Lenalidomide maintenance versus observation for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (Myeloma XI): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

Patients with multiple myeloma treated with lenalidomide maintenance therapy have improved progression-free survival, primarily following autologous stem-cell transplantation. A beneficial effect of lenalidomide maintenance therapy on overall survival in this setting has been inconsistent between individual studies. Minimal data are available on the effect of maintenance lenalidomide in more aggressive disease states, such as patients with cytogenetic high-risk disease or patients ineligible for transplantation. We aimed to assess lenalidomide maintenance versus observation in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, including cytogenetic risk and transplantation status subgroup analyses.

METHODS

The Myeloma XI trial was an open-label, randomised, phase 3, adaptive design trial with three randomisation stages done at 110 National Health Service hospitals in England, Wales, and Scotland. There were three potential randomisations in the study: induction treatment (allocation by transplantation eligibility status); intensification treatment (allocation by response to induction therapy); and maintenance treatment. Here, we report the results of the randomisation to maintenance treatment. Eligible patients for maintenance randomisation were aged 18 years or older and had symptomatic or non-secretory multiple myeloma, had completed their assigned induction therapy as per protocol and had achieved at least a minimal response to protocol treatment, including lenalidomide. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1 from Jan 13, 2011, to Jun 27, 2013, and 2:1 from Jun 28, 2013, to Aug 11, 2017) to lenalidomide maintenance (10 mg orally on days 1-21 of a 28-day cycle) or observation, and stratified by allocated induction and intensification treatment, and centre. The co-primary endpoints were progression-free survival and overall survival, analysed by intention to treat. Safety analysis was per protocol. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN49407852, and clinicaltrialsregister.eu, number 2009-010956-93, and has completed recruitment.

FINDINGS

Between Jan 13, 2011, and Aug 11, 2017, 1917 patients were accrued to the maintenance treatment randomisation of the trial. 1137 patients were assigned to lenalidomide maintenance and 834 patients to observation. After a median follow-up of 31 months (IQR 18-50), median progression-free survival was 39 months (95% CI 36-42) with lenalidomide and 20 months (18-22) with observation (hazard ratio [HR] 0·46 [95% CI 0·41-0·53]; p<0·0001), and 3-year overall survival was 78·6% (95% Cl 75·6-81·6) in the lenalidomide group and 75·8% (72·4-79·2) in the observation group (HR 0·87 [95% CI 0·73-1·05]; p=0·15). Progression-free survival was improved with lenalidomide compared with observation across all prespecified subgroups. On prespecified subgroup analyses by transplantation status, 3-year overall survival in transplantation-eligible patients was 87·5% (95% Cl 84·3-90·7) in the lenalidomide group and 80·2% (76·0-84·4) in the observation group (HR 0·69 [95% CI 0·52-0·93]; p=0·014), and in transplantation-ineligible patients it was 66·8% (61·6-72·1) in the lenalidomide group and 69·8% (64·4-75·2) in the observation group (1·02 [0·80-1·29]; p=0·88). By cytogenetic risk group, in standard-risk patients, 3-year overall survival was 86·4% (95% CI 80·0-90·9) in the lenalidomide group compared with 81·3% (74·2-86·7) in the observation group, and in high-risk patients, it was 74.9% (65·8-81·9) in the lenalidomide group compared with 63·7% (52·8-72·7) in the observation group; and in ultra-high-risk patients it was 62·9% (46·0-75·8) compared with 43·5% (22·2-63·1). Since these subgroup analyses results were not powered they should be interpreted with caution. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events for patients taking lenalidomide were haematological, including neutropenia (362 [33%] patients), thrombocytopenia (72 [7%] patients), and anaemia (42 [4%] patients). Serious adverse events were reported in 494 (45%) of 1097 patients receiving lenalidomide compared with 150 (17%) of 874 patients on observation. The most common serious adverse events were infections in both the lenalidomide group and the observation group. 460 deaths occurred during maintenance treatment, 234 (21%) in the lenalidomide group and 226 (27%) in the observation group, and no deaths in the lenalidomide group were deemed treatment related.

INTERPRETATION

Maintenance therapy with lenalidomide significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma compared with observation, but did not improve overall survival in the intention-to-treat analysis of the whole trial population. The manageable safety profile of this drug and the encouraging results in subgroup analyses of patients across all cytogenetic risk groups support further investigation of maintenance lenalidomide in this setting.

