High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma: what predicts the outcome? Experience from a developing country

[Multiple myeloma and autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation without cryopreservation: experiences of the Clinical Hematology Department of Casablanca, Morocco]

La chimiothérapie à haute dose suivie d´autogreffe des cellules souches hématopoïétiques (ASCT) reste le traitement de choix du myélome multiple chez les sujets âgés ≤ 65 ans. Dans les pays en développement, l´ASCT sans cryoconservation, permet de réduire les coûts d´hospitalisation et des installations nécessaires. Pour évaluer cette procédure, une étude prospective, longitudinale et ouverte a été conduite au Service d´Hématologie Clinique de Casablanca au Maroc. Sur 24 mois, 64 patients ont été colligés. Après le traitement d´induction, la réponse globale (Rémission complète + Très bonne réponse partielle) était à 67,2% (43 patients). La richesse moyenne du greffon autologue était de 12.97x10⁶ CD34+/Kg [2.4- 53x10⁶ CD34+/Kg] et la durée médiane d´hospitalisation était de 20,5 jours [14-60 jours]. La réponse globale en post autogreffe était de 84% (54 patients). A 24 mois, l´estimation de la survie globale (OS) était à 83,5%, la médiane d´OS n´était pas atteinte et la survie sans progression (PFS) à 65,9% avec une médiane de la PFS à 24,1 mois avec un intervalle de confiance à 95% [21,7-26,5mois]. L´ASCT sans cryoconservation reste une excellente alternative dans notre contexte, ce qui permet de réduire les délais d´attente, et les coûts de congélation.

Staging System to Predict the Risk of Relapse in Multiple Myeloma Patients Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

Over the last decade autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has emerged as the standard of care in the management of Multiple Myeloma (MM). However, the cases of early relapse (within 36 months) after the stem cell rescue remains a significant challenge. For a lot of practical purposes, it is crucial to identify whether a patient undergoing ASCT falls into the high-risk group (likely to relapse within 36 months) or a low risk one. Our analysis showed that existing MM staging systems (International Staging System or ISS and Durie Salmon Staging or DSS) are not sufficient to discriminate between the risk groups significantly. To address this, we gathered a total of 39 clinical and laboratory parameters of 347 patients from the Department of Medical Oncology of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). We employed a stacked machine learning model consisting spectral clustering and Fast and Frugal Tree (FFT) technique to come up with a 3-factor multivariate 2-stage staging scheme, which turns out to be extremely decisive about the outcome of the stem cell rescue. Our model comes up with a three-factor (1. if patients has relapsed following remission, 2. response to induction, 3. pre-transplant Glomerular Filtration Rate or GFR) staging scheme. The resulting model stratifies patients into high-risk and low-risk groups with markedly distinct progression-free (median survival—24 months vs. 91 months) and overall survival (median survival—51 months vs. 135 months) patterns.

Real-World Treatment Patterns, Outcomes, and Healthcare Resource Utilization in Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Evidence from a Medical Record Review in France

BACKGROUND

Limited data are available from real-world practices in Europe describing prevailing treatment patterns and outcomes in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), particularly by cytogenetic risk.

METHODS

A retrospective medical record review was conducted in 200 RRMM patients in France. From first relapse, patients were assessed on second-/third-line treatments, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and healthcare utilization.

RESULTS

Fifty-five high risk and 113 standard risk patients were identified. Overall, 192 patients (96%) received second-line therapy after relapse. Lenalidomide-based regimens were most common (>50%) in second line. Hospitalization incidence in high risk patients was approximately twice that of standard risk patients. From Kaplan-Meier estimation, median (95% CI) second-line PFS was 21.4 (17.5, 25.0) months (by high versus standard risk: 10.6 [6.4, 17.0] versus 28.7 [22.1, 37.3] months). Among second-line recipients, 47.4% were deceased at data collection. Median second-line OS was 59.4 (38.8, NE) months (by high versus standard risk: 36.5 [17.4, 50.6] versus 73.6 [66.5, NE] months).

CONCLUSIONS

The prognostic importance of cytogenetic risk in RRMM was apparent, whereby high (versus standard) risk patients had decidedly shorter PFS and OS. Frequent hospitalizations indicated potentially high costs associated with RRMM, particularly for high risk patients. These findings may inform economic evaluations of RRMM therapies.

Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma: Single Centre Experience from North India

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is considered as standard of care in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) patients aged 65 years or younger. We analyzed data of 94 patients of plasma cell dyscrasias who underwent 95 autologous transplants at our institute from October 2003 to Aug 2016. Other than 76 patients of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, we also transplanted two patients of POEMS syndrome, two patients of plasma cell leukemia, three patients of concurrent light chain deposition disease, three patients of multifocal plasmacytomas, and eight patients of isolated light chain myeloma. One patient underwent transplant twice. The median age of patients was 53 years (range 21-65). The average interval between diagnosis and transplant was 10.51 ± 5.42 months. The predominant stage in the study cohort was ISS-III. IgG kappa was the commonest subtype of plasma cell dyscrasia (27.9%) followed by IgG lambda (16.27%). Renal involvement was seen in 25% patients at the time of transplantation. Following chemotherapy, 42% patients were in CR, 39% in VGPR, 5% had PR and 14% had progressive disease at the time of transplantation. All patients were conditioned with melphalan (dose 120-200 mg/m²) except for one who received an additional bortezomib for his second transplant. The mean time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 11.09 ± 1.82 and 12.69 ± 4.55 days respectively. Mucositis was noted in all patients (grade 3 in 37.5% patients). The median PFS (biochemical) was 55.8% and PFS (clinical) was 76.7% at 6.5 years. Thirteen percent of the transplanted patients succumbed to their illness of which three patients died within 30 days of transplant. Median OS was 76.7% at 6.5 years. ASCT is a feasible option for MM in India and the results are comparable.

Cost of Treatment of Multiple Myeloma in a Public Sector Tertiary Care Hospital of North India

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplastic disorder, which accounts for 13% of all hematological malignancies globally. While, conventional chemotherapy used to be the mainstay treatment for the disease, the landscape of treatment witnessed a paradigm shift with the introduction of high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). In this paper, we present a cost analysis of various services provided to multiple myeloma patients, using either of the two modalities of treatments i.e. conventional chemotherapy or ASCT. Bottom-up costing methodology was used to collect data on all health system resources, i.e. capital or recurrent, which were used to provide various services to MM patients. Capital costs were annualized for their useful life using a discount rate of 5%. Out of pocket expenditure on treatment was also ascertained. Cost was assessed for various services, including outpatient consultation, bed day hospitalization in general ward, high dependency unit intensive care setting and bone marrow transplant unit. Unit costs were calculated from both health system and patient perspective. The overall cost per patient for ASCT (including high dose chemotherapy) and conventional chemotherapy from societal perspective was INR 395,527 (USD 6085) and INR 62,785 (USD 966) respectively. Estimates on cost from our study could be used for planning health services, and evaluating cost effectiveness of different modalities of care for multiple myeloma.

Cost-Effectiveness of Autologous Stem Cell Treatment as Compared to Conventional Chemotherapy for Treatment of Multiple Myeloma in India

Recent innovations in treatment of multiple myeloma include autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) along with high dose chemotherapy (HDC). We undertook this study to estimate incremental cost per quality adjusted life year gained (QALY) with use of ASCT along with HDC as compared to conventional chemotherapy (CC) alone in treatment of multiple myeloma. A combination of decision tree and markov model was used to undertake the analysis. Incremental costs and effects of ASCT were compared against the baseline scenario of CC (based on Melphalan and Prednisolone regimen) in the patients of multiple myeloma. A lifetime study horizon was used and future costs and consequences were discounted at 5%. Consequences were valued in terms of QALYs. Incremental cost per QALY gained using ASCT as against CC for treatment of multiple myeloma was estimated using both a health system and societal perspective. The cost of providing ASCT (with HDC) for multiple myeloma patients was INR 500,631, while the cost of CC alone was INR 159,775. In the long run, cost per patient per year for ASCT and CC arms was estimated to be INR 119,740 and INR 111,565 respectively. The number of QALYs lived per patient in case of ASCT and HDC alone were found to be 4.1 and 3.5 years respectively. From a societal perspective, ASCT was found to incur an incremental cost of INR 334,433 per QALY gained. If the ASCT is initiated early to patients, the incremental cost for ASCT was found to be INR 180,434 per QALY gained. With current mix of patients, stem cell treatment for multiple myeloma is not cost effective at a threshold of GDP per capita. It becomes marginally cost-effective at 3-times the GDP per capita threshold. However, accounting for the model uncertainties, the probability of ASCT to be cost effective is 59%. Cost effectiveness of ASCT can be improved with early detection and initiation of treatment.

