Bortezomib-based therapy for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation: Czech Registry Data

OBJECTIVES

This study compared the use of bortezomib in different combination regimens in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients who were transplant ineligible.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed data from the Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies (RMG) of the Czech Myeloma Group (CMG) to provide real-world evidence of outcome for 794 newly diagnosed MM transplant ineligible patients. The most frequently used regimen was VCd (bortezomib-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone) (47.5%) over VMP (bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone) (21.7%), BDd (bortezomib-doxorubicin-dexamethasone) (9.8%), and VTd (bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone) (2.9%).

RESULTS

The overall response rate (ORR) was 69.2% (478/691), including 12.6% (≥ CR); 34.7% very good partial responses (VGPR); and 21.9% partial responses (PR). Among triplet regimens, VMP was the most effective regimen compared to VCd, BDd, and VTd. Median PFS was 22.3 vs. 18.5 vs. 13.7 vs. 13.8 mo, (P = .275), respectively, and median OS was 49 vs. 41.7 vs. 37.9 vs. 32.2 mo (P = .004), respectively. The most common grade 3-4 toxicities were anemia in 17.4% and infections in 18% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirmed that bortezomib-based treatment is effective and safe in NDMM transplant ineligible patients, especially VMP, which was identified as superior between bortezomib-based induction regimens not only in clinical trials, but also in real clinical practice.

Identification of patients with smouldering multiple myeloma at ultra-high risk of progression using serum parameters: the Czech Myeloma Group model

Smouldering multiple myeloma (SMM) presents without MM defining symptoms. We aimed to identify patients with SMM with an 80% risk of progression within 2 years using only serum parameters. In total, 527 patients with SMM were included and divided into a training group (287 patients from the Czech Myeloma Group [CMG]) and an independent validation group (240 patients from Heidelberg). The median follow-up was 2·4 and 2·5 years, respectively. Progression to MM occurred in 51·9% of the CMG and 38·8% of the Heidelberg patients, respectively. The median risk of progression was 11·0% (CMG) and 9·7% (Heidelberg) per year, during the 5 years after diagnosis. A serum involved/uninvolved free light-chain ratio of >30, immunoparesis, and serum monoclonal (M) protein of ≥2·3 g/dl emerged as powerful predictors of 2-year progression rate with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2·49 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1·49-4·17), HR of 2·01 (95% CI 1·36-2·96) and HR of 2·00 (95% CI 1·44-2·79) (P < 0·001) in univariate Cox regression analysis, respectively. Based on this, the CMG model identified patients with SMM with a 2-year risk of progression of 78·7% (95% CI 53·1-95·7; HR 6·8; P < 0·001, CMG) and 81·3% (95% CI 47·1-98·8; HR 38·63; P < 0·001, Heidelberg). Serum parameters in the CMG model allow identification of patients with SMM with an 80% risk of progression to symptomatic MM within 2 years.

Dynamics of tumor-specific cfDNA in response to therapy in multiple myeloma patients

Objectives

Progress in multiple myeloma treatment allows patients to achieve deeper responses, for which the assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD) is critical. Typically, bone marrow samples are used for this purpose; however, this approach is site‐limited. Liquid biopsy represents a minimally invasive and more comprehensive technique that is not site‐limited, but equally challenging.

Methods

While majority of current data comes from short‐term studies, we present a long‐term study on blood‐based MRD monitoring using tumor‐specific cell‐free DNA detection by ASO‐qPCR. One hundred and twelve patients were enrolled into the study, but long‐term sampling and analysis were feasible only in 45 patients.

Results

We found a significant correlation of quantity of tumor‐specific cell‐free DNA levels with clinically meaningful events [induction therapy (P = .004); ASCT (P = .012)]. Moreover, length of cfDNA fragments is associated with better treatment response of patients.

Conclusions

These results support the concept of tumor‐specific cell‐free DNA as a prognostic marker.

Simplified novel prognostic score for real-life older adults with multiple myeloma-registry-based analysis

The main goal was to find a simple prognostic to evaluate overall survival of patients older than 65 years of age with myeloma. Retrospective registry-based analysis from the Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies was conducted. Patients over 65 years with symptomatic myeloma were included. The four major parameters with impact on survival were identified: male gender, age > 75, creatinine > 152 μmol/L, and ECOG performance status 2-4. The patients were scored as good (0 points), intermediate good (1 point), intermediate poor (2 points), poor (3-4 points). Patients (1410 MM) were included. Median OS (months) was 65.7 (95% CI 49.8-81.7) for good, 51.0 (44.1-57.8) for intermediate good, 32.2 (26.2-38.2) for intermediate poor, and 18.9 (15.1-22.7) for poor. The differences in OS were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Good score was used as reference for hazard ratios, which for each other score were 1.43 (1.09-1.84) for intermediate good, 2.58 (2.00-3.33) for intermediate poor, and 3.88 (2.94-5.10) for poor. Time to progression showed medians (months) 20.5 (17.4-62.4) for good, 19.3 (17.0-21.7) for intermediate good, 19.6 (16.2-23.0) for intermediate poor, and 13.0 (10.8-15.2) for poor. The suggested scoring system provides readily available information about the prognosis of MM patients above 65 years.

Validation of multiple myeloma risk stratification indices in routine clinical practice: Analysis of data from the Czech Myeloma Group Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies

This study used data from the Czech Myeloma Group Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies to validate the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and revised International Staging System (R-ISS) indices for risk stratification in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) in clinical practice. Patients were included if they had symptomatic MM, complete data allowing R-ISS and IMWG staging (including cytogenetic information regarding t(4;14), t(14;16), and del(17p)), and key parameters for treatment evaluation. Median overall survival (OS) in included patients (n = 550) was 47.7 (95% CI: 39.5-55.9) and 46.2 (95% CI: 38.9-53.5) months from diagnosis and initiation of first-line therapy, respectively. Patients categorized as higher vs lower risk had reduced survival; median OS from diagnosis was 35.4 (95% CI: 30.5-40.3) vs 58.3 (95% CI: 53.8-62.9) months in high-risk vs other patients (IMWG; P = .001) and 34.1 (95% CI: 30.2-38.0) vs 47.2 (95% CI: 43.4-51.0) months in Stage III vs Stage II patients (R-ISS; P < .001). In conclusion, IMWG and R-ISS risk stratification indices are applicable to patients with MM in a real-world setting.

Adjusted comparison of daratumumab monotherapy versus real-world historical control data from the Czech Republic in heavily pretreated and highly refractory multiple myeloma patients

OBJECTIVES

We conducted an adjusted comparison of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for daratumumab monotherapy versus standard of care, as observed in a real-world historical cohort of heavily pretreated multiple myeloma patients from Czech Republic.

METHODS

Using longitudinal chart data from the Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies (RMG) of the Czech Myeloma Group, patient-level data from the RMG was pooled with pivotal daratumumab monotherapy studies (GEN501 and SIRIUS; 16 mg/kg).

RESULTS

From the RMG database, we identified 972 treatment lines in 463 patients previously treated with both a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory drug. Treatment initiation dates for RMG patients were between March 2006 and March 2015. The most frequently used treatment regimens were lenalidomide-based regimens (33.4%), chemotherapy (18.1%), bortezomib-based regimens (13.6%), thalidomide-based regimens (8.0%), and bortezomib plus thalidomide (5.3%). Few patients were treated with carfilzomib-based regimens (2.5%) and pomalidomide-based regimens (2.4%). Median observed PFS for daratumumab and the RMG cohort was 4.0 and 5.8 months (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-1.39), respectively, and unadjusted median OS was 20.1 and 11.9 months (unadjusted HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.48-0.78), respectively. Statistical adjustments for differences in baseline characteristics were made using patient-level data. The adjusted HRs (95% CI) for PFS and OS for daratumumab versus the RMG cohort were 0.79 (0.56-1.12; p = .192) and 0.33 (0.21-0.52; p < .001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjusted comparisons between trial data and historical cohorts can provide useful insights to clinicians and reimbursement decision makers on relative treatment efficacies in the absence of head-to-head comparison studies for daratumumab monotherapy.

A first Czech analysis of 1887 cases with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

INTRODUCTION

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a premalignant condition with a risk of malignant conversion.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

With the aim to estimate the cumulative risk MGUS progression to hematologic malignancies, we analyzed a nationwide population-based cohort of 1887 MGUS patients from the Czech Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies (RMG) between 2007 and 2013.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period (median 4 years; range 0.6-34.8), progression to hematologic malignancies was observed in 8.6% (162 of 1887) of patients. Factors associated with progression were as follows: M-protein concentration ≥1.5 g/dL, pathological sFLC (<0.26 or >1.65) ratio, bone marrow plasma cells (BMPCs) in cytology >5%, immunoparesis, age ≥69 years, and the level of serum hemoglobin at baseline <12.0 g/dL. Combining these factors, we propose a new risk model (CMG model). The risk of progression at 10 years was 1.6%, 16.9%, 22.9%, 39.4%, and 52.3%, respectively, if 0 (reference group), one, two, three, or four to five risk factors are present (P<.001) with HR 63 times higher compared to the reference MGUS group.

CONCLUSION

The new CMG model was established with an advantage for better identification of MGUS patients at low risk.

NOS3 894G>T polymorphism is associated with progression of kidney disease and cardiovascular morbidity in type 2 diabetic patients: NOS3 as a modifier gene for diabetic nephropathy?

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We have previously associated SNP 894G>T in the NOS3 gene with diabetic nephropathy (DN) using multi-locus analysis. Variant 894G>T has been widely studied as a DN susceptibility factor with contradictory results. In the present study we genotyped 894G>T in the cohort of prospectively followed type 2 diabetics with the aim to investigate its possible role in the progression of DN and development of morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes.

METHODS

311 subjects with defined stage of DN were enrolled in the study and followed up for a median of 38 months. We considered three end-points: progression of DN, major cardiovascular event and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

Considering baseline GFR, age at enrolment and diabetes duration as confounders, Cox regression analysis identified 894GT genotype as a risk factor for DN progression (HR = 1.843 [95% CI 1.088 - 3.119], P = 0.023) and 894TT genotype as a risk factor for major cardiovascular event (HR = 2.515 [95% CI 1.060 - 5.965], P = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

We ascertained the significant effect of the NOS3 894G>T variant on DN progression and occurrence of major cardiovascular event in T2DM subjects. Based on these results NOS3 can be considered a modifier gene for DN.