Allo-SCT for multiple myeloma: a review of outcomes at a single transplant center

Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients treated with tandem auto-allogeneic stem cell transplant have better overall survival with similar outcomes at time of relapse compared to patients who received autologous transplant only

BACKGROUND

Long-term survival in patients progressing after tandem autologous-allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) has been reported, suggesting a persistent graft-vs-myeloma (GvM) effect even after post-transplant progression.

METHODS

In order to confirm this observation, we updated the results of our previously published cohort of 92 newly diagnosed myeloma patients who received tandem transplant and compared them with 81 contemporary patients who received autologous transplant only.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 13.1 and 10.2 years, respectively, median overall survival (OS) in the tandem group has not been reached, compared with 6.1 years after auto-SCT (P ≤ .001). Disease progression occurred less frequently after tandem transplant, with an estimated 10-year cumulative incidence of 49% vs 76% (P ≤ .001). Cumulative incidence of extensive chronic graft-vs-host disease (cGVHD) was high at 83%, with modest benefits on OS (60% vs 49%, P = .550) but sharp improvement of progression-free survival (PFS; 55% vs 10%, P = .002) at 10 years associated with development of cGVHD. After first progression, median OS was 5.8 years in tandem and 5.2 years in the auto-group (P = .062); median PFS was also similar.

CONCLUSION

Despite confirmation of better outcomes after upfront tandem transplant, our data do not support persistence of a strong, clinically significant graft-vs-myeloma effect after first progression, emphasizing the need to better characterize the GvM effect.

Cellular immunotherapy in multiple myeloma

In multiple myeloma (MM), the impaired function of several types of immune cells favors the tumor's escape from immune surveillance and, therefore, its growth and survival. Tremendous improvements have been made in the treatment of MM over the past decade but cellular immunotherapy using dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and genetically engineered T-cells represent a new therapeutic era. The application of these treatments is growing rapidly, based on their capacity to eradicate MM. In this review, we summarize recent progress in cellular immunotherapy for MM and its future prospects.

Translating the anti-myeloma activity of Natural Killer cells into clinical application

Natural Killer cells (NK) are innate effector cells with a critical role in immunosurveillance against different kinds of cancer cells, including Multiple Myeloma (MM). However, the number and/or function of these lymphocytes are strongly reduced during MM progression and in advanced clinical stages. A better understanding of the mechanisms controlling both MM and NK cell biology have greatly contributed to develop novel and combined therapeutic strategies in the treatment of this incurable hematologic malignancy. These include approaches to reverse the immunosuppressive MM microenvironment or potentiate the natural or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of NK cells. Moreover, chemotherapeutic drugs or specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can render cancer cells more susceptible to NK cell-mediated recognition and lysis; direct enhancement of NK cell function can be obtained by means of immunomodulatory drugs, cytokines and blocking mAbs targeting NK cell inhibitory receptors. Finally, adoptive transfer of ex-vivo expanded and genetically manipulated NK cells is also a promising therapeutic tool for MM. Here, we review current knowledge on complex mechanisms affecting NK cell activity during MM progression. We also discuss recent advances on innovative approaches aimed at boosting the functions of these cytotoxic innate lymphocytes. In particular, we focus our attention on recent preclinical and clinical studies addressing the therapeutic potential of different NK cell-based strategies for the management of MM.

Allograft for Myeloma: Examining Pieces of the Jigsaw Puzzle

Multiple myeloma (MM) cure remains elusive despite the availability of newer anti-myeloma agents. Patients with high-risk disease often suffer from early relapse and short survival. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is an “immune-based” therapy that has the potential to offer long-term remission in a subgroup of patients, at the expense of high rates of transplant-related morbidity and mortality. Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) upon disease relapse after allo-HCT is able to generate an anti-myeloma response suggestive of a graft-versus-myeloma effect. Allo-HCT provides a robust platform for additional immune-based therapy upon relapse including DLI and, maintenance with immunomodulatory drugs and immunosuppressive therapy. There have been conflicting findings from randomized prospective trials questioning the role of allo-HCT. However, to this date, allo-HCT remains the only potential curable treatment for MM and its therapeutic role needs to be better defined especially for patients with high-risk disease. This review examines different aspects of this treatment and summarizes ongoing attempts at improving its therapeutic index.

Tandem autologous/allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation with bortezomib maintenance therapy for high-risk myeloma

We evaluated tandem autologous/allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation followed by bortezomib maintenance therapy in a prospective phase 2 trial of treatment of high-risk multiple myeloma. The high-dose conditioning regimen for autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation consisted of melphalan 200 mg/m². The nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen for the allogeneic transplant involved low-dose total body irradiation (2 Gy) with or without fludarabine (30 mg/m² × 3 days). Among the 31 patients enrolled, 26 (84%) proceeded to HLA-matched allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation at a median of 61 (range, 41-168) days following the autologous transplant. Twenty-one patients (68%) started bortezomib (1.6 mg/m² IV or 2.6 mg/m² subcutaneously every 14 days for 9 months) at a median of 79 (range, 63-103) days after allogeneic transplantation. With a median follow-up of 51 (range, 16-86) months and based on intention to treat, the 2-year and 4-year progression-free survival and overall survival estimates among 24 newly diagnosed high-risk patients were 71% and 75%, and 52% and 61%, respectively. The 7 patients enrolled with relapsed or persistent disease had a 2-year and 4-year progression-free survival and overall survival rates of 14% and 43%, and 14% and 29%, respectively. These findings suggest that for patients with newly diagnosed high-risk multiple myeloma, bortezomib maintenance therapy after tandem autologous/allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is safe and may prevent disease progression until full establishment of a graft-versus-myeloma effect. This benefit, however, does not extend to patients who enroll after unsuccessful prior therapy. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00793572.

Racial disparities in treatment use for multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND

Recent treatment advances have greatly improved the prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma. However, some of these newer, more effective treatments are intensive and expensive and their use remains low, particularly among black patients.

METHODS

In the current study, the authors reviewed the use patterns of stem cell transplantation and bortezomib using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database.

RESULTS

After controlling for overall health and potential access barriers, black patients were found to be 37% (P<.0001) less likely to undergo stem cell transplantation, and 21% (P<.0001) less likely to be treated with bortezomib. Moreover, the authors found that the underuse of these treatments was associated with a 12% increase in the hazard ratio for death among black patients (P = 0.0007).

CONCLUSIONS

Eliminating health disparities, a current focus of US public policy, is highly complex, as illustrated by the results of the current study. In patients with multiple myeloma, treatment disparities are not completely explained by potential access barriers. Additional factors, such as structural barriers in the health care system and individual decision making among black and white patients, must be explored to fully explain the disparity. Cancer 2017;123:1590-1596. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

A transplant “immunome” screening platform defines a targetable epitope fingerprint of multiple myeloma

The myeloma transplant B-cell immunome is predictive for response to treatment. It may be exploited by immunosequencing and library technology as a source for unique target structures and antibodies for immunotherapy.

When to recommend allogeneic transplant in multiple myeloma

Utilization of allogeneic transplant in the management of multiple myeloma has been actively pursued for nearly 30 years. In this paper, the existing data for use of transplant is reviewed as primary therapy, as salvage and for genetic high-risk disease. The relative merits of using a matched-unrelated donor vs. an HLA-matched donor and what impact the introduction of the novel agents has on the decision to transplant will be covered.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma: A Retrospective Study of the Société Française de Greffe de Moelle et de Thérapie Cellulaire (SFGM-TC)

