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Supplementary Figure 1: U266 cells were transiently transfected with 500 nM of small interfering RNA (siRNA) SMARTpool for IGF1R or nonspecific control duplexes (pool of four; Thermo Scientific Dharmacon) using the Cell Line Nucleofector Kit V Solution (Amaxa Biosystems, Cologne, Germany), program X-005. After collection, cells were plated in a 96 well plate (20000 cells/well) and 72 h MTT viability assay was performed. Western blot analysis 72 hr after transfection shows a decrease in IGF1R expression in the U266 cell line ( lower panel). For the MTT assay, control cells (transfected with non specific control) were treated with and without AZD8055 100 nM, 66% decrease in viability was observed in presence of AZD8055. Transfected cells (IGF1R knock out cells) were cultured with and without AZD8055 100 nM. IGF1R knockout cells show 39% decrease in viability compared to scramble control and the combination of IGF1R knock out and AZD8055 100 nM show a 78% decrease in viability compared to scramble control. This finding suggests that IGF1R knockout sensitizes to AZD8055 inhibition similar to IGF1R antibody.

Despite promising preclinical results with mTOR kinase inhibitors in multiple myeloma, resistance to these drugs may arise via feedback activation loops. This concern is especially true for insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), because IGF1R signaling is downregulated by multiple AKT and mTOR feedback mechanisms. We have tested this hypothesis in multiple myeloma using the novel selective mTOR kinase inhibitor AZD8055. We evaluated p-mTOR S2481 as the readout for mTORC2/Akt activity in multiple myeloma cells in the context of mTOR inhibition via AZD8055 or rapamycin. We next validated AZD8055 inhibition of mTORC1 and mTORC2 functions in multiple myeloma cells alone or in culture with bone marrow stroma cells and growth factors. Unlike rapamycin, AZD8055 resulted in apoptosis of multiple myeloma cells. AZD8055 treatment, however, induced upregulation of IGF1R phosphorylation in p-Akt S473–expressing multiple myeloma cell lines. Furthermore, exposure of AZD8055-treated cells to IGF1 induced p-Akt S473 and rescued multiple myeloma cells from apoptosis despite mTOR kinase inhibition and TORC2/Akt blockage. The addition of blocking IGF1R antibody resulted in reversing this effect and increased AZD8055-induced apoptosis. Our study suggests that combination treatment with AZD8055 and IGF1R-blocking agents is a promising strategy in multiple myeloma with potential IGF1R/Akt signaling–mediated survival. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(11); 2489–500. ©2014 AACR.

Systemic immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis is characterized by deposition of amyloid fibrils of light chains produced by clonal CD38+ plasma cells. Daratumumab, a human CD38-targeting antibody, may improve outcomes for this disease.We randomly assigned patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis to receive six cycles of bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone either alone (control group) or with subcutaneous daratumumab followed by single-agent daratumumab every 4 weeks for up to 24 cycles (daratumumab group). The primary end point was a hematologic complete response.A total of 388 patients underwent randomization. The median follow-up was 11.4 months. The percentage of patients who had a hematologic complete response was significantly higher in the daratumumab group than in the control group (53.3% vs. 18.1%) (relative risk ratio, 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1 to 4.1; P0.001). Survival free from major organ deterioration or hematologic progression favored the daratumumab group (hazard ratio for major organ deterioration, hematologic progression, or death, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.93; P = 0.02). At 6 months, more cardiac and renal responses occurred in the daratumumab group than in the control group (41.5% vs. 22.2% and 53.0% vs. 23.9%, respectively). The four most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were lymphopenia (13.0% in the daratumumab group and 10.1% in the control group), pneumonia (7.8% and 4.3%, respectively), cardiac failure (6.2% and 4.8%), and diarrhea (5.7% and 3.7%). Systemic administration-related reactions to daratumumab occurred in 7.3% of the patients. A total of 56 patients died (27 in the daratumumab group and 29 in the control group), most due to amyloidosis-related cardiomyopathy.Among patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis, the addition of daratumumab to bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone was associated with higher frequencies of hematologic complete response and survival free from major organ deterioration or hematologic progression. (Funded by Janssen Research and Development; ANDROMEDA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03201965.).

