Factors Affecting Patient and Caregiver Preferences for Treatment of Myeloma and Indolent Lymphoma

PURPOSE

Treatment options for myeloma and indolent lymphoma are increasing exponentially, with distinct efficacy, side effects, and cost. We aim to determine the factors influencing patient and caregiver treatment preferences.

METHODS

Patients and caregivers of patients with myeloma and indolent lymphoma were recruited from two cancer centers in Singapore. Preferences were elicited using a discrete choice experiment. Attributes and levels were selected based on a previous qualitative study. The relative preference for levels within each attribute (part worth utility values) and the extent to which an attribute would influence decision making (relative importance) were calculated. Patient and caregiver participation in the treatment plan selection process were assessed using the Control Preference Scale.

RESULTS

One hundred ninety-nine patients and 169 caregivers were recruited. Patients placed the highest importance on out-of-pocket costs (relative importance = 35%), followed by efficacy (25%), persistent side effects (19%), administration route (8%), treatment duration (7%), and short-term side effects (5%). Caregivers ranked efficacy (27%) as the most important attribute, over out-of-pocket costs (24%). Most patients preferred a collaborative role in the shared decision-making process, while similar proportions of caregivers favored active and collaborative roles.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that both patients and caregivers consider cost seriously when making treatment decisions. Furthermore, as patient and caregiver preferences may differ, there are implications for treatment selection and counseling, especially in cultures where caregivers have more prominent roles in treatment planning.

Response-Adapted Therapy for Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The development of potent novel agents has improved outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Heterogeneity of response to therapy, an expanding arsenal of treatment options, and cost are however major challenges for physicians making treatment decisions. Response-adapted therapy is hence an attractive strategy for sequencing of therapy in MM. Despite its successful application in other haematologic malignancies, response-adapted therapy is yet to become a standard of care for MM. We provide our perspective on response-adapted therapeutic strategies evaluated thus far and how they may be implemented and improved on in treatment algorithms of the future.

RECENT FINDINGS

While older studies suggested that early response based on International Myeloma Working Group response criteria could impact long-term outcomes, recent data have contradicted these findings. The advent of minimal residual disease (MRD) as a powerful prognostic factor in MM has raised the promise of MRD-adapted treatment strategies. The development of more sensitive techniques for paraprotein quantification as well as imaging modalities to detect extramedullary disease is likely to change response assessment in MM. These techniques combined with MRD assessment may provide sensitive and holistic response assessments which could be evaluated in clinical trials. Response-adapted treatment algorithms have the potential to allow an individualised treatment strategy, maximising efficacy, while minimising toxicities and cost. Standardisation of MRD methodology, incorporation of imaging into response assessment, and the optimal management of MRD positive patients are key questions to be addressed in future trials.

A Phase I, First-in-Human Study of PRL3-zumab in Advanced, Refractory Solid Tumors and Hematological Malignancies

BACKGROUND

Phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3) is involved in cellular processes driving metastasis, cell proliferation, invasion, motility and survival. It has been shown to be upregulated and overexpressed in cancer tissue, in contrast to low or no expression in most normal tissue. PRL3-zumab is a first-in-class humanized antibody that specifically binds to PRL-3 oncotarget with high affinity and has been shown to reduce tumor growth and increase survival.

OBJECTIVE

In the study, we aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of PRL3-zumab in patients with advanced solid tumors and hematological malignancies.

METHODS

We conducted a phase I, first-in-human study in advanced solid tumors and hematological malignancies to investigate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of PRL3-zumab. Response rates were evaluated using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) guideline (version 1.1) for solid tumors. For acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, bone marrow response criteria based on the European Leukaemia Network (ELN) 2017 guidelines for AML were used. We also explored the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic relationships of PRL3-zumab in patients. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03191682.

RESULTS

In the dose-escalation cohort, 11 patients with advanced solid tumors were enrolled into the study. An additional 12 patients with solid tumors and four patients with AML were enrolled in the dose-expansion cohort. Maximum tolerability was not achieved in this study, as there were no dose-limiting toxicities. Potential treatment-emergent adverse events were grade 1 increased stoma output and fatigue and grade 2 vomiting. Best response observed was stable disease in three solid-tumor patients (11.1%). The pharmacokinetics of PRL3-zumab were dose proportional, consistent with an IgG type monoclonal antibody.

CONCLUSIONS

PRL3-zumab, a first-in-class humanized antibody, was safe and tolerable in solid tumors and hematological malignancies.

Feasibility of a Geriatric Oncology Longitudinal End to End (GOLDEN) Program in a Tertiary Cancer Center in Singapore

INTRODUCTION

In the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), 2 pilot programs providing (i) surgical prehabilitation before cancer surgery and (ii) geriatric oncology support for older adults planned for chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were merged to form the Geriatric Oncology Longitudinal End to eNd (GOLDEN) program in 2019 to support patients from the time of their cancer diagnosis, through their treatment process, to cancer survivorship.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Older adults aged ≥65 years were enrolled in either surgical prehabilitation, the geriatric medical oncology (GO) arm, or both. All patients undergo a geriatric assessment. We assessed if patients had a change in treatment plans based on GOLDEN recommendations, and the impact on patient related outcomes.

