Aggregation of Serum Free Light Chains (FLC) Causes Overestimation of FLC Nephelometric Results as Compared to Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPE) While Preserving Clinical Usefulness.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 4767-4767
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Émond ◽  
Stephen Harding ◽  
Bernard Lemieux

Abstract Multiple myeloma is a disease characterised by the overproduction of monoclonal proteins. Whilst concentration of FLC correlates poorly with tumour burden at diagnosis, changes during treatment are considered to be an accurate and sensitive measure of response. Aggregation of FLC presents a problem for traditional means of FLC estimation, large aggregates will not pass through the kidney making urine unreliable. Objectives : To report follow-up of 2 patients with discrepancy between SPE M-spike and serum FLC, one with serum free lambda, the other with serum free kappa. To analyze and confirm presence of multimer FLC aggregates in these 2 patients. Methods : Routine SPE and immunofixation were performed by capillary electrophoresis (CZE). Serum FLC was measured by nephelometry. FLC polymerisation studies were undertaken by SDS-PAGE, Western blot and Sephadex S-200 gel filtration chromatography. Results: First patient (free lambda) is a 80 y woman with IgA lambda multiple myeloma. Upon treatment, IgA lambda peak fell from 18 g/L down to < 0,4 g/L with a serum free lambda remaining at 10 700 g/L. Monoclonal free lambda peak at CZE was estimated to 1,5 g/L, a 7x discrepancy. High dose Decadron therapy was unsuccessful, serum free lambda remaining about 2500 to 4000 g/L for the next 6 months. Polymerisation studies revealed multiple aggregates of FLC with molecular weight (MW) ranging from 24 000 Da to > 200 000 Da. Second patient (free kappa) is a 70 y old man followed since 1985 for an IgG kappa indolent multiple myeloma. Treatment with melphalan in 1998 caused disappearance of M-spike at SPE and persistant hypogammaglobulinemia. Introduction of FLC testing in August 2006 revealed an unexpected serum free kappa of 2740 g/L which remained stable in the following months. This serum free kappa is not visible by CZE. Polymerisation studies revealed multiple aggregates of FLC with MW ranging from 24 000 Da to > 200 000 Da. Conclusion : Serum FLC measurement is a new biological parameter for investigation and follow-up of monoclonal gammopathies with added value as showed here for 2 myeloma treated patients. One should be aware of well known interferences in FLC measurement such as renal dysfunction and polyclonal hyper-gammaglobulinemia. Here we demonstrated a less well documented confounding factor creating an unexpected discrepancy between this nephelometric technique and traditional CZE/SPE. We showed highly overestimated FLC by nephelometry. We revealed a profile of multiple complexes in 2 cases of FLC (one free lambda and one free kappa) of molecular weight up to > 200 000 Da. These multimers may well impact kidney function and interfere with standard urine investigation. It appears clear to us that an interpretation from an experienced professional should accompany any FLC measurement.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 945-945
Author(s):  
Roland Fenk ◽  
Peter Schneider ◽  
Martin Kropff ◽  
Ali-Nuri Huenerlituerkoglu ◽  
Ulrich Steidl ◽  
...  

Abstract High-dose chemotherapy (HDT) improves the outcome of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) in comparison to conventional chemotherapy. Dose-escalating strategies including tandem HDT are currently evaluated to further improve remission rates and survival of patients. Therefore we conducted a randomized multicenter trial to compare an intensified conditioning regimen with the current standard high-dose melphalan. The primary study endpoint was response rate, with overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and toxicity analysed as secondary endpoints. Between 1997 and 1999 a total of 56 patients with stage II and III disease, who were matched for age (median 56 years), number of previous therapies (median time from diagnosis to transplant 7 months) and different risk factors (beta2-microglobulin, LDH, CRP, cytogentic abnormalities, chemoresistant disease, IgA-subtype, renal impairment), were randomized. All patients received 2 courses of oral idarubicine/dexamethasone and 2 courses of intravenous cyclophosphamide/adriamycine in combination with G-CSF followed by peripheral stem cell collection. Thirty patients were treated with melphalan 200mg/m2 (HD-M) whereas 26 patients received idarubicine 42mg/m2, melphalan 200mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 120mg/kg (HD-IMC) followed by autologous blood stem cell transplantation. Acute toxicity was higher with HD-IMC, including 5 (20%) treatment-related deaths due to infections versus none (0%) in the HD-M group. This lead to early termination of the study. Severity of mucositis (grade III-IV 19 vs. 8 pts., p=0.001), CRP (20 vs. 7 mg/dl, p<0.001), days of fever (11 vs. 3, p<0.001), days with iv-antibiotics (13 vs. 4, p<0.001), number of erythrocyte-transfusions (6 vs. 2, p<0.001), number of platelet-transfusions (16 vs. 4, p<0.001) and days to granulocyte engraftment (18 vs. 11, p=0.007) were significantly higher after HD-IMC. After a follow-up of 5 years analysis restricted to patients surviving the first 30 days after HDT showed a trend to higher response rates (CR+vgPR: 47% (95%CI 24–72%) vs. 35% (95%CI 18–56%), PR 37% (95%CI 17–63%) vs. 48% (95%CI 29–68%) and time-to-progression (median 31 vs. 15 months, p=0.1) in the HD-IMC treatment arm in comparison to HD-M, but there was no significant difference in EFS and OS (median 22 vs. 30, p= 0.31 and 66 vs. 66 months, p=0.8, respectively). Univariate analysis demonstrated that LDH levels > 200 U/L (p=0.04) and chemoresistant disease (p=0.05) were a bad prognostic factor for EFS. Beta2-Microglobulin levels > 5mg/dl (p=0.01), abnormal conventional cytogenetics (p=0.02) and LDH levels > 200 U/L (p=0.03) were predictive for an inferior OS. In conclusion intensified conditioning for HDT had an intolerable high treatment-related mortality and did not improve EFS and OS in patients with multiple myeloma.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 5232-5232
Author(s):  
Celso Mitsushi Massumoto ◽  
Edilson Pinheiro Junior ◽  
Otávio C.G. Baiocchi ◽  
Ronald Pinheiro ◽  
Adelson Alves

Abstract Introduction: autologous stem cell transplantation is a potentially curative or may augment the time to progression in Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients. The immunotherapy with rituximab may help control the minimal residual disease after high dose chemotherapy. Twenty percent (20%) of Multiple Myeloma patients express the CD20+ protein and can be target for immunotherapy. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of rituximab after autologous stem cell transplantation for Multiple Myeloma. Patients and Methods: eight patients (4 male) with a median age of 53 (range 43–59) years diagnosed with MM. All of them had received at least one previous regimen were enrolled in the protocol study. All patients signed the consent form. Patients in relapse received a salvage regimen with C-VAD n=2 (cyclofosfamide 4 g/m2 e vincristine 0.4 mg/d (d 1–4), doxorrubicin 0.9 mg/m2 (d1-4) e dexametasone 40 mg (d1-4; 9-12; 17–22) or cyclofosfamide (1OO mg/kg, n=7) followed by stem cell harvesting. The preparative regimen was Busulfan 12 mg/kg and cyclofosfamide 120 mg/kg or Melphalan 200mg/m2. Rituximab at a dose of 375mg/m2 weekly x 4 was given every 6 months for 2 years after SCT. The clinical characteristics of the patients are shown on Table 1. Results: the median time to ANC and platelets engraftment was 11 (range 8–12) and 26 (range 17–35) days. Patients have been in CR at a median time of 11 months follow-up. Minor Rituximab-associated toxicities were seen:rigor, fever and short of breath that were controlled with acetaminophen and diphenidramine. Conclusion: the Rituximab given after autologous stem cell transplantation is safe in Multiple Myeloma patients and may prolong time to disease progression. A randomized study is required to evaluate the role of rituximab after ASCT. Table 1 - Clinical Characteristics of Patients Patients Age/gender Status Pre- BMT Status Post- BMT Salvage Tx Prep. regimen ANC/Platelets X1000 MM3/ml Follow-up (months) FRC 57/M PR PR C-VAD BU+MEL 12/28 EXPIRED MB 52/F CR1 CR1 C-VAD BU+MEL 12/60 EXPIRED AM 52/F PR PR C-VAD BU+MEL 9/26 EXPIRED IM 54/M PR CR Cyx2 BU+MEL 12/21 ALIVE GAD 50/F PR CR Cyx2 BU+MEL 12/35 ALIVE SCM 59/M CR CR Cyx2 BU+MEL 10/17 ALIVE MAD 63/F CR CR C-VAD MELPHALAN 12/25 ALIVE JFC 51/M CR CR C-VAD BU+MEL 12/18 ALIVE


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 5181-5181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Gasparetto ◽  
George P. Keogh ◽  
Jon P. Gockerman ◽  
Mitchell Horwitz ◽  
Joseph O. Moore ◽  
...  

Abstract The standard induction chemotherapy for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) is a dexamethasone based regimen including dexamethasone alone, VAD, thalidomide+dexamethasone and other combinations. Currently the overall response rate achieved with these regimens is ≤70% and the complete remission (CR) rate is &lt;10%. In order to improve the CR rate for both transplant and non-transplant candidates, other agents and regimens are being explored. Bortezomib (Velcade), a proteasome inhibitor currently approved in the USA and in Europe for the treatment of relapsed/refractory MM, has demonstrated an impressive activity in the treatment of myeloma. In relapsed/refractory MM, bortezomib has achieved response rate of 35%, with a median duration of response and overall survival of 14 and 18 months, respectively. Clinical experience in relapsed/refractory MM and in previously untreated patients has suggested that the combination of bortezomib with other anti-myeloma drugs could further improve the results achieved with bortezomib alone. We have recently initiated a prospective study to assess the combination of velcade, melphalan and prednisone (MPV) in patients with previously untreated MM. The primary objectives of this study are toxicity, feasibility and CR rate after 4 cycles. The regimen consisted of bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 iv on day 1,4,8,11. melphalan 6 mg/m2 po, and prednisone 60 mg/m2 po given on days 1 through 7 of each cycle. As July 2005, 11 patients have been recruited. The median age is 64 (48–74) and all patients were Durie-Salmon stage IIIA. Nine of the 11 patients have completed ≥2 cycles of therapy, 6 patients have completed all 4 cycles of therapy and 3 patients were withdrawn from study (2 for pneumonia and 1 for grade 3 orthostatic hypotension). The most common adverse events were neuropathy (grade 1–3), neutropenia (grade 1–3), thrombocytopenia (grade1–3), fatigue, and bowel changes. For the 6 patients that have completed all 4 cycles of MPV, the responses were: 2/6 CR (negative SPEP/IFE); 1/6 very good partial remission (VGPR, 90% reduction of M-spike) and 3/6 partial remission (PR, 50% reduction of the serum M-spike). For the 3 patients who have completed only 2 cycles of therapy so far, 1/3 achieved a VGPR and 2/3 achieved a PR. Three patients have proceeded to stem cell collection and all engrafted following high dose therapy. Although experience is still limited and follow-up short, other than 3 patients withdrawn from study, all patients treated with MPV have responded to treatment and 2/6 patients achieved a CR. The best response was observed after cycle 2 in the majority of patients. Stem cell collection and engraftment was successful in all attempts so far. These data indicate that bortezomib combined with a short term alkylating regimen should be further explored as an induction regimen before transplantation in patients with myeloma.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 46-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Bruno ◽  
M. Rotta ◽  
F. Patriarca ◽  
N. Mordini ◽  
B. Allione ◽  
...  

