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Multiple myeloma (MM) is a heterogeneous hematological malignancy characterized by the uncontrolled clonal proliferation of bone marrow (BM) plasma cells. The poor prognosis of patients is associated with the presence of extramedullary disease (EMD). Previously, different mechanisms involved in the colonization of BM niches by MM cells and their escape during EMD have been described. Thus, we aimed to investigate the expression of selected cytokines in the BM plasma of MM patients as well as EMD patients to reveal novel molecules involved in EMD pathogenesis. Expression of 120 different cytokines was measured in BM plasma of 13 MM and 11 EMD patients using Proteome Profiler Antibody Arrays. The correlation between statistically significant cytokines and clinicopathological parameters of patients was determined using the Spearman correlation analysis. Finally, protein-protein interactions were analyzed, and GO and KEGG pathways enrichment analysis was performed. In total, 27 cytokines were found to be differently expressed between MM and EMD patients. After the Benjamini-Hochberg correction for multiple testing, the statistical significance of two cytokines downregulated in EMD (EGF, BDNF) and six cytokines upregulated in EMD (NAP-2, ADIPOQ, CRP, MIG, BAFF, and THBS1) was maintained. Correlation analysis proved a significant association between the expression of these molecules and selected clinical-pathological features of MM/EMD patients. Protein association network analysis revealed important protein-protein interactions between THBS1/EGF, MIG/NAP-2, THBS1/NAP-2, EGF/NAP-2, and ADIPOQ/CRP. Finally, identified cytokines were proved to be significantly involved in focal adhesion, PI3K/AKT, and MAPK signaling pathways, and regulation of cell development, localization, proliferation, migration, differentiation, immune system processes, and stress response. Obtained results confirm the key function of the BM microenvironment in the pathogenesis of MM and indicate the essential role of numerous cytokines in disease progression and EMD development. However, the exact mechanisms need to be further clarified.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells are a new treatment modality in various hematological malignancies, including relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). RRMM patients have a poor prognosis, and their treatment options are limited. Currently available data from clinical trials on CAR-T cell therapy have demonstrated efficacy and manageable toxicity in RRMM. The CAR-T cells in RRMM mostly focus on already known cellular targets, such as B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). CAR-T cells focusing on other targets have been analyzed in various clinical trials as well. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), specific neurotoxicity, and hematological toxicity are the main adverse events (AE); according to the clinical trials, they are mostly mild with a low incidence of grade 3 or higher toxicities. The autologous CAR-T cell therapy against BCMA (ide-cel and cilta-cel) shows the best efficacy with an overall response rate and a median progression-free survival in RRMM. Both ide-cel and cilta-cel have already been approved by the FDA. Currently, the main controversies in the routine use of CAR-T cells are high treatment costs and unknown long-term efficacy. In this review, we summarize the current overview of CAR-T cell therapies in RRMM in 2021 with various targets for CAR-T cells and their efficacy, safety, and possible limitations. Future prospective clinical trials are needed to clarify the optimal role of CAR-T cells in MM therapy.

We performed real world evidence (RWE) analysis of daratumumab, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Dara-Rd) versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) treatment in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients (RRMM). In total, 240 RRMM patients were treated with Dara-Rd from 2016 to 2022 outside of clinical trials in all major Czech hematology centers. As a reference, 531 RRMM patients treated with Rd were evaluated. Patients’ data were recorded in the Czech Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies (RMG). Partial response (PR) or better response (ORR) was achieved in significantly more patients in Dara-Rd than in Rd group (91.2% vs. 69.9%; p 3 previous treatment lines, there was no significant PFS benefit of Dara-Rd treatment (7.8 months vs. 9.9 months; p = 0.874), similarly in patients refractory to PI + IMIDs (11.5 months vs. 9.2 months; p = 0.376). In RWE conditions, the median PFS in RRMM patients treated with Dara-Rd is shorter when compared to clinical trials. In heavily pretreated RRMM patients, efficacy of Dara-Rd treatment is limited; best possible outcomes of Dara-Rd are achieved in minimally pretreated patients.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by malignant plasma cell infiltration of the bone marrow. In extramedullary multiple myeloma (EMD), a subclone of these cells migrates out of the bone marrow. Out of 4 985 MM patients diagnosed between 2005 and 2017 in the Czech Republic, we analyzed 234 secondary EMD patients to clarify risk factors of secondary EMD development. We found younger age [65 years; odds ratio (OR) 4·38, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2·46-7·80, P 0·0001], high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (5 μkat/l; OR 2·07, 95% CI: 1·51-2·84, P 0·0001), extensive osteolytic activity (OR 2·21, 95% CI: 1·54-3·15, P 0·001), and immunoglobulin A (IgA; OR 1·53, 95% CI: 1·11-2·11, P = 0·009) or the non-secretory type of MM (OR 2·83; 95% CI: 1·32-6·04, P = 0·007) at the time of MM diagnosis to be the main risk factors for secondary EMD development. Newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients with subsequent EMD had inferior median progression-free (PFS) and overall (OS) survival when compared to NDMM patients without future EMD [mPFS: 13·8 months (95% CI: 11·4-16·3) vs 18·8 months (95% CI: 17·7-19·9), P = 0·006; mOS: 26·7 months (95% CI: 18·1-35·4) vs 58·7 months (95% CI: 54·8-62·6), P 0·001]. We found that NDMM patients with specific risk factors associated with secondary EMD development have a more aggressive disease course before secondary EMD develops.

Hereditarni hemoragicka teleangiektazie (HHT) je choroba s abnormalni tvorbou cev, což vede ke krvacivým komplikacim. Zmensit jejich intenzitu ci zcela jim zabranit mohou antiangiogenni leky, jako je bevacizumab, aflibercept, thalidomid, lenalidomid a dalsi ze skupiny antiangiogennich inhibitorů tyrosinkinaz. Jsou ucinne jak při systemovem, tak při lokalnim podani. Tyto nove leky přibyly ke klasicke terapii, jako je suplementace železa, antifibrinolytika a hormonalni lecba. Tento přehled se koncentruje na nove antiangioproliferativni leky ucinne u HHT, ktere mohou být dnes použity pro lecbu, ale naznacuje i ktere leky se možna po ověřeni klinickými studiemi dostanou brzy do praxe.

