Post-transplant Progression-free Survival Research Articles

Characteristics and outcomes of children, adolescents and young adults with relapsed/refractory non-hodgkin lymphoma undergoing autologous stem cell transplant

BackgroundThere is paucity of data regarding outcomes of children, adolescents and young adults (CAYA) patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT).MethodsPatients aged 0–39 years undergoing first ASCT for NHL at MD Anderson Cancer Center between 2000 and 2020 were analyzed.ResultsTwo hundred twenty-one patients were included in the analysis, 129 (58%) were male and the median age was 32 (range 6–39) years. The most common histological subtypes were diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (44%), T-NHL (19%) and primary mediastinal B-Cell lymphoma (PMBCL) (19%). Younger patients (age ≤ 25) had lower incidence of DLBCL and higher incidence of PMBCL and T-NHL compared to older patients (age > 25) (P = 0.02). None of the younger patients had double hit (DH)/double expressor (DE) DLBCL, compared to 14 patients in the older age group (18%, P = 0.07). Considering the three main aggressive NHL subtypes (DLBCL, PMBCL and T-NHL), younger patients had numerically better 15-year post-transplant progression free survival (PFS) (67% vs. 54%) and overall survival (OS) (71% vs. 62%) compared to older patients, yet these differences did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.19 and P = 0.24, respectively). In multivariate analysis, not achieving a CR prior to ASCT was independently predictive of worse PFS [partial remission (PR) (HR, 3.9); stable disease (SD) (HR, 18.0), P = 0.03] and of worse OS [PR (HR, 4.2), SD (HR, 6.5) and progressive disease (HR, 4.7), P < 0.0001]. DH/DE status was an independent adverse predictor of PFS in multivariate analysis (HR 5.8, p = 0.03).Ten patients (4.5%) (all aged > 25 years) developed second primary malignancies (SPM), at a median of 34.4 (range, 1.0–196.6) months after ASCT, and SPM was the cause of death in five (50%) of them.ConclusionsCAYA NHL patients aged ≤ 25 years who received ASCT presented a distinct NHL histology as compared to older CAYA patients, and none in this younger age group had DH/DE DLBCL. We observed a trend towards improved PFS and OS in younger patients. Disease status at ASCT was predictive of both PFS and OS. DH/DE status was an adverse predictor of PFS.

Supermobilizers with High CD34 + Cell Collection for Autologous Transplant and Impact on Survival Outcomes in Multiple Myeloma

