Survival benefit of ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (IRD) over lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients in routine clinical practice
Background: We have performed a head to head comparison of all-oral triplet combination of ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (IRD) versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (RD) in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) in the routine clinical practice.
Methods: A total of 344 patients treated with IRD (N = 127) or RD (N = 217) were selected for analysis from the Czech Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies (RMG). Descriptive statistics were used to assess patient’s characteristics associated with the respective therapy. The primary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS), secondary end points included response rates and overall survival (OS). Survival endpoints were plotted using Kaplan-Meier methodology at 95% Greenwood confidence interval. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the effect of treatment regimens and the significance of uneven variables. Statistical tests were performed at significance level 0.05.
Results: In the whole cohort, median PFS for IRD was 17.5 and for RD was 11.5 months favoring the all-oral triplet, p = 0.005; in patients within relapse 1-3, the median PFS was 23.1 vs 11.6 months, p = 0.001. The hazard ratio for PFS was 0.67 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51-0.89, p = 0.006). The PFS advantage translated into improved OS for patients treated with IRD, median 36.6 months vs 26.0 months (p = 0.008). The overall response rate (ORR) was 73.0% in the IRD group vs 66.2% in the RD group with a complete response rate (CR) of 11.1% vs 8.8%, and very good partial response (VGPR) 22.2% vs 13.9%, IRD vs RD respectively. The IRD regimen was most beneficial in patients ≤75 years with ISS I, II, and in the first and second relapse. Patients with the presence of extramedullary disease did not benefit from IRD treatment (median PFS 6.5 months). Both regimens were well tolerated, and the incidence of total as well as grade 3/4 toxicities was comparable.
Conclusions: Our analysis confirms the results of the TOURMALINE-MM1 study and shows benefit of all-oral triplet IRD treatment versus RD doublet. It demonstrates that the addition of ixazomib to RD improves key survival endpoints in patients with RRMM in a routine clinical setting.
Keywords: Clinical trial; Dexamethasone; Ixazomib; Lenalidomide; Multiple myeloma; Patient registry.
Journal: BMC Cancer
First Author: Jiri Minarik
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07732-1
Characteristics and outcome of multiple myeloma patients presenting with anaemia only: A retrospective multi-centre study
Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) patients presenting with anaemia as their sole clinical manifestation are rare and not fully defined.
Methods: Retrospective multi-site study comparing the characteristics and outcome of MM patients with anaemia only with matched patients, presenting with multi-organ disease.
Results: Anaemia-only patients had a higher percentage of bone marrow monoclonal plasma cells group (median 60% [IQR 42-80%] vs. 37% [IQR 17-65%], respectively; p < 0.001), and a lower responsiveness to treatment (≥VGPR rates were 54% vs 74%, p = 0.049). Median survival in anaemia only patients was 65.9 ± 6.9 vs 83.4 ± 8.8 months in matched control patients (P = n.s).
Conclusions: MM patients presenting with anaemia only represents a unique, potentially less favorable population.
Keywords: Anemia; Myeloma.
Journal: Leukemia Research
First Author: Tamir Shragai
DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2020.106498
Immune Functions of Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family Molecules in Multiple Myeloma
The signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) family receptors are expressed on various immune cells and malignant plasma cells in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. In immune cells, most SLAM family molecules bind to themselves to transmit co-stimulatory signals through the recruiting adaptor proteins SLAM-associated protein (SAP) or Ewing’s sarcoma-associated transcript 2 (EAT-2), which target immunoreceptor tyrosine-based switch motifs in the cytoplasmic regions of the receptors. Notably, SLAMF2, SLAMF3, SLAMF6, and SLAMF7 are strongly and constitutively expressed on MM cells that do not express the adaptor proteins SAP and EAT-2. This review summarizes recent studies on the expression and biological functions of SLAM family receptors during the malignant progression of MM and the resulting preclinical and clinical research involving four SLAM family receptors. A better understanding of the relationship between SLAM family receptors and MM disease progression may lead to the development of novel immunotherapies for relapse prevention.
Keywords: SLAM family; SLAMF2 (CD48); SLAMF3 (CD229, Ly9); SLAMF6 (CD352, NTB-A); SLAMF7 (CD319, CRACC, CS1); immunotherapy; multiple myeloma.
Journal: Cancers
First Author: Mariko Ishibashi
Urine immunofixation negativity is not necessary for complete response in intact immunoglobulin multiple myeloma: Retrospective real-world confirmation
No abstract available
Keywords: MULTIPLE MYELOMA
Journal: International Journal Of Laboratory Hematology
First Author: Jakub Radocha