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Immunocompromised patients with hematologic malignancies are more susceptible to COVID-19 and at higher risk of severe complications and worse outcomes compared with the general population. In this context, we evaluated the humoral response by determining the titers of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) after vaccination with the BNT162b2 or AZD1222 vaccine. A US Food and Drug Administration–approved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay–based methodology was implemented to evaluate NAbs on the day of the first vaccine shot, as well as on days 22 and 50 afterward. A total of 106 patients with WM (43% men; median age, 73 years) and 212 healthy controls (46% men; median age, 66 years) who were vaccinated during the same period at the same center were enrolled in the study (which is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT04743388). Our data indicate that vaccination with either 2 doses of the BNT162b2 or 1 dose of the AZD1222 vaccine leads to lower production of NAbs against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with WM compared with controls on days 22 and 50 (P < .001 for all comparisons). Disease-related immune dysregulation and therapy-related immunosuppression are involved in the low humoral response. Importantly, active treatment with either rituximab or Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors was proven as an independent prognostic factor for suboptimal antibody response after vaccination. In conclusion, patients with WM have low humoral response after COVID-19 vaccination, which underlines the need for timely vaccination ideally during a treatment-free period and for continuous vigilance on infection control measures.

Carfilzomib (CFZ) improves survival in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma but is associated with cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs). We prospectively investigated the effect of CFZ on endothelial function and associations with CVAEs. Forty-eight patients treated with Kd (CFZ 20/56 mg/m2 and dexamethasone) underwent serial endothelial function evaluation, using brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and 26S proteasome activity (PrA) measurement in PBMCs; patients were followed until disease progression or cycle 6 for a median of 10 months. FMD and PrA decreased acutely after the first dose (p 40% at the end of first cycle was also independently associated with CVAEs (HR = 3.91, 95% CI 1.29–11.83). Kd treatment impairs endothelial function which is associated with PrA inhibition and recovery. Both pre- and posttreatment FMD predicted CFZ-related CVAEs supporting its role as a possible cardiovascular toxicity biomarker.

Introduction: Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common haematological malignancy and is characterized by bone marrow infiltration of monoclonal plasma cells and end-organ involvement. Smoldering MM (SMM) is an intermediate clinical entity between MGUS and MM, with a risk of progression to symptomatic disease at 10% per year. Bone disease is the most frequent related symptom of MM, with approximately 90% of patients developing bone lesions throughout their disease course. Therefore, imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosis and management of these patients. Conventional radiography was traditionally considered as the standard of care, however the limited sensitivity in detecting osteolytic bone lesions has led to more advanced imaging modalities. Imaging also is of high importance to discriminate MM from smoldering disease, since the presence of bone lesions establishes the diagnosis of active disease and requires treatment initiation. Computed tomography (CT) was found to be the most sensitive modality in detecting small osteolytic bone lesions less than 5 mm. Ionizing radiation exposure was one of the main limitations of this technique. Technological advances have made possible low dose assessment of the entire skeleton with effective radiation doses comparable to those of a whole-body plain radiographic skeletal survey. Furthermore, the low dose CT is widely available and has a very short scan time. Therefore, whole-body low dose CT (WBLDCT) has been incorporated in the latest diagnostic criteria of the IMWG. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of WBLDCT in the early identification of patients with asymptomatic MM who progress with bone disease only and who require immediate antimyeloma treatment. Patients and Methods: Our study was approved by the local IRB and all patients provided informed consent. All patients diagnosed with SMM based on the 2003 International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) definition of SMM were serially assessed with WBLDCT from July 2013 until March 2020 as part of our institutional workup. The assessments were performed at baseline, 1-year post diagnosis and every 1 year thereafter. The patients enrolled in the study were those who had at least 2 consecutive CT assessments at the above described time points. All WBLDCT exams were performed with a 16-detector CT scanner. The CTs were evaluated by two experienced radiologists, blinded to the clinical and laboratory data. RESULTS We prospectively evaluated 100 patients with SMM (median age at diagnosis 61 years, range 40-86 years, 52 female /48 male) who underwent WBLDCT at the above described time points. Median number of WBLDCTs exams performed was 2.5 (range 2-5). Totally, 31 patients progressed (either with CRAB criteria and/or at least one myeloma defining event). During a median follow up of 57 months 31 patients have progressed (with either CRAB criteria and/or at least one myeloma defininf event). Importantly, 10 of 31 patients progressed only with bone lesions that were identified on the scheduled WBLDCT as per protocol. Median time to progression from asymptomatic to symptomatic disease for all patients has not been reached, while median time for those who actually progressed was 22 months (95% CI:15,6-28,4). For the subgroup of patients who progressed with bone lesions only the median time was also 22 months (95%CI:3,4-40,6). Median time to progression was not statistically different between the two progressor subgroups. All patients were initiated with antimyeloma treatment immediately post evolution to symptomatic disease. PFS for all 31 patients at first line treatment was 52 months (95%CI:34,5-69,5) and median PFS for bone progressors has not yet been reached. Among the patients who progressed 29 were alive at the time of the analysis. The 2 deaths that occurred were one related (progressive disease) and one unrelated to multiple myeloma (cardiovascular event). Neither had progressed with isolated bone involvement. Conclusion: In conclusion, our strategy allowed early detection of bone lesions in 10% of our patients and these patients were immediately initiated with antimyeloma treatment to avoid further myeloma-related complications. Consecutive low-dose WBLDCT studies can identify early myeloma evolution to symptomatic disease and optimize the disease monitoring along with our therapeutic strategy. Disclosures Gavriatopoulou: Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria; Genesis Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Kastritis:Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genesis Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel/accommodations/expenses; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel/accommodations/expenses, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel/accommodations/expenses. Terpos:Janssen: Honoraria, Other: travel expenses , Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: travel expenses , Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; Medison: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Genesis: Honoraria, Other: travel expenses , Research Funding. Dimopoulos:Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Beigene: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria.

Treatment of the plasma cell clone in monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) is necessary in order to reduce toxic immunoglobulin load to the kidneys and salvage renal function. There are limited data on the use of daratumumab in patients with MGRS. We summarize our experience with the use of daratumumab-based therapy in 25 MGRS patients, 12 of whom were previously untreated. The median follow-up of the cohort is 14 months. The best overall haematologic response in evaluable patients was complete response (CR) in five (22%), very good partial response (VGPR) in five (22%) and partial response (PR) in seven (30%) patients for an overall response rate of 74%. Two of five patients in CR and two patients with initially detectable clones, but non-measurable immunoglobulins, had undetectable minimal residual disease (MRD) with next-generation flow cytometry (NGF) after therapy. Haematologic response rate for previously untreated patients was 83% vs. 69% for previously treated and for daratumumab combinations it was 91% vs. 64%, and with CR/VGPR 82% vs. 29%, compared to daratumumab monotherapy. At six months, 12/22 (55%) patients not on dialysis achieved a reduction of proteinuria >30%, of at least 0·5 g/24 h, without an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reduction. The toxicity was mild and predictable. In conclusion, daratumumab-based therapy is a new option for patients with MGRS.

A rapid and deep haematologic response is fundamental in order to improve outcomes of patients with AL amyloidosis. We evaluated the impact of timing and depth of haematologic response at early time points (at 1 and 3 months from the start of therapy) in 227 consecutive previously untreated AL patients, who received bortezomib-based primary therapy. After 1 month of therapy, 30.5% had ≥VGPR, 28% PR and 36% no response (NR), with 11% having iFLC

Patients relapsing early after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) are a particular therapeutic challenge.This was a retrospective, single center study that included 297 consecutive patients that received first-line ASCT RESULTS: We identified 43 (14.5%) patients that relapsed within12 months. At diagnosis, these patients had more often elevated lactate dehydrogenase, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, hypercalcemia, and high-risk cytogenetics; the International Staging System stage distribution was similar. Consolidation and maintenance were associated with lower rates of early relapses. Progression-free survival to second-line therapy was 5 months versus 19 months for those with an early versus late relapse (P .001), the median PFS to second-line therapy was 15.5 months versus5 years (P .001) and the median post-ASCT survival was 18 months versus6 years. The survival after an early relapse has not improved significantly over time. In multivariate analysis, early relapse (hazard ratio, 14; P .001) was the most important prognostic factor for poor survival after ASCT.Patients relapsing12 months after ASCT comprise an ultra-high-risk group, with poor outcomes even with the application of the more recent combinations, that urgently needs more effective therapies.

Panobinostat represents a potent oral nonselective pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDAC) with activity in myeloma patients. It has been approved by the FDA and EMA in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of multiple myeloma, in patients who have received at least two prior regimens, including bortezomib and an immunomodulatory agent. In order to further explore its clinical potential, it is evaluated in different combinations in relapsed/refractory and newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. This review focuses on available data about panobinostat’s pharmacology and its role in clinical practice. This review will reveal panobinostat’s efficacy as antimyeloma treatment, describing drug evolution from preclinical experimental administration to administration in phase III trials, which established its role in current clinical practice. Based on the latest data, we will present its mechanism of action, its efficacy, and most important issues regarding its toxicity profile. We will further try to shed light on its role in current and future therapeutic landscape of myeloma patients. Panobinostat retains its role in therapy of multiple myeloma because of its manageable toxicity profile and its efficacy, mainly in heavily pretreated multiple myeloma patients. These characteristics make it valuable also for novel regimens in combination with second-generation proteasome inhibitors, IMiDs, and monoclonal antibodies. Results of ongoing trials are expected to shed light on drug introduction in different therapeutic combinations or even at an earlier level of disease course.