Introduction: Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is standard therapy for selected patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Studies in MM and lymphoma have suggested that ability to mobilize and collect a higher yield of CD34 + cells predicts for improved survival outcomes, perhaps reflecting better bone marrow reserve (Bolwell 2007, Raschle 2011). We aimed to validate this hypothesis by correlating high CD34 + cell collection (“supermobilizers”) and survival outcomes in a large myeloma cohort with long follow-up.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed MM patients (pts) who underwent ASCT at our centre 2000-2010, correlating number of CD34 + cells collected with post-transplant progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Stem cells were mobilized using cyclophosphamide 2.5 g/m 2 IV (day 1), G-CSF 10 ug/kg/day SC (starting on day 4), and leukapheresis (day 11), targeting 4x10 6/kg but accepting a minimum of 2x10 6/kg to support a single transplant. Using a cut-off used in previous studies, pts were categorized as “supermobilizers” if ≥8x10 6/kg CD34+ cells were collected.Results: 621 pts were analyzed. Most pts (422/605; 70%) received high dose dexamethasone (HDD) alone or in combination with vincristine and adriamycin (VAD) for pre-transplant induction therapy (pre-dating the novel agent era) with only 18% (110/605) receiving more contemporary bortezomib-based induction (mostly cyclophosphamide, bortezomib and dexamethasone; CyBORD). The median number of CD34 + cells collected for all pts was 13.9x10 6/kg (range 2.1-61.8). The median CD34 + cells re-infused was 6.2x10 6/kg (range 2.1-25), as some cells were reserved for 2 nd ASCT, but median CD34+ cells collected correlated with CD34 + cells infused (Pearson coefficient 0.81, p<0.001).At a median follow-up of 74 months (m), we were surprised to report an inferior PFS of 24.1m for the supermobilizers collecting ≥8x10 6/kg vs 33.7m for the <8 group (p=0.038, Figure 1a), without differences in OS (p=0.612, Figure 1b). No further discrimination in PFS was observed when using a more extreme supermobilizer cut-off of 15x10 6/kg. To further understand the counterintuitive result of shorter PFS with higher mobilization capacity, we explored the continuous relationship between CD34 + cells and PFS, identifying another optimal cut-off of 4.5x10 6/kg. Pts collecting in the mid-range (4.5-8; n=129) achieved the best PFS of 34.5m, significantly improved over 24.1m in the ≥8 group (n=478) and 11.4m in the small group at the extreme lower collection range (n=14; ≤4.5x10 6/kg)(Figure 1c). A similar pattern was seen with OS (Figure 1d). Clinical and laboratory parameters that may impact both collection capacity and survival, such as age, ISS, and kidney dysfunction, were investigated as confounders but were similar between collection groups and did not predict for PFS in multivariable analyses. Treatment variables, however, differed between groups: the lower collection groups more often received bortezomib-based induction (29%, 31% and 14% in the ≤4.5, 4.5-8 and ≥8 groups, respectively, p<0.001) resulting in deeper responses pre-transplant (VGPR 50% in the ≥8 group vs 43% in the 4.5-8 group, p=0.024) (Table 1). Use of maintenance therapy post-ASCT also differed (50%, 40% and 28% in the ≤4.5, 4.5-8 and ≥8 groups, respectively, p=0.006).Discussion: In this large cohort of 621 MM patients, we report that “supermobilizers” who collected ≥8 x 10 6 CD34 + cells/kg exhibit inferior PFS from transplant than those with less robust mobilization. We suspected that this unexpected observation was due to confounding variables, and identified differences in treatment, primarily greater use of bortezomib-based induction and post-transplant maintenance therapy in the lower collection group. This group was able to achieve deeper responses (≥VGPR) even before transplant than the supermobilizer group, leading to improved PFS. Although bortezomib is routinely used as induction therapy pre-transplant currently and is not felt to be stem cell toxic, it may impair mobilization to a lesser degree, leading not to abject failure of collection but lowered capacity to achieve “supermobilizer” status. Although more research is needed to validate this hypothesis, we can at minimum conclude that high stem cell collection does not appear to predict for a long-term survival advantage. [Display omitted] DisclosuresReece: Millennium: Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Research Funding; GSK: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding. Trudel: Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS/Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy. Prica: Astra-Zeneca: Honoraria; Kite Gilead: Honoraria. Chen: Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astrazeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Beigene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy.

Bortezomib‐containing induction regimens in transplant‐eligible myeloma patients

The objective of this meta-analysis in patients with myeloma was to test the hypothesis that the addition of bortezomib to induction therapy not only improves the depth of response but also improves post-transplant progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) outcomes. Phase 3 trials that randomized newly diagnosed, transplant-eligible patients with myeloma to receive either a bortezomib-containing induction regimen (BCIR) or a nonbortezomib-containing induction regimen (NBCIR) were identified. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were adapted for data synthesis, and comprehensive meta-analysis software was used to report pooled data as hazard ratios or odds ratios under a random-effects model. Four published phase 3 trials that included 2169 patients were analyzed. The postinduction and post-transplant pooled odds ratio for achieving a complete response/near complete response or a very good partial response or better and the overall response rate were higher with BCIR. The pooled hazard ratios for 3-year PFS and OS were 0.71 (95% confidence interval, 0.60-0.83; P < .00,001) and 0.79 (95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.96; P = .014), respectively, favoring BCIR. The odds of developing selected grade ≥ 3 toxicities (peripheral neuropathy and varicella-zoster virus reactivation) also were higher with BCIR. The current meta-analysis demonstrated that BCIR results in an improved depth of response, which translates into improved post-transplant PFS and OS outcomes despite a higher incidence of toxicity. This analysis supports the concept that the choice of induction regimen can influence post-transplant outcomes such as PFS and OS.

