ALBERT

Description: Carfilzomib is a selective proteasome inhibitor that binds irreversibly to its target. In phase 1 studies, carfilzomib elicited promising responses and an acceptable toxicity profile in patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM). In the present phase 2, multicenter, open-label study, 129 bortezomib-naive patients with R/R MM (median of 2 prior therapies) were separated into Cohort 1, scheduled to receive intravenous carfilzomib 20 mg/m2 for all treatment cycles, and Cohort 2, scheduled to receive 20 mg/m2 for cycle 1 and then 27 mg/m2 for all subsequent cycles. The primary end point was an overall response rate (≥ partial response) of 42.4% in Cohort 1 and 52.2% in Cohort 2. The clinical benefit response (overall response rate + minimal response) was 59.3% and 64.2% in Cohorts 1 and 2, respectively. Median duration of response was 13.1 months and not reached, and median time to progression was 8.3 months and not reached, respectively. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were fatigue (62.0%) and nausea (48.8%). Single-agent carfilzomib elicited a low incidence of peripheral neuropathy—17.1% overall (1 grade 3; no grade 4)—in these pretreated bortezomib-naive patients. The results of the present study support the use of carfilzomib in R/R MM patients. This trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00530816.

Description: Key Points Twice-weekly oral ixazomib appears tolerable, with no severe neuropathy seen to date, in heavily pretreated multiple myeloma patients. These phase 1 data suggest clinical activity including 76% stable disease or better, with durable responses and sustained disease control.

Description: Abstract 990 Introduction: This study aimed to determine activity and safety of weekly bortezomib (Takeda Inc) and temsirolimus (Pfizer Inc) in patients with relapsed/refractory Multiple Myeloma (MM). Methods: Eligibility criteria included: 1) patients with relapsed or relapsed/refractory MM with any prior lines of therapy including bortezomib, 2) no chemotherapy within 3 weeks, or biological/novel therapy within 2 weeks. Primary endpoint was the percent of patients with at least a minimal response (MR). Results: Twenty patients were enrolled on the phase I study and 43 on the phase II study. The MTD was determined at 1.6 mg/m2 bortezomib Days 1, 8, 15, and 22 every 35 days in combination with 25 mg IV temsirolimus Days 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 every 35 days. Twenty % were stage III by ISS staging system in the phase I, and 21% in the phase II. The overall response rate of MR or better in the Phase II study was 20/43 (47%, 95%CI: 33,60), with 5% CR, 9% VGPR, 19% PR and 14% MR. Progression without any response occurred in just 1 patient (3%). One patient had an unconfirmed PR, but was included in the stable disease category. An additional 3 (6%) patients were unevaluable in the phase II trial because they did not complete their first cycle of therapy and had no follow up laboratory results for response. If these patients are excluded, the ORR including MR improves to 50% (95% CI: 36,64). The overall response rate in the phase I study was 20% with responses occurring in all the stages of the dose escalation. If three patients who were unevaluable in the phase I trial are excluded, then the response rate of evaluable phase I patients is 24% (95% CI: 9,46). Response was also evaluated by whether patients were bortezomib-refractory or not. These were defined as progressing while on therapy or progressing within 60 days of completing bortezomib therapy. Fifty-one patients had received bortezomib as part of prior treatment. Of these patients, 32 were refractory to bortezomib therapy immediately prior to study entry, and an additional 2 pts were refractory at prior time points. Responses observed among the 32 patients refractory to their most recent bortezomib therapy include 3 PR and 3 MR (ORR: 19%, 95% CI: 9,34). Another 21 patients had SD, 2 PD and 3 patients were unevaluable. Of the evaluable patients, the ORR was 6/29 (21%). Responses observed among the 19 patients who were not refractory to their last bortezomib treatment include 2 VGPR, 5 PR and 3 MR with 6 patients with SD, 0 PD and 3 unevaluable. The ORR among the evaluable patients who received bortezomib but were not refractory was 62%. Median time to response of MR or better (min, max) among all patients was 1.7 months (0.5,14.2) and among phase II patients 1.3 months (0.5,8.0). Median duration of MR or better (min, max) among all patients is 5.2 months (0.5,15.8) and among phase II patients is 4.6 months (0.5,10.8). Median duration of PR or better response (min, max) among all patients is 6.0 months (1.8,15.8) and among phase II patients is 5.2 months (1.8,10.8). The median time to progression for all patients in the phase I and II studies was 7.3 months (95% CI: 5.7 –17.2) and the median progression free survival was 6.4 months (95% CI: 4.8–7.4). The median overall survival in all phase I and II patients was 11.4 months (95%CI: 8.6-undetermined). Three deaths occurred during therapy in the phase I and II studies, 1 of septic shock, 1 with H1N1 infection, and 1 with cardiac amyloid and ventricular arrhythmia. The most common G1-4 toxicities that occurred in 〉 25% of patients included cytopenias, hypertrigyceridemia and diarrhea. Grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 48% of patients in the phase I and II studies, G3 and 4 neutropenia occurred in 36%, and anemia in 26% of phase I and II patients. G3 and 4 hypertriglyceridemia occurred in 5% and diarrhea in 9%. Peripheral neuropathy (PN) was rare with no G3 or 4 neuropathy reported. Overall, there was 34% grade 1 and 2 PN seen. Conclusions: The combination of weekly bortezomib and temsirolimus showed an encouraging response rate in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed or refractory MM, with an overall response rate in evaluable patients as part of the phase II portion of the trial of 50%, and a 21% ORR including MR or better in evaluable bortezomib refractory patients. Cytopenias were the most common toxicities, specifically thrombocytopenia, as well as GI toxicity, with side effects proving manageable. Significant PN was rare in this study. Disclosures: Ghobrial: Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Vij:Novartis: Honoraria; Eisai: Speakers Bureau. Munshi:Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Jakubowiak:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Centocor Ortho Biotech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Exelixis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Anderson:Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Richardson:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Description: Abstract 813FN2 Introduction: Carfilzomib is a next-generation proteasome inhibitor that selectively and irreversibly binds to its target, resulting in sustained inhibition absent of off-target effects relative to bortezomib. Carfilzomib has demonstrated durable anti-tumor activity and an acceptable tolerability profile in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Final results will be presented for the bortezomib-naïve group of PX-171-004, a phase 2 study of single-agent carfilzomib in patients with relapsed and/or refractory MM. Herein we report the most recent data analysis available at time of abstract submission. Updated final results for the bortezomib-naïve group of PX-171-004, including OS data, will be presented at the meeting. Methods: Patients received either 20 mg/m2 for all treatment cycles (Cohort 1) or a stepped-up dose-escalating regimen of 20 mg/m2 for Cycle 1 and 27 mg/m2 for all treatment cycles thereafter (Cohort 2). Carfilzomib was administered over 2–10 minutes on Days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 of every 28-day cycle, for a maximum of 12 cycles. The primary endpoint was the best overall response rate (ORR; [CR + VGPR + PR]) determined according to the IMWG Uniform Response Criteria. Secondary endpoints included the clinical benefit response rate (CBR; [ORR + MR per EBMT criteria]), progression-free survival (PFS), time to progression (TTP), duration of response (DOR), OS, and safety. The result of efficacy analysis from disease assessment by the Independent Review Committee is presented in this abstract. Results: 127 of 129 enrolled bortezomib-naïve patients were evaluable for response. Prior therapies included thalidomide (59%), lenalidomide (59%), alkylating agents (81%), and stem cell transplant (73%). Patients had received a median of 2 prior regimens (1 in 54 patients, 2 in 40 patients, 3 in 28 patients, and ≥4 in 7 patients). 84 patients (65%) were disease refractory to their most recent therapy, defined as ≤25% response or progression during or within 60 days after completion of therapy. The median duration of carfilzomib treatment is 7 cycles (range 1−12) in Cohort 1; 8 patients were receiving drug as of February 2011 in Cohort 2 with a median treatment of 6.5 cycles (range 1−13) at that time. Best ORR was 42% in Cohort 1 and 52% in Cohort 2. Median TTP was 8.3 months and median DOR was 13.1 months in Cohort 1. The median TTP and DOR for Cohort 2 have not been reached at the time of this interim analysis; the lower bound of the 95% CI for the median TTP was 10.2 months, and 84% were estimated to have DOR ≥1 year at the time of data cutoff. Higher response rates for Cohort 2 compared with Cohort 1 do not appear to be associated with higher toxicities. Patients with unfavorable cytogenetic characteristics (≥1 abnormality) per mSMART criteria had an ORR of 37% and CBR of 42% compared with 50% and 65%, respectively, for patients with no abnormality. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs), regardless of relationship to carfilzomib in Cohorts 1 and 2, respectively, were fatigue (71%, 54%), nausea (54%, 43%), anemia (46%, 37%), and dyspnea (49%, 33%). These were primarily ≤Grade 2 in severity. The most common Grade 3/4 AEs were anemia (15%), lymphopenia (15%), thrombocytopenia (13%), pneumonia (12%) and neutropenia (12%). Treatment-emergent peripheral neuropathy (PN) was mild and infrequent (16%). Only 1 case of Grade 3 PN (0.8%) was observed. Overall, 38 patients (30%) completed 12 cycles and 22 of these patients continued to receive carfilzomib therapy under a safety extension protocol (PX-171-010), an ongoing, multicenter, open-label phase 2 study to monitor long-term use of single-agent carfilzomib. Conclusions: To date we have seen robust and durable single-agent activity for carfilzomib in bortezomib-naïve patients with relapsed and often refractory MM with an ORR of 42−52% and a CBR of 59−63% from 2 separate dose cohorts in a population wherein 92% received an immunomodulatry drug and 73% had undergone an autologous stem cell transplant previously. These data are suggestive of a dose–response relationship and are being further evaluated in the exploratory phase 1b/2 study PX-171-007. Carfilzomib was associated with minimal PN and excellent long-term tolerability, with nearly one-third of patients completing 12 cycles and 22 of these continuing treatment beyond 1 year in the extension protocol PX-171-010. Disclosures: Vij: Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Speakers Bureau. Kaufman:Millenium: Consultancy; Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Keryx: Consultancy; Merck: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Jakubowiak:Ortho Biotech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Exelixis: Consultancy, Honoraria. Wang:Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Jagannath:Millennium: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Merck: Honoraria; OrthoBiotec.Imedex: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Medicom World Wide: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Optum Health Education: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; PER Group: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kukreti:Celgene: Honoraria. Alsina:Millennium: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Allergan: Research Funding. Belch:Celgene: Research Funding; Onyx: Research Funding. Gabrail:Millennium: Research Funding. Matous:Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Millenium: Speakers Bureau; Cephalon: Speakers Bureau. Vesole:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Speakers Bureau. Orlowski:Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kunkel:VLST biothech: Consultancy; Threshold: Consultancy; Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Wong:Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership. Stewart:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding.

Description: Abstract 862 Background: Carfilzomib (Cfz) is a novel, irreversible proteasome inhibitor that has demonstrated promising single-agent activity and favorable toxicity profile, including very low rates of peripheral neuropathy and neutropenia in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). Combining Cfz with Lenalidomide (Revlimid®, Len), and Dexamethasone (Dex) into CRd shows an additive anti-MM effect in preclinical studies and lack of overlapping toxicity allowing for the use of these agents at full doses and for extended duration of time in relapsed/refractory MM (Niesvizky et al, ASH, 2009). This Phase I/II study was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of CRd and to assess safety and evaluate efficacy of this combination in newly diagnosed MM. Methods: In Phase I, dose escalation follows the TITE-CRM algorithm, with Cfz as the only escalating agent starting at 20 mg/m2 (level 1), maximal planned dose 27 mg/m2 (level 2), and 15 mg/m2, if needed (level -1), given IV on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 in 28-day cycles. Len is used at 25 mg PO (days 1–21), and Dex