A case of spontaneous hypoglycemia

We describe a case of systemic lupus erythematosus with POEMS syndrome presenting as spontaneous hypoglycemia. A 58-year-old female suffered repeated episodes of hypoglycemia. During thesehypoglycemic episodes, her postprandial insulin level was inappropriately high. Further blood tests revealed the presence of antinuclear antibodies, anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies,low C4level.Altered albumin-globulin ratio,monoclonal gammopathy (IgG LAMBDA), polyneuropathy and organomegaly lead to suspicion of concurrent presence of POEMS syndrome.Bone marrow examination revealed plasma cell dyscrasia and plasmacytoma in trephine biopsy confirmed the diagnosis.Here, we emphasize on autoimmune cause of hypoglycemia. BIRDEM Med J 2022; 12(1): 70-73

BRAF V600E Positive Hairy Plasma Cell Leukemia; Are the Cytoplasmic Projections in Plasma Cells Predictive of a Particular Molecular Characterization?

Introduction: Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare and clinically aggressive form of plasma cell dyscrasia. Despite the significant role of BRAF mutation in plasma cell neoplasms, this mutation has been rarely considered in these cases. Finding evidence guiding us toward assessing the BRAF mutation in patients with plasma cell neoplasms could help make the suitable decision for targeted therapy. Case Presentation: A 79-year-old man presented with leukocytosis. Peripheral blood smear exhibited marked lymphocytosis and infiltration of about 50% abnormal lymphoid cells with slender cell-surface projections and oval shape nucleus. These findings raised the provisional diagnosis of hairy cell leukemia (HCL) or HCL variants (HCL-v). Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of BRAFV600E mutation, which was in agreement with HCL diagnosis, albeit the flow cytometric assessment of abnormal lymphocytes corroborated PCL. Conclusions: Together with the previous comprehensive analysis regarding the association of cytoplasmic projections and BRAF mutations, our findings could suggest this morphological characteristic in plasma cells (PCs) as an indication for the assessment of BRAF V600E mutation in PC dyscrasias.

Safety and Tolerability of Cael-101 in Combination with Anti-Plasma Cell Dyscrasia Therapy in Patients with AL Amyloidosis: 1-Year Results from an Open-Label Phase 2 Trial

Background: AL amyloidosis, a rare, severe, progressive, systemic disorder caused by plasma cell dyscrasia (PCD), results in insoluble immunoglobulin light chain amyloid fibrils depositing in organs and causing significant dysfunction, morbidity, and mortality. Most patients receive anti-PCD therapy as standard of care (SOC) to suppress plasma cell proliferation and arrest the generation and deposition of new amyloid fibrils. At present, no approved therapies exist that target fibrils already deposited. CAEL-101, a monoclonal antibody, binds to amyloid light chain fibrils and promotes removal from tissues. In this Phase 2 trial, patients were treated with doses up to 1000 mg/m 2, combined with SOC, demonstrating this dose was well tolerated and appropriate for Phase 3. Aim: Evaluate long-term safety and tolerability of CAEL-101, administered with SOC in AL amyloidosis. Methods: Adult patients with confirmed AL amyloidosis diagnosis (Mayo Stages I, II, IIIa), 6-month minimum life expectancy, and measurable hematologic disease were eligible for this ongoing, open-label, phase 2 study (NCT04304144). Patients with other forms of amyloidosis, multiple myeloma, supine systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg, or symptomatic orthostatic hypotension were excluded. All patients received CAEL-101 1000mg/m 2 every other week with SOC anti-PCD therapy until investigator decided anti-PCD was no longer needed (Figure). Safety assessments included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), clinical laboratory tests, electrocardiograms, vital signs, and physical examinations. Pharmacokinetic endpoints included maximum serum concentration (C max) and minimum serum concentration of CAEL-101 prior to next dose (C trough). Exploratory endpoints included biomarkers for cardiac function (cardiac troponin T [cTnT] and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP]), and renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria). Results: The 25 patients averaged 65.2 years (range 47 to 80), with the majority male (72.0%). Mayo Stages I (8.0%), II (76.0%), and IIIa (16.0%) reflected the wide range of disease severity in enrolled patients ; 19 (76.0%) presented with cardiac involvement, 8 (32.0%) with renal involvement, and 20 (80.0%) had received prior anti-PCD therapy. Twenty-four (96.0%) patients experienced TEAEs, but only 6 (24.0%) experienced a possibly treatment related TEAE (Table). Eight (32.0%) patients experienced at least 1 Grade ≥3 TEAE and 7 (28.0%) experienced at least 1 serious adverse event. There were 3 (12.0%) discontinuations; 1 death due to septic pneumonia (investigator determined not related to CAEL-101), one heart transplant, and one patient who withdrew consent. Most common TEAEs included nausea (9 [36.0%]], constipation (8 [32.0%]), and diarrhea, fatigue, or rash (7 [28.0%] each). Addition of daratumumab (n = 12) to the anti-PCD combination treatment of cyclophosphamide-bortezomib-dexamethasone (CyBorD) did not alter the pharmacokinetic or tolerability profile of CAEL-101. Of the 19 current cardiac evaluable patients (baseline NT-proBNP ≥332 ng/L and ≥1 post-first-dose NT-proBNP value), 15 (78.9%) have responded (≥ 30% NT-proBNP decrease from baseline) or are stable on CAEL-101 therapy. Renal evaluable patients, as determined by Investigator at a single site, showed a similar proteinuria response. Discussion: This ongoing trial is evaluating the long-term safety and tolerability of CAEL-101 administered with anti-PCD SOC as a treatment to reduce amyloid burden in patients with cardiac AL amyloidosis. CAEL-101 was well tolerated when administered with anti-PCD therapy. Most TEAEs observed were mild to moderate in severity and did not require intervention. There were no meaningful differences in tolerability or exposure to CAEL-101 when daratumumab was added to the anti-PCD regimen. Improvements in cardiac and renal response biomarkers were observed in most patients presenting with cardiac or renal involvement, respectively, at study entry. Conclusion: After approximately 1-year, CAEL-101, as part of an AL amyloidosis treatment strategy, demonstrates to be well tolerated. This updated report confirms previous findings for the use of CAEL-101 in combination with anti-PCD. A Phase 3 clinical program is ongoing to further elucidate the efficacy and safety of CAEL-101. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Valent: Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Speakers Bureau; Caelum Biosciences: Other: Clinical Trial Funding; Celgene Corporation: Speakers Bureau. Zonder: Caelum Biosciences: Consultancy; Regeneron: Consultancy; Intellia: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Alnylam: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding. Liedtke: Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kura Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Honoraria; Oncopeptides: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GlaxoSmithKline: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kite: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Caelum: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Clinical Trial Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Alnylam: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Silowsky: Caelum Biosciences: Current Employment. Kurman: Caelum Biosciences: Other: Medical Monitor. Daniel: Caelum Biosciences: Current Employment. Jobes: Caelum Biosciences: Current Employment. Harnett: Caelum Biosciences: Current Employment. Raviwong: Caelum Biosciences: Current Employment. Spector: Caelum Biosciences: Current Employment. Sobolov: Caelum Biosciences: Current Employment.

Efficacy and Long-Term Outcomes of Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) for Patients with POEMS Syndrome (Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal Protein, Skin Changes): A CIBMTR Analysis

Introduction POEMS syndrome is a rare disease associated with a plasma cell dyscrasia with limited information regarding the role of ASCT. Small single institution series have demonstrated deep and durable responses after ASCT along with neurological improvement. Despite these benefits, ASCT is thought to have higher treatment related morbidity and mortality, limiting its use. We describe the outcomes from an international multicenter database of patients with POEMS syndrome undergoing ASCT. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis using the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) database to evaluate the outcomes of patients undergoing ASCT for POEMS syndrome. Standard descriptive methods were used to report patient characteristics. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify predicators for non-relapse mortality (NRM), relapse, progression-free and overall survival (PFS, OS). NRM was compared between POEMS and multiple myeloma (MM) patients who underwent ASCT during the same time period. Results Between 2008-2018, 331 pts with POEMS syndrome who underwent ASCT were identified. The median age was 51 years, with 66% males. Racial distribution was 65% Caucasians, 19% African American, 5% other, and 10% missing. Pre-transplant characteristics included 70% patients had Karnofsky score <90, and 50% had HCT-CI ≥ 3, reflecting underlying disease severity and symptoms. The most common comorbidity was pulmonary (52%). Only 14% of patients were in very good partial response or better at the time of ASCT and 72 (22%) patients underwent ASCT without prior treatment. The median time from diagnosis to ASCT was 7 months and 74% underwent ASCT within 12 months of diagnosis. The most common mobilization strategy was GCSF +/- plerixafor in 50% of pts and 87% of pts received conditioning with 200mg/m2 of Melphalan. The median follow up was 48 (range 3-137) months. At day 100, NRM was 0.9 % (95% CI: 0.2-2.2%). At 4 years, NRM was 4.9% (95% CI: 2.6-7.9%), relapse 15.4% (95% CI 11.3-20.1%), PFS 79.7% (95% CI 74.5-84.3%) and OS 92% (95% CI 89.2-95.6%). Subsequent neoplasms were seen in 16 (5%) with 4 myeloid malignancy and 12 solid tumors. On multivariate analysis, age ≥ 60 years was associated with greater hazards of mortality, HR 2.6 (95% CI 1.2-5.6), p 0.01. The figure shows the comparable NRM between POEMS and MM (p 0.31). Conclusions: We report outcomes of the largest ASCT series of POEMS patients. Despite a high HCT-CI and low functional status among patients with POEMS syndrome, no difference in NRM was seen when compared to MM. Post-transplant outcomes were excellent and support single center data on the role of ASCT in this rare disease. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Kansagra: Oncopeptides: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Alynylam: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cota Health: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GSK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Dispenzieri: Alnylam: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Sorrento Therapeutics: Consultancy; Takeda: Research Funding; Oncopeptides: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding. Kumar: Abbvie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Oncopeptides: Consultancy; Beigene: Consultancy; KITE: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Roche-Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astra-Zeneca: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Antengene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Research Funding; Bluebird Bio: Consultancy; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Carsgen: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Tenebio: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Adaptive: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding. Qazilbash: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Other: Advisory Board; NexImmune: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Biolline: Research Funding; Oncopeptides: Other: Advisory Board; Angiocrine: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding. Shah: GSK: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Oncopeptides: Consultancy; Indapta Therapeutics: Consultancy; Janssen: Research Funding; Nektar: Research Funding; Bluebird Bio: Research Funding; Teneobio: Research Funding; CareDx: Consultancy; BMS/Celgene: Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy; Sutro Biopharma: Research Funding; CSL Behring: Consultancy; Poseida: Research Funding; Precision Biosciences: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy; Kite: Consultancy. D'Souza: Sanofi, Takeda, Teneobio, CAELUM, Prothena: Research Funding; Imbrium, Pfizer, BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen, Prothena: Consultancy.

Droxidopa for Treatment of Refractory Orthostatic Hypotension in Patients with AL Amyloidosis: A Case Series

Background Orthostatic hypotension due to autonomic dysfunction is a well-known complication of light chain (AL) amyloidosis, which can become progressively debilitating and difficult to manage. Treatment of the underlying plasma cell dyscrasia will eventually decrease further amyloid deposition. Management of orthostatic hypotension secondary to AL amyloidosis improves quality of life and facilitates delivery of plasma cell therapy. Pharmacologic interventions include fludrocortisone, sympathomimetic agents such as midodrine, droxidopa, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor pyridostigmine or the norepinephrine transporter (NET) inhibitor atomoxetine. Fludrocortisone is often poorly tolerated in amyloid patients because it may exacerbate edema. Droxidopa is a synthetic amino acid analog that is directly metabolized to norepinephrine by dopa-decarboxylase, which increases blood pressure (BP) by inducing peripheral arterial and venous vasoconstriction. Aims To assess the effectiveness of droxidopa in patients with AL amyloidosis with severe orthostatic hypotension refractory to midodrine. Also, to describe effective dose of droxidopa, duration of therapy, adverse effects and reasons for discontinuation. Methods A regional retrospective study was done in patients with AL amyloidosis with severe, refractory orthostatic hypotension who received droxidopa. Retrospective data was reviewed from 2018 to 2021 at a single academic center in the United States. Results Five patients with AL amyloidosis were included in the study; three patients had lambda-restricted plasma cell dyscrasia and two had multiple myeloma (MM) associated AL amyloidosis (both kappa light chain restricted). Of the five patients, all had cardiac, renal, autonomic nervous system and peripheral nervous system involvement and two of the five had gastrointestinal involvement as well. Given their poor performance status and advanced organ involvement, none of the patients were eligible for high-dose intravenous melphalan with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (HDM/SCT), and thus were treated with cyclophosphamide, bortezomib and dexamethasone (CyBorD). All patients achieved very good partial response to complete hematologic response. The main findings are summarized in table 1. All patients had severe, symptomatic orthostatic hypotension that was objectively defined as a decrease in systolic blood pressure by 20 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or a decrease in diastolic blood pressure of 10 mmHg from supine to either sitting or standing in the clinic or at home (Freeman R consensus statement on the definition of orthostatic hypotension, 2011). Initial treatment for all patients included midodrine, ranging from 5 to 30mg TID based on individual tolerance. Three of the patients also were initially treated with fludrocortisone 0.05 to 0.2mg daily (use limited by fluid retention). Only one patient was on pyridostigmine 30mg TID (case 5). Given persistence of symptoms despite therapy, droxidopa was started at 100mg TID in all patients, and the dose was titrated as tolerated. None required the maximal approved dose of 600mg TID. The indication to start droxidopa was based on refractory, symptomatic orthostatic hypotension in all five patients. After initiation of droxidopa, all except for one patient reported improvement both in symptoms of lightheadedness as well as measurements of orthostatic blood pressure values. By the end of this study, three patients continued treatment with droxidopa (cases 1-3); one was weaned-off after resolution of symptoms (case 5) and one was discontinued due to supine hypertension (case 4). Conclusion Data shows that droxidopa is an effective treatment of orthostatic hypotension refractory to midodrine in patients with AL amyloidosis. Slow titration may be important to minimize rapid changes in blood pressure. Further studies are warranted to assess droxidopa's safety and compare with other treatments for orthostatic hypotension. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Hughes: Amgen: Speakers Bureau; Rigel: Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding; Abbvie: Speakers Bureau; Karyopharm: Other: Advisory Board, Speakers Bureau. Sanchorawala: Celgene: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Prothena: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Caelum: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Regeneron: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Proclara: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncopeptide: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Sorrento: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria. Sloan: Nuvectis: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; Stemline: Consultancy; Astrazeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Seattle Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pharmacosmos: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Monoclonal Gammopathy of Ocular Significance (MGOS) - a Series of Corneal Manifestations and Treatment Outcomes

Introduction Monoclonal gammopathy of ocular significance (MGOS) is a rare subset of monoclonal gammopathy of clinical significance (MGCS) occurring secondary to plasma cell dyscrasia resulting in ocular manifestations. Given the rarity of these conditions, optimal management strategies are not defined; the approach is dependent upon the underlying cause of the monoclonal gammopathy and whether or not the patient's vision is affected. We report our review of 23 cases with MGOS, more specifically on paraproteinemic keratopathy (PPK) the most common form, to obtain a better understanding of the patient characteristics, diagnosis and treatments. Methods We report an international retrospective series of patients with MGOS. Data was collected on patients with MGOS:there were no other inclusion criteria besides monoclonal gammopathy with an ophthalmologic manifestation; however, this report focuses only on patients with PPK. Efficacy outcomes were the hematologic and the ocular responses in patients with PPK. Hematologic responses were reported according to the IMWG response criteria. The ophthalmologic response to treatment was assessed by each contributing physician and reported as either complete, partial or no sight recovery. Results We identified 23 patients with PPK in the setting of monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS), smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), or multiple myeloma (MM) diagnosed between 2006 and 2019 in 7 countries. Table 1 summarizes the patients' characteristics. The ocular diagnosis was typically made at the same time or after the hematologic diagnosis. Eleven of 23 patients presented decreased vision. Four were treated by penetrating keratoplasty with or without systemic therapy, including chemotherapy with new generation anti-MM agents with or without autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). All patients with MM and 40% of those with other diagnoses such as SMM or MGUS received systemic therapy. In most cases, neither ocular nor hematologic treatment, even when ASCT was performed, afforded a durable improvement in the visual acuity despite initial responses. MGOS typically relapsed within one year of the initial response (Table 2). Conclusion To date, this is the largest retrospective study focusing on MGOS patients with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits accumulating in the cornea and resulting in visual impairment. Further studies will be required to determine the optimal strategy to treat and prevent the relapse of ocular symptoms in patients with PPK and specifically to address the timing of keratoplasty and systemic chemotherapy and the role of maintenance therapy. Patients with corneal manifestation of unknown origin should undergo a hematologic check-up and patients with paraproteinemia should have a periodic ocular health assessment. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Garderet: Takeda: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy. Munder: Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy; GSK: Consultancy; Incyte: Research Funding. Gozzetti: AbbVie: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Rosinol: Janssen, Celgene, Amgen and Takeda: Honoraria. Jurczyszyn: Janssen-Cilag, Amgen: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau.

Venetoclax 400mg Combined with Bortezomib and Dexamethasone Is Efficacious and Feasible for Plasma Cell Dyscrasia

【Abstract】 Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of BCL-2 inhibitor Venetoclax (Ven) 400mg combined with bortezomib and dexamethasone in plasma cell dyscrasia with t(11,14). Methods: The data of twenty patients with plasma cell dyscrasia with t (11;14) were retrospectively analyzed.The majority of patients received Venetoclax 400mg combined with bortezomib and dexamethasone. The baseline clinical information, treatment efficacy and adverse effects after Ven-based regimen. Results: Seventeen multiple myeloma patients, two light-chain amyloidosis and one primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL) patients were studied. Among seventeen MM patients, the median follow-up was 9.0 (0.5-27) months and the median treatment cycles was 4 (1-12);fourteen patients have been evaluated for response rate. The overall response rate for evaluable patients (ORR) was 85.7%, among that one patient (7.1%) achieved CR, four patients (28.6%) achieved VGPR and 7 (50%) achieved PR. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was11.0 months (95%CI 2.1-19.9); the median Overall survival (OS) was 14.0 months (95%CI 6.9-21.1). Two amyloidosis patients achieved VGPR and PR respectively, while one pPCL patient achieved CR. The most common grade 3 or worse treatment-emergent adverse events were thrombocytopenia (15%), infection (10%), neutropenia (5%), diarrhea (5%) and peripheral neuropathy (5%). There was no treatment-related death. Conclusion Ven (400mg) combined with bortezomib and dexamethasone is feasible, tolerated and efficacious in plasma cell dyscrasia. 【Key words】Plasma cell dyscrasia; Venetoclax; Efficacy; Safety Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.