Antibody-Based Treatment Approaches in Multiple Myeloma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The field of multiple myeloma treatment has entered a new era with antibody-based approaches in clinical practice. In this review, we focus on the clinical approaches of utilizing antibody-based modality, specifically monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and bispecific T-cell antibodies in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

RECENT FINDINGS

Three monoclonal antibodies (daratumumab, isatuximab, elotuzumab) and one anti-BCMA (B-cell maturation antigen) antibody-drug conjugate (belantamab mafodotin) have been approved by the FDA in the last 5 years for the treatment of multiple myeloma. There are many ongoing clinical trials using novel targets and constructs, including bispecific antibodies against BCMA, GPRC5D, and FCRH5. In addition to exploring efficacy, there are ongoing efforts to overcome the resistance to therapy. Antibody-based therapy has improved the outcomes of patients with multiple myeloma and has been incorporated in the standard of care. We expect to see novel targets and constructs that can achieve a deeper and more durable response while minimizing toxicity, as well as better strategies for toxicity management for existing agents. We also expect that antibody-based strategies will be used in earlier lines of therapy in the future.

Defining the undetectable: The current landscape of minimal residual disease assessment in multiple myeloma and goals for future clarity

Multiple Myeloma, the second most prevalent hematologic malignancy, yet lacks an established curative therapy. However, overall response rate to modern four-drug regimens approaches 100%. Major efforts have thus focused on the measurement of minute quantities of residual disease (minimal residual disease or MRD) for prognostic metrics and therapeutic response evaluation. Currently, MRD is assessed by flow cytometry or by next generation sequencing to track tumor-specific immunoglobulin V(D)J rearrangements. These bone marrow-based methods can reach sensitivity thresholds of the identification of one neoplastic cell in 1,000,000 (10-6). New technologies are being developed to be used alone or in conjunction with established methods, including peripheral blood-based assays, mass spectrometry, and targeted imaging. Data is also building for MRD as a surrogate endpoint for overall survival. Here, we will address the currently utilized MRD assays, challenges in validation across labs and clinical trials, techniques in development, and future directions for successful clinical application of MRD in multiple myeloma.

Increased Immune-Regulatory Receptor Expression on Effector T Cells as Early Indicators of Relapse Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma

The benefit of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in newly diagnosed myeloma patients, apart from supporting high dose chemotherapy, may include effects on T cell function in the bone marrow (BM). We report our exploratory findings on marrow infiltrating T cells early post-ASCT (day+100), examining phenotype and T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire, seeking correlations with timing of relapse. Compared to healthy donors (HD), we observed an increase in regulatory T cells (CD4+FoxP3+, Tregs) with reduction in CD4 T cells, leading to lower CD4:8 ratios. Compared to paired pre-treatment marrow, both CD4 and CD8 compartments showed a reduction in naïve, and increase in effector memory subsets, suggestive of a more differentiated phenotype. This was supported by increased levels of several immune-regulatory and activation proteins (ICOS, PD-1, LAG-3, CTLA-4 and GzmB) when compared with HD. Unsupervised analysis identified a patient subgroup with shorter PFS (p=0.031) whose BM contained increased Tregs, and higher immune-regulatory markers (ICOS, PD-1, LAG-3) on effector T cells. Using single feature analysis, higher frequencies of marrow PD-1+ on CD4+FoxP3- cells and Ki67+ on CD8 cells were independently associated with early relapse. Finally, studying paired pre-treatment and post-ASCT BM (n=5), we note reduced abundance of TCR sequences at day+100, with a greater proportion of expanded sequences indicating a more focused persistent TCR repertoire. Our findings indicate that, following induction chemotherapy and ASCT, marrow T cells demonstrate increased activation and differentiation, with TCR repertoire focusing. Pending confirmation in larger series, higher levels of immune-regulatory proteins on T cell effectors at day+100 may indicate early relapse.