To gain insights into the characteristics of clinical resistance to lenalidomide, we evaluated the outcomes of 147 consecutive patients with multiple myeloma (MM) homogeneously treated with immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs) pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Pd) for relapsed and/or refractory MM (median, 3 prior lines of treatment). We focused our analysis on the effect of the lenalidomide dose at which resistance was developed, the duration of lenalidomide exposure, and lenalidomide-free interval. On intent to treat, 33% of patients achieved ≥partial remission (PR) with Pd. When Pd was given immediately after lenalidomide, ≥PR was 32% (vs 37% after bortezomib). The response rates were similar for patients that received 5 to 15 mg vs 25 mg of lenalidomide (38.5% vs 30.5%, P = .329). Response rates were higher for patients that had received at least 12 months of lenalidomide (44% vs 27%) and for those with ≥18 months from last lenalidomide dose to pomalidomide dose (65% vs 23%). Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 5 and 12.1 months, respectively, which was similar for patients who received lenalidomide, bortezomib or other regimens just before Pd and similar for patients who were receiving different doses of lenalidomide. IMiD-free interval ≥18 months was associated with longer PFS (10.3 vs 3.9 months, P = .003) and OS (27.1 vs 9.3, P = .008) as well as duration of last lenalidomide therapy ≥12 months (PFS: 7.8 vs 3.2, P = .023; OS: 16.5 vs 7.9, P = .005) even after adjustment for the number of prior therapies, duration of disease, and last lenalidomide dose.

Summary Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have a suboptimal antibody response following vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and lower seroconversion rates following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) compared with healthy individuals. In this context, we evaluated the development of neutralising antibodies (NAbs) against SARS‐CoV‐2 in non‐vaccinated patients with MM and COVID‐19 compared with patients after vaccination with two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine. Serum was collected either four weeks post confirmed diagnosis or four weeks post a second dose of BNT162b2. NAbs were measured with a Food and Drug Administration‐approved enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay methodology. Thirty‐five patients with COVID‐19 and MM along with 35 matched patients were included. The two groups did not differ in age, sex, body mass index, prior lines of therapy, disease status, lymphocyte count, immunoglobulin levels and comorbidities. Patients with MM and COVID‐19 showed a superior humoral response compared with vaccinated patients with MM. The median (interquartile range) NAb titre was 87·6% (71·6–94%) and 58·7% (21·4–91·8%) for COVID‐19‐positive and vaccinated patients, respectively (P = 0·01).Importantly, there was no difference in NAb production between COVID‐19‐positive and vaccinated patients who did not receive any treatment (median NAb 85·1% vs 91·7%, P = 0·14). In conclusion, our data indicate that vaccinated patients with MM on treatment without prior COVID‐19 should be considered for booster vaccine doses.

Simple Summary Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) remains the standard of care for transplant-eligible newly diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM) patients. However, despite its overall benefit, patients undergo various clinical outcomes post ASCT. Therefore, the identification of biomarkers that could explain, at least partially, this heterogeneity is of utmost clinical significance. The aim of this study was to assess clonal plasma cell contamination of the stem cell grafts of NDMM and evaluate its potency as a predictive/prognostic marker. Our results showed that worse responses to induction therapy correlate with higher levels of graft contamination. Importantly, our data revealed the significantly higher risk of delaying or not achieving complete remission and minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative responses among patients with graft contamination. Graft contamination is emerging as a promising predictive biomarker of clinical relevance that could be used to stratify patients post ASCT. Abstract High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support (ASCT) is the standard of care for eligible newly diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients. Stem cell graft contamination by aberrant plasma cells (APCs) has been considered a possible predictive marker of subsequent clinical outcome, but the limited reports to date present unclear conclusions. We prospectively estimated the frequency of graft contamination using highly sensitive next-generation flow cytometry and evaluated its clinical impact in 199 myeloma patients who underwent an ASCT. Contamination (con+) was detected in 79/199 patients at a median level 2 × 10−5. Its presence and levels were correlated with response to induction treatment, with 94%, 71% and 43% achieving CR, VGPR and PR, respectively. Importantly, con+ grafts conferred 2-fold and 2.8-fold higher patient-risk of not achieving or delaying reaching CR (4 vs. 11 months) and MRD negativity (5 vs. 18 months) post ASCT, respectively. Our data also provide evidence of a potentially skewed bone marrow (BM) reconstitution due to unpurged grafts, since con+ derived BM had significantly higher prevalence of memory B cells. These data, together with the absence of significant associations with baseline clinical features, highlight graft contamination as a potential biomarker with independent prognostic value for deeper responses, including MRD negativity. Longer follow-up will reveal if this corresponds to PFS or OS advantage.

Recent data suggest a suboptimal antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with hematological malignancies. Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 were evaluated in 276 patients with plasma cell neoplasms after vaccination with either the BNT162b2 or the AZD1222 vaccine, on days 1 (before the first vaccine shot), 22, and 50. Patients with MM (n = 213), SMM (n = 38), and MGUS (n = 25) and 226 healthy controls were enrolled in the study (NCT04743388). Vaccination with either two doses of the BNT162b2 or one dose of the AZD1222 vaccine leads to lower production of NAbs in patients with MM compared with controls both on day 22 and on day 50 (p p = 0.009) and on day 50 (p = 0.003). Importantly, active treatment with either anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) or belantamab mafodotin and lymphopenia at the time of vaccination were independent prognostic factors for suboptimal antibody response following vaccination. In conclusion, MM patients have low humoral response following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, especially under treatment with anti-CD38 or belamaf. This underlines the need for timely vaccination, possibly during a treatment-free period, and for continuous vigilance on infection control measures in non-responders.

Simple Summary Multiple myeloma bone disease (MMBD) is one of the most important complications of multiple myeloma with a great impact on quality of life. Recent advances in the field of imaging techniques provided clinicians with a variety of imaging modalities with high sensitivity for the diagnosis of MMBD. However, no circulating biomarkers are available to support the diagnosis of MMBD in cases where the results are inconclusive. The aim of our study was to investigate the clinical utility of 19 miRNAs implicated in osteoporosis in MMBD. Our results suggest that the levels of circulating let-7b-5p, miR-143-3p, miR-17-5p, miR-335-5p, and miR-214-3p (standalone or combined in multi-miRNA models) can effectively predict the presence of MMBD in newly diagnosed MM patients. Abstract Background: Multiple myeloma bone disease (MMBD) constitutes a common and severe complication of multiple myeloma (MM), impacting the quality of life and survival. We evaluated the clinical value of a panel of 19 miRNAs associated with osteoporosis in MMBD. Methods: miRNAs were isolated from the plasma of 62 newly diagnosed MM patients with or without MMBD. First-strand cDNA was synthesized, and relative quantification was performed using qPCR. Lastly, we carried out extensive biostatistical analysis. Results: Circulating levels of let-7b-5p, miR-143-3p, miR-17-5p, miR-214-3p, and miR-335-5p were significantly higher in the blood plasma of MM patients with MMBD compared to those without. Receiver operating characteristic curve and logistic regression analyses showed that these miRNAs could accurately predict MMBD. Furthermore, a standalone multi-miRNA–based logistic regression model exhibited the best predictive potential regarding MMBD. Two of those miRNAs also have a prognostic role in MM since survival analysis indicated that lower circulating levels of both let-7b-5p and miR-335-5p were associated with significantly worse progression-free survival, independently of the established prognostic factors. Conclusions: Our study proposes a miRNA signature to facilitate MMBD diagnosis, especially in ambiguous cases. Moreover, we provide evidence of the prognostic role of let-7b-5p and miR-335-5p as non-invasive prognostic biomarkers in MM.

Despite recent biomedical improvements in treating Multiple Myeloma (MM), the disease still remains incurable. Toll like receptors (TLRs) provide a link between innate and adaptive immune responses and hence potentially correlate inflammation to cancer. Although the regulatory role of TLRs in MM has been under investigation the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study we assayed the function of TLR4 in MM cell lines and in MM patients’ samples. We found that lipopolysaccharide-mediated TLR4 activation increased MM cells proliferation and decreased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, we observed that either the endogenous CHOP expression or the ER stress-mediated CHOP induction, were suppressed by TLR4 activation or its overexpression in MM cell lines; TLR4 induction also suppressed ER stress-induced apoptotic signals. In support, TLR4 gene expression silencing in MM cell lines significantly decreased cell proliferation and promoted CHOP and ATF4 upregulation. TLR4 activation was also able to partially abrogate the effect of bortezomib in MM cell lines by suppressing PERK, ATF4 and phospho-eIF2A. We suggest that TLR4-mediated disruption of ER stress responses contributes to MM cells proliferation and suppresses ER-dependent death signals.

Noggin is an antagonist of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and has a strong effect on osteogenesis. Osteoporosis is a common complication of transfusion dependent beta-thalassemia (TDT) and denosumab has been recently emerged as a promising therapeutic option. This was a post hoc investigation of serum noggin levels among TDT patients with osteoporosis who participated in a randomized, placebo-control, phase 2b study.Patients received either 60 mg denosumab (n = 32) or placebo (n = 31) every 6 months for 12 months. Noggin was measured, for the first time in thalassemia patients, at baseline and at 12 months, using a recently developed high sensitivity fluorescent immunoassay.Both groups showed a significant increase in noggin serum levels (denosumab p 0.001; placebo p 0.0001). Interestingly, the increase was higher in the placebo group. Furthermore, we observed a strong correlation between noggin and wrist bone mineral density (r = -0.641, p = 0.002) only in the denosumab group.In conclusion, higher noggin levels reflected more BMP inhibition, since our assay detects free bioactive noggin, which in turn impaired bone formation in placebo group. Therefore, denosumab possibly regulates noggin and favours bone turnover in TDT patients with osteoporosis through a novel mechanism of action.