Background Exposures to DNA-damaging drugs and ionizing radiations increase risks of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Methods 9028 recipients of hematopoietic cell autotransplants (1995–2010) for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL; n = 916), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL; n = 3546) and plasma cell myeloma (PCM; n = 4566), reported to the CIBMTR, were analyzed for risk of subsequent AML or MDS. Results 335 MDS/AML cases were diagnosed posttransplant (3.7%). Variables associated with an increased risk for AML or MDS in multivariate analyses were: (1) conditioning with total body radiation versus chemotherapy alone for HL (HR = 4.0; 95% confidence interval [1.4, 11.6]) and NHL (HR = 2.5 [1.1, 2.5]); (2) ≥3 versus 1 line of chemotherapy for NHL (HR = 1.9 [1.3, 2.8]); and (3) subjects with NHL transplanted in 2005–2010 versus 1995–1999 (HR = 2.1 [1.5, 3.1]). Using Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data, we found risks for AML/MDS in HL, NHL and PCM to be 5–10 times the background rate. In contrast, relative risks were 10–50 for AML and approximately 100 for MDS in the autotransplant cohort. Conclusions There are substantial risks of AML and MDS after autotransplants for HL, NHL and PCM.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a potentially curative treatment for children and adults with malignant and nonmalignant diseases. Despite increasing survival rates, long-term morbidity after HCT is substantial. Neurocognitive dysfunction is a serious cause of morbidity, yet little is known about neurocognitive dysfunction after HCT. To address this gap, collaborative efforts of the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research and the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation undertook an expert review of neurocognitive dysfunction after HCT. In this review we define what constitutes neurocognitive dysfunction, characterize its risk factors and sequelae, describe tools and methods to assess neurocognitive function in HCT recipients, and discuss possible interventions for HCT patients with this condition. This review aims to help clinicians understand the scope of this health-related problem, highlight its impact on well-being of survivors, and help determine factors that may improve identification of patients at risk for declines in cognitive functioning after HCT. In particular, we review strategies for preventing and treating neurocognitive dysfunction in HCT patients. Finally, we highlight the need for well-designed studies to develop and test interventions aimed at preventing and improving neurocognitive dysfunction and its sequelae after HCT.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a potentially curative treatment for children and adults with malignant and non-malignant diseases. Despite increasing survival rates, long-term morbidity following HCT is substantial. Neurocognitive dysfunction is a serious cause of morbidity, yet little is known about neurocognitive dysfunction following HCT. To address this gap, collaborative efforts of the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research and the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation undertook an expert review of neurocognitive dysfunction following HCT. In this review, we define what constitutes neurocognitive dysfunction, characterize its risk factors and sequelae, describe tools and methods to assess neurocognitive function in HCT recipients, and discuss possible interventions for HCT patients with this condition. This review aims to help clinicians understand the scope of this health-related problem, highlight its impact on well-being of survivors, and to help determine factors that may improve identification of patients at risk for declines in cognitive functioning after HCT. In particular, we review strategies for preventing and treating neurocognitive dysfunction in HCT patients. Lastly, we highlight the need for well-designed studies to develop and test interventions aimed at preventing and improving neurocognitive dysfunction and its sequelae following HCT.

Therapeutic approaches in multiple myeloma (MM) are increasingly focused on restoring antitumor immunity. Immunomodulators have a variety of effects on the immune microenvironment, and are frequently incorporated into multidrug regimens. The monoclonal antibodies daratumumab and elotuzumab have been granted accelerated approval for use in the relapsed or refractory setting, and several other antibodies including immune checkpoint inhibitors are currently being evaluated for the treatment of MM. Antimyeloma vaccines have been developed, and may be useful in maintaining remission. The role of allogeneic stem cell transplantation continues to be an area of active research, as reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens have significantly decreased treatment-related complications. Other immunotherapeutic approaches in development include marrow infiltrating lymphocytes, T cell receptor modified T cells (TCRts), and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Here we review the existing data on immunotherapy in MM, and discuss some promising areas of research which may impact the future of myeloma therapy.

PURPOSE Observation is the current standard of care for smoldering multiple myeloma. We hypothesized that early intervention with lenalidomide could delay progression to symptomatic multiple myeloma. METHODS We conducted a randomized trial that assessed the efficacy of single-agent lenalidomide compared with observation in patients with intermediate- or high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma. Lenalidomide was administered orally at a dose of 25 mg on days 1 to 21 of a 28-day cycle. The primary end point was progression-free survival, with disease progression requiring the development of end-organ damage attributable to multiple myeloma and biochemical progression. RESULTS One hundred eighty-two patients were randomly assigned—92 patients to the lenalidomide arm and 90 to the observation arm. Median follow-up is 35 months. Response to therapy was observed in 50% (95% CI, 39% to 61%) of patients in the lenalidomide arm, with no responses in the observation arm. Progression-free survival was significantly longer with lenalidomide compared with observation (hazard ratio, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.62; P = .002). One-, 2-, and 3-year progression-free survival was 98%, 93%, and 91% for the lenalidomide arm versus 89%, 76%, and 66% for the observation arm, respectively. Only six deaths have been reported, two in the lenalidomide arm versus four in the observation arm (hazard ratio for death, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.08 to 2.53). Grade 3 or 4 nonhematologic adverse events occurred in 25 patients (28%) on lenalidomide. CONCLUSION Early intervention with lenalidomide in smoldering multiple myeloma significantly delays progression to symptomatic multiple myeloma and the development of end-organ damage.

Solitary plasmacytoma is a rare plasma cell dyscrasia, classified as solitary bone plasmacytoma or solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma. These entities are diagnosed by demonstrating infiltration of a monoclonal plasma cell population in a single bone lesion or presence of plasma cells involving a soft tissue mass, respectively. Both diseases represent a single localized process without significant plasma cell infiltration into the bone marrow or evidence of end organ damage. Clinically, it is important to classify plasmacytoma as having completely undetectable bone marrow involvement versus minimal marrow involvement. Here, we discuss the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of solitary plasmacytoma. There have been numerous therapeutic advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma over the last few years. While the treatment paradigm for solitary plasmacytoma has not changed significantly over the years, progress has been made with regard to diagnostic tools available that can risk stratify disease, offer prognostic value, and discern solitary plasmacytoma from quiescent or asymptomatic myeloma at the time of diagnosis. Despite various studies investigating the use of systemic therapy or combined modality therapy for the treatment of plasmacytoma, radiation therapy remains the mainstay of therapy. Much of the recent advancement in the management of solitary plasmacytoma has been through the development of improved diagnostic techniques.

Pomalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone (PomDex) is standard treatment of lenalidomide refractory myeloma patients who have received >2 prior therapies. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the addition of oral weekly cyclophosphamide to standard PomDex. We first performed a dose escalation phase 1 study to determine the recommended phase 2 dose of cyclophosphamide in combination with PomDex (arm A). A randomized, multicenter phase 2 study followed, enrolling patients with lenalidomide refractory myeloma. Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive pomalidomide 4 mg on days 1 to 21 of a 28-day cycle in combination with weekly dexamethasone (arm B) or pomalidomide, dexamethasone, and cyclophosphamide (PomCyDex) 400 mg orally on days 1, 8, and 15 (arm C). The primary end point was overall response rate (ORR). Eighty patients were enrolled (10 in phase 1 and 70 randomized in phase 2: 36 to arm B and 34 to arm C). The ORR was 38.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23-54.8%) and 64.7% (95% CI, 48.6-80.8%) for arms B and C, respectively (P = .035). As of June 2015, 62 of the 70 randomized patients had progressed. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.4 (95% CI, 2.3-5.7) and 9.5 months (95% CI, 4.6-14) for arms B and C, respectively (P = .106). Toxicity was predominantly hematologic in nature but was not statistically higher in arm C. The combination of PomCyDex results in a superior ORR and PFS compared with PomDex in patients with lenalidomide refractory multiple myeloma. The trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01432600.

We describe baseline incidence and risk factors for new cancers in 4161 persons receiving autotransplants for multiple myeloma in the United States from 1990 to 2010. Observed incidence of invasive new cancers was compared with expected incidence relative to the US population. The cohort represented 13,387 person-years at-risk. In total, 163 new cancers were observed, for a crude incidence rate of 1.2 new cancers per 100 person-years and cumulative incidences of 2.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.09 to 3.17), 4.2% (95% CI, 3.49 to 5.00), and 6.1% (95% CI, 5.08 to 7.24) at 3, 5, and 7 years, respectively. The incidence of new cancers in the autotransplantation cohort was similar to age-, race-, and gender-adjusted comparison subjects with an observed/expected (O/E) ratio of 1.00 (99% CI, .81 to 1.22). However, acute myeloid leukemia and melanoma were observed at higher than expected rates with O/E ratios of 5.19 (99% CI, 1.67 to 12.04; P = .0004), and 3.58 (99% CI, 1.82 to 6.29; P < .0001), respectively. Obesity, older age, and male gender were associated with increased risks of new cancers in multivariate analyses. This large data set provides a baseline for comparison and defines the histologic type specific risk for new cancers in patients with MM receiving postautotransplantation therapies, such as maintenance.

Background Therapeutic advancements following the introduction of autologous stem cell transplantation and ‘novel’ agents have significantly improved clinical outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Increased life expectancy, however, has led to renewed concerns about the long-term risk of second primary malignancies (SPMs). This review outlines the most up-to-date knowledge of possible host-, disease-, and treatment-related risk factors for the development of SPMs in patients with MM, and provides practical recommendations to assist physicians. Design A Panel of International Myeloma Working Group members reviewed the most relevant data published in the literature as full papers, or presented at meetings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, European Hematology Association, or International Myeloma Workshops, up to June 2016. Here, we present the recommendations of the Panel, based on this literature review. Results Overall, the risk of SPMs in MM is low, multifactorial, and partially related to the length of patients’ survival and MM intrinsic susceptibility. Studies suggest a significantly increased incidence of SPMs when lenalidomide is administered either following, or concurrently with, oral melphalan. Increased SPM incidence has also been reported with lenalidomide maintenance following high-dose melphalan, albeit to a lesser degree. In both cases, the risk of death from MM was significantly higher than the risk of death from SPMs, with lenalidomide possibly providing a survival benefit. No increase in SPM incidence was reported with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone (without melphalan), or with bortezomib plus oral melphalan, dexamethasone, or thalidomide. Conclusion In general, the risk of SPMs should not alter the current therapeutic decision-making process in MM. However, regimens such as lenalidomide plus dexamethasone should be preferred to prolonged exposure to lenalidomide plus oral melphalan. SPM risk should be carefully discussed with the patient in the context of benefits and risks of different treatment options.

Light chain deposition disease (LCDD) is a rare clinicopathologic entity first described in 1976 and is characterized by a monoclonal gammopathy resulting in nonamyloid immunoglobulin light chain tissue deposition. Only four cases of intracerebral LCDD have been previously reported, all in the setting of a known plasma cell dyscrasia or in the presence of local mature plasma cells. We present the first case of intracranial LCDD in the absence of a known plasma cell dyscrasia or local mature plasma cells.

Despite promising preclinical results with mTOR kinase inhibitors in multiple myeloma, resistance to these drugs may arise via feedback activation loops. This concern is especially true for insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), because IGF1R signaling is downregulated by multiple AKT and mTOR feedback mechanisms. We have tested this hypothesis in multiple myeloma using the novel selective mTOR kinase inhibitor AZD8055. We evaluated p-mTOR S2481 as the readout for mTORC2/Akt activity in multiple myeloma cells in the context of mTOR inhibition via AZD8055 or rapamycin. We next validated AZD8055 inhibition of mTORC1 and mTORC2 functions in multiple myeloma cells alone or in culture with bone marrow stroma cells and growth factors. Unlike rapamycin, AZD8055 resulted in apoptosis of multiple myeloma cells. AZD8055 treatment, however, induced upregulation of IGF1R phosphorylation in p-Akt S473–expressing multiple myeloma cell lines. Furthermore, exposure of AZD8055-treated cells to IGF1 induced p-Akt S473 and rescued multiple myeloma cells from apoptosis despite mTOR kinase inhibition and TORC2/Akt blockage. The addition of blocking IGF1R antibody resulted in reversing this effect and increased AZD8055-induced apoptosis. Our study suggests that combination treatment with AZD8055 and IGF1R-blocking agents is a promising strategy in multiple myeloma with potential IGF1R/Akt signaling–mediated survival. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(11); 2489–500. ©2014 AACR.

A 61-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, and acute kidney injury. Physical examination was normal. Laboratory testing and a diagnostic procedure were performed.

Increasing knowledge concerning the biology of hematologic malignancies as well as the role of the immune system in the control of these diseases has led to the development and approval of immunotherapies that are resulting in impressive clinical responses. Therefore, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) convened a hematologic malignancy Cancer Immunotherapy Guidelines panel consisting of physicians, nurses, patient advocates, and patients to develop consensus recommendations for the clinical application of immunotherapy for patients with multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and acute leukemia. These recommendations were developed following the previously established process based on the Institute of Medicine’s clinical practice guidelines. In doing so, a systematic literature search was performed for high-impact studies from 2004 to 2014 and was supplemented with further literature as identified by the panel. The consensus panel met in December of 2014 with the goal to generate consensus recommendations for the clinical use of immunotherapy in patients with hematologic malignancies. During this meeting, consensus panel voting along with discussion were used to rate and review the strength of the supporting evidence from the literature search. These consensus recommendations focus on issues related to patient selection, toxicity management, clinical endpoints, and the sequencing or combination of therapies. Overall, immunotherapy is rapidly emerging as an effective therapeutic strategy for the management of hematologic malignances. Evidence-based consensus recommendations for its clinical application are provided and will be updated as the field evolves. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40425-016-0188-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The prognosis for patients multiple myeloma (MM) has improved substantially over the past decade with the development of new, more effective chemotherapeutic agents and regimens that possess a high level of anti-tumor activity. In spite of this important progress, however, nearly all MM patients ultimately relapse, even those who experience a complete response to initial therapy. Management of relapsed MM thus represents a vital aspect of the overall care for patients with MM and a critical area of ongoing scientific and clinical research. This comprehensive manuscript from the International Myeloma Working Group provides detailed recommendations on management of relapsed disease, with sections dedicated to diagnostic evaluation, determinants of therapy, and general approach to patients with specific disease characteristics. In addition, the manuscript provides a summary of evidence from clinical trials that have significantly impacted the field, including those evaluating conventional dose therapies, as well as both autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Specific recommendations are offered for management of first and second relapse, relapsed and refractory disease, and both autologous and allogeneic transplant. Finally, perspective is provided regarding new agents and promising directions in management of relapsed MM.Leukemia accepted article preview online, 29 December 2015. doi:10.1038/leu.2015.356.

Effectively treating patients with multiple myeloma is challenging. The development of therapeutic regimens over the past decade that incorporate the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and the immunomodulatory drugs thalidomide and lenalidomide has been the cornerstone of improving the outcome of patients with myeloma. Although these treatment regimens have improved patient survival, nearly all patients eventually relapse. Our improved understanding of the biology of the disease and the importance of the microenvironment has translated into ongoing work to help overcome the challenge of relapse. Several classes of agents including next-generation proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory agents, selective histone-deacetylase inhibitors, antibody and antitumor immunotherapy approaches are currently undergoing preclinical and clinical evaluation. This Review provides an update on the latest advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma. In particular, we focus on novel therapies including modulating protein homeostasis, kinases inhibitors, targeting accessory cells and cytokines, and immunomodulatory agents. A discussion of the challenges associated with these therapeutic approaches is also presented.

There are limited data on hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL), an aggressive plasma cell disorder. We report outcomes of 147 patients with pPCL receiving autologous (n=97) or allogeneic (n=50) HCT within 18 months after diagnosis between 1995 and 2006. Median age was 56 years and 48 years for autologous HCT and allogeneic HCT, respectively. Progression-free survival (PFS) at 3 years was 34% (95% confidence interval (CI), 23-46%) in the autologous group and 20% (95% CI, 10-34%) in the allogeneic group. Cumulative incidence of relapse at 3 years was 61% (95% CI, 48-72%) in the autologous group and 38% (95% CI, 25-53%) in the allogeneic group. Overall survival (OS) at 3 years was 64% (95% CI, 52-75%) in the autologous group and 39% (95% CI, 26-54%) in the allogeneic group. Non-relapse mortality (NRM) at 3 years was 5% (95% CI, 1-11%) in the autologous group and 41% (95% CI, 28-56%) in the allogeneic group. The encouraging OS after autologous HCT, establishes the safety and feasibility of this consolidative treatment option after initial induction therapy for pPCL. Allogeneic HCT, although associated with a significantly lower relapse rate, carries a much higher risk of NRM and no OS benefit.

INTRODUCTION Despite recent advances in therapy, relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (MM) remains a significant challenge and an area of unmet medical need. Median survival and responses to treatment are characteristically short. Relapsed and refractory MM is defined as patients who achieve at least a minor response (MR) or better followed by relapse and then progress on salvage therapy, or experience progression within 60 days of their last therapy. Successive treatment regimens typically result in progressively shorter response durations, which reflects emerging drug resistance. The observed decrease in response duration may also reflect changes in disease biology within each patient, with tumor cells expressing a more aggressive phenotype, higher proliferative thrust, and lower apoptotic rates. Although several prognostic factors have been identified for newly diagnosed myeloma, factors that retain prognostic value in the context of relapsed/refractory disease remain to be comprehensively defined. Nonetheless, patients with poor risk include those with t(4;14) or t(14;16), deletion 17 or deletion 13, hypodiploidy, high- β 2 -microglobulin, light-chain disease, immunoglobulin A (IgA) isotype, and low serum albumin; clinical challenges in the relapsed/refractory population include renal failure, extramedullary disease, hyposecretory myeloma, and advanced bone disease. The advent of novel therapies targeting disease biology and tumor microenvironment has significantly improved the prognosis for patients with relapsed and refractory disease. Bortezomib, a first-in-class proteasome inhibitor, and the immunomodulatory agents thalidomide (Thal) and lenalidomide now constitute “backbone” agents in this setting.

Purpose: Aurora kinases, whose expression is linked to genetic instability and cellular proliferation, are being investigated as novel therapeutic targets in multiple myeloma (MM). In this study, we investigated the preclinical activity of a small-molecule multitargeted kinase inhibitor, AT9283, with potent activity against Aurora kinase A, Aurora kinase B, and Janus kinase 2/3. Experimental Design: We evaluated the in vitro antimyeloma activity of AT9283 alone and in combination with lenalidomide and the in vivo efficacy by using a xenograft mouse model of human MM. Results: Our data showed that AT9283 induced cell-growth inhibition and apoptosis in MM. Studying the apoptosis mechanism of AT9283 in MM, we observed features consistent with both Aurora kinase A and Aurora kinase B inhibition, such as increase of cells with polyploid DNA content, decrease in phospho-histone H3, and decrease in phospho-Aurora A. Importantly, AT9283 also inhibited STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation in MM cells. Genetic depletion of STAT3, Aurora kinase A, or Aurora kinase B showed growth inhibition of MM cells, suggesting a role of AT9283-induced inhibition of these molecules in the underlying mechanism of MM cell death. In vivo studies showed decreased MM cell growth and prolonged survival in AT9283-treated mice compared with controls. Importantly, combination studies of AT9283 with lenalidomide showed significant synergistic cytotoxicity in MM cells, even in the presence of bone marrow stromal cells. Enhanced cytotoxicity was associated with increased inhibition of phosphorylated STAT3 and phosphorylated extracellular signal–regulated kinase. Conclusions: Demonstration of in vitro and in vivo anti-MM activity of AT9283 provides the rationale for the clinical evaluation of AT9283 as monotherapy and in combination therapy for treating patients with MM. Clin Cancer Res; 17(10); 3259–71. ©2011 AACR.

Whole genome sequencing studies have identified several oncogenic mutations in multiple myeloma (MM). As MM progresses, it evolves genetically underscoring the need to have tools for rapid detection of targetable mutations to optimize individualized treatment. Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has developed a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-approved, high-throughput, genotyping platform to determine the mutation status of a panel of known oncogenes. Sequence analysis using SNaPshot on DNA extracted from bone marrow and extramedullary plasmacytomas is feasible and leads to the detection of potentially druggable mutations. Screening MM patients for somatic mutations in oncogenes may provide novel targets leading to additional therapies for this patient population., Highlights • SNaPshot on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from bone marrow and extramedullary plasmacytomas is feasible. • SNaPshot can detect potentially druggable mutations and thereby integrate rapid genomic analysis into clinical practice. • SNaPshot can rapidly identify 152 mutations across 15 genes.

Elevated serum ferritin is associated with reduced survival following allogeneic transplantation and an increased risk of toxic and infectious complications after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). We studied 315 patients who underwent ASCT for Hodgkin (HL) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) at our institution in whom pretransplantation ferritin was available to determine its association with survival. On multivariate analysis, a pretransplantation ferritin >685 ng/mL was associated with significantly lower overall (OS; P = .002) and relapse-free survival (RFS; P = .021). Ferritin >685 ng/mL was associated with a higher incidence of relapse (P = .005) and relapse mortality (P < .001), but not of nonrelapse mortality (NRM; P = .23). Similar results were seen when pretransplantation ferritin was analyzed as a continuous variable and by quartiles. Our results indicate the need for studies designed to correlate an elevated ferritin with iron overload and to analyze the benefit of strategies to reduce the extent of iron overload.

A potential link between arsenic (ATO)-based therapy and delayed hematopoietic recovery after autologous hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has previously been reported. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical histories of 58 patients undergoing autologous HSCT for APL at 21 institutions in the United States and Japan. Thirty-three (56%) of the patients received ATO-based therapy prior to stem cell collection. Delayed neutrophil engraftment occurred in 10 patients (17%): 9 of the 10 patients (90%) received prior ATO (representing 27% of all ATO-treated patients), compared with 1 of the 10 patients (10%) not previously treated with ATO (representing 4% of all ATO-naive patients; P

Everolimus, an oral mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, has been studied in multiple myeloma (MM) but lacks significant single agent activity. Based on preclinical studies showing synergistic activity of mTOR inhibitors with lenalidomide, we studied the combination of lenalidomide and everolimus in relapsed or refractory MM in a phase I clinical trial. We assessed patient samples using gene expression, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to probe the mTOR pathway. Twenty-six patients were evaluable for toxicity. Dose-limiting toxicities included grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. The maximum tolerated dose was lenalidomide 15 mg and everolimus 5 mg for 21 d with a 7 d rest period. Grade 3/4 adverse events included thrombocytopenia (35%) and neutropenia (42%). The overall response rate was 65% (1 complete response + 4 partial response + 10 minimal response). The median progression-free survival was 5·5 months and median overall survival was 29·5 months. Biomarker data demonstrated downregulation of phosphorylated p70S6K. Gene expression profiling suggested activation of mTOR in responders versus non-responders. The combination of lenalidomide and everolimus was well tolerated with predictable toxicities and showed responses in a heavily pretreated population. When confirmed with larger patient numbers, this analysis may guide patient selection for future clinical trials of mTOR inhibition in MM.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHCT) improves survival in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) but is associated with morbidity and nonrelapse mortality (NRM). Hematopoietic cell transplant comorbidity index (HCT-CI) was shown to predict risk of NRM and survival after allogeneic transplantation. We tested the utility of HCT-CI as a predictor of NRM and survival in patients with MM undergoing AHCT. We analyzed outcomes of 1156 patients of AHCT after high-dose melphalan reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research. Individual comorbidities were prospectively collected at the time of AHCT. The impact of HCT-CI and other potential prognostic factors, including Karnofsky performance score (KPS), on NRM and survival were studied in multivariate Cox regression models. HCT-CI score was 0, 1, 2, 3, and >3 in 42%, 18%, 13%, 13%, and 14% of the study cohort, respectively. Subjects were stratified into 3 risk groups: HCT-CI score of 0 (42%) versus HCT-CI score of 1 to 2 (32%) versus HCT-CI score > 2 (26%). Higher HCT-CI was associated with lower KPS < 90 (33% of subjects score of 0 versus 50% in HCT-CI score > 2). HCT-CI score > 2 was associated with melphalan dose reduction (22% versus 10% in score 0 cohort). One-year NRM was low at 2% (95% confidence interval, 1% to 4%) and did not correlate with HCT-CI score (P = .9). On multivariate analysis, overall survival was inferior in groups with HCT-CI score of 1 to 2 (relative risk, 1.37, [95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.87], P = .04) and HCT-CI score > 2 (relative risk, 1.5 [95% confidence interval, 1.09 to 2.08], P = .01). Overall survival was also inferior with KPS < 90 (P < .001), IgA subtype (P ≤ .001), those receiving >1 pretransplant induction regimen (P = .007), and those with resistant disease at the time of AHCT (P < .001). AHCT for MM is associated with low NRM, and death is predominantly related to disease progression. Although a higher HCT-CI score did not predict NRM, it was associated with inferior survival.

The outcome of patients with myeloma has improved significantly in the past decade with the incorporation of the immunomodulatory drugs thalidomide and lenalidomide and the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib. Considering nearly all patients relapse, myeloma remains an active area of investigation. There are several promising classes of agents including next generation immunomodulatory agents, proteasome inhibitors, antibody and antitumor immunotherapy approaches that are being evaluated. This article provides an overview on the therapeutic strategies in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Given the prevalence of osteolytic bone disease in multiple myeloma (MM), novel therapies targeting bone microenvironment are essential. Previous studies have identified activin A to be of critical importance in MM-induced osteolysis. Lenalidomide is a known and approved treatment strategy for relapsed MM. Our findings demonstrate that lenalidomide acts directly on bone marrow stromal cells via an Akt-mediated increase in Jun N-terminal kinase-dependent signaling resulting in activin A secretion, with consequent inhibition of osteoblastogenesis. Here, we attempted to augment the antitumor benefits of lenalidomide while overcoming its effects on osteoblastogenesis by combining it with a neutralizing antibody to activin A. Increased activin A secretion induced by lenalidomide was abrogated by the addition of activin A-neutralizing antibody, which effectively restored osteoblast function and inhibited MM-induced osteolysis without negating the cytotoxic effects of lenalidomide on malignant cells. This provides the rationale for an ongoing clinical trial (NCT01562405) combining lenalidomide with an anti-activin A strategy.

The past decade has witnessed a dramatic increase in the therapeutic options for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) with the introduction of novel biologically targeted agents which in turn have resulted in significantly improved outcomes. However, myeloma remains incurable, and ongoing efforts to identify novel therapeutic approaches remain an urgent priority. Newer agents that target tumour and stromal compartments can be categorized as those that target protein dynamics (such as ubiquitin–proteasome system and heat-shock protein 90), drugs modulating anti-MM immune response (IMiDs), antibodies targeting membrane-bound receptors (including CS1, CD38, CD138), epigenetic modulators (DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors), intracellular-signalling kinase inhibitors (PI3k/Akt/mTOR, MAPK pathways) and compounds disrupting the cell-cycle molecular machinery (such as CDKIs and Aurora kinase inhibitors). This chapter focuses on new therapeutic targets which have shown promising preclinical results and early evidence of anti-MM activity in clinical studies.

Osteolytic bone disease is a hallmark of symptomatic multiple myeloma. Bisphosphonates have been the mainstay of treatment to preserve skeletal integrity and prevent skeletal-related events in patients with myeloma-related bone disease. Recently, the MRC Myeloma IX trial demonstrated for the first time improved survival and delayed disease progression with the use of an intravenous amino-bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid, vs. an oral agent, clodronate, with intensive and non-intensive anti-myeloma treatment regimens in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. These results validate a large body of preclinical, translational and other clinical data suggesting anti-myeloma effects of amino-bisphosphonates. In addition, this trial also provided the first head-to-head evidence for superiority of one bisphosphonate over another (zoledronic acid vs. clodronate) for reducing skeletal morbidity in patients with multiple myeloma, as well as a prospective comparison of toxicities. Despite the use of non-bortezomib containing anti-myeloma treatment regimens in the MRC Myeloma IX trial, these results are encouraging and provide an impetus to continue to evaluate current treatment guidelines for myeloma-associated bone disease.

The use of etoposide (VP-16) for stem cell mobilization has been reported as a significant risk factor for the development of therapy-related myelodysplasia/therapy-related AML (tMDS/tAML) after transplantation. We compared the safety and effectiveness of VP-16+G-CSF (VP+G) to G-CSF alone for PBPC mobilization in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma who underwent autologous transplantation at the Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State University. In the VP+G group, median total CD34+ cells collected were 9.34 × 10(6) per kg (range 0.97-180.89), with 42% of all patients having adequate (2 × 10(6) cells per kg) CD 34+ collection after 2 days of apheresis compared with a median in the G-CSF group of 3.83 × 10(6) per kg (range, 0.72-50.38), with only 16% patients having adequate collection after 2 days (P

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal B-cell malignancy characterized by the aberrant expansion of plasma cells within the bone marrow, as well as at extramedullary sites. Decades of scientific research are now beginning to unravel the intricate biology that underlies the pathophysiology of MM. In particular, the roles of cellular differentiation, molecular pathogenesis, and oncogenes involved in the natural history of MM are becoming clearer. This has enabled the identification of specific cytokines, adhesion molecules, and stromal cells that affect MM cell development, disease progression, and treatment responses. This review describes our current understanding regarding the biology of MM, and how this has led to a robust pipeline of novel therapeutic agents with the potential to overcome resistance to existing MM therapies and, therefore, further improve outcomes in patients with MM.

The past decade has witnessed a dramatic improvement in the therapeutic options in multiple myeloma (MM). Several novel biologically targeted agents are in clinical use and have resulted in improved outcomes. However, the disease remains incurable, underscoring the need for continued efforts towards understanding MM biology, better risk stratification and exploitation of novel therapeutic approaches. Novel agents that target tumor and stromal compartments can be categorized as those that target protein dynamics (e.g., heat shock protein 90 and the ubiquitin–proteasome system), intracellular signaling kinases (e.g., JAK/STAT, PI3k/Akt/mTOR and MAPK pathways), cell cycle molecular machinery (e.g., cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and Aurora kinase inhibitors), membrane-bound receptors (e.g., IGF-1, VEGF and CD40), epigenetic modulators (e.g., DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase), tumor vasculature and microenvironment (e.g., angiogenesis and integrins) and agents modulating anti-MM immune responses. This article focuses on a series of new therapeutic targets that have shown promising preclinical results and early evidence of anti-MM activity in clinical studies, either alone or in combination with other conventional or novel anti-MM treatments.

Background: Non-mycosis fungoides (non-MF) primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (PCTCL) are heterogeneous and divided into subgroups by the World Health Organization-European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (WHO-EORTC) classification of cutaneous lymphomas. We report the first North American series to examine the applicability of the classification, compare our findings with the predominant European literature and confirm the significance of separation into the indolent and aggressive groups. Methods: Forty-four non-MF PCTCL cases with available tissue for phenotyping, adequate clinical staging information and follow-up were reclassified according to the WHO-EORTC classification. Results: Non-MF PCTCL had a longer overall survival (OS) (13.8 years) compared with secondary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (SC-TCL) (2.5 years). Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PC-ALCL) had the most favorable outcome (OS 14.1 years), whereas secondary and primary peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified had the shortest OS (2.5 and 2.4 years, respectively). Primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium-sized pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma (CTLCD4) appeared to have a favorable course. Conclusions: Most non-MF PCTCL can be classified according to the WHO-EORTC classification. The relative frequencies are similar to European experience. Non-MF PCTCL is a heterogeneous group with a favorable outcome compared to SC-TCL, especially PC-ALCL and CTLCD4. Separation of non-MF PCTCL into indolent and aggressive groups appears clinically significant and may provide direction for therapeutic decisions. Weaver J, Mahindra AK, Pohlman B, Jin T, His ED. Non-mycosis fungoides cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: reclassification according to the WHO-EORTC classification.

Elevated pretransplant serum ferritin levels have been associated with an increased incidence of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). We studied 222 patients who underwent myeloablative allogeneic HCT in whom pretransplantation serum ferritin levels were available. Pretransplantation ferritin > 1910 microg/l was associated with lower overall survival (P = 0.003), lower relapse-free survival (P = 0.003), decreased chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (P = 0.019) and increased non-relapse mortality (NRM) (P = 0.042). Similar results were obtained when pretransplantation ferritin was analysed as a continuous variable and by quartiles. Our results indicate that an elevated pretransplant ferritin level adversely impacts transplantation outcomes. The adverse impact of elevated ferritin on NRM and survival was despite its association with lower incidences of acute and chronic GVHD, which are major causes of NRM. The association of ferritin with iron overload and its influence on HCT outcomes requires further prospective validation.

Iron overload is a well-established adverse prognostic factor for allogeneic hematopoietic SCT in thalassemia,1 and elevated pretransplant serum ferritin seems to adversely affect prognosis with myeloablative transplantation2, 3 for other diseases as well, primarily because of increased non-relapse mortality. We analyzed patients who underwent nonmyeloablative preparation for allogeneic transplantation to determine whether the presence of iron overload was also an adverse prognostic factor for patients undergoing nonmyeloablative transplants.

Background: Pomalidomide-dexamethasone results in an overall response rate of 33% and median PFS of 4.2 months in patients with prior lenalidomide and bortezomib (Richardson et al. Blood 2014). In this randomized phase II trial, we compared pomalidomide-dexamethasone (arm B) versus the addition of oral weekly cyclophosphamide to pomalidomide-dexamethasone (arm C) in patients with lenalidomide-refractory multiple myeloma (MM). We have previously reported that the recommended phase II dose of cyclophosphamide with standard-dose pomalidomide + dexamethasone was 400 mg PO D1, 8, 15. Patients and Methods: Eligible patients had relapsed and refractory MM after at least 2 prior therapies and were lenalidomide refractory. Patients had a platelet count ≥ 50,000/mm3 and ANC ≥ 1,000/mm3 (patients with ≥50% bone marrow plasmacytosis were allowed if platelet count was ≥ 30,000/mm3and ANC could be supported with GCSF during screening and therapy). Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive pomalidomide 4 mg PO D1-21 and dexamethasone 40 mg PO D1, 8, 15, 22 (20 mg if older than 75 years) (arm B) with or without oral cyclophosphamide 400 mg PO D1, 8, 15 of a 28-day cycle (arm C). Patients randomized to arm B were allowed to cross over to arm C in the event of disease progression. Thromboprophylaxis was mandated with aspirin, warfarin, or LMWH. The primary endpoint was overall response rate using IMWG criteria. Secondary endpoints included an evaluation of PFS, OS and safety of the two arms. Results: Between 7/2012 and 3/2014, 36 patients were randomized to arm B and 34 to arm C. Patients characteristics were not different between the 2 arms (table below). The median number of prior therapies was 4 (2-12). All patients were lenalidomide refractory and none received prior pomalidomide. After a median follow up of 15 months, the overall response rate (partial response or better) was 39% and 65% (p=0.03) for arm B and C, respectively. The clinical benefit rate (minimal response or better) was 64% and 79% (p=0.2) for arm B and C, respectively. The median PFS was 4.4 months (95% CI 2.3-5.9) for arm B and 9.2 months (95% CI 4.6-16) for arm C (log rank p=0.04). As of July 2014, 28 patients had died (16 arm B, 12 arm C) with median overall survival of 10.5 versus 16.4 months (p=0.08) for arm B and C, respectively. Hematologic grade 3/4 adverse events were more frequent in arm C, although this was not statistically significant (see table). Thirteen patients crossed over and oral weekly cyclophosphamide was added to their tolerated dose of pomalidomide dexamethasone. For those patients, the best response was as follows: 2 PR, 2 MR, and 6 SD, 3 PD. Conclusions: Pomalidomide-dexamethasone in combination with oral weekly cyclophosphamide resulted in a superior response rate and PFS compared to pomalidomide-dexamethasone alone in patients with relapsed and refractory MM. The increased hematologic toxicities, as a result of the addition of oral cyclophosphamide, were manageable. Table Arm B (N=36) Arm C (N=34) P value Age, years, median (range) 63 (50-78) 64 (47-80) 0.7 Male, n (%) 23 (64) 18 (53) 0.3 Number of prior therapies, median (range) 4 (2-12) 4 (2-9) 0.5 Bortezomib refractory, n (%) 28 (78) 24 (71) 0.3 Carfilzomib refractory, n (%) 16 (44) 13 (38) 0.5 Prior high-dose therapy, n (%) 27 (75) 28 (82) 0.6 Prior alkylating agent, n (%) 32 (89) 32 (94) 1 B2-microglobulin, median (range) 3.2 (1.6-10) 3.6 (1.5-13.9) 0.5 Serum creatinine, median (range) 1 (0.5-2.3) 0.9 (0.6-2.1) 0.6 High-risk cytogenetics, n (%) 5 (24) 6 (28) 0.8 Deletion 17p, n (%) 3 (14) 4 (20) 0.8 t(4;14), n (%) 3 (14) 3 (14) 0.9 Trisomy or tetrasomy 1q, n (%) 11 (55) 6 (33) 0.4 Best response (partial response or better), n (%) 14 (39) 22 (65) 0.03 Clinical benefit rate (MR or better), n (%) 23 (64) 27 (79) 0.2 Grade 3/4 neutropenia, n (%) 12 (33) 17 (50) 0.2 Grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia, n (%) 4 (11) 6 (18) 0.5 Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia, n (%) 2 (5) 5 (15) 0.2 Grade 3/4 anemia, n (%) 3 (8) 7 (20) 0.2 Grade 3/4 pneumonia, n (%) 4 (11) 3 (9) 1 Grade 3/4 fatigue, n (%) 2 (5) 4 (12) 0.4 Number of serious adverse events 17 20 Disclosures Baz: Celgene: Research Funding; Millenium: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Karypharm: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding. Off Label Use: Pomalidomide cyclophosphamide dexamethasone in relapsed refractory myeloma. Martin:Sanofi: Research Funding; Novartis: Speakers Bureau. Alsina:Triphase: Research Funding; Millenium: Research Funding. Shain:Onyx / Amgen: Research Funding; Treshold: Research Funding. Chari:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Array Biopharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Jagannath:Celgene: Honoraria; Millennium: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria.