ALBERT

Description: Background: Although clearly unsatisfactory, melphalan and prednisone remains the gold standard for elderly MM patients. Therefore new treatment strategies are needed for these patients. The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (VELCADE) has shown significant activity in refractory/relapsed MM patients. Moreover, in vitro synergy has been reported when bortezomib is combined with cytotoxic agents such as melphalan. Aim: To define the appropriate dose of bortezomib in combination with MP and to analyse the toxicity and efficacy of V-MP (in terms of response) in untreated MM pts ≥ 65 years old. Methods: Treatment schedule consisting of four 6-week cycles followed by five 5-week cycles. First, two sequential dose levels of bortezomib (1.0 and 1.3 mg/m2) (6 pts each) were explored, administered on days 1,4,8,11,22,25,29 and 32 in combination with oral melphalan, 9 mg/m2 and prednisone, 60mg/m2 once daily on days 1 to 4. When maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of bortezomib in combination with MP was defined, the cohort of pts at the MTD was expanded to up to 60 patients to further refine estimates of efficacy and toxicity (PhaseII). Results: Median age of the 60 enrolled pts was 74(65–85) and the median number of cycles so far received is 3(1–9). During PhaseI, no dose limiting toxicity(DLT) was observed in the two cohorts of pts, and the recommended dose for phaseII was 1.3 mg/m2 of bortezomib in combination with MP. 53pts are evaluable for efficacy since they have already completed at least the first cycle. Analysis of response after cycle 1 revealed a Response Rate(RR) of 72%(6%CR with Immunofixation negative(CRIF-), 2%CRIF+ and 64%Partial Response(PR)). Analysis of best response after a median of 3 cycles revealed a RR of 85%(28%CRIF-, 11%CRIF+ and 45%PR); an additional pt(2%) achieved Minor Response(MR) and 7(13%) stable disease. The toxicity was manageable. Adverse events G3-4 reported for 60 pts included: Gastrointestinal toxicity, such as nauseas(2%), vomiting(2%), diarrhoea(15%) and constipation(8%); haematological toxicity, such as anemia(12%), neutropenia(G3 in 26% and G4 in 13%) and thrombocytopenia(G3 in 33% and G4 in 13%); infection(G3 en 12% and G4 in 2%) and peripheral neuropathy(G3 in 13% and G4 in 2%). Bortezomib and melphalan dose modification was required in 6 and 2 pts, respectively. Eight pts so far have been discontinued due to toxicity related to study medication: peripheral neuropathy in 5(G2 in 1, G3 in 2 and G4 in 2), diarrhoea in 1(G3), infection in 1(G3) and prolonged thrombocytopenia in 1(G4). With a median follow up of 7 months (range:3–15), two responding pts have progressed (months +9and+10), 54(90%) are alive and 6(10%) have died. Cause of death was lung cancer diagnosed 1 month after start of study treatment(1), progressive disease(1), septic shock(2), pulmonary thromboembolism (1) and pulmonary hypertension with right ventricular insufficiency and multiorganic failure(1). Conclusion: V-MP shows a high response rate(85% with 28%CRIF-) and manageable toxicities and could replace MP as the standard of care for elderly MM pts. An international phase 3 randomized trial is in progress to examine this.

Description: We report on a series of 26 patients diagnosed with primary (de novo) plasma cell (PC) leukemia (PCL) in whom we analyzed the clinicobiologic characteristics of the disease together with the immunophenotype, DNA cell content, proliferative index, and numeric chromosomal aberrations of the neoplastic PC, and compared them with 664 multiple myeloma (MM) patients at diagnosis. The median age, sex ratio, and bone lesion extension were similar, but PCL cases displayed a higher prevalence of clinical stage III, extramedullary involvement, and Bence Jones cases, with fewer IgA cases than for MM patients. In addition, according to several prognostic indicators (β2-microglobulin serum level, proportion of S-phase PCs, proteinuria, calcium serum level, lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and renal function), the incidence of adverse prognostic factors was significantly higher in PCL versus MM. Immunophenotypic expression was similar for CD38, CD138, CD2, CD3, CD16, CD10, CD13, and CD15, but PCL differed from MM in the expression of CD56, CD9 HLA-DR, CD117, and CD20 antigens. Twenty-two PCL cases were diploid and one was hypodiploid, while most MM cases (57%) showed DNA hyperdiploidy. With the fluorescent in situ hydridization (FISH) technique, 12 of 13 PCL cases displayed the numeric aberrations, −13 (86%), ±1 (57%), +18 (43%), and −X in women (25%), but they lacked several numeric aberrations usually found in MM such as +3, +6, +9, +11, and +15. PCL cases had a lower overall response to therapy than MM cases (38% v 63%, P = .01332). Among PCL patients, a trend for a worse response was observed in cases treated with melphalan and prednisone (MP) versus polychemotherapy. Overall survival was significantly worse in PCL versus MM patients (8 v 36 months,P 

Description: Recent observations indicate that chromosome aberrations are important prognostic factors in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) treated with high-dose chemotherapy. Nevertheless, the inherent problems of conventional cytogenetics have hampered the systematic evaluation of this parameter in series of patients treated with conventional chemotherapy. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis is an attractive alternative for evaluation of numerical chromosomal changes. In the present study, we analyze the relationship between aneuploidies of 15 different chromosomes assessed by FISH and prognosis in a series of 63 patients with MM treated with conventional chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 61 months (range, 6 to 109), 49% of patients are still alive with a median survival of 33 months. The overall incidence of numerical chromosome abnormalities was 70%. This incidence significantly increased when seven or more chromosomes were analyzed (53 patients), reaching 81%. Trisomies of chromosomes 6, 9, and 17 were associated with prolonged survival (P = .033, P = .035, and P = .026, respectively); by contrast, overall survival (OS) was lower in cases with monosomy 13 (as assessed by deletion of Rb gene,P = .0012). From the clinical point of view, loss of Rb gene was associated with a poor performance status; low hemoglobin levels; high creatinine, C-reactive protein, and lactic dehydrogenase serum levels; high percentage of bone marrow plasma cells (BMPC); extensive bone lytic lesions; and advanced clinical stage. Other chromosome abnormalities such as trisomy of chromosome 9 and 17 were associated with good prognostic features including high hemoglobin levels, early clinical stage, β2microglobulin less than 6 μg/mL, and low percentage of BMPC. A multivariate analysis for OS showed that S-phase PC greater than 3% (P = .010) and β2microglobulin serum levels greater than 6 μg/mL (P = .024), together with monosomy of chromosome 13 (P = .031) and nontrisomy of chromosome 6 (P = .048) was the best combination of independent parameters for predicting survival in patients with MM. According to these results, chromosomal analysis is of great use in patients with MM at diagnosis to have a correct prognostic evaluation for clinical decision making.

Description: Recent observations indicate that chromosome aberrations are important prognostic factors in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) treated with high-dose chemotherapy. Nevertheless, the inherent problems of conventional cytogenetics have hampered the systematic evaluation of this parameter in series of patients treated with conventional chemotherapy. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis is an attractive alternative for evaluation of numerical chromosomal changes. In the present study, we analyze the relationship between aneuploidies of 15 different chromosomes assessed by FISH and prognosis in a series of 63 patients with MM treated with conventional chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 61 months (range, 6 to 109), 49% of patients are still alive with a median survival of 33 months. The overall incidence of numerical chromosome abnormalities was 70%. This incidence significantly increased when seven or more chromosomes were analyzed (53 patients), reaching 81%. Trisomies of chromosomes 6, 9, and 17 were associated with prolonged survival (P = .033, P = .035, and P = .026, respectively); by contrast, overall survival (OS) was lower in cases with monosomy 13 (as assessed by deletion of Rb gene,P = .0012). From the clinical point of view, loss of Rb gene was associated with a poor performance status; low hemoglobin levels; high creatinine, C-reactive protein, and lactic dehydrogenase serum levels; high percentage of bone marrow plasma cells (BMPC); extensive bone lytic lesions; and advanced clinical stage. Other chromosome abnormalities such as trisomy of chromosome 9 and 17 were associated with good prognostic features including high hemoglobin levels, early clinical stage, β2microglobulin less than 6 μg/mL, and low percentage of BMPC. A multivariate analysis for OS showed that S-phase PC greater than 3% (P = .010) and β2microglobulin serum levels greater than 6 μg/mL (P = .024), together with monosomy of chromosome 13 (P = .031) and nontrisomy of chromosome 6 (P = .048) was the best combination of independent parameters for predicting survival in patients with MM. According to these results, chromosomal analysis is of great use in patients with MM at diagnosis to have a correct prognostic evaluation for clinical decision making.

Description: We report on a series of 26 patients diagnosed with primary (de novo) plasma cell (PC) leukemia (PCL) in whom we analyzed the clinicobiologic characteristics of the disease together with the immunophenotype, DNA cell content, proliferative index, and numeric chromosomal aberrations of the neoplastic PC, and compared them with 664 multiple myeloma (MM) patients at diagnosis. The median age, sex ratio, and bone lesion extension were similar, but PCL cases displayed a higher prevalence of clinical stage III, extramedullary involvement, and Bence Jones cases, with fewer IgA cases than for MM patients. In addition, according to several prognostic indicators (β2-microglobulin serum level, proportion of S-phase PCs, proteinuria, calcium serum level, lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and renal function), the incidence of adverse prognostic factors was significantly higher in PCL versus MM. Immunophenotypic expression was similar for CD38, CD138, CD2, CD3, CD16, CD10, CD13, and CD15, but PCL differed from MM in the expression of CD56, CD9 HLA-DR, CD117, and CD20 antigens. Twenty-two PCL cases were diploid and one was hypodiploid, while most MM cases (57%) showed DNA hyperdiploidy. With the fluorescent in situ hydridization (FISH) technique, 12 of 13 PCL cases displayed the numeric aberrations, −13 (86%), ±1 (57%), +18 (43%), and −X in women (25%), but they lacked several numeric aberrations usually found in MM such as +3, +6, +9, +11, and +15. PCL cases had a lower overall response to therapy than MM cases (38% v 63%, P = .01332). Among PCL patients, a trend for a worse response was observed in cases treated with melphalan and prednisone (MP) versus polychemotherapy. Overall survival was significantly worse in PCL versus MM patients (8 v 36 months,P 

Description: For more than 25 years, melphalan and prednisone has remained as the gold standard treatment for elderly multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Bortezomib has shown significant activity with manageable toxicity in refractory/relapse MM patients. Moreover, in vitro synergy has been reported when bortezomib is combined with cytotoxic agents such as melphalan. Aim: To define the appropriate dose of bortezomib in combination with MP and to analyse the efficacy of V-MP in untreated MM patients ≥ 65 years old. Methods: This is a dose escalation study with two sequential dose levels (Ph 1) and expansion of the cohort at the MTD by 60 patients to further refine estimates of efficacy (Ph 2). In the first cohort, bortezomib (1mg/m2) was administered as a iv bolus to 6 consecutive patients on days 1,4,8,11,22,25,29 and 32 followed by a 10 day rest period in combination with oral melphalan, 9 mg/m2, and prednisone, 60mg/m2, once daily on days 1 to 4. In the 2nd cohort, bortezomib was administered at 1.3mg/m2. MTD was defined as that dose level below which 2/6 patients had a DLT. Patients: 12 patients have been enrolled to date - 6 in cohort 1 and 6 in cohort 2. Results: Toxicity has been manageable. The first cohort at 1 mg/m2 has completed at least two 6-week treatment cycles. There was no DLT in the first cycle. The 2nd cohort has enrolled 6-patients at a dose of 1.3 mg/m2 but none has completed the first cycle yet. In the first cohort, there was one patient with grade 3 neutropenia (ANC = 0,668) observed at Cycle 1 Day 25. During the second cycle, there were no patients with grade 4 therapy-related toxicity and only one grade 3 adverse event (neutropenia) was observed. The most common grade1 or 2 toxicities were nausea, vomiting, rash, constipation, diarrhea, fever, herpes zoster infection, anorexia, neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia. Ocular neuropathic pain (grade 2) developed de novo in 1 patient during the first cycle; one dose of bortezomib was held and the adverse event resolved with analgesic treatment in 4 days. Treatment was continued at a dose of 0,5 mg/m2 at D11 and D22. After this date, bortezomib at 1.0 mg/m2 was restarted. The second cohort is in the first 6-week cycle at present, so observations are limited. One serious adverse event (pulmonary embolism and probably septic shock with death) was observed in this cohort in a patient at day +11. He had normal WBC. Two grade 3 adverse events (leucopenia and neutropenia) were observed in one patient. Other grade 1 or 2 toxicities are similar to those observed in the first cohort. Regarding response, after two cycles of treatment, in the first cohort, 3 out of the 6 patients have experienced 〉50% reduction in M-protein (two with 〉 75% reduction) and the others three have experienced either a minor response (1) or stable disease (2). In the second cohort, response data are not available at this time. Conclusion:The combination of V-MP is well tolerated at standard doses of MP with bortezomib 1 mg/m2 with no DLTs in 6-patients. Bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2) is being explored in the second 6-patient cohort in order to define the MTD. So far, no patient has developed DLT. Rapid M-protein responses have been seen. Results will be updated and presented for the 2nd cohort.