Background Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare malignancy characterized by bone marrow infiltration by lymphoplasmacytic cells and the presence of a monoclonal IgM paraprotein. The interactions of lymphoplasmacytic cells with other cells in their microenvironment, including mast cells and endothelial cells, support their survival and proliferation and can induce resistance to therapy. von Willebrand factor (vWF) plays a key role in primary hemostasis but is also a marker of endothelial “stimulation.” High levels of vWF have been associated with an adverse prognosis in patients with symptomatic WM and might reflect the interactions between lymphoplasmacytic cells and other cells of their microenvironment. Materials and Methods Considering vWF and ADAMTS-13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13) as markers of endothelial dysfunction and activation, we evaluated the prognostic importance of vWF and ADAMTS-13 antigen levels in the serum of patients with previously untreated symptomatic WM to validate vWF as a possible prognostic marker for progression-free and overall survival. We also validated the measurement of vWF in the serum instead of citrated plasma and investigated the possible correlations of ADAMTS-13 antigen levels with disease characteristics. The analysis included 42 patients with symptomatic WM and 19 matched healthy controls. Results The serum levels of vWF antigen provided significant prognostic information, and patients with levels ≥ 200 IU/dL had a very poor prognosis compared with patients with lower levels. The ADAMTS-13 antigen levels were decreased in WM patients and correlated with the IgM levels, β2-microglobulin, and extent of bone marrow infiltration. Conclusion vWF levels measured in the serum could become an important prognostic marker in patients with WM and requires further investigation.

Carfilzomib with dexamethasone (Kd) is a well-established regimen for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). There is limited information for the effects of Kd on myeloma-related bone disease. This non-interventional study aimed to assess skeletal-related events (SREs) and bone metabolism in patients with RRMM receiving Kd, in the absence of any bone-targeted agent. Twenty-five patients were enrolled with a median of three prior lines of therapy, 72% of them had evidence of osteolytic bone disease at study entry. During Kd treatment, the rate of new SREs was 28%. Kd produced a clinically relevant (≥30%) decrease in C-telopeptide of collagen type-1 (p = 0.048) and of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (p = 0.002) at 2 months. This reduction was at least partially due to the reduction in the osteoclast regulator RANKL/osteoprotegerin ratio, at 2 months (p = 0.026). Regarding bone formation, there was a clinically relevant increase in osteocalcin at 6 months (p = 0.03) and in procollagen type I N-propeptide at 8 months post-Kd initiation. Importantly, these bone metabolism changes were independent of myeloma response to treatment. In conclusion, Kd resulted in a low rate of SREs among RRMM patients, along with an early, sustained and clinically relevant decrease in bone resorption, which was accompanied by an increase in bone formation, independently of myeloma response and in the absence of any bone-targeted agent use.

Carfilzomib (CFZ) is a non-reversible proteasome inhibitor approved for the treatment of patients with relapsed and refractory myeloma (RRMM). Its use has been associated with cardiovascular toxicity but although recently a signal of clinically significant renal complications has also been identified, it is less extensively investigated. We analyzed data of 114 consecutive patients with RRMM who received CFZ-based regimens. Renal complications not related to MM progression were observed in 19 (17%) patients; thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) was seen in 6 (5%) patients, albuminuria >1 gr/day in 7 patients (6%) and at least grade 3 acute kidney injury (AKI) which could not be otherwise explained in 6 patients (5%). A total of 15 patients discontinued CFZ and dosing was reinitiated at a lower level in one patient with AKI. Albuminuria was associated with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in the renal biopsy (performed in a total of 6 patients). Renal complications during CFZ therapy are common, occur mostly early and are unpredictable. A potential effect of CFZ on the renal endothelium could be implicated in the pathogenesis of these complications and may also share common pathophysiology with cardiovascular effects of CFZ.

Despite recent advances, Multiple Myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease with apparent heterogeneity that may explain patients&rsquo, variable clinical outcomes. While the phenotypic, (epi)genetic, and molecular characteristics of myeloma cells have been thoroughly examined, there is limited information regarding the role of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment in the natural history of the disease. In the present study, we performed deep phenotyping of 32 distinct immune cell subsets in a cohort of 94 MM patients to reveal unique immune profiles in both BM and peripheral blood (PB) that characterize distinct prognostic groups, responses to induction treatment, and minimal residual disease (MRD) status. Our data show that PB cells do not reflect the BM microenvironment and that the two sites should be studied independently. Adverse ISS stage and high-risk cytogenetics were correlated with distinct immune profiles, most importantly, BM signatures comprised decreased tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and erythroblasts, whereas the unique Treg signatures in PB could discriminate those patients achieving complete remission after VRd induction therapy. Moreover, MRD negative status was correlated with a more experienced CD4- and CD8-mediated immunity phenotype in both BM and PB, thus highlighting a critical role of by-stander cells linked to MRD biology.

(1) Background: Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of kidney disease in different disease settings. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible link between suPAR circulating levels and renal impairment (RI) in newly diagnosed patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma (NDMM) before and after frontline therapy with bortezomib-based regimens. (2) Methods: We studied 47 NDMM patients (57% males, median age 69.5 years) before the administration of anti-myeloma treatment and at best response to bortezomib-based therapy. suPAR was measured in the serum of all patients and of 24 healthy matched controls, using an immuno-enzymatic assay (ViroGates, Denmark). (3) Results: suPAR levels were elevated in NDMM patients at diagnosis compared to healthy individuals (p &lt, 0.001). suPAR levels strongly correlated with disease stage (p-ANOVA &lt, 0.001). suPAR levels both at diagnosis and at best response negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values (p &lt, 0.001). Interestingly, no significance changes in suPAR levels were observed at best response compared to baseline values (p = 0.31) among 18 responding patients with baseline eGFR &lt, 50 mL/min/1.73 m2. (4) Conclusions: SuPAR levels reflect renal function in NDMM patients treated with bortezomib-based induction. Responders may have elevated circulating suPAR levels, possibly reflecting persistent kidney damage, despite their renal response.

The treatment of AL amyloidosis aims to eradicate the plasma cell clone and eliminate toxic free light chain production. Only in a minority of patients the plasma cell clone is completely eradicated; residual light chain production may still exist while clonal relapse may occur. We used sensitive next-generation flow cytometry (NGF) to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) in AL amyloidosis patients at complete haematologic response. MRD evaluation was feasible in 51 of 52 (98%) tested patients and at a median sensitivity of 2.3 × 10

Monoclonal gammopathies have been associated with a wide spectrum of renal pathologies [1,2]. In symptomatic MM, cast nephropathy is a leading cause of renal dysfunction and acute renal failure [3]...

Consolidation therapy post autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients (pts) with multiple myeloma (MM) seems to deepen disease responses. MRD negativity represents a strong prognostic factor for prolonged remission. Carfilzomib is a second-generation proteasome inhibitor, which in combination with lenalidomide has been associated with high rates of deep responses before ASCT in phase 2 studies. In this context, we prospectively evaluated the role of carfilzomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (KRd) as consolidation therapy post-ASCT in newly diagnosed MM pts who have not achieved MRD negative complete remission (CR). The primary endpoint was to assess KRd efficacy in terms of improving disease response, whereas secondary endpoints included percentage of minimal residual disease (MRD) (performed by Next Generation Flow Cytometry) negativity post KRd, safety, time to progression (TTP), time to next treatment (TtNT), overall survival (OS) and the effects of KRd on bone metabolism in the absence of bisphosphonate administration. All pts achieving at least partial response and less than MRD negativity post-ASCT were eligible for inclusion in the study. Consolidation consisted of 4 cycles of KRd, starting on day 100 post-ASCT: carfilzomib was given at a dose of 20 mg/m2 iv on day 1 cycle 1 and 56 mg/m2, on days 1, 8, 15 thereafter; lenalidomide was given at 25 mg daily on days 1-21 and dexamethasone at 40mg weekly every 28-days. All pts continued lenalidomide maintenance 10 mg following consolidation until progressive disease. Pts did not receive bisphosphonates during or post-ASCT as well as throughout the period of KRd consolidation. Bone remodeling was evaluated by the following serum indices before and after KRd (2 measurements for each pt): i) osteoclast regulators (soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand and osteoprotegerin), ii) osteoblast inhibitors (dickkopf-1 and sclerostin) iii) bone resorption markers (CTX and TRACP-5b) and iv) bone formation markers (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin). Between January 2018 and May 2019, 39 consecutive pts all MRD positive (20M/19F, median age 56 years, range 44-67 years) entered the study. The distribution per revised ISS was 36.1% stage 1, 52.8% stage 2 and 11.1% respectively. After a median follow-up of 16 months (range 1-17) following KRd initiation, 35 (89.7%) pts had received 4 cycles of KRD, whereas two pts continue on treatment and two discontinued treatment due to toxicity. Following ASCT, one (2.6%) pt had achieved stringent CR (sCR), 4 (10.3%) were in CR, 29 (74.4%) were in very good partial remission (VGPR) and 5 pts (12.8%) were in PR. Post KRd consolidation, 30 out of 37 evaluable pts (81%) pts improved their response status with KRd. Overall, 28 (75.7%) pts achieved a sCR, one (2.7%) CR and 8 (21.6%) VGPR, while 25 (67.6%) pts achieved MRD negativity at 10-5. Among the 25 MRD negative pts, 11 (44%) were R-ISS stage 1, 13 (52%) stage 2 and one (4%) stage 3. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) scans that were performed in 14 MRD (-) pts were negative for all pts except one. The markers of bone metabolism were measured in 22 pts. Only TRACP-5b levels showed a significant reduction (p=0.011) post KRd consolidation, which suggests a beneficial effect on bone resorption that must be further investigated. No new skeletal-related events (SREs) were reported. No patient has progressed whereas 37/39 (95%) are alive. One patient died due to staphylococcal pneumonia and another due to refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura complicated by brain hemorrhage and in-hospital infection during KRD. 7 (18%) pts experienced ≥grade 3 toxicities (mainly infections, TTP, fatigue, neutropenia, pneumonitis, hypocalcemia and increase of γGT and ALP). There were no new cases of peripheral neuropathy. In conclusion, KRd consolidation with weekly carfilzomib, post ASCT, is highly effective and improves the quality of response by increasing MRD negativity rates. Although it is given for four cycles only, KRD consolidation reduces bone resorption and correlates with no SREs in the absence of bisphosphonates. Infections prophylaxis is strongly encouraged. This triplet combination should be further investigated as a potential consolidation regimen both for standard and high-risk pts. Disclosures Gavriatopoulou: Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses; Genesis: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses; Amgen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses. Terpos: Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Medison: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Genesis: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Research Funding. Kastritis: Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Prothena: Honoraria; Genesis: Honoraria. Dimopoulos: Sanofi Oncology: Research Funding.

