Showing papers by "Paul G. Richardson published in 2015"
VU University Amsterdam1, Heidelberg University2, University of Barcelona3, Harvard University4, Complutense University of Madrid5, Lille University of Science and Technology6, Marche Polytechnic University7, Mayo Clinic8, Emory University9, Sapienza University of Rome10, University of Bologna11, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences12, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens13, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center14, Erasmus University Rotterdam15, University of Navarra16, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes17
TL;DR: The R-ISS is a simple and powerful prognostic staging system, and it is recommended for use in future clinical studies to stratify patients with NDMM effectively with respect to the relative risk to their survival.
Abstract: Purpose The clinical outcome of multiple myeloma (MM) is heterogeneous. A simple and reliable tool is needed to stratify patients with MM. We combined the International Staging System (ISS) with chromosomal abnormalities (CA) detected by interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization after CD138 plasma cell purification and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to evaluate their prognostic value in newly diagnosed MM (NDMM). Patients and Methods Clinical and laboratory data from 4,445 patients with NDMM enrolled onto 11 international trials were pooled together. The K-adaptive partitioning algorithm was used to define the most appropriate subgroups with homogeneous survival. Results ISS, CA, and LDH data were simultaneously available in 3,060 of 4,445 patients. We defined the following three groups: revised ISS (R-ISS) I (n = 871), including ISS stage I (serum β2-microglobulin level < 3.5 mg/L and serum albumin level ≥ 3.5 g/dL), no high-risk CA [del(17p) and/or t(4;14) and/or t(14;16)], and normal LDH level (l...
1,350 citations
Emory University1, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens2, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre3, Medical University of Lublin4, Charles University in Prague5, University of Navarra6, Rabin Medical Center7, Ankara University8, Monash University9, Queen Mary University of London10, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center11, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine12, Dresden University of Technology13, Bristol-Myers Squibb14, Harvard University15
TL;DR: Patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who received a combination of elotuzumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone had a significant relative reduction of 30% in the risk of disease progression or death.
Abstract: BackgroundElotuzumab, an immunostimulatory monoclonal antibody targeting signaling lymphocytic activation molecule F7 (SLAMF7), showed activity in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in a phase 1b–2 study in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. MethodsIn this phase 3 study, we randomly assigned patients to receive either elotuzumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (elotuzumab group) or lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone (control group). Coprimary end points were progression-free survival and the overall response rate. Final results for the coprimary end points are reported on the basis of a planned interim analysis of progression-free survival. ResultsOverall, 321 patients were assigned to the elotuzumab group and 325 to the control group. After a median follow-up of 24.5 months, the rate of progression-free survival at 1 year in the elotuzumab group was 68%, as compared with 57% in the control group; at 2 years, the rates were 41% and 27%, respectively. Median progressi...
1,083 citations
TL;DR: Daratumumab monotherapy had a favorable safety profile and encouraging efficacy in patients with heavily pretreated and refractory myeloma, and no maximum tolerated dose was identified in part 1.
Abstract: BACKGROUND Multiple myeloma cells uniformly overexpress CD38. We studied daratumumab, a CD38-targeting, human IgG1κ monoclonal antibody, in a phase 1–2 trial involving patients with relapsed myeloma or relapsed myeloma that was refractory to two or more prior lines of therapy. METHODS In part 1, the dose-escalation phase, we administered daratumumab at doses of 0.005 to 24 mg per kilogram of body weight. In part 2, the dose-expansion phase, 30 patients received 8 mg per kilogram of daratumumab and 42 received 16 mg per kilogram, administered once weekly (8 doses), twice monthly (8 doses), and monthly for up to 24 months. End points included safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics. RESULTS No maximum tolerated dose was identified in part 1. In part 2, the median time since diagnosis was 5.7 years. Patients had received a median of four prior treatments; 79% of the patients had disease that was refractory to the last therapy received (64% had disease refractory to proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs and 64% had disease refractory to bortezomib and lenalidomide), and 76% had received autologous stem-cell transplants. Infusion-related reactions in part 2 were mild (71% of patients had an event of any grade, and 1% had an event of grade 3), with no dose-dependent adverse events. The most common adverse events of grade 3 or 4 (in ≥5% of patients) were pneumonia and thrombocytope nia. The overall response rate was 36% in the cohort that received 16 mg per kilogram (15 patients had a partial response or better, including 2 with a complete response and 2 with a very good partial response) and 10% in the cohort that received 8 mg per kilogram (3 had a partial response). In the cohort that received 16 mg per kilogram, the median progression-free survival was 5.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.2 to 8.1), and 65% (95% CI, 28 to 86) of the patients who had a response did not have progression at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS Daratumumab monotherapy had a favorable safety profile and encouraging efficacy in patients with heavily pretreated and refractory myeloma. (Funded by Janssen Research and Development and Genmab; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00574288.)
