Pretreatment Lymphopenia, Poor Performance Status, and Early Courses of Therapy Are Risk Factors for Severe Bacterial Infection in Patients with Multiple Myeloma during Treatment with Bortezomib-based Regimens

Epidemiology and risk factors for the development of infectious complications in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a multicenter prospective cohort study in Uruguay

INTRODUCTION

Infections represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). In Latin America, data on infectious complications in newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients are limited.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter, prospective cohort study of patients with NDMM in Uruguay between June 2019 and December 2020. Patients with active disease, on active therapy and who provided written informed consent were included. Elegible patients were followed for 6 months from the time of diagnosis and before proceeding to autologous stem cell transplantation or until death, whichever occurred first. Our primary endpoint was the number of infectious events that required hospitalization for ≥ 24 h.

MAIN RESULTS

Of 124 patients with NDMM, 54 (43.5 %) had infectious complications (74 infectious events), the majority (74.3 %) within the first 3 months from diagnosis. The most common sites of infection were urinary (39.2 %) and respiratory tracts (33.8 %). The microbial agent was identified in 60.8 % of patients with Gram-negative bacteria (71.4 %) as the most common pathogen. Viral and fungal infections were infrequent. In the multivariable analysis, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status was ≥ 2 (odds ratio [OR], 2.16; 95 % confidence interval [95 %CI], 1.23 - 3.79; p = 0.008) and creatinine ≥ 2 mg/dl (OR, 2.33; 95 %CI, 1.33 - 4.07; p = 0.003) were independent factors associated with bacterial infections. At 6 months, 14 patients (11.3 %) had died, 50 % related to infectious complications.

CONCLUSION

Bacterial infections are a substantial cause of hospital admissions and early death in patients with NDMM. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered to reduce infectious complications in patients with MM.

Executive summary of consensus clinical practice guidelines for the prevention of infection in patients with multiple myeloma

Infection remains a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in patients with myeloma. This guideline was developed by a multidisciplinary group of clinicians who specialise in the management of patients with myeloma and infection from the medical and scientific advisory group from Myeloma Australia and the National Centre for Infections in Cancer. In addition to summarising the current epidemiology and risk factors for infection in patients with myeloma, this guideline provides recommendations that address three key areas in the prevention of infection: screening for latent infection, use of antimicrobial prophylaxis and immunoglobulin replacement and vaccination against leading respiratory infections (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae) and other preventable infections. This guideline provides a practical approach to the prevention of infection in patients with myeloma and harmonises the clinical approach to screening for infection, use of prophylaxis and vaccination to prevent infectious complications.

Epidemiology and Risk Factors for the Development of Infectious Complications in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study in Latin America

PURPOSE

Infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). In Latin America, data on infectious complications in this patient population are lacking.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients with newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) in seven Latin American countries between June 2019 and May 2020. Patients with active disease, on active therapy, and with a follow-up of 6 months from the time of diagnosis were included. Our primary end point was the number of infectious events that required hospitalization for ≥ 24 hours.

RESULTS

Of 248 patients with NDMM, 89 (35.9%) had infectious complications (113 infectious events), the majority (67.3%) within the first 3 months from diagnosis. The most common sites of infection were respiratory (38%) and urinary tract (31%). The microbial agent was identified in 57.5% of patients with gram-negative bacteria (73.5%) as the most common pathogen. Viral infections were infrequent, and no patients with fungal infection were reported. In the multivariable analysis, diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR], 2.71; 95% CI, 1.23 to 6.00; P = .014), creatinine ≥ 2 mg/dL (OR, 4.87; 95% CI, 2.29 to 10.35; P < .001), no use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis (OR, 6.66; 95% CI, 3.43 to 12.92; P < .001), and treatment with immunomodulatory drugs (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.24 to 6.29; P = .003) were independent factors associated with bacterial infections. At 6 months, 21 patients (8.5%) had died, 47.6% related to infectious complications.

CONCLUSION

Bacterial infections are a substantial cause of hospital admissions and early death in patients with NDMM. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered to reduce infectious complications in patients with MM.

Underweight as a risk factor of mortality in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

PURPOSE

Multiple myeloma (MM), a clonal plasma cell malignancy, composes around 10% of hematologic malignancies. Though recent advances in treatment have dramatically improved MM survival, some aggressive courses of disease and dismal outcomes still exist. Low body weight, undernutrition, and cachexia are noted at MM diagnosis. We aim to evaluate the impact of low body mass index (BMI) and undernutrition in MM patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed MM patients at Taipei Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan between January 1, 2006 and October 31, 2018. Being underweight is defined as having a BMI of under 18.5 kg/m². The patient's baseline characteristics, including BMI, serum albumin level, and comorbidities, etc., were recorded. The primary endpoint of the study was all-cause mortality. A Cox regression model was used to estimate the risk factors of mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 378 newly diagnosed MM patients were enrolled in this study. The median age of the patients was 69. Thirty patients (7.9%) were underweight at diagnosis. The median overall survival was 1.3 years (95% CI 0.3-5.7) and 5.0 years (95% CI 3.1-5.9) for patients with low BMI and for patients with normal or higher BMI, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, low BMI (95% CI 1.07-4.44), ECOG ≥2 (95% CI 1.02-2.89), hypoalbuminemia (95% CI 1.21-4.01), high LDH (95% CI 1.22-3.49), and light chain ratio > 100 (95% CI 1.06-2.77) were independent risk factors of mortality.

CONCLUSION

MM patients who were underweight, with hypoalbuminemia, poor performance status, higher LDH, and light chain ratio > 100 were associated with poor overall survival.

Assessment of infection in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients: risk factors and main characteristics

Background

Infection is a leading cause of morbidity and death in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The increased susceptibility to infection is complicated and multifactorial. However, no studies have explored the spectrum and risk factors of infections in newly diagnosed MM patients at the first admission. This cross-sectional study aimed to provide ideas for the assessment, prevention and treatment of infection in newly diagnosed MM patients when admitted for the first time.

Methods

Retrospectively, the data from electronic medical records for 161 patients newly diagnosed with MM from May 2013 to December 2018 were analysed. All the information was collected at the time of admission, and the patients had received no antineoplastic therapy previously. Independent risk factors of infection in multiple myeloma were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

Newly diagnosed patients with MM were highly susceptible to viruses (43.9%), especially Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (24.4%) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) (17.1%). Advanced stage (ISS stage III, P = 0.040), more severe anaemia (Hb < 90 g/L, P = 0.044) and elevated CRP (> 10 mg/L, P = 0.006) were independent risk factors for infection. Moreover, infections represented a major survival threat to patients with newly diagnosed MM (P = 0.033), and the existence of risk factors for infection was significantly correlated with poor prognosis (P = 0.011), especially ISS stage III (P = 0.008) and lower haemoglobin level (P = 0.039).

Conclusions

Newly diagnosed MM patients are highly susceptible to viruses. Advanced ISS stage, more severe anaemia and the elevation of CRP are independent risk factors of infection, which also have a strong impact on prognosis. Our results suggest that viral infection should be taken into account if antibacterial drugs are not effective, and the prevention of infection and improvement of prognosis should be paid more attention in newly diagnosed patents with advanced stage and more severe anaemia.

Multiple Myeloma in the Time of COVID-19

We provide our recommendations (not evidence based) for managing multiple myeloma patients during the pandemic of COVID-19. We do not recommend therapy for smoldering myeloma patients (standard or high risk). Screening for COVID-19 should be done in all patients before therapy. For standard-risk patients, we recommend the following: ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (IRd) (preferred), cyclophosphamide lenalidomide and dexamethasone (CRd), daratumumab lenalidomide and dexamethasone (DRd), lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (RVd), or cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (CyBorD). For high-risk patients we recommend carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd) (preferred) or RVd. Decreasing the dose of dexamethasone to 20 mg and giving bortezomib subcutaneously once a week is recommended. We recommend delaying autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), unless the patient has high-risk disease that is not responding well, or if the patient has plasma cell leukemia (PCL). Testing for COVID-19 should be done before ASCT. If a patient achieves a very good partial response or better, doses and frequency of drug administration can be modified. After 10–12 cycles, lenalidomide maintenance is recommended for standard-risk patients and bortezomib or ixazomib are recommended for high-risk patients. Daratumumab-based regimens are recommended for relapsed patients. Routine ASCT is not recommended for relapse during the epidemic unless the patient has an aggressive relapse or secondary PCL. Patients on current maintenance should continue their therapy.

Myelomatous pleural effusion and extensive extraskeletal soft tissue involvement: a rare presentation of clonal plasma cell disorders

A 65-year-old woman presented with a history of progressive dyspnoea, left pleuritic pain, loss of weight and appetite. Previous history was significant for pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosed 10 years before. Physical examination revealed a left supraclavicular soft tissue mass with absent breath sounds over the left hemithorax. Investigations revealed hypercalcemia with albumin:globulin reversal. The bone marrow biopsy was consistent with the diagnosis of multiple myeloma (IgG). Pleural fluid analysis revealed an exudative effusion; cytology showed mature plasma cells and plasmablasts. Serum electrophoresis revealed an M band in the gamma region. Biopsy of the supraclavicular mass revealed plasma cells which were CD 138+ with Kappa light chain restriction. She was initiated on chemotherapy and is currently doing well. Myelomatous pleural effusion is a rare presentation of multiple myeloma.

Management of infectious complications in multiple myeloma patients: Expert panel consensus-based recommendations

The introduction of new therapeutic agents in multiple myeloma (MM), including proteasome inhibitors, immunoregulatory drugs and monoclonal antibodies, has improved the outcomes of patients, but in parallel has changed the frequency and epidemiology of infections. Hence, the great strides in the indications and use of new active treatments for MM need parallel progresses on the best approach to prophylaxis and supportive therapy for infections. Moving from the recognition that the above issue represents an unmet clinical need in MM, an expert panel assessed the scientific literature and composed a framework of recommendations for optimal infection control in patients candidate to active treatment for MM. The present publication represents a consensus document from questionnaires and consensus meetings held during 2017. The issues tackled in the project dealt with: infectious risk assessment, risk management and prophylaxis, intravenous immunoglobulin replacement therapy, antiviral and antibacterial vaccination. Considering the lack of conclusive and/or enough large studies for certain topics several recommendations derived from the personal experience of the experts.

Low frequency of CD3+CD4+CD161+ T cells correlates with the occurrence of infections in refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma patients receiving lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone treatment

The aim of this study was to explore the predictive implications of the composition of immune cell populations prior to lenalidomide plus high-dose dexamethasone (Len-Dex) initiation for the occurrence of infections. We prospectively examined immune cell populations in peripheral blood taken at baseline of lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone (Len-dex) therapy and reviewed clinical and microbiology records in 90 patients with refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma (RRMM). Risk factors for infection were analyzed using logistic regression. During a median of 11 cycles of Len-dex treatment, 52 (57.8%) patients experienced at least 1 infection episode. Of a total of 92 episodes of infection, 58 (63%) episodes were clinically defined, 29 (31.5%) episodes were microbiologically defined, and 5 (5.4%) episodes were fever of unknown origin. Severe episodes were more frequently observed during the first 3 cycles. After adjusting for risk factors for infection based on univariate analyses, multivariate analyses showed that lower Hb (< 10 g/dL) was a clinically independent factor associated with occurrence of infections. Lower frequency (P = 0.044) and absolute count (P = 0.014) of circulating CD3⁺CD4⁺CD161⁺ cells prior to Len-dex treatment were also associated with the occurrence of infection, especially during the first 3 cycles of Len-dex therapy. In addition to several clinical predictive factors, we found that CD3⁺CD4⁺CD161⁺ cells may provide additional information for predicting the occurrence of infection in the early period of Len-dex therapy.

Infectious complications in multiple myeloma receiving autologous stem cell transplantation in the past 10 years

Infection is one of the main causes of early-treatment mortality in multiple myeloma (MM) patients during autologous stem cell transplantation (autoSCT). In the present study, we sought to determine the incidence of, and risk factors for, infection during hospital stays after autoSCT. We retrospectively evaluated 324 autoSCT events that occurred in 285 MM patients between 2006 and 2015, and reviewed the clinical characteristics of patients and history of infections. Sixty-eight infection events occurred, including bacteremia (24), other bacterial infections (7), as well as infections caused by Cytomegalovirus (17), Herpes simplex virus (12), Varicella zoster virus (3), Aspergillus (3) and Pneumocystis jiroveci (2). There was no significant difference in number of infections in the 2006-2010 and 2011-2015 periods (P = 0.194). Risk factors for bacteremia included higher beta-2 microglobulin levels at diagnosis [≥3.5 mg/L; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.544 (95% CI 1.070-11.736), P = 0.038] and previous bortezomib treatment [aOR 4.270 (95% CI 1.389-13.125), P = 0.011]. In-hospital mortality occurred in 1.2% of all cases and all were infection-related. In conclusion, infection was the main cause of in-hospital mortality in patients who underwent autoSCT. Bacteremia was the most common type of microbiologically confirmed infection, and was associated with higher beta-2 microglobulin levels and previous bortezomib treatment.