Genetic aberrations in multiple myeloma characterized by cIg-FISH: a Brazilian context

The Singular Epidemiology of Plasmacytoma and Multiple Myeloma in French Guiana

BACKGROUND

The objective was to review a decade of plasmacytoma (PC) and multiple myeloma (MM) data from French Guiana, and to study its spatial and temporal trends.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of MM and PC between January 2005 and December 2014 using cancer registry data, including age-standardized incidence and mortality rates.

RESULTS

There were 110 cases of PC and MM (62 women and 48 men), representing the eighth most frequent malignancy in French Guiana. PC and MM were much more common in females. In men, 79% of cases occurred at ≥55 years, and in women, 90% of cases occurred at ≥50 years. The median age at diagnosis was 60 years for men and 66 years for women, while it was 72 years for men and 75 years for women in mainland France. The incidence rate standardized to the world population was 5.9 patients of PC and MM per 100,000 men/year and 7.8 per 100,000 women/year.

CONCLUSIONS

In our territory, the incidence of PC and MM was higher and patients were diagnosed at a substantially younger age than in mainland France. Women had a greater incidence than men, and there was an increasing temporal trend of incidence among women. African ancestry and the frequency of obesity, notably among women, could have contributed to this observation.

Survival analysis of transplant-eligible newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma patients harboring t(4;14), t(14;16), and/or del(17p) in the real-world setting

Cytogenetic abnormalities (CA) such as t(4;14), t(14;16), and del(17p), are associated with a poor prognosis in Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients. However, there is scarce information regarding the Latin-American population. This study aims to analyze the impact of t(4;14), t(14;16), and del(17p) on the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of transplant-eligible newly-diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients in Latin America. Retrospective survival analysis based on the Grupo de Estudio Latinoamericano de MM (GELAMM) registry, including all adult patients with NDMM harboring CA t(4;14), t(14;16), and/or del(17p). Fifty-nine patients were included; the median age was 57 years, 55.9% males, 22% ISS-I, 25.4% ISS-II, and 47.5% ISS-III. The majority (89.8%) had one alteration, whereas 10.2% had del(17p) and t(4;14). The frequencies of CA were del(17p) in 61.0%, t(4;14) in 25.4%, and t(14;16) in 3,4%. Autologous stem cell transplantation was performed in 36 cases, 20 patients did not use this consolidative strategy, and this data was missed in three cases. Five-year OS for the entire cohort was 60.8% and 5-year PFS was 28.1%. Bortezomib-based induction regimen (BBR) (p=0.029), consolidation with ASCT (p<0.001), and maintenance therapy (p=0.004) were associated with an improved 5-year OS. In the multivariate analysis, ASCT was the only variable with a positive impact on OS (HR 0.11, 95% CI 0.033 to 0.34, p<0.001). The median PFS presented a non-statistically significant benefit in BBR, ASCT, and maintenance therapy groups. BBR induction, ASCT, and maintenance therapy were associated with improved OS in high-risk NDMM patients.

Incidence and Prognostic Significance of High-Risk Cytogenetically Abnormalities in Multiple Myeloma Patients in Colombia

INTRODUCTION

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological cancer, several cytogenetics abnormalities such as t(4;14), del (17p), and t(14;16) were identified as a high-risk for survival, in Latin America, we have very little data on cytogenetic alterations in MM. This study describes the incidence of high-risk cytogenetically abnormalities in a Colombian population and prognostic significance.

METHODS

In a retrospective cohort of new diagnostic Multiple Myeloma between 2016 and 2020, we identified a high-risk cytogenetically abnormalities t(4;14), t(14;16), and 17p deletions by FISH techniques and described incidence. We followed patients until progression or death and comparing progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), according with high- risk cytogenetically features.

RESULTS

We included 135 newly diagnosed MM patients, the incidence of high-risk cytogenetically abnormalities were 30.3%, with 17.1% of 17p deletions, 14.1% of t(4;14) and 2.25% of t(14;16). According to the high risk cytogenetically abnormalities, the median PFS for the group of no abnormalities were 50.2 months 95% CI [25.2-62.4] and for the group of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities 33.9 months 95% CI [23.6-NA] (P = .2). For OS the median were 76.9 months, 95% CI [67.5-NA] and 42.7 months 95% CI [33.3-NA], respectively (P = .009).

