High-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplant in older adults with multiple myeloma

Randomized trials showing that high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) improved the overall survival (OS) in multiple myeloma (MM) excluded patients over age 65. To compare the outcomes of older adults with MM who underwent ASCT with non-transplant strategies, we identified 146 patients aged 65-77 with newly diagnosed MM seen in the Washington University School of Medicine from 2000 to 2010. Survival among patients who did (N=62) versus did not (N=84) undergo ASCT was compared using Cox proportional hazards modeling, controlling for comorbidities, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) and the propensity to undergo ASCT. Median age was 68 years (range 65-77). PS and comorbidities did not differ significantly between those who did versus those who did not undergo ASCT. Median OS was significantly longer in patients who underwent ASCT than in those who did not (median 56.0 months (95% confidence intervals (CIs) 49.1-65.4) versus 33.1 months (24.3-43.1), P=0.004). Adjusting for PS, comorbidities, Durie-Salmon stage and the propensity to undergo ASCT, ASCT was associated with superior OS (HR for mortality 0.52 (95% CI 0.30-0.91), P=0.02). In a cohort of older adults with MM, undergoing ASCT was associated with a nearly 50% lower mortality, after controlling for PS, comorbidities, stage and the propensity to undergo ASCT.

Tandem chemo-mobilization followed by high-dose melphalan and carmustine with single autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation for multiple myeloma

Single autologous hematopoietic cell transplant (AHCT) with high-dose melphalan prolongs survival in patients with multiple myeloma but is not curative. We conducted a study of intensive single AHCT using tandem chemo-mobilization with CY and etoposide followed by high-dose conditioning with melphalan 200 mg/m(2) plus carmustine 15 mg/kg. One hundred and eighteen patients in first consolidation (CON1) and 58 patients in relapse (REL) were transplanted using this intensified approach. Disease response improved from 32% very good PR (VGPR)+CR pre-mobilization to 76% VGPR+CR post transplant in CON1. With a median follow-up of 4.7 years, the median EFS was 2.8 years, and the median OS was 5.1 years in CON1. OS from time of transplant was significantly shorter for REL (3.4 years) compared with CON1 (5.1 years; P=0.02). However, OS from time of diagnosis was similar in REL (6.1 years) and CON1 (6.0 years; P=0.80). The 100-day non-relapse mortality in the CON1 and REL groups was 0% and 7%, respectively. In summary, intensified single AHCT with tandem chemo-mobilization and augmented high-dose therapy is feasible in multiple myeloma and leads to high-quality response rates.

Randomized phase II trial of the nucleolin targeting aptamer AS1411 combined with high-dose cytarabine in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

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Background: Aptamers are small synthetic oligonucleotides that form stable nuclease-resistant 3D structures and bind target proteins with specificity and affinity similar to antibodies. These “chemical antibodies” represent a new class of therapeutics. The AS1411 aptamer binds nucleolin on the surface of cancer cells and induces apoptosis. AS1411 has synergistic effects in combination with cytarabine on AML cell lines in vitro and in vivo. A phase I trial of AS1411 monotherapy in 30 patients with advanced cancer showed objective responses without serious toxicities. Methods: This open-label randomized phase II trial compared AS1411 plus high-dose cytarabine (HiDAC) with HiDAC alone in patients with primary refractory or relapsed AML who had received up to 3 previous lines of chemotherapy. Patients in cohort I were randomized 2:1 to receive AS1411 10 mg/kg/day as continuous IVI on days 1–7 + HiDAC 1.5 g/m2/ twice daily on days 4–7 or HiDAC alone for 4 days. Following safety assessment, a second cohort was randomized in a similar manner, with AS1411 escalated to 40 mg/kg/day. Objectives were comparison of response rates (CR+CRp), safety and tolerability between treatment groups. Results: Accrual has been completed, with 71 patients randomized: 22 to AS1411 10 mg/kg/day + HiDAC (AS1411–10), 26 to AS1411 40 mg/kg/day + HiDAC (AS1411–40) and 23 to HiDAC alone (control). Safety findings are currently available for 44 patients (AS1411–10, 21; AS1411–40, 9; control, 14). The main grade 3/4 toxicities were hematologic, notably febrile neutropenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia; and infections. Safety findings were similar across groups, except that grade 3 hypokalemia was more frequent with AS1411–40. Deaths within 28 days of treatment were: AS1411–10, 1/21; AS1411–40, 1/9; and control, 2/14. Response data are currently available for 39 patients; response rates were: AS1411–10, 16% (3/19); AS1411–40, 14% (1/7); and control, 0% (0/13). Conclusions: Data from this first phase II trial of an aptamer in oncology are encouraging. The combination of AS1411 at 10 or 40 mg/kg/day with HiDAC appears well tolerated and shows promising signs of activity in patients with relapsed/refractory AML.

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Allo-SCT conditioning for myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia with clofarabine, cytarabine and ATG

The application of myeloablative Allo-SCT is limited by its associated morbidity and mortality. Reduced-intensity conditioning regimens attempt to diminish these, but are associated with a higher risk of disease relapse. Given the evidence of activity of clofarabine and cytarabine in myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia (MDS/AML), we explored a novel reduced-intensity conditioning regimen based on this backbone. Patients received clofarabine 40 mg/m(2) i.v. on days -6 to -2, cytarabine 1 g/m(2) i.v. on days -6 to -2 and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) 1 mg/kg on day -4 and 2.5 mg/kg x 2 days on days -3 and -2. Seven patients were enrolled. Their median age was 54 years; three were with MDS and four with AML. The median duration of neutropenia was 14 days and that of thrombocytopenia was 22 days. Toxicities included hand-foot syndrome (57% grade 2), elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (57% grade 3), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (86% grade 3) and hyperbilirubinemia (29% grade 3-5). No acute GVHD was observed. Enrollment to the trial was halted after three of the first seven patients expired on days +15, +26 and +32. Three of the four surviving patients have relapsed with a median TTP of 152 days. This regimen was not sufficiently immunosuppressive to ensure engraftment, and was associated with substantial morbidity and mortality.

High-dose therapy with hematopoietic cell transplantation for patients with central nervous system involvement by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) carries a poor patient prognosis whether it occurs as a primary site of disease or secondarily in patients with systemic disease. In a group of 481 patients undergoing high-dose therapy with hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for NHL, 15 patients (3.1%) were identified with CNS involvement. Two patients had primary CNS lymphoma, and 13 had secondary disease. All patients received intrathecal chemotherapy, and 13 received CNS radiotherapy before transplantation. Fourteen patients received systemic chemotherapy. At the time of transplantation, both patients with primary CNS lymphoma and 8 patients with secondary disease had achieved a complete response, 3 patients had achieved a partial response, 1 had failed induction therapy, and 1 had progression of CNS disease before high-dose therapy. Fourteen patients received carmustine, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide as the preparative regimen, and 1 patient received fractionated total body irradiation instead of carmustine. The 2 patients with primary CNS lymphoma were alive and free of disease, 1 at 1,085 days after HCT and 1 at 3,704 days after HCT. The actuarial 5-year event-free survival (EFS) was 46% +/- 26%, and overall survival (OS) was 41% +/- 28%. The median EFS and OS were 2.2 and 1.5 years, respectively. Three patients experienced symptomatic memory loss or intellectual decline after therapy, 1 patient developed paraplegia, and 1 patient had a thrombotic stroke 20 months after HCT. Despite treatment-related toxicities, 7 patients responding to quality-of-life questions at approximately 1 year after HCT gave their overall quality of life a median rating of 9 out of a possible 10 (range, 6-10). High-dose therapy with autologous HCT can produce extended EFS in patients with secondary CNS lymphoma and possibly in those with primary CNS NHL.

Four-cycle high-dose therapy with hematopoietic support for metastatic breast cancer: no improvement in outcomes compared with single-course high-dose therapy

Multiple-cycle high-dose therapy with autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell (AHPC) support has been used to deliver dose-intensive therapy. We have used this approach as well as single-cycle high-dose therapy in treating patients with metastatic breast cancer. We present the outcomes of multiple-cycle high-dose therapies and compare them with those resulting from single-course high-dose therapies performed at a single institution. Fifty-five patients received 4 cycles of intensive chemotherapy with AHPC support. Three multicycle regimens were sequentially applied. Twenty patients were enrolled to receive 4 cycles of high-dose mitoxantrone, thiotepa, and cyclophosphamide. Nineteen subsequent patients received this regimen modified by the incorporation of paclitaxel. Sixteen patients received 2 cycles of high-dose melphalan, thiotepa, and paclitaxel and 2 cycles of mitoxantrone, thiotepa, and paclitaxel. The results of all 3 multiple-cycle therapies are compared with those of 55 contemporaneous patients with metastatic breast cancer who received a single course of high-dose cyclophosphamide and thiotepa or cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and BCNU (carmustine) with hematopoietic cell rescue. Multiple-cycle therapy was associated with more infectious complications, increased transfusion requirements, and increased hospital admissions. However, there were no significant differences in outcomes between the groups. For 55 patients who received multiple-cycle therapy, the actuarial 3-year overall survival rate was 36% (95% confidence interval [CI] 23%-49%); freedom from progression and event-free survival were both 15% (CI 5%-25%). The median time to disease progression and median survival were 1.0 and 1.6 years, respectively. For the 55 patients who underwent a single course of high-dose therapy, the 3-year overall survival was also 36% (CI 18%-54%), whereas freedom from progression and event-free survival were both 19% (CI 7%-31%). The median time to progression and median survival were 0.8 and 2.2 years, respectively. Within the constraints of this patient population, the outcomes of 4 cycles of high-dose therapy with AHPC support were not superior to those resulting from single courses of high-dose therapy in the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer.