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Carfilzomib, a proteasome inhibitor, is approved as monotherapy and in combination with dexamethasone or lenalidomidedexamethasone (Rd) for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The approval of carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (KRd) was based on results from the randomized, phase 3 study ASPIRE (NCT01080391), which showed KRd significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) vs Rd (median 26.3 vs 17.6 months; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.690; P = 0.0001). This subgroup analysis of ASPIRE evaluated KRd vs Rd by number of previous lines of therapy and previous exposure to bortezomib, thalidomide or lenalidomide. Treatment with KRd led to a 12-month improvement in median PFS vs Rd after first relapse (HR 0.713) and a 9-month improvement after >= 2 previous lines of therapy (HR 0.720). Treatment with KRd led to an approximate 8-month improvement vs Rd in median PFS in bortezomib-exposed patients (HR 0.699), a 15-month improvement in thalidomide-exposed patients (HR 0.587) and a 5-month improvement in lenalidomideexposed patients (HR 0.796). Objective response and complete response or better rates were higher with KRd vs Rd, irrespective of previous treatment. KRd had a favorable benefit-risk profile and should be considered an appropriate treatment option for patients with 1 or >= 2 previous lines of therapy and those previously exposed to bortezomib, thalidomide or lenalidomide.

BACKGROUND: Lenalidomide plus dexamethasone is a reference treatment for relapsed multiple myeloma. The combination of the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib with lenalidomide and dexamethasone has shown efficacy in a phase 1 and 2 study in relapsed multiple myeloma. METHODS: We randomly assigned 792 patients with relapsed multiple myeloma to carfilzomib with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (carfilzomib group) or lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone (control group). The primary end point was progression-free survival. RESULTS: Progression-free survival was significantly improved with carfilzomib (median, 26.3 months, vs. 17.6 months in the control group; hazard ratio for progression or death, 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57 to 0.83; P=0.0001). The median overall survival was not reached in either group at the interim analysis. The Kaplan-Meier 24-month overall survival rates were 73.3% and 65.0% in the carfilzomib and control groups, respectively (hazard ratio for death, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.99; P=0.04). The rates of overall response (partial response or better) were 87.1% and 66.7% in the carfilzomib and control groups, respectively (P

A panel of members of the 2009 International Myeloma Workshop developed guidelines for risk stratification in multiple myeloma. The purpose of risk stratification is not to decide time of therapy but to prognosticate. There is general consensus that risk stratification is applicable to newly diagnosed patients; however, some genetic abnormalities characteristic of poor outcome at diagnosis may suggest poor outcome if only detected at the time of relapse. Thus, in good-risk patients, it is necessary to evaluate for high-risk features at relapse. Although detection of any cytogenetic abnormality is considered to suggest higher-risk disease, the specific abnormalities considered as poor risk are cytogenetically detected chromosomal 13 or 13q deletion, t(4;14) and del17p, and detection by fluorescence in situ hybridization of t(4;14), t(14;16), and del17p. Detection of 13q deletion by fluorescence in situ hybridization only, in absence of other abnormalities, is not considered a high-risk feature. High serum bèta2-microglobulin level and International Staging System stages II and III, incorporating high bèta2-microglobulin and low albumin, are considered to predict higher risk disease. There was a consensus that the high-risk features will change in the future, with introduction of other new agents or possibly new combinations.

Human hematopoietic stem cells genetically modified by retroviral-mediated gene transfer may offer new treatment options for patients with genetic disease. The potential of gene-modified hematopoietic stem cells as vehicles for gene delivery was first illustrated by the demonstration that hematopoietic systems of lethally irradiated mice can be reconstituted with retroviral vector transduced syngeneic bone marrow, and that these cells can in turn provide genetically marked progeny which persist in blood and marrow over extended time periods. In contrast, hematopoietic stem cells from large animals prove difficult to transduce with retroviral vectors and are consequently less likely to function as vehicles for long-term gene therapy. Indeed, clinically relevant levels of gene transfer into large animal and human hematopoietic stem cells has not been widely achieved. The need for improved retroviral vector systems and for understanding the biology of hematopoietic stem cell gene transfer continue to fuel intense research activity. Preliminary results from human stem cell gene marking and gene therapy trials currently underway are encouraging. This contribution reviews the underlying concepts relevant to retroviral-mediated gene transfer into hematopoietic stem cells. We survey the evolution of approaches for gene transfer into hematopoietic stem cells, from murine and large animal models to the first human clinical trials. Finally, we discuss new strategies which are currently being pursued.

We have used the most family-specific gene segment, the 5'-end of framework 3 (FR3) to study the germline complexity and coding region sequences of the recently described human VH7 gene family. Because of the high degree of 5' sequence homology between members of the VH7 and VH1 families, full-length coding region probes are unable to distinguish between the two groups. Hybridization with a VH7 coding region probe to EcoRI digested genomic DNA revealed 12 fragments. Many of these hybridizing fragments were also identified with a full length VH1 coding sequence probe. However, examination of the same DNA samples with a VH7 family specific oligonucleotide, encompassing the 5'-end of the FR3 segment, greatly reduced hybridization complexity yielding only four fragments which included one polymorphic band of molecular weight 7.4 kb. The VH7 specific FR3 oligonucleotide was also used under conditions of moderate stringency to isolate VH7 clones from PCR-amplified genomic DNA libraries derived from six unrelated individuals. All clones isolated contained members of the VH7 family. Six sequences were obtained. Gene 7A.4, seen in all individuals, is identical to the previously described germline V-1-4.1B gene other than G-C substitutions at nucleotides 253 and 254. Five distinct pseudogenes were also identified. Stop codons were confined to frameworks 2 and 3. Previously described eipressed VH7 genes from cord blood, normal adults and two rheumatoid factors are >96% homologous to gene 7A.4.