RESULTS

There were 777 patients enrolled in the GOLDEN program over 2 years; 569 (73%) were enrolled in surgical prehabilitation, 308 (40%) were enrolled in the GO arm, with 100 (12.8%) enrolled in both. 56.9% were females. Median age was 73. Lower gastrointestinal (51.2%) and hepatobiliary cancers (24.1%) were the most common cancer types. 43.4% were pre-frail and 11.7% were frail. Of the 308 patients in the GO arm, 86.0% had geriatric syndromes, while 60.7% had a change in their treatment plans based on GOLDEN recommendations. 31.5% reported an improved global health status, while 38.3% maintained their global health status. 226 (73%) responded that they had benefited from the GOLDEN.

CONCLUSION

More than half of the population was either pre-frail or frail. Amongst those in the GO arm, the majority had geriatric syndromes and had a change in their treatment plans based on GOLDEN recommendations. Majority reported either improvement or maintenance in global health status, with most feeling they have benefited from the program. Further evaluation of the longitudinal geriatric hematology-oncology program for cancer-related outcomes and sustainability should be carried out.

Clinical efficacy and long-term immunogenicity of an early triple dose regimen of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in cancer patients

Introduction: Three doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines have been recommended for cancer patients to reduce the risk of severe disease. Anti-neoplastic treatment, such as chemotherapy, may affect long-term vaccine immunogenicity. Method: Patients with solid or haematological cancer were recruited from 2 hospitals between July 2021 and March 2022. Humoral response was evaluated using GenScript cPASS surrogate virus neutralisation assays. Clinical outcomes were obtained from medical records and national mandatory-reporting databases. Results: A total of 273 patients were recruited, with 40 having haematological malignancies and the rest solid tumours. Among the participants, 204 (74.7%) were receiving active cancer therapy, including 98 (35.9%) undergoing systemic chemotherapy and the rest targeted therapy or immunotherapy. All patients were seronegative at baseline. Seroconversion rates after receiving 1, 2 and 3 doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination were 35.2%, 79.4% and 92.4%, respectively. After 3 doses, patients on active treatment for haematological malignancies had lower antibodies (57.3%±46.2) when compared to patients on immunotherapy (94.1%±9.56, P<0.05) and chemotherapy (92.8%±18.1, P<0.05). SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported in 77 (28.2%) patients, of which 18 were severe. No patient receiving a third dose within 90 days of the second dose experienced severe infection. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the benefit of early administration of the third dose among cancer patients. Keywords: Cancer, oncology, SARS-CoV-2, third dose, vaccination

Clinical efficacy and long-term immunogenicity of an early triple dose regimen of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in cancer patients

INTRODUCTION

Three doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines have been recommended for cancer patients to reduce the risk of severe disease. Anti-neoplastic treatment, such as chemotherapy, may affect long-term vaccine immunogenicity.

METHOD

Patients with solid or haematological cancer were recruited from 2 hospitals between July 2021 and March 2022. Humoral response was evaluated using GenScript cPASS surrogate virus neutralisation assays. Clinical outcomes were obtained from medical records and national mandatory-reporting databases.

RESULTS

A total of 273 patients were recruited, with 40 having haematological malignancies and the rest solid tumours. Among the participants, 204 (74.7%) were receiving active cancer therapy, including 98 (35.9%) undergoing systemic chemotherapy and the rest targeted therapy or immunotherapy. All patients were seronegative at baseline. Seroconversion rates after receiving 1, 2 and 3 doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination were 35.2%, 79.4% and 92.4%, respectively. After 3 doses, patients on active treatment for haematological malignancies had lower antibodies (57.3%±46.2) when compared to patients on immunotherapy (94.1%±9.56, P<0.05) and chemotherapy (92.8%±18.1, P<0.05). SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported in 77 (28.2%) patients, of which 18 were severe. No patient receiving a third dose within 90 days of the second dose experienced severe infection.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the benefit of early administration of the third dose among cancer patients.

Immunoglobulin M Monoclonal Gammopathies of Clinical Significance

Immunoglobulin M monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) comprises 15-20% of all cases of MGUS. IgM MGUS is distinct from other forms of MGUS in that the typical primary progression events include Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia and light chain amyloidosis. Owing to its large pentameric structure, IgM molecules have high intrinsic viscosity and precipitate more readily than other immunoglobulin subtypes. They are also more commonly associated with autoimmune phenomena, resulting in unique clinical manifestations. Organ damage attributable to the paraprotein, not fulfilling criteria for a lymphoid or plasma cell malignancy has recently been termed monoclonal gammopathy of clinical significance (MGCS) and encompasses an important family of disorders for which diagnostic and treatment algorithms are evolving. IgM related MGCS include unique entities such as cold haemagglutinin disease, IgM related neuropathies, renal manifestations and Schnitzler's syndrome. The diagnostic approach to, and management of these disorders differs significantly from other categories of MGCS. We describe a practical approach to the evaluation of these patients and our approach to their treatment. We will also elaborate on the key unmet needs in IgM MGCS and highlight potential areas for future research.

