Emicizumab in acquired haemophilia A: about two clinical cases and literature review

Acquired haemophilia A (AHA) is a rare and severe haemorrhagic autoimmune disease caused by autoantibodies directed against factor VIII (FVIII). Treatment is based on two principles, including haemostatic control to compensate FVIII inhibition and eradication of inhibiting antibodies using immunosuppressive therapy. Rapid recognition and proper management are essential to avoid excess morbidity and mortality. Effective and safe treatments can be challenging, given that AHA patients are often elderly, with multiple comorbidities. Emicizumab, a bispecific antibody that mimics the action of FVIII, has proven effective in managing patients with congenital haemophilia, with or without inhibitors. Likewise, its mode of action suggests theoretical efficacy in AHA patients. We herein describe two AHA cases with comorbidities that were treated effectively using emicizumab combined with immunosuppressive therapy. We have also reviewed the current literature regarding the promising use of emicizumab in this indication.

Contemporary practice patterns of tyrosine kinase inhibitor use among older patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the United States

Introduction: The choice of BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) for the first line of therapy (LOT) for chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is tailored to disease risk and patient characteristics like comorbidities, which become more prevalent with age. However, contemporary evaluations of frontline TKI choice and the factors associated with TKI switching in this specific patient population are lacking. Methods: We sought to describe TKI use in older patients (age: 66–99 years) with CML in the United States. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare-linked database, we identified 810 older (median age: 75 years, interquartile range: 70–80 years) patients diagnosed during 2007–2015. Results: Imatinib was the most common frontline TKI (63.1%) throughout the study period, but its utilization as such decreased from 76% in 2010 to 47% in 2015. Most patients (65.3%) used only one TKI, but 12.5% of the 281 patients who switched from frontline TKI received ⩾4 LOT. Among the 167 patients switching from frontline imatinib, 18.6% eventually returned to imatinib with nearly all as the third LOT, supporting its favorable safety profile and indicating that the initial switch from imatinib might have been premature. Older patients within our cohort, white patients and those with greater comorbidity were less likely to switch from frontline TKI. Diagnosis year, geographic region, and surrogates for socioeconomic status and healthcare access had no impact on TKI switching. Conclusion: As expected, our findings highlight the frequent use of imatinib as the treatment option for older CML patients despite the availability of second-generation TKIs.

Case series: MRD negativity assessment using 11C-Acetate PET with 3-weekly daratumumab-based quadruplet induction in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

Complete response (CR) is an important favorable factor for survival in multiple myeloma (MM). However, CR patients continue to relapse, especially in the presence of minimal residual disease (MRD). Bone marrow (BM) MRD is predictive of progression-free survival (PFS) in MM. However, myeloma outside the BM aspiration site may result in subsequent relapse despite MRD-negativity. Therefore, positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) based on F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is a complementary tool to monitor residual disease in MM. However, FDG may miss myeloma lesions that are not FDG-avid. On the other hand, 11C-Acetate (ACT) has been found to be a more sensitive and specific tracer than FDG in MM. Recently, the addition of daratumumab to bortezomib, thalidomide, dexamethasone (VTd) or bortezomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone (VRd) backbone has been proven to improve outcomes. Herein, we report three newly-diagnosed MM patients achieving deep responses with imaging CR using ACT PET in addition to conventional immunofixation CR and MRD-negative CR after a 3-weekly daratumumab-based quadruplet induction regimen.

Association between preconditioning absolute lymphocyte count and transplant outcomes in patients undergoing matched unrelated donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with reduced-intensity conditioning and anti-thymocyte globulin

