Clinical presentation and outcome of patients with AL amyloidosis requiring salvage therapy.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e20043-e20043
Author(s):  
Chen Wang ◽  
Yumeng Zhang ◽  
Lauren Duncanson ◽  
Jason B. Brayer ◽  
Doris K. Hansen ◽  
...  

e20043 Background: The diagnosis and upfront management of immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis have greatly improved in recent years. However, little is known about the presentation, treatment, and outcome of these patients at first relapse/progression (R/P). Methods: All patients with AL amyloidosis who received salvage therapy for first R/P disease at Moffitt Cancer Center between 2008 and 2020 were included in this retrospective review. Definitions of hematologic and organ R/P were based on 2012 consensus. Overall survival was measured from the time of salvage to last follow up/death. Survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier with log-rank comparison. Results: Sixty-nine patients were included. The median age at diagnosis was 62 years and 61% were male. Upfront therapy included high dose melphalan with autologous transplant in 36% and bortezomib in 52%. At salvage, 19% had disease refractory to upfront therapy and 40% had not achieved an organ response. The median time from upfront to salvage therapy was 22 months. Salvage regimens included proteasome inhibitors, daratumumab and immunomodulatory drugs in 55%, 13% and 22%, respectively. At least a very good partial response and organ response were achieved in 35% (22/62) and 39% (21/54) with measurable disease. The median overall survival was 60 months. Based on salvage indication, patients were classified into hematologic (n = 29) and organ R/P (n = 40), and the latter showed more frequent lambda-light chain disease (59% vs. 83%, p = 0.028) and low difference of involved-uninvolved free light chain at diagnosis (< 50 mg/L, 8% vs. 44%, p = 0.002). Negative prognostic markers for survival included bone marrow plasma cells ≥20% at diagnosis (median 17 months vs. not reached; p < 0.001) and organ, particularly cardiac R/P (median, 31 months vs. not reached; p = 0.003). Salvage ( p = 0.48) or prior regimens ( p = 0.11) did not impact post-salvage survival. Conclusions: Our study highlights the unmet need of salvage in R/P AL amyloidosis in a real-world setting, given the low rate of deep responses regardless of current salvage options. Patients with bone marrow plasma cells ≥20% at diagnosis and organ R/P at salvage had inferior survival, supporting use of intensive upfront regimens for the former and adjustment of therapy if deep response is not achieved.[Table: see text]

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 1350-1350
Author(s):  
Simrit Parmar ◽  
Mubeen Khan ◽  
Gabriela Rondon ◽  
Nina Shah ◽  
Qaiser Bashir ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1350 Background: Systemic Primary AL Amyloidosis is a rare but potentially fatal disease resulting from tissue deposits of amyloid fibrils derived from monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains. High-dose melphalan followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (auto HCT) is associated with hematologic and organ responses and improved survival. Methods: In this retrospective analysis we identified 46 patients with primary AL amyloidosis who received auto HCT between 01/1998 to 05/2010 at MDACC. Organ responses were determined using Amyloidosis Consensus Criteria. Results: The median age at auto HSCT was 56 years (34-74) where 61% were males and 35% were older than 60 years of age. 61% had lambda light chain restriction and only 4% had cytogenetic abnormalities. Disease characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The median time from diagnosis to auto HCT was 6.6 months (2.2-29.4 months). 22 pts (47.8%) had one organ, 19 pts (41.3%) had 2 organ and 4 pts (8.7%) had 3 organ involvement. 