Rapidity and Quality of Response to Steroid-Based Induction Therapy, Without the Addition of Novel Agents, Does Not Affect Post Transplant Outcomes in Multiple Myeloma

The goal of induction in younger MM patients is to improve performance status and symptoms, enabling autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). It is unclear whether intensification of induction regimens improves post transplant outcomes. We studied 178 MM patients who received conservative steroid-based induction therapy without novel agents before ASCT between 2000 and 2006 and correlated induction parameters (rapidity of response, need for salvage induction therapy, depth of response) with transplant outcomes. Fifty-three percent of patients achieved at least a partial response by cycle 2 (early responders). Rapidity of induction response did not translate into a significant difference in post transplant progression-free survival (PFS) (20.7 vs. 20.0 months; P = .24) or overall survival (OS) (64.4 vs. 51.3 months, respectively; P = .13). In 41 patients (23%) the first induction regimen failed, but they responded to salvage and proceeded to ASCT. They had inferior PFS (15.6 vs. 21.8 months; P = .008) and OS (43.5 vs. 69.4 months; P = .0004) post transplant compared with those requiring 1 regimen. Rapid response to induction therapy does not correlate with PFS or OS post ASCT when using a conservative steroid-based induction regimen. Patients in whom this initial induction fails have worse post transplant outcomes, thus the upfront use of intensive therapies with novel agents should be considered.

Immunoglobulin Free Light Chain (FLC) and Heavy Chain/Light Chain (HLC) Assays – Comparison with Electrophoretic Responses in Multiple Myeloma (MM)

Abstract 2877FLC assay measures circulating unbound k and l light chains and is of diagnostic and prognostic value in plasma cell disorders. Normalization of FLC ratio is considered a higher level of complete response (CR) in MM but this has not been well validated prospectively. HLC is a novel antibody based assay that targets the unique junctional epitopes between the heavy chain and light chain constant regions of intact immunoglobulin (Ig) molecules. It separately measures in pairs the light chain types of each immunoglobulin class generating ratios of monoclonal Ig/background polyclonal Ig concentrations (i.e IgGκ/IgGλ, IgAκ/IgAλ and IgMκ/IgMλ); potentially simplifying assessment of monoclonal protein response. To assess the prognostic impact of these assays and to correlate them with electrophoretic/immunofixation (SPE/IFE) assessment, we analyzed 497 stored serum samples from patients enrolled in the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN) 0102 clinical trial, sponsored by the NHLBI and NCI, of tandem autologous (autoHCT) vs. tandem autoHCT- allogeneic (alloHCT).Samples were collected prior to the first autoHCT and analyzed for FLC (Freelite™) and HLC (Hevylite™) at The Binding Site, UK. Corresponding disease status determination was centrally performed by an expert data review committee using uniform response criteria and correlated with FLC and HLC results. HLC remission was defined as normalization of composite heavy and light chain ratios across all 3 measured heavy/light chain pairs or the normalization of clonal isotype with normal ratios of uninvolved pairs.The demographics of 497 patients with HLC/FLC samples at baseline were concordant with the main study and showed similar patient proportions from the 2 study arms.Of the 211 pts with baseline SPE response better than or equal to a very good partial response (>VGPR), 188 also had an HLC remission (Sensitivity=89%). Comparison of the HLC remission with the >VGPR disease state also identified a specificity of 52%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 58% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 87%. Similarly, all 56 patients in complete remission (CR) by SPE/IFE were in HLC remission. Compared with conventional CR assessment, sensitivity of HLC remission was 100%, specificity 39%, PPV and NPV values of 17% and 100% respectively. FLC remission correlated with >VGPR disease state had a sensitivity of 47%, specificity of 81% and a PPV and NPV of 64% and 67% respectively.Multivariate models for post transplant progression free survival (PFS) indicated that baseline disease response (>VGPR vs. partial remission (PR) or<PR) was associated with longer PFS. Adjusted models including baseline response, myeloma stage and study arm were used to compare the predictive utility of HLC and FLC assays. There was a lower risk of treatment failure (HR 0.74, p=0.02) and superior PFS for patients who achieved an HLC remission. When stratified by baseline disease response states, there was no additional prognostic impact for HLC remissions on PFS. Normalization of FLC ratio among patients with >VGPR disease state did not impact PFS (HR 0.96, p=0.83).Abnormal HLC after induction therapy has a high negative predictive value (100%) for identifying patients not achieving CR by uniform response criteria and is also associated with shorter PFS after transplant. FLC ratio normalization had no impact suggesting that stringent CR criteria may need further validation. Disclosures:Krishnan:Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Millenium: Speakers Bureau. Alvi:the binding site: Employment. Harding:The Binding Site Group Ltd: Employment. Maloney:Cellgene: Consultancy.

Stem Cell Transplant in Multiple Myeloma: Impact of Response Failure in the Era of Novel Therapies.

Abstract 1878Poster Board I-900Autologous stem cell transplant as a platform for multiple myeloma treatment is the standard of care for patients who can safely withstand the procedure. Before novel agents were introduced, one-third to one-half of patients did not achieve partial response at transplant. Previously published medical literature has showed that in this past era, absence of initial response to induction therapy had no impact on progression-free survival and overall survival after high-dose therapy. Lack of response to initial induction did not preclude a good response after stem cell transplant. With the introduction of novel agents—immunomodulatory drugs and proteasome inhibitors—response rates with initial therapy are now between 70% and 100%. This retrospective study analyzes progression-free survival and overall survival in patients who do not have a partial response after induction therapy with a regimen that contains a novel agent. Unlike patients in reports published previously—before novel agents—patients who do not achieve partial remission have a significantly shorter overall survival from transplant (74.0 vs 43.5 months) and a shorter progression-free survival (22.6 vs 13.1 months; P<.001). Absence of a response to induction therapy with a novel agent predicts a poorer outcome after high-dose therapy.{abstabft}.b CR+VGPR for plateau, P<.001 compared with other 3 categories.Failure to respond to novel-agent induction leads to shorter posttransplant progression-free survival (PFS).Failure to respond to novel-agent induction leads to shorter posttransplant overall survivalDisclosures: Gertz: celgene: Honoraria; millenium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kumar: celgene: Honoraria; millenium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lacy: celgene: Honoraria; millenium: Honoraria.TableMultivariable Analysis of Posttransplant Progression-Free SurvivalVariableP ValuePlateau vs relapsed-refractory.003Albumin.86Sex.94b2-Microglobulin.89Bone marrow plasma cells.18Age.75Abnormal cytogenetics.002CTX mobilization.51Labeling index.002 [Display omitted] [Display omitted]

Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma in Patients with Reduced Renal Function: A Matched Set Comparison.

Background: Renal insufficiency of varying severity including end stage renal disease requiring dialysis is often a presenting manifestation of multiple myeloma (MM). While many patients (pts) improve following initiation of therapy for MM, a considerable number of pts proceed to stem cell transplant with less than optimal renal function. It is not clear whether the outcome of their transplants differs from pts with normal renal function.Methods: The MM transplant database was searched to identify pts with a Creatinine clearance (Crcl) of less than 50 ml/min/m2 (study cohort). These pts were then matched to two pts each with a clearance of ≥ 50 ml/min/m2 (control cohort), based on cytogenetic abnormalities (normal vs. abnormal), circulating plasma cells (yes vs. no), age at transplant, % of plasma cells at transplant, plasma cell labeling index, time to transplant from diagnosis and the disease status at transplant, the factors used in that order of importance.Results: Eighty pts with a Crcl < 50 ml/min were identified and matched to 160 pts with Crcl ≥ 50 ml/min. The pts were matched for the above factors and the two groups were similar in terms of their other baseline features except CRP and B2M, both of which were lower in the control group. Pts with reduced renal function were more likely to receive dose reduced melphalan for conditioning (32.5%) compared to the control group (2%; P < 0.0001). The outcomes from the stem cell transplant were similar in both the groups. 96% of pts obtained an objective response to stem cell transplant in each of the groups with no difference in the time to response; and a complete response was seen in 38.5% and 36.6% of the study and control cohorts respectively (P=NS). The median post transplant progression free survival was 18.2 months and 18.4 mos respectively for the study cohort and the control group (P=0.4). However, the median overall survival from transplant was shorter for the study cohort (30.7 mos vs. 60 mos for the controls; P = 0.007; Figure). The time to platelet and neutrophil engraftment was not different between the groups. In terms of transplant related toxicity, the median days hospitalized was higher in the study group (5 days vs. 9.5 days; P=0.003) as was the incidence of grade 3 and 4 mucositis (8% vs. 23%; P= 0.0008). Six pts (7.5%) had treatment related deaths in the study group compared to 3 pts (2%) among the controls (P=0.03), the majority of the deaths being infection related.Conclusion: Here we demonstrate that pts with MM and reduced renal function derive disease free survival comparable to those with normal renal function, despite the increased use of reduced dose Melphalan for conditioning. The toxicity is clearly increased in the presence of abnormal renal function. Interestingly, the overall survival was inferior among the pts with reduced renal function. One possible explanation for this observation is the decreased availability of novel therapies for salvage among pts with reduced renal function as many of them would not be eligible for clinical trials due to reduced renal function. [Display omitted]

Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma in Patients over 70 Years: A Matched Comparison with Patients under 65 Years.