Background: Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) offers cure chance for various hematologic malignancies, but graft- versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a major impediment. Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is used for prophylactic T-cell depletion and GVHD prevention, but there are no clear guidelines for the optimal dosing of ATG. It is suspected that for patients with low absolute lymphocyte counts (ALCs), current weight-based dosing of ATG can be excessive, which can result in profound T-cell depletion and poor transplant outcome. Methods: The objective of the study is to evaluate the association of low preconditioning ALC with outcomes in patients undergoing matched unrelated donor (MUD) alloSCT with reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) and ATG. We conducted a single-center retrospective longitudinal cohort study of acute leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome patients over 18 years old undergoing alloSCT. In total, 64 patients were included and dichotomized into lower ALC and higher ALC groups with the cutoff of 500/μl on D-7. Results: Patients with preconditioning ALC <500/μl were associated with shorter overall survival (OS) and higher infectious mortality. The incidence of acute GVHD and moderate-severe chronic GVHD as well as relapse rates did not differ according to preconditioning ALC. In multivariate analyses, low preconditioning ALC was recognized as an independent adverse prognostic factor for OS. Conclusion: Patients with lower ALC are exposed to excessive dose of ATG, leading to profound T-cell depletion that results in higher infectious mortality and shorter OS. Our results call for the implementation of more creative dosing regimens for patients with low preconditioning ALC.

Bortezomib-based therapy in non-transplant multiple myeloma patients: a retrospective cohort study from the FABIO project

Introduction: Randomized clinical trials showed that bortezomib, in addition to conventional chemotherapy, improves survival and disease progression in multiple myeloma (MM) patients not eligible for stem cell transplantation. The aim of this retrospective population-based cohort study is the evaluation of both clinical and economic profile of bortezomib-based versus conventional chemotherapy in daily clinical practice. Methods: Healthcare utilization databases of six Italian regions were used to identify adult patients with non-transplant MM, who started a first-line therapy with bortezomib-based or conventional chemotherapy. Patients were matched by propensity score and were followed from treatment start until death, lost to follow-up or study end-point. Overall survival (OS) and restricted mean survival time (RMST) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Association between first-line treatment and risk of death was estimated by a conditional Cox proportional regression model. Average mean cumulative costs were estimated and compared between groups. Results: In the period 2010–2016, 3509 non-transplant MM patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 1157 treated with bortezomib-based therapy were matched to 1826 treated with conventional chemotherapy. Median OS and RMST were 33.9 and 27.9 months, and 42.9 and 38.4 months, respectively, in the two treatment arms. Overall, these values corresponded to a HR of death of 0.79 (95% CI 0.71–0.89) over a time horizon of 84 months. Average cumulative cost were 83,839 € and 54,499 €, respectively, corresponding to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 54,333 € per year of life gained, a cost coherent with the willingness-to-pay thresholds frequently adopted from Western countries. Conclusions: These data suggested that, in a large cohort of non-transplant MM patients treated outside the experimental setting, first-line treatment with bortezomib-based therapy was associated with a favourable effectiveness and cost-effectiveness profile.

Safety and efficacy of a single total dose infusion (1020 mg) of ferumoxytol

Purpose: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common type of anemia. A single dose infusion of intravenous (IV) iron is a convenient treatment option. Ferumoxytol is an IV formulation of iron that is typically given in two doses of 510 mg each. Utilizing a single dose of 1020 mg over 15 min has previously been described as safe and effective. In July 2018, we began to administer a single 1020 mg dose of ferumoxytol to patients needing IV iron replacement at the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. To evaluate the impact of this change, a utilization review was conducted. Methods: Outcomes of all patients who received ferumoxytol injections in the 6 months prior to and after the dosing strategy change were analyzed. A total of 140 patients, who received 270 separate IV ferumoxytol infusions, were included in the analysis. Results: No significant difference in safety was observed, with one infusion reaction occurring in each group ( p = 1.00). Efficacy also appeared equivalent with no significant difference between the change in hemoglobin for those who received a single 1020 mg dose versus those who received two 510 mg doses ( p = 0.764). As expected, those who received a single total dose infusion of 1020 mg had less clinic utilization ( p < 0.0001). Conclusion: In summary, ferumoxytol administered as a 1020 mg single dose infusion was more convenient and should be considered a safe and effective treatment option for IDA.