CONCLUSION

High-risk cytogenetically abnormalities were independent risk factor for OS but not PFS in this cohort of patients, and the incidence of del (17p) was slightly higher than the literature reports.  MICROABSTRACT: Prognostic significance of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities in Multiple Myeloma in Colombia is unknown. In a retrospective cohort study of 135 newly, diagnostic Multiple Myeloma we found incidence of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities was 30.3%. The hazard ratio (HR) for disease progression or death compared high-risk cytogenetic group vs. control was 1.22, (95% CI, 0.73-2.05) (P = .2), and The HR for death for the group of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities was 2.17, (95% CI, 1.19-3.97). In the group of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, if the patient received VRD as induction treatment the median PFS were 41.2 months 95% CI [13.3-NA] and 33.9 months 95% CI [24.9-NA] for patients with different induction treatment (P = .56).

Multiple myeloma with t(11;14): unique biology and evolving landscape

Multiple myeloma is characterized by heterogeneity in clinical presentation, response to treatment, and importantly, patient outcomes. The translocation of chromosomes 11 and 14 [t(11;14)(q13;32)], hereafter referred to as t(11;14), is the most common primary translocation event in multiple myeloma, occurring in approximately 16%-24% of patients. Multiple myeloma harboring t(11;14) represents a unique disease subset as t(11;14)-positive myeloma cells exhibit biological features that are distinct from t(11;14)-negative myeloma cells, including overexpression of cyclin D1, higher levels of the antiapoptotic protein BCL-2, and the frequent expression of the B-cell lineage protein CD20. Additionally, t(11;14) is associated with less common clinical features, such as immunoglobulin M and light chain disease. With the evolution of the treatment landscape, the prognostic significance of t(11;14) multiple myeloma remains debatable. However, it is clear that t(11;14) multiple myeloma represents a distinct subset and a rare opportunity for targeted therapy with BCL-2 inhibition. In this review, we first describe the underlying biology of t(11;14) multiple myeloma cells, then summarize the body of literature evaluating the prognosis of patients with t(11;14) multiple myeloma, and finally discuss therapeutic implications.

Cytogenetic testing by fluorescence in situ hybridization is improved by plasma cell sorting in multiple myeloma

Accurate detection of cytogenetic abnormalities has become more important for improving risk-adapted treatment strategies in multiple myeloma (MM). However, precise cytogenetic testing by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is challenged by the dilution effect of bone marrow specimens and poor growth of plasma cells ex vivo. It has been suggested that FISH should be performed in combination with plasma cell enrichment strategies. We examined cytogenetic abnormalities in newly diagnosed MM and compared the efficacy of three different enrichment modalities for FISH: direct FISH (n = 137), fluorescence immunophenotyping and interphase cytogenetics as a tool for the investigation of neoplasms (FICTION) technique (n = 224), and a plasma cell sorting FISH with fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) (n = 132). FISH disclosed cytogenetic abnormalities in 38.0% of samples by direct FISH, 56.3% by FICTION, and 95.5% by FACS-FISH, and the percentage of cells with abnormal signals detected by FISH was significantly higher by FACS-FISH than direct FISH or FICTION. Our results suggest that the efficacy of FISH is dependent on the plasma cell enrichment modalities and reveal that plasma cell sorting FISH with FACS enables better detection of cytogenetic abnormalities in diagnostic MM samples.

Altered Expression of MicroRNAs in the Bone Marrow of Multiple Myeloma Patients and their Relationship to Cytogenetic Aberrations

BACKGROUND

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a complex hematologic malignancy, driven by several genetic and epigenetic alterations. MiRNAs as biomarkers have become a rapidly growing research area in the last decade.

AIM

The aim was to study the expression pattern of selected miRNAs and to explore the impact of cytogenetic aberrations in MM patients for therapeutic tools.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty Egyptian adult patients were selected for the study with symptomatic newly diagnosed MM disease. Bone marrow samples were collected to investigate twelve miRNAs selected according to their relation to the most common cytogenetic aberrations with relevant prognostic value. The relative expression of the selected miRNAs was determined using a real-time PCR technique. Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) technique was performed for cytogenetic analysis.

RESULTS

Eight miRNAs were down-regulated [miR-15a (p<0.001), miR214-3p (p<0.001), miR135b (p<0.001), miR19a-3p (p<0.001), miR19b-3p ((p=0.026), miR30e-5p (NS), miR133a (NS), miR146a- 5p (p<0.001)]. Four miRNAs were up-regulated [miR99b-5p (p=0.028), miR125a-3p (p=0.004), let7b- 5p (p<0.001), let7c-5p (p<0.001)]. Significant relation was observed between positive 14q32 rearrangement using the break apart re-arrangement probe for 14q32.33 locus and lower expression levels of miR15a (p= 0.014), 214-3p (p=0.046), 99b-5p (p=0.014), 146a-5p (p=0.041). A higher expression level of miR30e-5p was significantly related to positive 14q32 rearrangement.

CONCLUSION

Deregulated miRNAs were identified and the association with 14q32 rearrangement and MM pathogenesis has been determined.

What Multiple Myeloma With t(11;14) Should Be Classified Into in Novel Agent Era: Standard or Intermediate Risk?

Objective

To investigate the prognostic value of t(11;14) for de novo multiple myeloma (MM) patients in novel agent era.

Methods

A total of 455 patients with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), before treatments from three hospitals in China, were included in the study. All patients received autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) after induction therapy as consolidation. High risk (HR) cytogenetics were defined as t(4;14), t(14;16), and/or del 17p.

Results

A total of 152 patients were in the HR group. Of patients without HR cytogenetics, 55 were in the t(11;14) group, and 248 were in the standard risk (SR) group without t(11;14). Gain in 1q21 was observed in 38.9% patients with t(11;14). There were no differences in median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), respectively, between patients in the t(11;14) group and those in the SR group. Patients in the t(11;14) group had the longer median PFS and OS, respectively, compared with those in the HR group. Regardless of coexisting with 1q21 gain or not, patients in the t(11;14) group still had similar median PFS and OS compared to those in the SR group. Finally, multivariate analysis indicated that including 1q21 gain and bone marrow plasma cell with CD20 expression, no variables were found to predict the outcome of the t(11;14) group in our cohort.

Conclusions

These results confirm that outcomes of t(11;14) MM are similar to standard risk patients when they receive novel agent induction therapy consolidated by ASCT. Gain of 1q21 coexists with t(11;14) frequently. In addition, both bone marrow plasma cell with CD20 expression and 1q21 gain have no impact on median PFS or OS for patients with t(11;14).

Clinical implications of c-maf expression in plasma cells from patients with multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a type of hematological malignancy with significant heterogeneity in clinical features and prognosis. Cytogenetic abnormalities are the major factors affecting patient outcomes. Studies have shown that immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based detection of cancer-related genes expression could be alternative indicators for the prognosis of MM.

METHODS

Nuclear expression of c-maf protein in the bone marrow plasma cells of 128 multiple myeloma patients were examined by IHC, and its association with the clinicopathological features of MM patients was analyzed as well.

RESULTS

Among the 128 patients, the positive rate of c-maf protein expression was up to 30.5%, which had no correlation with patient age, M protein type, Durie-Salmon staging system, the International Staging System, abnormal plasma cell ratio in the bone marrow, or the level of peripheral blood hemoglobin, serum calcium or lactate dehydrogenase. However, the c-maf-positive patients had a significantly higher rate of hypoproteinemia (p = 0.026) and higher serum β2-microglobulin levels (>2500 μg/L) (p = 0.007). Patients with negative c-maf expression had higher remission rates upon the treatment of non-bortezomib-based regimens although no effect of c-maf expression on progression-free survival or overall survival was observed.

CONCLUSION

Patients with negative c-maf expression had higher remission rates upon the treatment of non-bortezomib-based regimens although no effect of c-maf expression on survival was observed. A further large-scale prospective study is required to verify these findings.