Screening for M-proteinemia consisting of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and multiple myeloma for 30 years among atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima

Monoclonal gammopathy (M-proteinemia) is a premalignant plasma cell disorder. The prevalence of M-proteinemia increases with age and is affected by genetic or environmental factors. Atomic bomb (A-bomb) survivors in Hiroshima are in an age range when they are susceptible to M-proteinemia. The prevalence and incidence of M-proteinemia in Hiroshima A-bomb survivors were investigated for 30 years (1989-2018) to examine the influence of radiation exposure. The overall prevalence of M-proteinemia among 38,602 A-bomb survivors was 2.4%. M-proteinemia prevalence at age 70 years and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) incidence were not associated with radiation exposure category. Males had a 2.30-fold higher prevalence and a 2.08-fold higher incidence than females. The risk of incidence for MGUS was 4.32-fold higher in persons aged < 10 years at the time of the A-bombing and 2.56-fold higher in those aged 10-19 years compared with those aged over 30 years. IgG type M-proteinemia was common and the IgM type developed 5-8 years later than other immunoglobulin types. Exposure to radiation was not clearly associated with the prevalence of M-proteinemia or incidence of MGUS in Hiroshima A-bomb survivors. However, males and those aged < 20 years at A-bombing had higher susceptibility to MGUS.

Anti-body building: The exercise of advancing immune based myeloma therapies

The last decade has seen a marked improvement in the outcomes of patients with multiple myeloma. Much of this has been due to not only the advent of new therapies, but their inherent ability to be combined into 3 and 4 drug regimens without resulting in unacceptable toxicity. The general gestalt has been to combine agents of varied mechanisms of action. With the primary classes of agents such as proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs as bases, the advent of antibody-based therapy in myeloma has allowed us to easily augment these therapies; much in the same way rituximab impacted the lymphoma world. With the approvals of daratumumab, elotuzumab and isatuximab; the myeloma world was ushered into the next wave of targeted agents. Here, we take a look at the current landscape of "off-the-shelf" antibody-based therapies in myeloma and peer into the next wave of multi-functional targeted agents.

Once-weekly vs. twice-weekly carfilzomib dosing in a subgroup of Japanese relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients from a randomized phase 3 trial (A.R.R.O.W.) and comparison with ENDEAVOR

A.R.R.O.W. evaluated the superiority of once-weekly carfilzomib plus dexamethasone (Kd) 20/70 mg/m² vs. twice-weekly Kd 20/27 mg/m² based on progression-free survival (PFS) in relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma patients. Forty Japanese patients (once-weekly arm, n = 26; twice-weekly arm, n = 14) were randomized in A.R.R.O.W. In the Japanese subgroup of A.R.R.O.W., median PFS was 14.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.5-not evaluable [NE]) and 9.7 months (95% CI, 3.8-NE) in the once- and twice-weekly arms, respectively. The overall response rate (ORR) was 73.1% (19/26; 95% CI, 52.2-88.4) and 57.1% (8/14; 95% CI, 28.9-82.3) in each arm. The adverse events (AEs) incidence was 100% in both arms. Grade ≥ 3 AE incidence was 80.8% (21/26) and 78.6% (11/14) in each arm. Two fatal treatment-related AEs (acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome) occurred in the once-weekly arm. In exploratory unadjusted analyses of A.R.R.O.W. (once-weekly Kd 20/70 mg/m²) vs. ENDEAVOR (twice-weekly Kd 20/56 mg/m²), median PFS was 14.8 months vs. NE due to not yet being reached, and ORR was 73.1% (19/26) vs. 42.9% (3/7). In the Japanese subgroup, once-weekly Kd tended to improve ORR vs. twice-weekly Kd. Results from A.R.R.O.W. tended to be consistent with results from ENDEAVOR.

Lessons Learned from Checkpoint Blockade Targeting PD-1 in Multiple Myeloma

Immune checkpoints and agonists modulate ongoing, antigen-specific immune responses. Therapeutic blockade of CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 has proven to be an effective treatment approach for a subset of patients with a variety of cancers of epithelial, mesenchymal, or hematologic origin. In multiple myeloma, a B-cell lymphoid malignancy of terminally differentiated plasma cells, PD-1 pathway blockade is ineffective as a single agent. The initial promise in combination approaches utilizing anti-PD-1 with the immunomodulatory drugs, lenalidomide or pomalidomide, was not confirmed in randomized trials. Here, we explore available data for and against manipulation of the PD-1 pathway and other immune checkpoints in myeloma and highlight several promising concepts and challenges that face ongoing development of immunotherapeutics for this disease.