882 citations
University of Turin1, University of Salamanca2, Mayo Clinic3, Roswell Park Cancer Institute4, Emory University5, VU University Medical Center6, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens7, Cross Cancer Institute8, University of Ostrava9, Harvard University10, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center11, University of Navarra12, Erasmus University Rotterdam13
TL;DR: The frailty score predicts mortality and the risk of toxicity in elderly myeloma patients and is proposed for the measurement of frailty in designing future clinical trials.
533 citations
TL;DR: Pentoxifylline did not improve survival in patients with alcoholic hepatitis and prednisolone was associated with a reduction in 28-day mortality that did not reach significance and with no improvement in outcomes at 90 days or 1 year.
Abstract: BACKGROUND Alcoholic hepatitis is a clinical syndrome characterized by jaundice and liver impairment that occurs in patients with a history of heavy and prolonged alcohol use. The short-term mortality among patients with severe disease exceeds 30%. Prednisolone and pentoxifylline are both recommended for the treatment of severe alcoholic hepatitis, but uncertainty about their benefit persists. METHODS We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial with a 2-by-2 factorial design to evaluate the effect of treatment with prednisolone or pentoxifylline. The primary end point was mortality at 28 days. Secondary end points included death or liver transplantation at 90 days and at 1 year. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis and severe disease were randomly assigned to one of four groups: a group that received a pentoxifylline-matched placebo and a prednisolone-matched placebo, a group that received prednisolone and a pentoxifylline-matched placebo, a group that received pentoxifylline and a prednisolone-matched placebo, or a group that received both prednisolone and pentoxifylline. RESULTS A total of 1103 patients underwent randomization, and data from 1053 were available for the primary end-point analysis. Mortality at 28 days was 17% (45 of 269 patients) in the placebo–placebo group, 14% (38 of 266 patients) in the prednisolone–placebo group, 19% (50 of 258 patients) in the pentoxifylline–placebo group, and 13% (35 of 260 patients) in the prednisolone–pentoxifylline group. The odds ratio for 28-day mortality with pentoxifylline was 1.07 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77 to 1.49; P = 0.69), and that with prednisolone was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.52 to 1.01; P = 0.06). At 90 days and at 1 year, there were no significant between-group differences. Serious infections occurred in 13% of the patients treated with prednisolone versus 7% of those who did not receive prednisolone (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Pentoxifylline did not improve survival in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. Prednisolone was associated with a reduction in 28-day mortality that did not reach significance and with no improvement in outcomes at 90 days or 1 year. (Funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment program; STOPAH EudraCT number, 2009-013897-42, and Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN88782125.)
452 citations
Carolinas Healthcare System1, University of Pennsylvania2, University of Southern Denmark3, University of Calgary4, Cross Cancer Institute5, Emory University6, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill7, Harvard University8, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai9, Janssen Pharmaceutica10, Karolinska University Hospital11
TL;DR: In this pooled data set, daratumumab 16 mg/kg monotherapy demonstrated rapid, deep, and durable responses, with a clinical benefit that extended to patients with stable disease or better, and no new safety signals were identified.
342 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that checkpoint signaling plays an important role in providing the tumor-promoting, immune-suppressive microenvironment in multiple myeloma, and that PD-1/PD-L1 blockade induces anti–multiple myelomas immune response that can be enhanced by lenalidomide, providing the framework for clinical evaluation of combination therapy.
Abstract: Purpose: PD-1/PD-L1 signaling promotes tumor growth while inhibiting effector cell–mediated antitumor immune responses. Here, we assessed the impact of single and dual blockade of PD-1/PD-L1, alone or in combination with lenalidomide, on accessory and immune cell function as well as multiple myeloma cell growth in the bone marrow (BM) milieu. Experimental Design: Surface expression of PD-1 on immune effector cells, and PD-L1 expression on CD138 + multiple myeloma cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) were determined in BM from newly diagnosed (ND) multiple myeloma and relapsed/refractory (RR) multiple myeloma versus healthy donor (HD). We defined the impact of single and dual blockade of PD-1/PD-L1, alone and with lenalidomide, on autologous anti–multiple myeloma immune response and tumor cell growth. Results: Both ND and RR patient multiple myeloma cells have increased PD-L1 mRNA and surface expression compared with HD. There is also a significant increase in PD-1 expression on effector cells in multiple myeloma. Importantly, PD-1/PD-L1 blockade abrogates BM stromal cell (BMSC)-induced multiple myeloma growth, and combined blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 with lenalidomide further inhibits BMSC-induced tumor growth. These effects are associated with induction of intracellular expression of IFNγ and granzyme B in effector cells. Importantly, PD-L1 expression in multiple myeloma is higher on MDSC than on antigen-presenting cells, and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade inhibits MDSC-mediated multiple myeloma growth. Finally, lenalidomide with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade inhibits MDSC-mediated immune suppression. Conclusions: Our data therefore demonstrate that checkpoint signaling plays an important role in providing the tumor-promoting, immune-suppressive microenvironment in multiple myeloma, and that PD-1/PD-L1 blockade induces anti–multiple myeloma immune response that can be enhanced by lenalidomide, providing the framework for clinical evaluation of combination therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 21(20); 4607–18. ©2015 AACR .
254 citations
TL;DR: This work discovers and validate six previously unknown risk loci for PBC and used pathway analysis to identify JAK-STAT/IL12/IL27 signalling and cytokine–cytokine pathways, for which relevant therapies exist.
Abstract: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a classical autoimmune liver disease for which effective immunomodulatory therapy is lacking. Here we perform meta-analyses of discovery data sets from genome-wide association studies of European subjects (n=2,764 cases and 10,475 controls) followed by validation genotyping in an independent cohort (n=3,716 cases and 4,261 controls). We discover and validate six previously unknown risk loci for PBC (Pcombined<5 × 10(-8)) and used pathway analysis to identify JAK-STAT/IL12/IL27 signalling and cytokine-cytokine pathways, for which relevant therapies exist.
245 citations
TL;DR: This review focuses on panobinostat and its mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, and clinical data in the treatment of relapsed or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma.
Abstract: Panobinostat is a potent oral deacetylase inhibitor that alters gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms and inhibits protein degradation. It was recently approved by the FDA and EMA for use in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone in patients with multiple myeloma who have received ≥2 prior regimens, including bortezomib and an immunomodulatory drug. Panobinostat was approved based on results from the phase III PANORAMA 1 trial in patients with relapsed or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, which showed that panobinostat plus bortezomib and dexamethasone significantly extended progression-free survival (median, 12.0 months) compared with placebo plus bortezomib and dexamethasone (median, 8.1 months; P < 0.0001). Additional ongoing trials are evaluating panobinostat in combination with other partners in the relapsed/refractory and newly diagnosed treatment settings. This review focuses on panobinostat and its mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, and clinical data in the treatment of relapsed or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma.
196 citations
TL;DR: It is hypothesized that the observed panreactivity reflected DARA binding to CD38 on reagent RBCs, and methods to prevent this binding are investigated.
189 citations
TL;DR: Targeting PD1–PDL1 immune checkpoint in plasmacytoid dendritic cell interactions with T cells, natural killer cells and multiple myeloma cells is targeted.
Abstract: Targeting PD1–PDL1 immune checkpoint in plasmacytoid dendritic cell interactions with T cells, natural killer cells and multiple myeloma cells
TL;DR: The current treatment landscape for patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma is discussed and disease-related and patient-related factors—such as pre-existing comorbidities or toxicities—that are important considerations for clinicians when selecting an appropriate treatment regimen are highlighted.
Abstract: Recent developments in the treatment of multiple myeloma have led to improvements in response rates and to increased survival; however, relapse is inevitable in almost all patients. Recurrence of myeloma is typically more aggressive with each relapse, leading to the development of treatment-refractory disease, which is associated with a shorter survival. Several phase II and III trials have demonstrated the efficacy of recently approved agents in the setting of relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma, including immunomodulatory agents, such as lenalidomide and pomalidomide, and proteasome inhibitors, such as bortezomib and carfilzomib. Currently, however, there is no standard treatment for patients with relapsed and/or refractory disease. This Review discusses the current treatment landscape for patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma and highlights disease-related and patient-related factors--such as pre-existing comorbidities or toxicities--that are important considerations for clinicians when selecting an appropriate treatment regimen.
TL;DR: Elotuzumab combined with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma showed acceptable safety and efficacy that seems better than that previously noted with len Khalidomide only.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center1, French Institute of Health and Medical Research2, Karolinska Institutet3, University of Turin4, Medical College of Wisconsin5, Utrecht University6, Roswell Park Cancer Institute7, City of Hope National Medical Center8, Erasmus University Rotterdam9, Heidelberg University10, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai11, University of Copenhagen12, Mayo Clinic13, Peking University14, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens15, New York University16, Indiana University17, Harvard University18, University of Bologna19, Tufts University20, University of Würzburg21, Aalborg University22, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital23, Emory University24, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center25, Dalhousie University26, University of the Republic27, University of Navarra28, Lund University29, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center30, Ohio State University31, Duke University32, Oregon Health & Science University33, Sarah Cannon Research Institute34, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute35, University of Pennsylvania36
TL;DR: The expert committee underscored the importance of collecting enough hematopoietic stem cells to perform 2 transplantations early in the course of the disease, as well as highlighting knowledge gaps, and proposing a research agenda to move the research agenda forward.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that ASCT should remain a standard of care for young patients with de novo myeloma, and suggestions that RVD plus ASCT could be a future reference strategy in this setting are suggested.
TL;DR: A synthetic lethal approach enhancing oxidative stress while targeting replicative stress response, inducing tumor cell apoptosis in this patient subset of multiple myeloma patients with poor prognosis is defined.
Abstract: Ongoing DNA damage is a common feature of epithelial cancers. Here we show that tumor cells derived from multiple myeloma (MM), a disease of clonal plasma cells, demonstrate DNA replicative stress leading to DNA damage. We identified a poor prognosis subset of MM with extensive chromosomal instability and replicative stress which rely on ATR to compensate for DNA replicative stress; conversely, silencing of ATR or treatment with a specific ATR inhibitor triggers MM cell apoptosis. We show that oncogenes such as MYC induce DNA damage in MM cells not only by increased replicative stress, but also via increased oxidative stress, and that ROS-inducer piperlongumine triggers further DNA damage and apoptosis. Importantly, ATR inhibition combined with piperlongumine triggers synergistic MM cytotoxicity. This synthetic lethal approach, enhancing oxidative stress while concomitantly blocking replicative stress response, provides a novel combination targeted therapy to address an unmet medical need in this subset of MM.
TL;DR: Progress in medical research has enhanced understanding of tumor biology, delineated genetic and molecular mechanisms of tumor growth and survival, and defined the impact of the microenvironment in cancer pathogenesis, resulting in cancers deemed rapidly fatal only a few.
University of Nantes1, Medical University of Lublin2, University of Calgary3, Lund University4, University of Alberta5, Christchurch Hospital6, Middlemore Hospital7, North Shore Hospital8, Copenhagen University Hospital9, University of Turin10, University of Bologna11, Mayo Clinic12, Harvard University13, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company14
TL;DR: The study met the primary endpoint at the first IA, demonstrating a 35% improvement in PFS with IRd vs Rd, and met the final analysis for PFS, indicating ixazomib may overcome the negative impact of cytogenetic alterations.
TL;DR: To the editor: The treatment of multiple myeloma is rapidly evolving and standard rules for categorizing patients based on disease stage and uniform response criteria for assessing clinical benefit are not uniform.
TL;DR: The results demonstrate that MP-CTLs generated from SMM patients’ T cells show effective anti-MM responses including CD137 (4-1BB) upregulation, CTL proliferation, interferon-γ production and degranulation in an HLA-A2-restricted and peptide-specific manner and provide the rationale for clinical evaluation of a therapeutic vaccine to prevent or delay progression of SMM to active disease.
Abstract: We evaluated a cocktail of HLA-A2-specific peptides including heteroclitic XBP1 US184-192 (YISPWILAV), heteroclitic XBP1 SP367-375 (YLFPQLISV), native CD138260-268 (GLVGLIFAV) and native CS1239-247 (SLFVLGLFL), for their ability to elicit multipeptide-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (MP-CTLs) using T cells from smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) patients. Our results demonstrate that MP-CTLs generated from SMM patients' T cells show effective anti-MM responses including CD137 (4-1BB) upregulation, CTL proliferation, interferon-γ production and degranulation (CD107a) in an HLA-A2-restricted and peptide-specific manner. Phenotypically, we observed increased total CD3(+)CD8(+) T cells (>80%) and cellular activation (CD69(+)) within the memory SMM MP-CTL (CD45RO(+)/CD3(+)CD8(+)) subset after repeated multipeptide stimulation. Importantly, SMM patients could be categorized into distinct groups by their level of MP-CTL expansion and antitumor activity. In high responders, the effector memory (CCR7(-)CD45RO(+)/CD3(+)CD8(+)) T-cell subset was enriched, whereas the remaining responders' CTL contained a higher frequency of the terminal effector (CCR7(-)CD45RO(-)/CD3(+)CD8(+)) subset. These results suggest that this multipeptide cocktail has the potential to induce effective and durable memory MP-CTL in SMM patients. Therefore, our findings provide the rationale for clinical evaluation of a therapeutic vaccine to prevent or delay progression of SMM to active disease.
TL;DR: The results showed that only modest class-I HDAC inhibition is able to induce synergistic MM cytotoxicity in combination with Len, and these studies may provide the framework for utilizing HDACi in conjunction with Len to both avoid CRBN downregulation and enhance anti-MM activities.
Abstract: Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) thalidomide, lenalidomide (Len) and pomalidomide trigger anti-tumor activities in multiple myeloma (MM) by targetting cereblon and thereby impacting IZF1/3, c-Myc and IRF4. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) also downregulate c-Myc. We therefore determined whether IMiDs with HDACi trigger significant MM cell growth inhibition by inhibiting or downregulating c-Myc. Combination treatment of Len with non-selective HDACi suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid or class-I HDAC-selective inhibitor MS275 induces synergic cytotoxicity, associated with downregulation of c-Myc. Unexpectedly, we observed that decreased levels of cereblon (CRBN), a primary target protein of IMiDs, was triggered by these agents. Indeed, sequential treatment of MM cells with MS275 followed by Len shows less efficacy than simultaneous treatment with this combination. Importantly ACY1215, an HDAC6 inhibitor with minimal effects on class-I HDACs, together with Len induces synergistic MM cytotoxicity without alteration of CRBN expression. Our results showed that only modest class-I HDAC inhibition is able to induce synergistic MM cytotoxicity in combination with Len. These studies may provide the framework for utilizing HDACi in combination with Len to both avoid CRBN downregulation and enhance anti-MM activities.
TL;DR: This poster presents a poster presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the American-Society-of-Hematology entitled “Advances in Hematology: Towards a poster-gauging future generation of Hematological Assisted Decision-Making Machines”.
TL;DR: No evidence is observed that bortezomib–lenalidomide‐based front‐line therapy precipitates earlier EMD, and sensitivity analyses with follow‐up times truncated at 5 years detected no statistically significant difference in rates of any EMD form between the two groups.
Abstract: Summary
Proteasome inhibitors (PI) and immunomodulatory agents (IMIDs) have improved the overall survival (OS) of patients with multiple myeloma (MM), but concerns have been raised about increased incidence of extramedullary disease (EMD) after the combined use of PIs and IMIDs for upfront therapy. We evaluated whether the addition of lenalidomide to bortezomib-based front-line regimens precipitated earlier development of EMD. We reviewed the charts of 117 MM patients (median follow-up from diagnosis 6·1 years; range 0·1–10·2 years) enrolled in eight clinical trials of first-line treatment with bortezomib-based regimens, with or without lenalidomide. We assessed development of EMD as extraosseous (distant from bone) or osseous (originating from bone) plasmacytomas. The primary endpoint was time from diagnosis until development of EMD, based on imaging, biopsy and/or physical examination. Any form of EMD at progression was observed in 40 (34·2%) patients, including 21 (18%) osseous, 8 (7%) extraosseous and 11 (9%) both osseous and extraosseous. Median OS was 0·9 years (range 0·1–4·8 years) after extraosseous EMD development. Sensitivity analyses with follow-up times truncated at 5 years detected no statistically significant difference in rates of any EMD form between the two groups (P > 0·2 for each comparison). Therefore, we observed no evidence that bortezomib–lenalidomide-based front-line therapy precipitates earlier EMD.
TL;DR: Higher cumulative bortezomib dose, reflecting prolonged treatment duration and/or dose intensity, appears associated with improved OS.
Abstract: This analysis, using data from the bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone (VMP) arm of the Phase III VISTA study, investigated whether increased cumulative bortezomib dose could improve overall survival (OS) in transplant-ineligible patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma. Median cumulative bortezomib dose received by the 340 patients was 39 mg/m(2); this was selected as the cut-off for defining the dose groups to be compared for OS. Patient characteristics were well balanced between dose groups except for age. OS was significantly longer in the higher (≥39 mg/m(2)) versus lower (<39 mg/m(2)) cumulative bortezomib dose group (median 66.3 vs. 46.2 months; hazard ratio (HR) 0.533, P < 0.0001; age-adjusted HR 0.561, P = 0.0002). To overcome confounding effects of early discontinuations/deaths, which were more common in the lower cumulative dose group (27 vs. 4% of patients discontinued due to adverse events (AEs) in the lower and higher cumulative dose groups, respectively), a landmark analysis was conducted at 180 days, eliminating patients who died or discontinued before this time from the analysis. OS from this landmark remained significantly longer in the higher dose group (median 60.4 vs. 50.3 months; HR 0.709, P = 0.0372). Thus, higher cumulative bortezomib dose, reflecting prolonged treatment duration and/or dose intensity, appears associated with improved OS. Approaches to achieve higher cumulative doses could include subcutaneous bortezomib administration, dose/schedule modifications, continuing therapy in responding patients, and proactive AE management.
TL;DR: The conceptual model developed in this study illustrates the many aspects of multiple myeloma and its treatment and how they can have a negative impact on patients’ HRQL.
Abstract: Little qualitative research exploring the impact of multiple myeloma (MM) and its treatment on the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients has been published. This study aimed to explore the burden of MM symptoms and treatment and the impact of these on HRQL. A model was developed to illustrate key concepts and their interrelationships. Patients with MM were recruited to this cross-sectional, qualitative study through a patient panel and at two clinical sites in the USA. An interview discussion guide was developed using a review of published literature and interviews with experienced MM clinicians. In-depth, semistructured telephone interviews with MM patients were conducted to explore their experiences of the disease and its treatment. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Twenty MM patients at various stages of treatment participated in open-ended, semistructured interviews. Patients reported both current and previous MM symptoms; most had experienced fatigue and pain. Other commonly reported symptoms were fractures, anemia, neuropathy, aches, and infections. MM treatment was found to have a negative impact on patients’ HRQL; treatment-related adverse events included fatigue, neuropathy, insomnia, and gastrointestinal symptoms. MM treatment placed a substantial psychological and physical burden on patients, disrupting social activities, decreasing independence, and impacting on relationships. A model was developed to illustrate the relationship between these concepts. The conceptual model developed in this study illustrates the many aspects of MM and its treatment and how they can have a negative impact on patients’ HRQL.
TL;DR: The results provide the rationale for novel treatment strategies combining class IIa HDAC inhibitors with ER stressors, including proteasome inhibitors, to improve patient outcome in MM.
Abstract: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been extensively investigated as therapeutic agents in cancer. However, the biological role of class IIa HDACs (HDAC4, 5, 7 and 9) in cancer cells, including multiple myeloma (MM), remains unclear. Recent studies show HDAC4 interacts with activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and inhibits activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated proapoptotic transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). In this study, we hypothesized that HDAC4 knockdown and/or inhibition could enhance apoptosis in MM cells under ER stress condition by upregulating ATF4, followed by CHOP. HDAC4 knockdown showed modest cell growth inhibition; however, it markedly enhanced cytotoxicity induced by either tunicamycin or carfilzomib (CFZ), associated with upregulating ATF4 and CHOP. For pharmacological inhibition of HDAC4, we employed a novel and selective class IIa HDAC inhibitor TMP269, alone and in combination with CFZ. As with HDAC4 knockdown, TMP269 significantly enhanced cytotoxicity induced by CFZ in MM cell lines, upregulating ATF4 and CHOP and inducing apoptosis. Conversely, enhanced cytotoxicity was abrogated by ATF4 knockdown, confirming that ATF4 has a pivotal role mediating cytotoxicity in this setting. These results provide the rationale for novel treatment strategies combining class IIa HDAC inhibitors with ER stressors, including proteasome inhibitors, to improve patient outcome in MM.
TL;DR: Preclinical data demonstrated that panobinostat has synergistic effects on myeloma cells when combined with bortezomib and dexamethasone, and clinical data showed a significant increase in median progression-free survival in patients with relapsed or relapsed and refractory MM.
Abstract: Outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have improved significantly over the past decade. Despite these advances, MM remains incurable and an unmet medical need remains for patients who are relapsed and/or refractory. Panobinostat is a potent, oral pan-deacetylase inhibitor that elicits anti-myeloma activity through epigenetic modulation of gene expression and disruption of protein metabolism. Preclinical data demonstrated that panobinostat has synergistic effects on myeloma cells when combined with bortezomib and dexamethasone. In a Phase III clinical trial evaluating bortezomib and dexamethasone in combination with panobinostat or placebo in patients with relapsed or relapsed and refractory MM (PANORAMA 1), panobinostat led to a significant increase in median progression-free survival. Panobinostat is currently under regulatory review with a recent accelerated approval granted for the treatment of relapsed disease, in which both bortezomib and immunomodulatory drugs have failed. Here, we summar...
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that combining low concentrations of marizomib with pomalidomide induces synergistic anti‐MM activity, and these preclinical studies provide the rationale for on‐going clinical trials of combined marIZomib and pomaticomide to improve outcome in patients with RRMM.
Abstract: The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib is an effective therapy for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM); however, prolonged treatment can be associated with toxicity, peripheral neuropathy and drug resistance. Our earlier studies showed that the novel proteasome inhibitor marizomib is distinct from bortezomib in its chemical structure, mechanisms of action and effects on proteasomal activities, and that it can overcome bortezomib resistance. Pomalidomide, like lenalidomide, has potent immunomodulatory activity and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of RRMM. Here, we demonstrate that combining low concentrations of marizomib with pomalidomide induces synergistic anti-MM activity. Marizomib plus pomalidomide-induced apoptosis is associated with: (i) activation of caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-3 and PARP cleavage, (ii) downregulation of cereblon (CRBN), IRF4, MYC and MCL1, and (iii) suppression of chymotrypsin-like, caspase-like, and trypsin-like proteasome activities. CRBN-siRNA attenuates marizomib plus pomalidomide-induced MM cells death. Furthermore, marizomib plus pomalidomide inhibits the migration of MM cells and tumour-associated angiogenesis, as well as overcomes cytoprotective effects of bone marrow microenvironment. In human MM xenograft model studies, the combination of marizomib and pomalidomide is well tolerated, inhibits tumour growth and prolongs survival. These preclinical studies provide the rationale for on-going clinical trials of combined marizomib and pomalidomide to improve outcome in patients with RRMM.
TL;DR: Daratumumab is a human monoclonal antibody that has potent anti- Multiple Myeloma activity both as monotherapy and in combination with other multiple myeloma treatments, and has breakthrough designation on this basis.
Abstract: CD38 is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein that is highly expressed in multiple myeloma and is a promising target for immunotherapy. Daratumumab is a human monoclonal antibody that has potent anti-multiple myeloma activity both as monotherapy and in combination with other multiple myeloma treatments, and has breakthrough designation on this basis.
TL;DR: This study assessed the updated safety and efficacy of DARA in combination with LEN/DEX following more than 12 months of exposure in patients with relapsed or RR MM.