Lactobacillus brevis CD2 lozenges prevent oral mucositis in patients undergoing high dose chemotherapy followed by haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background

Oral mucositis is a common inflammatory complication in patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and radiation followed by haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Lactobacillus brevis CD2 has been proven efficacious in preventing chemoradiotherapy-induced oral mucositis in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck.

Methods

This phase II study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of L. brevis CD2 lozenges in preventing oral mucositis in patients undergoing HSCT. Eligible patients received four to six lozenges of L. brevis CD2 per day, beginning from 4 to 7 days before initiation of chemotherapy and continuing until resolution of mucositis or till day +24.

Results

Of 31 patients enrolled, 7 (22.6%) patients did not develop any mucositis, 6 (19.4%) patients developed grade 1, 12 (38.7%) patients developed grade 2, 4 (12.9%) and 2 (6.5%) patients developed grade 3 and grade 4 mucositis, respectively. Median time to onset and for resolution of mucositis were 6 days and 8 days, respectively. No adverse events were reported with usage of study drug. However, one patient died of Klebsiella sepsis.

Conclusion

Promising results from the study encourage the use of L. brevis CD2 lozenges as a supportive care treatment option; however, a randomised, double-blind, multicentric trial in a larger population is warranted.

Trials registration number

NCT01480011 at https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ (Registered on Nov 04, 2011).

Complete response after autologous stem cell transplant in multiple myeloma

We evaluated long-term outcome of patients achieving complete response (CR) after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for multiple myeloma. Between April 1990 and June 2012 191 patients underwent ASCT. The median age was 53 years (range, 26-68 years), 135 were men. Pretransplant, patients received induction therapy with VAD (vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone; n = 77), novel agents (n = 92), or alkylating agent-based, n = 22); 43% received more than one line of induction regimen. Response to transplant was defined as per EBMT criteria. The median follow-up for the entire group was 85 months (range, 6-232.5 months). Following transplant 109 (57.1%) patients achieved CR. Median progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with CR was higher compared to those with VGPR and PR, (107 vs. 18 vs. 18 months, P < 0.001). Number of lines of therapy pretransplant (one or two vs. more than two lines of therapy (P < 0.001), and absolute lymphocyte count of ≤ 3000/cmm were predictors of superior PFS. Median overall survival (OS) for patients with CR was higher, (204 months), compared to those with VGPR (71.5 months, P < 0.001) and PR (51.5 months, P < 0.001), respectively. On Cox regression analysis, patients who received one line of induction therapy pretransplant (hazard ratio, HR 2.154, P < 0.001) and those with absolute lymphocyte count of ≤ 3000/mm(3) (HR 0.132, P < 0.001) had superior PFS. For overall survival, induction treatment up to one line (HR 2.403, P < 0.004) and Hb > 7.1 G/dL at diagnosis (HR 4.756, P < 0.01) were associated with superior outcome. On landmark analysis at 12 months, PFS and OS continued to remain superior for patients attaining CR. Achievement of CR post transplant is associated with longer OS and PFS. Among complete responders, those who receive one line of induction therapy pretransplant have superior outcome.

Efficacy of cryotherapy associated with laser therapy for decreasing severity of melphalan-induced oral mucositis during hematological stem-cell transplantation: a prospective clinical study

Melphalan followed by hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is the standard treatment for multiple myeloma and other hematopoietic neoplasms. However, high doses of melphalan cause severe oral mucositis (OM). The objective was to verify the efficacy of cryotherapy plus laser therapy on reduction of OM severity. HSCT patients undergoing melphalan chemotherapy (n = 71) were randomly divided into two groups according to OM treatment: oral cryotherapy performed with ice chips for 1 h 35 min followed by low-level laser therapy (InGaAIP, 660 nm, 40 mW, 6 J/cm(2) ) (n = 54) and laser therapy alone with the same protocol (n = 17). A control group (n = 33) was composed of HSCT patients treated with melphalan who received no specific treatment for OM. OM scores and clinical information were collected from D0 to D + 11. The cryotherapy/laser therapy group showed the lowest OM scores (maximum Grade I) and the lowest mean number of days (8 days) with OM in comparison with the other groups (p < 0.001). OM Grades III and IV were present with high frequency only in the control group. The association of cryotherapy with laser therapy was effective in reducing OM severity in HSCT patients who underwent melphalan conditioning.