FUNDING

Cancer Research UK, Celgene, Amgen, Merck, and Myeloma UK.

Second malignancies in the context of lenalidomide treatment: an analysis of 2732 myeloma patients enrolled to the Myeloma XI trial

We have carried out the largest randomised trial to date of newly diagnosed myeloma patients, in which lenalidomide has been used as an induction and maintenance treatment option and here report its impact on second primary malignancy (SPM) incidence and pathology. After review, 104 SPMs were confirmed in 96 of 2732 trial patients. The cumulative incidence of SPM was 0.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4–1.0%), 2.3% (95% CI 1.6–2.7%) and 3.8% (95% CI 2.9–4.6%) at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. Patients receiving maintenance lenalidomide had a significantly higher SPM incidence overall (P=0.011). Age is a risk factor with the highest SPM incidence observed in transplant non-eligible patients aged >74 years receiving lenalidomide maintenance. The 3-year cumulative incidence in this group was 17.3% (95% CI 8.2–26.4%), compared with 6.5% (95% CI 0.2–12.9%) in observation only patients (P=0.049). There was a low overall incidence of haematological SPM (0.5%). The higher SPM incidence in patients receiving lenalidomide maintenance therapy, especially in advanced age, warrants ongoing monitoring although the benefit on survival is likely to outweigh risk.

Red cell transfusion in outpatients with myelodysplastic syndromes: a feasibility and exploratory randomised trial

Optimal red cell transfusion support in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) has not been tested and established. The aim of this study was to demonstrate feasibility of recruitment and follow-up in an outpatient setting with an exploratory assessment of quality of life (QoL) outcomes (EORTC QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D-5L). We randomised MDS patients to standardised transfusion algorithms comparing current restrictive transfusion thresholds (80 g/l, to maintain haemoglobin 85-100 g/l) with liberal thresholds (105 g/l, maintaining 110-125 g/l). The primary outcomes were measures of compliance to transfusion thresholds. Altogether 38 patients were randomised (n = 20 restrictive; n = 18 liberal) from 12 participating sites in UK, Australia and New Zealand. The compliance proportion for the intention-to-treat population was 86% (95% confidence interval 75-94%) and 99% (95-100%) for restrictive and liberal arms respectively. Mean pre-transfusion haemoglobin concentrations for restrictive and liberal arms were 80 g/l (SD6) and 97 g/l (SD7). The total number of red cell units transfused on study was 82 in the restrictive and 192 in the liberal arm. In an exploratory analysis, the five main QoL domains were improved for participants in the liberal compared to restrictive arm. Our findings support the feasibility and need for a definitive trial to evaluate the effect of different red cell transfusion thresholds on patient-centred outcomes.

Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in adults characterized by high viral genome load within circulating natural killer cells

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and aggressive disease usually encountered in the context of primary EBV infection. In most analyzed cases, EBV has been found predominantly in T cells. We describe the novel finding of high EBV genome numbers within circulating natural killer cells in adult patients with EBV-HLH.

Response-adapted intensification with cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone versus no intensification in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (Myeloma XI): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

Multiple myeloma has been shown to have substantial clonal heterogeneity, suggesting that agents with different mechanisms of action might be required to induce deep responses and improve outcomes. Such agents could be given in combination or in sequence on the basis of previous response. We aimed to assess the clinical value of maximising responses by using therapeutic agents with different modes of action, the use of which is directed by the response to the initial combination therapy. We aimed to assess response-adapted intensification treatment with cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (CVD) versus no intensification treatment in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who had a suboptimal response to initial immunomodulatory triplet treatment which was standard of care in the UK at the time of trial design.

METHODS

The Myeloma XI trial was an open-label, randomised, phase 3, adaptive design trial done at 110 National Health Service hospitals in the UK. There were three potential randomisations in the study: induction treatment, intensification treatment, and maintenance treatment. Here, we report the results of the randomisation to intensification treatment. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older and had symptomatic or non-secretory, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, had completed their assigned induction therapy as per protocol (cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, and dexamethasone or cyclophosphamide, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone) and achieved a partial or minimal response. For the intensification treatment, patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to cyclophosphamide (500 mg daily orally on days 1, 8, and 15), bortezomib (1·3 mg/m2 subcutaneously or intravenously on days 1, 4, 8, and 11), and dexamethasone (20 mg daily orally on days 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, and 12) up to a maximum of eight cycles of 21 days or no treatment. Patients were stratified by allocated induction treatment, response to induction treatment, and centre. The co-primary endpoints were progression-free survival and overall survival, assessed from intensification randomisation to data cutoff, analysed by intention to treat. Safety analysis was per protocol. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN49407852, and clinicaltrialsregister.eu, number 2009-010956-93, and has completed recruitment.

FINDINGS

Between Nov 15, 2010, and July 28, 2016, 583 patients were enrolled to the intensification randomisation, representing 48% of the 1217 patients who achieved partial or minimal response after initial induction therapy. 289 patients were assigned to CVD treatment and 294 patients to no treatment. After a median follow-up of 29·7 months (IQR 17·0-43·5), median progression-free survival was 30 months (95% CI 25-36) with CVD and 20 months (15-28) with no CVD (hazard ratio [HR] 0·60, 95% CI 0·48-0·75, p<0·0001), and 3-year overall survival was 77·3% (95% Cl 71·0-83·5) in the CVD group and 78·5% (72·3-84·6) in the no CVD group (HR 0·98, 95% CI 0·67-1·43, p=0·93). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events for patients taking CVD were haematological, including neutropenia (18 [7%] patients), thrombocytopenia (19 [7%] patients), and anaemia (8 [3%] patients). No deaths in the CVD group were deemed treatment related.

INTERPRETATION

Intensification treatment with CVD significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma and a suboptimal response to immunomodulatory induction therapy compared with no intensification treatment, but did not improve overall survival. The manageable safety profile of this combination and the encouraging results support further investigation of response-adapted approaches in this setting. The substantial number of patients not entering this trial randomisation following induction therapy, however, might support the use of combination therapies upfront to maximise response and improve outcomes as is now the standard of care in the UK.

FUNDING

Cancer Research UK, Celgene, Amgen, Merck, Myeloma UK.

Mesenchymal stromal cells for acute graft-versus-host disease: response at 1 week predicts probability of survival

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been successfully used for the treatment of steroid-resistant graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD). However, the lack of early predictors of clinical responses impacts on the time at which to add further treatment and consequently the design of informative clinical trials. Here, we present the UK experience of one of the largest cohorts of GvHD patients undergoing MSC infusions so far reported. We show that clinical responses assessed as early as 1 week after MSC infusion predict patients' overall survival. In our cohort, cell dose, patients' age and type of organ involvement are crucial factors associated with clinical responses.

Carfilzomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone, and cyclophosphamide (KRdc) as induction therapy for transplant-eligible, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients (Myeloma XI+): Interim analysis of an open-label randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Carfilzomib is a second-generation irreversible proteasome inhibitor that is efficacious in the treatment of myeloma and carries less risk of peripheral neuropathy than first-generation proteasome inhibitors, making it more amenable to combination therapy.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

The Myeloma XI+ trial recruited patients from 88 sites across the UK between 5 December 2013 and 20 April 2016. Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma eligible for transplantation were randomly assigned to receive the combination carfilzomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone, and cyclophosphamide (KRdc) or a triplet of lenalidomide, dexamethasone, and cyclophosphamide (Rdc) or thalidomide, dexamethasone, and cyclophosphamide (Tdc). All patients were planned to receive an autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) prior to a randomisation between lenalidomide maintenance and observation. Eligible patients were aged over 18 years and had symptomatic myeloma. The co-primary endpoints for the study were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for KRdc versus the Tdc/Rdc control group by intention to treat. PFS, response, and safety outcomes are reported following a planned interim analysis. The trial is registered (ISRCTN49407852) and has completed recruitment. In total, 1,056 patients (median age 61 years, range 33 to 75, 39.1% female) underwent induction randomisation to KRdc (n = 526) or control (Tdc/Rdc, n = 530). After a median follow-up of 34.5 months, KRdc was associated with a significantly longer PFS than the triplet control group (hazard ratio 0.63, 95% CI 0.51-0.76). The median PFS for patients receiving KRdc is not yet estimable, versus 36.2 months for the triplet control group (p < 0.001). Improved PFS was consistent across subgroups of patients including those with genetically high-risk disease. At the end of induction, the percentage of patients achieving at least a very good partial response was 82.3% in the KRdc group versus 58.9% in the control group (odds ratio 4.35, 95% CI 3.19-5.94, p < 0.001). Minimal residual disease negativity (cutoff 4 × 10-5 bone marrow leucocytes) was achieved in 55% of patients tested in the KRdc group at the end of induction, increasing to 75% of those tested after ASCT. The most common adverse events were haematological, with a low incidence of cardiac events. The trial continues to follow up patients to the co-primary endpoint of OS and for planned long-term follow-up analysis. Limitations of the study include a lack of blinding to treatment regimen and that the triplet control regimen did not include a proteasome inhibitor for all patients, which would be considered a current standard of care in many parts of the world.

CONCLUSIONS

The KRdc combination was well tolerated and was associated with both an increased percentage of patients achieving at least a very good partial response and a significant PFS benefit compared to immunomodulatory-agent-based triplet therapy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov ISRCTN49407852.

Post-transplant T cell chimerism predicts graft versus host disease but not disease relapse in patients undergoing an alemtuzumab based reduced intensity conditioned allogeneic transplant

In this multicentre retrospective study we have studied the impact of T cell chimerism on the outcome of 133 patients undergoing an alemtuzumab based reduced intensity conditioning allograft (RIC). The median age of the patients was 50 years (range 42-55 years). 77 patients were transplanted using an HLA identical sibling donor while 56 patients received a fully matched volunteer unrelated donor graft. 64 patients had a lymphoid malignancy and 69 were transplanted for a myeloid malignancy. 38 patients (29%) relapsed with no significant difference in risk of relapse between patients developing full donor and mixed donor chimerism in the T-cell compartment on D+90 and D+180 post transplant. Day 90 full donor T cell chimerism correlated with an increased incidence of acute GVHD according to NIH criteria (p=0.0004) and the subsequent development of chronic GVHD. Consistent with previous observations, our results confirmed a correlation between the establishment of T cell full donor chimerism and acute GVHD in T deplete RIC allografts. However our study failed to identify any correlation between T cell chimerism and relapse risk and challenge the use of pre-emptive donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) in patients with mixed T cell chimerism transplanted using an alemtuzumab based RIC regimen.

Frailty-adjusted therapy in Transplant Non-Eligible patients with newly diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (FiTNEss (UK-MRA Myeloma XIV Trial)): a study protocol for a randomised phase III trial

INTRODUCTION

Multiple myeloma is a bone marrow cancer, which predominantly affects older people. The incidence is increasing in an ageing population.Over the last 10 years, patient outcomes have improved. However, this is less apparent in older, less fit patients, who are ineligible for stem cell transplant. Research is required in this patient group, taking into account frailty and aiming to improve: treatment tolerability, clinical outcomes and quality of life.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Frailty-adjusted therapy in Transplant Non-Eligible patients with newly diagnosed Multiple Myeloma is a national, phase III, multicentre, randomised controlled trial comparing standard (reactive) and frailty-adjusted (adaptive) induction therapy delivery with ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (IRD), and to compare maintenance lenalidomide to lenalidomide+ixazomib, in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma not suitable for stem cell transplant. Overall, 740 participants will be registered into the trial to allow 720 and 478 to be randomised at induction and maintenance, respectively.All participants will receive IRD induction with the dosing strategy randomised (1:1) at trial entry. Patients randomised to the standard, reactive arm will commence at the full dose followed by toxicity dependent reactive modifications. Patients randomised to the adaptive arm will commence at a dose level determined by their International Myeloma Working Group frailty score. Following 12 cycles of induction treatment, participants alive and progression free will undergo a second (double-blind) randomisation on a 1:1 basis to maintenance treatment with lenalidomide+placebo versus lenalidomide+ixazomib until disease progression or intolerance.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval has been obtained from the North East-Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee (19/NE/0125) and capacity and capability confirmed by local research and development departments for each participating centre prior to opening to recruitment. Participants are required to provide written informed consent prior to trial registration. Trial results will be disseminated by conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN17973108, NCT03720041.

Lenalidomide before and after autologous stem cell transplantation for transplant-eligible patients of all ages in the randomized, phase III, Myeloma XI trial

The optimal way to use immunomodulatory drugs as components of induction and maintenance therapy for multiple myeloma is unresolved. We addressed this question in a large phase III randomized trial, Myeloma XI. Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (n = 2042) were randomized to induction therapy with cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (CTD) or cyclophosphamide, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (CRD). Additional intensification therapy with cyclophosphamide, bortezomib and dexamethasone (CVD) was administered before ASCT to patients with a suboptimal response to induction therapy using a response-adapted approach. After receiving high-dose melphalan with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), eligible patients were further randomized to receive either lenalidomide alone or observation alone. Co-primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The CRD regimen was associated with significantly longer PFS (median: 36 vs. 33 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-0.96; P = 0.0116) and OS (3-year OS: 82.9% vs. 77.0%; HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.63-0.93; P = 0.0072) compared with CTD. The PFS and OS results favored CRD over CTD across all subgroups, including patients with International Staging System stage III disease (HR for PFS, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.58-0.93; HR for OS, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.56-1.09), high-risk cytogenetics (HR for PFS, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.43-0.84; HR for OS, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.42-1.15) and ultra high-risk cytogenetics (HR for PFS, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.41-1.11; HR for OS, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.34-1.25). Among patients randomized to lenalidomide maintenance (n = 451) or observation (n = 377), maintenance therapy improved PFS (median: 50 vs. 28 months; HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.37-0.60; P < 0.0001). Optimal results for PFS and OS were achieved in the patients who received CRD induction and lenalidomide maintenance. The trial was registered with the EU Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT 2009-010956-93) and ISRCTN49407852.

Hypokalaemic rhabdomyolysis

Hypokalaemic rhabdomyolysis is unusual, but the association between hypokalaemia and rhabdomyolysis can be overlooked if intracellular potassium leakage normalizes serum potassium by the time of presentation. This report describes a patient who presented with severe pain due to non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis and was found to have serum potassium of 1.4 mmol/L; magnesium 0.40 mmol/L; phosphate 1.40 mmol/L; adjusted calcium 1.87 mmol/L and creatine kinase 6421 U/L. In this case, intervention occurred before rhabdomyolysis could progress to the stage at which serum potassium may have self-corrected. This patient's hypokalaemia was at first refractory to treatment with potassium chloride, possibly due to coexisting magnesium deficiency. Initially, the patient denied alcohol abuse, but later admitted alcohol misuse prior to withdrawal three days before presentation. Hypokalaemia is associated with alcohol misuse, but abrupt withdrawal may exacerbate hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia. Acute or chronic myopathy is common in alcoholics due to alcohol toxicity and paradoxically the risk of rhabdomyolysis may be increased during periods of abrupt alcohol withdrawal.

CD-30(Ki-1)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma in a pleural effusion. A case report with diagnosis by cytomorphologic and immunocytochemical studies

BACKGROUND

Reports on cytodiagnosis of Ki-1-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) are rare. This report describes one such case diagnosed by cytologic examination of a pleural effusion and confirmed by immunocytochemistry.

CASE

An 87-year-old male presented with breathlessness, fever and a cough. Computed tomographic scan of the thorax showed a small, right, pleura-based nodule with infiltration of the immediate surroundings in addition to a massive, right-sided pleural effusion. Cytologic examination of pleural fluid revealed a heterogeneous population of cells comprising small mature lymphocytes, and numerous medium and large atypical lymphoid cells having frequent nuclear irregularity. Occasional very large cells resembling Reed-Sternberg cells or multinucleated cells with a horseshoe or wreathlike arrangement of nuclei (doughnut cells) were also present. Cytomorphology was suggestive of Ki-1 anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Immunocytochemistry revealed intense positivity for CD-30, positivity for LCA and EMA in a variable number of cells and a negative result for cytokeratin except for occasional cells.

CONCLUSION

Cytologic examination of pleural fluid can serve as a useful tool for the initial diagnosis of Ki-1-positive ALCL.

Optimising the value of immunomodulatory drugs during induction and maintenance in transplant ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: results from Myeloma XI, a multicentre, open-label, randomised, Phase III trial

Second-generation immunomodulatory agents, such as lenalidomide, have a more favourable side-effect profile than the first-generation thalidomide, but their optimum combination and duration for patients with newly diagnosed transplant-ineligible myeloma (ND-TNE-MM) has not been defined. The most appropriate delivery and dosing regimens of these therapies for patients at advanced age and frailty status is also unclear. The Myeloma XI study compared cyclophosphamide, thalidomide and dexamethasone (CTDa) to cyclophosphamide, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (CRDa) as induction therapy, followed by a maintenance randomisation between ongoing therapy with lenalidomide or observation for patients with ND-TNE-MM. CRDa deepened response but did not improve progression-free (PFS) or overall survival (OS) compared to CTDa. However, analysis by age group highlighted significant differences in tolerability in older, frailer patients that may have limited treatment delivery and impacted outcome. Deeper responses and PFS and OS benefits with CRDa over CTDs were seen in patients aged ≤70 years, with an increase in toxicity and discontinuation observed in older patients. Our results highlight the importance of considering age and frailty in the approach to therapy for patients with ND-TNE-MM, highlighting the need for prospective validation of frailty adapted therapy approaches, which may improve outcomes by tailoring treatment to the individual.

