MM-039: Natural History of Skeletal-Related Events Among 620 Patients with Multiple Myeloma Who Received First- and Second-Line Therapy with Novel Agents: A Single-Center Analysis

Introduction: Skeletal-related events (SREs) that include pathological fractures, spinal cord compression (SCC) and need for radiotherapy or surgery to the bone are frequent complications of multiple myeloma (MM). Although the incidence of SREs at diagnosis is well-documented, there is limited information for the natural history of SREs during treatment with novel agents. Thus, we evaluated the SRE rate in MM patients who received frontline and second line therapy with proteasome inhibitors (PIs) or immunomodulatory drug (IMiD)-based therapies and explored possible correlations with disease or genetic features and type of treatment. Methods: MM patients who received frontline therapy in our center (Department of Clinical Therapeutics, University of Athens, Greece), between 2007-2017, were included in this analysis. Patients had a whole-body skeletal survey using either conventional radiography (WBXR) or low-dose CT (WBLDCT) at diagnosis and then at the time of relapse or whenever clinically indicated. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the spine and pelvis at diagnosis was recorded when available. SNPs in genes that are involved in bone destruction in osteoporosis were also evaluated: LRP5 (rs4988321), GC vitamin D (rs4588), TNFRSF11A (rs3018362), DKK1 (rs1569198), RANKL (rs9594759), OPG (rs6469804) and ERS1 (rs1038304). Results: In total, 620 consecutive patients with symptomatic MM (316M/304F, median age: 65 years) were studied. The median follow-up was 54 months. At diagnosis, osteolytic disease was present in 408 (66%) patients. MRI was available in 390 patients: 149 (38%) patients had focal, 139 (36%) diffuse, 81 (21%) normal and 21 (5%) variegated pattern of marrow involvement. SREs were observed in 271 (44%) patients at diagnosis: 213 (34%) presented with pathological fractures (183 with vertebral fractures, 18 with rib fractures and 15 with long bone fractures; 32 patients had both vertebral and long bone or rib fractures), while 34 (5.5%) patients needed surgery to bone, 45 (7.2%) radiotherapy and 31 (5%) patients presented with SCC. The incidence of SREs was higher in patients with osteolytic lesions (76.4% vs. 12.4%, p<0.0001) or abnormal MRI pattern (49% vs. 11.3%, p<0.0001) at diagnosis. No correlation was found between the presence of SREs at diagnosis and a specific SNP of those studied. Frontline therapy with IMiD-based regimens was given in 38% of patients; 27% patients received bortezomib-based regimens and 28% both IMiD and bortezomib-based therapies (VTD or VRD); 7% received only conventional chemo. Bisphosphonates (BPs) were given to 465 patients (75%) at diagnosis; the vast majority (91%) received zoledronic acid. The remaining 155 patients did not receive upfront BPs, mainly due to renal insufficiency. During first line treatment, 39 (6.3%) patients developed a SRE: 25/341 (7.3%) on bortezomib- (including combos with an IMiD) and 14/235 (6%) on IMiD-based regimens. At the time of first relapse, 4.5% of patients presented with new fractures and 12% required local radiotherapy to bone (SRE rate: 16.5%). The rate of SREs at first progression was much higher in patients who did not receive upfront BPs (92.3% vs. 7.7%). There was no difference in the incidence of SREs at first relapse between patients who received PI- vs. non-PI-based regimens as first line therapy (54.2% vs. 45.8%, p=0.544). During second line therapy, 12.2% of patients developed a SRE, with no difference regarding the second line therapy (PI- or IMiD-based regimens). In total, 126 (20.3%) patients developed at least one SRE, during the course of the first and second line of therapy; this was more common in those who presented with an SRE at diagnosis (33% vs 12%; p<0.03). Conclusions: Our data, which constitutes one of the few systematic reports on the incidence and characteristics of SREs in the era of novel agents, indicate that SREs remain a significant complication in MM. Despite high response rates after first line therapy and the broad use of BPs, more than 20% of patients develop a new SRE during the first and second line treatment or at the time of first relapse. Importantly, patients who do not receive BPs due to renal impairment develop very frequently SREs, suggesting an unmet need in this setting. More effective frontline therapies or more potent bone-targeted agents (denosumab or anti-sclerostin drugs) may manage to further reduce the SREs rate in MM patients, especially in those who cannot receive BPs. Disclosures Terpos: Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Research Funding; Genesis: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Research Funding; Medison: Honoraria. Kastritis:Pfizer: Honoraria; Prothena: Honoraria; Genesis: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria. Gavriatopoulou:Amgen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses; Genesis: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses. Dimopoulos:Sanofi Oncology: Research Funding.

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Use of Alkylating Agents Among Patients with Multiple Myeloma in a National Registry, 2006-2008.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v114.22.4941.4941 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (22) ◽

pp. 4941-4941

Author(s):

Carla M Van Bennekom ◽

Theresa E Anderson ◽

Noopur Raje ◽

Kenneth C Anderson ◽

David W Kaufman

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Median Duration ◽

Research Funding ◽

Alkylating Agents ◽

Initial Therapy ◽

Novel Agents ◽

Second Line ◽

Second Line Therapy ◽

Line Therapy

Abstract Abstract 4941 Background While alkylating agents were among the earliest treatments for multiple myeloma, newer therapies have been available for several years. Here we describe patterns of use and effectiveness of alkylators in the modern landscape of myeloma treatment, based on a nationwide registry of recently diagnosed patients. Methods The “Patient Registries at Slone: Myeloma” is a national disease-based observational registry conducted by Boston University. All patients with myeloma diagnosed within 4 months of enrollment were eligible for inclusion. Subjects enrolled by mail or over the internet; information on treatment, clinical events, and quality of life was obtained by questionnaire and from medical record review at baseline and at six-month intervals. There were 342 patients with multiple myeloma residing in 43 states who were enrolled from June 2006-October 2008 and completed at least a baseline questionnaire. The median length of follow-up was 8 months after diagnosis (range 0.5-24). Results Alkylators were used as initial treatment in 26 patients (8%), as second-line treatment in 14 (4%), and as part of a transplant regimen in 76 (22%). Patients who received alkylators as initial or second-line therapy tended to be older (median age, 69 vs. 60 years, p<0.0005), and the combined prevalence of use was 17% among patients who did not have prescription drug insurance, compared with 11% among those who did (p=0.36). The prevalence of first-line use was 12% among patients diagnosed in 2006, 9% in 2007, and 4% in 2008 (p=0.09). Further results are confined to 34 of the 40 first or second-line alkylator recipients for whom medical records were available. The regimens used are shown in the table; the majority of patients received regimens that included melphalan. The median duration of initial therapy was 3 months (range 0.5-15); 6 patients (24%) had at least a partial response. Ten patients were still on treatment at the end of follow-up; in 15 (60%), alkylator therapy was changed to another regimen (11) or stopped without new therapy during the follow-up period (4), including 3 due to insufficient response and 5 due to toxicity. The new regimens were thalidomide-based in 2 patients, bortezomib-based in 3, bortezomib+lenalidomide in 1, dexamethasone without novel agents in 2, and 3 patients went directly to autologous stem-cell transplant. Second-line therapy with alkylators was initiated due to insufficient response from the previous regimen in 2 patients, because of side effects in 5, and for cost reasons in 2. The median duration was 2 months (range 0.5-12, with 4 patients still on treatment), and 4 (44%) had a partial or better response. The immediately preceding regimen was thalidomide-based in 5 patients, lenalidomide-based in 1, and bortezomib-based in 3; the median number of previous regimens was 2 per patient (range, 1-4). The median duration of previous therapy was 4 months (range 0.5-9). Conclusions The present population-based results indicate that in the modern era of myeloma treatment, the most prevalent use of alkylating agents is as conditioning for stem cell transplants; the drugs are also still used for initial treatment, mostly in combination with novel agents, although the prevalence was low overall and continued to decline during 2006-2008. Patients who received alkylators for initial or second-line therapy were older and the agents appeared to be somewhat more commonly used among those who did not have prescription drug insurance. The data suggest that there continues to be a useful role for alkylating agents as initial therapy, particularly for myeloma patients who are not transplant candidates, and occasionally as an early replacement for novel agents that prove ineffective or excessively toxic in individual patients. With a relatively short duration of follow-up, there was little information on the use of alkylators in the relapsed setting, where their high level of anti-myeloma activity might be expected to lead to more use. Disclosures Van Bennekom: Cephalon: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding. Anderson:Cephalon: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding. Raje:Celgene: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Research Funding. Anderson:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Kaufman:Cephalon: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding.

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Skeletal-Related Events In Patients With Multiple Myeloma In The Era Of Novel Agents: Low Incidence Of Pathological Fractures After Treatment

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v122.21.3090.3090 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 122 (21) ◽

pp. 3090-3090 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Evangelos Terpos ◽

Nikolaos Kanellias ◽

Lia A Moulopoulos ◽

Dimitrios Christoulas ◽

Andreas Koureas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Rib Fractures ◽

Novel Agents ◽

First Line ◽

Pathological Fractures ◽

First Line Therapy ◽

Line Therapy ◽

Skeletal Related Events ◽

First Relapse ◽

Frontline Therapy

Abstract Skeletal-related events (SREs) which include pathological fractures, spinal cord compression (SCC) and a need for radiotherapy or surgery to bone are frequent complications of multiple myeloma (MM). Although, the frequency and characteristics of SREs in MM patients who received conventional chemotherapy (CC) or thalidomide-based regimens along with bisphosphonates (BPs) have been described, there are no data available in the era of proteasome inhibitors or novel IMiDs. Thus, we retrospectively evaluated the records of 400 consecutive patients with symptomatic MM (207M/193F, median age: 63 years) who were diagnosed, treated and followed in a single center. All patients had a whole body skeletal survey using conventional radiography at diagnosis and then at the time of relapse or whenever clinically indicated, while MRI of the spine and pelvis at diagnosis was available for 223 patients. Furthermore, we tested 125 patients for SNPs in genes that are involved in the biology of bone destruction: LRP5 (rs4988321), GC vitamin D (rs4588), TNFRSF11A (rs3018362), DKK1 (rs1569198), RANKL (rs9594759), OPG (rs6469804) and ERS1 (rs1038304). At diagnosis, the skeletal survey detected osteolytic disease in 284 (71%) patients. In MRI, 34.5% of the patients had focal, 40.5% diffuse, 21% normal, and 4% a variegated pattern of marrow involvement. SREs were observed in 167 (41.7%) patients at diagnosis: 104 (26%) patients presented with pathological fractures (87 with vertebral fractures, 18 with rib fractures and 17 with fractures of the long bones; 22 patients had both vertebral and long bone or rib fractures), while 22 (5.5%) patients required surgery to bone, 21 (5.2%) radiotherapy and 20 (5%) patients presented with SCC. The incidence of SREs was higher in patients with osteolytic lesions (49.5% vs. 24%, p<0.001) or abnormal MRI pattern (49.7% vs. 23.3%, p=0.001). However, we noted that approximately 1/4 patients without lytic lesions in plain X-rays or with normal MRI pattern presented with a SRE at diagnosis. Patients homozygous for RANKL polymorphism had lower incidence of osteolysis at diagnosis (14/28, 50%) versus all others (76%, p=0.009), suggesting that this polymorphism may protect bone loss in MM, as it has been suggested for normal population. Frontline therapy with IMiD-based regimens was given in 172 (43%) patients, while 80 (20%) patients received bortezomib-based regimens, 111 (27.7%) both IMiD and bortezomib (VTD or VRD) and 37 (9.2%) patients CC. BPs were given in all but 86 patients (21.5%) at diagnosis, mainly due to renal insufficiency; however, almost 60% of them (n=51) received BPs later in the course of their therapy. The vast majority (91%) of patients received zoledronic acid (ZA). Due to renal impairment, ZA was discontinued in 6 patients, while the dose was reduced in 44. During first line treatment, 7 (1.75%) patients developed a SRE: 2 on bortezomib- and 5 on IMiD-based regimens. The rate of SREs was higher in patients who did not receive upfront BPs (4.7% vs. 1%; p=0.021). The median follow-up was 39 months. At the time of first relapse (data available for 176 patients), 3 patients presented with fractures and 35 patients required local radiotherapy to bone (SRE incidence: 21.6%). Patients who had received only bortezomib-based regimens (VD or VCD, n=20) had lower SRE rate (2/20, 10%) vs. all others (36/156, 22%, p=0.173); the 3 patients with fractures had received MPT (n=2) or RD (n=1). In total, during the course of their disease, 52.8% of the patients presented with at least one SRE. Presentation with SREs at diagnosis did not predispose for SREs during the disease course, regardless of anti-myeloma treatment, possibly due to the low number of fractures and the higher number of radiation needed after frontline therapy. In summary, our data from the first systematic report on the incidence and characteristics of SREs in the era of novel agents indicate that SREs remain a significant complication in MM. Importantly, despite high response rates after first line therapy more than 20% of patients required radiotherapy at the time of relapse. The fracture rate was very low during first line therapy and at first relapse probably due to the extensive use of potent BPs and bortezomib, which has bone anabolic effects. The use of modern imaging techniques (i.e. PET/CT or LDWBCT) that can detect bone masses earlier and lead to earlier initiation of treatment may reduce the SRE incidence in the near future. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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