at 40/20 mg PO weekly (cycles 1–4/5-8) for all dose levels. Based on toxicity assessment, the study was amended to add dose level 3 with Cfz at 36 mg/m2 and the number of pts in the Phase I was increased to 35. A total of 36 pts are planned to be treated at the MTD in Phase I/II. Pts who achieve ≥ PR can proceed to stem cell collection (SCC) and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) after ≥ 4 cycles, although per protocol design, ASCT candidates are offered to continue CRd treatment after SCC. After completion of 8 cycles, pts receive 28-day maintenance cycles with Cfz (days 1, 2 15, 16), Len days 1–21, and Dex weekly at the doses tolerated at the end of 8 cycles. Responses are assessed by IMWG criteria with the addition of nCR. Results: The study has enrolled 24 pts to date, 4 pts at level 1 (Cfz 20), 14 at level 2 (Cfz 27) and at 6 at level 3 (Cfz 36). Toxicity data are available for 21 pts, of which 19 have completed at least the first cycle required for DLT assessment; 2 pts were removed during the first cycle for events unrelated to study therapy (1 at level 1 and 1 at level 2), and 3 are currently within their first cycle of treatment. There was a single DLT event at dose level 2 (non-febrile neutropenia requiring dose reduction of Len per protocol) and the MTD has not been reached. Hematologic toxicities were reversible and included Grade (G) 3/4 neutropenia in 3 pts, G3/4 thrombocytopenia in 3, and G3 anemia in 2. There have been additional G3 non-hematologic AEs including 1 case of DVT while on ASA prophylaxis, 1 fatigue, 1 mood alteration, and 5 glucose elevations; the last 2 AEs were related to Dex. There was no emergence of peripheral neuropathy (PN), even after prolonged treatment, except in 2 pts who developed G1 sensory PN. Twenty-three pts continue on treatment, most (20 pts) without need for any dose modifications. After a median of 4 (range 1–8) months of treatment, preliminary response rates by IMWG in 19 evaluable pts who completed at least 1 cycle are: 100% ≥ PR, 63% ≥ VGPR, 37% CR/nCR, including 3 pts with sCR. Responses were rapid with 17 of 19 pts achieving PR after 1 cycle and improving responses with continuing therapy in all pts. To date, 7 pts proceeded to SCC using growth factors only, with a median 6.3 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg collected (range 4.1–8.2), after a median of 4 cycles of CRd (range 4–8); all resumed CRd treatment after SCC. After a median of 4 months of follow-up, none of evaluable pts progressed and all are alive. Conclusion: CRd is well tolerated and highly active in newly diagnosed MM with ≥ PR of 100%, including 63% ≥VGPR and 37% CR/nCR. Accrual is ongoing, with updated toxicity and efficacy data to be presented at the meeting. The results of this study represent the first report of treatment of frontline myeloma with Cfz to date, and provide additional support to recently initiated Phase 3 trial of CRd vs. Rd in relapsed MM. Disclosures: Jakubowiak: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Exelixis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Centocor OrthoBiotech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Off Label Use: Lenalidomide for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Jagannath:Millennium: Honoraria; OrthoBiotech (Canada): Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Merck: Honoraria; Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Proteolix, Inc: Honoraria; Imedex: Speakers Bureau; Medicom World Wide: Speakers Bureau; Optum Health Education: Speakers Bureau; PER Group: Speakers Bureau. Vesole:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Anderson:Millennium: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Stockerl-Goldstein:Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Speakers Bureau. Barrickman:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Kauffman:Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership. Vij:Proteolix: Consultancy; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Onyx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau.