Lenalidomide induction and maintenance therapy for transplant eligible myeloma patients: Results of the Myeloma XI study

8009

Background: Immunomodulatory (IMiD) agents are effective therapies for multiple myeloma (MM), with Lenalidomide (Len) having fewer side effects than Thalidomide (Thal), enabling long-term treatment. The optimum IMiD induction and maintenance regimen are unknown. We therefore compared triplet induction regimens of Len vs Thal and examined the role of maintenance Len vs observation, enabling us to explore the interaction of Len induction with Len maintenance. Methods: Myeloma XI is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial for newly diagnosed MM, with pathways for transplant eligible (TE) and non-eligible patients. For TE patients the induction question compared Len or Thal plus cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone (CRD vs CTD) continued for a minimum of 4 cycles and to max. response. For patients with a suboptimal response there was a subsequent randomization to a proteasome inhibitor containing triplet or no further therapy prior to ASCT. A maintenance randomization at 3 months post ASCT compared Len till disease progression vs observation. 2042 TE patients underwent the induction randomization (CRD 1021, CTD 1021). After a median follow up of 36.3 months, 965 PFS and 415 OS primary endpoint events had occurred. Secondary endpoints included response and toxicity. Results: In TE patients, CRD induction was associated with deeper responses than CTD: ≥VGPR CRD 60% vs CTD 53%. This was associated with a significantly improved median PFS (HR 0.85, 95%CI 0.75, 0.96, CRD 35.9 months vs CTD 32.9, p=0.0116) and 3 year OS: 82.9% vs 77.0% (HR 0.77, 95%CI 0.63, 0.93, p=0.0072). Maintenance therapy with Len was associated with a significantly longer median PFS compared to observation (HR 0.47, 95%CI 0.38, 0.60) across all subgroups including patients with high-risk disease. Exploratory analysis across the TE pathway suggested that CRD induction with Len maintenance was optimum: 60 month PFS CRD-R 50.2%, CTD-R 39.1%, CRD-obs 18.5%, CTD-obs 23.4%. Conclusions: CRD was associated with deeper responses than CTD, and with a PFS and OS benefit. The best outcomes were associated with Len induction plus Len maintenance. Our findings support continuing Len therapy through induction until disease progression. Clinical trial information: NCT01554852.

The addition of vorinostat to lenalidomide maintenance for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma of all ages: results from 'Myeloma XI', a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase III trial

Lenalidomide is an effective maintenance agent for patients with myeloma, prolonging first remission and, in transplant eligible patients, improving overall survival (OS) compared to observation. The 'Myeloma XI' trial, for newly diagnosed patients, aimed to evaluate whether the addition of the histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat to the lenalidomide maintenance backbone could improve outcomes further. Patients included in this analysis were randomised to maintenance therapy with lenalidomide alone (10 mg/day on days 1-21 of each 28-day cycle), or in combination with vorinostat (300 mg/day on day 1-7 and 15-21 of each 28-day cycle) with treatment continuing until unacceptable toxicity or progressive disease. There was no significant difference in median progression-free survival between those receiving lenalidomide-vorinostat or lenalidomide alone, 34 and 40 months respectively (hazard ratio [HR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96-1.44, p = 0.109). There was also no significant difference in median OS, not estimable and 75 months respectively (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.76-1.29, p = 0.929). Subgroup analysis demonstrated no statistically significant heterogeneity in outcomes. Combination lenalidomide-vorinostat appeared to be poorly tolerated with more dose modifications, fewer cycles of maintenance therapy delivered and higher rates of discontinuation due to toxicity than lenalidomide alone. The trial did not meet its primary end-point, there was no benefit from the addition of vorinostat to lenalidomide maintenance.

IgG4 related renal disease: A wolf in sheep's clothing

IgG4 related disease is a fibro-inflammatory condition with involvement of renal and extra renal organs, characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with organ dysfunction. We describe three cases of IgG4 related renal disease from a tertiary care hospital in south India.

Reduced intensity allogeneic stem cell transplant for treatment of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm is a rare, aggressive tumor characterized by skin and/or marrow infiltration by CD4⁺ CD56⁺ cells. Historically, the tumor was variably thought to arise from either monocytes, T cells or NK cells giving rise to terms such as CD4⁺/CD56⁺ acute monoblastic leukemia, primary cutaneous CD4⁺/CD56⁺ hematodermic tumor and blastic NK-cell lymphoma. Whilst considerable progress has been made in understanding the histogenesis, the best modality of treatment remains to be defined. We are therefore reporting this case which was successfully treated with a T-deplete allogeneic transplant and the patient is currently alive and in remission 4 years post transplant.

Tumor characteristics and metabolic quantification in carcinoma breast: An institutional experience

BACKGROUND

In India, carcinoma breast is the most common cancer among urban women population and second most common cancer after carcinoma cervix in rural areas. One in 22 women in India develops carcinoma of the breast in their lifetime. Fluorine-18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) uptake in breast cancer usually indicates the degree of tumor metabolism and hence can predict its behavior and prognosis. On the other hand, the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) or neu state of breast cancer is a biomarker that provides important prognostic information in addition to predicting response to therapy.

AIMS

The main objective of this study is to assess whether a correlation exists between 18F-FDG uptake in untreated cases of breast cancer, their receptor status (ER, PR, and HER-2 or neu), tumor histology, and tumor size.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Sixty consecutive female patients, with biopsy-proven primary breast cancer, were enrolled in this prospective study for whom 18F-FDG positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan was done in the Department of Nuclear Medicine. Results obtained were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests (t-test and Pearson Chi-square tests), and interpretation was made with 95% confidence level.

RESULTS

In our series, a positive correlation between tumor size, high tumor grade, and standardized uptake value (SUV) was found. Tumors with positive receptor status for estrogen, progesterone, and HER-2/neu receptors had statistically insignificant lower maximum SUV (SUVmax) values than their negative counterparts. Triple-negative breast tumors (ER-, PR-, and no overexpression of HER-2/neu) are currently a subject of major interest because of their aggressiveness, poor prognosis, and lack of targeted therapy. Based on receptor status when the SUVmaxof the group with triple-negative receptor status (ER-/PR-/HER-2/neu-) was compared to rest of the patient group, it was seen that patients with negative receptor status had significantly higher mean SUVmaxvalues.

CONCLUSIONS

We have inferred that in patients with breast cancer, various biological parameters such as tumor size, grade, histology, and hormonal receptor status have different impact on tumor metabolic activity.

First case of near haploid philadelphia negative B-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia relapsing as acute myeloid leukemia following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Herein we present a female patient aged 61 with Philadelphia negative acute lymphoblastic leukaemia demonstrating near haploid karyotype and abnormal TP53 expression at diagnosis, who relapsed with lineage switch as Acute Monocytic Leukemia post allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Molecular analysis established that both neoplasms were derived from the same founder clone. The leukemic lineage switch phenomenon has recently re-attracted interest as mechanism of leukemic evasion post treatment with chimeric antigen receptor T-cells but there is paucity of data on its presence post allograft or following novel antibody treatments such as Inotuzumab Ozogamicin or Blinatumomab. Our proposition for cancer research is that near haploidy in ALL could be linked to leukemic stem cell plasticity evading stem cell transplantation and other immunotherapy approaches.

Tumoral calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease: a rare diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease (CPPD) is a well-recognized inflammatory joint disorder characterized by presence of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals in intraarticular and periarticular tissue. We report here a case of a 48-year-old male who presented with painless right hand swelling. Clinical suspicion was that of malignant soft tissue tumor. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) yielded chalky white gritty material. Microscopic examination showed large areas of basophilic calcified material, histiocytes, giant cells and characteristic rhomboid shaped crystals. At places, chondroid material was also identified, hence, diagnosis of CPPD was made. This was confirmed on histopathological examination. Tophaceous/ tumoral pseudogout is a rare form of CPPD and it is important to recognize that this form can be diagnosed in FNA cytology (FNAC) and misdiagnosis of benign or malignant cartilaginous lesions can be avoided.