Biosimilar epoetin alfa increases haemoglobin levels and brings cognitive and socio-relational benefits to elderly transfusion-dependent multiple myeloma patients: results from a pilot study

2017 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 779-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Castelli ◽  
Simona Sciara ◽  
Giorgio Lambertenghi Deliliers ◽  
Giuseppe Pantaleo
Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 3430-3430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir G. Agrawal ◽  
Andrea Guy ◽  
Patricia O'Flaherty ◽  
Matthew Turner

Abstract Background Epoetin and intravenous iron are used at St. Bartholomew's Hospital (Barts Health NHS Trust) for the treatment of patients with non-myeloid malignancy and chemotherapy-induced anemia. Modified American Society of Hematology/American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines are used to guide epoetin use. This is combined with a systematic approach to iron supplementation based on iron status markers, including zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP). Using this approach, we have previously reported very high hemoglobin response rates of up to 92% with epoetin beta (Agrawal et al. Blood 2005; 106: Abs 588). Biosimilar versions of epoetin alfa are now approved in Europe to treat chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with cancer. These agents offer potentially substantial cost savings to healthcare payers, and their greater affordability may increase patient access to treatments. We performed a pilot study of the effectiveness of biosimilar epoetin alfa (Sandoz, Germany) in our protocol for the management of chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with hematological malignancies. Methods Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), myeloma or lymphoma, receiving chemotherapy and with Hb<10 g/dL, were treated with biosimilar epoetin alfa (30,000 IU subcutaneously once weekly, increased to 60,000 IU at 4 weeks if no response [Hb increase<1 g/dL over baseline]). Minor and major responses to epoetin were defined as a Hb increase of 1–2 g/dL and >2 g/dL, respectively. Iron support was given in the form of intravenous (i.v.) iron sucrose 200 mg weekly if indicated based on iron status markers (serum ferritin, transferring saturation [TSAT], mean corpuscular Hb [MCH] and ZPP). Results Nineteen patients treated with biosimilar epoetin alfa were included in this analysis (9 with CLL, 7 with myeloma, 3 with lymphoma). Ages ranged from 25 to 84 years. 18 patients had a response to biosimilar epoetin alfa (95%); of these, 12 had a major response and 6 a minor response. Only one patient required an epoetin dose increase. Four patients were transfusion-dependent at baseline, 3 of whom became transfusion-independent on epoetin therapy. Seven of the 19 patients were ineligible for iron supplementation because of a serum ferritin >1000 μg/L. Of the remaining 12 patients, five (43%) received i.v. iron support based on their iron status markers at baseline and during epoetin therapy. In all five, the trigger for iron support was a raised ZPP in combination with a low/normal serum ferritin; TSAT was low in only 2/5and the MCH was normal in 5/5. All five patients achieved a response to epoetin. In contrast, five other patients who had a raised ZPP did not receive iron support because of markedly raised serum ferritin (>750 μg/L) with raised TSAT. Conclusions This pilot study indicates that biosimilar epoetin alfa is effective for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with hematological malignancies. Although this is a small data set, response rates using biosimilar epoetin alfa in our epoetin/iron supplementation protocol (95%) are very high and similar to historical data using epoetin beta (92%). While ZPP appears to be a useful parameter to guide iron support in patients with hematological malignancies, it cannot be used in isolation and must be correlated with serum ferritin. Appropriate use of iron support, based on assessment of readily available laboratory parameters, may increase response rates to epoetin therapy. Disclosures: Agrawal: Sandoz Biopharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Turner:Sandoz Biopharmaceuticals: Employment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 86-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan R. Mazanec ◽  
Sarah Miano ◽  
Linda Baer ◽  
Erica L. Campagnaro ◽  
Abdus Sattar ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 270-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommaso Caravita ◽  
Agostina Siniscalchi ◽  
Marco Montanaro ◽  
Pasquale Niscola ◽  
Roberto Stasi ◽  
...  

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 4824-4824
Author(s):  
Teis E. Sondergaard ◽  
Per T. Pedersen ◽  
Thomas L. Andersen ◽  
Thomas Lund ◽  
Patrick Garnero ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Bone degradation in multiple myeloma (MM) is a result of increased bone degradation by osteoclasts that is not compensated for by bone forming osteoblasts. Ideally new drugs used for treatment of MM should target not only the myeloma cells but also the imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation. Statins have been shown to inhibit myeloma cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore statins have been shown to stimulate osteoblasts and inhibit osteoclasts both in vitro and in animal models. Statins are normally used at doses around 20–80 mg/day, but in order to reach serum concentrations that can match the in vitro experiments MM patients were treated with 15 mg/kg/day of Simvastatin (HD-Sim) divided in two daily doses in this study. This high dose has previously been found to be safe for MM patients (Haematologica 2006, 91,542–545) Patients and methods: Six patients with advanced MM have been included in this pilot study, 4 males and 2 females with an average age of 68 years and an average duration of disease of 43 months. The patients were treated with 2 cycles of HD-Sim for seven days followed by a break of 21 days in a 4-weeks cycle. Two of the patients were treated with bisphosphonates during the study, and 4 had previously been treated with bisphosphonates. Endpoints are change in concentrations of markers of osteoclast activity (TRAP) or bone resorption (CTX, NTX, ICTP) or markers of bone formation (Osteocalcin and PINP). Cholesterol, OPG and DDK-1 were also measured. Results: Two patients completed the protocol with two cycles of HD-Sim at full dose, 2 patients were reduced to 7.5 mg/kg/day simvastatin in cycle 2 due to nausea and diarrhea and 2 patients left the protocol after 3 weeks (deaths not related to high dose simvastatin). All patients experienced gastrointestinal toxicity grade 1–2. Myalgia and other muscular symptoms grade 1–2 were reported by 5 patients but were not associated with an increase in creatin kinase. TRAP and NTX activity in serum increased for all 6 patients during the seven days of treatment with HD-Sim indicating that bone resorption may have been stimulated rather than inhibited. The other markers of bone resorption and the bone formation markers showed no change. All patients responded with a significantly reduced level of cholesterol in serum. None of the patients showed any reduction in free monoclonal light chains or monoclonal proteins in serum during treatment with HD-Sim and 2 of the 4 patients completing the protocol showed progression of diseases. Conclusion: This pilot study of HD-Sim in advanced MM has been terminated due to lack of response and evidence from two markers of osteoclast activity (TRAP) and bone resorption (NTX) that HD-Sim may be harmful rather than beneficial in MM.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 1939-1939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ola Landgren ◽  
Sham Mailankody ◽  
Mary Kwok ◽  
Elisabet E. Manasanch ◽  
Manisha Bhutani ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Multiple myeloma (MM) consistently has a precursor state. High risk smoldering myeloma (SMM) or “early myeloma” has a 72-76% risk of progression at 5 years. In this phase II single arm pilot study, we report the results based on the completed enrollment of high risk (Mayo clinic or PETHEMA models) SMM patients treated with CRd (carfilzomib (CFZ), lenalidomide (LEN), and dexamethasone (DEX) followed by 2 years of Ln extended dosing. Methods This phase II single arm study treats high risk (Mayo clinic or PETHEMA models) SMM patients ≥18 years old with 8 cycles of CRd therapy. Dosing schedule consists of 28-day cycles of CFZ 20/36 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16; LEN 25 mg PO daily on days 1-21; and DEX 20/10 mg IV/PO on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23. After 8 cycles of induction, patients with SD or better response receive LEN extension at 10 mg daily on days 1-21 for 2 years. The primary endpoint is response rate with the secondary endpoints of progression free survival, duration of response, and correlative assays focusing on minimal residual disease (MRD). Patients are evaluated for clinical biomarkers, FDG-PET CT, and MRD studies (flow cytometry and VDJ sequencing of bone marrow aspirates) at regular intervals. Flow cytometry utilizes an 8-color flow panel and analyzes ≥3 x 106 events (sensitivity detection rate of 1 x 10-5). Results Twelve patients (42% males; median age 58, range 48-65) meeting eligibility criteria have been enrolled onto study and are evaluable for toxicity and response. Eleven patients met high risk SMM criteria by PETHEMA model alone, and one patient met criteria for both PETHEMA and Mayo Clinic models. Mean baseline serum M-protein was 2.1 g/dL (1.1-3.3). Best responses (n=12) after a median of 6 cycles of CRd-R delivered (range 2-14 cycles) are 5-sCR/2-CR/2-nCR (75%) and 3-VGPR (25%). Among the 7/12 (58%) that reached CR/sCR, median time to CR/sCR was 5 cycles. Nine patients have completed 4 cycles of CRd therapy with all 9/9 (100%) reaching at least VGPR or better response. Non-hematologic toxicities ≥ grade 3 include: rash 2(17%), CHF 1(8%), dyspnea 1(8%), LFT elevation 1(8%), creatinine increase 1(8%), and hyperglycemia 1(8%). Hematologic toxicities include lymphopenia 4(33%), thrombocytopenia 1(8%), leukopenia 1(8%), neutropenia 1(8%), and anemia 1(8%). All patients have thus far maintained their best responses and none have progressed to clinical symptomatic multiple myeloma. Overall the treatment regimen has been well tolerated with manageable toxicities; one patient discontinued after 6 cycles due to CHF. Among 7 CR/sCR patients, 6/7 (86%) are MRD negative based on high-quality 8-color flow cytometry (sensitivity detection rate of 1 x 10-5) of bone marrow aspirates. In addition, one nCR patient does not demonstrate evidence of abnormally immunophenotypic plasma cells using multi-parameter flow cytometry (post 8 cycles of CRd). Conclusions Among patients completing 4 cycles of CRd therapy, 100% have achieved a VGPR or better. High risk SMM or “early myeloma” may represent a key interventional time point before the development of debilitating complications including onset of end-organ damage. The enrollment for this pilot study has been completed; an expansion cohort for additional 16 patients just opened for enrollment. Updated results will be presented at the meeting. Larger clinical studies are needed to replicate and expand on these promising results. Disclosures: Off Label Use: The abstract discussess off-label use of carfilzomib and lenalidomide.


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