Hereditarni hemoragicka teleangiektazie (HHT), znama take jako Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrom, je dědicne onemocněni, způsobujici abnormalni tvorbu cev. Pacienti maji cetne teleangiektazie, z nichž mohou krvacet. S přibývajicim věkem se u nich rozviji arteriovenozni malformace, vedouci k masivnim arteriovenoznim zkratům a poskozeni organů, v nichž tyto malformace vznikaji. U pacientů je nutno provadět skrininkova vysetřeni s cilem vcasne detekce arteriovenoznich malformaci a v připadě jejich detekce jejich specializovane obvykle multidisciplinarni lecby. Pokroky farmakologicke lecby jsou zminěny v dalsim clanku.

PURPOSE Primary plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is the most aggressive monoclonal gammopathy. It was formerly characterized by ≥ 20% circulating plasma cells (CTCs) until 2021, when this threshold was decreased to ≥ 5%. We hypothesized that primary PCL is not a separate clinical entity, but rather that it represents ultra-high-risk multiple myeloma (MM) characterized by elevated CTC levels. METHODS We assessed the levels of CTCs by multiparameter flow cytometry in 395 patients with newly diagnosed transplant-ineligible MM to establish a cutoff for CTCs that identifies the patients with ultra-high-risk PCL-like MM. We tested the cutoff on 185 transplant-eligible patients with MM and further validated on an independent cohort of 280 transplant-ineligible patients treated in the GEM-CLARIDEX trial. The largest published real-world cohort of patients with primary PCL was used for comparison of survival. Finally, we challenged the current 5% threshold for primary PCL diagnosis. RESULTS Newly diagnosed transplant-ineligible patients with MM with 2%-20% CTCs had significantly shorter progression-free survival (3.1 v 15.6 months; P < .001) and overall survival (14.6 v 33.6 months; P = .023) than patients with < 2%. The 2% cutoff proved to be applicable also in transplant-eligible patients with MM and was successfully validated on an independent cohort of patients from the GEM-CLARIDEX trial. Most importantly, patients with 2%-20% CTCs had comparable dismal outcomes with primary PCL. Moreover, after revealing a low mean difference between flow cytometric and morphologic evaluation of CTCs, we showed that patients with 2%-5% CTCs have similar outcomes as those with 5%-20% CTCs. CONCLUSION Our study uncovers that ≥ 2% CTCs is a biomarker of hidden primary PCL and supports the assessment of CTCs by flow cytometry during the diagnostic workup of MM.

Although novel therapies improved prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM) patients, clinical outcomes in the multi-refractory population are still poor.We reviewed data from the Czech Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies, identified and characterized triple-class exposed (3CE) relapsed/refractory MM patients, treatment patterns after 3CE, assessed overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), time to next treatment (TTNT), explored cohorts with and without triple- and penta-refractoriness.In 83 3CE patients who started subsequent therapies, the median OS was 14.2 months (95% CI, 8.5-19.9), PFS 6.2 months (95% CI, 3.9-8.5), and TTNT 7.2 months (95% CI, 4.6-9.8). Triple- and penta-class refractory patients had a significantly worse prognosis in all outcomes. Their life expectancy was shorter, the disease progression started earlier, and the TTNT was shorter, which increased likelihood of becoming refractory to more therapies. Time-to-event results from the first index date and all index dates analyses were very similar.Similar to previous studies from the US and Europe, our results show a high disease burden. Introduction of novel therapies, such as CAR-T cells, new bispecific and trispecific monoclonal antibodies, and other drugs, is expected to bring significant benefits to these patients.

Objectives This study compared the use of bortezomib in different combination regimens in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients who were transplant ineligible. Patients and methods We analyzed data from the Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies (RMG) of the Czech Myeloma Group (CMG) to provide real-world evidence of outcome for 794 newly diagnosed MM transplant ineligible patients. The most frequently used regimen was VCd (bortezomib-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone) (47.5%) over VMP (bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone) (21.7%), BDd (bortezomib-doxorubicin-dexamethasone) (9.8%) and VTd (bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone) (2.9%). Results The overall response rate (ORR) was 69.2% (478/691), including 12.6% (≥ CR); 34.7% very good partial responses (VGPR); 21.9% partial responses (PR). Among triplet regimens, VMP was the most effective regimen compared to VCd, BDd and VTd. Median PFS was 22.3 vs. 18.5 vs. 13.7 vs. 13.8 months, (p=0.275), respectively and median OS was 49 vs. 41.7 vs. 37.9 vs. 32.2 months (p=0.004), respectively. The most common grade 3-4 toxicities were anemia in 17.4% and infections in 18% of patients. Conclusion Our study confirmed that bortezomib-based treatment is effective and safe in NDMM transplant ineligible patients; especially VMP, which was identified as superior between bortezomib-based induction regimens not only in clinical trials, but also in real clinical practice.

Infections are the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in multiple myeloma (MM) patients (pts). The aim of our retrospective analysis was to evaluate incidence and course of COVID-19 infection in a cohort of 351 MM outpatients treated with novel drugs. COVID-19 disease was detected in 50/351 pts (14%); median age was 68 years. Gender, ISS stage, and last treatment lines were as follows: male 32, female 18; ISS-I 19, ISS-II 20, ISS-III 11; daratumumab-based 15, lenalidomide-based 12, bortezomib-based 17, other 6. Positive PCR test at COVID-19 diagnosis was present in all pts; anti-myeloma treatment was interrupted. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 pneumonia were necessary for 28/50 pts (56%), 18/50 pts (36%) in standard unit (SU) 10/50 pts (20%) in intensive care unit (ICU), and 9/50 pts (18%) died. The statistically significant parameters for COVID-19 hospitalization were as follows: responsive versus non-responsive disease (p = 0.027), ECOG performance status 0–2 versus ≥ 3 (p = 0.014), presence of comorbidities (0–1 versus ≥ 2, p = 0.043). The statistically significant factors for COVID-19 death were as follows: ECOG 0–2 versus ≥ 3 (p = 0.001), presence of comorbidities (0–1 versus ≥ 2, p = 0.007), serious course of COVID-19 disease with ICU hospitalization (SU versus ICU, p = 0.001). None of the other studied risk factors was associated with poor outcome (age, gender, ISS stage, immunoparesis, type of anti-myeloma treatment). Full recovery from COVID-19 infection was observed in 41/50 pts (82%) in median of 32 days. The course of COVID-19 disease in MM pts was mostly moderate or serious with 56% of hospitalizations and 18% of deaths.

The treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) has changed substantially during the past two decades. The incorporation of novel agents into therapeutic strategies has resulted in prolonged overall survival of MM patients with approximately 15% of them being considered operationally cured.

Lymphangiomatosis is rare disease, we can find this entity in differential diagnosis of osteolytic leasions of bones of unknown origin. Typical sign for lymphangiomatosis is proliferation of lymphatic tissue with production of lymphangiomas in various organs and systems. Clinical manifestation of disease is variable, involvement of lungs and bone is typical. In our article we present recent classification of lymphatic tissue neoplasias, their clinical symptoms and treatment possibilities.

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG) is a rare chronic condition, belonging to the group non-Langerhans cell histiocytoses, which is relevant due to the possibility of extracutaneous involvement and association with systemic diseases, particularly monoclonal gammopathy, MGUS and multiple myeloma. The case reported here NXG was diagnosed after 1 years of evolution in patient with asymptomatic multiple myeloma. After treatment with bortezomib, lenalidomid and dexamethasone, there was evident abrupt decrease of monoclonal immunoglobulin to not measurable level (complete remission of multiple myeloma) and in the same time was evident disappearance of cutaneous and hepatic lesions of NXG on FDG-PET/CT. The etiopathogenetic association of monoclonal immunoglobulin with NXG is documented in this case report with disappearance of NXG in the time of disappearance of monoclonal immunoglobulin.

Objectives Progress in multiple myeloma treatment allows patients to achieve deeper responses, for which the assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD) is critical. Typically, bone marrow samples are used for this purpose; however, this approach is site‐limited. Liquid biopsy represents a minimally invasive and more comprehensive technique that is not site‐limited, but equally challenging. Methods While majority of current data comes from short‐term studies, we present a long‐term study on blood‐based MRD monitoring using tumor‐specific cell‐free DNA detection by ASO‐qPCR. One hundred and twelve patients were enrolled into the study, but long‐term sampling and analysis were feasible only in 45 patients. Results We found a significant correlation of quantity of tumor‐specific cell‐free DNA levels with clinically meaningful events [induction therapy (P = .004); ASCT (P = .012)]. Moreover, length of cfDNA fragments is associated with better treatment response of patients. Conclusions These results support the concept of tumor‐specific cell‐free DNA as a prognostic marker.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are functional RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides. Due to modern genomic techniques, the involvement of lncRNAs in tumorigenesis has been revealed, however, information concerning lncRNA interplay in multiple myeloma (MM) and plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is virtually absent. Herein, we aimed to identify the lncRNAs involved in MM to PCL progression. We investigated representative datasets of MM and PCL patients using next-generation sequencing. In total, 13 deregulated lncRNAs (p &lt, 0.00025) were identified, four of them were chosen for further validation in an independent set of MM and PCL patients by RT-qPCR. The obtained results proved the significant downregulation of lymphocyte antigen antisense RNA 1 (LY86-AS1) and VIM antisense RNA 1 (VIM-AS1) in PCL compared to MM. Importantly, these two lncRNAs could be involved in the progression of MM into PCL, thus, they could serve as promising novel biomarkers of MM progression.

Background: We confirmed the benefit of addition of ixazomib to lenalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) in unselected real-world population. We report the final analysis for overall survival (OS), second progression free survival (PFS-2), and the subanalysis of the outcomes in lenalidomide (LEN) pretreated and LEN refractory patients. Methods: We assessed 344 patients with RRMM, treated with IRD (N  =  127) or RD (N  = 217). The data were acquired from the Czech Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies (RMG). With prolonged follow-up (median 28.5 months), we determined the new primary endpoints OS, PFS and PFS-2. Secondary endpoints included the next therapeutic approach and the survival measures in LEN pretreated and LEN refractory patients. Results: The final overall response rate (ORR) was 73.0% in the IRD cohort and 66.8% in the RD cohort. The difference in patients reaching ≥VGPR remained significant (38.1% vs. 26.3%, p = 0.028). Median PFS maintained significant improvement in the IRD cohort (17.5 vs. 12.5 months, p = 0.013) with better outcomes in patients with 1–3 prior relapses (22.3 vs. 12.7 months p = 0.003). In the whole cohort, median OS was for IRD vs. RD patients 40.9 vs. 27.1 months (p = 0.001), with further improvement within relapse 1-3 (51.7 vs. 27.8 months, p ˂ 0.001). The median PFS of LEN pretreated (N = 22) vs. LEN naive (N = 105) patients treated by IRD was 8.7 vs. 23.1 months (p = 0.001), and median OS was 13.2 vs. 51.7 months (p = 0.030). Most patients in both arms progressed and received further myeloma-specific therapy (63.0% in the IRD group and 53.9% in the RD group). Majority of patients received pomalidomide-based therapy or bortezomib based therapy. Significantly more patients with previous IRD vs. RD received subsequent monoclonal antibodies (daratumumab—16.3% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.0054; isatuximab 5.0% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.026) and carfilzomib (12.5 vs. 1.7%, p = 0.004). The median PFS-2 (progression free survival from the start of IRD/RD therapy until the second disease progression or death) was significantly longer in the IRD cohort (29.8 vs. 21.6 months, p = 0.016). There were no additional safety concerns in the extended follow-up. Conclusions: The IRD regimen is well tolerated, easy to administer, and with very good therapeutic outcomes. The survival measures in unsorted real-world population are comparable to the outcomes of the clinical trial. As expected, patients with LEN reatment have poorer outcomes than those who are LEN-naive. The PFS benefit of IRD vs. RD translated into significantly better PFS-2 and OS, but the outcomes must be accounted for imbalances in pretreatment group characteristics (especially younger age and stem cell transplant pretreatment), and in subsequent therapies.

Three adult patients with confirmed Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) are followed at our department. Cladribine in monotherapy or in combination with cyclophosphamide were used for first line therapy. The median number of cycles of cladribine or cladribine and cyclophosphamide was 7 (range 6-8). In two cases complete response was achieved, in one case this therapy achieved no response. The duration of response is in one case 11 years, in second case the follow up is too short for evaluation of response duration. In case of no-response to cladribine and cyclophosphamide stabilisation of disease was achieved with anakinra. The tolerance was good without any toxicity grade II and higher. Cladribin and cyclophosphamide is one option for treatment of Erdheim-Chester disease.

