomide group only. Combination maintenance had the highest total adverse event incidence rate of 5.4 per 100 person-months. Incidence of 1.7 and 3.8 per 100 person-months is observed in bortezomib and lenalidomide cohorts respectively. Conclusions: Lenalidomide and bortezomib maintenance had similar incidence of serious adverse events. A higher incidence of serious adverse events was noted in the combination lenalidomide/bortezomib regimens. Interestingly, we observed lower incidence of adverse events in all groups in CoMMpass study compared to respective clinical trials involving maintenance regimens. This may be due to under reporting of adverse events in CoMMpass study. The incidence of adverse events mentioned above should be interpreted in the context of drugs and other factors involved in the disease.

A Single Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) Followed By Two Years of Post-Transplant Therapy in Recently Diagnosed Elderly Multiple Myeloma (MM) Patients. Safety and Response Results from the Prospective Phase II Trial (NCT01849783)

Introduction : Melphalan 200mg/m2 has been the standard conditioning regimen for ASCT for multiple myeloma. Novel agents in combination with high dose melphan are being evaluated in clinical trials to improve outcomes. We previously reported results of early ASCT ( < 12 months from diagnosis) using VDT (Bortezomib, Thalidomide, Dexamethasone) plus Melphalan 200mg/m2 conditioning chemotherapy followed by combination maintenance therapy in younger MM patients (Age <65). This current prospective study evaluates the tolerance, safety and efficacy of early ASCT and maintenance therapy in MM patients who are ≥65 of age.Methods and patients: A total of 41 eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma age ≥ 65 were prospectively enrolled in the IRB approved phase II trial beginning in June 2013. After an induction chemotherapy and stem cell collection, ASCT was performed with a preparative chemotherapy consisting of VDT-Melphalan 200mg/m2. The patients were considered to have high risk cytogenetics if they had 17p deletion, t(14;16), amp 1q, or t(4;14) by FISH on CD-138 sorted plasma cells. After engraftment and recovery, patients were started on maintenance therapy for 2 years. Planned regimen for the first year was a combination of VDT as 28 day cycles and year 2 therapy consisted of bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone( VCD) as 28 day cycles. Alternate regimens were used in case of toxicities. Primary end points include PFS, frequency of severe toxicities, ICU admissions, and percentage of patients able to complete the full course of maintenance. Responses were evaluated according to IMWG consensus criteria and adverse events were recorded according to CTCAE v 4.03.Results: 37 of the 41 patients enrolled received single ASCT between 2013 to 2016 of which 35 patients went to receive triple maintenance therapy and were included in this analysis. Median age was 68 (range: 65 to 75y). 12 (59%) and 15(40%) had standard risk and high risk cytogenetics by FISH, respectively. Median follow up was 27 months (3 months - 5 years). Major non-hematologic toxicities ≥ grade 3 were related to infections (25%), diarrhea (16%) and mucositis (11%). Median time to ANC and platelet engraftment was 11 and 17 days, respectively. There was one death within day 100 related to candida sepsis. Only 2 patients were re-hospitalized within 100 days but none required ICU admission. Median time to start post-transplant therapy was 73 days (range: 47 to 185 days). Best responses noted prior to initiation of maintenance were 17 sCR(47.2%), 3CR(8%), 10 VGPR(27%) and 6 PR(17%). 18 patients completed 2 years of maintenance therapy thus far and responses at the time of this analysis include sCR in 16 and CR in 2 patients. A total of 3 patients died during maintenance phase due to progressive disease. Median PFS and OS were not reached and 3 year PFS and OS were around 82 and 90%, respectively.Conclusions:This is the first trial to prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of early ASCT in elderly MM patients using a novel agent conditioning regimen followed by an intensive 2 year maintenance therapy. These results from the median follow up of 27 months indicate that the regimen is safe and tolerated without any increased mortality, and results in higher rates of deep and sustained responses. Major non hematologic toxicities included infections and GI related. No increased hospitalizations or ICU admissions were noted. Further follow up will determine the long term effects of the combination maintenance regimen, disease responses and survival in this group of elderly MM patients. [Display omitted] DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.