ALBERT

Description: Background: Alternative splicing (AS) significantly enhances transcriptome complexity. It is differentially regulated in a wide variety of cell types and plays a role in several cellular processes. Here we describe a detailed survey of alternative splicing in grape based on 124 SOLiD RNAseq analyses from different tissues, stress conditions and genotypes. Results: We used the RNAseq data to update the existing grape gene prediction with 2,258 new coding genes and 3,336 putative long non-coding RNAs. Several gene structures have been improved and alternative splicing was described for about 30% of the genes. A link between AS and miRNAs was shown in 139 genes where we found that AS affects the miRNA target site. A quantitative analysis of the isoforms indicated that most of the spliced genes have one major isoform and tend to simultaneously co-express a low number of isoforms, typically two, with intron retention being the most frequent alternative splicing event. Conclusions: As described in Arabidopsis, also grape displays a marked AS tissue-specificity, while stress conditions produce splicing changes to a minor extent. Surprisingly, some distinctive splicing features were also observed between genotypes. This was further supported by the observation that the panel of Serine/Arginine-rich splicing factors show a few, but very marked differences between genotypes. The finding that a part the splicing machinery can change in closely related organisms can lead to some interesting hypotheses for evolutionary adaptation, that could be particularly relevant in the response to sudden and strong selective pressures.

Description: Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) remains the standard of care for Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients younger than 70 years old. The role of induction therapy is crucial within a program of high-dose therapy since deeper is the response before, higher is the outcome of transplant. In this study, we analyzed a real life setting of patients treated with three different induction approaches: VAD (Vincristine-Adriamycin-Dexamethasone), VD (Bortezomib - Dexamethasone), and VTD (Bortezomib-Thalidomide-Dexamethasone) in terms of depth of response, 2 years therapy-free rate and toxicity. One hundred and sixty-three MM patients (pts) were included in the analysis: 62 pts treated with VAD (38%), 44 with VD (27%) and 57 with VTD (35%). In VTD group 49 pts (86%) received Bortezomib subcutaneously. As shown in Table 1, patients of the three groups were similar for D&S stage (p 0.59), a higher rate of ISS stage 3 was observed in VAD group (p=0.019), patients in VTD group were significantly older (p=0.024), median follow-up was significantly lower in VTD pts (p

Description: Background A lack of objective data exists on differences in treatment practices and outcomes for MM between countries. The EMMOS study aimed to document and describe current treatment regimens and disease progression patterns of MM pts at different stages of the disease in real-world medical practice. Methods Adult pts initiating any new MM therapy, irrespective of treatment line at study entry or therapy type received, were eligible for inclusion in the EMMOS registry. A multi-staged pt/site recruitment model was applied to minimize selection bias; enrollment was stratified by country, region, and practice type. Pts' medical/disease features, treatment history, and remission status were recorded at baseline. Prospective data on treatment, efficacy, and safety were collected electronically every 3 mos until 2 yrs after the last pt enrolled. Responses were investigator-assessed (no predefined criteria). Here we report data from the final analysis of EMMOS. Pts were grouped according to receipt of high-dose chemotherapy/stem cell transplantation in any treatment line (SCT pts, non-SCT pts). Within a given line, pts may have received induction, SCT, consolidation, and/or maintenance therapy; if multiple drug combinations were used within a line, the line grouping was based on the combination received in cycle 1. Results 2358 pts were enrolled between Oct 2010-Oct 2012 in 22 countries in Europe and Africa; the last pt completed follow-up in Oct 2014. Of these, 775 pts had undergone SCT in any treatment line. Baseline characteristics in the prospective phase by starting line are shown in the Table. As expected, there was a higher proportion of younger pts (≤65 yrs) in the SCT vs non-SCT group across all treatment lines, and in both groups a higher proportion of pts in 4th + vs earlier lines with ISS stage III disease. While cytogenetics were evaluated in a small number of pts overall (670/2358 [28%]), these assessments were performed significantly more frequently in SCT vs non-SCT pts (p

Description: Abstract 3951 Poster Board III-887 Background An increased incidence of second cancers has been reported in some lymphoproliferative disorders. Whether the predisposition to other malignancies is due to disease-related immune-suppression rather than to the carcinogenic role of therapy given to treat the hematologic disease is still poorly understood. Purpose The aims of this study were to assess the frequency, characteristics and factors predicting second cancers in patients with WM and to evaluate whether WM patients are at increased risk of developing other malignancies as compared to an age- and sex-matched control population. Patients and methods The clinical records of 220 consecutive WM patients seen in two Hematologic centres of Northern Italy from 1980 to 2008 were reviewed. All cancers, with exception of non-melanoma skin cancers, were considered for this analysis. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs), defined as the ratio between observed and expected cases, were used to compare the incidence of second cancers in WM with that of the general population. The number of expected cancers was obtained from age, sex and calendar-specific incidence rates reported by AIRTUM (Associazione Italiana Registri Tumori) for Northern Italy. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to examine risk factors for the development of second cancers. Therapy was analyzed as a time-dependent covariate. Results The median age of patients was 61 years (range: 26-86), 131 (60%) were males and 89 females (40%). The median follow-up was 4.8 years (range: 0.5-25). Overall, 136 patients (62%) with symptomatic WM received therapy, whereas a watch-and-wait policy was adopted in 84 patients (38%) with asymptomatic WM. Among treated patients, first-line therapy consisted of chlorambucil in 93 cases (68%), cyclophosphamide-based regimens in 15 (11%) and nucleoside analogs-containing regimens in 17 (13%). Rituximab was associated to chemotherapy in 19 patients (14%). Details on therapy were not available in 11 cases (8%). Overall, 52 second cancers were observed in 49 patients (22%). Forty-six patients (94%) had one malignancy and 3 (6%) developed two cancers. The types of cancer were: gastrointestinal (n=9, 17%), lung (n=8, 15%), breast (n=7, 13%), urinary tract (n=6, 11%), prostate (n=5, 10%), diffuse large B cell lymphoma (n=5, 10%), myelodysplastic syndrome/acute leukemia (n=3, 6%), brain (n=3, 6%), thyroid (n=2, 4%), mouth (n=2, 4%), other cancers (n=2, 4%). The diagnosis of cancer preceded that of WM in 13 cases (27%), was concomitant (within 3 months) in 6 (12%) and subsequent in 30 (61%). The median time from diagnosis of WM to the occurrence of a subsequent cancer was 4.3 years (range: 0.2-12.9). The cumulative probability of developing a second cancer after WM was respectively 11% at 5 years, 21% at 10 years and 33% at 15 years. As compared to the control population, the risk of second cancer in WM was 1.66 times higher than expected (95% CI: 1.16-2.37, p=0.005), without significant difference between males and females (p=0.7). In multivariate analysis, the risk of second cancer was not influenced by age (p=0.91), sex (p=0.45), reduction of IgG (p=0.91) or IgA (p=0.58) levels. In a time-dependent analysis, therapy given for WM did not increase the risk of developing a second malignancy (hazard ratio: 1.12, p=0.76). Conclusions This study shows that WM are at higher risk of developing second cancers as compared to the general population. We did not find an association between the occurrence of second cancers and treatment of WM. Disease-related immune-suppression may predispose WM patients to develop other malignancies. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Description: Abstract 2667 Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM) is a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by bone marrow infiltration by lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma associated with a monoclonal component of IgM type in the serum. WM is often preceded by an IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (IgM-MGUS). The cumulative probability of progression of IgM-MGUS to WM or to other lymphoproliferative disorders is approximately 1.5% per year. Other mature B-cell neoplasms such as splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) and B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (B-CLPD) can carry an IgM monoclonal component and should therefore be considered in differential diagnosis with WM. In a study based on parallel sequencing of the whole genome of lymphoplasmacytic cells and paired normal tissue from WM patients, Treon et al (Blood. 2011;118:Abstract 300) have identified a highly recurrent somatic mutation with oncogenic activity in the myeloid differentiation primary response (MYD88) gene, leading to a change from leucine to proline at position 265 of the aminoacid sequence [MYD88 (L265P)]. Targeted Sanger resequencing showed MYD88 (L265P) in 90% of WM patients, but only in a minority of patients with IgM-MGUS or other mature B-cell neoplasms such as SMZL. We developed an allele-specific PCR for the MYD88 (L265P) mutation, and studied 58 patients with WM, 77 with IgM-MGUS, 84 with splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) and 52 with B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (B-CLPD). DNA was obtained from bone marrow cells (n=204) and peripheral blood (n=67). The aims of this study were: i) to assess the prevalence of the mutation in WM, IgM-MGUS, SMZL, and B-CLPD; ii) to analyze the relationship between MYD88 (L265P) mutation and clinical phenotype; iii) to evaluate the impact of the mutation on the risk of progression from IgM-MGUS WM or other lymphoproliferative disorders. The MYD88 (L265P) mutation was detected in 58/58 (100%) patients with WM, either asymptomatic (n=39) or symptomatic (n=18), and in 36/77 (47%) patients with IgM-MGUS. In addition, it was detected in 5/84 (6%) patients with SMZL and in 3/52 (6%) with B-CLPD; of these MYD88 (L265P)-positive subjects, 4 SMZL and 2 B-CLPD patients carried a serum IgM monoclonal component, while the remaining B-CLPD patient carried a double (IgM and IgG) monoclonal component. Compared with IgM-MGUS patients with wild-type MYD88, those carrying MYD88 (L265P) had significantly higher levels of IgM (P

Description: Abstract 3037 Fotemustine (Muphoran), a nitrosourea alkylating agent approved for use in the treatment of metastatic melanoma, has proven to be effective as single agent in relapsed/refractory multiple mieloma (MM). We report preliminary data of a phase II single centre study exploring the feasibility and the efficacy of the combination bortezomib (B) + fotemustine (Mu) + dexamethasone (D) (B-MuD) in relapsed/refractory MM patients. This study has been approved by local ethical committee; all patients (pts) signed written informed consent before the enrolment. MM pts relapsed or refractory after at least one therapy were eligible for the study. Pts who received prior bortezomib-containing regimen were included only if not considered bortezomib-refractory. Fotemustine at the escalating doses of 80 and 100 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1 was associated to Bortezomib 1,3 mg/m2 i.v. on days 1,4,8,11 + Dexamethasone 20 mg orally on days 1–2, 4–5, 8–9, 11–12 of 21-day cycle for a total of 6 cycles. Protocol was amended after the enrolment of the first five pts due to a considerable toxicity. We observed 3 grade 3–4 peripheral neuropathy, 1 grade 3 pneumonia, 4 grade 4 thrombocytopenia and two pts dropped-out (one for grade 3 pneumonia at 2° cycle, and one for grade 4 peripheral neuropathy at 3° cycles). Thus the schedule was modified as following: Fotemustine at escalating doses of 80 and 100 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1, Bortezomib 1,3 mg/m2 i.v. once weekly on days 1, 8, 15, 22, Dexamethasone 20 mg i.v. on days 1, 8, 15, 22 for six 35-day cycles. An interim analysis of feasibility and efficacy was planned after the inclusion of the first two cohort of 6 pts each, treated with escalating dose of Fotemustine according to the amended schedule. Up to now, 18 pts have been enrolled (5 pts before and 13 after the amendment): M/F 10/8, median age 69 years (44-82), median number of previous therapies 2 (1-5). Previous treatments included autologous transplant in 10 pts (59%), bortezomib in 8 pts (44%), oral melphalan in 7 pts (41%) and thalidomide in 12 (71%). After the inclusion of 12 pts the MTD for Fotemustine was established to be 100 mg/m2. No drop-outs were registered after the amendment. Preliminary data on response are available in 10 pts. Nine pts (90%) obtained at least a PR, 8 pts (80%) registered ≥VGPR (CR 10%). At time of this analysis 79 cycles were delivered: 14 before, 65 after the amendment. Eighty-nine AE of any grade were observed, 43 hematological and 46 non-hematological. Thrombocytopenia was the most common AE either before and after the amendment. Need for dose reduction was significantly lower after the amendment. In detail fotemustine was reduced in 14% of cycles before and never after the amendment (p=0.0001), bortezomib dose reduction were performed in 36% of cycles before and 15% after the amendment (p=0.08), dexamethasone dose reduction occurred in 64% of cycles before and 13% after the amendment (p=0.0001). In conclusion, this interim analysis shows that fotemustine in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone is safe and gives encouraging results in relapsed/refractory myeloma patients with 80% of ≥VGPR. Updated results will be presented at the meeting. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Description: From 1996 to 2003, 113 consecutive patients with multiple myeloma were treated with four different high dose approaches rescued by autologous peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) after four cycles of VAD or other combinations. The median age was 53 years 31–68), 58% were male and 42% female, the median interval from diagnosis to transplant was 252 days (range 160–3116 days). Twenty-five patients received as preparative regimen Carmustine, Etoposide and Melphalan (BVM) at the total dose of 600 mg/m2, 900mg/m2 and 140–180 mg m2 respectively. Nineteen pts had as preparative regimen Thiotepa and Melphalan at the total dose of 10 mg/kg and 140–180 mg/m2 respectively, 38 pts received a double transplant with Melphalan given as a single agent at the dose of 200 mg/m2, while 31 pts received a single transplant with Melphalan 200 mg/m2. In patients with poor performance status at transplant or previous history of infection or renal impairment, the dose of melphalan was reduced by 20% respect to the standard planned dose. in the group of 25patients treated by BVM, 10 had progressive disease, 6 stable disease (SD), 7 partial remission (PR), 1 very good partial remission (VGPR). At day +90 from transplant, 17 patients were in CR or PR (68%). The actuarial probability of overall survival and event free survival at 5 years were 40% and 20%, respectively. One pt died of transplant, one developed a solid tumor 24 mos after transplant. in the group of 19 pts treated with TT and Mel (TT-Mel), 3 pts were with progressive disease, 3 with stable disease, 6 in partial remission, 3 with minimal response, 3 in VGPR, 1 in CR. At day +90, 15 pts were in CR or PR (78%). The actuarial probability of survival was 50% at 5 years, and event free survival 28%. in the group of 38 pts who received a double transplant, 7 pts were with progressive disease, 3 with stable disease, 14 in PR, 12 in VGPR or CR. At day +90 after the second transplant, 31 of 38 patients (81%) were in CR or PR. Overall survival and event free survival was respectively 48% and 20% at five years. in the group of 31 pts receiving a single transplant with Melphalan alone, 8 were with progressive disease, 1 with stable disease, 6 in VGPR, 1 in CR, 13 in PR. At day +90, 21 of 31 patients (67%) were in CR or PR. Overall survival and event free survival was respectively 45% and 22% at five years. In conclusion, double transplant seems better than one transplant with melphalan alone in terms of EFS and OS (p

Description: Background: Bortezomib-related painful sensory peripheral neuropathy (Bor-PN) represents the main dose-limiting toxicity of Bor. Cornea is the most innervated tissue in human body, with the highest density of small sensitive fibers, which are the main target of Bor-PN. Corneal confocal microscopy is a rapid, noninvasive, clinical examination technique that quantifies small nerve fiber damage and is already used for early identification of neural damage in course of diabetic sensory PN. Aims: To evaluate the possible role of confocal microscopy for identification and monitoring of corneal sub-basal neural plexus damage in Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients (pts) treated with Bor and to correlate confocal microscopy findings with Bor-PN. Patients and Methods: Patients underwent corneal examination with corneal confocal microscope (Confoscan 4). Corneal sub-basal fibers were evaluated in terms of the following morphometric measurements used as sign of neural damage: nerve fiber length, nerve fiber number, beadings number, tortuosity (according to Oliveira scale and Nidek index). The study was approved by local ethic committee, all patients signed informed consent before confocal microscopy evaluation. Twenty-six MM pts treated with Bor entered the study and were compared with 20 healthy controls. Control group morphometric findings were similar to data on healthy population reported in the literature. At time of confocal assessment among MM group there were 20 MM pts (77%) under active bor treatment, 6 pts were off bor-therapy (23%), clinically evident PN (NCI grade ≤2) was reported in 10 pts (38.5%). Results: MM pts and healthy controls were well matched as far as median age and sex. Compared to healthy controls, MM pts showed: I) a significant reduction in terms of length and number of corneal fibers (median length 552 μm in MM vs 1223.5 μm in control p

Description: Background: Bisphosphonates (Bi) have been proven to be effective in preventing or delaying skeletal complications in multiple myeloma (MM) with a significant improvement of the quality of life. The 2002 ASCO guidelines indicate that once initiated intravenous Bi should be continued until an evident substantial decline of performance status. Recently, osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has been reported as complication of intravenous Bi treatment, with an incidence ranging between 6 and 13% and a greater occurrence in patients (pts) receiving zoledronic acid (Zol) than in those treated with pamidronate (Pam). Aim. In this retrospective study we evaluated the incidence of ONJ and of skeletal related events (SRE) in a cohort of MM pts divided in two groups according to the schedule of administration of Bi; group A: monthly administrations until tolerated (standard), group B: monthly administrations during the first year and then every 3 months (reduced). Methods: One hundred and six MM pts (M: 63, F: 43) were included in this study: 51 pts received a standard treatment (group A) and 55 a reduced schedule (group B). Pam 90 mg i.v. was administered as a three hour infusion and Zol 4 mg i.v. as a 15 minutes infusion. SRE was defined as: pathologic fracture, radiation to bone, spinal cord compression with vertebral fracture, hypercalcemia. Results: No difference was found between the two groups concerning pts characteristics at the onset: age, sex, extension of bone disease, status of the disease (progressive or responsive). Twenty pts received only Pam, 42 only Zol and 44 pts Pam followed by Zol. The distribution of the different type of Bi was not different in the two groups. ONJ occurred in 7 pts (6.6%) with a significant difference between the two groups: 6 pts in standard schedule (11.7%) and 1 in the reduced (1.8%), p=0.01, after a median time of 22.8 months in group A, and 37.8 months in the case of group B. Four of out 7 ONJ occurred during the second year of treatment (12–24 months): that period resulted significantly related (p=0.000) to the occurrence of ONJ with respect to the others (24–38 months, 40–100 months). All ONJ occurred in pts treated with Zol alone (5 pts) or with Zol after Pam (2 pts), whereas no cases were observed in Pam alone pts (p= 0.005). The median number of infusions was 20 with comparable results in the two groups (20 in group A, 19 in group B). SRE was observed in 38 pts (35.8%): 16 pts in group A and 22 pts in group B without statistical difference (p=0.6), after a median time of 9.8 months. Conclusions: These results suggest that the reduced schedule of Bi is associated with a significant lower incidence of ONJ and, although the sample size is limited, the appearance of ONJ seems delayed with respect to the standard treatment. Moreover, the incidence of SRE is similar in the two groups. In conclusion, the reduced schedule, could be applied in order to combine the antiresorptive efficacy of Bi with a higher safety and a better compliance.

Description: Abstract 2564 Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) accounts for about 14% of all newly diagnosed haematological cancers, and it is estimated that its incidence will rise considerably due to an increasingly aging population in the Western world. Treatment of myeloma has changed in the past decade leading to a possibility of reaching a complete remission (CR) of nearly 50%, a median survival of 5 years, and a 10-year survival rate of 20%. Most of the recent treatment strategies do not require hospitalization so that many patients spend a considerable amount of time at home managing all the difficulties related to the therapies often with little support. Even though this physically disabling and deteriorating condition has a great impact on patients, little is known about their (unmet) needs and quality of life (QOL). Aims and Methods: The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify dominant themes, links between domains of QoL from the patients' perspective and how these domains influence their expectations regarding QoL in patients with multiple myeloma, trying to identify possible interventional instruments. The sample consisted of 34 patients treated in 9 Italian Centres: 16 women and 18 men; median age 65 years (range 35–77); with a first diagnosis of MM between 1982 and 2009 (median time since diagnosis 3 years ). From July 2009 to Nov 2009, 34 indepth interviews (60 minutes each) were conducted by clinical psychologists. Data from individual interviews were audiotaped and transcribed and then analysed with the “Text Emotional Analysis”, a methodology based on clinical-psychological models and on statistical multivariate analysis techniques. Results: The analysis, conducted with the statistical software Alceste (Analyse des Léxèmes Cooccurrents dans les Enoncés Simples d'un Texte), highlighted 4 word clusters (Table 1: the words that characterize the clusters are reported in the table with a decreasing χ2 value that indicates the importance of the single words in the belonging clusters): Cluster 1 “The relationship with family and friends”; Cluster 2 “The relationship with pain and drugs”; Cluster 3 “The elaboration of the experience”; Cluster 4 “The relationship with physicians and the hospital”. The position of the different clusters in the factorial space can also originate a second kind of analysis that is based on the relation between clusters (Table 2: values of the relationships between Clusters and Factors). On the first factor, cluster 4 and cluster 1 oppose themselves. This is the factor of relationships: the new relationships (the physician and the hospital) oppose to the old relationships (the family); the socialization with the new environment (positively connoted: attention, professionalism, commitment, ability) that is in opposition with the isolation and the shelter of the family (children, family, wife, mother, home). On the second factor, Cluster 2 and Cluster 1 oppose themselves. This is the factor that highlights the complexity of the experience towards the body due to the disease and the drugs (pain, effects, improvements, results, care, discomfort). The third factor is characterized by cluster 3 and expresses coping strategies towards ones condition (shame, companion, emotions, to get accustomed to). Conclusion: This study shows that one of the most important aspects for patients affected by MM is the creation/reorganization of all relationships. The patient's psychological dimension that defines the relationship with the haematologist is driven by an “all-absorbing” taking in charge of the physician fantasy, that often clashes with the hospital practicality. The relationship with other patients, with others that live the same experience, so called “companion” (from latin cum panis, who eats the same bread). Moving on from the results of this research, in the period of May 2010-July 2010, a first intervention was performed. In 5 pilot centres seminars were conducted by clinical psychologists in order to let patients interact with their physicians in a dedicated “space” different from a waiting room or an informative seminar. More than 100 people participated between patients, family members, physicians and nurses. With the findings of this research a questionnaire will be designed and administered to a wider multiple myeloma patient sample. Disclosures: Pelagalli: Celgene: Research Funding. Boccadoro:Celgene, Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, scientific advisory board, research support. Petrucci:Janssen-Cilag, Celgene: Honoraria.