Drug-induced Thrombotic Microangiopathy During Maintenance Treatment in a Patient With Multiple Myeloma

Carfilzomib-induced atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome: a diagnostic challenge and therapeutic success

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is a thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) that presents with renal insufficiency, thrombocytopaenia and microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia. Typical HUS is associated with Shiga toxin while atypical HUS (aHUS) is due to overactivation of the alternative complement pathway. aHUS has numerous causes, including drugs, with rare reports of carfilzomib, a proteasome inhibitor used in multiple myeloma, as causative agent. Cases vary in presentation, presenting a diagnostic challenge. Historically, TMAs were treated with plasma exchange. aHUS, however, is considered refractory to plasma exchange and best treated with eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting C5, a terminal complement protein. We report a patient with history of multiple myeloma who presented with headaches, elevated blood pressure, petechiae, ecchymosis and haemolytic anaemia. His condition was determined to be carfilzomib-induced aHUS and he was successfully treated with eculizumab. Early detection and treatment of drug-induced aHUS is vital in reducing morbidity and mortality related to the condition.

Clinical application of genomics in Waldenström macroglobulinemia

Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM) is an incurable hematologic malignancy characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the bone marrow and the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin (IgM). Although a portion of WM patients may experience a relatively indolent course, patients may experience IgM-related morbidity and/or disease-related mortality. This underscores the need for novel approaches to improve response and survival rates. Significant progress had been made in our understanding of the genomics and biology of WM. The discovery of the highly recurrent somatic mutations in the MYD88 gene detected in 90-95% and the CXCR4 gene detected in 30-40% of WM patients has provided an opportunity to develop novel targeted approaches. Mutational status has important implications in predicting response to therapies such as BTK inhibitors. Treatment of WM should be guided by many factors including performance status, comorbidities, goals of therapy, and toxicities. In this review, we describe how current genomics may be utilized to optimize WM treatment selection. As the therapeutic landscape of WM continues to expand with more targeted approaches, the genomics in WM will likely play a greater role in individualizing treatment.

Novel Treatment Strategies in the Management of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Recent advances the genomic profiling of patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) have led to the identification of novel therapeutic targets in these patients. In this review, we cover the current standard of care and the recently evaluated novel approaches with high potential to be incorporated in the therapeutic armamentarium against WM.

RECENT FINDINGS

The MYD88^L265P mutation is the most common genomic abnormality in WM, and is encountered in 80-95% of patients, making it an important target for drug development. The success of the first-generation Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, ibrutinib, has generated tremendous interest in the study of more selective and potent BTK inhibitors. Additionally, the identification of CXCR4^WHIM mutations in up to approximately 40% of patients with WM has fueled research regarding their implication on systemic therapy in WM. In a rapidly advancing field of targeted therapies, the treatment options for patients with WM are expanding as researchers continue to uncover and harness the survival pathways active in this hematologic malignancy.

Inhibitors targeting Bruton's tyrosine kinase in cancers: drug development advances

Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor is a promising novel agent that has potential efficiency in B-cell malignancies. It took approximately 20 years from target discovery to new drug approval. The first-in-class drug ibrutinib creates possibilities for an era of chemotherapy-free management of B-cell malignancies, and it is so popular that gross sales have rapidly grown to more than 230 billion dollars in just 6 years, with annual sales exceeding 80 billion dollars; it also became one of the five top-selling medicines in the world. Numerous clinical trials of BTK inhibitors in cancers were initiated in the last decade, and ~73 trials were intensively announced or updated with extended follow-up data in the most recent 3 years. In this review, we summarized the significant milestones in the preclinical discovery and clinical development of BTK inhibitors to better understand the clinical and commercial potential as well as the directions being taken. Furthermore, it also contributes impactful lessons regarding the discovery and development of other novel therapies.