Abstract 4078: Single-cell sequencing of multiple myeloma patients with early death and long survival

Background: Multiple Myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy in the world, characterized by diverse genomic landscape with clonal heterogeneity and complex interaction between malignant plasma cells and the immune microenvironment. Treatment advancement has improved MM survival remarkably over the past decade. However, despite being managed similarly, there are still patients who had early death while some having long survival. We aim to use single-cell sequencing to build a machine learning-based classifier that could predict patients’ clinical outcomes.

Methods: Single-cell study evaluating the transcriptomic profile and protein expression, T-cell receptor and B-cell receptor sequencing were performed using droplet-based 10X Genomics 5’ version 2 platform with 60 DNA-barcoded antibodies. We evaluated a total of 26 frozen bone marrow samples from functional high-risk (FHR) group who had early death within 3 years of MM diagnosis and suboptimal response to induction therapy or early relapse within 12 months and long survival (LS) group who are alive for more than 7 years from MM diagnosis and still alive at the time or recruitment. This cohort also included longitudinal samples at presentation, post-treatment, and/or at relapse from 4 FHR and 3 LS patients. All patients were deemed fit to receive intensive treatment at diagnosis and received proteasome-inhibitor based induction therapy.

Results: This is a preliminary result of a classifier from 11 patients. We trained the model on all cells from 3 newly diagnosed FHR samples and 5 newly diagnosed LS samples. We then tested our classifier on 3 samples that were unseen during training, which consisted of 2 relapsed FHR samples and 1 refractory LS samples. We showed in a histogram that the number of cells binned by the response predictor score correlated well with patients’ outcomes, in which samples with large numbers of poor scoring cells would respond poorly to treatment. We also evaluated the top 30 most important genes found by our classifier across all cell types in a heat map. For the next steps, we plan to include more samples to build our model. We also plan to run our classifier on selected cell types and identify key genes from these selected cell types, including plasma cells, T-cells, and monocytes. Longitudinal analysis of the samples from the same patient will also be performed to track clonal evolution with treatment and disease progression.

Conclusion: We developed a machine learning-based classifier that allows us to identify MM patients with early death and long survival based on single-cell sequencing.

Citation Format: Cinnie Y. Soekojo, Jonathan Adam Scolnick, Stacy Xu, Fangfang Song, Melissa Ooi, Sanjay de Mel, Wee Joo Chng. Single-cell sequencing of multiple myeloma patients with early death and long survival [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 4078.

Single cell multiomic analysis and immune cell type profiling of multiple myeloma with t(4;14)

e20013

Background: Multiple Myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell (PC) malignancy and high risk (HR) MM remains an unmet clinical need. Translocation 4;14 occurs in 15% of MM and is associated with an adverse prognosis. A deeper understanding of the biology and immune micro-environment of t(4;14) MM is necessary for the development of effective targeted therapies. Single Cell multi-omics provides a new tool for phenotypic characterization of MM. Here we used Proteona’s ESCAPE™ single cell multi-omics platform to study a cohort of patients with t(4;14) MM. Methods: Diagnostic bone marrow (BM) samples from 14 patients with t(4;14) MM were analysed using the ESCAPE platform from Proteona which simultaneously measures gene and cell surface protein expression in single cells. Cryopreserved BM samples were stained with 65 DNA barcoded antibodies and subsequently sorted on CD138 expression. The CD138 positive and negative fractions were recombined at a known ratio for analysis using the 10x Genomics 3’ RNAseq kit. Resulting data were analyzed with Seurat and MapCell. Results: The patients had a median age of 63 years. All received novel agent based induction. Median progression free and overall survival (PFS and OS) were 22 and 34 months respectively. MMSET was overexpressed in all PCs while FGFR3 expression could be categorized into zero cells expressing FGFR3, low expression (< 10% of cells expressing FGFR3) or high expression (> 80% of cells expressing FGFR3). We also found heterogeneity in the expression of cancer testis antigens (CTA) such as FA133A and CTAG2 between PC clusters across samples. Variation in the immune microenvironment of the BM was seen across all patient samples with no correlation between cell types and PFS or OS. However, an analysis of BM samples at diagnosis and relapse in one patient showed a shift in the ratio of T cells to CD14 monocytes with a ratio of 5.7 at diagnosis compared to 0.6 at relapse. Further analysis of PCs in this patient found 8 PC populations, each containing variable numbers of cells from both the diagnostic and relapse samples. This suggests that all populations present at relapse were also present at diagnosis, although at variable proportions. Increased expression of RCAN3 (associated with cereblon depletion) was detected at relapse. Conclusions: We present the first application of single cell multi-omics immune profiling in high risk MM. The heterogeneity in expression of CTA has implications for the application of immunotherapies, while the upregulation of RCAN3 may explain failure of immunomodulatory therapy. Our small sample size may explain the lack of correlation between gene or protein expression with clinical outcomes. We propose that t(4;14) MM is a genomically and immunologically heterogeneous disease. Single cell analysis of larger cohorts is required to build on our findings.

Daratumumab-based induction therapy for multiple myeloma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Daratumumab-based induction therapy (DBI) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). We identified four eligible RCTs including 2735 patients. The primary outcomes of RCTs involving transplant eligible (TEMM) and non-transplant eligible MM (NTEMM) were stringent complete response (sCR) and progression-free survival (PFS) respectively. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models. DBI improved sCR rates for standard risk (SR) (OR 1.86, 95 % CI 1.41-2.46) but not HiR (high risk) (OR 0.78, 95 % CI 0.41-1.48) (interaction P = 0.01) TEMM. In NTEMM, DBI improved PFS in SR (HR 0.44, 95 % CI 0.35-0.55) but not HiR patients. (HR 0.81, 95 % CI 0.52-1.27) (interaction P = 0.02). In conclusion, while DBI is efficacious in SR patients, there is insufficient data to support a benefit in HiR-MM.

Conceptual design of an abnormality sign determination system for the general control system of the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility at J-PARC

The general control system (GCS) in the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) has a data storage (DS) server that stores operational data on the status of neutron and muon targets in the MLF. It has worked well to detect unusual situations around these target stations and to investigate the causes of accidents by checking data in the DS server for short-term operations. To pick up potential abnormalities in the slight state transitions from the target stations, however, it is necessary to introduce an abnormality sign determination system (ASDS). This ASDS requires an integral data storage (IDS) server that stores various operational data throughout the proton beams, target stations, and secondary beams for long-term operations because it judges potential abnormalities by using algorithms based on analysis of these data. This report describes a present status of the GCS, a conceptual design for the ASDS, and the installation of the IDS server.

Natural History and Prognostic Factors at First Relapse in Multiple Myeloma

The prognosis of multiple myeloma has considerably improved due to the introduction of novel agents in the upfront setting. However, the great majority of patients ultimately relapse, and choosing a salvage treatment at first relapse remains challenging. The natural history of first relapsed disease in the current era is also not well described. We retrospectively studied 300 patients with first relapsed myeloma seen between 2004 and 2019 from two institutes in Singapore. The median duration from diagnosis to first relapse was 22.7 months (1.1–97.0 months). Most patients received novel agent-based induction therapy, and 41.3% underwent autologous stem cell transplant. A very good partial response (VGPR) or better was achieved in 48.6%. Regarding first relapse, 50.5% were symptomatic and 19.0% received newer agent-containing regimens. Nearly a third of patients (31.7%) had a VGPR or better response. The median progression free and overall survival from first relapse was 12.0 and 44.8 months, respectively. Based on a randomized sample splitting, we first identified non-hyperdiploid karyotype at diagnosis, clinical relapse, and treatment sequence as impacting survival independently from a testing cohort, and we then further demonstrated their significance in a validation cohort. This study provides a real-world picture of first relapsed myeloma and highlights the prognostic importance of the treatment sequence.

Immunotherapy in Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a complex disease and immune dysfunction has been known to play an important role in the disease pathogenesis, progression, and drug resistance. Recent efforts in drug development have been focused on immunotherapies to modify the MM disease process. Here, we summarize the emerging immunotherapies in the MM treatment landscape.

Bacterial Infection Among Patients With Multiple Myeloma Treated With Bortezomib-based Induction Therapy: Real-World Experience in an Asian Cancer Center

BACKGROUND

The treatment landscape for multiple myeloma (MM) has progressed significantly, and over the past decade, bortezomib-based induction therapy has been a standard of care. However, the practice of antibacterial prophylaxis during induction therapy has been diverse. The aim of our study is to evaluate the proportion of patients with febrile episodes and bacteremia among patients with MM, during the first 12 weeks of bortezomib-based induction therapy, without routine fluoroquinolone prophylaxis, but with routine Pneumocystis Carinii prophylaxis (mostly with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole), in a region with high fluoroquinolone resistance rate. Of note, these patients have direct access to health care facilities and timely supportive care.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We evaluated newly diagnosed MM patients from 2014 to 2018 receiving bortezomib-based induction therapy for the proportion of patients who had febrile episodes and bacteremia in the first 12 weeks of bortezomib-based induction therapy. We also evaluated if there were factors associated with increased febrile episodes including age, absolute neutrophil count, creatinine clearance, M-band level at diagnosis, nadir platelet count, International Staging System, and Revised International Staging System.

RESULTS

Of the 108 evaluable patients, there were a total of 25 (23.1%) patients who had febrile episodes, and 1 (0.9%) patient who had bacteremia during the first 12 weeks of bortezomib-based induction therapy. All patients recovered well. No deaths were seen. Febrile episodes were associated with lower absolute neutrophil count (P = .036), renal impairment (P = .013), and ISS stage (P = .026).

CONCLUSION

The proportion of patients with significant bacterial infection during the first 12 weeks of bortezomib-based induction therapy without routine fluoroquinolone prophylaxis, but with routine Pneumocystis Carinii prophylaxis (mostly with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole), is low in a population with adequate access to health care facilities and timely supportive care.

Potential Clinical Application of Genomics in Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a heterogeneous disease with different characteristics, and genetic aberrations play important roles in this heterogeneity. Studies have shown that these genetic aberrations are crucial in prognostication and response assessment; recent efforts have focused on their possible therapeutic implications. Despite many emerging studies being published, the best way to incorporate these results into clinical practice remains unclear. In this review paper we describe the different genomic techniques available, including the latest advancements, and discuss the potential clinical application of genomics in multiple myeloma.

Week 4 viral load predicts long-term suppression of hepatitis B virus DNA during antiviral therapy: improving hepatitis B treatment in the real world

BACKGROUND

Entecavir and tenofovir potently suppress hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication so that serum HBV DNA levels <20 IU/mL can be achieved after 2 years. Despite this, inadequate suppression is reported in >20% of cases for unclear reasons.

AIM

We tested whether 4-week viral load (VL) assessment could improve 96-week treatment outcome.

METHODS

Data on all chronic hepatitis B patients treated with entecavir or tenofovir between 2005 and 2014 were entered prospectively. Full data capture included pre-treatment, weeks 4, 24, 48 and 96 HBV DNA titre, HBeAg, age, gender, antiviral agent and dose escalation. Compliance data were compiled from pharmacy records, doctors' letters and clinic bookings/attendance. Time to achieve complete viral suppression (HBV DNA < 20 IU/mL) was graphed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Factors affecting this were examined using a multivariate Cox Proportional Hazard model.

RESULTS

Among 156 patients treated, 72 received entecavir and 84 tenofovir. Pre-treatment HBV DNA titre, 4-week assessment and compliance impacted significantly on time to complete viral suppression. At 96 weeks, 90% of those assessed as compliant by 4-week HBV DNA had complete viral suppression versus 50% followed by 6-month VL estimation. Continuing care by the same physician was related to 4-week VL testing and optimal compliance.

CONCLUSIONS

Medium-term outcomes of HBV antiviral therapy are improved by early on-treatment VL testing, facilitating patient engagement and improved compliance. The observation that 90% complete viral suppression after 2 years monotherapy is achievable in a routine clinic setting questions the need for combination therapy in HBV cases with suboptimal response.

The Singapore Myeloma Study Group Consensus Guidelines for the management of patients with multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell neoplasm with an incidence of 100 patients per year in Singapore. Major advances have been made in the diagnosis, risk stratification and treatment of MM in the recent past. The reclassification of a subset of patients with smouldering MM, based on high-risk biomarkers, and the development of the revised international staging system are among the key new developments in diagnosis and staging. The use of novel agent-based treatment has resulted in significant improvements in the survival and quality of life of many patients with MM. Determining the optimal use of proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators and, more recently, monoclonal antibodies is an area of ongoing investigation. In this guideline, we aim to provide an overview of the management of MM, incorporating the latest developments in diagnosis and treatment.

Methyljasmonate displays in vitro and in vivo activity against multiple myeloma cells

Jasmonates, plant stress hormones, have been demonstrated to be effective in killing various types of cancer cells. We therefore tested if methyljasmonate (MJ) has activity against multiple myeloma (MM) in vitro and in vivo. MM cell lines and primary MM tumour cells responded to MJ in vitro at concentrations that did not significantly affect normal haematopoietic cells, without stroma-mediated resistance. Brief MJ exposures of MM cells caused release of Hexokinase 2 (HK2) from mitochondria, rapid ATP depletion, perturbation of major intracellular signalling pathways, and ensuing mainly apoptotic cell death. Sensitivity to MJ correlated with lower cellular glucose consumption and lactate production, as well as lower intracellular protein levels of HK2, phosphorylated Voltage-dependent anion channel 2/3 (pVDAC2/3) and Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C1 (AKR1C1), which represent potential biomarkers of responsiveness to MJ treatment, especially as AKR1C1 transcript levels also correlate with clinical outcome in bortezomib- or dexamethasone-treated MM patients. Interestingly, MJ synergized with bortezomib in vitro and prolonged survival of immunocompromised mice harbouring diffuse lesions of MM.1S cells compared to vehicle-treated mice (P = 0·0046). These studies indicate that jasmonates represent a new, promising strategy to treat MM.

Microenvironmental influence on pre-clinical activity of polo-like kinase inhibition in multiple myeloma: implications for clinical translation

Polo-like kinases (PLKs) play an important role in cell cycle progression, checkpoint control and mitosis. The high mitotic index and chromosomal instability of advanced cancers suggest that PLK inhibitors may be an attractive therapeutic option for presently incurable advanced neoplasias with systemic involvement, such as multiple myeloma (MM). We studied the PLK 1, 2, 3 inhibitor BI 2536 and observed potent (IC50<40 nM) and rapid (commitment to cell death <24 hrs) in vitro activity against MM cells in isolation, as well as in vivo activity against a traditional subcutaneous xenograft mouse model. Tumor cells in MM patients, however, don't exist in isolation, but reside in and interact with the bone microenvironment. Therefore conventional in vitro and in vivo preclinical assays don't take into account how interactions between MM cells and the bone microenvironment can potentially confer drug resistance. To probe this question, we performed tumor cell compartment-specific bioluminescence imaging assays to compare the preclinical anti-MM activity of BI 2536 in vitro in the presence vs. absence of stromal cells or osteoclasts. We observed that the presence of these bone marrow non-malignant cells led to decreased anti-MM activity of BI 2536. We further validated these results in an orthotopic in vivo mouse model of diffuse MM bone lesions where tumor cells interact with non-malignant cells of the bone microenvironment. We again observed that BI 2536 had decreased activity in this in vivo model of tumor-bone microenvironment interactions highlighting that, despite BI 2536's promising activity in conventional assays, its lack of activity in microenvironmental models raises concerns for its clinical development for MM. More broadly, preclinical drug testing in the absence of relevant tumor microenvironment interactions may overestimate potential clinical activity, thus explaining at least in part the gap between preclinical vs. clinical efficacy in MM and other cancers.

Anti-tumor activity and signaling events triggered by the isothiocyanates, sulforaphane and phenethyl isothiocyanate, in multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND

Isothiocyanates, a family of phytochemicals found in cruciferous vegetables, have cytotoxic effects against several types of tumor cells. Multiple myeloma is a fatal disease characterized by clonal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow. The growing body of preclinical information on the anti-cancer activity of isothiocyanates led us to investigate their anti-myeloma properties.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We evaluated the anti-myeloma activity of the isothiocyanates, sulforaphane and phenethyl isothiocyanate, on a panel of human myeloma cell lines as well as primary myeloma tumor cells. Cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle alterations and cell proliferation were then analyzed in vitro and in a xenograft mouse model in vivo. The molecular sequelae of isothiocyanate treatment in multiple myeloma cells were evaluated by multiplex analyses using bead arrays and western blotting.

RESULTS

We observed that sulforaphane and phenylethyl isothiocyanate have activity against myeloma cell lines and patients' myeloma cells both in vitro and in vivo using a myeloma xenograft mouse model. Isothiocyanates induced apoptotic death of myeloma cells; depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential; cleavage of PARP and caspases-3 and -9; as well as down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins including Mcl-1, X-IAP, c-IAP and survivin. Isothiocyanates induced G(2)/M cell cycle arrest accompanied by mitotic phosphorylation of histone H3. Multiplex analysis of phosphorylation of diverse components of signaling cascades revealed changes in MAPK activation; increased phosphorylation of c-jun and HSP27; as well as changes in the phosphorylation of Akt, and GSK3α/β and p53. Isothiocyanates suppressed proliferation of myeloma cells alone and when co-cultured with HS-5 stromal cells. Sulforaphane and phenylethyl isothiocyanate enhanced the in vitro anti-myeloma activity of several conventional and novel therapies used in multiple myeloma.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that isothiocyanates have potent anti-myeloma activities and may enhance the activity of other anti-multiple myeloma agents. These results indicate that isothiocyanates may have therapeutic potential in multiple myeloma and provide the preclinical framework for future clinical studies of isothiocyanates in multiple myeloma.

Molecular and cellular effects of multi-targeted cyclin-dependent kinase inhibition in myeloma: biological and clinical implications

Cell cycle regulators, such as cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), are appealing targets for multiple myeloma (MM) therapy given the increased proliferative rates of tumour cells in advanced versus early stages of MM. We hypothesized that a multi-targeted CDK inhibitor with a different spectrum of activity compared to existing CDK inhibitors could trigger distinct molecular sequelae with therapeutic implications for MM. We therefore studied the small molecule heterocyclic compound NVP-LCQ195/AT9311 (LCQ195), which inhibits CDK1, CDK2 and CDK5, as well as CDK3 and CDK9. LCQ195 induced cell cycle arrest and eventual apoptotic cell death of MM cells, even at sub-μmol/l concentrations, spared non-malignant cells, and overcame the protection conferred to MM cells by stroma or cytokines of the bone marrow milieu. In MM cells, LCQ195 triggered decreased amplitude of transcriptional signatures associated with oncogenesis, drug resistance and stem cell renewal, including signatures of activation of key transcription factors for MM cells e.g. myc, HIF-1α, IRF4. Bortezomib-treated MM patients whose tumours had high baseline expression of genes suppressed by LCQ195 had significantly shorter progression-free and overall survival than those with low levels of these transcripts in their MM cells. These observations provide insight into the biological relevance of multi-targeted CDK inhibition in MM.

Antimyeloma activity of the orally bioavailable dual phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor NVP-BEZ235

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway mediates proliferation, survival, and drug resistance in multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Here, we tested the anti-MM activity of NVP-BEZ235 (BEZ235), which inhibits PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling at the levels of PI3K and mTOR. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide colorimetric survival assays showed that MM cell lines exhibited dose- and time-dependent decreased viability after exposure to BEZ235 (IC(50), 25-800 nmol/L for 48 hours). MM cells highly sensitive (IC(50), <25 nmol/L) to BEZ235 (e.g., MM.1S, MM.1R, Dox40, and KMS-12-PE) included both lines sensitive and resistant to conventional (dexamethasone, cytotoxic chemotherapeutics) agents. Pharmacologically relevant BEZ235 concentrations (25-400 nmol/L) induced rapid commitment to and induction of MM.1S and OPM-2 cell death. Furthermore, normal donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells were less sensitive (IC(50), >800 nmol/L) than the majority of MM cell lines tested, suggesting a favorable therapeutic index. In addition, BEZ235 was able to target MM cells in the presence of exogenous interleukin-6, insulin-like growth factor-1, stromal cells, or osteoclasts, which are known to protect against various anti-MM agents. Molecular profiling revealed that BEZ235 treatment decreased the amplitude of transcriptional signatures previously associated with myc, ribosome, and proteasome function, as well as high-risk MM and undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells. In vivo xenograft studies revealed significant reduction in tumor burden (P = 0.011) and survival (P = 0.028) in BEZ235-treated human MM tumor-bearing mice. Combinations of BEZ235 with conventional (e.g., dexamethasone and doxorubicin) or novel (e.g., bortezomib) anti-MM agents showed lack of antagonism. These results indicate that BEZ235 merits clinical testing, alone and in combination with other agents, in MM.

Prospective Study of Survival Outcomes in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Purpose

Although preliminary studies suggest that non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) complicating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be a clinically distinct entity compared with that occurring in the general population, studies examining the impact of antecedent RA on survival are limited. In this prospective study, we examined the association of RA with survival in patients with NHL.

Patients and Methods

Using two large lymphoma registries, we identified patients with evidence of RA preceding NHL. Survival in RA patients was compared with that of controls using proportional hazards regression, adjusting for the effects of age, sex, lymphoma diagnosis-to-treatment lag time, calendar year, International Prognostic Index score, and NHL grade.

Results

The frequency of NHL subtypes was similar in RA patients (n = 65) and controls (n = 1,530). Compared with controls, RA patients with NHL had similar overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.70 to 1.30) but were at lower risk of lymphoma progression or relapse (HR = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.68) or death related to lymphoma or its treatment (HR = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.98), but were more than twice as likely to die from causes unrelated to lymphoma (HR = 2.16; 95% CI, 1.33 to 3.50).

Conclusion

RA is associated with improved NHL-related outcomes, including a 40% reduced risk of death occurring as a result of lymphoma or its treatment and approximately a 60% lower risk of lymphoma relapse or progression compared with non-RA controls. However, the survival advantage gained in RA from the acquisition of lymphomas with favorable prognoses is negated through an increased mortality from other comorbid conditions.

Very-long-period seismic signals and caldera formation at Miyake Island, Japan

Over a period of roughly 40 days, starting on 8 July 2000, a caldera structure 1.7 kilometers in diameter developed by means of gradual depression and expansion of the summit crater at Miyake Island, Japan. At the same time, very-long-period (VLP) seismic signals were observed once or twice a day. Source mechanism analyses of the VLP signals show that the moment tensor solutions are smooth step functions over a time scale of 50 seconds, with dominant volumetric change components. We developed a model to explain the caldera and the VLP signals, in which a vertical piston of solid materials in the conduit is intermittently sucked into the magma chamber by lateral magma outflow. This model offers potential for making quantitative estimations of the characteristic physical properties of magma systems.

Carbon-carbon bond formation by electrophilic addition at the central carbon of the mu-eta(3)-allenyl/propargyl ligand on the Pd-Pd bond

The mu-eta(3)-allenyl/propargyldipalladium complexes were synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding eta(1)-allenyl- or eta(1)-propargylpalladium complexes with Pd(2)(dba)(3). The X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the dinuclear complex has a unique structure, in which two palladium, three carbon, two phosphorus, and one halogen atoms are in the same plane. These dinuclear complexes react with electrophiles, such as HCl or AcCl, at the central carbon of the mu-eta(3)-allenyl/propargyl ligand to give the mu-eta(3)-vinylcarbenedipalladium complexes. Intramolecular reaction proceeded smoothly to give cyclization products quantitatively. Addition of a catalytic amount of a palladium(0) complex dramatically accelerated the carbon-carbon bond formation. The MO calculations on the mu-eta(3)-allenyl/propargyl complexes indicated that the reaction proceeds via orbital control.

Whisker growth of l-menthol in coexistence with various excipients

The purpose of the present study was to clarify the mechanism for l-menthol whisker growth. l-Menthol was mixed with an excipient, and the interaction was examined by IR measurement, thermal analysis and powder X-ray diffraction. Then we examined the involvement of the capillary condensation using the pore size distribution measurement. By mixing l-menthol with an excipient with whisker growth, the hydroxyl group stretching band of l-menthol was shifted to the higher wavenumber in the IR spectrum, the melting point and heat of fusion of l-menthol became lower in the thermal analysis, and the diffraction intensity of l-menthol became lower in the powder X-ray diffraction. The excipients with whisker growth showed the tendency to have the meso-pore involved in the capillary condensation in the pore size distribution measurement. From the above results, the whisker growth mechanism is considered as follows. When l-menthol was mixed with an excipient with whisker growth, the crystallinity of l-menthol was lowered and the vapor pressure was increased by the interaction mainly consisting of the hydrogen bond. The generated l-menthol vapor entered meso-pore, the saturated vapor pressure was lowered by the capillary condensation, and the nucleation occurred. The vapor was further supplied, generating the growth of whisker.

High dose rate endobronchial brachytherapy using a new applicator

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To obtain adequate spatial dose distribution for endobronchial brachytherapy, we applied reference dose points according to the bronchial diameter. For this purpose, we devised a new applicator of which the source transfer tube is contained in the center of the lumen for high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-nine patients with endobronchial cancer underwent endobronchial brachytherapy using an HDR afterloading machine with an Ir-192 source. In the nine patients treated with curative intent, treatment consisted of external beam radiotherapy with 40-60 Gy for 4-6 weeks and endobronchial brachytherapy with three fractions of 6 Gy. The 30 patients treated with palliative intent received one fraction of 10 Gy with or without external beam irradiation. The reference dose points were prescribed according to bronchial diameter, which was measured by the applicator's radiopaque wing expansion reflecting the bronchial caliber.

RESULTS

The new applicator could be placed at the intended site in 37 lesions. Of 12 lesions which were treated with curative intent, eight (67%) disappeared after brachytherapy. The overall survival at 3 years of all patients and of the patients treated with curative intent was 22 and 64%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The source should be positioned in the center of the lumen; this technique is helpful in reducing side-effects caused by inhomogeneous dose distribution of endobronchial brachytherapy.

A study of lipid profile before and after coronary artery bypass grafting

This study was undertaken to establish the variability in the levels of total cholesterol (TC), total triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol before and after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, in order to determine postoperatively when an accurate assessment can be made of the lipid status. During a prospective study over 4 months, fasting venous samples were taken pre- and postoperatively on day 5, and in the 4th, 8th and 12th weeks. Ninety-six patients admitted to the cardiothoracic and cardiac wards for CABG were recruited to the study. The mean preoperative levels were: TC 5.94 (+/- 0.1 mmol/l), LDL cholesterol 4.02 (+/- 0.09mmol/l) and HDL cholesterol 1.00 (+/- 0.03mmol/l). These were significantly different (p < 0.01) from the levels on the 5th postoperative day when the mean level of TC was 4.14 (+/- 0.084mmol/l), LDL cholesterol was 2.45 (+/- 0.07mmol/l) and HDL cholesterol was 0.74 (+/- 0.03mmol/l). By the 4th postoperative week, mean TC (5.73 +/- 0.13mmol/l), LDL cholesterol (3.79 +/- 0.14mmol/l) and HDL cholesterol (1.03 +/- 0.04mmol/l) did not vary significantly from the mean preoperative values. There was no significant difference in the mean TG levels pre- and postoperatively. The mean TC, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol rise to preoperative levels by the 4th week after CABG. Thus, an accurate assessment of patients' lipid status can be made from this period. An earlier postoperative assessment may be falsely reassuring.

[Endobronchial brachytherapy with high dose rate 192Ir afterloading technique using a new applicator]

Recently, high dose rate endobronchial brachytherapy has been carried out for the treatment of lung cancer. We devised a new applicator for Ir-192 high dose rate brachytherapy that can position the source in the center of the bronchial lumen, and tried to set up reference points according to bronchial diameter, for optimal dose distribution. Treatment consisted of external beam radiotherapy (40-60 Gy in 4-6 weeks) and endobronchial brachytherapy (6 Gy x 3 fractions for curative intent, 10 Gy x 1 fraction for palliative intent). Reference dose points were 3, 5, 7 and 10 mm from the center of the source according to bronchial diameter. We treated 19 patients with endobronchial brachytherapy and used the new applicator in 13 of them. We could place the applicator in all 13 patients, and no remarkable side effects were observed during the observation period. Our newly designed applicator will help to reduce radiation side effects caused by irradiation overdose due to adherence of the source to the bronchial wall. The reference point should be set according to bronchial diameter not only for curative intent but also palliative intent.

Adult-onset Still's disease with submassive hepatic necrosis

We present a 74-year old woman who was hospitalized because of typical spiking fever, evanescent rash, polyarthralgia, lymphadenopathy, and marked elevation of serum transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) due to adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) with submassive hepatic necrosis. All of the symptoms and abnormal laboratory findings were dramatically improved after treatment with prednisolone. The clinical course of this patient indicates that AOSD with severe hepatic necrosis can successfully be treated with early administration of corticosteroid, although it remains unknown whether the disease can remain in remission with no or minimal treatment.

[Embolization of the internal maxillary artery for severe epistaxis--including an experience of the approach from the superficial temporal artery]

Six cases of severe epistaxis were treated with the super-selective intraarterial embolization of the internal maxillary artery. Tens of fragments of Gelfoam were delivered into the distal internal maxillary artery and, additionally, embolized by several pieces of the coils. In a case with cerebral infraction, catheter was inserted via the superficial temporal artery. There were no complications due to these procedures in all cases of this study. It is considered that therapeutic intraarterial embolization of the internal maxillary artery is an effective therapy for severe epistaxis and the superficial temporal artery approach is useful for selected cases.

Double aortic arch associated with coarctation of both limbs: a case report

A case of double aortic arch with coarctation of both limbs is described. The patient, a thirteen-year-old girl, demonstrated only the symptoms of coarctation and had no intracardiac anomalies. Discrete coarctation of bilateral limbs distal to the subclavian artery was shown by aortography. Although either double aortic arch or coarctation of the aorta is not so rare, the combination of these two anomalies is quite unusual. This is the third case in the world literature.