Autonomic nervous system control of multiple myeloma

The autonomic nervous system (ANS), which consists of antagonistic sympathetic (adrenergic) and parasympathetic (cholinergic) arms, has emerged as an important regulator of neoplastic development, yet little is known about its role in multiple myeloma (MM). Clinical findings that anti-adrenergic β-blocker intake reduces risk of disease-specific death and overall mortality in patients with MM have indicated that adrenergic input may worsen myeloma outcome. However, preclinical studies using β-adrenergic receptor agonists or antagonists produced controversial results as to whether sympathetic pathways promote or inhibit myeloma. Retrospective outcome data demonstrating that high message levels of cholinergic receptor genes predict inferior survival in the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation CoMMpass trial suggest that parasympathetic input may drive myeloma progression in a subset of patients. Here we review the ill-defined role of the ANS in MM, put myeloma in the context of other cancers, and discuss knowledge gaps that may afford exciting research opportunities going forward.

Marrow-Infiltrating Regulatory T Cells Correlate with the Presence of Dysfunctional CD4+PD-1+ Cells and Inferior Survival in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

PURPOSE

Immune dysregulation is described in multiple myeloma. While preclinical models suggest a role for altered T-cell immunity in disease progression, the contribution of immune dysfunction to clinical outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to characterize marrow-infiltrating T cells in newly diagnosed patients and explore associations with outcomes of first-line therapy.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We undertook detailed characterization of T cells from bone marrow (BM) samples, focusing on immune checkpoints and features of immune dysfunction, correlating with clinical features and progression-free survival.

RESULTS

We found that patients with multiple myeloma had greater abundance of BM regulatory T cells (Tregs) which, in turn, expressed higher levels of the activation marker CD25 compared with healthy donors. Patients with higher frequencies of Tregs had shorter PFS and a distinct Treg immune checkpoint profile (increased PD-1, LAG-3) compared with patients with lower frequencies of Tregs. Analysis of CD4 and CD8 effectors revealed that low CD4effector (CD4eff):Treg ratio and increased frequency of PD-1-expressing CD4eff cells were independent predictors of early relapse over and above conventional risk factors, such as genetic risk and depth of response. Ex vivo functional analysis and RNA sequencing revealed that CD4 and CD8 cells from patients with greater abundance of CD4effPD-1+ cells displayed transcriptional and secretory features of dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

BM-infiltrating T-cell subsets, specifically Tregs and PD-1-expressing CD4 effectors, negatively influence clinical outcomes in newly diagnosed patients. Pending confirmation in larger cohorts and further mechanistic work, these immune parameters may inform new risk models, and present potential targets for immunotherapeutic strategies.

Multiple Myeloma Presenting in Patients Younger than 50 Years of Age: A Single Institution Experience

INTRODUCTION

Multiple myeloma (MM) is uncommon in persons younger than 50 years of age. The presenting features in this age group are unclear.

METHODS

We analyzed a cohort of patients <50 years of age with MM treated in our center.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients at a median age of 41.5 years (range 27-49) were analyzed. Patients presented at International Staging System (ISS) I-II (79%), had high frequency of bone lytic lesions (89%), extramedullary disease (26%), light-chain myeloma (45%), and translocation t(11;14) (68%). The subpopulation of patients carrying t(11;14) were younger (p = 0.025). This subgroup had higher bone marrow infiltration of plasma cells (75 vs. 47.5%), higher incidence of proteinuria (2.9 vs. 0.19 g/day), and poorer response to therapy: 85.7% of patients achieving complete/very good partial remission after induction therapy did not have t(11;14). A trend toward inferior progression-free survival (PFS) was observed in patients with t(11; 14) compared to patients without this translocation (median PFS 18 and 36 months, respectively).

