Preparation For Autologous Stem-cell Transplantation Research Articles

MM-315 Light-Chain Amyloidosis Patients Treated With Daratumumab: A Single-Center Experience

Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is an extreme form of systemic amyloidosis, causing organ dysfunction, mainly affecting the heart and kidneys. Daratumumab was the first monoclonal CD38 antibody approved for the treatment of AL amyloidosis. There are few real-world data about the use of daratumumab in patients with AL amyloidosis from Latin America. Describe the hematological and organ response in patients with AL amyloidosis treated with daratumumab. A retrospective cohort of patients with AL amyloidosis in a single center treated with daratumumab from January 2018 to April 2022. Daratumumab was administered intravenously with low-dose dexamethasone alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (CyBorD). Doses were adjusted to reduce toxicities. Twelve patients were included. The overall median age was 64 (IQR, 43-77) years old, eight (67%) were female. Five patients were newly diagnosed, while seven patients had relapsed or refractory disease. One patient died during the first cycle of daratumumab, and the remaining 11 patients completed a median of 11 (IQR, 2-30) cycles. Overall, ten (83%) patients presented a hematologic response, six (60%) presented a very good partial response or better after a median of 1.5 cycles of treatment. Median time-to-hematologic response was 1.5 months. Nine patients (75%) had cardiac involvement, three had IIIB and two patients had IIIC cardiac stage respectively. Four (44%) of evaluable patients achieved a cardiac response, with a median time to response of 8 months. Six patients (50%) had renal involvement, and two (33%) of evaluable patients achieved a renal response, with a median response time of 16 months. After a median follow-up of 21 months, one patient underwent a successful cardiac transplant and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), while two other patients were in preparation for ASCT. Seven patients remained on daratumumab at the last follow-up. Two patients had infectious complications. There were no unexpected toxicities, and no grade III or IV adverse events, although more than half of our patients had advanced cardiac stage. Daratumumab induces deep and rapid hematologic response in newly diagnosed and previously treated AL amyloidosis patients. Intravenous administration is tolerated, even in patients with advanced heart disease.

Prolonged Lenalidomide Induction Does Not Significantly Impair Stem Cell Collection in Multiple Myeloma Patients Mobilized With Cyclophosphamide or Plerixafor: A Report From The Covid Era

IntroductionInduction therapy for multiple myeloma is traditionally capped at 6 cycles of lenalidomide due to concerns that longer treatment compromises the ability to collect sufficient stem cells for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our patients received prolonged lenalidomide induction due to concerns about proceeding to ASCT. We investigated whether prolonged induction with lenalidomide affects the efficacy of stem cell collection among patients mobilized with cyclophosphamide and/or plerixafor. Patients and methodsThis single center, retrospective study included patients who were treated with lenalidomide induction regimens, received mobilization with cyclophosphamide or plerixafor, and underwent apheresis in preparation for ASCT. 94 patients were included, 40 of whom received prolonged induction with >6 cycles of lenalidomide containing regimen. ResultsPatients who received prolonged induction were more likely to require >1 day of apheresis (38% vs. 15%; OR 3.45; P = .0154), and there was a significant correlation between the duration of lenalidomide treatment and the apheresis time required to collect sufficient cells for transplant (R2 = 0.06423, P = .0148). However, there was no significant difference between patients who received prolonged induction and those who did not with respect to CD34+ stem cell yields at completion of apheresis (9.99 vs. 10.46 cells/Kg, P = .5513) or on the first day of collection (8.29 vs. 9.59 cells/Kg, P = .1788). ConclusionAmong patients treated with >6 cycles of lenalidomide, mobilization augmented with cyclophosphamide and/or plerixafor will likely facilitate sufficient stem cell harvest to permit ASCT.

First-line daratumumab shows high efficacy and tolerability even in advanced AL amyloidosis: the real-world experience

BackgroundDaratumumab was the first monoclonal CD38 antibody with single-agent activity approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Moreover, daratumumab demonstrated high response rates in relapsed immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis.Patients and methodsIn our single-center retrospective real-life case series, we analyzed the efficacy and safety of daratumumab as first-line treatment. Daratumumab was administered with low-dose dexamethasone alone or in combination with other multiple myeloma therapeuticsResultsFourteen patients were eligible, including nine patients with cardiac stage IIIa or IIIb. Overall hematologic response rate was 100%, with 64.3% achieving complete response after a median of 16 cycles of treatment. Median time to hematologic response was 1.4 months. Organ response rates were 45.5% after a median of 4.0 months and 66.7% after a median of 10.0 months, for heart and kidney involvement, respectively. After a median follow-up of 20.5 months, two patients underwent successful autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), while another three patients were in preparation for ASCT. Three patients remained on daratumumab at the last follow-up. There were no unexpected toxicities and no grade III or IV adverse events, although more than half of our patients were in stage IIIa or IIIb.ConclusionDaratumumab proved to be highly effective in newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis with excellent hematologic and organ response rates, a remarkable safety profile, and good tolerability even in patients with advanced stage of disease.

A Pilot Study of Acalabrutinib with Bendamustine/Rituximab Followed By Cytarabine/Rituximab (R-ABC) for Untreated Mantle Cell Lymphoma

A Pilot Study of Acalabrutinib with Bendamustine/Rituximab Followed By Cytarabine/Rituximab (R-ABC) for Untreated Mantle Cell Lymphoma

VTD is superior to VCD prior to intensive therapy in multiple myeloma: results of the prospective IFM2013-04 trial

AbstractThe Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome conducted a randomized trial to compare bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone (VTD) with bortezomib-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone (VCD) as induction before high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Overall, a total of 340 patients were centrally randomly assigned to receive VTD or VCD. After 4 cycles, on an intent-to-treat basis, 66.3% of the patients in the VTD arm achieved at least a very good partial response (primary end point) vs 56.2% in the VCD arm (P = .05). In addition, the overall response rate was significantly higher in the VTD arm (92.3% vs 83.4% in the VCD arm; P = .01). Hematologic toxicity was higher in the VCD arm, with significantly increased rates of grade 3 and 4 anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia. On the other hand, the rate of peripheral neuropathy (PN) was significantly higher in the VTD arm. With the exception of hematologic adverse events and PN, other grade 3 or 4 toxicities were rare, with no significant differences between the VTD and VCD arms. Our data support the preferential use of VTD rather than VCD in preparation for ASCT. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01564537 and at EudraCT as #2013-003174-27.

Superior Efficacy of VTD over VCD As Induction Therapy for Autotransplantation-Eligible, Newly Diagnosed, Myeloma Patients

Superior Efficacy of VTD over VCD As Induction Therapy for Autotransplantation-Eligible, Newly Diagnosed, Myeloma Patients

Role of Consolidation Therapy in Transplant Eligible Multiple Myeloma Patients

The role of high-dose therapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) has continued to evolve in recent years. The novel agents thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide have been successfully incorporated into induction therapy in preparation for ASCT and are currently being investigated also as post-ASCT consolidation and maintenance therapy. Consolidation treatment is generally short term and aims to increase the frequency and depth of response obtained with the previous treatment phases, including novel agent-based induction therapy and ASCT. This review will focus on recent trials of novel agents as post-ASCT consolidation therapy, offering an overview of pros and cons of this new treatment strategy in the ASCT sequence for MM patients.

CYBOR-D Induction Therapy In Clinical Practice

Abstract 5136 Introduction:CyBorD is a highly active three-drug induction regimen for multiple myeloma (MM) patients preparing for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). In initial phase 2 testing, CyBorD (bortezomib 1.3mg/m2 on days 1,4,8,11, weekly cyclophosphamide 300mg/m2 orally days 1,8,15,22, and dexamethasone 40mg orally days 1–4, 9–12, and 17–20, given for four 28-day cycles) achieved an overall response rate (ORR) of 88% (≥VGPR 61%)(Reeder et al. Leukemia 2009). In an expanded cohort (30 patients) of the original phase 2 trial, a modified dosing schedule using a higher bortezomib dose of 1.5mg/m2 but given only weekly (days 1,8,15,22) and DEX 40mg dropped to once weekly (days 1,8,15,22) for cycles 3 and 4, demonstrated similar responses to the twice weekly cohort (ORR 93%, ≥VGPR 60%) with less toxicity (Reeder et al. Blood 2010). Based on these promising study results, our institution adopted the weekly CyBorD regimen as our standard induction regimen. Given that clinical trial efficacy can significantly overestimate real-life effectiveness of a treatment regimen, we reviewed our institutional clinical practice with CyBorD in a non-clinical trial setting. Methods:As a referral transplant center, Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) performs over 100 ASCTs per year, but most patients receive their induction therapy at community institutions. From April 2007-July 2010, 55 MM patients who received CyBorD induction therapy at our institution were reviewed. Patient demographics, disease characteristics, and details of induction therapy and ASCT were obtained from retrospective chart and transplant database review. Statistical analyses of survival outcomes were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. To obtain additional CyBorD experience from community institutions, an on-line survey of referring physicians was performed. Results:Fifty-five MM patients receiving weekly CyBorD induction in preparation for ASCT were reviewed. Median age was 58 years (range 36–71); 32 male (58%); 6 patients with high-risk FISH cytogenetics [3 with t(4;14), 3 with del17p]. MM subtypes included: IgG 40%, IgA 16%, light chains only 33%, and other 11%. A median of 4 cycles of CyBorD (range 1–10) were administered. Response rates after induction, before ASCT, were comparable to phase 2 data with an overall response of 91% (3VGPR 65%). Although responses were rapid in onset, the median number of cycles required to achieve best response was 4 (range 1–10). Dose delays or reductions of any agents were required in 10 patients (18%): 5.4% of cyclophophosphamide, 11% bortezomib, 9% dexamethasone. Grade 3–4 toxicities were reported in 13 patients (24%). Grade 3–4 neutropenia and/or thrombocytopenia were uncommon (7 and 2%, respectively) and no grade 3–4 peripheral neuropathy was seen. The median number of stem cells collected was 10.3 × 106/kg over a median of one day (range 1–5) of leukapheresis. All patients, except 4, proceeded to ASCT after CyBorD induction with a median PFS 21 months, OS not reached, at a median follow-up 31.5 mos. On-line survey responses were obtained from 20 physicians at 11 referring institutions describing their experience with CyBorD. Induction regimens used by the surveyed sites included: CyBorD 90%, biweekly bortezomib plus dexamethasone 35%, high-dose dexamethasone alone 10%, and other 5%. Weekly CyBorD was ranked highly for convenience, ease of administration and patient tolerance, but restricted bortezomib drug access was cited as the main cause for delay in initiating therapy. Conclusions:Weekly CyBorD as induction therapy prior to ASCT is highly effective in the non-clinical trial setting, with similar response and toxicity profiles to phase 2 trial data. CyBorD does not appear to impair stem cell mobilization. Given its high activity and excellent toxicity profile, CyBorD has been adopted widely in our community referral base and remains our institutional induction standard. Disclosures:Chen:Ortho: Honoraria; Millennium: Honoraria, Research Funding. Jimenez-Zepeda:Ortho: Honoraria. Reece:Bristol, Meyers, Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Johnson&Johnson: Research Funding; Merck: Honoraria, Research Funding; Otsuka: Honoraria, Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria. Trudel:Ortho: Honoraria. Kukreti:Celgene: Honoraria; Ortho Biotech: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria.

Molecular Remission After Bortezomib-Thalidomide-Dexamethasone Compared with Thalidomide-Dexamethasone as Consolidation Therapy Following Double Autologous Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma: Results of a Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis

AbstractAbstract 861The high rate of complete response (CR) effected by novel agents as induction and consolidation/maintenance therapy in multiple myeloma (MM) has renewed interest in the evaluation of minimal residual disease (MRD) after these combined treatment strategies. For this purpose, a useful molecular marker is represented by the immunoglobulin heavy-chain (IgH) rearrangement which can be carefully detected by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We designed a molecular sub-study to the phase 3 GIMEMA trial of bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone (VTD) vs. thalidomide-dexamethasone (TD) incorporated into double autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for newly diagnosed MM. By study design, patients randomized at diagnosis to VTD or TD as induction therapy before ASCT received two 35-day cycles of consolidation therapy with VTD or TD starting 3 months after ASCT(s), independently from prior response. Doses of study drugs were the following: V, 1.3 mg/m2 once weekly; T, 100 mg/d through d 1 to 70; D, 320 mg/cycle. Aim of the molecular study was to compare the activity of VTD consolidation with that of TD by qualitative and quantitative PCR analysis. Patients who were planned to receive consolidation with either VTD or TD and who were in confirmed CR or near CR before the start of consolidation therapy were eligible for entry into the molecular study. A qualitative and quantitative PCR analysis with patient-specific primers was performed on bone marrow samples collected at day 0 and at day +70 after the two preplanned cycles of either VTD or TD. At this time, 84 patients were included in the study; of these, 67 patients were analyzed for MRD detection based on the availability of: 1) a molecular marker (e.g. IgH rearrangement) assessed at diagnosis; 2) both pre- and post-consolidation bone marrow samples. According to randomization at diagnosis, 35 out of 67 patients received VTD consolidation, while TD consolidation was given to 32 patients. Qualitative PCR analysis performed on bone marrow samples collected at day 0 showed that MRD before the start of VTD consolidation therapy was undetectable in 15 out of 35 patients, or 43%; the corresponding value before the start of TD consolidation was 37.5% (or 12 out of 32 patients). In comparison with the pre-consolidation status, analysis of bone marrow samples collected at day +70 revealed an upgrade in PCR-negativity from 37.5% to 52% with TD consolidation and from 43% to 67% with VTD consolidation (p=0.05, according to McNemar's test). By using the Fisher's exact test, the proportion of patients with post-consolidation PCR-negativity was significantly higher with VTD vs. TD consolidation (p=0.05). These data were furtherly extended by a Real-time quantitative PCR analysis, which could be performed in 45 out of the 67 patients initially included in the study (22 in the TD arm and 23 in VTD). In comparison with residual tumor mass at day 0, quantitative PCR analysis of bone marrow samples collected at day +70 revealed a median 1 log reduction in tumor burden with TD consolidation vs. a median 5 log reduction with VTD consolidation. By using the Wilcoxon test, the overall reduction in residual tumor burden effected by VTD consolidation therapy was statistically significant (p=0.05). In conclusion, in comparison with TD consolidation, two 35-day cycles of consolidation therapy with VTD following double ASCT significantly increased the rate of molecular remissions and significantly reduced the burden of residual myeloma cells persisting after ASCT. Superior activity of VTD over TD consolidation was retained although prior exposure to the same regimen given as induction therapy in preparation for ASCT. Additional data on molecular follow-up analyses of bone marrow samples collected after day +70 and comparisons of the prognostic relevance of PCR-negativity with PCR-positivity, as well as of PCR-negativity induced by VTD with that induced by TD will be presented during the meeting.Supported by: Progetto di Ricerca Finalizzata Orientata (to M.C), BolognAIL, Fondazione del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna. Disclosures:Baccarani:NOVARTIS: Honoraria; BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB: Honoraria. Cavo:jansen-cilag: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau, no; celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau, no; novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau, no.

Prognostic Impact of Cytogenetic Abnormalities On Outcomes of Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated with Thalidomide-Dexamethasone Incorporated Into Double Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation: An Analysis of 593 Patients

AbstractAbstract 3562Aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of a large series of younger patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM) who were enrolled in two subsequent clinical trials of thalidomide-dexamethasone (thal-dex) incorporated into double autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) to support high-dose melphalan (200 mg/m2). In both studies, thal (100 mg/day for the first 14 days and then 200 mg/day) and pulsed dex (between 480 and 160 mg per cycle), were administered from the onset until the second ASCT.The analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis on a total of 593 patients who were followed for a median of 36 months. The best VGPR and CR rates were 69% and 35%, respectively. The median duration of CR was 66 months. Median TTP and PFS were 53 and 44 months, respectively. The 5-year projected rates of TTP and PFS were 46% and 38%, respectively, while the corresponding value for OS was 67%.More than 80% of the patients were screened at diagnosis for the presence of cytogenetic abnormalities by FISH analysis. Forty-five percent of patients had del(13q), while t(4;14) and del(17p) were found in 16 % and 7 % of patients, respectively. The presence of del(17p) and/or t(4;14) was associated with a significantly shorter 5-year projected TTP, PFS and OS in comparison with the absence of these abnormalities, indifferently from the presence or absence of del(13q) (TTP: 30% vs 53%, respectively P=0.0000; PFS: 28% vs 45%, respectively, P=0.0000; OS: 53% vs 69%, respectively, P=0.0000). OS and PFS curves of patients carrying del(13q) alone were almost superimposable to those of patients without cytogenetic abnormalities, while TTP was significantly shorter for patients with del(13q) alone (5-year projected rates: 40% vs 53%, respectively, P=0.04). Patients carrying del(17p) in the absence of t(4;14) had similar 5-year projected TTP and PFS as compared with t(4;14) positive but del(17p) negative patients. However, OS was significantly shorter for the subgroup with del(17p) and absence of t(4;14) in comparison with that of patients carrying t(4;14) without del(17p) (5 year projected rates: 18% vs 70%, respectively, P=0.03). In a multivariate analysis, presence of del(17p) and high beta2-m at baseline were the most important variables adversely influencing TTP (HR: 2.3, P=0.001 and HR: 1.8, P=0.002, respectively), PFS (HR: 2.0, P=0.001 and HR: 1.9, P=0.001, respectively), and OS (HR: 3.9, P=0.000 and HR: 2.0, P=0.005, respectively). Additional variables predicting for shorter TTP and PFS were the presence of t(4;14) (HR: 1.8, P=0.004) and of del(13q) (HR: 1.6, P= 0.009). Also the quality of best response to the overall treatment program influenced clinical outcomes. In particular, patients achieving CR had a significantly longer PFS and OS than those achieving a VGPR (PFS: median 68 vs 40 months, respectively, P=0.007; 5-year projected OS rates: 84% vs 70%, respectively, P=0.01).In conclusion, incorporation of thal-dex into double autotransplantation failed to overcome the poor prognosis conferred by del(13 q), t(4;14) and del(17p). In a multivariate Cox regression analysis, del(17p) and high levels of serum beta2-m at diagnosis were the strongest variables adversely influencing PFS and OS. In comparison with the presence of t(4;14) but absence of del(17p), patients carrying del(17p) without t(4;14) had a significantly shorter OS, possibly due to their worst outcome after relapse. Presence of del(13q) alone conferred a significantly shorter TTP, but did not have an adverse impact on OS due to the favorable role of effective salvage therapies incorporating either bortezomib or lenalidomide. Disclosures:Off Label Use: use of first line thalidomide in preparation for ASCT. Cavo:Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau, no; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, no; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau, no.

Bortezomib-Thalidomide-Dexamethasone Compared with Thalidomide-Dexamethasone as Induction and Consolidation Therapy Before and After Double Autologous Transplantation In Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Results From a Randomized Phase 3 Study

AbstractAbstract 42We prospectively compared thalidomide-dexamethasone (TD) with bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone (VTD) as induction therapy before, and consolidation after, double autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Three 21-d cycles of either VTD (V, 1.3 mg/m2 twice-weekly; T, 200 mg/d through d 1 to 63; D, 320 mg/cycle) or TD were given as induction therapy. Consolidation therapy comprised two 35-d cycles of VTD (V, 1.3 mg/m2 once-weekly; T, 100 mg/d through d 1 to 70; D, 320 mg/cycle) or TD. 474 patients randomized to the VTD (n=236) or TD (n=238) arm were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis for response rate, PFS and OS. Centrally reassessed CR/nCR rate was significantly higher in the VTD compared with the TD arm after all treatment phases, including induction therapy (30% vs 10%, p<0.0001), double autotransplantation (54% vs 42%, p=0.008) and consolidation therapy (60% vs 44%, p=0.001). Best confirmed overall CR/nCR rate was 71% in the VTD arm compared with 52% in the TD arm (p<0.0001); the corresponding values for VGPR or better were 89% vs 72%, respectively (p<0.0001). To evaluate the role of consolidation therapy we performed a per-protocol analysis of 323 patients, 161 treated with VTD and 162 with TD. Overall, upgraded responses with VTD and TD as consolidation therapy were observed in 55% vs 37% of patients, respectively (p=0.01; OR:1.15-3.77). Furthermore, the probability to improve responses from less than CR before consolidation to CR after consolidation was 28% with VTD vs 15% with TD (p=0.02; OR:1.07-4.57) (p=0.003 using the Mc Nemar's test). Post-consolidation molecular detection of minimal residual disease was the objective of a substudy; detailed results are reported in a separate abstract. Briefly, both qualitative and quantitative analyses confirmed the statistically significant superiority of VTD over TD in effecting higher rates of molecular remissions and reducing the burden of residual myeloma cells after ASCT. Any grade 3–4 non-hematologic adverse events were 10% with VTD (peripheral neuropathy: 1.3%, skin rash: 0.6%) vs 12% with TD. With a median follow-up of 31 months, median PFS was 42 months in the TD arm and was not yet reached in the VTD arm (44-month projected rate: 61%) (HR: 0.62 [CI: 0.45–0.87], p=0.006). Superior PFS in the VTD vs TD arm was retained across patient subgroups with poor prognosis, including those with t(4;14) and/or del(17p). Randomization to VTD overcome the adverse influence of t(4;14) on PFS (40-month projected rates: 69% vs 67% according to the presence or absence of this abnormality, respectively; p=0.6). By the opposite, in the TD arm corresponding median PFS values were 24.5 vs 41.5 months, respectively (p=0.01). The small numbers of patients with del(17p) in both arms of the study precluded a statistical comparison with del(17p)-negative group. In a multivariate analysis, variables favorably influencing PFS were beta2-m lower than 3.5 mg/L (HR:0.47; p=0.000), absence of t(4;14) and/or del(17p) (HR:0.52; p=0.000), randomization to VTD arm (HR:0.57; p=0.002), attainment of at least VGPR (HR:0.50; p=0.009) and CR (HR:0.8; p=0.01). No statistically significant difference between the overall treatment protocols was seen in terms of OS, although curves seemed to initially diverge after 40 months (44-month projected rates: 84% vs 74% for VTD and TD arms, respectively). A multivariate analysis showed the independent role of absence of t(4;14) and/or del(17p) (HR:0.42; p=0.003), ISS stage1-2 (HR:0.49; p=0.02) and randomization to VTD (HR:0.53; p=0.04) in prolonging OS. When time-dependent CR entered the model, absence of t(4;14) and/or del(17p) and less advanced ISS stage retained their positive prognostic value; attainment of CR (strictly related to VTD randomization) was an additional favorable variable. In conclusion, in comparison with the TD arm of the study, 1) VTD induction emerges as a new standard of care for maximizing the degree and speedy of tumor reduction in preparation for ASCT; 2) VTD consolidation effected significantly higher rates of upgraded responses, including CR, and of molecular remissions; 3) double ASCT incorporating VTD as induction and consolidation therapy resulted in significantly longer PFS, a benefit confirmed in a multivariate regression analysis and maintained in the subgroup of patients with adverse cytogenetic abnormalities. Disclosures:Cavo:Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Off Label Use: Use of bortezomib and thalidomide as induction therapy before, and consolidation after, autologous transplantation in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Baccarani:NOVARTIS: Honoraria; BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB: Honoraria.

A Phase III Study of Double Autotransplantation Incorporating Bortezomib-Thalidomide-Dexamethasone (VTD) or Thalidomide-Dexamethasone (TD) for Multiple Myeloma: Superior Clinical Outcomes with VTD Compared to TD.

Abstract 351▪▪This icon denotes an abstract that is clinically relevant. IntroductionA phase III study of melphalan (200 mg/m2)-based double autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) incorporating thalidomide (T) and dexamethasone (D) with or without the addition of bortezomib (V) as first-line therapy for younger (≤65 years) patients (pts) with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) is currently being conducted by the Italian Myeloma Network GIMEMA. Patients and MethodsBy study design, pts were random assigned to receive three 21-d cycles of either bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone (VTD) (V, 1.3 mg/m2 twice-weekly; T, 200 mg/d through d 1 to 63; D, 320 mg/cycle) or thalidomide-dexamethasone (TD) (both drugs at the same dose and schedule than in VTD) as induction therapy in preparation for ASCTs. Two 35-d cycles of either VTD or TD were given as consolidation therapy following ASCTs (V, 1.3 mg/m2 once-weekly; T, 100 mg/d through d 1 to 70; D, 320 mg/cycle). Primary study end point was the rate of high-quality responses [immunofixation negative complete response (CR) and ≥very good partial response (VGPR)] to induction therapy. Secondary study end points included response to, and toxicity of, subsequent treatment phases (including first and second ASCTs, and consolidation therapy), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Analyses were intent to treat. All the 474 pts were evaluated for response to, and toxicity of, induction therapy. Responses reported by study investigators were centrally reassessed to confirm CR and VGPR; pts reported as complete responders but in whom bone marrow aspirate was not evaluable or not performed were reassessed as in VGPR. The VGPR category included the subcategories of near CR and VGPR. ResultsThe study was closed to pts accrual after a total of 480 pts were enrolled; of these, 6 failed inclusion criteria and the remaining 474 were randomized to the VTD (n=236) or TD (n=238) arm. The mean total dose of V received in induction therapy was 14.7 mg (or 94% of that planned). Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy (PN) and skin rash (SR) were reported more frequently with VTD induction therapy than with TD (PN: 9.7% vs 2.1%, respectively; P<0.001) (SR: 10% vs 1.7%, respectively; P<0.001). In the VTD arm, resolution or reduction to at least grade 2 of PN was observed within a median of 26 days. Remarkably, once-weekly standard dose administration of V and reduction of T dose in VTD as consolidation therapy resulted in a dramatic decrease in the frequency of grade ≥3 PN (2%) and SR (1%). Reported rates of herpes zoster infection with VTD as both induction and consolidation therapy were 0.4% and 1%, respectively. Overall, the CR (≥VGPR) rate with VTD induction therapy was 19% (62%) vs 5% (31%) with TD (P<0.001 for both CR and ≥VGPR comparisons); no pt had disease progression while on VTD, as compared to 5% of pts treated with TD (P<0.001) who discontinued therapy and went off study. Progression through the subsequent treatment phases was associated with an increase in the frequency of CR and ≥VGPR up to a final value of 44% and 80%, respectively, in the VTD arm; the corresponding rates in the TD arm were 32% (p=0.02) and 65% (p=0.001), respectively. On an intention to treat basis, best responses in the VTD vs TD arm were the following: CR, 55% vs 38%, respectively (P<0.001); ≥VGPR: 87% vs 69%, respectively (P<0.001). Superiority of the VTD vs TD arm in terms of CR rate was confirmed in pts with high-risk cytogenetics, as defined by the presence of t(4;14) and/or del(17p) (58% vs 33%, respectively; p=0.004). Two year-projected PFS was 85% in the VTD arm as compared to 75% in TD (p=0.008). Improved PFS with VTD vs TD, both added to double ASCT, was consistent across subgroup analyses of pts with poor prognosis, including those with high-risk cytogenetic profiles (p=0.03; HR=0.42, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.96). PFS curves for pts in the VTD arm who carried or not high-risk cytogenetics were similar (p=0.19). No difference in OS was seen between the two treatment groups, but longer follow up is required. ConclusionsIncorporation of VTD into double ASCT for newly diagnosed MM resulted in a significant improvement in clinical outcomes (CR, ≥VGPR, PFS) in comparison with TD and double autotransplantation. Superior benefit with VTD and double ASCT in comparison with the control group was maintained in pts at high risk of progression or death, including those with t(4;14) and/or del(17p). Disclosures:Cavo:Celgene: Honoraria; Ortho Biotech, Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria.