The majority of multiple myeloma (MM) patients (pts) with abnormal renal function (AbRF) receive attenuated dose of therapy. Melphalan (M) is the most effective conditioning for MM pts receiving autologous stem cells transplant (ASCT). M 140 mg/m2 is the standard of care in pts with AbRF, as M 200 mg/m2 resulted in severe oral mucositis (OM). Palifermin (P) as a cytoprotective agent has demonstrated efficacy in reducing the intensity & duration of OM. Due to lack of prospective data on the use of P in MM pts with AbRF, we designed this study to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of M when used with P, in order to decrease OM. Eligibility criteria: creatinine clearance ≤ 60ml/min/1.73 m2, age ≥18 years, Durie-Salmon stage 2/3, ECOG PS ≤ 2, no dialysis, no active OM & a suitable candidate for ASCT. Level (L) 1 began at M 140 mg/m2 with P 60 mcg/kg/d, given as I.V bolus on Day -5,-4, -3 and Day +1, +2 & +3 (Stem cells infused on Day 0). M was given on D-2 & dose-escalation proceeded at 20 mg/m2 increments, up to a maximum dose of 200 mg/m2 in L4. If no symptomatic G ≥ 3 dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) were noted, an additional cohort of 3 pts was entered at the next dose level. Dose escalations were to stop if ≥ 2 DLTs occurred at a M dose (MTD). Grade (G) 4 OM, G4 diarrhea, ≥ G3 rash, & ≥ G3 cardiac toxicity were considered as DLT; G 3/4 hematological toxicity was acceptable. The G of OM was assessed daily (WHO OM scale-G 0-4). Nineteen pts were enrolled from 06/2007 to 06/2011. Data on 15 evaluable pts is reported as 4 pts were removed. Median age was 59 years (36-67).TablePatient Characteristics (N = 15)Sex – Male- no. (%)8 (53)Median Age- yr (Range)59 (36-67)Race- Caucasian- no. (%)12 (80)Median Creatinine clearance (Range)42.8 (29-60)Disease Status at the time of Transplant– no. (%)CR4 (27)VGPR3 (20)PR3 (20)PD5 (33)Median no. of infused CD34+ cells x 10∧6/Kg (Range)4.2 (2.6 - 8.0)Median number of days to neutrophil engraftment (Range)12 (11-21)Median number of days to platelet engraftment (Range)19 (0 - 86)Median duration of hospitalization- days (Range)16 (12 -74) Open table in a new tab The overall incidence of OM ≥ G3 was 53% (8/15) and a median duration of ≥ G3 OM was 6.5 days (3-42). One patient in L2 (M 160 mg/m2) developed atrial fibrillation. Two pts in L4 (M 200mg/m2) developed G4 OM, hence reaching DLT. Three more pts were then enrolled in L3 (M 180mg/m2). No DLT was observed in 6 pts enrolled in L3. Fourteen pts were evaluable for response at D+100 (4 CRs). One patient died in L4 due to multi-organ failure and infection. The most common adverse events include rash (13 events, no G 3), asymptomatic elevation of amylase (9, 3 pts G 3) and lipase (2, 1 pt G 3) and diarrhea (12, 1 pt G 3 (C.Difficile +ve)). Nine pts required narcotics; 4 pts needed TPN/NG feeding. Median duration of hospitalization for ASCT was 16 days (12-74). P has permitted safe dose escalation of M up to 180 mg/m2 with acceptable toxicity in AbRF pts.
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