Induction treatment with cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a phase II study

Chemotherapy adherence is a favorable prognostic factor for elderly patients with multiple myeloma who are treated with a frontline bortezomib-containing regimen

Background

Elderly patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are vulnerable to adverse events (AEs). This study evaluated adherence to chemotherapy and treatment outcomes in elderly patients treated with a frontline bortezomib (BTZ), melphalan, and prednisone (VMP) regimen and regimens without BTZ.

Methods

One-hundred and forty elderly patients who were diagnosed with MM from March 2007 to March 2015 were included in this retrospective study. To evaluate regimen adherence, patients who were treated with more than 4 cycles were assigned to the good adherence group.

Results

Among the 140 patients, 71 were treated with a frontline VMP and 69 with non-BTZ regimens. The median age was 71 years (range, 65-90 years). The VMP group showed a higher complete response rate than the non-BTZ group: 26.8% vs. 7.2%. More patients in the VMP group achieved ≥very good partial response (VGPR) and ≥PR. In the VMP group, 27 patients (38.0%) received less than 4 cycles. The VMP good adherence group showed a higher 3-year overall survival (OS) rate (70.9%) than the poor adherence group (60.2%, p=0.059). In the multivariate analysis, treatment with ≥4 cycles of VMP was a favorable factor for OS.

Conclusion

A good adherence to a frontline VMP regimen resulted in favorable long-term survival. Adequate management of AEs will be needed to achieve favorable outcomes in elderly patients with MM.

Recent advances in multiple myeloma: a Korean perspective

Epidemiologically, multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disorder of plasma cells with a higher incidence among Western populations than among Asians. However, there is growing evidence of a recent increase in the age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of MM in Asian countries, particularly Korea. Application of novel agents has resulted in significant improvement of treatment outcomes, and the advances are ongoing with the recent introduction and U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of newer agents, including carfilzomib, ixazomib, elotuzumab, and daratumumab. In concert with the technical advances in the cytogenetic and molecular diagnostics of MM, modifications of its diagnosis and staging system have been attempted for better risk stratification. The modified diagnostic criteria from the International Myeloma Working Group in 2014 enabled a strategy of more active treatment for some patients with smoldering MM, with an ultra-high risk of progression, and fine-tuned the definition of end-organ damage, known as CRAB (hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, anemia, and bone lesions). Considering Korea's trend of aging at an unprecedented rate, we can expect that the ASR of MM will maintain a gradual increase for many years to come; therefore, MM will be a cancer of critical importance from both medical and socioeconomic perspectives in Korea.

Advanced lytic lesion is a poor mobilization factor in peripheral blood stem cell collection in patients with multiple myeloma

This study examined the incidence and predictors of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization failure in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Retrospective data for 104 patients who received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) alone or with cyclophosphamide as mobilization regimens were analyzed. The rates of mobilization failure using two definitions of failure (< 2 × 10(6) and < 4 × 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg) following the first collection attempt were 16.3 and 33.7%, respectively. Predictors of mobilization failure were evaluated using logistic regression analysis which included age, advanced osteolytic lesions, bone marrow cellularity before mobilization, platelet count, body mass index before mobilization, and mobilization method. Lytic bone lesions were assessed using a conventional skeletal survey, and advanced osteolytic lesions were defined as lytic lesions in more than three skeletal sites regardless of the number of lytic lesions. On multivariate analysis, advanced osteolytic lesions [hazard ratio (HR) = 10.95, P = 0.001] and age ≥60 years (HR = 5.45, P = 0.016) were associated with a PBSC yield < 2 × 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg, and advanced osteolytic lesions (HR = 5.08, P = 0.006), white blood cell count ≤4,000/µL before mobilization (HR = 4.72, P = 0.005), and G-CSF only mobilization (HR 10.52, P < 0.001) were associated with PBSC yield < 4 × 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg. The data suggest that an advanced osteolytic lesion is a significant predictor of mobilization failure in MM patients.

Early response-based intensification of primary therapy in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation: phase II study

This phase II study prospectively evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of an early change in induction therapy before autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients who failed to achieve more than a partial response (PR) after two cycles of a cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (CTD) regimen. Patients aged 18-65 years received two cycles of CTD therapy, and then the patients who achieved more than a PR received two additional cycles of CTD therapy, while those who failed to achieve more than a PR were given intensified therapy with four cycles of a Vel-CD regimen (bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone). After completing primary chemotherapy, the patients underwent ASCT. This study initially enrolled 64 patients, although four were excluded. Of the patients, 60 were treated with CTD regimen and 8 patients also had the intensified Vel-CD regimen, of whom five showing improved responses. The overall response rate before ASCT in 59 patients was 94.9 %, including 27.1 % with a stringent complete response/complete response, 23.7 % with a very good partial response (VGPR), and 44.1 % with a PR. The median time to progression (TTP) was 33.2 months (95 % CI, 26.6-34.8). Patients who attained a VGPR or better after ASCT tended to have a longer TTP than the patients who did not (not reached vs. 24.2 months, P = 0.04). In conclusion, early response-adapted intensification with a Vel-CD regimen was a well-tolerated, effective strategy for improving the response before ASCT in patients with newly diagnosed MM.

Multiple myeloma: improved outcomes with new therapeutic approaches

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Nearly all patients with multiple myeloma will eventually relapse; and, thus, it is critical to identify new treatments that increase therapeutic options for these patients. This review highlights the newest approaches with already approved drugs for treating this common B-cell malignancy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Most patients with multiple myeloma in both the frontline and relapsed/refractory settings are now treated with a combination of dexamethasone with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and/or an immunomodulatory agent thalidomide or lenalidomide. However, alkylating agents including melphalan, cyclophosphamide and most recently bendamustine as well as anthracyclines, especially the pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, have shown high response rates and prolonged remissions when combined with these agents. There are emerging data showing the importance of maintenance therapy especially with lenalidomide. Because of the marked improvement in survival of multiple myeloma during the past decade, there has been a renewed emphasis on developing therapies that are not only effective but also well tolerated. Alternative dosing, scheduling and routes of administration of already approved drugs have proven effective in accomplishing these goals.

SUMMARY

The availability of drugs with different mechanisms that produce anti-multiple myeloma effects and also show synergistic effects has paved the way for more effective and safer combinations and led to multiple myeloma patients living longer with improved quality of lives.

Efficacy of stem cell mobilization in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma after a CTD (cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, and dexamethasone) regimen

The CTD (cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, and dexamethasone) regimen is known to be an effective primary therapy in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). However, stem cell yields after CTD remain inconsistent. The aim of the present study is to identify the influence of the CTD regimen on the outcome of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection. Fifty-four patients received four cycles of CTD, and PBSCs were mobilized with cyclophosphamide and G-CSF or with G-CSF alone. Each patient from whom ≤4.0 × 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg were collected received a second mobilization course. The median duration from the start of a CTD regimen to the first collection was 4.3 months. Forty-eight patients were mobilized with cyclophosphamide followed by G-CSF, and six patients were mobilized with G-CSF alone. The median day of apheresis was day 3 (range day 2-day 5). The overall response rate at mobilization was 96.3 %, including 11.1 % complete response, 22.2 % very good partial response, and 63.0 % partial response. The median number of harvested CD34(+) cells was 12.8 × 10(6) cells/kg. At the second mobilization, 88.9 % of patients reached the minimal stem cell collection target of ≥2.0 × 10(6) cells/kg, and 75.9 % of patients achieved the collection target of ≥4.0 × 10(6) cells/kg. CTD within four cycles is an effective primary therapy in patients with newly diagnosed MM and only minimally affects subsequent PBSC collection.

Lenalidomide, bortezomib, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a phase 1/2 Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium trial

This phase 1/2 trial evaluated combination lenalidomide, bortezomib, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (RVDD) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Patients received RVDD at 4 dose levels, including the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Patients with a very good partial response or better (≥ VGPR) after cycle 4 proceeded to autologous stem cell transplantation or continued treatment. The primary objectives were MTD evaluation and response to RVDD after 4 and 8 cycles. Seventy-two patients received a median of 4.5 cycles. The MTDs were lenalidomide 25 mg, bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2), pegylated liposomal doxorubicin 30 mg/m(2), and dexamethasone 20/10 mg, as established with 3-week cycles. The most common adverse events were fatigue, constipation, sensory neuropathy, and infection; there was no treatment-related mortality. Response rates after 4 and 8 cycles were 96% and 95% partial response or better, 57% and 65% ≥ VGPR, and 29% and 35% complete or near-complete response, respectively. After a median follow-up of 15.5 months, median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were not reached. The estimated 18-month PFS and OS were 80.8% and 98.6%, respectively. RVDD was generally well tolerated and highly active, warranting further study in newly diagnosed MM patients. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00724568.

Novel method of monitoring trace cytokines and activated STAT molecules in the paws of arthritic mice using multiplex bead technology

Background

The use of mouse models to study human disease provides useful data that can provide support for research projects or an existing drug discovery program. How well a model recapitulates the human condition and the ease and reproducibility of data collected will determine how much confidence a scientist can place on results obtained. Designing new treatments for rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), requires complex immunocompetent models that depend on intricate cytokine networks. Using local cytokines, signal transduction and transcription factor molecules as potential biomarkers to monitor disease and treatment efficacy is the best method to follow the progression of tissue damage and repair when testing an unknown compound or biologic. Described here in this report, a novel method for the non-enzymatic extraction and measurement of cytokines and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) molecules using Luminex^® bead array technology in two different mouse models for human RA - collagen antibody-dependent arthritis (CAIA) and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

Results

Dynamic expression of several pro-inflammatory cytokines responsible for promoting disease augmentation overtime were monitored, such as IL-1β, TNFα, IL-6 and IL-12, locally in the paws of affected animals directly ex vivo. Local cytokine responses could be matched with serum cytokine levels and joint pathology results. In addition, STAT1, 3, and 5a/b activation status could be monitored with confidence using specifically formulated extraction buffer that protected the phosphorylation site. STAT3 activation followed paw swelling and cytokine levels in both models and correlates of disease could be ablated upon treatment with dexamethasone. Here reported a novel method of extracting joint fluid from the paws of inflamed mice coupled with powerful multiplex bead technology allowing us to measure cytokine responses, pharmacodynamic markers such as STATs and pharmacokinetic analysis of dosed agent all from the same sample directly ex vivo.

Conclusions

This method is powerful in that it is applicable to multiple autoimmunity model types, streamlines ex vivo readouts in a high-throughput manner, and allows multiplexing providing the investigator with an array of options and possible analytes when developing preclinical animal models to support drug discovery efforts in the search for new treatments for rheumatic diseases.