We retrospectively evaluated 55 consecutive patients who received at least one dose of lenalidomide for relapsed/refractory AL amyloidosis. Their median age was 63 years; 72% had heart and 75% kidney involvement and 13% were on dialysis; while 20%, 46% and 34% had Mayo stage -1, -2 and -3 disease, respectively. Median time from start of primary therapy to lenalidomide was 15 months (range 2–100) and median number of prior therapies was 1 (range 1–4); 73% of the patients had prior bortezomib and 42% were bortezomib-refractory. On intent to treat, haematologic response rate was 51% (5.5% CRs, 20% VGPRs) and was 56% versus 40% for patients with and without prior bortezomib and 47% versus 62.5% for bortezomib refractory versus non-refractory patients (p = .351). Organ response was achieved by 16% of evaluable patients (22% renal, 7% liver and 3% cardiac); however, 10 (21%) patients progressed to dialysis. Median survival post lenalidomide was 25 months. Bortezomib-refractory patients had worse outcome (median survival of 10.5 versus 25 months for bortezomib-sensitive patients versus not reached for bortezomib-naive patients, p = .011). Median lenalidomide dose was 10 mg and no patient received the 25 mg dose; however, in 60% a dose reduction was required. Median duration of lenalidomide therapy was 7.2 months and 46% discontinued lenalidomide before completion of planned therapy, mainly due to toxicity (26%) or disease progression/no response (13%). We conclude that although lenalidomide is a major salvage option for patients with relapsed/refractory AL amyloidosis, its toxicity in patients with AL amyloidosis is significant and doses should be adjusted for optimal tolerability.

Bone disease (BD) is one of the most common features of multiple myeloma. Seventy to eighty percent of patients at diagnosis present with lytic lesions which may lead to skeletal-related events. Areas covered: The aim of this review is to present the possible adverse profile of bisphosphonates (BPs) on renal function, the underlying mechanisms by which BPs may affect renal function and the novel therapeutic approaches on myeloma bone disease management. Expert commentary: BPs remain the cornerstone in the management of myeloma-related BD. Zoledronic acid and Pamidronate are currently the gold standard, however cannot be used in patients with severe renal dysfunction. Renal impairment is another hallmark of myeloma with approximately 60% of the patients presenting with or developing renal dysfunction during the disease course. Although BPs rarely cause renal impairment, they should be administered with caution in patients with impaired renal function. The exact mechanism by which BPs cause renal impairment is yet to be elucidated. Another promising agent is denosumab, a RANKL inhibitor, which can be administrated regardless of renal function and does not need the relevant dose-adjustments.

Liquid biopsyis being integrated into cancer diagnostics with profound therapeutic implications. However, its role in Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia (WM) and IgM monoclonal gammopathies is still unclear. In this study, we evaluated the role of peripheral blood (PB) cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in characterizing the mutational status of MYD88 and CXCR4 of patients with IgM monoclonal gammopathies. Paired bone marrow (BM) tumor DNA (tDNA) and PB cfDNA samples from 98 patients (9 MGUS, 45 with WM in remission, 44 with smoldering WM, newly diagnosed or relapsed WM) and 10 controls with non-IgM monoclonal gammopathies were analyzed. Regarding MYD88L265P mutation, 76 patients had paired tDNA and cfDNA informative samples. Among patients with WM in remission, 65% harbored the MYD88L265P mutation, whereas the corresponding percentage among smoldering/newly diagnosed or relapsed WM was 92%. The overall concordance rate was 94% (72/76). For CXCR4 mutations, 65 patients had paired informative tDNA and cfDNA samples. The overall concordance rate was 90% (59/65). All controls had wild-type MYD88 and CXCR4. In conclusion, PB cfDNA is a useful, minimally invasive, cost-effective, and time-effective tool for the identification of the presence of MYD88 and CXCR4 mutations in patients with IgM monoclonal gammopathies avoiding unnecessary BM assessment.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by bone destruction due to increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation. Semaphorin 4D (CD100, Sema4D) is expressed by osteoclasts, binds to its receptor Plexin-B1, and acts as a mediator of osteoclast–osteoblast interaction that ultimately inhibits osteoblastic bone formation. Preclinical data suggest that Sema4D/Plexin-B1 pathway is implicated in MM-induced bone disease. However, there is no information on the role of Sema4D in MM patients. Thus, we evaluated Sema4D and Plexin-B1 in six myeloma cells lines in vitro; in the bone marrow plasma (BMP) and serum of 72 newly diagnosed symptomatic MM (NDMM) patients and in 25 healthy controls. Only one myeloma cell line produced high Sema4D. BMP and circulating Sema4D and Plexin-B1 levels were significantly higher in MM patients compared to controls (p p p p p = 0.07), while patients with diffuse MRI pattern had higher BMP Sema4D levels (p = 0.02). Our data suggest that Sema4D is elevated in MM patients and correlate with adverse myeloma features and increased bone resorption, providing a possible target for novel therapeutic approaches in MM.

TO THE EDITOR: The survival of myeloma patients has doubled in the past decade, but patients refractory to both proteasome inhibitors (PIs) and immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) still have poor prognosis.[1][1] Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies targeting cell-surface antigens is a promising new

Introduction: Recent data suggest a suboptimal antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with hematological malignancies. Herein, we evaluated the development of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with plasma cell neoplasms (PCNs) after vaccination with either the mRNA BNT162b2 or viral vector AZD1222 vaccine, up to 50 days post their first vaccine dose. Methods: This is an ongoing large prospective study (NCT04743388) evaluating the kinetics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after COVID-19 vaccination in healthy subjects and in patients with hematological malignancies or solid tumors. Here we present the data on patients with PCNs in comparison to controls of similar age and gender, who were vaccinated during the same time period (January to March 2021) in Athens (Greece). Major exclusion criteria for both patients and controls included the presence of: (i) autoimmune disorder under immunosuppressive therapy or other active malignant disease; (ii) HIV or active hepatitis B and C infection, (iii) end-stage renal disease and (iv) prior diagnosis of COVID-19. Serum was collected on day 1 (D1; before the first vaccine dose), on day 22 (D22; before the second dose of the BNT162b2 or 3 weeks post the first AZD1222 dose) and on day 50 (D50; 4 weeks post second dose of the BNT162b2 or 7 weeks post the first AZD1222 dose). NAbs against SARS-CoV-2 were measured using an FDA approved-ELISA methodology (cPass™ SARS-CoV-2 NAbs Detection Kit, GenScript, Piscataway, NJ, USA). Results: We evaluated 382 patients with PCNs after vaccination with either the BNT162b2 or the AZD1222 vaccine. Patients with MM (n=213), WM (n=106), SMM (n=38) and MGUS (n=25) and 226 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Of MM/SMM/MGUS patients, 215 (77.9%) were vaccinated with the BNT162b2 and 61 (22.1%) with the AZD1222 vaccine, while out of 106 WM patients 90 (84.9%) were vaccinated with the BNT162b2 and 16 (15.1%) with the AZD1222 vaccine. Vaccination with either two doses of the BNT162b2 or one dose of the AZD1222 vaccine led to lower production of NAbs against SARS-CoV-2 in patients compared with controls both on day 22 and on day 50 (P After the first dose of the vaccine, on D22, the patient group had lower NAb titers compared with controls: the median NAb inhibition titer was 27% (IQR: 15.3-42%) for MM/SMM/MGUS versus 20.5% (IQR: 10-37%) for WM patients versus 38.7% (IQR: 22-54.3%) for controls (P Conclusion: Patients with MM and WM have a low humoral response following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, especially those who are under treatment with anti-CD38-, anti-BCMA-, anti-CD20- or BTKIs-based regimens. This result suggest that these patients have to continue the protective measures against SARS-CoV-2 as they are at high risk for COVID-19. Further studies on the kinetics of immune subpopulations following COVID-19 vaccination will elucidate the underlying immune landscape and determine the potential need for additional booster vaccine doses or protective administration of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in MM/WM patients with poor response after full vaccination. Disclosures Terpos: Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genesis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; GSK: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Gavriatopoulou: Janssen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; Karyopharm: Honoraria; Genesis: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Kastritis: Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Genesis: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria. Dimopoulos: Janssen: Honoraria; BeiGene: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria.

Despite significant improvements in myeloma (MM) therapies, patients (pts) refractory to immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs), proteasome inhibitors (PIs) and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Daratumumab (DARA), an anti-CD38 mAb, is active in pts with relapsed/refractory MM through mechanisms that include complement-dependent and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis, apoptosis and immunomodulation. DARA + IMiDs have substantial efficacy, probably through the combination of their immune and microenvironmental effects. The mechanisms of resistance are not fully elucidated but resistance to DARA may be reversed by addition of IMiDs and vice versa, as previously shown (Gavriatopoulou Blood 2019, Nooka Cancer 2019). We prospectively evaluated the combination of DARA + IMiD following refractoriness to both agents, to assess clinical activity but also to longitudinally assess immune cell populations in the peripheral blood (PB) in order to understand the resulting immunomodulation. Consecutive PB samples from 35 pts refractory to an IMiD (LEN or POM) and progressing on DARA monotherapy were analyzed. The last IMiD on which each patient was refractory was added without modulating DARA backbone (RESET). In consenting pts, PB samples were collected at the time of DARA initiation, at progression to DARA monotherapy and IMiD addition, at response and at progression to DARA-IMiD. Samples were viably frozen and analyzed using specific two 8-color panels. Panel 1: CD38-FITC, Granzyme B-PE, CD127-PeCy7, CD25-APC, CD4-APCCy7, CD3-BV510, Lag-3-BV421 and 7-AAD as viability dye; panel 2: CD14-FITC, CD56-PE, CD66-b-PeCy7, CD80-APC, CD45-APCCy7, CD3/CD19-BV510, CD16-BV421 and 7-AAD as viability dye. Pts' median age was 73 years (range 52-86; 66% male); median prior treatment lines were 3 (range 1-16); all had prior exposure and refractoriness to at least one PI; all were refractory to LEN and 51% to POM, 40% had prior ASCT. The IMiD added was the last used prior to DARA, i.e., LEN in 49% (17/35) and POM in 51% (18/35). Median duration of DARA monotherapy prior to RESET was 7.9 months (range 1-38) and 64% responded (≥PR) before progression. Median duration of RESET therapy was 5.5 months (range 0.46 to 23.86) and 43% had ≥PR (≥MR: 60%) [including VGPR: 8.6% (n=3), PR: 34.3% (n=12), MR: 17.1% (n=6), SD/NR: 28.6% (n=10), PD: 11.4% (n=4)]. Median PFS was 5 months (95% CI 1.5-8.4) and median OS was 19 months (95% CI 13.5-24.5). Based on response at 3-month landmark, PFS was 9 months for pts who achieved ≥ PR vs 4 months for < PR (p=0.031). PFS and response to RESET were independent of type or dose of IMiD, prior response to DARA monotherapy or IMiD, number of prior treatments, ISS at diagnosis or at time of RESET. Multivariate flow cytometry analysis showed significant heterogeneity between pts (n=20). After DARA monotherapy there was an increase in CD8+ T cells compared to baseline which persisted throughout DARA-containing therapy with CD4+ T remaining at similar levels at all time-points. Total Tregs reduced after DARA start; however, within Tregs the relative proportion of Lag3+ Tregs tended to increase during DARA monotherapy. NK cell levels were significantly reduced after DARA and remained low throughout DARA therapy, with no recovery after IMiD addition; within NKs, we noticed an increase of CD16-/CD56+ immunomodulatory/cytokine producing and, to a lesser extent, of CD56-/CD16+ cytotoxic subsets compared to mature CD56+/CD16+ NK cells which tended to decrease, especially during DARA monotherapy. Although the samples at response to DARA/IMiD combination are few (n=10), CD56-CD16+ NK cell percentages at the time of progression to DARA were associated with response to DARA/IMiD. Finally, there was a noticeable increase in M1- and a decrease in M2-type macrophage subsets at response to DARA/IMiD. In conclusion, retaining DARA backbone therapy may be associated with clinically relevant activity (ORR 43%, 5 months median PFS) among pts refractory toDARA and IMiD, when these drugs are combined. Longitudinal evaluation of PB immune cell composition showed DARA-specific immunomodulation, which was not altered after addition of IMiDs, but may be related to restoration of sensitivity to the DARA/IMiD combination. Further investigation is in progress to reveal potential immune signatures of clinical relevance. Disclosures Krevvata: Janssen: Current Employment. Gavriatopoulou: Genesis: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Karyopharm: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Terpos: Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genesis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; GSK: Honoraria, Research Funding. Dimopoulos: Amgen: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; BeiGene: Honoraria. Kastritis: Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genesis Pharma: Honoraria.

Background: The combination of lenalidomide with dexamethasone (Rd) represents a preferred treatment backbone for newly diagnosed, transplant-ineligible patients (pts) with multiple myeloma (MM), while the addition of a third drug (i.e., daratumumab, bortezomib, carfilzomib or ixazomib) leads to higher response rates and deeper responses. Belantamab mafodotin (belamaf; GSK2857916) is a multi-modal antibody-drug conjugate that has demonstrated a clinically meaningful anti-myeloma activity with a manageable safety profile in heavily pre-treated pts with relapsed or refractory MM. Preclinical evidence suggest a potential synergy between belamaf and lenalidomide; at the same time, these drugs do not have overlapping toxicities. Thus, there is strong rationale for investigating the clinical activity of upfront belamaf in combination with Rd in transplant-ineligible MM pts. Aims: The present analysis evaluates the safety profile of belamaf in 3 different dosing schemes in combination with Rd in treatment-naïve, transplant-ineligible MM pts. Methods: BelaRd (study short title) is an open-label, single-center, phase 1/2 study conducted in Greece, aiming to enroll 66 newly diagnosed, transplant-ineligible MM pts. The study comprises 2 parts. Part 1 will evaluate 3 doses of belamaf (2.5, 1.9, and 1.4 mg/kg) in combination with Rd, each given in an individual cohort of pts, and will determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). In this part, belamaf will be administered q8w and, depending on toxicity, dosing may be rescheduled to q4w or q12w. In Part 2, a single cohort of pts will be treated with belamaf in the RP2D in combination with Rd to further evaluate the safety and clinical activity of this regimen. Part 2 will also evaluate 2 different sets of guidelines for ocular adverse events (AEs) in 2 separate groups of pts to identify the optimal method for the management of belamaf-related keratopathy. This is the initial safety analysis of Part 1 and includes pts who received ≥1 belamaf dose and were followed up for ≥8 weeks. Results: Overall, as of 16 July 2021 (cut-off date), 18 pts completed the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) observation period, defined as specific ≥ grade 3 AEs occurring during the first cycle of study treatment, and were included in the safety analysis. The median age was 72 years (range: 65-82), and the majority of pts were male (55.6%). Lytic bone lesions were present in 12 (66.7%) pts; no pts had extramedullary disease. Most pts (9, 50.0%) had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 followed by those at 1 (8, 44.4%) and 2 (1, 5.6%). Regarding the revised International Staging System, most pts (13, 72.2%) were at stage II, followed by those at stages III (2, 11.1%) and I (3, 16.7%); 3 (16.7%) pts had high-risk cytogenetics, defined as del17p13, t(4;14) or t(14;16). By the cut-off date, pts had received a median of 4 treatment cycles, with 17 (94.4%) pts still being on treatment; 1 (5.6%) pt died due to pneumonia, unrelated to the study treatment. 16 (88.9%) pts experienced ≥1 treatment emergent adverse event (TEAE). In total, 11 (61.1%) pts had ≥1 TEAE grade 3/4, of which 1 was related to belamaf; 1 (5.6%) pt experienced a serious adverse event (SAE). There were 2 cases of dose reduction and 1 case of dose delay. The most common grade 3/4 TEAEs were fatigue (5 pts, 27.8%) and rash (4 pts, 22.7%), all related to lenalidomide. One SAE was reported: pneumonia grade 5 in the 2.5 mg/kg cohort. DLTs were noted in 3 (16.7%) pts: 1 pt with grade 3 fatigue in the 1.4 mg/kg cohort and 1 pt with grade 3 rash in each of the 1.9 and 1.4 mg/kg cohorts, all related to lenalidomide. Regarding belamaf-related ocular AEs, there were 2 cases of superficial punctuate keratopathy (grade 1 and 2 each, both in the 2.5 mg/kg cohort), 10 cases of decreased visual acuity (grade 1 [8 pts, 44.4%]: 4 in the 1.9 mg/kg cohort and 4 in the 1.4 mg/kg cohort; grade 2 [2 pts, 11.1%] in the 2.5 mg/kg cohort), and 1 case of grade 1 blurred vision in 2.5 mg/kg cohort. Conclusions: In the first safety analysis of the BelaRd study no new safety signals for the belamaf-Rd combination were observed. The frequency of ocular AEs was within the anticipated range. This early analysis shows that the triplet combination can be safely administered in treatment-naïve, transplant-ineligible MM pts. The enrollment in the study is ongoing, and more safety and efficacy data will become available with the inclusion of additional pts in an updated analysis. Disclosures Terpos: Novartis: Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genesis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; GSK: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria. Gavriatopoulou: Janssen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Karyopharm: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Genesis: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Gkolfinopoulos: Health Data Specialists: Current Employment. Manousou: Health Data Specialists: Current Employment. Dimopoulos: Janssen: Honoraria; Beigene: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria.

Introduction: Advances in induction regimens have significantly improved depth of response and duration of remission in multiple myeloma (MM) patients who are eligible for high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Proteasome inhibitor-based induction regimens are standard as part of induction and it has been shown not to have any detrimental effect on stem cell (SC) collection and engraftment. Daratumumab (DARA) is an IgG1k monoclonal antibody directed against CD38 with potent antimyeloma activity. Based on the results of prospective studies DARA is now approved as part of induction therapy. Available data indicate a potential impact of DARA on SC collection but there is limited data on engraftment, duration of hospitalization and infection risk. In this retrospective analysis we evaluated the effect of DARA-based induction on ASCT parameters. Methods: The analysis included consecutive newly diagnosed MM patients that received ASCT between 2016 and 2020, as part of their upfront treatment regimen in our institution (Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Athens, Greece). Per institutional protocol, after 4-6 cycles of induction, pts received low dose cyclophosphamide (2.5 g/m2) followed by G-CSF (10 mcg/Kg/day) to mobilize and collect SCs. Plerixafor was administered on-demand in case of poor mobilization and insufficient first day collection. Large volume leukapheresis was performed in pts with low CD34+ counts in order to increase CD34+ yield. Pts received G-CSF 480 μcg once daily from day +4 after SC reinfusion to ANC >1500/mm3. All pts received antiviral and antifungal but no anti-bacterial prophylaxis. Results: 200 eligible pts were included in the analysis; 40 (20%) pts received DARA as part of PI-based upfront treatment and 160 (80%) pts received PI-based upfront treatment without DARA. Baseline demographics (age, gender, performance status) and disease characteristics (ISS and R-ISS stage, cytopenias, eGFR, lytic bone disease etc) were not different between the two groups. Response after induction was also similar (CR+VGPR rate was 93% vs 95% for non-DARA and DARA-containing regimens respectively). Use of DARA at induction was associated with lower total mean number of collected CD 34+ SCs (10.48 x 10^6/kg vs 16.58 x 10^6/kg, p1 day of SC collection (37.5% vs 6.3%, P 500/mm3, p 25x10^9/mm3, p Conclusion: DARA-containing induction before ASCT is associated with poorer mobilization and frequent need for use of plerixafor. However, similar percentage of patients can move to at least a single ASCT. The use of DARA-containing induction was also associated with slightly increased risk of infectious complications, antibiotics use and blood product transfusions but no increase in the risk of D100 mortality. These data point to the need for certain modifications to ASCT protocol for patients treated with DARA-containing regimens at induction, such as preemptive use of plerixafor, and perhaps prophylactic antibiotics. Disclosures Terpos: Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genesis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; GSK: Honoraria, Research Funding. Gavriatopoulou: Takeda: Honoraria; Karyopharm: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Genesis: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Dimopoulos: Amgen: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; BeiGene: Honoraria. Kastritis: Takeda: Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genesis Pharma: Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

