Multiple Myeloma Index for Risk of Infection

B-NHL Cases in a Tertiary Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department: A 20-Year Retrospective Cohort Study

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is among the five most common pediatric cancer diagnoses in children and adolescents and consists of a heterogeneous group of lymphoid tissue malignancies -with B-cell-derived NHL accounting for nearly 80% of cases. Novel and high-throughput diagnostic tools have significantly increased our understanding of B-NHL biology and molecular pathogenesis, leading to new NHL classifications and treatment options. This retrospective cohort study investigated 17 cases of both mature B-cell NHL (Burkitt lymphoma or BL; Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or DLBCL; Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma or PMBCL; Follicular lymphoma or FL) and immature B-cell progenitor NHL (B-lymphoblastic lymphoma or BLL) that were treated in a tertiary Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department during the last 20 years. Modern NHL protocols for children, adolescents, and young adults, along with the addition of rituximab, are safe and efficient (100% overall survival; one relapse). Elevated ESR was more prevalent than elevated LDH. Analyses have focused on immune reconstitution (grade ≥3 infections, lymphocyte and immunoglobulin levels recovery) and body-mass-index changes post-treatment, late effects (in 53% of patients), and the presence of histology markers BCL2, BCL6, CD30, cMYC, and Ki-67%. One patient was diagnosed with a second malignant neoplasm (papillary thyroid cancer).

Recommendations for Management of Secondary Antibody Deficiency in Multiple Myeloma

Secondary antibody deficiency (SAD) is a subtype of secondary immunodeficiency characterized by low serum antibody concentrations (hypogammaglobulinemia) or poor antibody function. SAD is common in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) due to underlying disease pathophysiology and treatment-related immune system effects. Patients with SAD are more susceptible to infections and infection-related morbidity and mortality. With therapeutic advancements improving MM disease control and survival, it is increasingly important to recognize and treat the often-overlooked concurrent immunodeficiency present in patients with MM. The aims of this review are to define SAD and its consequences in MM, increase SAD awareness, and provide recommendations for SAD management. Based on expert panel discussions at a standalone meeting and supportive literature, several recommendations were made. Firstly, all patients with MM should be suspected to have SAD regardless of serum antibody concentrations. Patients should be evaluated for immunodeficiency at MM diagnosis and stratified into management categories based on their individualized risk of SAD and infection. Infection-prevention strategy education, early infection reporting, and anti-infective prophylaxis are key. We recommend prophylactic antibiotics or immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IgRT) should be considered in patients with severe hypogammaglobulinemia associated with a recurrent or persistent infection. To ensure an individualized and efficient treatment approach is utilized, patient's immunoglobin G concentration and infection burden should be closely monitored throughout treatment. Patient choice regarding route and IgRT treatment is also key in reducing treatment burden. Together, these recommendations and proposed management algorithms can be used to aid physician decision-making to improve patient outcomes.

Machine learning-based infection prediction model for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients

Objective

To understand the infection characteristics and risk factors for infection by analyzing multicenter clinical data of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients.

Methods

This study reviewed 564 NDMM patients from 2 large tertiary hospitals from January 2018 to December 2021, of whom 395 comprised the training set and 169 comprised the validation set. Thirty-eight variables from first admission records were collected, including patient demographic characteristics, clinical scores and characteristics, laboratory indicators, complications, and medication history, and key variables were screened using the Lasso method. Multiple machine learning algorithms were compared, and the best performing algorithm was used to build a machine learning prediction model. The model performance was evaluated using the AUC, accuracy, and Youden's index. Finally, the SHAP package was used to assess two cases and demonstrate the application of the model.

Results

In this study, 15 important key variables were selected, namely, age, ECOG, osteolytic disruption, VCD, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, hemoglobin, platelets, albumin, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, affected globulin, β2 microglobulin, and preventive medicine. The predictive performance of the XGBoost model was significantly better than that of the other models (AUROC: 0.8664), and it also performed well for the expected dataset (accuracy: 68.64%).

Conclusion

A machine learning algorithm was used to establish an infection prediction model for NDMM patients that was simple, convenient, validated, and performed well in reducing the incidence of infection and improving the prognosis of patients.

Role of Iron and Iron Overload in the Pathogenesis of Invasive Fungal Infections in Patients with Hematological Malignancies

Iron is an essential trace metal necessary for the reproduction and survival of fungal pathogens. The latter have developed various mechanisms to acquire iron from their mammalian hosts, with whom they participate in a continuous struggle for dominance over iron. Invasive fungal infections are an important problem in the treatment of patients with hematological malignancies, and they are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis of invasive clinical infections in these patients is complex, and the treatment, which must occur as early as possible, is difficult. There are several studies that have shown a possible link between iron overload and an increased susceptibility to infections. This link is also relevant for patients with hematological malignancies and for those treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The role of iron and its metabolism in the virulence and pathogenesis of various invasive fungal infections is intriguing, and so far, there is some evidence linking invasive fungal infections to iron or iron overload. Clarifying the possible association of iron and iron overload with susceptibility to invasive fungal infections could be important for a better prevention and treatment of these infections in patients with hematological malignancies.

BACTERIAL MENINGITIS IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE MYELOMA: A PROSPECTIVE NATIONWIDE COHORT STUDY AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical features of bacterial meningitis in myeloma patients.

METHODS

We analyzed myeloma patients included in a nationwide cohort of patients >16 years old with community-acquired bacterial meningitis in the Netherlands between 2006 and 2018. Subsequently, we reviewed the literature for articles reporting myeloma patients with bacterial meningitis.

RESULTS

A total of 27 of 2306 (1.6%) episodes of bacterial meningitis occurred in myeloma patients. Six of 27 (22%) patients received stem cell transplantation. CSF showed a median leukocyte count of 172/µL and 12 (46%) of 26 patients had a CSF leukocyte count <100/µL. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the causative pathogen in 25 (93%) patients. Fourteen (52%) patients had unfavorable outcome of whom 10 (37%) died. Ninety-one myeloma patients with bacterial meningitis were described in the literature. The most common pathogen in these patients was S. pneumoniae (35 of 48; 73%) and four (20%) of 20 cases died.

CONCLUSION

Bacterial meningitis in patients with multiple myeloma is a severe disease with high rates of unfavorable outcome. Patients often present with a low CSF leukocyte count compared to bacterial meningitis in patients without multiple myeloma. Physicians should have a low threshold to perform a lumbar puncture in myeloma patients and start antibiotic treatment pending CSF chemistry and culture results.

Development of a Risk Assessment Model for Early Grade ≥ 3 Infection During the First 3 Months in Patients Newly Diagnosed With Multiple Myeloma Based on a Multicenter, Real-World Analysis in China

Purpose

The study aimed to assess factors associated with early infection and identify patients at high risk of developing infection in multiple myeloma.

Methods

The study retrospectively analyzed patients with MM seen at two medical centers between January 2013 and June 2019. One medical center reported 745 cases, of which 540 of the cases were available for analysis and were further subdivided into training cohort and internal validation cohort. 169 cases from the other medical center served as an external validation cohort. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regression model was used for data dimension reduction, feature selection, and model building.

Results

Bacteria and the respiratory tract were the most common pathogen and localization of infection, respectively. In the training cohort, PS≥2, HGB<35g/L of the lower limit of normal range, β2MG≥6.0mg/L, and GLB≥2.1 times the upper limit of normal range were identified as factors associated with early grade ≥ 3 infections by Lasso regression. An infection risk model of MM (IRMM) was established to define high-, moderate- and low-risk groups, which showed significantly different rates of infection in the training cohort (46.5% vs. 22.1% vs. 8.8%, p<0.0001), internal validation cohort (37.9% vs. 24.1% vs. 13.0%, p=0.009) and external validation cohort (40.0% vs. 29.2% vs. 8.5%, p=0.0003). IRMM displayed good calibration (p<0.05) and discrimination with AUC values of 0.76, 0.67 and 0.71 in the three cohorts, respectively. Furthermore, IRMM still showed good classification ability in immunomodulatory (IMiD) based regimens, proteasome-inhibitors (PI) based regimens and combined IMiD and PI regimens.

Conclusion

In this study, we determined risk factors for early grade ≥ 3 infection and established a predictive model to help clinicians identify MM patients with high-risk infection.

Partial immunoparesis contributes to risk of early infections in patients with multiple myeloma

Background

Partial immunoparesis, which means at least two suppressed uninvolved immunoglobulins (Igs), had been reported to be associated with poor prognosis in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), but the impact on early infections remains unknown. The purpose of our study was to determine the prognostic implications of partial immunoparesis on early grade ≥3 infections in patients with MM.

Methods

Herein we retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 123 MM patients between 2012 and 2020 at Nanfang Hospital. All patients received bortezomib-based regimens. The relationship between early grade ≥3 infections and partial immunoparesis was investigated using Cox regression analysis.

Results

Our data showed partial immunoapresis was found in 63% MM patients. Partial immunoparesis was significantly related to elevated beta-2-microglobulin (B2M), decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and progressive international staging system (ISS) stage (P<0.05). Especially, univariate Cox regression analysis showed partial immunoparesis was significantly correlated with early grade ≥3 infections (P=0.003). Moreover, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed partial immunoparesis was an independent significant prognostic factor for early grade ≥3 infections [odds ratio (OR) =3.048; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.429–6.504; P=0.004]. Furthermore, partial immunoapresis could improve the infection risk model built by Dumontet et al.

Conclusions

Our study showed that partial immunoparesis could predict early infections in patients with MM, which may be used to identify the high risk patients for infections and guide strategies for infection prevention.

Long-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in primary prophylaxis of early infection in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

Purpose

This study sought to compare the efficacy of prophylactic long-acting and standard granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on febrile neutropenia, early infections, and treatment delay in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) receiving the therapeutic regimen of bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRd).

Methods

A prospective study with 68 consecutive patients with MM was conducted in three regional hospitals. Participants were randomly treated with the VRd regimen in combination with prophylactic long-acting G-CSF (treatment group) or prophylactic standard G-CSF (control group). The primary endpoints were the incidence rates of febrile neutropenia, early infection, and treatment delays. The secondary endpoint was clinical outcomes.

Results

Thirty-three patients were assigned to the treatment group, and thirty-five patients were assigned to the control group. The incidence of febrile neutropenia was 6.1% and 17.1% in the treatment and control groups, respectively (p = 0.297). However, the rates of early infection and treatment delay were markedly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (6.1% vs. 25.7% and 9.1% vs. 31.4%; p < 0.05). Notably, all early infections occurred during the first four cycles of VRd therapy, and the most common type of infection was pneumonia. No significant difference in clinical efficacy was found between the two groups. All participants achieved at least partial remission.

Conclusions

Prophylactic administration of domestic long-acting G-CSF markedly reduced the rates of early infection and treatment delay as compared with standard G-CSF in patients newly diagnosed with MM. Notably, all early infections occurred during the first four cycles of VRd therapy. As such, it seems appropriate to administer long-acting G-CSF with the aim of primary prophylaxis of early infection in the setting of newly diagnosed MM.

Involvement of Alarmins in the Pathogenesis and Progression of Multiple Myeloma

OBJECTIVE

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a haematological disease resulting from the neoplastic transformation of plasma cells. The uncontrolled growth of plasma cells in the bone marrow and the delivery of several cytokines causes bone erosion that often does not regress, even in the event of disease remission. MM is characterised by a multi-step evolutionary path, which starts with an early asymptomatic stage defined as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) evolving to overt disease.

DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION

We have selected scientific publications on the specific topics "alarmis, MGUS, and MM", drawing from PubMed. The keywords we used were alarmines, MGUS, MM, and immune system.

RESULTS

The analysis confirms the pivotal role of molecules such as high-mobility group box-1, heat shock proteins, and S100 proteins in the induction of neoangiogenesis, which represents a milestone in the negative evolution of MM as well as other haematological and non-haematological tumours.

CONCLUSIONS

Modulation of the host immune system and the inhibition of neoangiogenesis may represent the therapeutic target for the treatment of MM that is capable of promoting better survival and reducing the risk of RRMM.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin G Suppresses Heat Shock Protein (HSP)-70 Expression and Enhances the Activity of HSP90 and Proteasome Inhibitors

Intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIgG) is approved for primary immunodeficiency syndromes but may induce anti-cancer effects, and while this has been attributed to its anti-inflammatory properties, IgG against specific tumor targets may play a role. We evaluated IVIgG alone, and with a Heat shock protein (HSP)-90 or proteasome inhibitor, using multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) cells in vitro, and with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in vivo. IVIgG inhibited the growth of all cell lines tested, induced G₁ cell cycle arrest, and suppressed pro-tumor cytokines including Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10. Genomic and proteomic studies showed that IVIgG reduced tumor cell HSP70-1 levels by suppressing the ability of extracellular HSP70-1 to stimulate endogenous HSP70-1 promoter activity, and reduced extracellular vesicle uptake. Preparations of IVIgG were found to contain high titers of anti-HSP70-1 IgG, and recombinant HSP70-1 reduced the efficacy of IVIgG to suppress HSP70-1 levels. Combining IVIgG with the HSP90 inhibitor AUY922 produced superior cell growth inhibition and correlated with HSP70-1 suppression. Also, IVIgG with bortezomib or carfilzomib was superior to each single agent, and enhanced bortezomib's activity in bortezomib-resistant myeloma cells. Moreover, IVIgG reduced transfer of extracellular vesicles (EVs) to cells, and blocked transfer of bortezomib resistance through EVs. Finally, IVIgG with bortezomib were superior to the single agents in an in vivo myeloma model. These studies support the possibility that anti-HSP70-1 IgG contained in IVIgG can inhibit myeloma and MCL growth by interfering with a novel mechanism involving uptake of exogenous HSP70-1 which then induces its own promoter.

Management of older and frail patients with multiple myeloma in the Portuguese routine clinical practice: Deliberations and recommendations from an expert panel of hematologists

The management of older patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM) is particularly challenging due to the highly heterogeneous nature of this population, both in terms of physical and cognitive functioning. Older patients may be divided into fit, intermediate and frail, with variable abilities to tolerate treatments. A careful and correct assessment of the frailty status is thus paramount for the success of therapy and for improving outcomes. With the aging of the European population, the number of older patients with MM is rapidly growing. We hereby present the deliberations and recommendations from an expert panel of Portuguese hematologists conducted to discuss the management of this population, including how to stratify and treat older patients with MM according to their frailty status. The use of frailty tools is critical for the development of individualized risk-adapted treatment strategies and to minimize the risk of under or overtreatment. Aggressive therapies should be used in fitter patients to improve survival outcomes, while frail patients should generally be treated with less toxic approaches to control symptoms while minimizing toxicity. In intermediate-fit patients, low-dose triplets are recommended to achieve a balance between improving survival and maintaining quality of life. The management of older patients with MM should be performed by a multidisciplinary team in view of their advanced age and high prevalence of comorbidities. The inclusion of older and frail patients in future clinical trials investigating treatment regimens for MM is crucial to evaluate treatment feasibility and to improve clinical decision making in this population.

Association between interleukin gene polymorphisms and multiple myeloma susceptibility

The present study performed a retrospective observational study in order to investigate the relationship between the interleukin family gene polymorphisms and risk of multiple myeloma (MM), based on sixteen case-control studies that contained 2,597 patients with MM and 3,851 controls. The results demonstrated that the genotypes IL-6 and IL-1 GG increased the risk of MM by approximately 40.8 and 80.2% compared with the genotypes AA and CC [odds ratio (OR)=1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.88-1.47, and OR=1.16, 95% CI, 0.61-2.19; respectively]. The results also revealed a significant association between T:C polymorphism of the IL-6 and IL-10 and the risk of MM (TC/CC: OR=1.37, 95% CI, 0.88-2.16 and TT/CC: OR=1.26, 95% CI, 0.77-2.06, respectively). Additionally, no significant association was identified between the C:A polymorphisms of the IL-6 (rs8192284) and IL-10 (rs1800872) receptors and the overall risk of MM (P>0.05). G:C polymorphisms of the IL-1β1464G>C and IL-6572G>C significantly increased the risk of MM (P<0.05). However, it has been determined that there is a significant association between the C:T polymorphism of the IL-1α-889C>T and IL-1β-3737C>T and the risk of MM (P<0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that the detection of G:A polymorphisms in the IL-6 promoter (OR=1.05, 95% CI, 0.78-1.44) is more accurate in MM samples of the Asian population (OR=1.24, 95% CI, 0.92-1.74). In addition, no significant association was identified between the IL gene polymorphisms in MM samples categorized by ethnicity and the IL family type (P=0.27). These single nucleotide polymorphism loci may be the appropriate gene markers for gene screening and a promising therapeutic strategy in the prognostics of patients with MM.

Lymphocyte Subsets and Inflammatory Cytokines of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance and Multiple Myeloma

Almost all multiple myeloma (MM) cases have been demonstrated to be linked to earlier monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Nevertheless, there are no identified characteristics in the diagnosis of MGUS that have been helpful in differentiating subjects whose cancer may progress to a malignant situation. Regarding malignancy, the role of lymphocyte subsets and cytokines at the beginning of neoplastic diseases is now incontestable. In this review, we have concentrated our attention on the equilibrium between the diverse lymphocyte subsets and the cytokine system and summarized the current state of knowledge, providing an overview of the condition of the entire system in MGUS and MM. In an age where the therapy of neoplastic monoclonal gammopathies largely relies on drugs capable of acting on the immune system (immunomodulants, immunological checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T), detailed knowledge of the the differences existing in benign and neoplastic forms of gammopathy is the main foundation for the adequate and optimal use of new drugs.