11 pts (23.9%) had heart and 35 pts (76.1%) had kidney involvement. The median follow up from the time of diagnosis was 22.4 months and from time of auto HCT was 16.7 months. High dose Melphalan dose was 200mg/m2 in 24 pts (52%) and 140mg/m2 in 22 (47.8%). There were 4 early deaths and 4 pts whose follow up was less than 3 months and their response was not assessed. Out of the 38 evaluable patients, the post-transplant organ responses were as follows ≥PR 25(66%), ≥stable disease 35(92%) (Table2). The hematologic responses were: CR=5 (13%), ≥VGPR=10(26%), ≥PR=26 (68%), ≥SD=37(97%). One patient had progressive disease. There was a correlation between organ response and hematologic response (chi square;p<10-3). The day-100 treatment related mortality (TRM) was 8.7% and 1-yr TRM was 13%. The median progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) from auto HCT was 73.8 months and not reached (from transplant). The median PFS and OS from diagnosis were 93 months and 59.8 months respectively. In multivariate analysis, heart involvement (p=0.01), female sex (p=0.011), age ≥60 years (p=0.002), bone marrow plasma cells≥10% (p=0.043) and Beta-2 microglobulin>3.5mg/l (p=0.02) were associated with poor OS. Improved OS correlated with organ response (52.6 vs 11.4 months; p=0.01) and hematologic response (52.6 vs.6.1months; p=0.002). Hemoglobin <10 g/dl (p=0.047), bone marrow plasma cells≥10% (p=0.043) and age≥60 years (p=0.075) were associated with shorter PFS. Hematologc response (p=0.48) and organ response (p=0.12) were not associated with improved PFS. Conclusion: In this analysis the outcome of patients with primary systemic AL amyloidosis was durable with auto HCT with acceptable mortality risk and improved survival. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (34) ◽  
pp. 4319-4324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taxiarchis V. Kourelis ◽  
Shaji K. Kumar ◽  
Morie A. Gertz ◽  
Martha Q. Lacy ◽  
Francis K. Buadi ◽  
...  

Purpose There is consensus that patients with light chain (AL) amyloidosis with hypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia, and lytic bone lesions attributable to clonal expansion of plasma cells (CRAB criteria) also have multiple myeloma (MM). The aim of this study was to examine the spectrum of immunoglobulin AL amyloidosis with and without MM, with a goal of defining the optimal bone marrow plasma cell (BMPC) number to qualify as AL amyloidosis with MM. Patients and Methods We identified 1,255 patients with AL amyloidosis seen within 90 days of diagnosis between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2010. We defined a population of patients with coexisting MM on the basis of the existence of CRAB criteria (AL-CRAB). Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined the optimal BMPC cut point to predict for 1-year mortality in patients with AL amyloidosis without CRAB to produce two additional groups: AL only (≤ 10% BMPCs) and AL plasma cell MM (AL-PCMM; > 10% BMPCs). Results Among the 1,255 patients, 100 (8%) had AL-CRAB, 476 (38%) had AL-PCMM, and 679 (54%) had AL only. Their respective median overall survival rates were 10.6, 16.2, and 46 months (P < .001). Because the outcomes of AL-CRAB and AL-PCMM were similar, they were pooled for univariate and multivariate analyses. On multivariate analysis, pooled AL-CRAB and AL-PCMM retained negative prognostic value independent of age, Mayo Clinic AL amyloidosis stage, prior autologous stem-cell transplantation, and difference between the involved and uninvolved free light chain. Conclusion Patients with AL amyloidosis who have more than 10% BMPCs have a poor prognosis, similar to that of patients with AL-CRAB, and should therefore be considered together as AL amyloidosis with MM.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. I 30-30
Author(s):  
Hui-Wen Wang ◽  
Rong Tang ◽  
Xiang-Cheng Xiao ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Morie A. Gertz ◽  
...  

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3926-3926
Author(s):  
Efstathios Kastritis ◽  
Lia A Moulopoulos ◽  
Maria Gkotzamanidou ◽  
Dimitra Gika ◽  
Maria Roussou ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3926 Asymptomatic/smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is a proliferative plasma cell disorder characterized by a substantial risk of progression to symptomatic myeloma. According to current recommendations, patients with SMM should be followed without treatment until they develop symptomatic disease. However, the risk of progression to symptomatic myeloma varies between different series and for individual patients; thus, significant effort is needed in order to identify factors that could discriminate those who are at high risk for progression. Such patients should be followed closer and should be considered candidates for clinical trials. In order to evaluate previously recognized risk factors and study patterns of progression we analyzed our series of patients with SMM, who have been diagnosed and followed in the Department of Clinical Therapeutics in Athens, Greece. SMM was defined as serum monoclonal (M) protein (IgG or IgA) level of ≥3 g/dL and/or bone marrow plasma cells ≥10%, absence of end-organ damage, such as lytic bone lesions, anemia, hypercalcemia, or renal failure, that can attributed to a plasma cell proliferative disorder (IMWG criteria, Br J Haematol 2003;121:749–57). Progression to symptomatic myeloma was defined as per the IMWG proposed criteria. We analyzed 95 patients with SMM, 53% of whom were females, 70% had IgG heavy chain, 22% had IgA, 5% had a biclonal SMM and 3% had light chain only SMM, while 65% had a kappa light chain and 35% a lambda light chain. Median infiltration by clonal plasma cells in BM trephine biopsy was 20% (range 10–90%), 10% of patients had ≥60% clonal plasma cells in BM biopsy. Fifty patients had MRI of the spine at the time of diagnosis of SMM and 19.5% had an abnormal pattern of BM infiltration (diffuse, focal or variegated pattern). In patients with available bone marrow immunohistochemistry data, 61% had clonal plasma positive for CD56, 17% for CD20 and 19% for cyclin D1. The median follow up of the cohort was 27 months (range 1–253 months) and 23 (24%) patients have progressed to symptomatic myeloma. The one-year, 2-year and 3-year cumulative probability of progression was 7%, 12% and 20% respectively. Nine patients (9.5%) progressed within the first two years from the diagnosis of SMM. All these patients had an M-protein of ≥1 g/dl (10 g/L), 67% had bone marrow plasma cells >60% and 80% had an abnormal MRI pattern of BM infiltration. The 3-year probability of progression to symptomatic myeloma was 4%, 18% and 87% for patients with <20%, 20–59% and ≥60% clonal plasma cells in bone marrow biopsy (P<0.001). The 2-year probability of progression to symptomatic myeloma was 0%, 13% and 60% for patients with <20%, 20–59% and ≥60% clonal plasma cells in BM biopsy (P<0.001). Patients with significantly abnormal free light chain ratio (either kappa/lambda ≥8 or kappa/lambda ≤0.125, according to Dispenzieri et al, Blood 2008;111:785–9) had a 3-year probability of progression to symptomatic MM of 41% vs. 15% (p=0.07). There was no significant difference in the risk of progression to symptomatic MM for patients with IgA vs. IgG myeloma. In multivariate analysis, abnormal FLC ratio less than 0.125 or more than 8 (HR: 6.4, 95% CI 1.3–34.5 p=0.032) and BM clonal plasma cells infiltration ≥60% (HR: 23, 95% CI 5–125, p<0.001) were independent risk factors for progression to symptomatic myeloma. Progression to symptomatic MM was manifested by the development of anemia in 52% of patients who progressed to symptomatic MM, development of lytic bone lesions or pathologic fracture in 48%, an increase of serum creatinine to ≥2 mg/dl in 13%, development of a soft tissue plasmacytoma in 4% and development of hypercalcemia in 4%. In conclusion, in our series of patients the 3-year probability of progression to symptomatic myeloma is about 20%, but there is a subgroup of patients with extensive bone marrow infiltration (≥60%) and highly abnormal FLC ratio, who have a substantial risk of progression to symptomatic disease within the first two years from the diagnosis of SMM. These high risk patients may also have other features such as abnormal MRI of the spine. Patients at high risk for progression should be considered for clinical trials evaluating the role of treatment before the development of symptomatic disease, which in most cases is manifested with anemia and/or lytic bone disease or pathologic fractures. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Amyloid ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Shimojima ◽  
Masayuki Matsuda ◽  
Takahisa Gono ◽  
Wataru Ishii ◽  
Tomohisa Fushimi ◽  
...  

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 3126-3126
Author(s):  
Stephen Parkin ◽  
Michael A. Seidman ◽  
Margot Davis ◽  
Kevin Song

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Cardiac involvement is common in both wild-type transthyretin (wATTR) and AL amyloidosis and these entities can have overlapping clinical features (Banypersad et al, JAHA 2012). Accurate diagnosis is vital given differences in spectrum of disease, management, and prognosis. We examined the presenting clinical features and survival outcome of patients diagnosed with cardiac wATTR and AL amyloidosis confirmed by mass spectrometry. MATERIALS & METHODS: Patients diagnosed between January 2014 and September 2017 with biopsy proven wATTR or AL amyloidosis and cardiac involvement by consensus criteria (Gertz et al, Amyloid 2010) were included. Mass spectrometry testing was performed at the Mayo Clinic Laboratories to confirm amyloid subtype in all cases. Patient records were retrospectively reviewed to identify clinical characteristics as well as details regarding treatment and survival. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were identified (wATTR n=27, AL n=16) with site of biopsy: 41 cardiac (95%); 1 gastric (2%); 1 skin (2%). Two (13%) patients with AL amyloid had coexisting multiple myeloma. Thirty-five (81%) patients were male, with a strong male predominance in wATTR patients (100% vs 50% for AL patients, p=<0.01). Median age at diagnosis was 73 years (range 45-86), with a trend towards older age in wATTR patients (median 75 vs 62 years for AL patients, p=0.09). No difference was seen in presenting NYHA class or levels of troponin and ntProBNP between amyloid subtypes. BNP trended towards higher values in AL patients (median 514 vs 249 ng/L for wATTR, p=0.09). wATTR amyloid patients had lower median presenting left ventricular ejection fraction (43 vs 53%, p=0.05). Two (7%) patients with wATTR amyloid had an M-protein on SPEP compared to 7 (44%) with AL amyloid. Only 2 patients with AL amyloid had M-protein greater than 5 g/L while both wATTR patients had less than 5 g/L. In those with serum free light chain testing available (wATTR n=24, AL n=16), median lambda light chain level was higher in AL patients (176.0 vs 16.9 mg/L for wtATTR, p=<0.01). No difference was seen in kappa light chains (16.5 vs 23.8 mg/L for wATTR, p=0.60), though the only patient with kappa AL amyloid had kappa light chains significantly elevated at 1640 mg/L. The kappa/lambda ratio was abnormal in 15% of wATTR patients (all kappa predominant) compared to 100% in AL amyloid patients (94% lambda predominant) (p=<0.01). The median difference between involved and uninvolved light chain (dFLC) was 22 mg/L for wtATTR patients compared to 249 mg/L for AL patients. In patients with bone marrow biopsy results available (AL n=15, wATTR n=7), bone marrow plasma cell percentage was higher in patients with AL amyloid (median 7% vs 2%, p=0.01). No monoclonal plasma cells were seen on bone marrow in wATTR patients by immunophenotype. Treatment for patients with AL amyloid was: bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone (VCD) in 11 (69%); VCD followed by melphalan 200 mg/m2 autologous transplantation in 1 (6%); melphalan/dexamethasone in 1 (6%); no treatment in 2 (13%); unknown in 1 (6%). In evaluable patients, hematologic response rate was 54% (complete response n=4, very good partial response n=2, partial response n=1, no response n=6). With a median follow-up of 1.8 years for surviving patients, 1 year overall survival (OS) was 76% for the entire cohort. Patients with AL amyloidosis had significantly poorer 1 year OS (41% vs 92% for wATTR patients, p=<0.01). Patients with NYHA class 3-4 had significantly worse 1 year OS (54% vs 96% for those 1-2, p=<0.01), and this held true for both AL and wATTR patients. In AL patients, revised Mayo stage (Kumar et al, JCO 2012) of III-IV predicted for poor 1 year OS (19% vs 75% for stages I-II, p=0.03), as did not achieving complete response to primary treatment (1 year OS 33% vs 67% for CR patients, p=0.06). DISCUSSION & CONCLUSIONS: Male sex, older age, and lower LVEF were more common in patients with wATTR compared to AL amyloidosis. Higher levels of BNP, larger dFLC with lambda predilection, and higher bone marrow plasma cell percentage were more common in AL amyloid patients. Overall survival was significantly worse for patients with AL amyloidosis, particularly those with high NHYA class, advanced revised Mayo stage, and suboptimal response to primary therapy. These results highlight the importance of accurate amyloid sub-typing in patients with suspected cardiac amyloidosis. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 3369-3369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Gonzalez de la Calle ◽  
Ramon Garcia-Sanz ◽  
Eduardo Sobejano ◽  
Enrique M. Ocio ◽  
Noemi Puig ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is a plasma cell proliferative disorder with no related organ or tissue impairment. It is associated with a risk of progression to symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM) of approximately 10% per year. Several prognostic factors for the progression to active disease have been identified, such as those defined by the Mayo Clinic including the proportion of bone marrow plasma cells, the serum monoclonal protein level at diagnosis and the serum immunoglobulin free light chain ratio (FLC); or those defined by the Spanish Group including the proportion of bone marrow aberrant plasma cells assessed by flow cytometry plus immunoparesis. The presence of Bence Jones (BJ) proteinuria is a myeloma feature associated with renal function and tumor burden as well. There is lack of evidence about the role of BJ proteinuria in SMM as predictor marker of progression to symptomatic disease. AIMS The goal of the present study was to investigate the role of the presence of Bence Jones proteinuria at diagnosis in SMM as predictor of progression to symptomatic disease. METHODS We reviewed 147 medical records of SMM patients from area of Castilla y León (Spain), diagnosed between 1983 and 2013, according to the criteria of the International Myeloma Working Group. The primary endpoint was time to progression to active multiple myeloma (hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, anemia or bone lesions). RESULTS 147 patients with SMM were included in the analysis. The median age at diagnosis was 69 years-old (range: 34-90).The serum M-protein at diagnosis ranged from 1 to 26 g/l (median,25). 70% of SMM were Ig G subtype. The proportion of bone marrow plasma cells ranged from 1% to 55% (median, 14). In 64 % of SMM, the percentage of aberrant plasma cells assessed by flow cytometry was superior to 95% and 51% had immunoparesis. Bence Jones proteinuria was detected at diagnosis in 40 patients (27%) and the average amount of urinary monoclonal light chain was 236 mg per 24h. Of those patients, 58% had a monoclonal kappa light chain. The FLC ratio was assessed in 18 patients and it was abnormal (<0.26 or >1.65) in 83% of them. The median level of involved Immunoglobulin was 88.5 mg/l (range, 13-1200) and the median ratio of involved to uninvolved was 10.8 (range, 2.2-3360). In 4 patients, FLC ratio was greater than 100. At a median follow-up of 54 months, progression to active disease occurred in 49%. Anemia was the most common CRAB feature at the time of progression. Median time to progression (TTP) to symptomatic disease in the whole series was 63 months. SMM with BJ proteinuria had a significantly shorter median TTP to active disease as compared with patients without BJ proteinuria (21.7 months vs 82.9 months ;HR: 2.44, IC 95%: 1.48-4.02; p<0.001). The progression risk at 2 years in the BJ group of SMM was 53%. Multivariate analysis selected BJ proteinuria at diagnosis as an independent variable for progression to symptomatic MM (HR: 2.47, IC 95%: 1.32-4.63; P=0.005). Using this independent variable, we identified 4 risk categories according to amount of urinary monoclonal light chain: 0 mg per 24h; 1-250 mg/24h; 251-500 mg/24h ; or more than 500 mg/24h, with a median TTP of 83, 37, 16 and 7 months, respectively; p <0.001. CONCLUSIONS The presence of Bence Jones proteinuria at diagnosis in SMM patients is associated with significantly higher risk of progression to active MM (53% risk of progression at 2 years). Moreover, the presence of more than 500 mg of BJ proteinuria can be considered as a marker for the identification of ultra high risk SMM. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 3396-3396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Kyle ◽  
Ellen Remstein ◽  
Terry Therneau ◽  
Angela Dispenzieri ◽  
Paul Kurtin ◽  
...  

Abstract Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is characterized by a serum M protein ≥ 3g/dL and/or 10% or more of plasma cells in the bone marrow. However, the definition is not standardized, and it is not known whether both serum M protein levels and bone marrow plasma cell counts are necessary for diagnosis or if one parameter is sufficient. We reviewed the medical records and bone marrows of all patients from Mayo Clinic seen within 30 days of recognition of an IgG or IgA M protein ≥ 3g/dL or a bone marrow containing ≥ 10% plasma cells from 1970 to 1995. This allows for a minimum potential follow-up of 10 years. Patients with end-organ damage at baseline from plasma cell proliferation, including active multiple myeloma (MM) and primary amyloidosis (AL) and those who had received chemotherapy were excluded. A differential of the bone marrow aspirate coupled with the bone marrow biopsy morphology and immunohistochemistry using antibodies directed against CD138, MUM-1 and Cyclin D1 were evaluated in every case in order to estimate the plasma cell content. In all, 301 patients fulfilled either of the criteria for SMM. Their median age was 64 years and only 3% were less than 40 years of age; 60% were male. The median hemoglobin value was 12.9 g/dL; 7% were less than 10 g/dL, but the anemia was unrelated to plasma cell proliferation. IgG accounted for 75%, IgA 22%, and biclonal proteins were found in 3%. The serum light-chain was κ in 67% and λ in 33%. The median serum M spike was 2.9 g/dL; 11% were at least 4.0 g/dL. Uninvolved serum immunoglobulins were reduced in 81%; only 1 immunoglobulin was reduced in 31% and both were decreased in 50%. The urine contained a monoclonal κ protein in 36% and λ in 18% and 46% were negative. The median size of the urine M spike was 0.04 g/24h; only 5 (3%) were &gt; 1 g/24h. The median bone marrow plasma cell content was 15 – 19%; 10% had less than 10% plasma cells, while 10% had at least 50% plasma cells in the bone marrow. Cyclin D-1 was expressed in 17%. Patients were categorized into 3 groups: Group 1, serum M protein ≥ 3g/dL and bone marrow containing ≥ 10% plasma cells (n= 113, 38%); Group 2, bone marrow plasma cells ≥ 10% but serum M protein &lt; 3g/dL (n= 158, 52%); Group 3, serum M protein ≥ 3g/dL but bone marrow plasma cells &lt; 10% (n= 30, 10%). During 2,204 cumulative years of follow-up 85% died (median follow-up of those still living 10.8 years), 155 (51%) developed MM, while 7 (2%) developed AL. The overall rate of progression at 10 years was 62%; median time to progression was 5.5 yrs. The median time to progression was 2.4, 9.2, and 19 years in groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively; correspondingly at 10 years, progression occurred in 76%, 59%, and 32% respectively. Significant risk factors for progression with univariate analysis were serum M spike ≥ 4g/dL (p &lt; 0.001), presence of IgA (p = 0.003), presence of urine light chain (p = 0.006), presence of λ urinary light chain (p = 0.002), bone marrow plasma cells ≥ 20% (p &lt; 0.001) and reduction of uninvolved immunoglobulins (p &lt; 0.001). The hemoglobin value, gender, serum albumin, and expression of cyclin D-1 were not of prognostic importance. On multivariate analysis, the percentage of bone marrow plasma cells was the only significant factor predicting progression to MM or AL.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 5110-5110
Author(s):  
Adam D Cohen ◽  
Ping Lu ◽  
Sacha Gnjatic ◽  
James Hoffman ◽  
Erika Ritter ◽  
...  

Abstract The cancer-testis antigens (CTA) are highly immunogenic antigens expressed in various tumors but not in normal tissues (except during gametogenesis), making them an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. Expression of CTAs such as MAGE-A3, MAGE-C1 (CT7), MAGE-C2 (CT10), NY-ESO1 and the SSX antigens has been previously reported in multiple myeloma (MM). To date, however, these reports have included a heterogeneous group of newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory patients, all in different stages of treatment. Therefore, the extent and prognostic significance of CTA expression, and of de novo immune responses against CTA in newly-diagnosed MM patients are not known. We now report on both CTA expression and antibody responses in MM patients at diagnosis and on their prognostic significance. From 8/00-11/04, we treated 67 newly-diagnosed, symptomatic patients with a thalidomide, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone-based induction regimen. (Brit J Haematol2006;132:155). Median age was 58; 54% were ISS stage I, 28% ISS II, and 18% ISS III. Nine of 63 tested (14%) had deletion 13q by FISH, while 24% had soft tissue involvement by MM. Responses to induction therapy included 10 (15%) CR, 16 (24%) VGPR, 26 (39%) PR, 6 (8%) stable or progressive disease, and 9 (13%) inevaluable. Post-induction 54 underwent autoSCT and 9 also underwent alloSCT.. Median overall survival (OS) has not been reached with 61% alive at median follow up of 65 months. Cryopreserved pre-treatment bone marrow plasma cells were used to assess CTA expression by RT-PCR. Pre- and post-treatment sera were used to assess antibody (Ab) responses against CTA proteins by ELISA. Fifty-two patients had sufficient RNA for PCR, and 46 had baseline serum for ELISA. OS of these groups did not differ significantly from the entire cohort. At least 1 CTA was expressed in 77% of cases, including MAGE-A3 (52%), SSX1 (40%), CT7 (29%), CT10 (25%), NY-ESO1 (21%), and SSX5 (17%). Three or more CTA were expressed in 29% of cases. Individually MAGE-A3 or NY-ESO1 expression at diagnosis conferred a poorer prognosis (MAGE-A3: median OS 66 mos. vs. not reached, p=0.02 by log-rank; NY-ESO1: median OS 65 mos. vs. not reached, p=0.09). These poorer outcomes were independent of ISS stage, presence of del 13q, or response to induction therapy. No other CTA was associated with an OS difference, nor was the total number of CTA expressed prognostically significant. Baseline Ab responses, all at titers &gt; 1:1600, were noted to NY-ESO1 in 6/46 (13%) patients, 5 of whom also had Ab to the NY-ESO1 homologue LAGE-1. Ab responses were also noted to CT7 (n=2), CT10 (n=1) and SSX4 (n=1). No Ab responses were noted to MAGE-A3. The effect of induction therapy on antibody titers was inconsistent, with increases, decreases, and no changes seen. Interestingly, 2 of the 6 NY-ESO1 Ab+ patients had no NY-ESO1 expression in bone marrow plasma cells. Both, however, had extensive soft tissue (ST) plasmacytomas, suggesting another source of NY-ESO1 antigen. Presence of NY-ESO1 Ab correlated significantly with baseline ST involvement, with 67% of Ab+ patients having ST disease compared with 20% of Ab− patients (p=0.05). NY-ESO1 Ab+ patients also had significantly poorer OS (med 21 mos. vs. not reached, p=0.009), independent of other prognostic factors. In sum, CTA expression is frequent in newly diagnosed MM patients, and expression of MAGE-A3 or NY-ESO1 is associated with worse long-term survival. Spontaneous antibody responses against NY-ESO1 are seen in untreated patients, and are associated with ST involvement and poorer survival. Further exploration of biologic differences between CTA+ and CTA-MM, as well as immunotherapeutic strategies which target these antigens, are warranted.


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