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Translocation t(11; 14) seems to be more prevalent in young myeloma patients. Young myeloma patients and especially those who harbor translocation t(11; 14) may represent a distinct clinical entity that confers a poor outcome.

The dilemma of treating pyoderma gangrenosum associated with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare ulcerative skin condition. It can be associated with a number of systemic diseases. Association with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is uncommon, but prognosis may be different depending upon the type of MGUS. Cases of MGUS- related PG reported in the literature with data concerning evolution and treatment were identified through a PubMed search. A patient with recurrent PG in the setting of a MGUS-IgA-? in our department was also included. In total, 10 cases were identified. Only the two cases with Ig populations other than IgA improved without recurrence after treatment of the PG. All the patients with MGUS-IgA showed recurrences. Early multiple myeloma was proposed for three patients with MGUS-IgA-related PG. Second or third line treatments were necessary in some cases.

The Association between Metabolic Syndrome and Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a haematological malignancy arising from monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow, resulting in the presence of paraproteins or M-protein in serum. The involvement of paraproteins produced by malignant plasma cells in the development of hyperlipidaemia and low-HDL cholesterol has been described, as has an association with MM and obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and insulin resistance, that is, features of the metabolic syndrome (MS). There is an association between MS components, inflammatory cytokines, and the development of MM, and some drugs used in the treatment of MS such as statins and metformin may improve outcomes in MM.

Timing the initiation of multiple myeloma

The evolution and progression of multiple myeloma and its precursors over time is poorly understood. Here, we investigate the landscape and timing of mutational processes shaping multiple myeloma evolution in a large cohort of 89 whole genomes and 973 exomes. We identify eight processes, including a mutational signature caused by exposure to melphalan. Reconstructing the chronological activity of each mutational signature, we estimate that the initial transformation of a germinal center B-cell usually occurred during the first 2nd-3rd decades of life. We define four main patterns of activation-induced deaminase (AID) and apolipoprotein B mRNA editing catalytic polypeptide-like (APOBEC) mutagenesis over time, including a subset of patients with evidence of prolonged AID activity during the pre-malignant phase, indicating antigen-responsiveness and germinal center reentry. Our findings provide a framework to study the etiology of multiple myeloma and explore strategies for prevention and early detection.

Liquid biopsies for multiple myeloma in a time of precision medicine

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a challenging, progressive, and highly heterogeneous hematological malignancy. MM is characterized by multifocal proliferation of neoplastic plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM) and sometimes in extramedullary organs. Despite the availability of novel drugs and the longer median overall survival, some patients survive more than 10 years while others die rapidly. This heterogeneity is mainly driven by biological characteristics of MM cells, including genetic abnormalities. Disease progressions are mainly due to the inability of drugs to overcome refractory disease and inevitable drug-resistant relapse. In clinical practice, a bone marrow biopsy, mostly performed in one site, is still used to access the genetics of MM. However, BM biopsy use is limited by its invasive nature and by often not accurately reflecting the mutational profile of MM. Recent insights into the genetic landscape of MM provide a valuable opportunity to implement precision medicine approaches aiming to enable better patient profiling and selection of targeted therapies. In this review, we explore the use of the emerging field of liquid biopsies in myeloma patients considering current unmet medical needs, such as assessing the dynamic mutational landscape of myeloma, early predictors of treatment response, and a less invasive response monitoring.

[Better screening for work-related cancers: The experience of Brest University Hospital Occupational Disease Center inpatient service]

INTRODUCTION

An in-patient clinical service has been set up in March 2016 in the Occupational Diseases Center of Brest University Hospital, France, to seek for work-relatedness of diseases in patients hospitalized into the oncology and hematology departments. We present here data after two years of existence.

METHODS

All cases of cancers or malignant hematological diseases (ICD-10 codes C00 to C97 and D37 to D48) seen between March 1, 2016, and March 1, 2018, have been identified. We present sociodemographic data, occupational exposures, occupation, business sector, and tobacco consumption. The causation level between the disease and each of the occupational exposures has been rated as strong, intermediate, weak or null by the occupational medicine specialist of the Occupational Diseases Center.

RESULTS

Among the 196 patients encountered, there are 127 work-related diseases and 82 of these had one occupational exposure rated as strong or intermediate. The most frequent occupational hazards were asbestos (48 cases) and ionizing radiation (23 cases). The most frequent business sectors were metallurgy, mechanical engineering, and agriculture. Lung cancer was the most frequently reported disease (49 cases).

DISCUSSION

. We identified well-known couples with occupational exposures and diseases, such as asbestos and lung cancer. We also identified a link between pesticides and leukemias. This in-patient clinical service is helpful to identify work-related exposures and in helping patients to get compensated.

Methodology and results of real-world cost-effectiveness of carfilzomib in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed multiple myeloma using registry data

OBJECTIVE

To predict the real-world (RW) cost-effectiveness of carfilzomib in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (KRd) versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) in relapsed multiple myeloma (MM) patients after one to three prior therapies.

METHODS

A partitioned survival model that included three health states (progression-free, progressed disease and death) was built. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and time to discontinuation (TTD) data for the Rd arm were derived using the Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies in the Czech Republic; the relative treatment effects of KRd versus Rd were estimated from the phase 3, randomised, ASPIRE trial, and were used to predict PFS, OS and TTD for KRd. The model was developed from the payer perspective and included drug costs, administration costs, monitoring costs, palliative care costs and adverse-event related costs collected from Czech sources.

RESULTS

The base case incremental cost effectiveness ratio for KRd compared with Rd was €73,156 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Patients on KRd incurred costs of €117,534 over their lifetime compared with €53,165 for patients on Rd. The QALYs gained were 2.63 and 1.75 for patients on KRd and Rd, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Combining the strengths of randomised controlled trials and observational databases in cost-effectiveness models can generate policy-relevant results to allow well-informed decision-making. The current model showed that KRd is likely to be cost-effective versus Rd in the RW and, therefore, the reimbursement of KRd represents an efficient allocation of resources within the healthcare system.

A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study and Systematic Review of Necrobiotic Xanthogranuloma With Proposed Diagnostic Criteria

Importance

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG) is a non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis classically associated with paraproteinemia attributable to plasma-cell dyscrasias or lymphoproliferative disorders. Despite the morbidity of NXG, the literature is limited to case reports and small studies, and diagnostic criteria are lacking.

Objective

To evaluate the characteristics of NXG and propose diagnostic criteria.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted at tertiary academic referral centers and followed by a systematic review and a consensus exercise. The multicenter cohort included patients with NXG diagnosed at the Brigham and Women's and Massachusetts General Hospitals (2000-2018), the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (2000-2018), and the University of Pennsylvania Health System (2008-2018). The systematic review was conducted in 2018 and included patients with NXG identified in the Cochrane, Ovid EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. The consensus exercise was conducted by 8 board-certified dermatologists to identify diagnostic criteria.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Demographic factors, comorbidities, clinical features, and treatment response.

Results

Of 235 included patients with NXG (34 from the multicenter cohort and 201 from the systematic review results), the mean (SD) age at presentation was 61.6 (14.2) years; 147 (62.6%) were female. Paraproteinemia was detected in 193 patients (82.1%), most often IgG-κ (117 patients [50.0%]). A malignant condition was detected in 59 patients (25.1%), most often multiple myeloma (33 patients [14.0%]). The overall rate of paraproteinemia and/or a malignant condition was 83.8% (197 patients). In the multicenter cohort, evolution of paraproteinemia into multiple myeloma was observed up to 5.7 years (median [range], 2.4 [0.1-5.7] years) after NXG presentation. Cutaneous lesions consisted of papules, plaques, and/or nodules, typically yellow or orange in color (113 of 187 [60.4%]) with a periorbital distribution (130 of 219 [59.3%]). The eye was the leading site of extracutaneous involvement (34 of 235 [14.5%]). In the multicenter cohort, intravenous immunoglobulin had the best treatment response rate (9 of 9 patients [100%]), followed by antimalarial drugs (4 of 5 patients [80%]), intralesional triamcinolone (6 of 8 patients [75%]), surgery (3 of 4 patients [75%]), chemotherapy (8 of 12 patients [67%]), and lenalidomide or thalidomide (5 of 8 patients [63%]). The consensus exercise yielded 2 major criteria, which were (1) clinical and (2) histopathological features consistent with NXG, and 2 minor criteria, consisting of (1) paraproteinemia, plasma-cell dyscrasia, and/or other associated lymphoproliferative disorder and (2) periorbital distribution of cutaneous lesions. In the absence of foreign body, infection, or another identifiable cause, fulfillment of both major and at least 1 minor criterion were proposed to establish the diagnosis of NXG.

Conclusions and Relevance

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma is a multisystem disorder associated with paraproteinemia and malignant conditions. The proposed diagnostic criteria may advance clinical research and should be validated.

CAR T-cell therapy: is it prime time in myeloma?

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have shown promising activity in hematological malignancies and are being studied for the treatment of multiple myeloma, as well. B-cell maturation antigen, which is widely and almost exclusively expressed on plasma cells and B cells, is a promising target. Other targets being evaluated include CD19, CD38, CD138, signaling lymphocyte activation molecule or CS1, light chain, GPRC5D, and NKG2D. Early clinical studies have shown promising response rates in heavily pretreated patients, but relapses have occurred. Cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity have been observed in the majority of patients but are mostly grades 1 and 2. Relapse may be mediated by antigen escape and the limited persistence of CAR T cells. CAR T-cell constructs that target multiple antigens/epitopes or constructs with longer persistence due to a higher proportion of memory phenotype T cells may decrease the rates of relapse. Allogeneic CAR T cells that offer "off-the-shelf" options are also being developed. The challenges in integrating CAR T cells in myeloma therapy include disease relapse, adverse effects, cost, and identifying the right patient population. Longer-term data on efficacy and toxicity are needed before CAR T cells are ready for prime time in myeloma.

Simultaneous Presentation of Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis and Multiple myeloma in an Immunodeficient Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis

A 75-year-old Japanese woman with a 20-year history of rheumatoid arthritis presented with symptomatic bilateral pleural effusion and lung and brain tumors. She had received methotrexate for five years and tacrolimus for one year. A brain biopsy specimen showed the pathological features of lymphoproliferative disease, but a bone marrow biopsy showed proliferation of plasma cells. She was finally diagnosed with coexistent lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG) of the brain and lung and multiple myeloma (MM) of the bone marrow and received chemotherapy for both. This report shows that immunodeficient patients are at risk of developing the unusual coexistence of LYG and MM.

Post-MGUS Diagnosis Serum Monoclonal-Protein Velocity and the Progression of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance to Multiple Myeloma

BACKGROUND

Multiple myeloma is a common hematologic malignancy consistently preceded by monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Little is known about postdiagnosis clinical predictors of progression of MGUS to multiple myeloma to guide MGUS management. This study aimed to investigate whether the rate of rise in serum monoclonal protein concentration during the year after MGUS diagnosis-M-protein velocity-predicts progression of MGUS to multiple myeloma.

METHODS

Data from the U.S. Veterans Health Administration system were used. A retrospective cohort of patients with MGUS who progressed to multiple myeloma were matched on age at MGUS diagnosis and race in a 1:4 ratio to the patients with MGUS using incidence density sampling. Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted. Univariable and multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses were fitted from the matched risk sets.

RESULTS

A total of 128 cases and 490 matched controls were included. The case group contained a higher percentage of patients with M-protein velocity >0.1 g/dL/year than the control group (44.5% vs. 28.2%, P <0.0001). M-protein velocity of >0.1 g/dL during the year following MGUS diagnosis was positively associated with progression of MGUS to multiple myeloma (multivariable-adjusted odds ratio = 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-3.35).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with a positive M-protein velocity during the year after MGUS diagnosis may be considered for more frequent monitoring for early detection and timely treatment of multiple myeloma. Future prevention studies could target these patients for intervention evaluation.

IMPACT

Our results suggest a new clinical predictor of progression to multiple myeloma following MGUS diagnosis, which has potential to identify high-risk patients for management and prevention.

An Interactive Timeline Visualization for Patient Cohorts in the Oncological Routine: A Use Case on Multiple Myeloma

With the growing interdisciplinarity of cancer treatment and increasing amounts of data and patients, it is getting increasingly difficult for physicians to capture a patient's medical history as a basis for adequate treatment and to compare different medical histories of similar patients to each other. Furthermore, in order to tackle the etiological mechanisms of cancer, it is crucial to identify patients exhibiting a different disease course than their corresponding cohort. Several timeline visualizations have already been proposed. However, the functions and design of such visualizations are always use case dependent. We constructed a cohort timeline prototype mock-up for a specific oncological use case involving multiple myeloma, where the chronological monitoring of various parameters is crucial for patient diagnosis and treatment. Our proposed cohort timeline is a synthesis between elements described in the literature and our own approaches regarding function and design.

[Monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS) and occupational risk factors: criteria to carry out the health surveillance]

Monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS) identifies a clinically asymptomatic and laboratory-based situation characterized by a modest monoclonal component (MC). In a limited percentage of cases, on a probabilistic basis, the asymptomatic genepremalignant stage could lead to multiple myeloma (MM). Materials and Methods. Based on literature data and available Guidelines on the subject, the diagnostic criteria and a methodological path are here suggested to the Occupational Physician to formulate a judgment of suitability for the task with exposure risk to RI or pesticides. Results. Some studies have evaluated the prevalence of MGUS in subjects exposed professionally to pesticides. Numerous other studies conducted on the survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have highlighted a possible association with exposure to ionizing radiation (IR). The guidelines relating to the diagnosis and management of MGUS cases (with respect to the potential evolution in MM allow) to draw important operational indications for the competent/authorized physician. Conclusions. The routinely use of laboratory tests for subjects exposed to the studied risk factors is generally indicated starting from the worker's 50 years of age. The finding of a MGUS in the absence of further laboratory alterations represents the situation most frequently and does not require further measures, other than those of foreseeing even blood controls at least every two years. In this situation, there are no justified restrictions on work activities with exposure risks to IR or pesticides. If alterations suggestive for an increased risk of evolution in a neoplastic way could be identified, a close periodicity - every 3-6 months - of haematological checks is recommended. In these cases, it appears justified an abstention from activities involving exposure to ionizing radiation for a period of time that will be evaluated based on the evolution of the framework and by the progress of laboratory tests in the monitored period.

High-risk myeloma and minimal residual disease postautologous-HSCT predict worse outcomes

The aim of our study was to determine the impact of high-risk disease (HRD) and MRD on outcomes in myeloma patients receiving bortezomib-based induction followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (auto-HSCT). HRD included t(4:14), t(14;16), del 17p, del 1p and/or amplification 1q by cytogenetics/FISH; all others were standard-risk disease (SRD). A subset of 165 newly diagnosed myeloma patients in a 2:1 ratio of HRD:SRD was generated using propensity score based nearest neighbor matching. Multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) was used to detect MRD after auto-HSCT in select patients. MRD+ status at 3 months post auto-HSCT (hazard ratio (HR = 4.23, p = .028) and HRD (HR = 1.72, p = .026) were associated with a shorter PFS. Similarly, MRD+ 3 months post auto-HSCT (HR = 6.93, p = .08) and HRD (HR = 3.54, p < .001) and were associated with a shorter OS. Despite bortezomib-based induction, upfront auto-HSCT, and use of maintenance therapy, PFS and OS remained worse in MRD+ and HRD patients.

Mast Cells and Angiogenesis in Human Plasma Cell Malignancies

Bone marrow angiogenesis plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of hematological malignancies. It is well known that tumor microenvironment promotes tumor angiogenesis, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, and also mediates mechanisms of therapeutic resistance. An increased number of mast cells has been demonstrated in angiogenesis associated with hematological tumors. In this review we focused on the role of mast cells in angiogenesis in human plasma cell malignancies. In this context, mast cells might act as a new target for the adjuvant treatment of these tumors through the selective inhibition of angiogenesis, tissue remodeling and tumor-promoting molecules, permitting the secretion of cytotoxic cytokines and preventing mast cell-mediated immune suppression.