Description: Abstract 631 Introduction: In relapsed and/or refractory MM, the combination of carfilzomib (CFZ) with lenalidomide (Len), and low-dose dexamethasone (Dex) (CRd) has shown very promising efficacy (78% ≥partial response [PR], 40% ≥very good partial response [VGPR], and 24% CR/nCR) and good tolerability including a low rate of peripheral neuropathy (Wang et al, ASCO, 2011). In a Phase I/II study of newly diagnosed MM, the regimen was well tolerated in the Phase I portion of the study up to a maximum dose of CFZ 36 mg/m2, Len 25 mg, and Dex 40 mg, and very active with 96% ≥PR, 70% ≥VGPR, and 55% CR/nCR (Jakubowiak et al, ASH 2010). The lack of overlapping toxicities has allowed these agents to be used at full doses and for extended periods. Here we report the results for all patients (pts) enrolled in both phases of this first prospective trial of CFZ combination in new MM. Methods: In the initial eight 28-day cycles, pts were treated with CFZ at 20 mg/m2, 27 mg/m2 (Phase I), and 36 mg/m2 (Phase I and II), given IV on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16, Len at 25 mg PO (days 1–21), and Dex at 40/20 mg PO weekly (cycles 1–4/5–8). Pts achieving ≥PR could proceed to stem cell collection (SCC) using growth factors alone (protocol recommendation) and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) after 4 cycles. Per protocol, ASCT candidates were offered the option to continue CRd treatment after SCC. After 8 cycles, pts received 28-day maintenance cycles of CFZ (days 1, 2, 15, 16), Len days 1–21, and Dex weekly at the doses tolerated at the end of 8 cycles. Responses were assessed by IMWG criteria with the addition of nCR. Results: Enrollment was completed (53 pts): 4 pts at CFZ 20 mg/m2, 13 at CFZ 27 mg/m2 and 36 at CFZ 36 mg/m2 (18 in Phase I and 18 in Phase II). Median age was 59 years (range 35–81; 23 pts ≥65), 60% had ISS stage II/III, and 33% (of 49 with available data) had unfavorable cytogenetics: del 13 or hypodiploidy by metaphase, or t(4;14), t (14;16), del 17p by FISH. As of June 30, 2011, toxicity data (cycles 1–8) were available for 51 pts. Hematologic toxicities were reversible and included Grade (G) 3/4: anemia (18%), neutropenia (12%), and thrombocytopenia (10%). The most common non-hematologic toxicities (all G) were hyperglycemia (76%), hypophosphatemia (61%), and infection (53%). G3/4 non-hematologic AEs included hyperglycemia (24%), DVT/PE while on ASA prophylaxis (10%), infection (6%), and mood alteration (2%). PN was limited to G1/2 sensory (24%). Forty-five pts continue treatment with 22 pts in the maintenance phase. Six pts discontinued treatment: 2 proceeded to ASCT, 1 due to toxicity, and 3 due to events unrelated to treatment or per pt wish. The majority of pts did not require dose modifications, either in the initial (31%) or in the maintenance (25%) phase. After a median of 8 cycles (range 1–20), the best responses per IMWG criteria for 49 response-evaluable pts (all pts who completed 1+ cycle) are shown in the Table. Responses were rapid with 46/49 pts achieving at least PR after 1 cycle, and improved with the duration of treatment reaching 100% ≥PR after 4 cycles and 100% ≥VGPR, 79% CR/nCR after 12 cycles. Responses were deep even at the 2 lower dose levels with the majority of pts at 36 mg/m2 still early in treatment. Responses in pts with unfavorable cytogenetics were similar to response rates in all remaining pts and included a 100% ≥PR in 6 pts with del 17p. Twenty-four pts proceeded to SCC after a median of 5 cycles of CRd (range 4–9); using growth factors only in 23 pts and cyclophosphamide and growth factors in 1 pt, with a median 6.55 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg collected (range 3.75–9.6); all resumed CRd treatment. After a median of 9.5 months of follow-up, only 1 pt has progressed, and all are alive Conclusions: CRd is highly active and well-tolerated allowing the use of full doses for an extended time in newly-diagnosed MM pts with limited need for dose modification. Responses are rapid and improve over time reaching 100% ≥VGPR and early time-to-event data are very encouraging. These results compare favorably to the best frontline regimens in MM. Disclosures: Jakubowiak: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Ortho Biotech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Exelixis: Consultancy, Honoraria. Off Label Use: Use of the investigational agent carfilzomib, proteasome inhibitor, in the treatment of relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma. Jagannath:Millennium: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Merck: Honoraria; OrthoBiotec.Imedex: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Medicom World Wide: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Optum Health Education: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; PER Group: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Vesole:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Speakers Bureau. Hussein:Celgene Corporation: Employment. Leveque:Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Vij:Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Speakers Bureau.

Description: Introduction: Serum free light chains (sFLC) have a short 2–6hr serum half-life compared with up to 3 weeks for intact immunoglobulins (Ig). sFLC analysis (Freelite™, The Binding Site Inc) therefore provides earlier therapeutic information for Intact Ig Multiple Myeloma (IIMM) patients producing monoclonal FLC. Also, it may be a more sensitive method than urinary Bence Jones protein (BJP) analysis for monitoring light chain MM (LCMM) patients. We assessed the benefits of monitoring sFLC in addition to serum and urine M-protein in previously untreated MM patients receiving combination therapy with Velcade, Doxil, and Dexamethasone (VDD). Methods: 38/40 patients enrolled in a Phase II clinical trial received up to six 3-week VDD cycles (Velcade: 1.3 mg/m2IV; Days 1, 4, 8, 11, Doxil: 30 mg/m2 IV; Day 4, and Dexamethasone: 20 mg PO; Days 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12. During the first cycle, Dexamethasone was given at 40 mg per dose, with the first 10 patients receiving Dexamethasone at 40 mg PO on Days 1 – 4). Responses were determined based on uniform response criteria (URC, Durie et al. (2006) Leukemia20, 1467). 31/38 patients had IIMM (16 IgGκ, 8 IgGλ, 5 IgAκ, 2 IgAλ). 7/38 patients had LCMM (3 κFLC, 4 λFLC). 8/31 IIMM and 2/7 LCMM patients had sFLC levels

Description: Initial therapy with novel combinations including bortezomib, lenalidomide or thalidomide show a superior overall response rate (80–90% range) and high CR/nCR rate (20–30% range). Although a number of studies demonstrated that achieving CR/nCR after ASCT prolongs survival, it is not clear whether improved quality of response after initial cytoreduction impacts on overall outcome of treatment of myeloma. Recently, we completed accrual to a phase II trial of initial therapy with VDD for patients with active myeloma. The primary objective was to determine the rate of CR/nCR in response to VDD. Secondary objectives included overall response, safety, and feasibility of collection of peripheral blood stem cells. The regimen was given for six 3-week cycles as follows: Velcade at 1.3 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8, and 11, Doxil at 30 mg/m2 on day 4, and dexamethasone at 40 mg on days 1–4 for the first 10 patients and for the remaining patients at 20 mg per on days 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12 (same total dose of 160 mg dexamethasone per cycle). The study opened in July 2005 and enrolled 30 patients. Presently, 28 of 30 patients are evaluable for response of which 18 completed 6 cycles. The characteristics of the evaluable patients included: median age 61 (range 39–83), stage III disease in 26 patients (stage II in 2), chromosome 13 deletion in 12, t(4;14) in 2, median beta2-microglobulin 4.4. CR/nCR was observed in 9 patients (32%), very good partial response (VGPR) in 6 (21%), partial response (PR) in 10 (36%) and minor response (MR) in 1 (4%) for an overall response (≥ PR) of 89%, and ≥ VGPR of 53%. The change of dexamethasone schedule did not appear to affect response rates. There was no grade 4 hematological toxicity and grade 3 was limited, with thrombocytopenia in 2 patients and neutropenia in 1. There were no episodes of neutropenic fevers. Grade 3–4 non-hematological toxicities included 4 patients with fatigue, 3 patients with pneumonia, 2 with DVT/PE, 2 with hand-foot syndrome, 1 with partial small bowel obstruction, and 1 with diarrhea secondary to Cryptosporidium sp. Fatigue was significantly reduced after the change of dexamethasone schedule. Peripheral neuropathy was limited to grade 1–2 and observed in 9 patients. All patients are alive. To date, 18/18 patients had successful harvesting of peripheral blood stem cells (median 8.2 x 106 CD34+ cell/kg, range 3.2 to 41.2) and 17 completed at least a single autologous stem cell transplant using melphalan 200 mg/m2 as the preparative regimen (12 single, 5 tandem). Responses were further improved in 11 of these 17 patients bringing overall response rate (≥ PR) to 96%, with 79% of patients achieving ≥ VGPR and 54% achieving CR/nCR. These results indicate that initial treatment with VDD is very effective and well tolerated and does not adversely affect stem cell harvest. Moreover, it appears to improve probability of achieving CR/nCR and VGPR after transplant compared to results from randomized studies with single or tandem transplantation. Considering that achieving CR/nCR or VGPR after ASCT has been associated with improved survival, VDD appears promising as an initial treatment strategy to improve survival.

Description: Background: Combination regimens with Velcade demonstrate high activity in both relapsed/refractory and newly diagnosed MM, including higher than previously observed rates of complete responses (CR) and near complete responses (nCR). In this study, we evaluated the activity of a combination of Velcade, Doxil, and Dexamethasone (VDD) in relapsed/refractory MM. The rationale for combining these 3 agents was provided in pre-clinical studies which showed that Velcade can synergize with DNA-damaging agents via caspase-8 pathway and with Dexamethasone via caspase-9 pathway. In addition, prior clinical studies showed that combinations of Velcade with either Doxil or dexamethasone are well tolerated and more active than Velcade alone. The primary objective of the study was to assess the overall response to VDD and to estimate whether this combination can improve the rate of CR and nCR. Methods: The trial opened in November 2004 with target accrual of 30 patients. EBMT criteria were used for evaluation of response and nCR was defined as M-protein reduced to a level detectable by only immunofixation. The regimen in both relapsed/refractory and frontline trials was given as follows: Velcade at 1.3 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8, and 11, Doxil at 30 mg/m2 on day 4, and Dexamethasone at 40 mg orally on days 1–4. VDD was repeated every 3 weeks for a total of 6 cycles. After the completion of 6 cycles, patients in the relapsed/refractory trial were maintained on Velcade weekly and Dexamethasone on days 1–4 in 5-week cycles. Results: To date, 20 pts have been enrolled, 18 of whom are presently evaluable for response after receiving a mean of 3.6 cycles (range 1–6). The characteristics of the evaluable patients included the following: median age 62 (range 39–78), 1–5 prior lines of therapy, single autologous stem cell transplant in 14 patients, tandem transplant in 1 patient, allogeneic transplant in 1 patient, chromosome 13 deletion in 5 patients. Complete or near complete responses (CR + nCR) have been observed in 6 patients (33%), very good partial response and partial response (VGPR + PR) in 4 patients (22%) and minor response in 5 patients (28%) for an overall response (CR, nCR, VGPR, PR, MR) of 83%. One patient achieved stable disease and two progressed (11%). Of the 14 patients who achieved response, 8 continue treatment, 3 are in remission off therapy (2 in nCR and 1 in PR), 2 relapsed, and 1 died of pneumonitis during therapy. Grade 3 and 4 toxicities were mostly related to cytopenias (thrombocytopenia in 7 patients, neutropenia in 7 patients, pneumonitis in 5 patients) and occurred among patients who had baseline cytopenia at study entry. The most common grade 1 and 2 toxicities included fatigue, neuropathy, diarrhea, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. Conclusion: VDD combination shows promising overall activity and rate of CR and nCR and appears well tolerated. Based on these preliminary results, we have activated frontline VDD trial with 6 patients enrolled to date.

Description: Abstract 618 Introduction: Despite an increased number of new treatments, multiple myeloma (MM) remains mostly incurable. There is emerging evidence that achieving complete or near complete response (CR/nCR), or at least a 90% reduction of the disease (≥VGPR), in response to initial treatment when MM is most sensitive to chemotherapy is associated with improved progression-free survival (PFS) and possibly overall survival (OS). However, even with the most active regimens, a majority of patients (pts) with newly diagnosed MM achieve less than CR/nCR to initial therapy. The objective of this study is to establish predictors of response and drug resistance by applying proteomic profiling of MM. Here we present the analysis of differential proteomic profiling of baseline plasma cells (PCs) from pts with MM predicting achievement of CR/nCR after completion of a course of first line treatment with lenalidomide (Revlimid®), bortezomib (Velcade®), and dexamethasone (RVD) regimen. Methods: After obtaining informed consent from pts, we performed quantitative proteomic analysis of PCs isolated from bone marrow of 16 pts with previously untreated MM enrolled at the University of Michigan site in the Phase II portion of the multi-site frontline RVD clinical trial. Eight of the analyzed pts achieved CR/nCR, while the remaining had a lesser response (6 VGPR, 2 PR i.e ≥50% but 〈 90% reduction of disease). We used two independent proteomic platforms: iTRAQ (Isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantitation) technique in 8-plex variant, as well as a label-free approach (LF) based on spectra counting. PCs were acquired from bone marrow aspiration and, thereafter, were enriched with a RosetteSep negative selection kit (StemCell Technologies). In iTRAQ experiments, proteins were processed with reagents according to the manufacturer's protocol (Applied Biosystems) followed by SCX fractionation and LC-MS/MS analysis (4800 Plus MALDI TOF/TOF). Peptides from the MM1S cell line were used as an internal reference. The data were analyzed using ProteinPilot software. For LF analysis, proteins were pre-fractionated before trypsin digestion on NuPage Bis-Tris-Gel and subsequently run on LC-ESI-MS/MS on a linear trap mass spectrometer (LTQ Orbitrap). Database search was carried out using X!Tandem followed by Trans-proteomic Pipeline (TPP). A 1.5-fold difference in expression in both platforms was used as a cut-off value. Results: A total of 926 proteins were identified with high confidence (FDR