Because the indication of allograft (allogeneic stem cell transplantation [alloSCT]) for multiple myeloma (MM) has widened in recent years, thanks to the development of reduced-intensity conditionings (RIC), it is still unclear if myeloablative conditioning (MAC) remains appropriate. This study compares retrospectively outcomes of patients undergoing either RIC or MAC regimens for MM. Based on the SFGM-TC registry, we included 446 MM patients receiving alloSCT between 1999 and 2009 for whom a minimal data set was available. Median follow-up for the entire cohort was 33.6 months (range, 0 to 164.5). RIC and MAC populations were different regarding age (53.5 versus 47.1 years, respectively), number of prior autologous (auto)SCTs (93.2% versus 79.6% had at least 2 autoSCTs), and stem cell source (90.2% versus 61.2% received peripheral blood). For RIC and MAC populations the nonrelapse mortality at 2 years was 24.6% and 22.4%, respectively, progression-free survival 35.5% and 51.1%, and overall survival 59.5% and 66.7% (not significant). These outcomes were not affected by conditioning intensity either on univariate or multivariate analysis. Despite some limitations in the study design, these results indicate that MAC should remain a valuable option in alloSCT for MM, especially for young and less-treated patient with no comorbidity. The constant progress in induction treatments of MM and supportive care after alloSCT could improve these results in the near future.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma: immunotherapy and new drugs

INTRODUCTION

Autologous (auto) stem cell transplantation (SCT) and the development of new drugs have improved the survival of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. By contrast, though potentially curative, the use of allogeneic (allo)-SCT is controversial.

AREAS COVERED

A review has been conducted to examine the current evidence for the use of allo-SCT in MM. We have examined novel cell therapies that may be exploited to induce myeloma-specific immune responses including the new promising frontier of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T and -natural killer (NK) cells.

EXPERT OPINION

One of the major controversies facing researchers in exploring the allo approach is the remarkable recent treatment improvement observed with second- and third-generation proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs, monoclonal antibodies and deacetylase inhibitors. Despite these great advances, the disease remains to be incurable and allo-SCT may still play a role in the cure of MM. We think that allo-SCT conserves a role in MM and its curative potential in high-risk patients should be explored in the setting of control clinical trials. Novel cell therapies such as CAR technologies may open new avenues of research toward a potential cure. Data from currently ongoing prospective studies will be helpful to clarify pending clinical questions.

Allogeneic hematopoietic SCT in multiple myeloma: long-term results from a single institution

The role of allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (allo-HCT) in multiple myeloma (MM) remains controversial. A total of 58 patients received an allo-HCT (25 of them with myeloablative conditioning-allo-MAC-and 33 with reduced-intensity conditioning-allo-RIC) at our institution over a 28-year period. The CR rate for allo-MAC was 36%. The incidence of grade III-IV acute GVHD (aGVHD) and chronic GVHD (cGVHD) was 28% and 39%, respectively The TRM at any time was 60% and the main causes of death were aGVHD or infectious complications not directly related to GVHD. The estimated PFS and OS at 15 years were 8% and 15%, respectively. The CR rate with allo-RIC was 45%. The incidence of grade III-IV aGVHD and cGVHD were 24% and 41%, respectively. The TRM at any time was 33% and was mainly related to aGVHD. The estimated PFS and OS at 5 years were 22% and 38%, respectively. Despite its high TRM, a proportion of patients with high-risk myeloma (early relapse and newly diagnosed ultrahigh risk) may obtain long-term disease control with allo-HCT. New approaches aimed at decreasing the incidence of aGVHD, and consequently to decrease the TRM, are needed.

How I treat relapsed myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy leading to significant life-expectancy shortening. Although the incorporation of the novel agents thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide in the front-line therapy has resulted in significant improvement, almost all patients relapse, making the treatment of relapse a real challenge. In the present article, when and how to treat relapsed MM is discussed. Treatment can be safely delayed in a subset of patients with asymptomatic relapse, whereas those with symptomatic relapse, advanced disease at diagnosis, or significant paraproteinemic increase require prompt rescue therapy. The benefit of retreatment and the use of a sequential approach for successive relapses considering drug synergism are highlighted. For patients with aggressive relapses and for those who have exhausted all available options, continued therapy until disease progression is recommended, particularly when using regimens with a long-term safety profile. Patients with a duration response to a first autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) longer than 2 years may benefit from a second ASCT. Patients with aggressive disease and/or poor cytogenetics at diagnosis relapsing within the first 2 years from ASCT should be considered for an allogeneic transplantation. Finally, a number of newer promising drugs are being actively investigated and the enrolment of patients in clinical trials is encouraged.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma

Prospective trials comparing tandem autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) with ASCT followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation (AlloSCT) have shown mixed results with regard to progression-free and overall survival rates. Thus, AlloSCT, although a potentially curative treatment, is not regarded as a standard treatment for multiple myeloma by most experts in the field. Strategies to improve the therapeutic index of the conditioning regimens have the potential to improve outcomes. Other approaches to modulate graft-versus-host disease while preserving or improving a graft-versus-myeloma effect could elevate AlloSCT to mainstream treatment. These approaches include vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and adoptive immunotherapies.

Multiple myeloma maintenance therapy: a review of the pharmacologic treatment

Over the last decade, numerous drug therapies have emerged for the treatment of multiple myeloma including immunomodulating agents namely thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide and proteasome inhibitors namely bortezomib and carfilzomib. These agents have transformed the treatment of multiple myeloma and the role of high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation in the treatment of the disease. There are now studies that evaluate the use of drug therapy as maintenance following autologous stem cell transplantation; these studies have shown improvements in surrogate endpoints such as progression-free survival. Studies that have evaluated thalidomide or lenalidomide maintenance therapy have demonstrated an overall survival (OS) benefit in individuals with multiple myeloma who received high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation. A meta-analysis of thalidomide maintenance therapy did show a possible late survival benefit. The use of dexamethasone, thalidomide, lenalidomide, or combination bortezomib with thalidomide in patients who did not undergo transplantation demonstrated progression-free survival benefit; although there was no OS advantage for these agents in this population. There are a number of important considerations when selecting a drug therapy strategy for maintenance therapy which includes practical considerations such as route of administration and frequency of administration. Additionally, patient-specific elements such as potential toxicities, end-organ function, quality of life, cytogenetics, and previous treatment should be considered. Additional studies are needed to elicit the timing for initiation and duration of maintenance therapy, determine the role of cytogenetics, further characterize possible resistance patterns, and determine the combinations necessary to achieve an optimal increase in OS. Until more data are available, the risks and benefits should be evaluated on a patient-specific basis when deciding to initiate maintenance therapy or observation.

Second transplants for multiple myeloma relapsing after a previous autotransplant-reduced-intensity allogeneic vs autologous transplantation

There is no standard therapy for multiple myeloma relapsing after an autotransplant. We compared the outcomes of a second autotransplant (N=137) with those of an allotransplant (N=152) after non-myeloablative or reduced-intensity conditioning (NST/RIC) in 289 subjects reported to the CIBMTR from 1995 to 2008. NST/RIC recipients were younger (median age 53 vs 56 years; P<0.001) and had a shorter time to progression after their first autotransplant. Non-relapse mortality at 1-year post transplant was higher in the NST/RIC cohort, 13% (95% confidence interval (CI), 8-19) vs 2% (95% CI, 1-5, P0.001). Three-year PFS and OS for the NST/RIC cohort were 6% (95% CI, 3-10%) and 20% (95% CI, 14-27%). Similar outcomes for the autotransplant cohort were 12% (95% CI, 7-19%, P=0.038) and 46% (95% CI, 37-55%, P=0.001). In multivariate analyses, risk of death was higher in NST/RIC recipients (hazard ratio (HR) 2.38 (95% CI, 1.79-3.16), P<0.001), those with Karnofsky performance score<90 (HR 1.96 (95% CI, 1.47-2.62), P<0.001) and transplant before 2004 (HR 1.77 (95% CI, 1.34-2.35) P0.001). In conclusion, NST/RIC was associated with higher TRM and lower survival than an autotransplant. As disease status was not available for most allotransplant recipients, it is not possible to determine which type of transplant is superior after autotransplant failure.

A randomized phase II trial of fludarabine/melphalan 100 versus fludarabine/melphalan 140 followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with multiple myeloma

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a potentially curative treatment for multiple myeloma (MM); however, because of high treatment-related mortality (TRM), its role is not well defined. Patients with newly diagnosed, relapsed, or primary refractory myeloma were enrolled in a randomized phase II trial of 2 reduced-intensity conditioning regimens: fludarabine 120 mg/m(2) + melphalan 100 mg/m(2) (FM100) versus fludarabine 120 mg/m(2) + melphalan 140 mg/m(2) (FM140) before allo-HCT from related or unrelated donors. Fifty patients underwent allo-HCT using FM100 (n = 23) or FM140 (n = 27) conditioning between April 2002 and 2011. There were no significant differences between FM100 and FM140 in time to neutrophil engraftment (P = .21), acute grade II to IV graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (P = 1.0), chronic GVHD (P = .24), response rate (P = 1.0), TRM (13% versus 15%, P = 1.0), median progression-free survival (PFS), 11.7 versus 8.4 months, P = .12, and median overall survival (OS), 35.1 versus 19.7 months, P = .38. Cumulative incidence of disease progression in FM100 and FM140 was 43% and 70%, respectively (P = .08). Recurrent disease was the most common cause of death for both FM100 (26%) and FM140 (44%), P = .24. On multivariate analysis, disease status at allo-HCT, complete response or very good partial response (VGPR) was significantly associated with longer PFS (15.6 versus 9.6 months in patients with <VGPR, P = .05). OS was similar across all variables. We conclude that FM100 and FM140 may result in similar patient outcomes after allo-HCT for MM.

Phase II clinical trial for the evaluation of bortezomib within the reduced intensity conditioning regimen (RIC) and post-allogeneic transplantation for high-risk myeloma patients

The current study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of bortezomib in combination with fludarabine and melphalan as reduced intensity conditioning before allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with high risk multiple myeloma. Sixteen patients were evaluable. The median number of previous line of treatment was 3; all patients had relapsed following a prior autograft and 13 had previously received bortezomib. Fifteen of them either remained stable or improved disease status at day +100 post-transplant, including 11 patients with active disease. More specifically, nine patients (56%) and five patients (31%) reached complete remission and partial response, respectively. 25% developed grade III acute graft-versus-host disease. The cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality, relapse and overall survival were 25%, 54% and 41%, respectively, at 3 years. Regarding the non-haematological toxicity (grade>2), two patients developed peripheral neuropathy, two patients liver toxicity and 1 pulmonary toxicity early post-transplant. The haematological toxicity was only observed during the first three cycles mostly related to low haemoglobin and platelet levels. The current trial is the first one evaluating the safety and efficacy of bortezomib as part of a reduced intensity conditioning regimen among patients with high risk multiple myeloma.

Long-term outcome after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation with reduced-intensity conditioning in patients with multiple myeloma

This study examines the long-term outcomes of a cohort of patients with myeloma who were treated with reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens after a minimum follow-up of 5 years at our centre. A total of 53 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (Allo-SCT) between January 2000 and January 2007 were identified. The median follow-up of living patients was 84 months (51-141). The median age of the MM patients was 50 (28-70) years. Fifty-one patients (96%) received a transplant from a sibling donor. The median time between diagnosis and Allo-SCT was 34 months (6-161), and the median time between auto-SCT and Allo-SCT was 10 months (1-89). Fifty-one patients (96%) received at least one auto-SCT; 24 patients (45%) received a tandem auto-Allo-SCT. At last follow-up, 21 patients (40%) are alive > 5 years post RIC Allo-SCT. At last follow-up, 14 (26%) are in first complete remission (CR), and four patients (8%) in second CR after donor lymphocyte infusion or re-induction with one of the new anti-myeloma drugs (bortezomib or lenalidomide) after Allo-SCT. Eight patients (38%) among these long survivors received one of these new drugs as induction or relapse treatment before Allo-SCT. Disease status and occurrence of cGvHD were significantly associated with progression-free survival (PFS); hazard ratio (HR) = 0.62 (0.30-1.29, P = 0.20). Acute GvHD was correlated with higher transplant-related mortality; HR = 4.19 (1.05-16.77, P = 0.04). No variables were associated with overall survival (OS). In conclusion, we observe that long-term disease control can be expected in a subset of MM patients undergoing RIC Allo-SCT. After 10 years, the OS and PFS were 32% and 24%, respectively. The PFS curve after Allo-SCT stabilizes in time with a plateau after 6 years post Allo-SCT.