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Hughes CFM, Shah GL, Paul BA. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma in the age of CAR T cell therapy. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1373548. [PMID: 38601770 PMCID: PMC11004402 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1373548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has revolutionized the management of relapsed and refractory myeloma, with excellent outcomes and a tolerable safety profile. High dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHCT) is established as a mainstream of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) management in patients who are young and fit enough to tolerate such intensity. This standard was developed based on randomized trials comparing AHCT to chemotherapy in the era prior to novel agents. More recently, larger studies have primarily shown a progression free survival (PFS) benefit of upfront AHCT, rather than overall survival (OS) benefit. There is debate about the significance of this lack of OS, acknowledging the potential confounders of the chronic nature of the disease, study design and competing harms and benefits of exposure to AHCT. Indeed upfront AHCT may not be as uniquely beneficial as we once thought, and is not without risk. New quadruple-agent regimens are highly active and effective in achieving a deep response as quantified by measurable residual disease (MRD). The high dose chemotherapy administered with AHCT imposes a burden of short and long-term adverse effects, which may alter the disease course and patient's ability to tolerate future therapies. Some high-risk subgroups may have a more valuable benefit from AHCT, though still ultimately suffer poor outcomes. When compared to the outcomes of CAR T cell therapy, the question of whether AHCT can or indeed should be deferred has become an important topic in the field. Deferring AHCT may be a personalized decision in patients who achieve MRD negativity, which is now well established as a key prognostic factor for PFS and OS. Reserving or re-administering AHCT at relapse is feasible in many cases and holds the promise of resetting the T cell compartment and opening up options for immune reengagement. It is likely that personalized MRD-guided decision making will shape how we sequence in the future, though more studies are required to delineate when this is safe and appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte F. M. Hughes
- Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Gunjan L. Shah
- Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
- Cellular Therapy Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Barry A. Paul
- Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health/Wake Forest Baptist, Charlotte, NC, United States
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Davis JA, Dima D, Ahmed N, DeJarnette S, McGuirk J, Jia X, Raza S, Khouri J, Valent J, Anwer F, Abdallah AO, Hashmi H. Impact of Frailty on Outcomes after Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy for Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Transplant Cell Ther 2024; 30:298-305. [PMID: 38142943 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2023.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
The literature is limited regarding outcomes in older adults and frail patients receiving BCMA-directed chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy (CAR-T) for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Here we describe the safety and efficacy of CAR-T in these clinically important subgroups treated in a real-world setting. Frailty was defined as a frail score ≥2 using the simplified frailty index (score based on age + Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] Performance Status + Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Comorbidity Index [HCT-CI]). Of the 136 patients analyzed (age range, 41 to 81 years), 83 (61%) were considered frail at the time of CAR-T infusion. Compared to the nonfrail group, the frail group had higher proportions of patients with renal insufficiency (18% versus 6%), high-risk cytogenetics (45% versus 35%), extramedullary disease (51% versus 43%), and ECOG Performance Status ≥2 (18% versus 2%), and worse HCT-CI (3 versus 1). Although patients in the frail group had a higher incidence of immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) (39% versus 17%), the incidences of all- grade cytokine release syndrome (CRS), as well as high-grade CRS and ICANS, were similar in the 2 groups. With a median follow-up of 7 months, the median progression-free survival was 6.9 months in the frail group versus 11.1 months in the nonfrail group (P = .028). The median overall survival was 14 months in the frail group and was not reached in the nonfrail group (P = .025). This study highlights the tolerable safety and reasonable efficacy of CAR-T for frail myeloma patients in a real-world practice. Although the frail patients did not experience any excessive high-grade toxicities, they did have inferior efficacy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Davis
- US Myeloma Innovations Research Collaborative, Kansas City, Kansas; Department of Hematology-Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Danai Dima
- US Myeloma Innovations Research Collaborative, Kansas City, Kansas; Department of Hematology-Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Nausheen Ahmed
- US Myeloma Innovations Research Collaborative, Kansas City, Kansas; Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Westwood, Kansas
| | - Shaun DeJarnette
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Westwood, Kansas
| | - Joseph McGuirk
- US Myeloma Innovations Research Collaborative, Kansas City, Kansas; Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Westwood, Kansas
| | - Xuefei Jia
- Department of Biostatistics and Quantitative Health Science, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Shahzad Raza
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Jack Khouri
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Jason Valent
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Faiz Anwer
- US Myeloma Innovations Research Collaborative, Kansas City, Kansas; Department of Hematology-Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Al-Ola Abdallah
- US Myeloma Innovations Research Collaborative, Kansas City, Kansas; Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Westwood, Kansas
| | - Hamza Hashmi
- US Myeloma Innovations Research Collaborative, Kansas City, Kansas; Department of Hematology-Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
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Walton ZE, Frigault MJ, Maus MV. Current and emerging pharmacotherapies for cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis-like syndrome due to CAR T cell therapy. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2024; 25:263-279. [PMID: 38588525 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2024.2340738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have revolutionized the treatment of multiple hematologic malignancies. Engineered cellular therapies now offer similar hope to transform the management of solid tumors and autoimmune diseases. However, toxicities can be serious and often require hospitalization. AREAS COVERED We review the two chief toxicities of CAR T therapy, cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), and the rarer immune effector cell-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis-like syndrome. We discuss treatment paradigms and promising future pharmacologic strategies. Literature and therapies reviewed were identified by PubMed search, cited references therein, and review of registered trials. EXPERT OPINION Management of CRS and ICANS has improved, aided by consensus definitions and guidelines that facilitate recognition and timely intervention. Further data will define optimal timing of tocilizumab and corticosteroids, current foundations of management. Pathophysiologic understanding has inspired off-label use of IL-1 receptor antagonism, IFNγ and IL-6 neutralizing antibodies, and janus kinase inhibitors, with data emerging from ongoing clinical trials. Further strategies to reduce toxicities include novel pharmacologic targets and safety features engineered into CAR T cells themselves. As these potentially curative therapies are used earlier in oncologic therapy and even in non-oncologic indications, effective accessible strategies to manage toxicities are critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zandra E Walton
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew J Frigault
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Rasche L, Hudecek M, Einsele H. CAR T-cell therapy in multiple myeloma: mission accomplished? Blood 2024; 143:305-310. [PMID: 38033289 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023021221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are the most potent treatment against multiple myeloma (MM). Here, we review the increasing body of clinical and correlative preclinical data that support their inclusion into firstline therapy and sequencing before T-cell-engaging antibodies. The ambition to cure MM with (BCMA-)CAR T cells is informed by genomic and phenotypic analysis that assess BCMA expression for patient stratification and monitoring, steadily improving early diagnosis and management of side effects, and advances in rapid, scalable CAR T-cell manufacturing to improve access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo Rasche
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Hudecek
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Lehrstuhl für Zelluläre Immuntherapie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Anderson LD, Dhakal B, Jain T, Oluwole OO, Shah GL, Sidana S, Perales MA, Pasquini MC. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy for Myeloma: Where Are We Now and What Is Needed to Move Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Forward to Earlier Lines of Therapy? Expert Panel Opinion from the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. Transplant Cell Ther 2024; 30:17-37. [PMID: 37913909 PMCID: PMC10873054 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2023.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Since 2021, 2 B cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies-idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel), and ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel)-have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) after 4 or more prior lines of therapy, including an immunomodulatory drug, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 antibody. The 2 products have shown unprecedented activity in RRMM, but relapses remain common, and access to and safety of CAR-T therapy in patients with rapidly progressing advanced disease are not ideal. Sequencing CAR-T therapy with other options, including the 2 recently approved BCMA-directed T cell-engaging bispecific antibodies teclistamab and elranatamab, has become increasingly challenging owing to data showing inferior outcomes from CAR-T therapy after prior BCMA-directed therapy. This has led to the consideration of CAR-T therapy earlier in the course of disease for myeloma, when T cells are potentially healthier and the myeloma is less aggressive. To address the question of earlier use of CAR-T therapy, several trials are either ongoing or planned, and results have recently been reported for 2 randomized trials of CAR-T therapy showing improved progression-free survival compared to standard of care therapy in second-line (CARTITUDE-4) or third-line therapy (KarMMA-3). With the anticipation of the FDA possibly expanding approval of CAR-T to earlier lines of myeloma therapy, the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy convened a group of experts to provide a comprehensive review of the studies that led to the approval of CAR-T therapy in late-line therapy for myeloma, discuss the recently reported and ongoing studies designed to move CAR-T therapy to earlier lines of therapy, and share insights and considerations for sequencing therapy and optimization of patient selection for BCMA-directed therapies in current practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry D Anderson
- Myeloma, Waldenstrom's, and Amyloidosis Program, Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
| | - Binod Dhakal
- BMT & Cellular Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Tania Jain
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Olalekan O Oluwole
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Gunjan L Shah
- Adult Bone Marrow Transplantation Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Surbhi Sidana
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Miguel-Angel Perales
- Adult Bone Marrow Transplantation Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Marcelo C Pasquini
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Maakaron JE, William BM. Age is No Barrier: CAR-T Therapy in Older Adults. Drugs Aging 2023:10.1007/s40266-023-01047-z. [PMID: 37432595 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-023-01047-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cells have revolutionized the treatment of hematological malignancies. With six different products for five diseases in various settings, CAR-T use has increased, and the comfort level of prescribers continues to expand. These therapies carry substantial toxicities that may limit their applicability to all patient populations. In the registrational trials, older adults are represented as part of a whole and risks specific to older age may not be clearly outlined. The aim of this review is to summarize the data from clinical trials, as well as real-life evidence, that outline the safety of CAR-T in older adults. With most of the data coming from CD19 CAR-T for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, it appears that CAR-T can be safely administered to older individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Basem M William
- OhioHealth Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, OhioHealth, 500 Thomas Lane; A3, Columbus, OH, 43214, USA.
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Larocca A, Cani L, Bertuglia G, Bruno B, Bringhen S. New Strategies for the Treatment of Older Myeloma Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2693. [PMID: 37345030 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) mostly affects older patients, who represent a highly heterogeneous population. In the last few years, the introduction of novel agents led to a significant improvement in the outcome of MM patients. Nonetheless, this positive trend is less likely to occur in all older patients due to comorbidities/disabilities and major susceptibility to toxic events. Furthermore, older patients with major comorbidities are usually excluded or underrepresented in most registrational clinical trials. In this context, physicians have called for greater caution in the management of the disease. Several scores allow for the identification of frail and unfit patients and establish the possibility of tailoring therapy, reducing toxicity. This review explores the available tools for the assessment of frailty and what has been done to improve the discriminative power of the available scores. Thereafter, it describes the main therapeutic strategies for the management of transplant-ineligible (NTE) newly diagnosed (ND) MM patients and relapsed/refractory (RR) MM patients, in order to better guide physicians in choosing treatment options and to suggest possible strategies for more frail patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Larocca
- Division of Hematology, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
- SSD Clinical Trial in Oncoematologia e Mieloma Multiplo, Department of Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Cani
- Division of Hematology, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
- SSD Clinical Trial in Oncoematologia e Mieloma Multiplo, Department of Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bertuglia
- Division of Hematology, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
- SSD Clinical Trial in Oncoematologia e Mieloma Multiplo, Department of Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Benedetto Bruno
- Division of Hematology, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
- Division of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Sara Bringhen
- SSD Clinical Trial in Oncoematologia e Mieloma Multiplo, Department of Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
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