Abstract Allogeneic approaches employing low dose TBI nonmyeloablative conditionings reported a dramatic reduction of transplant-related mortality (TRM) compared to conventional high dose regimens in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) (Maloney et al, Blood, 2003). The role of allografting, however, compared to autologous HCT remains to be determined. From September 1999 to July 2004, 241 consecutive MM patients, up to the age of 65, were diagnosed at five academic Italian Institutions. Overall, 194/241 had natural siblings (Table 1): 158/194 (81%) were HLA typed, while 36/194 (19%) were not typed for the following reasons: patients not eligible for high dose chemotherapy (n. 14); siblings not eligible for peripheral hematopoietic cell (PHC) donation (n.11); patient refusal to high dose chemotherapy (n. 9), unknown (n.2). Seventy-six/158 (48%) with a matched donor were offered a tandem autologous- nonmyeloablative allogeneic HCT approach. Eventually, 56/76 (73%), the “auto-allo group”, were enrolled while 20 did not enter the tandem program as 5 siblings (5/76, 7%) were not eligible for PHC donation, 5 patients refused an allogeneic HCT, and 10 patients preferred allografting as a possible salvage treatment. Of 102 patients without matched donors or after refusal to allografting, 73, “double-auto group”, underwent a standard double autologous transplant while 29 received less intense treatments because of clinical conditions or patient preference. Table 1 Newly diagnosed pts 241 With sibs/without sibs 194 /47 (total 241) HLA typed /not HLA typed 158 /36 (total 194) Matched sibs /No matched sibs 76 /82 (total 158) Auto-Allo”/“Double Auto”/Other”“ 56 /73 /29 (total 158) After induction chemotherapy, patients of both groups underwent G-CSF mobilised autografting with high dose melphalan (200 mg/m2). In the “auto-allo” group, the autologous HCT was followed, 2-4 months later, by low dose (2.0 Gy) TBI, allogeneic PHC infusion, and post transplant mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporin. In the “double-auto group”, patients received a second autologous HCT. Patients characteristics were as follows: age: 54 (range 34–65) vs 53 (range 33–64) (p=ns); stage III myeloma: 77% vs 64% (p=0.03); beta 2 microglobulin > 2,5 mg/dl: 75% vs 59% (p=0.005), for the “auto-allo group” and for “the double-auto group”, respectively. At the time of this analysis, 56/56 of the “auto-allo group” and 55/73 of “the double-auto group” had completed the transplant programs. After median follow up of 3 years (range 11–80 months), TRM was 11% vs 4% (p=0.09); complete remission rates, defined as the disappearance of the monoclonal paraprotein by immunofixation, were 46% vs 16% (p=0.0001); overall survivals were 84% versus 62% (p=0.003); progression free survivals were 75% vs 41% (p=0.00008); event free survivals were 61% (34/56)% vs 38% (30/73) (p=0.006) in the “auto-allo group” and in the “double-auto” group, respectively. Longer follow up is needed, however data suggest that the “auto- non myeloablative allo” approach is not inferior to “double autologous” HCT in newly diagnosed MM.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 942-942 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muzaffar H. Qazilbash ◽  
Rima M. Saliba ◽  
Gaurav Parikh ◽  
Chitra Hosing ◽  
Floralyn Mendoza ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been shown to be synergistic with melphalan both in vitro and in vivo. We conducted a randomized phase II trial to determine the safety and efficacy of a combination of ATO, melphalan, and ascorbic acid (AA) as a preparative regimen in patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation for multiple myeloma (MM). We also assessed the impact of ATO levels on melphalan pharmacokinetics, engraftment, and toxicity. Methods: Forty-eight patients with secretory myeloma (23 females, 25 males; median age, 54; range 35–70) were treated between 4/04 and 8/05. All patients received melphalan 100 mg/m2 IV on days -4 and -3 and AA 1000 mg/day IV on days -9 to -3. Patients were randomized to 3 arms: no ATO (arm 1), ATO 0.15 mg/kg IV on days -9 to -3 (arm 2), and ATO 0.25 mg/kg IV on days -9 to -3 (arm 3). Twelve patients had received a prior autograft, with a median 4.5 x 106/kg (range 2.3–10.9) CD34+ cells infused. Results: Patients in all 3 arms were evenly matched. Twenty-nine patients (60%) were transplanted for consolidation of first remission and 19 patients (40%) for relapsed disease. With a median follow-up of 26 months (range 10–37) post-autograft, no dose-limiting toxicity, or nonrelapse mortality was reported. Toxicity was limited to grade 1 or 2 nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and was comparable in all 3 arms. Melphalan pharmacokinetics was not altered by ATO pretreatment. Median time to neutrophil engraftment (absolute neutrophil count >500/dL) was 9 days, with no engraftment failures or delays in either the control or ATO arms. The complete response (CR) rate for all patients was 25% (12/48), and the partial response rate was 60% (29/48) for an overall response rate (ORR = CR + PR) of 85%. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) after 24 months of follow-up were 59% and 91%, respectively. Median PFS was 29 months; median OS has not been reached. There was no significant difference in CR, ORR, PFS, or OS among the 3 arms (P =.9, .9, .5, and .6, respectively). PFS and OS were comparable among patients with chromosomal abnormalities or relapsed disease at transplant and patients undergoing a second autotransplant for salvage. Conclusions: Addition of ATO + AA to high-dose melphalan is safe and well tolerated as a preparative regimen for autotransplants in patients with MM, including high-risk patients. There was no adverse impact of ATO on engraftment. Longer follow-up is necessary to assess the efficacy of this combination on PFS and OS.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 1227-1227
Author(s):  
Nina Shah ◽  
Khawaja Fraz Ahmed ◽  
Sofia Qureshi ◽  
Jatin Shah ◽  
Robert Z Orlowski ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1227 Poster Board I-249 Background In comparison with single autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto HCT), tandem autologous HCT has resulted in longer event-free and overall survival in randomized trials for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Most myeloma patients, however, only receive a single auto HCT. Many of these patients are eligible for a second auto HCT as salvage at the time of relapse. We evaluated the outcome of salvage auto HCT for MM patients treated at our institution. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review and identified 62 MM patients (38 males, 24 females) who received a second auto HCT as salvage between 1/3/1992 and 11/4/2008.. Preparative regimen was high-dose melphalan alone or in combination with other chemotherapy agents, including busulfan, topotecan and bortezomib. Three patients received a combination of thiotepa, busulfan and cyclophosphamide. Results Median interval between the first and salvage auto HCT was 21 months (range 2-81). Median age at salvage HCT was 55 years (37-73) and median prior treatment regimens were 4 (range 2-16). Twelve patients had chromosomal abnormalities on conventional cytogenetic studies. Patients received a median CD34 cell dose of 4 ×106 / kg (range 2.3-11.2). Fourteen patients (22%) experienced grade 3 or higher toxicity after the salvage auto HCT. Two patients died within 100 days with a TRM of 3%. Median time to neutrophil engraftment was 10 days (8-38). Responses after salvage auto HCT were as follows: CR+ near CR 15%, PR 48%, with an overall response rate of 63%. Twenty-seven (44%) patients received post auto HCT maintenance therapy. Median follow-up from salvage HCT was 25 months. Kaplan-Meier estimates of median progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were 15.5 and 43.3 months, respectively. Median time to progression after the first and salvage auto HCT was 20 and 12 months, respectively, with total remission duration of 32 months from two HCTs. Median OS from the time of diagnosis was 72 months, comparable to reported results with tandem auto HCT. At last follow up, 20 patients were alive and in remission. Conclusions In selected MM patients a second auto HCT for salvage therapy is well tolerated with acceptable toxicity. The combined remission duration and overall survival are comparable to outcomes with tandem autotransplants. Disclosures Qazilbash: Cephalon: Speakers Bureau.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 5220-5220
Author(s):  
Alvaro Moreno-Aspitia ◽  
Antony Charles ◽  
Tejal Patel ◽  
Celine Bueno ◽  
Abba Zubair ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: IgM multiple myeloma (MM) are very rare plasmaproliferative disorders representing 0.5–1.2% of all cases of MM and &lt; 0.2% of all IgM monoclonal gammopathies. Clinical criterion are not always helpful in differentiating IgM MM from Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. However, the presence of lytic bone lesions, absence of lymphadenopathy and/or hepatosplenomegaly, presence of translocation of the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus at 14q32 [t(11;14), t(14;16), t(4;14)], and strong expression of CD138 by the plasma cells are useful in the diagnosis of IgM MM. It has been our experience and of others that these cases have an aggressive behavior at presentation, shorter survival than IgG and IgA MM and poor response to therapy for lymphoplasmacytoid lymphomas. We present here 2 cases of IgM MM with a dramatic response to Lenalidomide and low dose dexamethasone (Rev/Dex) Results: Baseline patient characteristics at time of diagnosis of IgM MM and therapy outcome are presented in the following 2 tables: Table 1. Case 1 2 Age and sex 72 (F) 73 (F) Serum M-spike (g/dL) 5.3 6.2 Urine M-spike (mg/dl/24 hrs) 72 412 Serum IgM (mg/dL) 8,590 11,000 BM plasma cells percentage 90 20 Plasma cell immunophenotyping CD138+++, partial CD20, CD56− CD138+++, partial CD20, CD56− Cytogenetics (Standard and/or FISH) Standard: normal FISH: not done on initial biopsy. On follow up there were insufficient number of plasma cells to perform test Standard: of 20 metaphases, 6 had a complex hypotetraploid karyotype with relative loss of 13q, 14, 15, 16, 20, and 22, and numerous unbalanced rearrangements. FISH: a plasma cell clone with monosomy 13 and IGH/c-MAF fusion, t(14;16). In addition, approximately 60% of plasma cells had a tetraploid clone with the same anomalies as well as relative loss of p53 Bone lesions Multiple non-traumatic spinal fractures and of stenum Several lytic lesions of long bones Renal insufficiency No No Anemia (Hbg g/dL) Yes (8.7) Yes (8.1) Hypercalcemia (Ca mg/dL) Yes (12.5) Yes (11.4) Beta 2 microglobulin (mg/dL) 5.79 8.51 Serum viscosity (cpoise) 5.9 4.8 Table 2. Best Response to therapy Case Therapy Best Response Comments 1 Rituxan, then Fludarabine based therapy Transient response Rapid progression after partial and transient response to each therapy 1 Lenalidomide + LD-Dex sCR after cycle #6. Currently on CR 18 months later IgM declined from 8,590 to 43 mg/dL after 4 cycles of Rev/Dex. 2 Lenalidomide + LD-Dex VGPR after cycle #2 IgM declined from 11,000 to 463 mg/dL after cycle 3. Complete disappearance of M-spike in serum; BM to be done after cycle #4 Conclusions: This is the first report that we are aware of a rapid and dramatic response to lenalidomide and low dose dexamethasone in these rare cases of IgM MM with poor response to NHL-type treatment. Lenalidomide-based therapy might abrogate poor prognosis cytogenetics in this unusual subtype of MM (case #2), however, follow up for this patient is still very short.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 3408-3408
Author(s):  
Lionel Karlin ◽  
David Ghez ◽  
Marie-Olivia Chandesris ◽  
Sylvain Choquet ◽  
Margaret Macro ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3408 Poster Board III-296 The t(4;14)(p16.3;q32), leading to the ectopic expression of two potential oncogenes, the Multiple Myeloma Set Gene (MMSET) and the Fibroblast Growth Factor 3 (FGFR3), is found in 15% of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and is associated with a very poor prognosis. We previously shown in patients under 65 years of age that High Dose Therapy followed by Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation (HDT-PBSCT) provides a high response rate (RR) but a very short median relapse-free survival of only 11 months. In addition, relapses are often aggressive and chemoresistant. Thus, more effective regimen is urgently needed. We prospectively studied 23 t(4;14) MM patients treated with 3 or 4 cycles of a combination of Bortezomib and Dexamethasone (VD) (n=4) or of Bortezomib, Adriamycine and Dexamethasone (PAD) (n=19) as induction treatment before HDT-PBSCT (Melphalan 200 mg/m2). T(4;14) was detected using real time quantitative PCR searching for IGH/MMSET and FGFR3 transcripts. RR, event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. Median age at diagnosis was 51 years (range, 33-64). Isotype was IgA in 12 (52%) patients. All patients had stage II or III MM. An elevated serum β2m level (>3.5 mg/L) was found in 14 (61%) patients, and a low haemoglobin (Hb) level (<10 g/dL) in 10. Four presented with renal failure and 5 with hypercalcemia. Three (16%) of 19 patients had a t(4;14) without expression of FGFR3. After induction treatment with VD or PAD, PBSC were successfully harvested with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor only (n=15) or following a cycle of high-dose cyclophosphamide (n= 7). RR after induction treatment was complete response (CR) in 6 (26%) patients, very good partial response (VGPR) in 9 (39%), partial response (PR) in 3. Five patients had refractory or progressive disease (PD), including 1 who died before stem cell mobilization. RR after HDT was CR in 11 (48%), VGPR in 4 (17%) and PR in 4 (overall RR of 82%). Three had PD. With a median follow-up of 18 months (range, 3-32), 9 (39%) patients are alive without relapse, including 4 with a 19, 27, 30 and 32 months follow-up respectively. Twelve (52%) patients relapsed. Two patients died in the first month post HDT from PD. We found a median EFS and OS from initiation of therapy of 14.7 and 30.9 months respectively. EFS was not influenced by Hb and/or serum β2m level. However, we found a significantly longer OS in patients with low β2m (median non reached) as compared to patients with high β2m (median=23.1 months, p=0.04). These preliminary results illustrate the heterogeneity of this disease and indicate that some t(4;14) MM patients seem to benefit from bortezomib containing regimen as induction treatment before HDT in term of EFS and OS. A larger series with a longer median time of follow up will be presented. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 4124-4124
Author(s):  
Ute Hegenbart ◽  
Stefan O Schonland ◽  
Axel Benner ◽  
Christina Wunder ◽  
Thomas M. Moehler ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 4124 BACKGROUND: Most patients (pts) undergoing high-dose therapy with melphalan 200 mg/m2 (HDM) and autologous transplant for multiple myeloma (MM) develop disease recurrence. The optimal salvage treatment including autologous (auto-) and allogeneic (allo-) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) as consolidation therapy for these patients is not yet defined. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 116 pts with MM treated in our institution between 1999 and 2005. Inclusion criteria were relapse after auto-SCT (n=88) or failure of induction treatment (n=28) and age ≤ 65 years. Re-induction was performed with TCED (thalidomide, cyclophosphamide, etoposide and dexamethasone (Möhler et al, Blood 2001). Seventy-one pts (median age, 59 yrs) received auto-SCT (auto-group) after HDM followed by maintenance therapy with thalidomide or interferon-alpha in 42 pts. Forty-five pts (allo-group, median age, 53 yrs) underwent a reduced-intensity allo-SCT (related in 24 pts), mostly using conditioning with 2 Gy total body irradiation and fludarabine. Thirty-eight pts received an auto-allo-tandem-SCT (Maloney, Blood 2003) and 7 pts have been directly transplanted after TCED. Statistical analysis was done using the two-stage test of Qiu & Sheng (JRSS Ser. B 2008) to compare two possibly crossing survival curves. Extended Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied to allow for time-varying differences between the two SCT groups. RESULTS: Estimated median follow-up after start of TCED was 95 months. All pts received a median number of 3 TCED cycles for re-induction therapy. 64 of 116 pts (55%) showed at least a PR after TCED chemotherapy (CR in 3 pts). TRM was 17% after 2 years in the allo-group and differed significantly from the auto-group (3%, p=0.02). More CR were achieved after allo-SCT compared to auto-SCT (17 vs. 4 pts., p<0.001). Median overall survival (OS) was 26 months for the auto group and 23 months for the allo group (Figure 1, p=0.16). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 12 months for both groups but crossing hazards were observed (Figure 2, p=0.03, two-stage test of Qiu & Sheng). The results of multivariate regression analysis for OS and PFS including age at relapse-SCT, response to TCED, time between first diagnosis until first relapse-SCT and primary progression are shown in table 1. In the allo group, there was no OS or PFS difference between related and unrelated donors (multivariate analysis). Cumulative incidence of chronic GvHD was 73% (53% extensive). Patients with chronic GvHD showed a better OS and PFS than pts without (univariate analysis, both p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first analysis in a large number of patients with a long follow-up comparing allo with auto SCT in 1st myeloma relapse which were treated uniformly with TCED therapy for re-induction. Main problem was MM recurrence. However, younger pts with disease response after TCED and longer time from first diagnosis to first SCT after relapse profit best from TCED and this transplant approach. Most interestingly, disease control is better after allo compared to auto SCT in univariate and multivariate analysis leading to a PFS of about 20% after 4 years. In our opinion, allo SCT is a valuable clinical option for patients with 1st relapse after HDM and auto SCT. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


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