Stable Multiple Myeloma Research Articles

Endocrine, metabolic, nutritional and body composition abnormalities are common in advanced intensively-treated (transplanted) multiple myeloma

Modern treatment strategies have increased life expectancy in multiple myeloma, but little is known about the endocrine, metabolic and nutritional status of long-term survivors. We performed endocrine, metabolic, bone, body composition and nutritional evaluations in 32 patients with intensively-treated, advanced but stable, myeloma a median duration of 6 years from diagnosis and three lines of intensive treatment, including at least one haematopoietic SCT procedure. All patients were off active treatment. There was a high prevalence of endocrine dysfunction: hypothyroidism (9%), hypogonadism (65% males) and elevated prolactin (19%). Adrenocortical function was preserved despite large cumulative corticosteroid pretreatment. Biochemical markers were consistent with postmenopausal status in all females and infertility in males. Nutritionally, 59% were vitamin D insufficient/deficient, reduced serum folate in 25% and vitamin B12 in 6%. Total body DEXA scanning confirmed 'sarcopenic-obesity' in 65%, but reduced bone density was seen in a minority. We conclude that potentially correctable endocrine, metabolic and nutritional abnormalities are prevalent in heavily-treated patients with stable multiple myeloma. Preservation of bone supports the efficacy of bisphosphonate treatment from diagnosis, but sarcopenic-obesity may contribute to frailty. Ultimately, multi-system screening and appropriate interventions may optimise quality of long-term survival and further studies are warranted.

Living With Advanced But Stable Multiple Myeloma: A Study of the Symptom Burden and Cumulative Effects of Disease and Intensive (Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant-Based) Treatment on Health-Related Quality of Life

ContextThe cumulative impact of disease and treatment-related factors on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in long-term survivors of multiple myeloma is poorly characterized. ObjectivesTo characterize HRQoL and symptom burden in advanced, intensively treated myeloma. MethodsWe performed detailed assessments in patients who had undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and subsequent treatment for at least one episode of progressive disease. To exclude the impact of active disease and acute toxicity of treatment, patients were in a stable plateau phase. Patients were assessed for HRQoL (Short Form-12, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30, and Multiple Myeloma Module), pain (Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form), peripheral neuropathy (self-report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs), and concerns (adapted from Profile of Concerns). Serum interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were measured. ResultsA total of 32 patients were enrolled, with a median age of 55 years at diagnosis and 60 years at assessment. After a median 5.5 years from diagnosis and three lines of treatment, physical functioning was significantly compromised (P<0.001) and associated with progressive work disability and concerns regarding loss of independence. Fatigue and pain were the predominant symptoms, impacting negatively on physical functioning (P<0.001). Pain was predominantly neuropathic in half the patients. Serum interleukin-6 levels positively correlated with pain (P=0.03), pain interference (P=0.003), insomnia (P=0.02), and appetite loss (P=0.02), and inversely correlated with physical functioning (P=0.03). ConclusionDespite disease control and supportive care, intensively treated long-term myeloma survivors have significantly compromised HRQoL related to symptom burden. Systematic assessment is routinely indicated in advanced phase myeloma, even when disease activity is stable. Further studies should investigate the utility of interventional strategies and the relationship of cytokines with symptoms.

Lack of Response to Vaccination in MGUS and Stable Myeloma.

Abstract 1852Poster Board I-878Multiple myeloma patients suffer from infection related complications. Abnormalities in both cellular and humoral immune responses have been considered responsible. Patients have been routinely immunized with vaccinations to prevent infection related problems, however, efficacy of such vaccination in early or stable myeloma remains unclear. Previously, we have shown immunomodulatory and T cell co-stimulatory effects of lenalidomide, which can up-regulate cellular immune responses in myeloma. Based on these results we initiated a study to evaluate the efficacy of lenalidomide compared to placebo on the effect of Hepatitis B (HepB) vaccination in patients with monoclonal gamopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering myeloma or stable multiple myeloma (MM) not requiring any therapy. Patients were randomized to lenalidomide or placebo for 14 days with HepB vaccination on day 8. They were given option for 2nd and 3rd HepB vaccinations at 1 month and 6 month. Primary objective was to evaluate antibody response to Hepatitis Surface antigen (HepBSAg) at 1 month after vaccination. We also measured HepBSAg-specific cellular immune responses using HepBSAg protein and HLA-A2 peptide. At the time of data analysis, the study remains blinded. Thirty two patients have completed their initial vaccination (25 MGUS and 7 MM), while 22 patients (16 MGUS, 6 MM) have completed 3 vaccinations with 6 months follow up. None of the 32 patients, with MGUS or MM, had antibody response to vaccination at 1 month; while after 3 vaccination only 30% patients (7 of 24) demonstrated antibody response to HepBSAg (titer values 128.4±36.4). This is significantly below responses reported in literature in healthy individuals (90%). Responses in patients with MGUS (4 of 16) were not significantly different than in patients with MM (3 of 6). No base line patient characteristics predicts responders vs. non-responders. We have further analyzed HepBSAg-specific T cell immune response by detecting the presence of pentamer-positive CD8 cells with HepB surface antigen-peptide in HLA-A2+ samples. Five of seven responders were HLA-A2 positive, and none of them showed T cell response to HbSAg following vaccination as detected by change in pentamer positive cells. Three patients showed T cell-proliferative responses to HepBsAg; one of which had long term response. None of the non-responders tested demonstrated proliferative response to HepBSAg. The randomization remains blinded at the moment and hence effect of lenalidomide on immune response is not available at the present time. These results have very high clinical significance. It suggests that even in MGUS there is significant and profound functional immune suppression. Strategies to prevent infection and improve immune responses needs to be developed for both preventative purposes as well as for anti-MM vaccinations. Disclosures:Laubach:Novartis: . Richardson:Keryx Biopharmaceuticals: Honoraria. Anderson:Millenium: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

Treatment of Multiple Myeloma with All-Trans Retinoic Acid Alone and in Combination with Chemotherapy: a Phase I/II Trial

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a derivative of vitamin A. ATRA inhibits the growth of human myeloma cell lines and freshly isolated myeloma cells in vitro mainly by down-regulating interleukin-6 receptor. Clinically, however, ATRA alone has not been efficacious and adverse events, notably hypercalcemia, have been common. In the present study 10 patients with stable multiple myeloma after conventional chemotherapy received ATRA alone for 2 months, followed by a combination of ATRA and the chemotherapy regimen during which no further reduction of the paraprotein had occurred. The purpose of the combination therapy was to sensitize the myeloma cells with ATRA to chemotherapy by blocking the growth-promoting effect of IL-6. Although ATRA was well tolerated, ATRA alone lacked clinical efficacy. The combination therapy resulted minimal responses in 4 patients and relatively long progression-free survival in 4 patients was achieved. In 3 of these responding patients serum concentrations of interleukin-6 and/or soluble interleukin-6 receptor were elevated prior to the study. The bone marrow cells of responding patients were sensitive to ATRA in vitro. These results show that ATRA alone is not effective to treat multiple myeloma. There may be some beneficial effect of ATRA in combination chemotherapy in selected patients who have activated IL-6 signaling.

Randomised trial of intravenous immunoglobulin as prophylaxis against infection in plateau-phase multiple myeloma

Patients with plateau-phase multiple myeloma have an increased risk of life-threatening bacterial infections and polyclonal humoral immune suppression. We conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) as prophylaxis against infection. 82 patients with stable multiple myeloma received monthly infusions of IVIg at 0·4 g/kg body weight or an equivalent volume of placebo (0·4% albumin) intravenously for 1 year. Other interventions, including chemotherapy, were not affected; no patient received prophylactic antibiotics. There were no differences at entry or on study in clinical or laboratory variables between patients in the two groups. There were no episodes of septicaemia or pneumonia in patients receiving IVIg compared with 10 in placebo patients (p=0·002). There were 57 serious infections; 38 occurred in 470 patient-months on placebo, compared with 19 in 449 patient-months on IVIg (p=0·019). IVIg also protected against recurrent infections (p=0·021) in 60 patients who completed a year. Before treatment, 54 patients were immunised with Pneumovax and specific IgG responses were measured. A poor pneumococcal IgG antibody response (less than 2-fold increase) identified patients who had maximum benefit from IVIg. Mild adverse reactions were noted in 12% of IVIg infusions and 5% of placebo infusions. IVIg can be given safely to plateau-phase myeloma patients. It protects against life-threatening infections and significantly reduces the risk of recurrent infections. The individuals who benefit most can be identified prospectively by measuring IgG antibody responses to pneumococcal immunisation.

Recombinant human erythropoietin and the anemia of multiple myeloma.

The anemia of multiple myeloma (MM) is multifactorial, including physical replacement of normal hemopoiesis by tumor cells, renal failure and cytokines which contribute to the blunted erythropoietin (EPO) response observed in anemias of chronic disease. Recombinant EPO has been evaluated in anemic patients with stable multiple myeloma (< or = 10g% hemoglobin). Responses (> or = 2g% hemoglobin increase) were observed in 78% of 41 patients in two separate studies. Responses were associated with an increase in bone marrow erythropoietic cell compartment and reticulocytosis. Evaluation of potential parameters affecting response identified prolonged cytotoxic therapy for > 12 months, especially with alkylating agents and pre-treatment EPO levels > 100 U/L, both of which seemed to decrease the likelihood of EPO response. EPO is a safe and effective treatment for the anemia associated with MM.