Transformation of IgM-MGUS into Waldenström´s macroglobulinemia in two of six patients treated for Schnitzler´s syndrome Schnitzler´s syndrome is a very rare, adult-onset, apparently acquired autoinflammatory disease. Chronic urticarial rash and symptoms of systemic inflammation including fever, arthralgia and bone pain with the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM), rarely IgG, are among hallmarks of the disease. We performed a retrospective study of 6 patients (5 men, 1 woman) diagnosed with Schnitzler´s syndrome fulfilling the Strasbourg criteria who had been treated at our centre in the University Hospital Brno from 2007 to 2021. Median age at diagnosis was 54 (45-67) years, median follow up was 8 (3-14) years. All 6 patients had IgM#954; monoclonal gammopathy, increased CRP and/or erythrocyte sedimentation rate and arthralgia or bone pain, 4 patients suffered from fever, three had leucocytosis 10 × 109/L and lymphadenopathy was found in one patient. 18FDG-PET/CT scan with low-dose total body CT became a part of the initial baseline assessment in 5 patients with suspected Schnitzler´s syndrome, while Na18F-PET/CT was used in one patient to confirm the presence of osteosclerotic leasions as a criterion of the disease. All patients had osteosclerotic or hyperostotic bone lesions detected by low-dose CT examination, with increased 18FDG uptake in illiac and femoral bone marrow. The patient with Na18F-PET/CT scan revealed intensive abnormal tracer uptake with Na18F-PET/CT being more sensitive for detection of osteosclerotic lesions in Schnitzler´s syndrome than 18FDG-PET/CT. All patients were treated with daily subcutaneous anakinra without any adverse events, with excellent clinical results. We observed complete disappearance of urticaria and other symptoms persisting during years of anakinra administration. IgM-MGUS transformed into Waldenström´s macroglobulinemia in two of six patients, but only one patient developed symptoms requiring RBD (Rituximab, Bendamustin, and Dexamethasone) treatment, which induced almost complete remission of the disease. Successful RBD therapy enabled to prolong intervals of maintenance anakinra from 24 to 48 hours with almost complete control of urticarial rash and other symptoms. We suggest close monitoring of patients with Schnitzler´s syndrome to early capture potential transformation into Waldenström´s macroglobulinemia with succesful treatment of both conditions.

Extramedullary disease of multiple myeloma (EM) remains a treatment challenge even in the era of new drugs. While many reports analyzing various aspects of EM have been published, mechanism of EM development has not been clarified yet. This review summarizes current knowledge about this clinical entity, including its history, diagnostics, imaging methods, incidence, prognosis, current treatment options, risk factors and known molecular mechanisms that might be involved in pathogenesis of EM.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a highly heterogeneous disease of malignant plasma cells. Diagnosis and monitoring of MM patients is based on bone marrow biopsies and detection of abnormal immunoglobulin in serum and/or urine. However, biopsies have a single-site bias; thus, new diagnostic tests and early detection strategies are needed. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a powerful method that found its applications in clinical diagnostics. Artificial intelligence approaches, such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), can handle non-linear data and provide prediction and classification of variables in multidimensional datasets. In this study, we used MALDI-TOF MS to acquire low mass profiles of peripheral blood plasma obtained from MM patients and healthy donors. Informative patterns in mass spectra served as inputs for ANN that specifically predicted MM samples with high sensitivity (100%), specificity (95%) and accuracy (98%). Thus, mass spectrometry coupled with ANN can provide a minimally invasive approach for MM diagnostics.

A man aged 60 years was examined for intense inflammatory response, night sweats, subfebrile and later febrile temperatures and a weight loss of 18 kg in 7 months. CRP was 270 mg / l, i.e. more than 20 times the upper limit of the physiological range. Reactive leukocytosis (10 × 109/l), thrombocytosis (530 × 109/l), increased fibrinogen (greater than 7 g/l), and anemia with hemoglobin of 80 g/l were present. No infection or systemic autoimmune disease has been proven. The patient had normal renal function and had no osteolytic deposits detectable by FDG-PET/CT. The procalcitonin level was not elevated. The bone marrow examination revealed a 30-40% infiltration of proplasmacyte type with admixture of plasmablasts, expressing light chains#955;. Monoclonal immunoglobulin IgA#955; was at a low concentration of about 8 g/l and the ratio of free light chains#954;/#955; was 0.13. The extent of bone marrow infiltration and anemia met the criteria for the diagnosis of symptomatic multiple myeloma. Following initiation of the combination therapy using thalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone, the maximum decrease in the concentrations of monoclonal immunoglobulin, free light chains and CRP was observed already after the first 2 cycles of treatment. Later, during the following two 2 cycles, the disease began to progress again. The patient underwent successful stem cell collection after the application of cyclophosphamide 2.5 g/m 2 and leukocyte growth factor (G-CSF), and high-dose chemotherapy (melphalan 200 mg/m 2) with the support of stem cell transplantation. At 2 months following high-dose chemotherapy, CRP levels of the physiological range decreased, the blood count was normalized, and monoclonal immunoglobulin was not detectable. Conclusion: The chronic inflammatory response may be due to plasmocytary bone marrow infiltration even if there are no other symptoms of multiple myel-oma present, except for anemia which, however, also involves the inflammatory reaction. In this case, the systemic inflammatory reaction with high CRP levels signalled aggressive behaviour of the disease. Key words: CRP - multiple myeloma - procalcitonin - systemic inflammatory response.

Plasma cell leukaemia (PCL) is a rare and very aggressive plasma cell disorder. Preventing a dismal outcome of PCL requires early diagnosis with appropriate analytical tools. Therefore, the investigation of 33 patients with primary and secondary PCL was done when the quantity of circulating plasma cells (PCs) using flow cytometry (FC) and morphology assessment was evaluated. The phenotypic profile of the PCs was also analysed to determine if there is an association with clinical outcomes and to evaluate the prognostic value of analysed markers. Our results revealed that FC is an excellent method for identifying circulating PCs as a significantly higher number was identified by FC than by morphology (26 center dot 7% vs. 13 center dot 5%, P = 0 center dot 02). None of secondary PCL cases expressed CD19 or CD20. A low level of expression with similar positivity of CD27, CD28, CD81 and CD117 was found in both PCL groups. A decrease of CD44 expression was detected only in secondary PCL. Expression of CD56 was present in more than half of PCL cases as well as cytoplasmic nestin. A decreased level of platelets, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score of 2-3 and lack of CD20(+) PC were associated with a higher risk of death. FC could be incorporated in PCL diagnostics not only to determine the number of circulating PCs, but also to assess their phenotype profile and this information should be useful in patients' diagnosis and possible prognosis.

Light-chain (AL) amyloidosis (ALA) is a rare but fatal monoclonal gammopathy (MG) causing organ and tissue damage resulting from the deposition of misfolded immunoglobulin free light chains in the form of amyloid fibrils.1 In some cases, ALA coexists with multiple myeloma (MM) (ALA+MM), which is the second most common blood cancer and is caused by the proliferation of clonal plasma cells (PC).2 Due to insufficient knowledge of ALA and ALA+MM biology, therapeutic options have mirrored treatment regimens of MM, which focus on the elimination of clonal PC.3,4 We investigated the mutation and gene expression profiles in clonal aberrant PC (aPC) in order to better understand ALA and ALA+MM etiology and to clarify the molecular differences between individual MG diagnoses.

The definition of complete disease response (CR) in multiple myeloma (MM) continues to be reevaluated. The last widely accepted model of response assessment was proposed by the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) in 2016.1 Urine immunofixation (uIFE), one of the CR parameters, is being frequently omitted from CR evaluation in routine clinical practice. Patients with missing uIFE are then reported as having very good partial response (VGPR).2 It has been recently suggested in retrospective analysis by Lahuerta et al3 that patients with intact immunoglobulin myeloma (IIMM) who lack uIFE examination present with the very same prognosis as the patients with negative uIFE and therefore uIFE might not be necessary for CR definition in such patients.

Despite the high efficacy of current induction regimens, most multiple myeloma (MM) patients relapse over time. The link between changes in the immune system and the prognosis of the disease is still not entirely clear. Therefore, we analyzed whether the pattern of bone marrow (BM) lymphocytes during routine BM examination after autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is related to disease prognosis or MRD negative complete remission. From 2009 to 2018, 98 MM patients underwent routine BM testing after the first ASCT. Using multi-parametric flow cytometry, twelve BM lymphocyte subtypes were analyzed. In 60% of patients who achieved a complete response (CR), MRD by flow cytometric analysis (sensitivity threshold 10-6) was evaluated. We found an association of relative proportion of BM lymphocyte subtypes with treatment response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity. Higher relative proportion of memory B cells was associated with inferior median PFS [HR 1.089 (95% CI: 1.023-1.160), p = 0.008] and median OS [HR 1.170 (95% CI: 1.074-1.274), p < 0.001]. In non-responding patients (minimal response and worse), higher proportion of memory B cells was found when compared to patients achieving CR [3.8% (range 0.5-35.0) vs. 1.0% (range 0.1-12.5); p = 0.001]. No significant association of BM lymphocyte subtypes proportion with MRD negative CR was found. Our results show that changes in BM lymphocyte subsets including memory B cells may have prognostic value in MM patients after ASCT.

This study determined whether 85 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) double-refractory to primary induction therapy with triplet regimens had a homogenous prognosis. The overall response rate (ORR) after the second-line therapy was 51%. Patients who proceeded to immediate autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) had better ORR than those who received conventional therapies (62% vs. 31%). The ORR for patients who had ASCT directly after the frontline therapy was higher than for those treated with other regimens as the second line therapy (91% vs. 45%) and offered ASCT as the third-line therapy (91% vs. 55%). The median progression-free survival (PFS) after the second-line therapy and median overall survival were 21.6 months and 35.6 months, respectively. ASCT after the second line treatment (HR = 0.24) was an independent predictor of PFS. Eligible patients with primary refractory MM achieve the most benefit from ASCT, also performed immediately after first line induction therapy.

Východiska: Režimy obsahujici thalidomid a bortezomib jsou siroce použivane pro nově dia gnostikovane pa cienty s mnohocetným myelomem neschopne autologni transplantace kostni dřeně. Cilem teto prace bylo srovnat dlouhodobou efektivitu thalidomidoveho a bortezomiboveho režimu v dlouhem sledovani. Metody: Celkově bylo mezi roky 2008 a 2012 retrospektivně analyzovano 142 pa cientů s nově dia gnostikovaným mnohocetným myelomem neschopných autologni transplantace. Bortezomib byl podavan ve standardnim davkovani 1,3 mg/ m2 1krat týdně a thalidomid v denni davce 100 mg. Oba leky byly kombinovane s cyklofosfamidem a dexamethasonem. Celkem 95 pa cientů bylo leceno thalidomidovým režimem a 47 bortezomibovým režimem. V obou skupinach byl median ctyři cykly lecby. Výsledky: Ve skupině s thalidomidem byla celkova cetnost odpovědi 60,6 %, median přežiti bez progrese (progression-free survival – PFS) byl 10,3 měsice (95% CI 7,4– 13,2) a median celkoveho přežiti (over all survival – OS) 35,1 měsice (95% CI 23,9– 46,3). Ve skupině s bortezomibem byla celkova cetnost odpovědi 51,1 %, median PFS 11,9 měsice (95% CI 8,8– 15) a median OS 25,4 měsice (95% CI 9,3– 41,6). Delka OS byla statisticky signifi kantně delsi u skupiny lecene thalidomidem (p = 0,027), ale pocet dosažených lecebných odpovědi a interval PFS byl v obou skupinach srovnatelný. Median casu sledovani byl ve skupině lecene thalidomidem 35,1 měsice (95% CI 0,2– 95,9) a ve skupině lecene bortezomibem 25,1 měsice (95% CI 0,4– 60,6), p = 0,004. Výskyt zavažných nežadoucich ucinků lecby byl srovnatelný v obou skupinach. Zavěr: Za předpokladu kratkeho trvani lecby jsou výsledky bortezomiboveho režimu srovnatelne s režimem thalidomidovým. Vzhledem k výsledkům ostatnich klinických studii je zřejme, že dlouha doba lecby bortezomibem je spjata s delsim přežitim bez progrese a tež i přežitim celkovým.

Background: Tumor burden in multiple myeloma (MM) is routinely evaluated in the bone marrow, though its prognostic value is not proven. There is an increasing interest in liquid biopsies due to its minimally invasive nature and more comprehensive evaluation of tumor burden. Growing evidence supports the quantification of circulating plasma cells (cPCs) measured by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) as a powerful diagnostic biomarker suitable for risk stratification of newly diagnosed transplant eligible MM (Garces et al, EHA 2021). Nevertheless, there are virtually no data regarding prognostic impact of cPCs in MM patients ineligible for transplantation. Primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL) is a rare and most aggressive monoclonal gammopathy with dismal outcomes defined by more than 20% of cPCs and/or absolute cPCs count of ≥2 x10 9/L. Recently, there have been many efforts to redefine these criteria as lower number of cPCs probably portends equally poor prognosis. Aims: To evaluate prognostic significance of cPCs in a large cohort of transplant ineligible (Tx-ineligible) newly diagnosed MM patients and to define cut-offs for risk stratification. Moreover, to establish cut-off identifying ultra high risk MM patients mimicking the prognosis of pPCL and propose new definition of pPCL. Methods: Circulating PCs were measured by 8 color flow cytometry in 402 Tx-ineligible MM patients (including n=7 pPCL) diagnosed between 2012 and 2019 at University Hospitals Brno and Ostrava, Czech Republic. Patients were treated in real-world setting and the clinical analysis was performed retrospectively based on data from the Czech Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies. Median follow-up was 20.5 months. The intermediate cutoff was identified using ROC analysis considering overall survival (OS). Moreover, data from the large published cohort of pPCL patients treated in real-world setting were used to find a new cut-off identifying these ultra-high-risk pPCL-like patients (Jurczyszyn et al. BJH,2018). Results: Circulating PCs were detected in peripheral blood (PB) of 303/402 (75%) patients. In 303 patients with detectable cPCs the median percentage was 0.06% with range 0.0008% - 79%. The median limit of detection of MFC technique was 0.006 (sensitivity 10e-5). Patients stratification into 3 subgroups according to quantification of cPCs (low: ≤ 0.2%; intermediate: 0.2 - 2% and high: >2.0%) resulted in significantly different OS (36.5 vs. 28.1 and 13.6 months; p < 0.0001) and progression free survival (PFS) (17.9 vs. 14.7 and 3.4 months; p < 0.0001). Patients with no detected cPCs (0%) did not separate from subgroup >0% to 0.05) suggesting that next-generation flow cytometry (NGF) with sensitivity 10e-6 is needed for the identification of this favorable prognostic group. In order to demonstrate that patients with more than 2% of cPCs have similarly poor outcome as pPCL patients, we compared those with 2% - 20% (n=15) vs. those with >20% (n=7) of cPCs. The outcomes were practically identical with median PFS of 3.1 vs. 4.2 months (p = 0.23) and median OS of 13.6 vs. 14.6 months (p=0.23). Next, we analyzed patient´s characteristics in association with the level of cPCs (low, intermediate and high) and we demonstrated that there was significantly higher proportion of patients with ISS III stage (38%, 52% and 82%), elevated LDH level (8%, 19% and 55%) and high risk cytogenetics (12%, 21% and 36%) hand in hand with increasing number of cPCs. CPCs were identified as the most powerful prognostic marker in univariate (HR=2.7 for OS and HR=6.3 for PFS; p=0.001) and multivariate analysis (HR=4.2 for OS and HR=5.8 for PFS; p Conclusion: The quantification of cPCs in PB of newly diagnosed MM is the most powerful prognostic factor as we demonstrated on a large cohort of transplant ineligible patients. We defined 2% of cPCs as a new cut-off for ultra high risk myeloma resembling behavior of primary PCL. We propose this 2% cut-off for redefinition of pPCL criteria that warrants further investigation in prospective setting. To identify subgroup with especially favorable outcome with no detectable cPCs, NGF with high sensitivity of 10e-6 is needed. Quantification of cPCs by MFC is easy, fast, affordable and worldwide available procedure providing highly relevant prognostic information that might be implemented into routine clinical practice. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Jurczyszyn: Janssen-Cilag, Amgen: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Castillo: Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; BeiGene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Research Funding. Hajek: Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pharma MAR: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

Background: The addition of ixazomib to the doublet lenalidomide and dexamethasone (RD) in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) has shown significant benefit in progression free survival (PFS) in the TOURMALINE-MM1 study. Several real-world data including our previous analysis confirmed that the combination IRD is feasible and with fair outcomes even outside the clinical trial. Here we report an updated analysis which is aimed at overall survival (OS) and the PFS2 interval which is defined as the time from the date of treatment initiation to the date of first documentation of progressive disease after initiation of further anti-myeloma treatment or death from any cause. Methods: We analyzed a cohort of 344 patients with RRMM, 127 being treated by IRD and 217 by RD combination. The group characteristics and study design are described elsewhere. 1 The median follow-up of the whole cohort was 28.5 months. The primary endpoint was OS, OS in patients with relapse 1-3, progression free survival (PFS), and PFS2. Secondary endpoints were response rates and toxicity profile. For statistical analysis we used Fisher's exact test or Mann-Whitney U test. Survival measures were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier methodology, and statistical significance was assessed using the log-rank test at a significance level of α = 0.05 (all tests two-sided). Results: The outcomes of OS in the whole cohort were already published before, with significantly longer median OS in the IRD vs RD cohort (mOS 36.6 months vs 26.0 months, p = 0.008).1 In the follow-up analysis, the medians were slightly improved, maintaining a significant difference (mOS 40.9 vs 27.1 months, p = 0.001). In patients treated within relapse 1-3, the results outcomes were even more pronounced (mOS 51.7 vs 27.8 months, p ˂ 0.001). The median PFS was also better in the IRD cohort (mPFS 17.5 vs 12.5 months, p = 0.013) but the results did not substantially differ from our previous analysis. The median PFS2 in the IRD vs RD cohort was significantly longer in the IRD cohort (mPFS2 29.8 vs 21.6 months, p = 0.016). The subsequent therapy included mostly pomalidomide (27.5% vs 30.8%), bortezomib (28.8% vs 28.2%) or thalidomide (10.0% vs 16.2%). Monoclonal antibodies (daratumumab, isatuximab) were more frequently used after IRD combination (21.3% vs 4.3%). The response rates in the IRD vs RD cohort were similar as in our primary analysis: overall response rate (ORR) 73.0% vs 66.8%, with significant difference in very good partial response and better (VGPR+) 38.1% vs 26.3%. The toxicity profile did not reveal any additional safety concerns. Majority of grade 3+ toxicities included hematological toxicity (anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia) and infections, with similar distribution in the cohorts. Conclusion: The treatment of RRMM using the full oral IRD regimen in routine clinical practice is easy, safe and with significantly improved outcomes in comparison to RD doublet. Our follow-up analysis confirmed the impact on OS in patients in the whole cohort including relapse 1-3. The median PFS2 was also longer in the IRD cohort, possibly affected by more frequent use of monoclonal antibodies in the next treatment. With support of AZV 17-29343A, NV18-03-00500, MH CZ - DRO (FNOl, 00098892), IGA-LF-2021-001. 1) Minarik J, Pika T, Radocha J. et al. Survival benefit of ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (IRD) over lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients in routine clinical practice. BMC Cancer 2021; 21: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-020-07732-1 Disclosures Minarik: Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria. Hajek: Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pharma MAR: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy of the elderly. The bone marrow is infiltrated by malignant plasma cells. MM may progress into so-called extramedullary disease (EMD). EMD occurs when a subclone of clonal plasma cells migrates out of the bone marrow and infiltrates soft tissues. Aims We focused on the analysis of low molecular weight molecules in peripheral blood of 20 MM and 20 EMD patients using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to create a diagnostic tool based on prediction by artificial neural network, which should distinguish different groups of diseases. Methods Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has become an indispensable research tool, which is used for analysis of biomolecules and various organic molecules. Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are components of artificial intelligence inspired by biological neural networks. Using ANN, we can model complex non-linear systems, as previously published. In our previous study, we recorded mass spectra of MM and healthy donor samples. ANN specifically predicted MM samples with high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Results The RStudio was used for statistical analysis, where the data were evaluated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PSL-DA). Using MALDI-TOF MS, it was possible to distinguish between samples of MM patients and healthy donors, as well as MM and EMD patients. Informative patterns in mass spectra served as inputs for ANN that specifically distinguished between healthy donors and patients. Conclusion We demonstrated that using MALDI-TOF MS coupled with ANN is a useful tool that can distinguish between healthy donors and patients. Thus, it can be used as a fast alternative to conventional analyses. This study was supported by grants of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, grant nr. NV18-08-00299, AZV 18-03-00203.

Background Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare and very aggressive plasma cell (PC) disorder characterized by the presence of circulating plasma cells (cPC) in peripheral blood (PB). Dismal outcome of PCL requires early diagnosis with appropriate analytical tools. Development of flow cytometry (FC) together with some newly analysed antigens may reveal some marker affecting the prognosis of PCL patients. Aim Analysis of phenotypic profile of cPC/PCs to find association with clinical outcomes and to evaluate the prognostic value of analyzed markers. Methods Total of 33 primary and secondary PCL patients were investigated. PCs quantity and phenotype profile was analysed by polychromatic FC in PB and bone marrow (BM). Results Flow cytometry is an excellent method for cPCs identification as a significantly higher number was identified by FC than by morphology. Thus FC should be incorporated as a diagnostic method for preventing late diagnosis of PCL. Although the phenotypic profile of both PCLs did not differ too much, with low level of CD19, CD20, CD27, CD28, CD81 and CD117 expression, some heterogeneously expressed antigens (CD44, CD56, CD200, nestin etc.) may contribute to identification of patients with later extramedullary involvement, high risk of progression and shortened survival. Conclusions FC should be incorporated in PCL diagnostics as not only exact method providing number of cPCs, which is surprisingly overcoming morphology assessment. Moreover, PCL phenotype profile could be connected to patient’s diagnosis and possible prognosis as well. Funding Supported by grant AZV NV18-03-00203.

Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is a heterogeneous plasma cell (PC) malignancy. These malignant PC are dependent on the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. However, a subclone of PCs can escape the BM microenvironment and infiltrate soft tissues and organs in the so-called extramedullary disease (EMD). This subclone may also escape to peripheral blood; if there are more than 20% of circulating PC (cPC), the disease is reclassified as plasma cell leukemia (PCL). All cells in the BM microenvironment release exosomes. Exosomes are small membranous vesicles that originate from internal multivesicular bodies; they are found in all body fluids, including peripheral blood, breast milk, etc. Exosomes are important in intercellular communication, and they have been implicated in disease relapse, resistance to chemotherapy and many other processes important for tumorigenesis. They contain proteins and nucleic acids, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) - short non-coding RNA molecules that are involved in many physiological and pathological processes. Aims The aim of this work was to analyze expression of exosomal miRNAs in BM plasma samples of MM, EMD and PCL patients. Methods Exosomes were isolated using qEV columns. MiRNAs were isolated from exosomes using qEV original Size Exclusion Columns, following miRNA isolation using miRNeasy Micro Kit. For next generation sequencing (NGS), 8 MM, 7 EMD and 8 PCL samples were used. Results from NGS were validated on 40 MM, 25 EMD and 21 PCL samples by RT-qPCR using Taqman Advanced MiRNA Assays. Results NGS analysis showed 1128 different miRNAs that were present in analyzed samples. Out of these, 239 miRNAs were found in at least 8 samples and had more than 1 read per million; thus, they were included in subsequent analysis. Out of these miRNAs, there are 6 miRNAs (p Conclusions Using NGS, we showed that they are differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs between MM, EMD and PCL patients suggesting their role in pathogenesis of these diseases. This work was supported by AZV 17-29343A and AZV 18-003-00203.

Bisphosphonates have been used during the complete treatment of multiple myeloma for more than twenty years. They slow osteolysis and thereby contribute to the improvement of quality of life. Their long-term use, however, is related to 2 serious, usually later appearing complications: osteonecrosis of the jaw, occurring in 6-9 % of patients, and rarer atypical bone fractures. Both these complications are very difficult to heal, and all the more emphasis is therefore laid on prevention. This first of all includes discussion about the risk with the patient, followed by a dental checkup before the commencement of therapy and then repeated during its course, as well as reduced use of these drugs for a necessary period of time. However osteonecrosis of the jaw does not only develop as a consequence of bisphosphonate therapy. The complication is also caused by some new drugs (denosumab and others) used in cancer therapies. The text includes an overview of the drugs currently used in cancer treatment, which also increase the risk of appearance of osteonecrosis of the jaw. For patients with multiple myeloma, who achieve the complete or very good partial remission after chemotherapy, it is recommended to administer these drugs for more than 1 year after achieving the positive treatment response, but not longer than for 2 years. Only regarding those who do not reach the good treatment response, bisphosphonates are administered over the long term, as long as osteolytic activity of the disease lasts.Key words: atypical bone fractures - bisphosphonates - drug induced osteonecrosis of the jaw - multiple myeloma.

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a known precursor of more serious cancers, such as multiple myeloma (MM), Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (MW) and other lymphoproliferative disorders. Using 18F-FDG PET/CT, we aimed to evaluate its benefit in early detection of various accompanying disorders and illnesses in MGUS patients. We prospectively analyzed the diagnostic relevance of 18F-FDG PET/CT in 390 newly diagnosed MGUS patients. On 18F-FDG PET/CT scans, the presence of focal or diffuse areas of detectable increased tracer uptake was recorded in 37 (9.5%) MGUS patients. The most frequent pathology was lymphadenopathy (3.8%), followed by thyroid diseases (2.1%), rheumatic diseases (1.8%), and other solid malignancies (1.5%). These results have major implications for confirmed associations of MGUS with numerous malignant and non-malignant disorders. We believe that 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging in newly diagnosed MGUS patients may be useful in early detection of other serious pathologies, not only in predicting progression of MGUS to active MM, and should be strongly recommended if available.

Nowadays, bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, is widely used in treatment of newly diagnosed or relapsed multiple myeloma. The aim of this study was to analyze efficiency of bortezomib retreatment in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. From 2004 to 2016, 283 patients were retrospectively evaluated at all hematological centers in the Czech Republic. Bortezomib was administered at the standard dosing and in combined therapy with corticosteroids, chemotherapy or thalidomide. Before bortezomib retreatment, 61% of patients received previous lenalidomide treatment, 40.6% autologous transplantation, and median number of prior lines of therapy was three. In total, 21% of patients were refractory to the first bortezomib treatment. In bortezomib retreatment, overall response rate was 34.5%, median progression-free survival was 7.8 months (95% CI: 6.7-8.9), median duration of response was 10.5 months (95% CI: 8.0-13.0) and median overall survival was 20.3 months (95% CI: 17.9-22.7). Grade 3-4 adverse events included thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, anemia and infection. Neuropathy grade 2 or higher occurred in 19.4% of patients. We conclude that bortezomib retreatment is an effective and safe therapeutic alternative for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients.

Background Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare dis-ease and possibly the most aggressive form of monoclonal gammopathy. It is classified into two forms - primary PCL that occurs without a previously identifiable multiple myeloma stage, and secondary PCL that develops from previously dia-gnosed multiple myeloma. These two forms have different cytogenetic and molecular profiles, but both forms have an aggressive clinical course. Combinations of different therapeutic approaches includ-ing autologous stem cell transplantation and currently proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs are used to treat PCL. Current dia-gnostic criteria, developed in the 1970s, may underestimate PCL prevalence; thus, prospective re-evaluation is be-ing considered. Purpose The aim of this study is to review all available information about PCL with an emphasis on dia-gnostics, treatment, and circulat-ing plasma cells features. Conclusion Although PCL is rare, it is quite a severe dis-ease. Current treatments us-ing the latest therapeutics have prolonged patient survival. However, due to the low incidence of PCL, information about the dis-ease is very limited and comes mostly from small retrospective studies. Further studies of PCL are needed, because new information could increase in patient survival and our understand-ing of its pathogenesis. Key words plasma cell leukemia - multiple myeloma - plasma cells - cytogenetics - treatment This work was supported by grant NV18-03-00203. The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers. Submited: 2. 11. 2018 Accepted: 18. 11. 2018.

Lecba mnohocetneho myelomu v soucasnosti zaživa dynamický rozvoj. V ramci klinických studii byly testovany nove protimyelomove leky – carfilzomib, ixazomib, pomalidomid, daratumumab, elotuzumab a panobinostat. Jejich použiti je přinosne pro pacienty s relabovaným mnohocetným myelomem, a předevsim může zlepsit prognozu refrakterniho onemocněni. Ocekavame, že řada z nich se v budoucnu stane pravidelnou soucasti standardnich lecebných protokolů jak relapsu, tak zřejmě i primoterapie. Carfilzomib a pomalidomid v klinických studiich prodloužily přežiti bez progrese teměř na dvojnasobek oproti standardni lecbě. Velmi slibnou skupinou jsou monoklonalni protilatky, ktere vykazuji vysokou ucinnost založenou na zcela jinem mechanismu ucinku než stavajici lecba. Cilem teto přehledove prace je prezentace výsledků zasadnich klinických studii popisujicich využiti nových leků v terapii mnohocetneho myelomu.

The combination of lenalidomide and dexamethasone is the current gold standard for treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma. This study analyzes the efficiency of repeated lenalidomide treatment in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. A total of 41 patients were prospectively evaluated at the University Hospital Brno. Lenalidomide was administered at standard dosing and in combination with corticosteroids and/or chemotherapy. The maximum cumulative dose of lenalidomide was limited to 4,200 mg because of Czech health insurance rules. Before the second lenalidomide treatment, all patients were refractory to the last treatment; previously, 95% of patients had bortezomib treatment, 48% had autologous transplantation and the median number of prior therapy lines was three. A partial 14.2% or better response was achieved with the second lenalidomide treatment. The median progression-free survival was 4.8 months, and median overall survival was 11.9 months. Unfortunately, predicting risk factors in lenalidomide retreatment proved unsuccessful. Although our treatment results were significantly affected by limited Czech health care system coverage for lenalidomide, we established that its repeated treatment is an effective therapeutic alternative for heavily pretreated patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma.