Bertrand Arnulf

This trial sought to assess the influence of omeprazole on clopidogrel efficacy. Clopidogrel has proved its benefit in the treatment of atherothrombotic diseases. In a previous observational study, we found clopidogrel activity on platelets, tested by vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation, to be diminished in patients receiving proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. In this double-blind placebo-controlled trial, all consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery stent implantation received aspirin (75 mg/day) and clopidogrel (loading dose, followed by 75 mg/day) and were randomized to receive either associated omeprazole (20 mg/day) or placebo for 7 days. Clopidogrel effect was tested on days 1 and 7 in both groups by measuring platelet phosphorylated-VASP expressed as a platelet reactivity index (PRI). Our main end point compared PRI value at the 7-day treatment period in the 2 groups. Data for 124 patients were analyzed. On day 1, mean PRI was 83.2% (standard deviation [SD] 5.6) and 83.9% (SD 4.6), respectively, in the placebo and omeprazole groups (p = NS), and on day 7, 39.8% (SD 15.4) and 51.4% (SD 16.4), respectively (p < 0.0001). Omeprazole significantly decreased clopidogrel inhibitory effect on platelet P2Y12 as assessed by VASP phosphorylation test. Aspirin-clopidogrel antiplatelet dual therapy is widely prescribed worldwide, with PPIs frequently associated to prevent gastrointestinal bleeding. The clinical impact of these results remains uncertain but merits further investigation. (OCLA: Influence of Omeprazole on the Antiplatelet Action of Clopidogrel Associated to Aspirin; http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00349661; NCT00349661)

High-dose chemotherapy plus autologous stem-cell transplantation has been the standard treatment for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in adults up to 65 years of age. However, promising data on the use of combination therapy with lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (RVD) in this population have raised questions about the role and timing of transplantation.

Intravenous injection is the standard administration route of bortezomib; however, subcutaneous administration is an important alternative. We compared the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous versus intravenous bortezomib at the approved 1·3 mg/m(2) dose and twice per week schedule in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.This randomised, phase 3 study was undertaken at 53 centres in ten countries in Europe, Asia, and South America. Patients aged 18 years and older with relapsed multiple myeloma after one to three previous lines of therapy were randomly assigned to receive up to eight 21-day cycles of bortezomib 1·3 mg/m(2), on days 1, 4, 8, and 11, by subcutaneous injection or intravenous infusion. Randomisation was by an interactive voice response system based on a computer-generated randomisation schedule, stratified by number of previous lines and disease stage. Patients and treating physicians were not masked to treatment allocation. The primary objective was to show non-inferiority of subcutaneous versus intravenous bortezomib in terms of overall response rate (ORR) after four cycles in all patients with a diagnosis of measurable, secretory multiple myeloma who received one or more dose of drug (response-evaluable population). Non-inferiority was defined as retaining 60% of the intravenous treatment effect. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00722566, and is ongoing for long-term follow-up.222 patients were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous (n=148) or intravenous (n=74) bortezomib. The response-evaluable population consisted of 145 patients in the subcutaneous group and 73 in the intravenous group. Patients received a median of eight cycles (range one to ten) in both groups. ORR after four cycles was 42% in both groups (61 patients in subcutaneous group and 31 in intravenous group; ORR difference -0·4%, 95% CI -14·3 to 13·5), showing non-inferiority (p=0·002). After a median follow-up of 11·8 months (IQR 7·9-16·8) in the subcutaneous group and 12·0 months (8·1-15·6) in the intravenous group, there were no significant differences in time to progression (median 10·4 months, 95% CI 8·5-11·7, vs 9·4 months, 7·6-10·6; p=0·387) and 1-year overall survival (72·6%, 95% CI 63·1-80·0, vs 76·7%, 64·1-85·4; p=0·504) with subcutaneous versus intravenous bortezomib. Grade 3 or worse adverse events were reported in 84 (57%) patients in the subcutaneous group versus 52 (70%) in the intravenous group; the most common were thrombocytopenia (19 [13%] vs 14 [19%]), neutropenia (26 [18%] vs 13 [18%]), and anaemia (18 [12%] vs six [8%]). Peripheral neuropathy of any grade (56 [38%] vs 39 [53%]; p=0·044), grade 2 or worse (35 [24%] vs 30 [41%]; p=0·012), and grade 3 or worse (nine [6%] vs 12 [16%]; p=0·026) was significantly less common with subcutaneous than with intravenous administration. Subcutaneous administration was locally well tolerated.Subcutaneous bortezomib offers non-inferior efficacy to standard intravenous administration, with an improved safety profile.Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, and Millennium Pharmaceuticals.

Loss-of-function mutations affecting one or both copies of the Ten-Eleven-translocation (TET)2 gene have been described in various human myeloid malignancies. We report that inactivation of Tet2 in mouse perturbs both early and late steps of hematopoiesis including myeloid and lymphoid differentiation in a cell-autonomous manner, endows the cells with competitive advantage, and eventually leads to the development of malignancies. We subsequently observed TET2 mutations in human lymphoid disorders. TET2 mutations could be detected in immature progenitors endowed with myeloid colony-forming potential. Our results show that the mutations present in lymphoid tumor cells may occur at both early and later steps of lymphoid development and indicate that impairment of TET2 function or/and expression predisposes to the development of hematological malignancies.

Background Bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (VTd) plus autologous stem-cell transplantation is standard treatment in Europe for transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. We evaluated whether the addition of daratumumab to VTd before and after autologous stem-cell transplantation would improve stringent complete response rate in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Methods In this two-part, randomised, open-label, phase 3 CASSIOPEIA trial, we recruited transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma at 111 European sites. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive four pre-transplant induction and two post-transplant consolidation cycles of VTd alone (VTd group) or in combination with daratumumab (D-VTd group). The primary endpoint of part 1 was stringent complete response assessed 100 days after transplantation. Part 2 (maintenance) is ongoing. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02541383. Findings Between Sept 22, 2015, and Aug 1, 2017, 1085 patients were enrolled at 111 European sites and were randomly assigned to the D-VTd group (n=543) or the VTd group (n=542). At day 100 after transplantation, 157 (29%) of 543 patients in the D-VTd group and 110 (20%) of 542 patients in the VTd group in the intention-to-treat population had achieved a stringent complete response (odds ratio 1·60, 95% CI 1·21–2·12, p=0·0010). 211 (39%) patients in the D-VTd group versus 141 (26%) in the VTd group achieved a complete response or better, and 346 (64%) of 543 versus 236 (44%) of 542 achieved minimal residual disease-negativity (10−5 sensitivity threshold, assessed by multiparametric flow cytometry; both p<0·0001). Median progression-free survival from first randomisation was not reached in either group (hazard ratio 0·47, 95% CI 0·33–0·67, p<0·0001). 46 deaths on study were observed (14 vs 32, 0·43, 95% CI 0·23–0·80). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia (28% vs 15%), lymphopenia (17% vs 10%), and stomatitis (13% vs 16%). Interpretation D-VTd before and after autologous stem-cell transplantation improved depth of response and progression-free survival with acceptable safety. CASSIOPEIA is the first study showing the clinical benefit of daratumumab plus standard of care in transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Funding The Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome and Dutch-Belgian Cooperative Trial Group for Hematology Oncology.

Background Belantamab mafodotin (GSK2857916), an immunoconjugate targeting B-cell maturation antigen, showed single-agent activity in the phase 1 DREAMM-1 study in heavily pre-treated patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. We further investigated the safety and activity of belantamab mafodotin in the DREAMM-2 study. Methods DREAMM-2 is an open-label, two-arm, phase 2 study done at 58 multiple myeloma specialty centres in eight countries. Patients (aged ≥18 years) with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma with disease progression after three or more lines of therapy and who were refractory to immunomodulatory drugs and proteasome inhibitors, and refractory or intolerant (or both) to an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0–2 were recruited, centrally randomly assigned (1:1) with permuted blocks (block size 4), and stratified by previous lines of therapy (≤4 vs >4) and cytogenetic features to receive 2·5 mg/kg or 3·4 mg/kg belantamab mafodotin via intravenous infusion every 3 weeks on day 1 of each cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The intention-to-treat population comprised all randomised patients, regardless of treatment administration. The safety population comprised all patients who received at least one dose of belantamab mafodotin. The primary outcome was the proportion of randomly assigned patients in the intention-to-treat population who achieved an overall response, as assessed by an independent review committee. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03525678, and is ongoing. Findings Between June 18, 2018, and Jan 2, 2019, 293 patients were screened and 196 were included in the intention-to-treat population (97 in the 2·5 mg/kg cohort and 99 in the 3·4 mg/kg cohort). As of June 21, 2019 (the primary analysis data cutoff date), 30 (31%; 97·5% CI 20·8–42·6) of 97 patients in the 2·5 mg/kg cohort and 34 (34%; 23·9–46·0) of 99 patients in the 3·4 mg/kg cohort achieved an overall response. The most common grade 3–4 adverse events in the safety population were keratopathy (in 26 [27%] of 95 patients in the 2·5 mg/kg cohort and 21 [21%] of 99 patients in the 3·4 mg/kg cohort), thrombocytopenia (19 [20%] and 33 [33%]), and anaemia (19 [20%] and 25 [25%]); 38 (40%) of 95 patients in the 2·5 mg/kg cohort and 47 (47%) of 99 in the 3·4 mg/kg cohort reported serious adverse events. Two deaths were potentially treatment related (one case of sepsis in the 2·5 mg/kg cohort and one case of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in the 3·4 mg/kg cohort). Interpretation Single-agent belantamab mafodotin shows anti-myeloma activity with a manageable safety profile in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Funding GlaxoSmithKline.

Key Points No new safety signals were observed with daratumumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone, except for increased neutropenia. Daratumumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone induced rapid, deep, and durable responses in heavily treated patients with multiple myeloma.

Purpose To study the impact of high-dose therapy (HDT) with autologous stem-cell support in patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM) between the ages of 55 and 65 years. Patients and Methods One hundred ninety patients between 55 and 65 years old who had newly diagnosed stage II or III MM were randomly assigned to receive either conventional chemotherapy (CCT; ie, monthly courses of a regimen of vincristine, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone) or HDT and autologous blood stem-cell transplantation (using either melphalan alone 200 mg/m 2 intravenous [IV] or melphalan 140 mg/m 2 IV plus busulfan 16 mg/kg orally as pretransplantation cytoreduction). Results Within a median follow-up of 120 months, median event-free survival (EFS) times were 25 and 19 months in the HDT and CCT groups, respectively. Median overall survival (OS) time was 47.8 months in the HDT group compared with 47.6 months in the CCT group. A trend to better EFS (P = .07) was observed in favor of HDT, whereas OS curves were not statistically different (P = .91). The period of time without symptoms, treatment, and treatment toxicity (TwiSTT) was significantly longer for the HDT patients than for the CCT patients (P = .03). Conclusion With a median follow-up time of approximately 10 years, this randomized trial confirmed a benefit of HDT in terms of EFS and TwiSTT but did not provide evidence for superiority of HDT over CCT in OS of patients aged 55 to 65 years with symptomatic newly diagnosed MM.

Key Points MRD using NGS-identified patients with an excellent outcome in multiple myeloma. MRD should be assessed in every prospective trial, and is a candidate to become a primary end point.

Key Points Rd continuous significantly extended OS compared with MPT and resulted in comparable OS to that with Rd18 in patients with multiple myeloma. Patients achieving complete or very good partial response with Rd benefited greatly from continuous vs fixed treatment in terms of PFS.

Key Points Combination of pomalidomide with dexamethasone is highly active and can salvage end stage myeloma refractory to lenalidomide and bortezomib. Current data suggest pomalidomide 4 mg/day on days 1 to 21 per 28-days cycle with dexmethasone should be studied in future phase 3 trials.

Survival is poor among patients with triple-class–exposed relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel), a B-cell maturation antigen–directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, previously led to deep, durable responses in patients with heavily pretreated relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Download a PDF of the Research Summary. In this international, open-label, phase 3 trial involving adults with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who had received two to four regimens previously (including immunomodulatory agents, proteasome inhibitors, and daratumumab) and who had disease refractory to the last regimen, we randomly assigned patients in a 2:1 ratio to receive either ide-cel (dose range, 150×106 to 450×106 CAR-positive T cells) or one of five standard regimens. The primary end point was progression-free survival. Key secondary end points were overall response (partial response or better) and overall survival. Safety was assessed. A total of 386 patients underwent randomization: 254 to ide-cel and 132 to a standard regimen. A total of 66% of the patients had triple-class–refractory disease, and 95% had daratumumab-refractory disease. At a median follow-up of 18.6 months, the median progression-free survival was 13.3 months in the ide-cel group, as compared with 4.4 months in the standard-regimen group (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.38 to 0.65; P<0.001). A response occurred in 71% of the patients in the ide-cel group and in 42% of those in the standard-regimen group (P<0.001); a complete response occurred in 39% and 5%, respectively. Data on overall survival were immature. Adverse events of grade 3 or 4 occurred in 93% of the patients in the ide-cel group and in 75% of those in the standard-regimen group. Among the 225 patients who received ide-cel, cytokine release syndrome occurred in 88%, with 5% having an event of grade 3 or higher, and investigator-identified neurotoxic effects occurred in 15%, with 3% having an event of grade 3 or higher. Ide-cel therapy significantly prolonged progression-free survival and improved response as compared with standard regimens in patients with triple-class–exposed relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who had received two to four regimens previously. The toxicity of ide-cel was consistent with previous reports. (Funded by 2seventy bio and Celgene, a Bristol-Myers Squibb company; KarMMa-3 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03651128.) QUICK TAKE VIDEO SUMMARYIde-cel in Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma 02:00

PURPOSE Oral melphalan and dexamethasone (MDex) were considered a standard of care in light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. In the past decade, bortezomib has been increasingly used in combination with alkylating agents and dexamethasone. We prospectively compared the efficacy and safety of MDex and MDex with the addition of bortezomib (BMDex). METHODS This was a phase III, multicenter, randomized, open-label trial. Patients were stratified according to cardiac stage. Patients with advanced cardiac stage (stage IIIb) amyloidosis were not eligible. The primary end point was hematologic response rate at 3 months. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01277016 . RESULTS A total of 109 patients, 53 in the BMDex and 56 in the MDex group, received ≥ 1 dose of therapy (from January 2011 to February 2016). Hematologic response rate at 3 months was higher in the BMDex arm (79% v 52%; P = .002). Higher rates of very good partial or complete response rates (64% v 39%; hazard ratio [HR], 2.47; 95% CI, 1.30 to 4.71) and improved overall survival, with a 2-fold decrease in mortality rate (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.90), were observed in the BMDex arm. Grade 3 and 4 adverse events (the most common being cytopenia, peripheral neuropathy, and heart failure) were more common in the BMDex arm, occurring in 20% versus 10% of cycles performed. CONCLUSION BMDex improved hematologic response rate and overall survival. To our knowledge, this is the first time a controlled study has demonstrated a survival advantage in AL amyloidosis. BMDex should be considered a new standard of care for AL amyloidosis.

CASSIOPEIA part 1 showed superior depth of response and significantly improved progression-free survival with daratumumab, bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (D-VTd) versus bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (VTd) as induction and consolidation in patients with autologous stem-cell transplant (ASCT)-eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. In part 2, we compared daratumumab maintenance versus observation only.CASSIOPEIA is a two-part, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial of patients aged 18-65 years with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-2, done in 111 European academic and community practice centres. In part 1, patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to induction and consolidation with D-VTd or VTd. Patients still on study who had a partial response or better were randomly assigned (1:1) by an interactive web-response system to daratumumab 16 mg/kg intravenously every 8 weeks (a reduced frequency compared with standard daratumumab long-term dosing) or observation only for up to 2 years. Stratification factors were induction treatment and depth of response in part 1. The part 2 primary endpoint was progression-free survival from second randomisation. This preplanned interim analysis of progression-free survival was done after 281 events and shall be considered the primary analysis of progression-free survival. Sponsor personnel and designees who were involved in the analysis were masked to treatment group until the independent data monitoring committee recommended that the preplanned interim analysis be considered the main analysis of progression-free survival in part 2. Otherwise, treatment assignments were unmasked. The interaction between induction and consolidation and maintenance was tested at a two-sided significance level of 0·05 by a stratified Cox regression model that included the interaction term between maintenance treatment and induction and consolidation treatment. Efficacy analyses were done in the maintenance-specific intention-to-treat population, which comprised all patients who underwent second randomisation. Safety was analysed in all patients in the daratumumab group who received at least one dose and all patients randomly assigned to observation only. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02541383. Long-term follow-up is ongoing and the trial is closed to new participants.Between May 30, 2016, and June 18, 2018, 886 patients (458 [84%] of 543 in the D-VTd group and 428 [79%] of 542 in the VTd group) were randomly assigned to daratumumab maintenance (n=442) or observation only (n=444). At a median follow-up of 35·4 months (IQR 30·2-39·9) from second randomisation, median progression-free survival was not reached (95% CI not evaluable [NE]-NE) with daratumumab versus 46·7 months (40·0-NE) with observation only (hazard ratio 0·53, 95% CI 0·42-0·68, p<0·0001). A prespecified analysis of progression-free survival results showed a significant interaction between maintenance and induction and consolidation therapy (p<0·0001). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were lymphopenia (16 [4%] of 440 patients in the daratumumab group vs eight [2%] of 444 patients in the observation-only group), hypertension (13 [3%] vs seven [2%]), and neutropenia (nine [2%] vs ten [2%]). Serious adverse events occurred in 100 (23%) patients in the daratumumab group and 84 (19%) patients in the observation-only group. In the daratumumab group, two adverse events led to death (septic shock and natural killer-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma); both were related to treatment.Daratumumab maintenance every 8 weeks for 2 years significantly reduced the risk of disease progression or death compared with observation only. Longer follow-up and other ongoing studies will shed further light on the optimal daratumumab-containing post-ASCT maintenance treatment strategy.Janssen Research & Development, the Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome, and the Dutch-Belgian Cooperative Trial Group for Hematology Oncology.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies are highly effective for multiple myeloma (MM) but their impressive efficacy is associated with treatment-related neurotoxicities in some patients. In CARTITUDE-1, 5% of patients with MM reported movement and neurocognitive treatment-emergent adverse events (MNTs) with ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), a B-cell maturation antigen-targeted CAR T-cell therapy. We assessed the associated factors for MNTs in CARTITUDE-1. Based on common features, patients who experienced MNTs were characterized by the presence of a combination of at least two variables: high tumor burden, grade ≥2 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or any grade immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) after cilta-cel infusion, and high CAR T-cell expansion/persistence. Strategies were implemented across the cilta-cel development program to monitor and manage patients with MNTs, including enhanced bridging therapy to reduce baseline tumor burden, early aggressive treatment of CRS and ICANS, handwriting assessments for early symptom detection, and extended monitoring/reporting time for neurotoxicity beyond 100 days post-infusion. After successful implementation of these strategies, the incidence of MNTs was reduced from 5% to <1% across the cilta-cel program, supporting its favorable benefit-risk profile for treatment of MM.

Elranatamab is a humanized B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-CD3 bispecific antibody. In the ongoing phase 2 MagnetisMM-3 trial, patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma received subcutaneous elranatamab once weekly after two step-up priming doses. After six cycles, persistent responders switched to biweekly dosing. Results from cohort A, which enrolled patients without prior BCMA-directed therapy (n = 123) are reported. The primary endpoint of confirmed objective response rate (ORR) by blinded independent central review was met with an ORR of 61.0% (75/123); 35.0% ≥complete response. Fifty responders switched to biweekly dosing, and 40 (80.0%) improved or maintained their response for ≥6 months. With a median follow-up of 14.7 months, median duration of response, progression-free survival and overall survival (secondary endpoints) have not been reached. Fifteen-month rates were 71.5%, 50.9% and 56.7%, respectively. Common adverse events (any grade; grade 3-4) included infections (69.9%, 39.8%), cytokine release syndrome (57.7%, 0%), anemia (48.8%, 37.4%), and neutropenia (48.8%, 48.8%). With biweekly dosing, grade 3-4 adverse events decreased from 58.6% to 46.6%. Elranatamab induced deep and durable responses with a manageable safety profile. Switching to biweekly dosing may improve long-term safety without compromising efficacy. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04649359 .

An association of aspirin with clopidogrel is the reference treatment for prevention of thrombosis secondary to coronary angioplasty [1Mehta S.R. Yusuf S. Peters R.J. Bertrand M.E. Lewis B.S. Natarajan M.K. Malmberg K. Rupprecht H. Zhao F. Chrolavicius S. Copland I. Fox K.A. Effects of pretreatment with clopidogrel and aspirin followed by long‐term therapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: the PCI‐CURE study.Lancet. 2001; 358: 527-33Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar]. Clopidogrel inhibits platelet activation by blocking the P2Y12 platelet receptor, activation of which is associated with dephosphorylation of intraplatelet vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP). VASP phosphorylation provides an index of platelet reactivity to clopidogrel, which varies between individuals: the greater it is the more frequently thrombosis occurs [2Barragan P. Bouvier J.L. Roquebert P.O. Macaluso G. Commeau P. Comet B. Lafont A. Camoin L. Walter U. Eigenthaler M. Resistance to thienopyridines: clinical detection of coronary stent thrombosis by monitoring of vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation.Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2003; 59: 295-302Crossref PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar]. Clopidogrel is a prodrug, activated by cytochrome 2C19. We investigated whether interactions with other substances could account for the observed variation in biological response to clopidogrel. The VASP test was performed on 105 consecutive patients (mean age: 63.7 years, 61% male) receiving aspirin + clopidogrel bitherapy in a context of high‐risk coronary angioplasty. The mean VASP test result, performed at least 48 h after initiation of treatment, was 52.2 ± 18.7, with a range of 6–89. Platelet response was analyzed by Mann–Whitney U‐test according to the different standard accompanying treatments: no significant differences were found for statins, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonist and beta blockers. Conversely, proton pump inhibitors (PPI) users had significantly higher VASP values than non‐users [61.4 ± 23.2 (n = 24), vs. 49.5 ± 16.3 (n = 81) respectively, P = 0.007]. These results are the first to show an association between PPI treatment and diminished biological action of clopidogrel. CYP 2C19, which the 681G>A polymorphism has recently been shown to determine the response to clopidogrel [3Hulot J.S. Bura A. Villard E. Azizi M. Remones V. Goyenvalle C. Aiach M. Lechat P. Gaussem P. Cytochrome P450 2C19 loss‐of‐function polymorphism is a major determinant of clopidogrel responsiveness in healthy subjects.Blood. 2006; 13Google Scholar], is involved in both clopidogrel activation and PPI metabolism [4Furata T. Shirai N. Xiao F. Ohashi K. Ishizaki T. Effect of high‐dose lansoprazole on intragastric pH in subjects who are homozygous extensive metabolizers of cytochrome P4502C19.Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2001; 70: 484-92Crossref PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar]. A competitive effect of PPIs on CYP 2C19 might thus underlie clopidogrel's reduced effectiveness in patients receiving PPIs. Demonstrating an interaction between these two drugs, which are so routinely associated in cardiology, would have major implications for the management of the risk of thrombosis following angioplasty, but will require the results of a randomized study that is currently under way.

ABSTRACT Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is transmitted through a viral synapse and enters target cells via interaction with the glucose transporter GLUT1. Here, we show that Neuropilin-1 (NRP1), the receptor for semaphorin-3A and VEGF-A165 and a member of the immune synapse, is also a physical and functional partner of HTLV-1 envelope (Env) proteins. HTLV-1 Env and NRP1 complexes are formed in cotransfected cells, and endogenous NRP1 contributes to the binding of HTLV-1 Env to target cells. NRP1 overexpression increases HTLV-1 Env-dependent syncytium formation. Moreover, overexpression of NRP1 increases both HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 Env-dependent infection, whereas down-regulation of endogenous NRP1 has the opposite effect. Finally, overexpressed GLUT1, NRP1, and Env form ternary complexes in transfected cells, and endogenous NRP1 and GLUT1 colocalize in membrane junctions formed between uninfected and HTLV-1-infected T cells. These data show that NRP1 is involved in HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 entry, suggesting that the HTLV receptor has a multicomponent nature.

Interleukin (IL)-15 delivers signals that drive chronic inflammation in several diseases, including celiac disease. Smad3-transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling is instrumental to counteract proinflammatory signals and maintain immune homeostasis. Our goal has been to investigate why the proinflammatory effects of IL-15 cannot be efficiently controlled by TGF-beta in celiac disease.The impact of IL-15 on TGF-beta signaling in T cells and in the intestinal mucosa of celiac disease patients was analyzed by combining cell and organ cultures, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, electromobility gel shift, and Western blot.IL-15 impaired Smad3-dependent TGF-beta signaling in human T lymphocytes downstream from Smad3 nuclear translocation. IL-15-mediated inhibition was associated with a long-lasting activation of c-jun-N-terminal kinase and reversed by c-jun antisense oligonucleotides, consistent with the demonstrated inhibitory effect of phospho-c-jun on the formation of Smad3-DNA complexes. In active celiac disease, intestinal lymphocytes showed impaired TGF-beta-Smad3-dependent transcriptional responses and up-regulation of phospho-c-jun. Anti-IL-15 antibody and c-jun antisense both downmodulated phospho-c-jun expression and restored TGF-beta-Smad-dependent transcription in biopsies of active celiac disease. c-jun antisense decreased interferon gamma transcription.Impairment of TGF-beta-mediated signaling by IL-15 might promote and sustain intestinal inflammation in celiac disease. More generally, our data provide a new rationale for the potent proinflammatory effects of IL-15, and further support the concept that IL-15 is a meaningful therapeutic target in inflammatory diseases associated with irreducible elevation of IL-15.

<h3>Importance</h3> Cast nephropathy is the main cause of acute kidney injury in multiple myeloma and persistent reduction in kidney function strongly affects prognosis. Strategies to rapidly remove nephrotoxic serum-free light chains combined with novel antimyeloma agents have not been evaluated prospectively. <h3>Objective</h3> To compare the hemodialysis independence rate among patients newly diagnosed with myeloma cast nephropathy treated with hemodialysis using a high-cutoff dialyzer (with very large membrane pores and high permeability to immunoglobulin light chains) or a conventional high-flux dialyzer (with small pores and lower permeability). <h3>Design, Setting, and Participants</h3> Randomized clinical trial involving 98 patients with biopsy-proven myeloma cast nephropathy requiring hemodialysis treated at 48 French centers between July 2011 and June 2016; the final date of follow-up was June 29, 2016. <h3>Interventions</h3> Intensive hemodialysis (eight 5-hour sessions over 10 days) with either a high-cutoff dialyzer (46 patients) or a conventional high-flux dialyzer (48 patients). All patients received the same chemotherapy regimen of bortezomib and dexamethasone. <h3>Main Outcomes and Measures</h3> Primary end point was hemodialysis independence at 3 months; secondary end points: hemodialysis independence rates at 6 and 12 months, hemodialysis- and chemotherapy-related adverse events, and death. <h3>Results</h3> Among 98 randomized patients, 94 (96%) (median age, 68.8 years [interquartile range, 61.2-75.3 years]; 45% women) were included in the modified intent-to-treat analysis. The hemodialysis independence rate at 3 months was 41.3% (n = 19) in the high-cutoff hemodialysis group vs 33.3% (n = 16) in the conventional hemodialysis group (between-group difference, 8.0% [95% CI, −12.0% to 27.9%],<i>P</i> = .42); at 6 months, the rate was 56.5% (n = 26) vs 35.4% (n = 17), respectively (between-group difference, 21.1% [95% CI, 0.9% to 41.3%],<i>P</i> = .04); and at 12 months, the rate was 60.9% (n = 28) vs 37.5% (n = 18) (between-group difference, 23.4% [95% CI, 3.2% to 43.5%],<i>P</i> = .02). The incidence of hemodialysis-related adverse events was 43% in the high-cutoff hemodialysis group vs 39% in the conventional hemodialysis group; chemotherapy-related serious adverse events, 39% vs 37%, respectively; and at 12 months, 9 patients vs 10 patients died. <h3>Conclusions and Relevance</h3> Among patients with myeloma cast nephropathy treated with a bortezomib-based chemotherapy regimen, the use of high-cutoff hemodialysis compared with conventional hemodialysis did not result in a statistically significant difference in hemodialysis independence at 3 months. However, the study may have been underpowered to identify an early clinically important difference. <h3>Trial Registration</h3> clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01208818

Key Points Monoclonal gammopathy is associated with C3 glomerulopathy. Specific treatment of the underlying B-cell clone improves renal survival.

The phase III MMY-3021 study compared safety and efficacy of subcutaneous versus intravenous administration of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in patients with relapsed myeloma. The initial report demonstrated non-inferior efficacy with subcutaneous versus intravenous bortezomib for the primary end point: overall response rate after four cycles of single-agent bortezomib. We report updated outcome analyses after prolonged follow up. Best response rate (after up to ten cycles of bortezomib ± dexamethasone) remained 52% in each arm, including 23% and 22% complete or near-complete responses with subcutaneous and intravenous bortezomib, respectively. Time to progression (median 9.7 vs. 9.6 months; hazard ratio 0.872, P=0.462), progression-free survival (median 9.3 vs. 8.4 months; hazard ratio 0.846, P=0.319), and overall survival (1-year: 76.4% vs. 78.0%, P=0.788) were comparable with subcutaneous versus intravenous bortezomib. Peripheral neuropathy rates remained significantly lower with subcutaneous versus intravenous bortezomib, with increased rates of improvement/resolution at the time of this analysis.

Abstract Patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) have limited treatment options and poor survival outcomes. The increasing adoption of lenalidomide-based therapy for frontline treatment of multiple myeloma has resulted in a need for effective regimens for lenalidomide-refractory patients. This phase 1b study evaluated daratumumab plus carfilzomib and dexamethasone (D-Kd) in patients with RRMM after 1 to 3 prior lines of therapy, including bortezomib and an immunomodulatory drug; lenalidomide-refractory patients were eligible. Carfilzomib- and daratumumab-naïve patients (n = 85) received carfilzomib weekly on days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle (20 mg/m2 initial dose, escalated to 70 mg/m2 thereafter) and dexamethasone (40 mg/wk). Of these, 10 patients received the first daratumumab dose as a single infusion (16 mg/kg, day 1 cycle 1), and 75 patients received a split first dose (8 mg/kg, days 1-2 cycle 1). Subsequent dosing was per the approved schedule for daratumumab. Patients received a median of 2 (range, 1-4) prior lines of therapy; 60% were lenalidomide refractory. The most common grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events were thrombocytopenia (31%), lymphopenia (24%), anemia (21%), and neutropenia (21%). Infusion-related reactions were observed in 60% and 43% of single and split first-dose patients, respectively. Overall response rate was 84% (79% in lenalidomide-refractory patients). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was not reached; 12-month PFS rates were 74% for all treated patients and 65% for lenalidomide-refractory patients. D-Kd was well tolerated with low neutropenia rates, and it demonstrated deep responses and encouraging PFS, including in patients refractory to lenalidomide. The trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01998971.

Abstract High dose chemotherapy plus autologous transplantation (ASCT) is considered a standard of care for newly diagnosed myeloma patients younger than 65 years of age. The high complete response rate (CR) achieved with the triplet combination of immunomodulatory drugs + proteasome inhibitors + dexamethasone has led investigators to propose this strategy upfront without immediate ASCT. The aim of this study was to determine if, in the era of new drugs, ASCT was still required in the initial management of young patients. We conducted a randomized trial comparing conventional dose treatment (RVD arm= 8 cycles of Lenalidomide, Bortezomib and Dexamethasone, plus stem cell mobilization after 3 cycles of RVD utilizing high dose cyclophosphamide and G-CSF) to RVD with ASCT (Transplant arm= 3 induction cycles of RVD, followed by stem cell collection, and then ASCT conditioned with Melphalan 200 mg/m2, followed by 2 cycles of RVD as consolidation). Maintenance treatment with Lenalidomide (10 to 15 mg/d) was used in both arms for one year. In the RVD arm, ASCT was planned at time of relapse. From November 2010 to November 2012, 700 previously untreated French and Belgian patients were equally randomized between arms. Randomization was stratified according to ISS stage (I vs II vs III) and FISH analysis (standard vs high risk = del 17p or t(4;14) or t(14;16)). The primary study end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Two pre-specified interim analysis were to be performed at 33% and 69% of the estimated total number of events. The second interim analysis was performed in June 2015 (346 events= 197 in the RVD arm, 149 in the transplant arm). These results were submitted to an independent data management and safety committee, who recommended completing the trial, and continuing follow-up (without cross over before progression), since the difference in PFS between the 2 groups had reached the pre-specified level of significance for stopping the study. As of June 8, 2015, median follow up was 39 months. All patients had discontinued treatment (completion of planned therapy= 66%, disease progression= 16%, adverse events= 10%). Patient characteristics of each group were similar and no significant differences were found with regard to age (median=58 years), ISS stage (I=233, II=341, III=126), Ig isotype, beta-2-microglobulin (median=3.5 mg/L), and cytogenetics (high risk=90 patients). In the transplant arm, 93% of patients underwent ASCT and 5 toxic deaths occurred during mobilization or in the actual transplant phase (1.4%). ASCT was found to improve PFS (stratified p value for log-rank test &lt; 0.0002; HR= 1.5, 95% CI= 1.2-1.9). The 3-year post-randomization PFS rate was 61% in the transplant arm versus 48% in the RVD arm. The PFS benefit observed in the transplant arm was uniform across all the following subgroups: age (≤ or &gt; 60 years), sex, Ig isotype (IgG or others), ISS stage (I or II or III), cytogenetics (standard or high risk), and response after the 3 first cycles of RVD (complete response or not). The 3-year post randomization rate of overall survival was extremely high (88%) and similar between the 2 study groups (stratified p value for log rank test=0.25). The complete response rate was significantly higher in the transplant arm compared to the RVD arm: 58% versus 46%, respectively (p&lt;0.01). Forty-one second primary malignancies among 39 patients were recorded (Transplant arm=23, RVD arm=18). In conclusion, these results demonstrate that ASCT should remain a standard of care for young patients with de novo myeloma, and suggest that RVD plus ASCT could be a future reference strategy in this setting. Further follow-up is needed, as the number of deaths is still low in both arms. The parallel US trial, which uses a similar design but importantly administers maintenance Lenalidomide continuously until progression in both arms, is ongoing. Disclosures Attal: celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; jansen: Honoraria. Hulin:jansen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Facon:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pierre Fabre: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Arnulf:Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. MACRO:celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; jansen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Garderet:celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; jansen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Roussel:celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; jansen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Avet-Loiseau:celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; onyx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; jansen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; jansen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; onyx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Munshi:novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; onyx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Richardson:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gentium S.p.A.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Moreau:Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease (MIDD) is a rare complication of plasma cell disorders, defined by linear Congo red-negative deposits of monoclonal light chain, heavy chain, or both along basement membranes. While renal involvement is prominent, treatment strategies, such as the impact of novel anti-myeloma agents, remain poorly defined. Here we retrospectively studied 49 patients with MIDD who received a median of 4.5 cycles of intravenous bortezomib plus dexamethasone. Of these, 25 received no additional treatment, 18 also received cyclophosphamide, while 6 also received thalidomide or lenalidomide. The hematological diagnoses identified 38 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance, 10 with symptomatic multiple myeloma, and 1 with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. The overall hematologic response rate, based on the difference between involved and uninvolved serum-free light chains (dFLCs), was 91%. After median follow-up of 54 months, 5 patients died and 10 had reached end-stage renal disease. Renal response was achieved in 26 patients, with a 35% increase in median eGFR and an 86% decrease in median 24-h proteinuria. Predictive factors were pre-treatment eGFR over 30 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) and post-treatment dFLC under 40 mg/l; the latter was the sole predictive factor of renal response by multivariable analysis. Thus, bortezomib-based therapy is a promising treatment strategy in MIDD, mainly when used early in the disease course. dFLC response is a favorable prognostic factor for renal survival.

Abstract Daratumumab is a human monoclonal antibody targeting CD38, an antigen uniformly expressed by plasma cells in multiple myeloma and light-chain amyloidosis (AL). We report the results of a prospective multicenter phase 2 study of daratumumab monotherapy in AL (NCT02816476). Forty previously treated AL patients with a difference between involved and uninvolved free light chains (dFLC) &amp;gt;50 mg/L were included in 15 centers between September of 2016 and April of 2018. Patients received 6 28-day cycles of IV daratumumab, every week for cycles 1 and 2 and every 2 weeks for cycles 3 through 6. Median age was 69 years (range, 45-83). Twenty-six patients had ≥2 organs involved, with heart in 24 and kidney in 26. Median time from diagnosis to enrollment was 23 months (interquartile range, 4-122), with a median of 3 prior therapies (range, 1-5). At data cutoff (September of 2019), all patients discontinued therapy; 33 received the planned 6 cycles. Overall, 22 patients had hematological response, and 19 patients (47.5%) achieved very good partial response (dFLC &amp;lt;40 mg/L) or better. Median time to hematological response was 1 week. Patients with no response after 4 doses were unlikely to respond further. Renal and cardiac responses occurred in 8 and 7 patients, respectively. Daratumumab was well tolerated, with no unexpected adverse events. With a median follow-up of 26 months, the 2-year overall survival rate was 74% (95% confidence interval, 62-81). Daratumumab monotherapy is associated with deep and rapid hematological responses in previously treated AL patients, with a good safety profile. Further studies of daratumumab in combination regimens are warranted.

Key Points Pom-Dex is active and well tolerated in adverse cytogenetic patients with early RRMM, particularly in those with del(17p). Pom-Dex prolonged OS in adverse cytogenetic patients with early RRMM.

Purpose Primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL) is a rare and aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. With conventional chemotherapy, patients typically die within 1 year. In all but one of the retrospective studies reported to date, bortezomib and lenalidomide seem to improve survival. We conducted a prospective phase II trial in patients with pPCL to assess the efficacy of an alternate regimen that combines standard chemotherapy, a proteasome inhibitor, and high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDM/ASCT) followed by either allogeneic transplantation or bortezomib/lenalidomide maintenance. Patients and Methods Patients 70 years old and younger with newly diagnosed pPCL received four alternating cycles of bortezomib, dexamethasone plus doxorubicin or cyclophosphamide. Peripheral blood stem cells were collected from responding patients with &lt; 1% of circulating plasma cells before HDM/ASCT. As consolidation, young patients received a reduced-intensity conditioning allograft, whereas the remaining patients underwent a second HDM/ASCT followed by 1 year of bortezomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Results Forty patients (median age, 57 years; range, 27 to 71 years) were enrolled. The median follow-up was 28.7 months. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the median PFS and overall survival were 15.1 (95% CI, 8.4; -) and 36.3 (95% CI, 25.6; -) months, respectively. The overall response rate to induction was 69%. One patient underwent a syngeneic allograft and 25 HDM/ASCT (16 of whom subsequently received a reduced-intensity conditioning allograft and seven a second ASCT followed by maintenance). Conclusion In this prospective trial in patients with pPCL, we show that bortezomib, dexamethasone plus doxorubicin or cyclophosphamide induction followed by transplantation induces high response rates and appears to significantly improve PFS.

We compared the health-related quality-of-life of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma aged over 65 years or transplant-ineligible in the pivotal, phase III FIRST trial. Patients received: i) continuous lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone until disease progression; ii) fixed cycles of lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone for 18 months; or iii) fixed cycles of melphalan, prednisone, thalidomide for 18 months. Data were collected using the validated questionnaires (QLQ-MY20, QLQ-C30, and EQ-5D). The analysis focused on the EQ-5D utility value and six domains pre-selected for their perceived clinical relevance. Lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone, and melphalan, prednisone, thalidomide improved patients’ health-related quality-of-life from baseline over the duration of the study across all pre-selected domains of the QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D. In the QLQ-MY20, lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in the Disease Symptoms domain compared with melphalan, prednisone, thalidomide at Month 3, and significantly lower scores for QLQ-MY20 Side Effects of Treatment at all post-baseline assessments except Month 18. Linear mixed-model repeated-measures analyses confirmed the results observed in the cross-sectional analysis. Continuous lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone delays disease progression versus melphalan, prednisone, thalidomide and has been associated with a clinically meaningful improvement in health-related quality-of-life. These results further establish continuous lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone as a new standard of care for initial therapy of myeloma by demonstrating superior health-related quality-of-life during treatment, compared with melphalan, prednisone, thalidomide.

Abstract Monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease (MIDD) is a rare complication of B-cell clonal disorders, defined by Congo red negative–deposits of monoclonal light chain (LCDD), heavy chain (HCDD), or both (LHCDD). MIDD is a systemic disorder with prominent renal involvement, but little attention has been paid to the description of extrarenal manifestations. Moreover, mechanisms of pathogenic immunoglobulin deposition and factors associated with renal and patient survival are ill defined. We retrospectively studied a nationwide cohort of 255 patients, with biopsy-proven LCDD (n = 212) (including pure LCDD [n = 154], LCDD with cast nephropathy (CN) [n = 58]), HCDD (n = 23), or LHCDD (n = 20). Hematological diagnosis was monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance in 64% and symptomatic myeloma in 34%. Renal presentation was acute kidney injury in patients with LCCD and CN, and chronic glomerular disease in the other types, 35% of whom had symptomatic extrarenal (mostly hepatic and cardiac) involvement. Sequencing of 18 pathogenic LC showed high isoelectric point values of variable domain complementarity determining regions, possibly accounting for tissue deposition. Among 169 patients who received chemotherapy (bortezomib-based in 58%), 67% achieved serum free light chain (FLC) response, including very good partial response (VGPR) or above in 52%. Renal response occurred in 62 patients (36%), all of whom had achieved hematological response. FLC response ≥ VGPR and absence of severe interstitial fibrosis were independent predictors of renal response. This study highlights an unexpected frequency of extrarenal manifestations in MIDD. Rapid diagnosis and achievement of deep FLC response are key factors of prognosis.

To clearly define transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathies (TTR-FAPs) fulfilling definite clinical and electrophysiologic European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society criteria for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).From a cohort of 194 patients with FAP, 13 of 84 patients (15%) of French ancestry had late-onset demyelinating TTR-FAP. We compared clinical presentation and electrophysiology to a cohort with CIDP and POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein, and skin changes) syndrome. We assessed nerve histology and the correlation between motor/sensory amplitudes/velocities. Predictors of demyelinating TTR-FAP were identified from clinical and electrophysiologic data.Pain, dysautonomia, small fiber sensory loss above the wrists, upper limb weakness, and absence of ataxia were predictors of demyelinating TTR-FAP (p < 0.01). The most frequent demyelinating features were prolonged distal motor latency of the median nerve and reduced sensory conduction velocity of the median and ulnar nerves. Motor axonal loss was severe and frequent in the median, ulnar, and tibial nerves (p < 0.05) in demyelinating FAP. Ulnar nerve motor amplitude <5.4 mV and sural nerve amplitude <3.95 μV were distinguishing characteristics of demyelinating TTR-FAP. Nerve biopsy showed severe axonal loss and occasional segmental demyelination-remyelination.Misleading features of TTR-FAP fulfilling criteria for CIDP are not uncommon in sporadic late-onset TTR-FAP, which highlights the limits of European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society criteria. Specific clinical aspects and marked electrophysiologic axonal loss are red flag symptoms that should alert to this diagnosis and prompt TTR gene sequencing.

Background Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy can induce side-effects such as cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), which often require intensive care unit admission. The aim of this study was to describe management of critically ill CAR T-cell recipients in intensive care. Methods This international, multicentre, observational cohort study was done in 21 intensive care units in France, Spain, the USA, the UK, Russia, Canada, Germany, and Austria. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older; had received CAR T-cell therapy in the past 30 days; and had been admitted to intensive care for any reason. Investigators retrospectively included patients admitted between Feb 1, 2018, and Feb 1, 2019, and prospectively included patients admitted between March 1, 2019, and Feb 1, 2020. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, treatment, and outcome data were extracted from medical records. The primary endpoint was 90-day mortality. Factors associated with mortality were identified using a Cox proportional hazard model. Findings 942 patients received CAR T-cell therapy, of whom 258 (27%) required admission to intensive care and 241 (26%) were included in the analysis. Admission to intensive care was needed within median 4·5 days (IQR 2·0–7·0) of CAR T-cell infusion. 90-day mortality was 22·4% (95% CI 17·1–27·7; 54 deaths). At initial evaluation on admission, isolated cytokine release syndrome was identified in 101 patients (42%), cytokine release syndrome and ICANS in 93 (39%), and isolated ICANS in seven (3%) patients. Grade 3–4 cytokine release syndrome within 1 day of admission to intensive care was found in 50 (25%) of 200 patients and grade 3–4 ICANS in 38 (35%) of 108 patients. Bacterial infection developed in 30 (12%) patients. Life-saving treatments were used in 75 (31%) patients within 24 h of admission to intensive care, primarily vasoactive drugs in 65 (27%) patients. Factors independently associated with 90-day mortality by multivariable analysis were frailty (hazard ratio 2·51 [95% CI 1·37–4·57]), bacterial infection (2·12 [1·11–4·08]), and lifesaving therapy within 24 h of admission (1·80 [1·05–3·10]). Interpretation Critical care management is an integral part of CAR T-cell therapy and should be standardised. Studies to improve infection prevention and treatment in these high-risk patients are warranted. Funding Groupe de Recherche Respiratoire en Réanimation Onco-Hématologique.

Introduction: Elranatamab is a humanized bispecific antibody that targets both B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-expressing multiple myeloma (MM) cells and CD3-expressing T cells. MagnetisMM-3 (NCT04649359) is an open-label, multicenter, non-randomized, phase 2 study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of elranatamab monotherapy in patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM). Results in pts with RRMM and no prior BCMA-targeted treatment (Cohort A) are presented. Methods: MagnetisMM-3 enrolled pts refractory to at least 1 proteasome inhibitor, 1 immunomodulatory drug, and 1 anti-CD38 antibody. Pts received subcutaneous elranatamab 76 mg QW on a 28-day cycle with a 2-step-up priming dose regimen (12 mg and 32 mg) administered during the first week. Primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) by blinded independent central review (BICR) per IMWG criteria. Objective response was defined as confirmed stringent complete response, complete response, very good partial response, or partial response. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were graded by CTCAE v5.0, and cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) by ASTCT criteria. Data cut-off: June 17, 2022 (~6 months after last pt's initial dose). Results: A total of 123 pts were enrolled and treated with elranatamab in Cohort A. Median age was 68.0 years (range, 36−89), 55.3% were male, 58.5% were White, 13.0% were Asian and 7.3% were Black/African American. At baseline, pts had an ECOG performance status of 0 (36.6%), 1 (57.7%) or 2 (5.7%); 25.2% of pts had high risk cytogenetics, 15.4% had R-ISS III, and 31.7% had extramedullary disease. Pts had received a median of 5.0 (range, 2−22) prior lines of therapy; 96.7% and 42.3% of pts were triple-class- and penta-drug refractory, respectively. After a median follow-up of 6.8 months (range, 0.2−16.2), the median duration of elranatamab treatment was 5.3 months (range, 0.03−16.1); 51.2% of pts were still receiving elranatamab at the data cut-off. Most common primary reasons for permanent treatment discontinuation were progressive disease (32.5%) and adverse events (7.3%). The ORR by BICR was 61.0% (95% CI, 51.8−69.6); a clinical benefit was observed across subgroups (Figure). Among responders, median time to objective response was 1.2 months (range, 0.9−6.9). The median duration of objective response has not been reached, and the probability of maintaining the response at 6 months was 90.4% (95% CI, 79.8−95.6). Any grade and grade 3/4 TEAEs were reported in 100% and 74.8% of pts, respectively. The most commonly occurring TEAEs are shown in Table 1. Infections were reported in 61.8% (grade 3/4, 31.7%) of pts; most frequently (≥10% of pts) reported were upper respiratory tract infections (14.6% [no grade 3/4]) and pneumonia (10.6% [grade 3/4, 5.7%]). Peripheral neuropathy was reported in 17.1% (grade 3/4, 0.8%) of pts; most common events (≥2% of pts) were peripheral sensory neuropathy (4.9% [no grade 3/4]), paresthesia (4.1% [no grade 3/4]) and gait disturbance (2.4% [no grade 3/4]). Among pts with peripheral neuropathy events (n=21), 47.6% had a medical history of neuropathy. There were 13.8% of pts with TEAEs leading to death, none were assessed as related to elranatamab. Among pts who received the 2-step-up priming regimen (n=119), CRS and ICANS, respectively, were reported in 56.3% and 3.4%; of those pts, 44.8% (n=30/67) and 50.0% (n=2/4) received tocilizumab and/or steroids. All CRS and ICANS were grade 1 or 2. CRS events were confined to the first 2 priming doses (90.6%) and the first 3 doses (98.8%). No pts permanently discontinued treatment due to CRS or ICANS. Data will be updated at the time of presentation to include ~3 additional months of follow-up. Conclusions: Results suggest that subcutaneous 76 mg QW elranatamab is efficacious and has a manageable safety profile in pts with triple-class- and penta-drug refractory MM and no prior BCMA-targeted treatment. These results support continued development of elranatamab for pts with MM. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Teclistamab shows promising results in R/R AL amyloidosis, with VGPR or better in 88% of patients and involved FLC < 10 mg/L in 76%. We observed a 35% rate of severe infections and no cardiac or kidney related events.

Abstract Xanthomas are a common manifestation of lipid metabolism disorders. They include hyperlipemic xanthoma, normolipemic xanthoma, and a related condition, necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG). All 3 forms can be associated with monoclonal immunoglobulin (MIg). In an attempt to improve diagnosis, understanding, and treatment of this association, we retrospectively analyzed a personal series of 24 patients (2 hyperlipemic xanthoma, 11 normolipemic xanthoma, and 11 NXG) and 230 well-documented reports from the literature. With the exception of the nodules and plaques featured in NXG, the clinical presentation of xanthomatous lesions usually resembled that seen in common hyperlipidemic forms and could not be used to suspect MIg-associated xanthomas. Extracutaneous sites were not rare. The MIg was an IgG in 80% of cases. Myeloma was diagnosed in 35%. Hypocomplementemia with low C4 fraction was present in 80% of studied patients. Low C1 inhibitor serum levels were found in 53%. Cryoglobulinemia was detected in 27%. These abnormalities suggest immune complex formation because of interactions between the MIg and lipoproteins and argue in favor of a causal link between MIg and xanthomas. Monoclonal gammopathy therapy could thus be an option. Indeed, among the patients who received chemotherapy, hematologic remission was accompanied by improvement in xanthoma lesions in several cases.

In human physiology and animal models, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exert an immunosuppressive role in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. However, cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in this process are not clear and remain largely elusive. Several studies have suggested the implication of cell–cell contacts or soluble factors including transforming growth factor-b1 (TGF-b1), interleukin-10 (IL-10), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), or human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G). Here, we show that both Galectin-1 and Semaphorin-3A (Sema-3A), 2 soluble factors capable to inhibit T-cell proliferation through neuropilin-1 (NP-1) binding, are highly expressed by MSCs and may account for their known suppressive activities. Furthermore, MSCs suppressive functions are completely reverted by soluble recombinant NP-1, the main receptor of both Galectin-1 and Sema-3A. Similar results were obtained by using blocking antibodies against Galectin-1 or Sema-3A. Taken together, these results demonstrate the critical role of Galectin-1 and Sema-3A in MSCs functions and may open new perspectives in the understanding and treatment of various immune and neoplastic disorders.

Kidney diseases associated with immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal gammopathy are poorly described, with few data for patient outcomes and renal response.Case series.35 patients from 8 French departments of nephrology were retrospectively studied. Inclusion criteria were: (1) detectable serum monoclonal IgM, (2) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60mL/min/1.73m(2) and/or proteinuria with protein excretion > 0.5g/d and/or microscopic hematuria, and (3) kidney biopsy showing monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits and/or lymphomatous B-cell renal infiltration. All patients received chemotherapy, including rituximab-based regimens in 8 cases.Patients were classified into 3 groups according to renal pathology: glomerular AL amyloidosis (group 1; n=11), nonamyloid glomerulopathies (group 2; n=15, including 9 patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis), and tubulointerstitial nephropathies (group 3; n=9, including cast nephropathy in 5, light-chain Fanconi syndrome in 3, and isolated tumor infiltration in 1).Posttreatment hematologic response (≥50% reduction in serum monoclonal IgM and/or free light chain level) and renal response (≥50% reduction in 24-hour proteinuria or eGFR≥30mL/min/1.73m(2) in patients with glomerular and tubulointerstitial disorders, respectively).Nephrotic syndrome was observed in 11 and 6 patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Patients in group 3 presented with acute kidney injury (n=7) and/or proximal tubular dysfunction (n=3). Waldenström macroglobulinemia was present in 26 patients (8, 12, and 6 in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Significant lymphomatous interstitial infiltration was observed in 18 patients (4, 9, and 5 patients, respectively). Only 9 of 29 evaluable patients had systemic signs of symptomatic hematologic disease (2, 5, and 2, respectively). In groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, hematologic response was achieved after first-line treatment in 3 of 9, 9 of 10, and 5 of 6 evaluable patients, while renal response occurred in 5 of 10, 9 of 15, and 5 of 8 evaluable patients.Retrospective study; insufficient population to establish the impact of chemotherapy.IgM monoclonal gammopathy is associated with a wide spectrum of renal manifestations, with an under-recognized frequency of tubulointerstitial disorders.

Key Points Serum FLC analysis is a more sensitive indicator of disease than urinalysis. Improved sensitivity of serum over urine measurements during monitoring translates into valuable prognostic information.

BackgroundMonoclonal gammopathy-associated systemic capillary-leak syndrome, also known as Clarkson disease, is a rare condition characterized by recurrent life-threatening episodes of capillary hyperpermeability in the context of a monoclonal gammopathy. This study was conducted to better describe the clinical characteristics, natural history, and long-term outcome of monoclonal gammopathy-associated systemic capillary-leak syndrome.MethodsWe conducted a cohort analysis of all patients included in the European Clarkson disease (EurêClark) registry between January 1997 and March 2016. From diagnosis to last follow-up, studied outcomes (eg, the frequency and severity of attacks, death, and evolution toward multiple myeloma) and the type of preventive treatments administered were monitored every 6 months.ResultsSixty-nine patients (M/F sex ratio 1:1; mean ± SD age at disease onset 52 ± 12 years) were included in the study. All patients had monoclonal gammopathy of immunoglobulin G type, with kappa light chains in 47 (68%). Median (interquartile range) follow-up duration was 5.1 (2.5-9.7) years. Twenty-four patients (35%) died after 3.3 (0.9-8) years. Fifty-seven (86%) patients received at least one preventive treatment, including intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) n = 48 (73.8%), theophylline n = 22 (33.8%), terbutaline n = 22 (33.8%), and thalidomide n = 5 (7.7%). In the 65 patients with follow-up, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 78% (n = 35) and 69% (n = 17), respectively. Multivariate analysis found preventive treatment with IVIg (hazard ratio 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.10-0.70; P = .007) and terbutaline (hazard ratio 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.96; P = .041) to be independent predictors of mortality.ConclusionsWe describe the largest cohort to date of patients with well-defined monoclonal gammopathy-associated systemic capillary-leak syndrome. Preventive treatment with IVIg was the strongest factor associated with survival, suggesting the use of IVIg as the first line in prevention therapy.

The assessment of both thromboembolic and haemorrhagic risks and their management in systemic amyloidosis have been poorly emphasized so far. This narrative review summarizes main evidence from literature with clinical perspective. The rate of thromboembolic events is as high as 5-10% amyloidosis patients, at least in patients with cardiac involvement, with deleterious impact on prognosis. The most known pro-thrombotic factors are heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and atrial myopathy. Atrial fibrillation could occur in 20% to 75% of systemic amyloidosis patients. Cardiac thrombi are frequently observed in patients, particularly in immunoglobulin light chains (AL) amyloidosis, up to 30%, and it is advised to look for them systematically before cardioversion. In AL amyloidosis, nephrotic syndrome and the use of immunomodulatory drugs also favour thrombosis. On the other hand, the bleeding risk increases because of frequent amyloid digestive involvement as well as factor X deficiency, renal failure, and increased risk of dysautonomia-related fall.

8008 Background: Studies in the MagnetisMM program (MM-1, NCT03269136; MM-3, NCT04649359; MM-9, NCT05014412) enrolled pts treated with prior BCMA-directed therapies. A pooled analysis from these studies evaluated the efficacy and safety of elranatamab in pts with RRMM and prior exposure to BCMA-directed therapy. Methods: Eligible pts received at least 1 PI, 1 IMiD, 1 anti-CD38 antibody, and 1 BCMA-directed therapy (ADC and/or CAR-T cells). Pooled analysis included pts in MM-1 (n = 13) who received SC elranatamab 215−1000 µg/kg; MM-3 (n = 64) and MM-9 (n = 9) who received the RP2D, SC 76 mg QW. Efficacy endpoints were assessed by investigator per IMWG criteria. TEAEs were graded by CTCAE (MM-1, v4.03; MM-3 &amp; MM-9, v5.0); CRS and ICANS were graded by ASTCT criteria. Results include data up through ~10 months after last pt initial dose in all pooled studies. Results: In total, 86 pts were included. Median age was 66.0 y (range, 40−84); 47.7% male. At baseline, 69.8% had an ECOG PS ≥1; 24.4% had high risk cytogenetics; 54.7% had extramedullary disease. Pts received a median of 7.0 (3−19) prior lines of therapy, including BCMA-directed ADC (67.4%), CAR T-cells (41.9%), 9.3% received both. 96.5% and 54.7% of pts were triple-class and penta-drug refractory, respectively; among pts who received ADC and CAR-T cells respectively, 79.3% and 27.8% were refractory to ADC and CAR-T cells. After a median follow-up of 10.3 mo (0.3−32.3), median duration of treatment was 3.3 mo (0.03−30.4). At data cut-off, 24.4% of pts remained on treatment; most common reason for permanent treatment discontinuation was progressive disease (44.2%). ORR was 45.3% (95% CI 34.6−56.5), with ≥CR achieved in 17.4% of pts. ORR for pts with prior BCMA-directed ADC and CAR-T cells was 41.4% (95% CI 28.6−55.1) and 52.8% (95% CI 35.5−69.6), respectively. Among responders, median time to objective response was 1.9 mo (0.3−9.3). Median DOR was not reached by 10 mo; the DOR rate at 9 mo was 72.4% (95% CI 54.7−84.2). DOR rate (95% CI) for pts with prior BCMA-directed ADC and CAR-T cells were 67.3% (43.1−83.0) and 78.9% (53.2−91.5) at 9 mo, respectively. Median PFS was 4.8 mo (95% CI 1.9−7.7), and median OS was not reached by 10 mo, with a rate of 60.1% (95% CI 48.9−69.6) at 9 mo. Most common (≥25% of pts) TEAEs were CRS (65.1% [G3 1.2%]), anemia (59.3% [G3/4, 46.5%]), neutropenia (44.2% [G3/4, 40.7%]), thrombocytopenia (40.7% [G3/4, 29.1%]), diarrhea (33.7% [G3/4, 0%], and lymphopenia (32.6% [G3/4, 30.2%]). ICANS was reported in 5.8% (G3, 2.3%) of pts. Conclusions: In pts with RRMM and prior exposure to BCMA-directed therapies, elranatamab was efficacious and well tolerated; no new safety signals were observed vs the BCMA-naïve population. Results support treatment with elranatamab in pts with RRMM post BCMA-directed therapy. Clinical trial information: NCT03269136 , NCT04649359 , NCT05014412 .

8039 Background: MagnetisMM-3 (NCT04649359) is an open-label, multicenter, registrational phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of elranatamab monotherapy in pts with RRMM; pts naïve to BCMA-directed therapies were enrolled in Cohort A. Methods: Eligible pts were refractory to at least 1 PI, 1 IMiD, and 1 anti-CD38 antibody. Pts received SC elranatamab in 28-d cycles with step-up doses of 12 mg on C1D1 and 32 mg on C1D4 followed by 76 mg QW beginning C1D8. Pts treated for 6 cycles and achieving partial response (PR) or better with response persisting ≥2 mo were switched to 76 mg Q2W, 46 and 58 pts are included in the Q2W efficacy and safety analyses, respectively. Results: Overall, 123 pts received elranatamab. Median pt age was 68.0 y (range, 36−89), 63.4% of pts had an ECOG PS ≥1 and median prior lines of therapy was 5.0 (2−22); 96.7% and 42.3% of pts were triple-class- and penta-drug refractory, respectively. At data cutoff (~12 mo after last pt initial dose), the median follow up was 12.8 mo (0.2−22.7); 34.1% of pts remained on treatment. Most common reasons for permanent treatment discontinuation were progressive disease (39.0%) and adverse events (AE; 13.8%). Objective response rate per blinded independent central review (BICR) was 61% (95% CI 51.8−69.6), with 39 (31.7%) pts with complete response (CR) or stringent CR (sCR); very good partial response (VGPR) and PR were achieved in 29 (23.6%) and 7 (5.7%) pts, respectively. MRD-negativity (threshold 10 –5 ) was achieved by 92.0% (n = 23/25) of evaluable pts. Median duration of response (mDOR) has not been reached (95% CI 12.9−NE) and DOR at 12 mo was 74.1% (95% CI 60.5−83.6). In pts with CR/sCR or VGPR, mDOR was not reached by 12 mo; in pts with PR, mDOR was 5.2 mo (95% CI 1.6−NE). There were 46 responders by BICR who switched to Q2W dosing ≥24 wk prior to the data cut-off; among these pts, 80.4% maintained/improved their response ≥24 wk after the switch. Median progression-free and overall survival have not been reached by 12 mo, and the respective rates (95% CI) at 12 mo were 57.1% (47.2−65.9) and 62.0% (52.8−70.0). Most common Grade 3/4 treatment emergent AEs were hematologic; Grade 3/4 non-hematologic events reported in ≥5% of pts were COVID-pneumonia (10.6%), hypokalemia (9.8%), pneumonia (7.3%), sepsis (6.5%), hypertension (6.5%), ALT increased (5.7%), and SARS-COV-2 test positive (5.7%). Among pts who switched to Q2W dosing, the incidence of Grade 3/4 AEs decreased by &gt; 10% after the switch. Conclusions: Elranatamab remains efficacious and well tolerated in pts with RRMM after &gt; 1 y of follow-up. Updated analysis with a median follow up of ~15 mo, the longest of all phase 2 BCMA-CD3 bispecific antibody studies, including the outcome of pts who switched to the Q2W dosing, will be presented. These results support continued elranatamab development for pts with MM. Clinical trial information: NCT04649359 .

Conventional chemotherapy for myeloma yield unsatisfactory results in light and/or heavy chain deposition disease [(H)CDD] Because of the well-established dose-response effect of high dose melphalan in multiple myeloma, aiming to dramatically reduce the pathogenic monoclonal immunoglobulin (MIg) level, high dose therapy is a tempting alternative approach.We treated 11 young patients with L(H)CDD by high dose therapy with the support of autologous blood stem cell transplantation. All had renal symptoms, including four who required dialysis and seven who had various, mainly cardiac, extrarenal manifestations.No toxic deaths occurred. A decrease in the MIg level was observed in eight patients, with complete disappearance from serum and urine in six cases. Improvement in manifestations related to MIg deposits were observed in six patients, including renal, cardiac, and hepatic responses in 4/11, 4/4, and 2/2 cases, respectively. Histologic regression of MIg deposits was documented in cardiac, hepatic, and skin biopsies. In contrast, examination of the kidney still showed light chain deposits in one patient who had renal transplantation 3 years after high dose therapy, at a time when he was in persisting remission. Within a median follow-up of 51 months, three patients were retreated because of multiple myeloma relapse, of whom one died and one required hemodialysis, and renal function secondarily deteriorated in a patient who had resistant multiple myeloma. Otherwise, no manifestations related to MIg deposits occurred or recurred in any patient.Present results of this retrospective study argue in favor of a benefit of high dose therapy with stem cell support in young patients with L(H)CDD.

Human T-cell leukemia virus I is the etiologic agent of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), an aggressive T-cell malignancy. The viral oncoprotein Tax, through the activation of nuclear factorκB (NF-κB), CCAAT-enhancer binding protein (CREB), and activated protein-1 (AP-1) pathways, is a transcriptional regulator of critical genes for T-cell homeostasis. In ATL cells, activated AP-1 complexes induce the production of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). TGF-β1 is an inhibitor of T-cell proliferation and cytotoxicity. Here we show that, in contrast to normal peripheral T cells, ATL cells are resistant to TGF-β1–induced growth inhibition. The retroviral transduction of the Tax protein in peripheral T cells resulted in the loss of TGF-β1 sensitivity. Transient transfection of Tax in HepG2 cells specifically inhibited Smad/TGF-β1 signaling in a dose-dependent manner. In the presence of Tax transfection, increasing amounts of Smad3 restored TGF-β1 signaling. Tax mutants unable to activate NF-κB or CREB pathways were also able to repress Smad3 transcriptional activity. Next we have demonstrated that Tax inhibits TGF-β1 signaling by reducing the Smad3 DNA binding activity. However, Tax did not decrease the expression and the nuclear translocation of Smad3 nor did it interact physically with Smad3. Rather, Tax induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity and c-Jun phosphorylation, leading to the formation of Smad3/c-Jun complexes. Whereas c-Jun alone abrogates Smad3 DNA binding, cotransfection of Tax and of a dominant-negative form of JNK or a c-Jun antisense-restored Smad3 DNA binding activity and TGF-β1 responsiveness. In ATL and in normal T cells transduced by Tax, c-Jun was constitutively phosphorylated. Thus, we describe a new function of Tax, as a repressor of TGF-β1 signaling through JNK/c-Jun constitutive activation, which may play a critical role in ATL leukemogenesis.

Background Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is difficult to diagnose. The detection of galactomannan (GM) in serum samples is useful for diagnosing IPA. A positive test for GM antigen in BAL has also been proposed as a criterion of IPA, although it has not been fully validated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the contribution of GM antigen detection in BAL to the diagnosis of IPA in hematologic patients. Methods One hundred one consecutive patients treated for hematologic malignancy were explored by bronchoscopy and BAL for new pulmonary infiltrates. Both BAL fluid and serum samples were evaluated for GM using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test, with an optical density index ≥ 0.5 considered positive. Respiratory samples were also examined for the presence of fungi. Results IPA was diagnosed in 33 patients according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Mycoses Study Group consensus group criteria (six proven, 23 probable, four possible). Nineteen of these 33 patients had a positive BAL GM test, whereas three patients without IPA had false-positive results. GM detection in BAL had a sensitivity of 57.6% (95% CI, 40.8%–72.8%) and a specificity of 95.6% (95% CI, 87.8%–98.5%). Among the 19 patients with IPA whose BAL was positive for GM, 15 also had a positive serum GM test. In 11 of these 19 patients, Aspergillus was identified in the respiratory samples. Conclusion Detection of GM in BAL is complementary of serum GM testing and mycologic evaluation of the respiratory samples for the diagnosis of IPA. Positive GM BAL was the sole microbiologic criterion in two of 33 patients studied. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is difficult to diagnose. The detection of galactomannan (GM) in serum samples is useful for diagnosing IPA. A positive test for GM antigen in BAL has also been proposed as a criterion of IPA, although it has not been fully validated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the contribution of GM antigen detection in BAL to the diagnosis of IPA in hematologic patients. One hundred one consecutive patients treated for hematologic malignancy were explored by bronchoscopy and BAL for new pulmonary infiltrates. Both BAL fluid and serum samples were evaluated for GM using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test, with an optical density index ≥ 0.5 considered positive. Respiratory samples were also examined for the presence of fungi. IPA was diagnosed in 33 patients according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Mycoses Study Group consensus group criteria (six proven, 23 probable, four possible). Nineteen of these 33 patients had a positive BAL GM test, whereas three patients without IPA had false-positive results. GM detection in BAL had a sensitivity of 57.6% (95% CI, 40.8%–72.8%) and a specificity of 95.6% (95% CI, 87.8%–98.5%). Among the 19 patients with IPA whose BAL was positive for GM, 15 also had a positive serum GM test. In 11 of these 19 patients, Aspergillus was identified in the respiratory samples. Detection of GM in BAL is complementary of serum GM testing and mycologic evaluation of the respiratory samples for the diagnosis of IPA. Positive GM BAL was the sole microbiologic criterion in two of 33 patients studied.

Consolidation with VTd significantly improves the complete remission rate and time to progression following VTd induction and single autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma

Abstract Evaluation of MRD in multiple myeloma (MM) is becoming an important trial endpoint, especially in young patients. With current intensive approaches, the complete remission (CR) rates are up to 70%, making conventional evaluations of response quite useless. More sensitive tools are mandatory. Two techniques may help investigators to reach this goal, flow cytometry (FCM) and NGS. We applied both techniques to the IFM part of the IFM/DFCI 2009 trial. Briefly, this trial enrolled 700 patients under 66 years of age who were randomized to receive either 8 cycles of VRD (Velcade®-Revlimid®-Dexamethasone) (arm A), or 3 VRD cycles, high-dose melphalan, followed by two consolidation VRD cycles (arm B). All patients received a lenalidomide maintenance for 12 months. A bone marrow MRD evaluation was planned before and after maintenance for all patients achieving at least very good partial response (VGPR). A one-mL bone marrow aspirate was sent overnight to one of the central labs. The primary purpose was to assess MRD by FCM. When extra cells were available, they were frozen as a dry pellet for NGS analyses, using the LymphoSight® platform (Sequenta/Adaptive Inc.). A total of 246 patients have been evaluated by NGS before maintenance and 178 after maintenance. Patients were classified in 3 categories: negative (&lt; 10-6), low-positive (between 10-4 and 10-6), and positive (&gt; 10-4). At pre-maintenance, 87 patients were negative, 80 were low-positive, and 79 were positive. At post-maintenance, these numbers were respectively 86, 52, and 40. Using a cutoff at 10-6, patients below 10-6 at pre-maintenance presented a 3-year PFS at 83%, vs 53% for patients &gt; 10-6. At post-maintenance, these % were 90% and 59% respectively. When restricted to patients in CR, the 3-year PFS was 87% and 63% at pre-maintenance, and 92% and 64% at post-maintenance (Figure). Finally, we compared the two MRD techniques. Using a 7-color FCM strategy, the sensitivity level was 10-4. Amongst the 163 patients negative with the FCM approach, 84 (51 %) patients were positive using NGS and among 72 patients positive with FCM, 67 (93%) were also positive using NGS. In the subgroup of patients with negative MRD using FCM, the 3 year PFS was 86% for NGS negative patients vs 66 % for NGS positive at pre-maintenance and 91% vs 65% at post maintenance. Looking at high-risk patients, 26 patients with t(4;14), and 16 with del(17p) were evaluated. Half of the t(4;14) patients achieved MRD negativity, versus only 1/16 patients with del(17p). Interestingly, 9/13 patients with t(4;14) who achieved MRD negativity, and 0/1 patients with del(17p) did not relapse, showing the importance of achieving deep response in these high-risk patients. In conclusion, this study clearly demonstrates that a sensitive technique like NGS is able to predict PFS in patients treated with modern approaches. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Avet-Loiseau: Takeda: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding. Hulin:celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; jansen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Arnulf:Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Garderet:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy. Karlin:Sandoz: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. MACRO:millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; jansen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Richardson:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gentium S.p.A.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Faham:Adaptive Biotechnologies: Employment, Equity Ownership. Facon:Onyx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pierre Fabre: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Moreau:Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Adboard; Takeda: Other: Adboard; Celgene: Honoraria, Other: Adboard; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Adboard; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Adboard; Amgen: Other: Adboard; Amgen: Other: Adboard; Novartis: Other: Adboard. Attal:celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; jansen: Honoraria.

Despite the development of novel drugs, alkylating agents remain an important component of therapy in multiple myeloma (MM). DNA repair processes contribute towards sensitivity to alkylating agents and therefore we here evaluate the role of nucleotide excision repair (NER), which is involved in the removal of bulky adducts and DNA crosslinks in MM. We first evaluated NER activity using a novel functional assay and observed a heterogeneous NER efficiency in MM cell lines and patient samples. Using next-generation sequencing data, we identified that expression of the canonical NER gene, excision repair cross-complementation group 3 (ERCC3), significantly impacted the outcome in newly diagnosed MM patients treated with alkylating agents. Next, using small RNA interference, stable knockdown and overexpression, and small-molecule inhibitors targeting xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group B (XPB), the DNA helicase encoded by ERCC3, we demonstrate that NER inhibition significantly increases sensitivity and overcomes resistance to alkylating agents in MM. Moreover, inhibiting XPB leads to the dual inhibition of NER and transcription and is particularly efficient in myeloma cells. Altogether, we show that NER impacts alkylating agents sensitivity in myeloma cells and identify ERCC3 as a potential therapeutic target in MM.

Abstract CANOMAD (chronic ataxic neuropathy, ophthalmoplegia, immunoglobulin M [IgM] paraprotein, cold agglutinins, and disialosyl antibodies) is a rare syndrome characterized by chronic neuropathy with sensory ataxia, ocular, and/or bulbar motor weakness in the presence of a monoclonal IgM reacting against gangliosides containing disialosyl epitopes. Data regarding associated hematologic malignancies and effective therapies in CANOMAD are scarce. We conducted a French multicenter retrospective study that included 45 patients with serum IgM antibodies reacting against disialosyl epitopes in the context of evocating neurologic symptoms. The main clinical features were sensitive symptoms (ataxia, paresthesia, hypoesthesia; n = 45, 100%), motor weakness (n = 18, 40%), ophthalmoplegia (n = 20, 45%), and bulbar symptoms (n = 6, 13%). Forty-five percent of the cohort had moderate to severe disability (modified Rankin score, 3-5). Cold agglutinins were identified in 15 (34%) patients. Electrophysiologic studies showed a demyelinating or axonal pattern in, respectively, 60% and 27% of cases. All patients had serum monoclonal IgM gammopathy (median, 2.6 g/L; range, 0.1-40 g/L). Overt hematologic malignancies were diagnosed in 16 patients (36%), with the most frequent being Waldenström macroglobulinemia (n = 9, 20%). Forty-one patients (91%) required treatment of CANOMAD. Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) and rituximab-based regimens were the most effective therapies with, respectively, 53% and 52% of partial or better clinical responses. Corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs were largely ineffective. Although more studies are warranted to better define the optimal therapeutic sequence, IVIg should be proposed as the standard of care for first-line treatment and rituximab-based regimens for second-line treatment. These compiled data argue for CANOMAD to be included in neurologic monoclonal gammopathy of clinical significance.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a currently incurable malignancy of antibody-secreting plasma cells. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recognised as an important class of regulatory molecules which are increasingly implicated in tumorigenesis. While recent studies have demonstrated changes in expression of lncRNAs in MM, the functional significance and molecular pathways downstream of these changes remain poorly characterised. In this study, we have performed CRISPR-mediated deletion of the locus encoding the lncRNA Colorectal Neoplasia Differentially Expressed (CRNDE), a known oncogenic lncRNA that is overexpressed in plasma cells of MM patients and is a marker of poor prognosis. We found that CRISPR-mediated deletion of the CRNDE locus in MM cells decreases proliferation and adhesion properties, increases sensitivity to Dexamethasone and reduces tumour growth in an in vivo xenograft model. Transcriptomic profiling in CRNDE-deleted MM cells demonstrated that CRNDE activates expression of a number of genes previously implicated in the aetiology of MM, including IL6R. We further demonstrate that deletion of the CRNDE locus diminishes IL6 signalling and proliferative responses in MM cells. Altogether this study reveals the IL6 signalling pathway as a novel mechanism by which CRNDE impacts upon MM cell growth and disease progression.

To evaluate the effects of daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (D-Rd) versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in the phase III MAIA study.PROs were assessed on the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30-item and the EuroQol 5-dimensional descriptive system at baseline and every 3 months during treatment. By mixed-effects model, changes from baseline are presented as least squares means with 95% CIs.A total of 737 transplant-ineligible (TIE) patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma were randomly assigned to D-Rd (n = 368) or Rd (n = 369). Compliance with PRO assessments was high at baseline (> 90%) through month 12 (> 78%) for both groups. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30-item global health status scores improved from baseline in both groups and were consistently greater with D-Rd at all time points. A global health status benefit was achieved with D-Rd, regardless of age (< 75 and ≥ 75 years), baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status score, or depth of response. D-Rd treatment resulted in significantly greater reduction in pain scores as early as cycle 3 (P = .0007 v Rd); the magnitude of change was sustained through cycle 12. Reductions in pain with D-Rd were clinically meaningful in patients regardless of age, ECOG status, or depth of response. Similarly, PRO improvements were observed with D-Rd and Rd on the EuroQol 5-dimensional descriptive system visual analog scale score.D-Rd compared with Rd was associated with faster and sustained clinically meaningful improvements in PROs, including pain, in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma regardless of age, baseline ECOG status, or depth of treatment response.

8006 Background: Elranatamab (PF-06863135) is a humanized bispecific antibody that targets both BCMA-expressing MM cells and CD3-expressing T cells. MagnetisMM-3 (NCT04649359) is an open-label, multicenter, non-randomized, phase 2 study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of elranatamab monotherapy in pts with R/R MM. Initial safety results are presented. Methods: MagnetisMM-3 enrolled pts who are refractory to at least 1 proteasome inhibitor, 1 immunomodulatory drug, and 1 anti-CD38 antibody. Pts were assigned to 1 of 2 independent, parallel cohorts: those naïve to BCMA-directed therapies (Cohort A) and those with previous exposure to BCMA-directed antibody-drug conjugates or CAR-T cells (Cohort B). Pts received subcutaneous elranatamab 76 mg QW on a 28-d cycle with a 2-step-up priming dose regimen administered during the first week. Dose modifications were permitted for toxicity. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were graded by CTCAE (v5.0), and cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) by ASTCT criteria. Results: As of the data cutoff on Dec 31, 2021, 60 pts in Cohort A had received ≥1 dose of elranatamab; the last pt’s first dose was ̃2 months prior to the cutoff. Median age was 69.0 y (range, 44−89), 48.3% were male, 63.3% were white, 18.3% were Asian and 11.7% were Black/African American. At baseline, 60.0% of pts had an ECOG performance status 1−2 and pts had received a median of 5 (range, 2−12) prior therapies. Median duration of elranatamab treatment was 9.57 wks (range, 0.1−46.1); median relative dose intensity was 87.4% (range, 23.1−101.4). TEAEs were reported in 100% (Grade [G] 3/4, 75.0%) of pts. Most common (≥30%) hematologic TEAEs were neutropenia (36.7% [G3/4, 35.0%]), anemia (36.7% [G3/4, 30.0%]) and thrombocytopenia (30.0% [G3/4, 21.7%]). Among pts who received the 2-step-up priming regimen (n = 56), CRS and ICANS, respectively, were reported in 58.9% (G3/4, 0%) and 3.6% (G3/4: 0%); of those pts, 57.6% (n = 19/33) and 100% (n = 2/2) received tocilizumab and/or steroids. Most common (≥30%) non-hematologic TEAE, other than CRS/ICANS, was fatigue (31.7% [G3/4, 3.3%]). Infections were reported in 46.7% (G3/4: 18.3%) of pts; most frequently reported were upper respiratory tract infections (11.7% [G3/4: 0%]). Discontinuations due to adverse events were reported in 5.0% of pts. No pts permanently discontinued treatment due to CRS or ICANS. There were 10 deaths; causes were MM progression (n = 8), septic shock (n = 1) and unknown (n = 1). Data will be updated at the time of presentation to include ̃90 pts. Conclusions: Preliminary results of MagnetisMM-3 in pts with R/R MM and no prior BCMA-targeted treatment suggest that 76 mg QW elranatamab with a 2-step-up priming regimen is well tolerated, with no G ≥3 CRS or ICANS observed. Clinical trial information: NCT04649359.

Belantamab mafodotin (BM) is an anti-BCMA antibody-drug conjugate (GSK2857916) that represents an alternative option in multiple myeloma. We sought to assess the efficacy and safety of BM in a real-world setting in patients who benefited from an early access program. We conducted an observational, retrospective, multicenter study. Eligibility criteria were treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) in monotherapy in adult patients who have received at least three lines of therapy previously, including at least one immunomodulatory agent (IMiD), a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, and whose disease progressed during the last treatment period. The primary endpoint of the study is to assess the overall survival (OS). Between November 2019 and December 2020, 106 patients were treated with BM; 97 were eligible for the efficacy evaluation and 104 for safety. The median age was 66 (range, 37–82) years. High-risk cytogenetics were identified in 40.9% of patients. Fifty-five (56.7%) patients were triple-class refractory and 11 (11.3%) were penta-class refractory. The median number of prior lines of treatment was five (range, 3–12). The median number of BM cycles administered was three (range, 1–22). The overall response rate at best response was 38.1% (37/97). The median OS was 9.3 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.9-15.3), and median progression-free survival was 3.5 months (95% CI: 1.9-4.7). The median duration of response was 9 months (range, 4.65-10.4). Treatment was delayed for 55 (52.9%) patients including 36.5% for treatment-related toxicity. Ophthalmic adverse events, mainly grade ≤2, were the most common toxicity (48%). The occurrence of keratopathy was 37.5%. Overall, our data are concordant with the results from DREAMM-2 in terms of efficacy and safety on a non-biased population.

Background Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel) showed significantly improved progression-free survival compared with standard regimens in adults with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who had received two to four previous regimens in the ongoing phase 3 KarMMa-3 trial (NCT03651128). This study analysed patient-reported outcomes (PROs), a KarMMa-3 secondary endpoint. Methods In the randomised, open-label, phase 3 KarMMa-3 trial, 386 patients in hospitals (≥18 years of age, with measurable disease and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0 or 1, who had received two to four previous regimens—including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and daratumumab—and had documented disease progression after receiving their last dose of the last therapy) were randomly assigned to ide-cel (n=254) or standard regimens (daratumumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone; daratumumab, bortezomib, and dexamethasone; ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone; carfilzomib and dexamethasone; or elotuzumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone; n=132). Patients were expected to complete the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life C30 Questionnaire (QLQ-C30), Multiple Myeloma Module (QLQ-MY20), EQ 5 dimensions (EQ-5D), and EQ-5D visual analogue scale (VAS) at baseline and follow-up timepoints (data cutoff April 18, 2022). PROs included nine prespecified primary domains: EORTC QLQ-C30 GHS–quality of life (QoL), physical functioning, cognitive functioning, fatigue, and pain; QLQ-MY20 disease symptoms and side effects of treatment; and five-level EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L) index score and EQ-5D visual VAS. Differences in overall least-squares mean changes from baseline to month 20 were analysed using post-hoc constrained longitudinal data analysis. Time to confirmed improvement or deterioration from baseline was analysed using Cox proportional hazard models. Findings Patients were randomly assigned between May 6, 2019, and April 8, 2022. Overall, the median age was 63 years (IQR 55–68); 151 (39%) patients were female; and 250 (65%) patients were White, 36 (9%) Black or African American, 19 (5%) Hispanic or Latino, 12 (3%) Asian, and seven (2%) of other race. The median follow-up was 18·6 months (IQR 14·0–26·4). PRO compliance was higher than 75% throughout. Overall least-squares mean changes from baseline favoured ide-cel with Hedges' g effect sizes from 0·3 to 0·7 for most domains. Patients in the ide-cel group showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements across the primary PRO domains of interest, with the exception of QLQ-MY20 disease symptoms, side effects of treatment, and EQ-5D-5L index score, which showed improvement across assessment visits but did not exceed the within-group minimally important difference thresholds. The ide-cel group had shorter times to clinically meaningful improvement than the standard regimens group in QLQ-C30 domains except in role functioning, diarrhoea, and financial difficulties; in QLQ-MY20 domains except body image; and in EQ-5D-VAS. Interpretation Ide-cel offers improved health-related quality of life compared with standard regimens for patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma after previous lines of therapy. The PRO data highlight the extended QoL benefits of a one-time infusion with ide-cel compared with continuous treatment with standard regimens in the treatment of triple-class exposed patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Funding 2seventy bio and Celgene, a Bristol Myers Squibb Company.

Mechanisms underlying the disruption of self-tolerance in acquired autoimmunity remain unclear. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy is an acquired autoimmune disease where deglycosylated IgA1 (IgA subclass 1) auto-antigens are recognized by IgG auto-antibodies, forming immune complexes that are deposited in the kidneys, leading to glomerulonephritis. In the intestinal microbiota of patients with IgA nephropathy, there was increased relative abundance of mucin-degrading bacteria, including Akkermansia muciniphila. IgA1 was deglycosylated by A. muciniphila both in vitro and in the intestinal lumen of mice. This generated neo-epitopes that were recognized by autoreactive IgG from the sera of patients with IgA nephropathy. Mice expressing human IgA1 and the human Fc α receptor I (α1KI-CD89tg) that underwent intestinal colonization by A. muciniphila developed an aggravated IgA nephropathy phenotype. After deglycosylation of IgA1 by A. muciniphila in the mouse gut lumen, IgA1 crossed the intestinal epithelium into the circulation by retrotranscytosis and became deposited in the glomeruli of mouse kidneys. Human α-defensins-a risk locus for IgA nephropathy-inhibited growth of A. muciniphila in vitro. A negative correlation observed between stool concentration of α-defensin 6 and quantity of A. muciniphila in the guts of control participants was lost in patients with IgA nephropathy. This study demonstrates that gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to generation of auto-antigens in patients with IgA nephropathy and in a mouse model of this disease.

We previously showed that arsenic trioxide (ATO) and melarsoprol may inhibit the growth of multiple myeloma (MM) cells in vitro and in vivo. We report here the administration of arsenic derivatives in 12 relapsing or refractory secretory MM patients. A total of 10 patients received ATO (eight in a continuous schedule, two discontinuously) and two received melarsoprol. The melarsoprol arm was prematurely closed due to toxicity. In the ATO arm, median duration of treatment was 38 days (9-54). Hepatic toxicity was grade 3 and 2 in one and eight patients, respectively. Other toxicities included neuropathy (n=2, grade 2), encephalitis (n=1, grade 3) and leuconeutropenia (n=4, grade 3). At 2 weeks after treatment initiation, mean serum concentration of arsenic was 1.11+/-0.16 micromol/l. No complete or partial remission was observed. A minor response (25-49% reduction of M protein in serum) and a stabilization of the M-protein level were observed in three and four patients, respectively. After ATO discontinuation, these responses were of short duration in all cases. ATO as a single agent did not produce any significant response in advanced MM patients despite sufficient arsenic exposure. Strategies to improve biodistribution, pharmacokinetic and efficacy of the drug as well as treatment combinations are needed.

Interleukin (IL)-27 is a novel heterodimeric cytokine of the IL-12 family that is composed of two subunits, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced gene 3 (EBI3) and p28. EBI3 is expressed at high levels in EBV-transformed B-cell lines and is induced <b>in vitro</b> by the EBV oncogene LMP1 in a nuclear factor (NF)-κB-dependent manner. We show here that EBI3 expression is up-regulated in human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-infected cell lines and IL-2-dependent leukemic cells from adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) patients, compared to normal activated T cells. EBI3 expression was decreased in HTLV-1-transformed cells after treatment with the NF-κB inhibitor BAY11-7082 and was induced in Jurkat cells by expression of HTLV-1 wild-type Tax oncoprotein, but not by the Tax mutant M22, which is defective for NF-κB activation. <b>In situ</b> analysis of EBI3 and p28 expression in Hodgkin's lymphomas (HLs), in various EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) (including post-transplant LPDs and nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphomas), and in ATL showed that EBI3 was expressed by neoplastic cells in all cases of HL and of LMP1-positive EBV-associated LPD, at variable levels in ATL cases, but rarely in control T-cell lymphomas. In contrast, in all lymphomas tested, no or few tumoral cells expressed p28. Consistent with these data, no significant p28 or IL-27 expression was detected in HL-derived cell lines, or in EBV- or HTLV-1-transformed cell lines. This selective overexpression of EBI3 by transformed cells suggests that EBI3 may play a role, independently from its association to p28, in regulating anti-viral or anti-tumoral immune responses.

Abstract In response to antigens and cytokines, mouse B cells undergo class-switch recombination (CSR) and differentiate into Ig-secreting cells. T-bet, a T-box transcription factor that is up-regulated in lymphocytes by IFN-γ or IL-27, was shown to regulate CSR to IgG2a after T cell–independent B-cell stimulations. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling this process remain unclear. In the present study, we show that inactivation of the Ets-1 transcription factor results in a severe decrease in IgG2a secretion in vivo and in vitro. No T-bet expression was observed in Ets-1–deficient (Ets-1−/−) B cells stimulated with IFN-γ and lipopolysaccharide, and forced expression of T-bet in these cells rescued IgG2a secretion. Furthermore, we identified a transcriptional enhancer in the T-bet locus with an activity in B cells that relies on ETS-binding sites. After IFN-γ stimulation of Ets-1−/− B cells, activated Stat1, which forms a complex with Ets-1 in wild-type cells, no longer binds to the T-bet enhancer or promotes histone modifications at this site. These results demonstrate that Ets-1 is critical for IgG2a CSR and acts as an essential cofactor for Stat1 in the regulation of T-bet expression in B cells.

Abstract Background. Current upfront treatment of light chain (AL) amyloidosis is often based on bortezomib in patients. However, data on the safety and efficacy of bortezomib in this setting mostly derive from uncontrolled, retrospective series, that are difficult to compare due to different proportion of patients with advanced disease. Here we report the analysis of a multicenter randomized phase III trial comparing MDex, a current standard of care, and MDex with the addition of bortezomib (BMDex) in newly-diagnosed AL amyloidosis that was performed in Europe and Australia (EMN-03 study, NCT01277016). Patients and Methods. Main eligibility criteria included measurable disease (M-protein &gt;10 g/L or dFLC &gt;50 mg/L), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ³30 mL/min, and adequate liver function. Previously treated patients, those who had &gt;30% bone marrow plasma cell or lytic bone lesions, NYHA class &gt;II heart failure, grade 3 sensory or grade 1 painful peripheral neuropathy, or ECOG performance status &gt;2 were excluded. In January 2013 the protocol was amended to include Mayo stage III patients, provided their NT-proBNP was &lt;8500 ng/L (stage IIIa). Patients were randomized to receive either MDex (melphalan at 0.22 mg/kg and dexamethasone at 40 mg daily for 4 consecutive days every 28 days) or BMDex (bortezomib added at 1.3 mg/m2, on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 in cycles 1 and 2, and on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 in the following cycles). The primary endpoint was overall hematologic response at 3 months. Treatment was continued until completion of MDex cycle 9 or BMDex cycle 8, or achievement of CR or of at least partial response (PR) plus organ response after cycle 6, and was discontinued in case PR was not achieved by cycle 3. Enrollment is now completed (110 patients) with the last patient enrolled in February 2016 (database lock: July 25, 2016). Results. Patients' characteristics are reported in the Table. The proportion of patients experiencing at least 1 grade 3-4 severe adverse events (SAE) was similar in the MDex and BMDex arms (49% vs. 60%, P=0.11). The total number of reported adverse events per cycle was lower in the MDex group (10% vs 23%, P&lt;0.01). Most common SAEs (MDex vs. BMDex) were cytopenia (4% vs. 7%, P=0.04), fluid retention (3% vs. 6%, P=0.02), and neuropathy (0 vs. 2%, P&lt;0.01). One patient died within 3 months in the MDex arm and 3 in the BMDex group (P=0.28). Response was evaluated by intent to treat. Hematologic response rates after cycle 3 were 51% and 78% (P=0.001), with 28% and 53% complete response (CR) /very good partial response (VGPR) (P=0.003), in the MDex and BMDex arms, respectively. Overall hematologic response at the end of treatment, after a median of 5 cycles, was 56% and 81% (P=0.001), with 38% and 64% CR/VGPR in the MDex and BMDex arms, respectively (P=0.002). Cardiac response was reached in 8 of 33 evaluable patients treated with MDex (24%) and 10 of 26 (38%) who received BMDex (P=0.119). Renal response was attained in 17 of 35 patients (48%) in both arms. However, there was a higher proportion of cardiac progression in the MDex arm with borderline statistical significance (32% vs. 15%, P=0.054). After a median follow-up of living patients of 25 months, 26 patients (24%) died, 16 in the MDex arm and 10 in the BMDex arm with no significant difference in survival (Figure 1a). Achievement of hematologic and cardiac response at 3 months significantly improved survival (Figures 1b and 1c). Conclusion. This is the first prospective randomized trial of novel agents in AL amyloidosis. The criteria of hematologic and cardiac response are validated in the prospective setting for the first time. The primary endpoint, hematologic response at 3 months has been reached, showing more frequent and more profound hematologic responses with BMDex, preventing progression of cardiac dysfunction, with a modest increase in toxicity. This regimen can be proposed as a new standard of care in AL amyloidosis. We would like to acknowledge the European Myeloma Network, the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group and the Leukaemia Foundation of Australia for their ongoing support, and Janssen-Cilag for partially funding the trial and providing the study drug. Disclosures Kastritis: Genesis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Cibeira:Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Mollee:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Nilelse: Research Funding. Hajek:Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Moreau:Janssen: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Mateos:Janssen, Celgene, Amgen, Takeda, BMS: Honoraria. Wechalekar:Takeda: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Glaxo Smith Kline: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Dimopoulos:Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genesis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Palumbo:Janssen Cilag: Honoraria; Takeda: Employment, Honoraria. Sonneveld:Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Merlini:Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Millennium Takeda: Consultancy; Prothena: Honoraria; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy. Palladini:Prothena: Honoraria.

Abstract Introduction : Daratumumab (DARA) is a human anti-CD38 IgG1κ monoclonal antibody with remarkable safety and activity as monotherapy in heavily treated relapsed and refractory (RR) multiple myeloma (MM) (Lokhorst HM. J Clin Oncol 2014;32 Suppl:abstr 8513. Lonial S. J Clin Oncol 2015;33 Suppl:abstr LBA8512). DARA has demonstrated clinical activity in combination with lenalidomide (LEN) and dexamethasone (D) in relapsed or RR MM (Plesner T. Blood 2014;124(21):84). This ongoing 4-arm, multicenter, phase 1b study (NCT01998971) evaluated the safety and efficacy of DARA in combination with various backbone therapies and pomalidomide plus D (POM-D). Results in newly diagnosed patients treated with DARA and backbone therapies were previously reported (Mateos MV, et al. Haematologica 2015;100(s1):84). Methods : Patients in the DARA + POM-D arm had relapsed or RR MM with ≥2 prior lines of therapy including ≥2 consecutive cycles of LEN and bortezomib. During 28-day treatment cycles patients received DARA 16 mg/kg qw for 2 cycles, then q2w for 4 cycles, and q4w until disease progression (PD). Pomalidomide 4 mg was administered qd for 21 days with D 40 mg qw (20 mg for patients &gt;75 years of age). The primary endpoint was safety and tolerability of DARA in combination with POM-D. Overall response rate (ORR) was a secondary endpoint. Disease responses were evaluated by an independent data safety monitoring board. Results: A total of 77 patients were enrolled into the DARA + POM-D arm. The median (range) age was 64 (35-86) years and the median number of prior therapies was 3.5 (2-10). Sixty-five percent of the patients were refractory to bortezomib, 30% to carfilzomib, 88% to lenalidomide, and 65% to both a PI and IMiD. With a median (range) duration of follow-up of 72 (1-423) days, 28 (36%) patients have discontinued treatment due to PD (15 [20%]), adverse events (AEs; 6 [8%]), death or physician's decision (3 [4%] each), and one (1%) patient withdrawal. The median (range) duration of treatment was 69 days (1-416), and the median (range) number of infusions was 7.5 (1-25). Forty-nine (64%) patients continue on study treatment and enrollment is ongoing. There was little additional toxicity when DARA was added to POM-D other than DARA-specific infusion related reactions (IRRs; 47/77 patients). Most occurred on Cycle 1 Day 1 (45/47 patients), and the most common (&gt;10%) IRRs were chills (13%), cough (13%), and dyspnea (11%). The most common (&gt;10%) and grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) are presented in Table 1. Five patients died within 30 days of receiving study treatment due to AEs (4[5%]) or progressive disease (1 [1%]). In 53 patients with &gt;1 post-baseline assessment, the ORR was 58.5%, with 3 stringent complete responses (sCR), 1 complete response (CR), 12 very good partial responses (VGPR), 15 partial responses (PR), 2 minimal responses, 18 stable disease, and 2 PD. Many responses deepened over time. Median (range) time to first response was 30 (28-92) days. After a median follow-up of 148 days, 4 out of 31 responders developed PD. Among the evaluable double refractory patients (n = 40), there was 1 sCR, 1 CR, 10 VGPRs, and 11 PRs with an ORR of 57.5%. Conclusions : The addition of DARA to POM-D was well tolerated and did not result in additional toxicities with the exception of DARA-related infusion reactions. Deep and durable responses were observed quickly, along with a high response rate. Study enrollment is ongoing and data will be updated at the meeting. Table 1. Most Common (&gt;10%) Adverse Events (N = 77) Adverse Event, n (%) Any Grade Grade ≥3 Neutropenia 42 (54.5%) 39 (50.6%) Anemia 28 (36.4%) 16 (20.8%) Fatigue 28 (36.4%) 4 (5.2%) Cough 24 (31.2%) 0 Nausea 21 (27.3%) 0 Dyspnea 20 (26.0%) 5 (6.5%) Diarrhea 19 (24.7%) 1 (1.3%) Leukopenia 19 (24.7%) 12 (15.6%) Thrombocytopenia 17 (22.1%) 8 (10.4%) Pyrexia 16 (20.8%) 1 (1.3%) Dizziness 15 (19.5%) 0 Chills 14 (18.2%) 0 Nasal Congestion 14 (18.2%) 0 Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 14 (18.2%) 1 (1.3%) Back Pain 13 (16.9%) 2 (2.6%) Constipation 13 (16.9%) 0 Tremor 13 (16.9%) 2 (2.6%) Insomnia 12 (15.6%) 1 (1.3%) Lymphopenia 11 (14.3%) 7 (9.1%) Muscle Spasms 11 (14.3%) 0 Vomiting 11 (14.3%) 0 Arthralgia 9 (11.7%) 1 (1.3%) Pruritus 9 (11.7%) 0 Throat Irritation 9 (11.7%) 0 Anxiety 8 (10.4%) 0 Headache 8 (10.4%) 0 Hypertension 8 (10.4%) 4 (5.2%) Musculoskeletal Chest Pain 8 (10.4%) 2 (2.6%) Peripheral Edema 8 (10.4%) 1 (1.3%) Disclosures Chari: Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Millennium/Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Array Biopharma: Consultancy, Other: Institutional Research Funding, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Biotest: Other: Institutional Research Funding; Onyx: Consultancy, Research Funding. Lonial:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Onyx: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding. Suvannasankha:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Onyx: Honoraria, Research Funding. Arnulf:Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Qin:Janssen: Employment. Masterson:Janssen: Employment. Nottage:Janssen: Employment. Schecter:Janssen: Employment. Ahmadi:Janssen: Employment. Weiss:Janssen and Millennium: Consultancy; Janssen and Onclave: Research Funding. Krishnan:Millenium: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy; Jazz: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Onyx: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Lentzsch:Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Axiom: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy.

Abstract Aims Early diagnosis of cardiac involvement is a key issue in the management of AL amyloidosis. Our objective was to establish a diagnostic score of cardiac involvement in AL amyloidosis and to compare it with the current consensus criteria [i.e. left ventricular hypertrophy &amp;gt;12 mm and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) &amp;gt;332 ng/L]. Methods and results We carried out a prospective and multicenter study on AL amyloidosis patients who underwent cardiac evaluation including clinical examination, electrocardiography (ECG), cardiac biomarkers, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Cardiac involvement was based on CMR and/or endomyocardial biopsy. In a derivation cohort of 114 patients (82 with cardiac involvement), the highest diagnostic accuracy was observed with NT-proBNP and troponin blood levels, TTE-derived global longitudinal strain (LS), and apical to basal LS gradient. By using multivariate analysis, we established a diagnostic score including global LS ≥−17% (1 point), apical/(basal + median) LS ≥0.90 (1 point), and troponin T &amp;gt;35 ng/L (1 point). A score &amp;gt;1 was associated with sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 97%, an area under the curve of 0.98 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93–0.99] as well as a net reclassification index of 0.39 (95% CI 0.28–0.46) when compared with consensus criteria. In a validation cohort of 73 AL amyloidosis patients, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the diagnostic score was 0.97 (95% CI 0.90–0.99). Conclusion Combining T troponin blood levels and two echo-derived strain parameters leads to very high accuracy for diagnosing cardiac involvement in AL amyloid patients.

In amyloid patients, cardiac involvement dramatically worsens functional capacity and prognosis. We sought to study how the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) could help in functional assessment and risk stratification of patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA).We carried out a multicentre study including patients with light chain (AL) or transthyretin (TTR) CA. All patients underwent exhaustive examination including CPET and follow-up. The primary prognostic endpoint was the occurrence of death or heart failure hospitalization. Overall, 150 patients were included (91 AL and 59 TTR CA). Median age, systolic blood pressure, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin T were 70 (64-78) years, 121 [interquartile range (IQR) 109-139] mmHg, 2806 (IQR 1218-4638) ng/L and 64 (IQR 33-120) ng/L, respectively. New York Heart Association classes were I-II in 64%. Median peak oxygen consumption (VO2 ) and circulatory power were low at 13.0 (10.0-16.9) mL/kg/min and 1730 (1318-2614) mmHg/mL/min, respectively. The minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production slope was increased to 37 (IQR 33-45). A total of 77 patients (51%) had chronotropic insufficiency. After a median follow-up of 20 months, there were 37 deaths and 44 heart failure hospitalizations. At multivariate Cox analysis, peak VO2 ≤13 mL/kg/min [hazard ratio (HR) 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-4.8], circulatory power ≤1730 mmHg/mL/min (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2-4.6) and NT-proBNP ≥1800 ng/L (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.3) were found to be associated with the primary outcome. No events occurred in patients with both peak VO2 >13 mL/kg/min and NT-proBNP <1800 ng/L, while the association of VO2 ≤13 mL/kg/min with NT-proBNP ≥1800 ng/L identified a very high-risk subgroup.In CA, CPET is helpful in assessing functional capacity, circulatory and chronotropic responses as well as the prognosis of patients along with cardiac biomarkers.

The Intergroupe Francophone du Myelome 2009 trial (NCT01191060) assessed health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) receiving lenalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone (RVd) induction therapy followed by consolidation therapy with either autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) plus RVd (RVd-ASCT) or RVd-alone; both groups then received lenalidomide maintenance therapy for 1 year. Global HRQoL, physical functioning, and role functioning scores significantly improved for both cohorts from baseline to the end of consolidation and were sustained during maintenance and follow-up, with clinically meaningful changes (RVd-alone: p = .0002; RVd-ASCT: p < .001). Similarly, both groups showed clinically meaningful improvements from baseline in fatigue, pain, and disease symptom scores. Side effects of treatment scores remained stable. In the RVd-ASCT group, there was transient worsening in HRQoL immediately after ASCT. These findings suggest that the clinical improvements observed with RVd-based treatment are accompanied by overall improvements in HRQoL for patients with NDMM.

Scleromyxedema is a rare skin and systemic mucinosis that is usually associated with monoclonal gammopathy (MG). In this French, multicenter, retrospective study of 33 patients, we investigated the clinical and therapeutic features of MG-associated scleromyxedema. Skin molecular signatures were analyzed using a transcriptomic approach. Skin symptoms included papular eruptions (100%), sclerodermoid features (91%), and leonine facies (39%). MG involved an IgG isotype in all patients, with a predominant λ light chain (73%). Associated hematologic malignancies were diagnosed in 4/33 patients (12%) (smoldering myeloma, n=2; chronic lymphoid leukemia, n=1; and refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia n=1). Carpal tunnel syndrome (33%), arthralgia (25%) and dermato-neuro syndrome (DNS) (18%) were the most common systemic complications. One patient with mucinous cardiopathy died of acute heart failure. Intravenous immunoglobulin (HDIVig) treatment alone or in combination with steroids appeared to be quite effective in nonsevere cases (clinical complete response achieved in 13/31 patients). Plasma cell-directed therapies using lenalidomide and/or bortezomib with dexamethasone and HDIVig led to a significant improvement in severe cases (HDIVig-refractory or cases with central nervous system or cardiac involvement). The emergency treatment of DNS with combined plasmapheresis, HDIVig, and high-dose corticosteroids induced the complete remission of neurological symptoms in 4/5 patients. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis of 6 scleromyxedema skin samples showed significantly higher profibrotic pathway levels (transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and collagen-1) than in healthy skin. Prospective studies targeting plasma cell clones and/or fibrotic pathways are warranted for long-term scleromyxedema management.

PURPOSE We report a multicenter controlled trial comparing renal recovery and tolerance profile of doublet versus triplet bortezomib-based regimens in patients with initial myeloma cast nephropathy (CN) and acute kidney injury (AKI) without need for dialysis. METHODS After symptomatic measures and high-dose dexamethasone, patients were randomly assigned to receive bortezomib plus dexamethasone (BD), or BD plus cyclophosphamide (C-BD). In patients with &lt; 50% reduction of serum free light chains (sFLCs) after 3 cycles, chemotherapy was reinforced with either cyclophosphamide (BD group) or thalidomide (C-BD group). RESULTS Ninety-two patients were enrolled in each group. At random assignment, characteristics of the 2 groups were similar, including median age (68 years) and serum creatinine level (305.5 and 273.5 µmol/L in BD and C-BD group, respectively). At 3 months, renal response rate (primary end point) was not different (41 v 47 responders in the BD and C-BD groups, respectively; relative risk [RR], 0.87; P = .46). Very good partial response (free light chain reduction ≥ 90%) or more was achieved in 36 and 47 patients, respectively (RR, 0.76; P = .10). After 1 cycle of chemotherapy, 69 in the BD group and 67 patients in the C-BD group had achieved sFLC level ≤ 500 mg/L. Serious adverse events were recorded in 30 and 40 patients, respectively. At 12 months, 19 patients had died (9 in the BD group v 10 in the C-BD group), including 10 (6 in the BD group and 4 in the C-BD group) from myeloma progression and 3 (0 in the BD group and 3 in the C-BD group) from infection. Within median follow-up of 27 months, 43 and 42 patients switched to new therapy, respectively. Overall, 50 patients (24 in the BD group and 26 in the C-BD group) had died. CONCLUSION This randomized study did not show any benefit of C-BD compared with BD on renal recovery of patients with initial CN not requiring dialysis. Adding cyclophosphamide did not sufficiently improve the efficacy-toxicity balance. Patients with myeloma with AKI are fragile, and indication for doublet or triplet regimen should be adapted to frailty.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignancy characterized by the uncontrolled expansion of plasma cells in the bone marrow. While proteasome inhibitors like bortezomib efficiently halt MM progression, drug resistance inevitably develop, and novel therapeutic approaches are needed. Here, we used a recently discovered Sec61 inhibitor, mycolactone, to assess the interest of disrupting MM proteostasis via protein translocation blockade. In human MM cell lines, mycolactone caused rapid defects in secretion of immunoglobulins and expression of pro-survival interleukin (IL)-6 receptor and CD40, whose activation stimulates IL-6 production. Mycolactone also triggered pro-apoptotic endoplasmic reticulum stress responses synergizing with bortezomib for induction of MM cell death and overriding acquired resistance to the proteasome inhibitor. Notably, the mycolactone-bortezomib combination rapidly killed patient-derived MM cells ex vivo, but not normal mononuclear cells. In immunodeficient mice engrafted with MM cells, it demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy over single drug treatments, without inducing toxic side effects. Collectively, these findings establish Sec61 blockers as novel anti-MM agents and reveal the interest of targeting both the translocon and the proteasome in proteostasis-addicted tumors.

Abstract The role of angiogenesis in the growth and metastasis of solid tumors is well established. However, the role of angiogenesis in hematologic malignancies was only recently appreciated. We show that HTLV-I–transformed T cells, but not HTLV-I–negative CD4+T cells, secrete biologically active forms of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and, accordingly, induce angiogenesis in vitro. Furthermore, fresh ATL leukemic cells derived from patients with acute ATL produce VEGF and bFGF transcripts and proteins. The viral transactivator Tax activates the VEGF promoter, linking the induction of angiogenesis to viral gene expression. Angiogenesis is associated with the adhesion of HTLV-I–transformed cells to endothelial cells and gap junction–mediated heterocellular communication between the 2 cell types. Angiogenesis, cell adhesion, and communication likely contribute to the development of adult T-cell leukemia–lymphoma and represent potential therapeutic targets.

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) causes adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM). In asymptomatic carriers and HAM patients, HTLV-1 infection leads to a vigorous cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) response mainly directed to the regulatory Tax protein. In contrast, initial studies showed that anti-HTLV-1 CTL activities were not reproductively detected in ATLL patients, neither ex vivo, nor after in vitro restimulation. To better understand this discrepancy, we explored the anti-HTLV-1 CD8+ T-cell response of eight ATLL patients by using in vitro restimulated or freshly isolated CD8+ T cells. In all the ATLL patients, we found that mitogenic activation allowed the induction of CD8+ T cells able to lyse autologous HTLV-1-infected cells and/or to produce IFNgamma in response to Tax peptides. In contrast, only a minority of the patients possessed CD8+ cells able to respond ex vivo to the same epitopes. These findings indicate that although a restimulatable anti-HTLV-1 CTL activity persists during ATLL, the specific ex vivo response is not constantly maintained. This provides definitive evidence that the CD8+ T-cell response to HTLV-1 is affected by ATLL development and reveals that a major defect concerns the generation and/or the functionality of CD8+ effectors.

Cryopreservation and thawing of haematopoietic stem cells are associated with cell loss and infusion-related toxicities. We analysed viability, total nucleated cell (TNC) and CD34+ cell recovery, and infusion-related toxicities of 952 thawed and washed products. Mean TNC and CD34+ viable cells recoveries were 55.9±18.6 and 98.0±36.5%, respectively. Mean cell viability was 68.25±18.9%. TNC recovery was correlated with viability but independent of the initial nucleated cell concentration. No difference in TNC recovery or viability was observed according to underlying diseases, except for myeloma, for which these variables were significantly lower (P<0.05). CD34+ cell recovery was not correlated with viability or CD34+ initial count and was similar for all diseases. Cryostorage duration was not associated with cell loss. Immediate adverse events occurred in 169 patients (19%) and were moderate (grade I or II) for the majority of patients. Clinical toxicity was associated with a higher infused cell number and the presence of clumps in infused bags. The washing procedure of cell products lead to a low rate of adverse events, but patients transplanted with high cell numbers or bags in which clumps were identified are predisposed to such complications.

In vivo and in vitro mucociliary clearance have been investigated in 27 patients with chronic bronchitis with relation to the rheological, cytobacteriological and biochemical characteristics of sputum. In normal subjects, the mean percentage of bronchial radioactivity cleared (PBRC) by mucociliary clearance was 30.1 +/- SD: 12.5. The patients studied were differentiated into two groups: 1) 10 patients showing a PBRC similar to that of the normal subjects (30.6 +/- SD: 14.3), 2) 17 patients with a markedly decreased mucociliary clearance (PBRC: 4.1 +/- SD: 4.2). In the healthy subjects, PBRC by coughing was significantly lower than by mucociliary clearance, while no consistent difference was observed in the patients. A weak but significant positive correlation (r = 0.53, P less than 0.01) was observed between in vivo mucociliary clearance and the relative transport rate of the sputum measured on the ciliated frog palate mucosa. The optimal rheological conditions for mucociliary transport were characterized by an apparent viscosity (eta 0) ranging from 25 to 180 poise, a strain recovery (SR) ranging from 4 to 12 units and an elastic modulus (G) ranging from 4 to 8 dyn/cm-2. The apparent viscosity and the elastic modulus G respectively, were significantly correlated with the concentration of serum albumin and of secretory IgA. Patients with a sputum leukocyte count higher than 3500/mm3 had a significantly decreased mucociliary clearance in comparison with non-purulent sputum patients.

Idelalisib (Zydelig; Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, CA, USA) has recently been approved in combination with rituximab for the treatment of refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in patients who have received at least one prior therapy, as a first-line treatment in the presence of a 17p deletion or TP53 mutation in patients unsuitable for chemoimmunotherapy, or as a monotherapy in follicular lymphoma refractory to two prior lines of treatment. Idelalisib specifically inhibits phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase δ (PI3Kδ), which is part of the B-cell receptor signalling pathway, the activity of which is increased in B-cell malignancies, and which promotes cellular proliferation and survival [1–4]. Here, we report on five patients who were diagnosed with pneumonitis related to idelalisib treatment. Lung physicians and haematologists should be aware of the possibility of idelalisib-related lung manifestations <http://ow.ly/XmjGm>

CAR-T cell (chimeric antigen receptor T) therapy has emerged as an effective treatment of refractory hematological malignancies. Intensive care management is intrinsic to CAR-T cell therapy. We aim to describe and to assess outcomes in critically ill CAR-T cell recipients.Hospital-wide retrospective study. Consecutive CAR-T cell recipients requiring ICU admission from July 2017 and December 2020 were included.71 patients (median age 60 years [37-68]) were admitted to the ICU 6 days [4-7] after CAR-T cell infusion. Underlying malignancies included diffuse large B cell lymphoma (n = 53, 75%), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (17 patients, 24%) and multiple myeloma (n = 1, 1.45%). Performance status (PS) was 1 [1-2]. Shock was the main reason for ICU admission (n = 40, 48%). Isolated cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was the most common complication (n = 33, 46%), while 21 patients (30%) had microbiologically documented bacterial infection (chiefly catheter-related infection). Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome was reported in 26 (37%) patients. At ICU admission, vasopressors were required in 18 patients (25%) and invasive mechanical ventilation in two. Overall, 49 (69%) and 40 patients (56%) received tocilizumab or steroids, respectively. Determinant of mortality were the reason for ICU admission (disease progression vs. sepsis or CRS (HR 4.02 [95%CI 1.10-14.65]), Performance status (HR 1.97/point [95%CI 1.14-3.41]) and SOFA score (HR 1.16/point [95%CI 1.01-1.33]).Meaningful survival could be achieved in up to half the CAR-T cell recipients. The severity of organ dysfunction is a major determinant of death, especially in patients with altered performance status or disease progression.

The association between primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and monoclonal gammopathy has been reported, but whether it is fortuitous remains unsettled. We conducted a prospective study to determine the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathies in patients with surgically proved PHPT.In 101 consecutive patients with PHPT, serum immunoglobulins were systematically studied using agarose gel electrophoresis and immunofixation before and, when appropriate, after parathyroid surgery. The PHPT population was compared with a control series of patients with other diseases requiring surgery and with a group of patients with benign disease of the thyroid gland matched for age and sex to the PHPT population.Monoclonal immunoglobulin was detected in 10 (10%) of 101 patients with PHPT (including 2 with multiple myeloma) compared with 2 (2%) of 127 patients who underwent other surgery (P =.005) and 3 (3%) of 101 patients with benign thyroid diseases (P =.04).The prevalence of monoclonal gammopathies is high in patients with PHPT. At minimum, sensitive serum protein electrophoresis should be performed routinely in all patients with PHPT. Conversely, in patients with monoclonal gammopathy who have hypercalcemia but no other symptoms of progressive disease, clinicians must seek PHPT.

Most peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) express the αβ T-cell receptor (TCR) whereas rare PTCL express the γδ TCR. Most if not all γδ PTCL are extranodal lymphomas and among them, hepatosplenic γδ PTCL constitute a distinct clinicopathological entity. Besides αβ and γδ PTCL, there is a recently recognized group of extranodal, mainly nasal tumours, which display, in most instances, phenotypic and genotypic features of Natural-Killer cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NK-NHL). Cytotoxic cells, including NK cells and cytotoxic αβ and γδ T lymphocytes may induce lysis of the target by using granule-associated cytotoxic proteins such as the T-cell intracellular antigen-1 (TIA-1), perforin and granzyme B. Expression of TIA-1 can be detected in all cytotoxic cells whereas granzyme B and perforin expression can be detected in high levels only in activated cytotoxic cells. Recently, several studies showed that the expression of these cytotoxic proteins in tumour cells of PTCL and NK-NHL is associated with a) extranodal site of clinicopathological presentation b) NK or Tγδ -cell phenotype c) CD30 expression in cutaneous T-cell lymphoproliferations and d) anaplastic morphology in nodal PTCL. This latter finding contrasts with the data that only rare Hodgkin lymphomas (HL) express cytotoxic proteins in Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells. Altogether the data of the literature indicate that most extranodal T and NK-NHL are activated cytotoxic lymphomas with the notable exception of hepatosplenic γδ PTCL which represent tumours of non-activated cytotoxic cells. On this basis, it is suggested that the expression of cytotoxic proteins may be useful for the identification and classification of extranodal T and NK-cell lymphomas and, to some extent, for the differential diagnosis between HL and CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphomas. Cytotoxic lymphomas are preferentially localized in extranodal sites such as skin, lung, upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, which are continuously exposed to various antigens. Since cytotoxic T and NK cells are regarded as first line of defense in these sites, and some cytotoxic tumours such as nasal lymphomas and enteropathy-type intestinal lymphomas are associated with EBV and gliadin, respectively, it is likely that chronic antigen exposure may play a role in the pathogenesis of cytotoxic lymphomas occurring in mucosa and/or skin. Besides chronic antigenic stimulation, chronic immunosuppression may also have pathogenetic significance in cytotoxic lymphomas in view of their increased incidence in immunocompromised patients.

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has recently emerged as a cause of respiratory infections in hematological patients. Clinical data are lacking to guide the management of HMPV pneumonias. To characterize the clinical and radiographic presentation and outcome of HMPV pneumonias diagnosed in hematological patients. We screened the patients with a positive HMPV respiratory test in two French teaching hospitals between 2007 and 2011. Among them, the medical charts from the hematological patients who presented with HMPV pneumonia were reviewed. Among the 54 patients with several underlying hematological conditions who were positive for HMPV, we found 13 cases of HMPV pneumonias. HMPV could be the cause of pneumonia as a single pathogen without associated upper respiratory infection. Centrilobular nodules were constant on lung computed tomography scans. No patients died despite the absence of administration of antiviral treatments. Our data provide further insights in the diagnosis and management of HMPV pneumonias in this setting.

Background Neutrophilic dermatoses refer to a group of cutaneous inflammatory disorders characterized by neutrophilic infiltration of the skin. Neutrophilic dermatoses have been reported in association with various conditions including autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and neoplasia. In the later condition, myeloproliferative disorders and monoclonal gammopathy (monoclonal immunoglobulin [MIg]) are the most frequent. Only few data are available in case of neutrophilic dermatoses associated with MIg regarding the pathophysiology and the clinical outcome. Objective We sought to gain further insight into clinical and biological aspects of neutrophilic dermatoses associated with MIg. Methods We report a retrospective series of 26 patients with neutrophilic dermatoses associated with MIg focusing on clinical and biological aspects, with a study of a large panel of cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. Results This study reveals an association between MIg IgA isotype and neutrophilic dermatoses, and a specific inflammatory pattern including elevated interleukin 6, vascular endothelial growth factor, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, epidermal growth factor, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Limitations This is a retrospective study from a single institution with a limited number of participants. Conclusion Our data highlight a strong association between IgA isotype and neutrophilic dermatoses, and the existence of a specific inflammatory profile involving several molecules. Neutrophilic dermatoses refer to a group of cutaneous inflammatory disorders characterized by neutrophilic infiltration of the skin. Neutrophilic dermatoses have been reported in association with various conditions including autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and neoplasia. In the later condition, myeloproliferative disorders and monoclonal gammopathy (monoclonal immunoglobulin [MIg]) are the most frequent. Only few data are available in case of neutrophilic dermatoses associated with MIg regarding the pathophysiology and the clinical outcome. We sought to gain further insight into clinical and biological aspects of neutrophilic dermatoses associated with MIg. We report a retrospective series of 26 patients with neutrophilic dermatoses associated with MIg focusing on clinical and biological aspects, with a study of a large panel of cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. This study reveals an association between MIg IgA isotype and neutrophilic dermatoses, and a specific inflammatory pattern including elevated interleukin 6, vascular endothelial growth factor, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, epidermal growth factor, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. This is a retrospective study from a single institution with a limited number of participants. Our data highlight a strong association between IgA isotype and neutrophilic dermatoses, and the existence of a specific inflammatory profile involving several molecules.

Lenalidomide is manageable and effective in multiple myeloma, particularly in elderly patients. Surprisingly, the combination of lenalidomide with rituximab produced clinically significant anemia at 25 mg/day for 21/28 days, the highest possible dose, in Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia (WM). We aimed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of single agent lenalidomide and determine its impact on WM. RV-WM-0426 is a multicenter dose escalation open label phase 1/2 study of lenalidomide in relapsed/refractory WM (RRWM). Lenalidomide was given orally 21/28 days per cycle for 1 year, at escalated dose of 15 to 20 mg during phase 1 to determine the MTD; the phase 2 part was conducted at the MTD. Seventeen RRWM patients were included. The MTD was established at 15 mg/day 21/28. By ITT analysis, the overall response rate was 29%. With a median follow-up of 36 months, median TTP was 16 months (95% CI 5.5-26), the 5-year OS was 91%. The most frequent adverse events ≥ grade 3 at 15 mg were 14% anemia and 43% neutropenia. The MTD of lenalidomide is 15 mg/day 21/28 days in RRWM. Lenalidomide is active in the treatment of RRWM and the safety profile appears manageable. Future studies may look into combinations of lenalidomide and continuous dosing.

Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) have provided promising results in multiple myeloma (MM). However, many patients still relapse, pointing toward the need of improving this therapy. Here, we analyzed peripheral blood T cells from MM patients at different stages of the disease and investigated their phenotype and capacity to generate functional CAR-T directed against CS1 or B Cell Maturation antigen. We found a decrease in naive T cells and elevated frequencies of exhaustion markers in T cells from treated MM patients. Interestingly, individuals treated with daratumumab display elevated ratios of central memory T cells. CAR-T derived from patients at relapse show reduced in vitro expansion and cytotoxic capacities in response to MM cells compared to those produced at diagnosis. Of note, CAR-T from daratumumab treated patients display intermediate defects. Reduced anti-myeloma activity of CAR T cells from treated patients was also observed in a mouse model. Our findings suggest that T cell defects in MM patients, specifically during relapse, have a major impact on their capacity to generate efficient therapeutic CAR-T. Selecting naive or central memory T cell subsets to generate therapeutic T cells could improve the CAR-T therapy for MM.

Monoclonal immunoglobulin light chain (LC) crystalline inclusions within podocytes are rare, poorly characterized entities. To provide more insight, we now present the first clinicopathologic series of LC crystalline podocytopathy (LCCP) encompassing 25 patients (68% male, median age 56 years). Most (80%) patients presented with proteinuria and chronic kidney disease, with nephrotic syndrome in 28%. Crystalline keratopathy and Fanconi syndrome were present in 22% and 10%, respectively. The hematologic condition was monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) in 55% and multiple myeloma in 45%. The serum monoclonal immunoglobulin was IgG κappa in 86%. Histologically, 60% exhibited focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), often collapsing. Ultrastructurally, podocyte LC crystals were numerous with variable effacement of foot processes. Crystals were also present in proximal tubular cells as light chain proximal tubulopathy (LCPT) in 80% and in interstitial histiocytes in 36%. Significantly, frozen-section immunofluorescence failed to reveal the LC composition of crystals in 88%, requiring paraffin-immunofluorescence or immunohistochemistry, with identification of kappa LC in 87%. The LC variable region gene segment, determined by mass spectrometry of glomeruli or bone marrow plasma cell sequencing, was IGKV1-33 in four and IGKV3-20 in one. Among 21 patients who received anti-plasma cell-directed chemotherapy, 50% achieved a kidney response, which depended on a deep hematologic response. After a median follow-up of 36 months, 26% progressed to kidney failure and 17% died. The mean kidney failure-free survival was 57.6 months and was worse in those with FSGS. In sum, LCCP is rare, mostly associates with IgG κappa MGRS, and frequently has concurrent LCPT, although Fanconi syndrome is uncommon. Paraffin-immunofluorescence and electron microscopy are essential to prevent misdiagnosis as primary FSGS since kidney survival depends on early diagnosis and subsequent clone-directed therapy.

8032 Background: Patients (pts) with TCE RRMM have few treatment (Tx) options and poor HRQoL. Ide-cel, the first in class CAR T cell Tx for pts with TCE RRMM, improved PFS versus standard (std) regimens in the KarMMa-3 trial. We report the PRO results comparing the Tx arms. PROs provide further understanding of Tx benefit of ide-cel from the pts’ perspective. Methods: KarMMa-3 (NCT03651128) is an open-label phase 3 RCT comparing the efficacy and safety of ide-cel with std regimens in pts with TCE RRMM, who had received 2–4 prior regimens. In addition to clinical endpoints, we evaluated the impact of ide-cel compared with std regimens on the changes in HRQoL, measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-MY20, and the EQ-5D-5L questionnaires. PROs were collected at baseline (screening), day of infusion and monthly from 2–24 months (mo) and thereafter every 3 mo. This interim analysis reports PROs through 20 mo. Comparisons were performed on least squares mean (LSM) changes from baseline over time between arms using constrained longitudinal data analysis (cLDA). Results: In total, 386 pts were randomized (ide-cel, 254; std regimens, 132). PRO compliance was high over time ( &gt; 80%). At baseline, PROs were similar between arms. LSM changes from baseline to 20 mo showed significant differences ( P &lt; 0.05), with effect sizes of 0.3–0.7, in favor of ide-cel for most domains, including global health status/QoL, cognitive functioning, fatigue, and pain (EORTC QLQ-C30); side effects of Tx (EORTC QLQ-MY20); and the EQ-5D-5L VAS. The difference in overall LSM change reached or exceeded the pre-specified between-groups minimal importance difference (MID) for improvement in most domains in favor of ide-cel (Table). Conclusions: Ide-cel showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in HRQoL, including key MM symptoms and functioning, for pts with TCE RRMM compared with std regimens. The PRO data for ide-cel expands upon the clinical outcomes observed in the KarMMa-3 trial. Clinical trial information: NCT03651128 . [Table: see text]

Human gammadelta T lymphocytes represent a minor subset of T cells in the peripheral blood, which exhibit a limited diversity and a tissue-restricted repertoire in contrast to their broad specificity. Most postthymic neoplasms that arise from this T-cell subpopulation belong to the hepatosplenic gammadelta lymphoma entity. Only a few cases of nonhepatosplenic gammadelta lymphomas have been described in detail previously. This study presents the clinicopathologic features of 11 consecutive cases of nonhepatosplenic gammadelta lymphoma. All were characterized by mucosal or skin initial involvement: nasal cavity (n = 3), gastrointestinal tract (n = 3), skin (n = 3), lung (n = 1), larynx (n = 1). Most patients presented with B symptoms (eight of 11), without peripheral lymphadenopathy and bone marrow involvement. A past history of chronic antigen exposure was noted in six cases, and four patients had features of immune deficiency. On histology, they were classified as pleomorphic tumors. Features of epitheliotropism and angiocentrism was observed in most cases. Tumor cells had a CD2+, CD3+, T-cell receptor (TCR)delta-1+), betaF1- phenotype. They were CD5- (9 of 10) and CD4-/CD8- (9 of 10) or CD8+ (1 of 10). A clonal gamma-chain gene rearrangement was detected in all tested cases (9/9). All cases had an activated cytotoxic T-cell intracellular antigen-1 (TIA-1)+, Granzyme B+ phenotype. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) sequences were detected in six cases by in situ hybridization (ISH). Despite an aggressive clinical course, complete remission was obtained in three patients, and one of the latter required a peripheral blood stem-cell transplantation. Nonhepatosplenic gammadelta peripheral T-cell lymphoma can be regarded as a model of activated cytotoxic lymphoma, occurring in mucosae or skin. These appear to be derived from the subpopulation of tissue-restricted gammadelta lymphocytes, which are involved in the host epithelial surface surveillance. The role of chronic antigen exposure in the pathogenesis of these rare lymphomas can be suggested, in view of the past history observed in at least some patients.

Chromosomal rearrangements involving the MLL gene have been associated with many different types of hematological malignancies. Most of them are easily recognized by conventional cytogenetics. However, in some cases, complex, unusual or cryptic rearrangements make the MLL involvement difficult or impossible to be detected by conventional cytogenetics. Fluorescent in situ hybridization with a panel of probes coupled with long distance inverse-PCR was used to identify chromosomal rearrangements involving the MLL gene. Seven unusual chromosomal rearrangements were identified, including two complex translocations, three insertions of material of chromosome 11 in another chromosome and one insertion of chromosome material into the MLL gene. Conventional cytogenetics showed three patients to have a deletion of 11q; one had an unexpected t(6;11)(q27;q23) whereas the other two patients had also an insertion of MLL material in another chromosome. Concurrent 3′ deletion in the MLL rearrangement was observed in two patients. We recommend a systematic approach to be used in all cases of acute leukemia starting with FISH analyses using a commercially available MLL split signal probe. Should an abnormality be discovered, the analysis has to be completed by further molecular cytogenetic and genomic PCR methods in order to unravel the recombination mechanism.

Gaucher disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by lysosomal glucocerebrosidase (GBA) deficiency leading to hematological and skeletal manifestations. Mechanisms underlying these symptoms have not yet been elucidated. In vivo, bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have important role in the regulation of bone mass and in the support of hematopoiesis, thus representing potential candidate that could contribute to the disease. GBA deficiency may also directly impair hematopoietic stem/progenitors cells (HSPCs) intrinsic function and induce hematological defect. In order to evaluate the role of BM stem cells in GD pathophysiology, we prospectively analyzed BM-MSCs and HSPCs properties in a series of 10 patients with type 1 GD. GBA activity was decreased in all tested cell subtypes. GD-MSCs had an impaired growth potential, morphological and cell cycle abnormalities, decreased capacities to differentiate into osteoblasts. Moreover, GD-MSCs secreted soluble factors that stimulated osteoclasts resorbing activities. In vitro and in vivo primitive and mature hematopoiesis were similar between patients and controls. However, GD-MSCs had a lower hematopoietic supportive capacity than those from healthy donors. These data suggest that BM microenvironment is altered in GD and that MSCs are key components of the manifestations observed in GD.

Trogocytosis is the transfer of plasma membrane fragments and the molecules they contain between one donor and one acceptor/acquirer cell. Through trogocytosis, acceptor cells temporarily display and use cell-surface molecules they do not express themselves, but borrow from other cells. Here, we investigated whether liquid tumors possessed a trogocytic capability, if immune escape molecules could be acquired by tumor cells, transferred between cells of the same tumor, and if this could benefit the tumor as a whole.For this, we investigated trogocytosis in hematological cell lines and freshly isolated hematological tumor cells. We demonstrate that hematological tumor lines possess a trogocytic capability that allows them to capture membranes that contain the immune-inhibitory molecule HLA-G from allogeneic as well as from autologous sources. We further show that freshly isolated hematological tumor cells also possess these capabilities. This work reports for the first time the trogocytic capabilities of liquid tumor cells and introduces the notion of immune escape strategy sharing among tumor cells through trogocytosis of membrane-bound immune-inhibitory molecules.

Bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (VTd) is a standard-of-care regimen in Europe for patients (pts) with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) who are transplant eligible. The combination of daratumumab (DARA), a CD38-targeted mAb, with VTd significantly reduced the risk of progression or death and improved stringent complete response (sCR), CR or better (≥CR), and minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative rates vs VTd alone in transplant-eligible NDMM pts in Part 1 of the phase 3 CASSIOPEIA study. Part 2 is ongoing. MRD status is emerging as a valuable prognostic tool to evaluate efficacy in MM. The development of multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques has enabled more sensitive and high-throughput detection of MRD. Here, we evaluated the concordance in post-consolidation MRD results between the MFC and NGS methodologies from Part 1 of CASSIOPEIA.

In the era of personalized treatment in multiple myeloma, high-risk patients must be accurately identified. The International Myeloma Working Group recommends using the Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) to pick out high-risk patients. The main purpose of our work was to explore the heterogeneity of outcome among R-ISS stage II patients assessing the impact of International Staging System (ISS) stage, chromosomal abnormalities and lactate dehydrogenase level in this subgroup. Data were collected from 1,343 patients up to 65 years old with newly diagnosed myeloma, enrolled in three clinical trials implemented by the Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome. All patients were eligible for intensive treatment. Patients in R-ISS stage II but ISS stage I had 1.6 times higher risk of death than patients in R-ISS stage I (adjusted hazard ratio=1.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.1-2.2; P=0.01) and patients in R-ISS stage II but with ISS stage III had a better overall survival than patients in R-ISS stage III (adjusted hazard ratio=0.7; 95% confidence interval: 0.4-0.9, P=0.02). However, among patients classified in R-ISS II, ISS stage and chromosomal abnormalities (del[17p] and t[4;14]) were still relevant prognostic factors for death. Dividing R-ISS stage II into three subgroups: ISS I with standard-risk chromosomal abnormalities, ISS II or III with standard-risk chromosomal abnormalities and patients with high-risk chromosomal abnormalities, median overall survival times were, respectively, not reached, 112 months and 71 months (P<0.001). In conclusion, stratification of patients in the R-ISS stage II group can be improved by taking into account chromosomal abnormalities and ISS. However, this does not improve predictive performance of survival models.

British Journal of HaematologyEarly View LETTER TO THE EDITOR Rituximab with alkylating agent in anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein neuropathy: A retrospective study of 26 cases D. Elessa, D. Elessa orcid.org/0000-0003-0926-4611 Service d'Immuno-Hématologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France Université Paris Cité, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorV. Grosjean, V. Grosjean Université Paris Cité, Paris, France Service de Physiologie Clinique-Explorations Fonctionnelles, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorP. Lozeron, P. Lozeron Université Paris Cité, Paris, France Service de Physiologie Clinique-Explorations Fonctionnelles, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorS. Harel, S. Harel Service d'Immuno-Hématologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France Université Paris Cité, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorB. Royer, B. Royer Service d'Immuno-Hématologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France Université Paris Cité, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorN. Forgeard, N. Forgeard orcid.org/0000-0001-8381-2773 Service d'Immuno-Hématologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France Université Paris Cité, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorF. Thèves, F. Thèves orcid.org/0000-0002-3816-1825 Service d'Immuno-Hématologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France Université Paris Cité, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorA. Talbot, A. Talbot DrAlexisTalbot Service d'Immuno-Hématologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France Université Paris Cité, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorM. Malphettes, M. Malphettes orcid.org/0000-0002-9888-2528 Université Paris Cité, Paris, France Service d'Immuno-pathologie Clinique, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorD. Bengoufa, D. Bengoufa Université Paris Cité, Paris, France Laboratoire d'Immunologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorN. Kubis, N. Kubis Université Paris Cité, Paris, France Service de Physiologie Clinique-Explorations Fonctionnelles, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorB. Arnulf, Corresponding Author B. Arnulf [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0001-7719-3611 Service d'Immuno-Hématologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France Université Paris Cité, Paris, France Correspondence B. Arnulf, Service d'Immuno-Hématologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, 1 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author D. Elessa, D. Elessa orcid.org/0000-0003-0926-4611 Service d'Immuno-Hématologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France Université Paris Cité, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorV. Grosjean, V. Grosjean Université Paris Cité, Paris, France Service de Physiologie Clinique-Explorations Fonctionnelles, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorP. Lozeron, P. Lozeron Université Paris Cité, Paris, France Service de Physiologie Clinique-Explorations Fonctionnelles, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorS. Harel, S. Harel Service d'Immuno-Hématologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France Université Paris Cité, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorB. Royer, B. Royer Service d'Immuno-Hématologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France Université Paris Cité, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorN. Forgeard, N. Forgeard orcid.org/0000-0001-8381-2773 Service d'Immuno-Hématologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France Université Paris Cité, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorF. Thèves, F. Thèves orcid.org/0000-0002-3816-1825 Service d'Immuno-Hématologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France Université Paris Cité, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorA. Talbot, A. Talbot DrAlexisTalbot Service d'Immuno-Hématologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France Université Paris Cité, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorM. Malphettes, M. Malphettes orcid.org/0000-0002-9888-2528 Université Paris Cité, Paris, France Service d'Immuno-pathologie Clinique, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorD. Bengoufa, D. Bengoufa Université Paris Cité, Paris, France Laboratoire d'Immunologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorN. Kubis, N. Kubis Université Paris Cité, Paris, France Service de Physiologie Clinique-Explorations Fonctionnelles, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorB. Arnulf, Corresponding Author B. Arnulf [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0001-7719-3611 Service d'Immuno-Hématologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France Université Paris Cité, Paris, France Correspondence B. Arnulf, Service d'Immuno-Hématologie, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, 1 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author First published: 18 March 2024 https://doi.org/10.1111/bjh.19412 D. Elessa and V. Grosjean participated equally to this work. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Supporting Information Filename Description bjh19412-sup-0001-AppendixS1.docxWord 2007 document , 32.6 KB Appendix S1. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. REFERENCES 1Steck AJ. 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In patients with light-chain myeloma or primary AL-amyloidosis, 24-hr light-chain excretion in the urine is considered an essential marker of the tumor mass. However, 24-hr urine collection and analysis may be cumbersome and prone to inaccuracy. Recently, a sensitive immunonephelometric assay for immunoglobulin free light chains (FLC) in the serum was developed. We sought to determine whether the serum level of monoclonal FLC could be used as an indicator of urinary excretion and disease evolution. Seven patients with light-chain myeloma and AL-amyloidosis were studied, all of which had a monoclonal FLC that could be detected in the urine using standard methods. In four of these patients, follow-up revealed a remarkable correlation between FLC serum levels and daily urinary excretions. The ratio of serum level to urinary light-chain excretion, although stable in a given patient, was extremely variable between patients. In the three remaining cases featuring hardly measurable amounts of light chain in the urine, the serum FLC assay proved sensitive enough for correlation with clinical events. Thus, immunonephelometric measurement of serum FLCs is a reliable method for the follow-up of patients with light-chain secreting monoclonal gammopathies.

Schnitzler syndrome is characterized by chronic urticarial rash and monoclonal IgM gammopathy and is sometimes associated with periodic fever, arthralgias, and bone pain. Current treatment is unsatisfactory.Eleven patients with Schnitzler syndrome were treated with oral pefloxacin mesylate (800 mg/d). In 10 patients, we observed a dramatic and sustained improvement of urticarial and systemic manifestations. Corticosteroid therapy could be stopped or reduced in 6 patients. In 9 patients, pefloxacin was administered for more than 6 months (<or= 10 years), with a good safety profile.Pefloxacin therapy can be considered for patients with Schnitzler syndrome because it usually improves chronic urticaria and the systemic symptoms of the disease.