Busulfan plus melphalan versus melphalan alone conditioning regimen after bortezomib based triplet induction chemotherapy for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

Background: High dose melphalan (HDMEL) is considered the standard conditioning regimen for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Recent studies showed superiority of busulfan plus melphalan (BUMEL) compared to HDMEL as a conditioning regimen. We compared the efficacy of HDMEL and BUMEL in newly diagnosed Asian MM patients, who are often underrepresented. Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective study including MM patients who underwent ASCT after bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone (VTD) triplet induction chemotherapy between January 2015 and August 2019. Result: In the end, 79 patients in the HDMEL group were compared to 31 patients in the BUMEL group. There were no differences between the two groups with regards to sex, age at ASCT, risk group, and stage. The HDMEL group showed better response to pre-transplant VTD compared to BUMEL, but after ASCT the BUMEL group showed better overall response. In terms of progression-free survival (PFS), although BUMEL showed trends towards better PFS regardless of pre-transplant status and age, the difference did not reach statistical significance. The BUMEL group more often experienced mucositis related to chemotherapy, but there was no difference between the two groups with regards to hospitalization days, cell engraftment, and infection rates. Conclusion: BUMEL conditioning deserves attention as the alternative option to HDMEL for newly diagnosed MM patients, even in the era of triplet induction chemotherapy. Specifically, patients achieving very good partial response (VGPR) or better response with triplet induction chemotherapy might benefit the most from BUMEL conditioning. Tailored conditioning regimen, based on patient’s response to induction chemotherapy and co-morbidities, can lead to better treatment outcomes.

The role of idecabtagene vicleucel in patients with heavily pretreated refractory multiple myeloma

The development of several treatment options over the last 2 decades has led to a notable improvement in the survival of patients with multiple myeloma. Despite these advances, the disease remains incurable for most patients. Moreover, standard combinations of alkylating agents, immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies targeting CD38 and corticoids are exhausted relatively fast in a proportion of high-risk patients. Such high-risk patients account for over 20% of cases and currently represent a major unmet medical need. The challenge of drug resistance requires the development of highly active new agents with a radically different mechanism of action. Several immunotherapeutic modalities, including antibody–drug conjugates and T-cell engagers, appear to be promising choices for patients who develop resistance to standard combinations. Chimeric antigen-receptor-modified T cells (CAR-Ts) targeting B-cell maturation antigen have demonstrated encouraging efficacy and an acceptable safety profile compared with alternative options. Multiple CAR-Ts are in early stages of clinical development, but the first phase III trials with CAR-Ts are ongoing for two of them. After the recent publication of the results of a phase II trial confirming a notable efficacy and acceptable safety profile, idecabtagene vicleucel is the first CAR-T to gain regulatory US Food and Drug Administration approval to treat refractory multiple myeloma patients who have already been exposed to antibodies against CD38, proteasome inhibitors, and immunomodulatory agents and who are refractory to the last therapy. Here, we will discuss the preclinical and clinical development of idecabtagene vicleucel and its future role in the changing treatment landscape of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma.

Assessment of thrombotic risk during long-term treatment of immune thrombocytopenia with fostamatinib

Background: Patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) are at risk of bleeding and, paradoxically, thromboembolic events (TEEs), irrespective of thrombocytopenia. The risk of thrombosis is increased by advanced age, obesity, and prothrombotic comorbidities: cancer, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and chronic kidney disease, among others. Certain ITP treatments further increase the risk of TEE, especially splenectomy and thrombopoietin receptor agonists. Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) is a key signaling molecule common to thromboembolic and hemostatic (in addition to inflammatory) pathways. Fostamatinib is an orally administered SYK inhibitor approved in the USA and Europe for treatment of chronic ITP in adults. Methods: The phase III and extension studies included heavily pretreated patients with long-standing ITP, many of whom had risk factors for thrombosis prior to initiating fostamatinib. This report describes long-term safety and efficacy of fostamatinib in 146 patients with up to 5 years of treatment, a total of 229 patient-years, and assesses the incidence of thromboembolic events (by standardized MedDRA query). Results: Platelet counts ⩾50,000/µL were achieved in 54% of patients and the safety profile was as described in the phase III clinical studies with no new toxicities observed over the 5 years of follow-up. The only TEE occurred in one patient (0.7%, or 0.44/100 patient-years), who experienced a mild transient ischemic attack. This is a much lower rate than might be expected in ITP patients. Conclusion: This report demonstrates durable efficacy and a very low incidence of TEE in patients receiving long-term treatment of ITP with the SYK inhibitor fostamatinib. identifiers: NCT02076399, NCT02076412, and NCT02077192.