Background: High dose therapy with autologous stem cell rescue has been shown to prolong survival in patients with multiple myeloma in randomized controlled trials. However, most of the prospective studies have included younger patients, usually 65 or less. It is important to have a better understanding of the outcome of transplantation in the older patients given the median age of onset of myeloma of 65 years. We retrospectively reviewed our institutions experience with high dose therapy for patients over 70 years.Methods: We identified 35 patients with multiple myeloma, from the transplant database, who were at or over the age of 70 at the time of their high dose therapy. We matched these patients to 70 patients (two matches for each patient), based on stage at transplant (primary refractory, plateau phase, relapse off therapy, or relapse on therapy), Durie Salmon stage, high or low labeling index, conventional cytogenetics (abnormal vs normal), presence or absence of circulating plasma cells at time of transplant, and whether cyclophosphamide was used as part of mobilization in that order of priority.Results: The median age of the two groups were 55.3 (Range 37.3–64.8) and 71.7 (Range 70–75.8) years at the time of transplant. The median time to transplant from diagnosis was similar (6.4 for the older patients compared to 6.9 months for the other, P = NS). Ten of the 35 older patients received reduced dose melphalan (140 mg/2)) compared to 3 patients in the control group; P < 0.01. The median follow up from transplant was 10.1 months for the older patients compared to 18 months for the control group. The overall response rate was similar for the two groups (97.1% for the older patients compared to 95.5 for the control group). Eleven (31%) of the older patients and 17 (24%) of the control patients achieved a CR (P = NS). The post transplant progression free survival estimate at 1 year post transplant was 65.3% for the older patients compared to 66% for the control group (P = 0.3)The two year estimated overall survival from transplant was similar in the two groups; 58% for the older patients compared to 67% for the control group. The overall survival from diagnosis was similar for the two groups (P = 0.6). The median number of days hospitalized was 9 days for the older population compared to 5 days for the control group (P = 0.37). Four patients died within the first one hundred days, one (3%) among the older patient group and 3 (4.3%) in the control group.Conclusions: High dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation is feasible in selected patients with multiple myeloma over 70 years. It is likely that these older patients were selected based on their overall performance status, a factor that is difficult to analyze in this retrospective review. Nearly 70% of the elderly patients received full dose melphalan for conditioning (200 mg/m2). The toxicity of transplant as well as the outcome appears to be very similar to the younger patients. Patients with multiple myeloma should not be excluded from high dose therapy solely on the basis of their chronological age.

Delayed stem cell transplantation for the management of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

The optimal timing of stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma is controversial. Late stem cell collection is undesirable because of the inability to mobilize stem cells. We report on 64 recipients of stem cells collected within 1 year after diagnosis, none of whom had transplantation in plateau phase of their disease. Patients seen within 12 months after diagnosis received four cycles of standard vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (VAD) chemotherapy and then had stem cells mobilized. Patients were then placed on maintenance vincristine, BCNU, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone or melphalan and prednisone chemotherapy for 12 cycles. At the sign of first progression, transplantation occurred. Fourteen patients were refractory to VAD chemotherapy, 20 relapsed on maintenance chemotherapy, and 30 relapsed off chemotherapy. The time to platelet engraftment was not affected by the duration of stem cell cryopreservation or extent of chemotherapy exposure after mobilization. The complete response rate was 34%. The actuarial median survival from initial diagnosis, from transplant day 0, and post-transplant progression-free survival was 51, 20 and 11.4 months, respectively. The patient status at transplantation and percentage of plasma cells circulating in the blood at apheresis influenced post-transplant survival; circulating plasma cells, status at transplantation and plasma cell labeling index influenced progression-free survival. Response duration was shorter in patients relapsing on chemotherapy.