Autologous stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma: identification of prognostic factors

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of prognostic factors on the outcome of patients with MM after ASCT.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed results of 170 consecutive patients (121 male and 49 female) of MM who underwent ASCT. Patients' median age was 52 years (range, 26-68 years). High dose melphalan (200 mg/m(2)) was used for conditioning. One hundred thirty-two patients (77.6%) had evidence of chemosensitive disease before transplant. Response was assessed using European Group for Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation criteria.

RESULTS

Post ASCT 44.7% of patients achieved CR, 24.7% had very good partial response (VGPR), and 21.2% had partial response (PR). Presence of pretransplant chemosensitive disease (CR, VGPR, and PR) and transplant within 12 months of diagnosis for years before 2006 were associated with higher response rates on multivariate analysis. At a median follow-up of 84 months, median overall (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) is 85.5 and 41 months, respectively. Estimated OS and EFS at 60 months is 62 ± 0.04% and 41 ± 0.04%, respectively. Patients who responded to transplant (CR, VGPR, and PR) had a longer OS (P < .001) and EFS (P < .001). Additionally, patients who achieved CR post transplant had a longer OS (P < .001) and EFS (P < .001). Patients who received novel agents for induction pretransplant had a longer OS (P < .001) and EFS (P < .002).

CONCLUSION

Outcome after ASCT is better for myeloma patients with pretransplant chemosensitive disease and those who achieve CR after transplant.

Second autologous stem cell transplantation as salvage therapy for multiple myeloma: impact on progression-free and overall survival

The role of a second autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) as salvage therapy is unclear, particularly with the availability of novel agents to treat progressive multiple myeloma (MM). We retrospectively reviewed all MM patients who received a second ASCT as salvage therapy at our center from March 1992 to December 2009. Eighty-one MM patients received a second ASCT for relapsed MM. The median time to relapse after first transplant was 39 months (9.83-100). All patients received reinduction therapy before the second ASCT. The high-dose regimen given before the second ASCT consisted of melphalan (MEL) alone in the majority. Complete response, very good partial response, and partial response were seen in 7.7%, 39.7%, and 50%, respectively, at day 100 post-ASCT; the median time to relapse after the second ASCT was 19 months. Early deaths occurred in 2.6%. Median progression-free survival (PFS) based on the time to myeloma relapse after first ASCT was 9.83 months (relapse ≤ 24 months) and 17.3 months (relapse ≥ 24 months) (P < .05). Median overall survival (OS) was 28.47 months (relapse ≤ 24 months) and 71.3 months (relapse >24 months) (P = .006). Second ASCT is a feasible and safe option for salvage therapy in MM. The best outcome was observed in patients whose time to progression was >24 months after first ASCT, as these patients had a subsequent PFS lasting over 1 year and an OS of almost 6 years.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-what determines the outcome: an experience from North India

Limited information is available from developing countries about complications, pattern of infections, and long-term outcome of patients following high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous blood stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Between April, 1990 and December 2009, 228 patients underwent ASCT. Patients' median age was 48 years, ranging from 11 to 68 years. There were 158 males and 70 females. Indications for transplant included multiple myeloma, n = 143; lymphoma, n = 44 (Hodgkin's, n = 25 and non-Hodgkin's, n = 19); leukemia, n = 22; and solid tumors, n = 18. Patients received HDCT as per standard protocols. Following ASCT, 175 (76.7%) patients responded; complete, 98 (43%); very good partial response, 37 (16.2%); and partial response, 40 (17.5%). Response rate was higher for patients with good Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (0-2 vs. 3-4, p < 0.001), pretransplant chemo-sensitive disease (p < 0.001) and those with diagnosis of hematological malignancies (p < 0.003). Mucositis, gastrointestinal, renal, and liver dysfunctions were major nonhematologic toxicities, 3.1% of patients died of regimen-related toxicities. Infections accounted for 5.3% of deaths seen before day 30. At a median follow-up of 66 months (range, 9-234 months), median overall (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were 72 months (95% CI 52.4-91.6) and 24 months (95% CI 17.15-30.9), respectively. For myeloma, OS and EFS were 79 months (95% CI 52.3-105.7) and 30 months (95% CI 22.6-37.4), respectively. Pretransplant good performance status and achievement of significant response following transplant were major predictors of survival. Our analysis demonstrates that such procedure can be successfully performed in a developing country with results comparable to developed countries.