Patients with lymphoproliferative disorders are at high risk for severe COVID-19. For patients with AL amyloidosis, in which there is also critical organ involvement, this risk may be even higher. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is the best strategy to avoid severe COVID-19, but response to vaccines may be compromised in patients with B-cell lymphoproliferative or plasma cell malignancies, as in AL amyloidosis. Although modest in size, the plasma cell clone in AL may cause immunosuppression while anticlonal therapies further compromise immune responses. To evaluate immunization efficacy, we measured the titers of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 after vaccination with BNT162b2 in patients with AL amyloidosis. As a control group we used volunteers, matched (ratio 1:2) for age and gender, who had no autoimmune or active malignant or infectious disease. Serum was separated within 4 hours from blood collection and stored at -80°C until the day of measurement on (A) day 1 (D1; before the first dose of BNT162b2) (B) day 22 (D22; before the 2nd dose) and (C) day 50 (D50; ie 30 days after the 2nd dose). NAbs against SARS-CoV-2 were measured using FDA approved methodology (cPass™ SARS-CoV-2 NAbs Detection Kit; GenScript, Piscataway, NJ, USA). According to the manufacturer of the assay, a titer ≥ 50% is considered a clinically relevant threshold for viral inhibition. The study included 144 patients with AL amyloidosis, of which 120 had NAbs titers assessed on all time points and were included in the final analysis (53% males; median age: 66, IQR: 57-72 years) and 240 matched controls (53% males; median age: 66, IQR: 57-72 years). 66 (55%) AL patients were on active therapy, 17.5% were on daratumumab (DARA)-based therapy, 52 (43%) had discontinued therapy >3 months from the date of the first shot, 19% had prior exposure to DARA and 94 (78%) were in hematologic remission (CR or VGPR). Prior to the 1st dose (D1), NAb titers were similar between patients and controls (median 14.9% (IQR 7.8-23.1%) vs 14% (IQR 6.8-22.9%), p=0.439); 6 AL patients had baseline NAbs >50%, of which 5 reported a history of COVID-19 infection. On D22, there was a significant increase of NAbs titers both in controls and AL patients (both p On D50, there was further increase in NAbs titers both in controls and AL patients (both p Among AL patients, factors associated with NAb titers on D50 included age (p Generalized linear models were used for evaluation of multiple factors associated with D50 NAb titers: at least 3 months since the last dose of anticlonal therapy (p3 months of treatment-free interval (HR:7.75, p In conclusion, patients with AL amyloidosis have an attenuated response to vaccination with BNT162b2 especially among those on active therapy or with less than 3 months since the last dose of treatment. For such patients, an anamnestic dosing strategy could be considered, especially after completion of anticlonal therapy. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Kastritis: Genesis Pharma: Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Terpos: Novartis: Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genesis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; GSK: Honoraria, Research Funding. Gavriatopoulou: Sanofi: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Karyopharm: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Genesis: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Dimopoulos: Amgen: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; BeiGene: Honoraria.

Introduction Despite the availability of novel agents in treating multiple myeloma (MM), renal impairment (RI) remains a poor prognostic factor, and the median survival of patients (pts) with MM and RI is approximately half of that for MM pts with normal renal function. RI can affect up to 50% of pts with MM at presentation, highlighting the need for effective treatment options for this patient population. Daratumumab, an IgG1 κ human monoclonal antibody that targets CD38, has shown efficacy and a favorable safety profile in pts with relapsed or refractory MM (RRMM). The DARE study assessed the safety and efficacy of daratumumab with dexamethasone in pts with RRMM and severe RI or requiring hemodialysis. Methods DARE is a prospective, open-label, phase 2 study, conducted in eight sites in Greece and Italy. Eligible pts were adults with documented RRMM and severe RI (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] Results The study has completed accrual and 38 pts were enrolled. The pts' median (range) age was 72 (40-89) years, and most pts were male (29, 76.3%). At baseline, 37 (97.4%) pts had ECOG PS ≤1 and 34 (89.5%) were at International Staging System (ISS) stage III. By revised ISS, 20 (52.6%) and 16 (42.1%) pts were at stages II and III, respectively. Pts had a median (range) of 3 (2-6) prior systemic therapies; thirteen (34.2%) pts had undergone prior autologous stem cell transplantation. The median eGFR at baseline was 13.0 mL/min/1.73m 2 and seventeen (44.7%) pts were on dialysis at the time of enrollment. The median (range) number of cycles given was 8.0 (1.0-38.0), and the median (range) follow-up was 11.3 ( Overall, 19 (50.0%) pts had ≥1 grade 3/4 adverse event (AE), and 10 (26.3%) had ≥1 serious AE (SAE). The most common grade 3/4 AEs were anemia (6 pts, 15.8%), hyperglycemia (5 pts, 13.2%), and hypercalcemia (3 pts, 7.9%). The most common SAE was septic shock (3 pts, 7.9%). Conclusions The administration of daratumumab with dexamethasone in pts with RRMM and severe RI or requiring hemodialysis is safe and effective therapy associated with a median PFS of approximately 12 months; hematologic responses were rapid and observed within one month from treatment initiation and approximately one-fifth of pts achieved a major renal response. Almost half of the pts were on dialysis and the combination was active and safe also for those on dialysis. No new safety signals were observed with daratumumab in pts with RRMM and severe RI or in need of dialysis. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Kastritis: Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genesis Pharma: Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Terpos: Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; GSK: Honoraria, Research Funding; Genesis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Symeonidis: Demo: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; WinMedica: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GenesisPharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; GSK: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; MSD: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sanofi/Genzyme: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Delimpasi: Janssen: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Cavo: Bristol-Myers Squib: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel Accommodations, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria. Zamagni: Janssen: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers-Squibb: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Katodritou: GSK, Amgen, Karyopharm, Abbvie, Janssen-Cilag, Genesis Pharma, Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding. Kyrtsonis: Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene/Genesis Pharma: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hatjiharissi: Gilead: Honoraria; Genesis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Leonidakis: Health Data Specialists: Current Employment. Manousou: Health Data Specialists: Current Employment. Gavriatopoulou: Sanofi: Honoraria; Genesis: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Karyopharm: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Dimopoulos: Amgen: Honoraria; Beigene: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria.

Introduction: Recent data suggest a suboptimal antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), especially under treatment. Herein, we evaluated the development of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 in non-vaccinated MM patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 compared to MM patients after full vaccination with the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine. Methods: The analysis was performed in the context of an ongoing large prospective study (NCT04743388) evaluating the kinetics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after COVID-19 vaccination. We evaluated MM patients diagnosed with COVID-19, confirmed by PCR, matched for age, gender, line of treatment, type of myeloma, type of treatment and response with vaccinated MM patients during the same time period (January - May 2021). Major exclusion criteria for both COVID-19 and vaccine MM groups included the presence of: (i) autoimmune disorder under immunosuppressive therapy or other active cancer; (ii) active HIV, hepatitis B and C infection, and (iii) end-stage renal disease . Serum was collected at 4 th week post confirmed diagnosis for the COVID-19 MM group and at 4 th week post the second BNT162b2 dose for the vaccine MM group. NAbs against SARS-CoV-2 were measured using an FDA approved methodology (cPass™ SARS-CoV-2 NAbs Detection Kit, GenScript, Piscataway, NJ, USA). Results: We evaluated 35 patients with MM and COVID-19 (6 had smoldering MM and 29 symptomatic MM), along with 35 matched MM patients who received the BNT162b2 vaccine. Among COVID-19 MM patients, 13 were diagnosed with mild, 12 with moderate and 10 with severe disease; 22/35 patients were hospitalized and 10/35 were intubated. Seven (20%) patients died due to COVID-19. During the disease course 21 patients (60%) were treated with dexamethasone. Type of treatment was not different between COVID-19 positive and vaccinated MM patients. Between the two patient groups, there was no difference in terms of age [median (IQR) 65 (59) for COVID-19 positive versus 66 (74) for COVID-19 vaccinated, respectively, p=0.76], gender [males: 19/35 (54.3%) versus 16/35 (45.7%), respectively, p=0.47), BMI (median 27 versus 26kg/m 2, respectively, p=0.56), asymptomatic disease [6/35 (18.2%) in both groups, p=1], prior lines of treatment [range: 1 to 7 versus 1 to 6, respectively, p=0.99], and type of treatment (p=0.87). Among the COVID-19 MM patients, 6 (20.7%) were in sCR/CR, 6 (20.7%) in VGPR, 12 (41.4%) patients in PR, 2 (6.9%) in MR/SD and one (3.5%) in PD at the time of confirmed infection. Among the vaccinated MM group, 10 (34.5%) patientswere in sCR/CR, 4 (13.8%) in VGPR, 11 (37.9%) in PR, one (3.5%) in MR/SD and one (3.5%) in PD at the time of vaccination (p-value=0.93 for the comparison between COVID-19 and vaccinated MM groups). No differences between COVID-19 and vaccinated MM patients were also noted regarding the median lymphocyte count (1200/μl versus 1400/μl, respectively, p=0.08) and the median immunoglobulin values (IgG 732 mg/dl versus 747 mg/dl, respectively, p=0.29; IgA 9 mg/dl versus 61 mg/dl, respectively, p=0.7; IgM 26 mg/dl versus 25 mg/dl, p=0.97). The incidence of comorbidities was also similar between the two groups (cardiovascular diseases 55.2% versus 44.8%, respectively, p=0.47; diabetes mellitus 66.7% versus 33.3%, p=0.28; chronic pulmonary disease 50% each, p=1.0). Interestingly, patients with MM and COVID-19 showed a superior humoral response compared with vaccinated MM patients. The median (IQR) NAb titers were 87.6% (IQR: 71.6-94) and 58.7% (21.4-91.8) for COVID-19 and for vaccinated MM patients, respectively (p=0.01). In both groups, 27 out of 35 patients were receiving active treatment for MM at the time of NAb evaluation. The median NAb titer was 88% (IQR 71.6%-96.3%) for COVID-19 MM patients and 35.4% (IQR 17.5%-85.5%) for vaccinated MM patients who received anti-myeloma therapy (p=0.001). Importantly, there was no difference in NAb production between COVID-19 and vaccinated MM patients who did not receive any treatment (median NAb titers, 85.1% versus 91.7%, p=0.14). Conclusion: Patients with MM and COVID-19 present a superior NAb response against SARS-CoV-2 compared with fully vaccinated patients with the BNT162b2 vaccine. This finding was more pronounced among patients receiving active treatment for MM. In this context, additional booster doses may be considered for MM patients with poor humoral response after the BNT162b2 vaccine. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Gavriatopoulou: Genesis: Honoraria; Karyopharm: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Terpos: BMS: Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; GSK: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Genesis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Kastritis: Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genesis Pharma: Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria. Dimopoulos: Amgen: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; BeiGene: Honoraria.

Background Recent data suggest a suboptimal antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with hematological malignancies, especially under immunosuppressive therapy. Herein, we evaluated the development of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with plasma cell neoplasms after vaccination with either the mRNA BNT162b2 or viral vector AZD1222 vaccine. Methods Serum of both patients and controls was collected on day 1 (D1; before the first BNT162b2 or AZD1222 dose), on day 22 (D22; before the second dose of the BNT162b2 or 3 weeks post the first AZD1222 dose) and on day 50 (D50; 4 weeks post second dose of the BNT162b2 or 7 weeks post the first AZD1222 dose). NAbs against SARS-CoV-2 were measured using FDA approved-ELISA methodology. Results Patients with MM (n=213), SMM (n=38) and MGUS (n=25) and 226 healthy controls, of similar age and gender, were enrolled in the study (NCT04743388). Two hundred and fifteen patients (77.9%) were vaccinated with the BNT162b2 and 61 (22.1%) with the AZD1222 vaccine. Vaccination with either two doses of the BNT162b2 or one dose of the AZD1222 vaccine leads to lower production of NAbs against SARS-CoV-2 in patients compared with controls both on day 22 and on day 50 (P

Carfilzomib has improved survival in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), but it may exert cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs). The aim of this study was to assess whether treatment with daratumumab may ameliorate carfilzomib-related toxicity. We prospectively evaluated 25 patients with RRMM who received either daratumumab in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone (DaraKd) (n = 14) or Kd (n = 11). Cardiac ultrasound was performed before treatment initiation and C6D16 or at the time of treatment interruption. Patients were followed for a median of 10 months for CVAEs. The mean (± SD) age was 67.8 ± 7.6 years and 60% were men. The two treatment groups did not significantly differ in baseline demographic characteristics (p &gt, 0.1 for all). In the DaraKd group, we did not observe any significant change in markers of ventricular systolic function. However, these markers deteriorated in the Kd group, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, LV global longitudinal strain, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and RV free wall longitudinal strain significantly decreased from baseline to second visit (p &lt, 0.05). A significant group interaction (p &lt, 0.05) was observed for the abovementioned changes. CVAEs occurred more frequently in the Kd than the DaraKd group (45% vs. 28.6%). DaraKd was associated with preserved post-treatment cardiac systolic function and lower CVAE rate compared with Kd. The clinical significance and the underlying mechanisms merit further investigation.

Background Anti-CD38 antibodies can alter myeloma pathobiology, and can potentially overcome refractoriness to IMIDs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of re-treatment with IMiD-based therapy in patients refractory both to IMiDs and anti-CD38 antibodies. Patients and Methods The study included 38 patients who were refractory to anti-CD38-based therapy and to at least one IMiD. Overall, 26 (68%) patients had received lenalidomide, 11 (29%) pomalidomide and 1 (3%) thalidomide before anti-CD38 treatment. Results Median number of prior lines before IMiD retreatment was 4 (range 2 to 13). The patient distribution per R-ISS was: R-ISS 1: 8, R-ISS 2: 9, R-ISS 3: 4. Overall, 4 (11%) patients received lenalidomide-, 33 (86.5%) pomalidomide-, and 1 (2.5%) thalidomide-based regimens post anti-CD38. The majority of patients were treated with pomalidomide-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone (PCD) (n=13) and pomalidomide-dexamethasone (PomD) (n=11). The remaining 14 patients were treated with other IMiD-based triplets. Importantly, 10 (26%) patients received the same IMiD as prior to anti-CD38 exposure (lenalidomide n=2, pomalidomide n=8). Median time from diagnosis to IMiD re-treatment was 61.5 months. Overall, 20 patients (53%) achieved a response during IMiD retreatment, including CR=1, VGPR=5, PR=10 and MR=4; 11 patients achieved SD, whereas 7 patients progressed. The disease control rate (DCR=SD+PR+VGPR+CR) was 82%. Among the patients re-exposed to the same IMiD, 5 responded, 3 progressed and 2 remained stable. Among the responders, 1 achieved VGPR with PCD, 2 PR with PCD and DaraPomDex, whereas 2 showed MR with PCD and PCD with Bortezomib. 79% (22/28) of the patients received pomalidomide following previous exposure to lenalidomide; among them, 15/22 (68%) patients responded (1 CR, 4 VGPR, 8 PR, 2 MR), 3 remained stable and 4 progressed. Interestingly, 10 out of 13 (77%) patients who received PCD responded. Median PFS for all patients was 4 months (range 2.9-4.8). Median time to next treatment (TtNT) for the whole study cohort as well as for those who received the same IMiD pre- and post-exposure to anti-CD38 was 4.2 months as well. Median duration of response (DoR) for the responders was 7 months. Median TtNT for those who received pomalidomide after previous exposure to lenalidomide (n=22) was 3.9 months; median DoR among the responders was 6.6 months. Median OS 5.3 range 0.5-35.5. Conclusion IMiD retreatment in patients refractory to both an IMiD and an anti-CD38 antibody can induce significant response rates, even among patients re-exposed to the same IMiD. This indicates that after anti-CD38 therapy a long lasting, probably immunomodulatory effect may be associated with some degree of re-sensitization to IMiDs. The subgroup of patients receiving PCD derived the most benefit. In this context, a prospective study evaluating the role of PCD in this population is currently ongoing.

Introduction: Renal impairment (RI) is common in multiple myeloma (MM), with up to 40% of the patients (pts) experiencing this complication during the course of their disease. RI increases risk of early death and affects disease management in multiple ways, as it may complicate treatment options and dosing, and render pts more susceptible to infections and prolonged hospitalizations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to restore renal function in these pts in order to improve their quality of life and prognosis. Bortezomib-based therapies are the most commonly used in pts with RI, but eventually pts may become refractory to bortezomib and other drug classes such as IMIDs. Thus, new therapeutic options are needed in order to manage pts with MM and RI who fail these drugs. Daratumumab, an IgG1κ human monoclonal antibody that targets CD38, has shown durable responses and a favorable safety profile in heavily pretreated pts with relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) as monotherapy. Pharmacokinetic analyses suggest that there are no clinically important differences in exposure to daratumumab in pts with normal or impaired renal function, but the available data on safety and efficacy of pts with RRMM and severe RI is scarce. Methods: DARE is a prospective, open-label, multicenter, phase 2 study, which completed the enrolment of 38 adult pts with documented RRMM and severe RI, defined as either eGFR Results: The current analysis includes 35 pts, enrolled in 7 Sites. Median age was 72 years, and 77.1% were male. The median time from diagnosis to first daratumumab dose was 4.2 years. Pts had a median of 3 prior systemic therapies, and 37.1% had a prior autologous stem cell transplantation. At study initiation 8.6% and 91.4% of pts had international staging system (ISS) 2 and 3 disease, respectively, while 51.4% and 48.6% were revised ISS 2 and 3. The median eGFR at baseline was 13 mL/min/1.73 m2.and 17 pts (48.6%) were on dialysis. The median number of cycles administered until the cut-off date was 5 and the median follow-up duration was 5.5 months. The 6-month progression-free survival rate, was 50% (figure). Overall, ORR was 45.7%, with 31.4% of all pts achieving a VGPR and 14.3% a PR. For pts on dialysis (n=17), ORR was 35.3%, equally divided between pts achieving VGPR and PR (17.6%). The median time from the first dose of study treatment until the first response (≥PR) was 0.9 months. RRR was 17.1%. By the cut-off date, 37.1% of the pts were still receiving protocol therapy, 17.1% discontinued treatment due to death, and 31.4% due to disease progression. Overall, 17 pts (48.6%) had at least 1 adverse event (AE) of grade 3 or 4, most frequent being anemia (17.1%) and hyperglycemia (8.6%). Nine (25.7%) pts had at least 1 SAE: Septic shock (fatal, 2 pts), and performance status decreased (fatal), lower respiratory tract infection (fatal), myocardial infarction (fatal), peritonitis (fatal, in a patient receiving peritoneal dialysis), cerebrovascular accident, pneumonia, acute kidney injury, and hyperkalemia (1 pt each). Conclusions: The administration of daratumumab with dexamethasone led to rapid hematologic responses in pts with RRMM and severe RI, including those in dialysis, and at the same time it resulted in a major renal response for 17.1% of the pts. Importantly, new safety signals were not observed, and daratumumab can be safely administered in pts with severe RI or those on dialysis. Figure 1 Disclosures Kastritis: Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genesis Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Terpos:Celgene: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: travel expenses , Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Genesis pharma SA: Honoraria, Other: travel expenses , Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria. Symeonidis:Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; WinMedica: Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Astellas: Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; GenesisPharma: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Merck Sharp & Dohme: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sanofi/Genzyme: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Delimpasi:Genesis: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Cavo:Jannsen, BMS, Celgene, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline, Takeda, Amgen, Oncopeptides, AbbVie, Karyopharm, Adaptive: Consultancy, Honoraria. Zamagni:BMS: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Speakers Bureau; Celgene Corporation: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Katodritou:Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Genesis Pharma: Honoraria, Other: Expenses, Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Theagenion Cancer Hospital: Current Employment; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Expenses, Research Funding. Rivolti:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kyrtsonis:Genesis pharma SA: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Gavriatopoulou:Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria; Genesis Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria. Hatjiharissi:Abbvie: Honoraria; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Honoraria; Genesis pharma SA: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Dimopoulos:Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees.

Advances in the management of multiple myeloma (MM) have led to a significant prolongation of both progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Herein, we evaluated the characteristics of patients who achieved a PFS of at least 7 years following frontline therapy, as compared with all other patients who were treated in a single center during the same time period. Thirty-six (8.8%) patients achieved a PFS of at least 7 years (long PFS group) after frontline treatment. Long PFS patients were younger (p

Bortezomib and dexamethasone with cyclophosphamide (CyBorD) or melphalan (BMDex) are commonly used primary treatments for light-chain (AL) amyloidosis, but limited data exist on bortezomib with immunomodulatory drug combinations. We report our experience with primary therapy with a bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRD) “light” regimen in 34 consecutive patients with AL amyloidosis. The majority (79%) had cardiac involvement, 15% and 23% were Mayo stage 3A and 3B, respectively, and 54% had renal involvement. After the first VRD cycle, 71% of patients achieved a hematologic response (44% at least very good partial response [VGPR]). On intent to treat, 11 (32%) achieved a complete response (of whom 5 of 11 were minimal residual disease [MRD] negative at 10(−5)), 17 (50%) a VGPR, and 2 (7%) a partial response. The 12-month survival was 73%. Starting lenalidomide dose was 5 mg in 86% of patients. Hematologic toxicity was mild; nonhematologic toxicities included rash (grade 3/4 [16%]), infections (grade ≥3 [12%]), constipation (grade ≥3 [9%]), and peripheral neuropathy (grade 2 [20%]); 37.5% of patients required lenalidomide dose reduction, 27% discontinued lenalidomide, 38% required bortezomib dose reduction, and 12% discontinued bortezomib. We compared VRD to CyBorD in 68 patients matched for Mayo stage and baseline difference between involved minus uninvolved serum free light chain levels, and observed a trend for deeper response at 3 and 6 months with VRD. In conclusion, VRD can be an active regimen for newly diagnosed patients with AL amyloidosis able to induce very deep hematologic responses at the expense of increased toxicity.

Gaucher disease (GD) is one of the most frequent lysosomal storage diseases, and it is caused by mutations in the glucocerebrosidase (GBA) gene that are inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern....

Secretion of monoclonal immunoglobulins (MIg) detected in the serum and/or urine is one of the typical features of multiple myeloma (MM). However, some patients secrete MIg in quantities below “measurable” (termed oligosecretory MM) and others have no detectable MIgs by standard serum and urine immunofixation (termed non-secretory MM). In a cohort of 852 consecutive patients with active myeloma, we identified 100 (11.7%) patients with oligo/non-secretory MM, including 20 (2.3%) with non-secretory MM. Compared to patients with secretory MM, these were younger, less anemic, and had less often renal dysfunction and less extensive bone marrow infiltration. Presence and extent of bone disease were similar, however, hypercalcemia was less common and more often is ISS (International Staging System)-1 and, in those with available FISH (Fluoresense In Situ Hybridization) , high-risk cytogenetics were less common. FLCs (Free Light Chains) were available in 17 patients with non-secretory MM: only 3 had normal FLC ratio; the others had abnormal ratio and 9/14 had involved FLC ≥ 100 mg/L. The 4-year OS for patients with oligo/non-secretory disease was 64% vs 58% for secretory MM. In multivariate analysis, oligo/non-secretory disease was not an independent prognostic factor per se. Thus, 12% of MM patients present with oligo/non-secretory disease at diagnosis and have different biologic characteristics but similar outcome to other MM patients.

In the era of an aging population, an increasing number of patients are diagnosed with multiple myeloma at an age of ≥80. The frailty of this population as a result of coexisting comorbidities and age-related organ impairment is a significant management challenge. The aim of our study was to analyze the disease characteristics, frailty scores and toxicity profile in relation to patient outcomes. Among 827 consecutive, newly diagnosed, symptomatic patients treated since 01 January 2000, we analyzed the characteristics and outcomes of the 110 who were ≥80. Median survival was 21 months, and early mortality within 2 months from diagnosis was 20%. Several factors were associated with inferior survival, whereas in the multivariate analysis, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 30 ml/min/1.73m

To compare the outcomes of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who were treated with lenalidomide combined with high versus low dose of dexamethasone. One hundred forty consecutive relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients who received lenalidomide with dexamethasone, in two consecutive time periods, were divided into two groups: group RD (70 consecutive patients in the first period) who received lenalidomide with intermediate doses of dexamethasone and group Rd (70 consecutive patients in the more recent period) who received lenalidomide with low-dose dexamethasone. 62% and 73% of patients who received RD and Rd (p = 0.148) achieved at least a partial response, accordingly. The median OS was 20 and 41 months for the RD and the Rd group, accordingly. In the multivariate analysis, Rd was associated with improved PFS. More patients treated with RD developed grade 3&4 neutropenia and fatigue. It seems that Rd is at least as effective as RD.

INTRODUCTION The survival of myeloma patients has doubled the past decade, however, patients refractory to both proteasome inhibitors (PIs) and immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) still have poor prognosis. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies targeting cell-surface antigens is a promising treatment strategy with different mechanisms of action and has been integrated both in the newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory setting. The combination of daratumumab, pomalidomide and dexamethasone (DaraPomDex) has demonstrated significant activity even in patients refractory to both drugs and a potential mechanism may be re-sensitization to pomalidomide. Another report showed that daratumumab-refractory patients who previously failed IMiD, responded when the IMiD was added to daratumumab. This provided a proof of principle that anti-CD38 antibodies can alter the underlying pathophysiology, and can potentially overcome refractoriness to IMIDs. Increased CD38 expression after IMiD exposure could be a mechanism of IMiD resistance, and anti-CD38 agents may act by eliminating this effect. Daratumumab induces clonal CD8+ T-cell expansion that may contribute to clinical responses, which is augmented by IMiDs, resulting in synergy.Potential loss of this response in progressing patients may be recaptured after the reintroduction of IMiDs. Another potential mechanism could involve the reemergence of IMiD-sensitive clones after an IMiD-free period. There is data that daratumumab alters the tumor immune microenvironment, and this effect may be long lasting , even after daratumumab discontinuation . The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of re-treatment with IMiD-based therapy in patients refractory both to IMiDs and anti-CD38 antibodies. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 38 patients who were refractory to antiCD-38-based therapy and to at least one IMiD. Overall, 26 (68%) patients had received lenalidomide, 11 (29%) pomalidomide and 1 (3%) thalidomide before anti-CD38 treatment. RESULTS Median number of prior lines before IMiD retreatment was 4 (range 2 to 13). The patient distribution per R-ISS was: R-ISS 1: 8, R-ISS 2: 9, R-ISS 3: 4. Overall, 4 (11%) patients received lenalidomide-, 33 (86.5%) pomalidomide-, and 1 (2.5%) thalidomide-based regimens post anti-CD38. The majority of patients were treated with pomalidomide-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone (PCD) (n=13) and pomalidomide-dexamethasone (PomD) (n=11). The remaining 14 patients were treated with other IMiD-based triplets. Importantly, 10 (26%) patients received the same IMiD as prior to anti-CD38 exposure (lenalidomide n=2, pomalidomide n=8). Median time from diagnosis to IMiD re-treatment was 61.5 months. Overall, 20 patients (53%) achieved a response during IMiD retreatment, including CR=1, VGPR=5, PR=10 and MR=4; 11 patients achieved SD, whereas 7 patients progressed. The disease control rate (DCR=SD+PR+VGPR+CR) was 82%. Among the patients re-exposed to the same IMiD, 5 responded, 3 progressed and 2 remained stable. Among the responders, 1 achieved VGPR with PCD, 2 PR with PCD and DaraPomDex, whereas 2 showed MR with PCD and PCD with Bortezomib. 79% (22/28) of the patients received pomalidomide following previous exposure to lenalidomide; among them, 15/22 (68%) patients responded (1 CR, 4 VGPR, 8 PR, 2 MR), 3 remained stable and 4 progressed. Interestingly, 10 out of 13 (77%) patients who received PCD responded. Median PFS for all patients was 4 months (range 2.9-4.8). Median time to next treatment (TtNT) for the whole study cohort as well as for those who received the same IMiD pre- and post-exposure to anti-CD38 was 4.2 months as well. Median duration of response (DoR) for the responders was 7 months. Median TtNT for those who received pomalidomide after previous exposure to lenalidomide (n=22) was 3.9 months; median DoR among the responders was 6.6 months. Median OS 5.3 range 0.5-35.5. CONCLUSION IMiD retreatment in patients refractory to both an IMiD and an anti-CD38 antibody can induce significant response rates, even among patients re-exposed to the same IMiD. This indicates that after anti-CD38 therapy a long lasting, probably immunomodulatory effect may be associated with some degree of re-sensitization to IMiDs. The subgroup of patients receiving PCD derived the most benefit. In this context, a prospective study evaluating the role of PCD in this population is currently ongoing. Disclosures Gavriatopoulou: Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria; Genesis Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria. Terpos:Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Research Funding; Genesis: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria. Kastritis:Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel/accommodations/expenses; Pfizer: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel/accommodations/expenses, Research Funding; Genesis Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel/accommodations/expenses; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Dimopoulos:Takeda: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Beigene: Honoraria.