Junctional adhesion molecule-A is overexpressed in advanced multiple myeloma and determines response to oncolytic reovirus

Despite the development of several new agents for multiple myeloma (MM) therapy over the last decade, drug resistance continues to be a significant problem. Patients with relapsed/refractory disease have high mortality rates and desperately need new precision approaches that directly target specific molecular features that are prevalent in the refractory setting. Reolysin is a proprietary formulation of reovirus for cancer therapy that has demonstrated efficacy in multiple clinical trials. Its selective effects against solid tumors have been largely attributed to RAS-mediated control of reovirus replication. However, the mechanisms regulating its preferential anti-neoplastic effects in MM and other hematological malignancies have not been rigorously studied. Here we report that the reovirus receptor, junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) is highly expressed in primary cells from patients with MM and the majority of MM cell lines compared to normal controls. A series of experiments demonstrated that JAM-A expression, rather than RAS, was required for Reolysin-induced cell death in MM models. Notably, analysis of paired primary MM specimens revealed that JAM-A expression was significantly increased at relapse compared to diagnosis. Two different models of acquired resistance to bortezomib also displayed both higher JAM-A expression and elevated sensitivity to Reolysin compared to parental cells, suggesting that Reolysin may be an effective agent for patients with relapsed/refractory disease due to their high JAM-A levels. Taken together, these findings support further investigation of Reolysin for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory MM and of JAM-A as a predictive biomarker for sensitivity to Reolysin-induced cell death.     

硼替佐米联合地塞米松和沙利度胺治疗多发性骨髓瘤的临床疗效

目的：观察硼替佐米联合地塞米松和沙利度胺（BDT）方案对多发性骨髓瘤（MM）患者的临床疗效。方法收集2009年3月-2012年3月在本院接受VTD方案治疗的73例MM患者临床资料,并以同期40例传统长春新碱＋蒽环类＋地塞米松＋沙利度胺（VADT）方案化疗的MM患者作为对照。所有患者均随访6月～2年,分析病情转归及不良反应。结果VTD用于初治和复发和（或）难治MM患者OR明显高于VADT组（P＜0．05）。VTD组初治MM的OR也明显高于VADT组（P＜0．05）。VTD治疗复发和（或）难治MM的有效率与VADT组无明显差异（P＞0．05）。VTD治疗不良反应主要有消化道症状、感染、周围神经病变及血小板减少。结论硼替佐米联合地塞米松和沙利度胺治疗MM缓解率高,副作用少且轻微,可首选用于治疗初治及复发和（或）难治MM患者。     

PDD方案治疗初治多发性骨髓瘤的临床研究

目的：观察硼替佐米联合脂质体多柔比星和地塞米松（PDD）方案治疗初治多发性骨髓瘤（MM）的疗效。方法回顾性分析26例初治MM,采用PDD方案：硼替佐米1.3 mg/m2,第1、4、8、11天,脂质体多柔比星40 mg,第1天,地塞米松20 mg,第1-2,4-5,8-9,11-12天,每4周1个疗程,共2-6个疗程,观察疗效和不良反应。结果平均接受（4.1±1.1）（2-6）个疗程,有效率为25例（96%）,2个疗程有效率23例（88%）。26例2个疗程达严格意义完全缓解（sCR）4例（15%）,完全缓解（CR）8例（31%）,非常好的部分缓解（VGPR）8例（31%）,部分缓解（PR）3例（12%）,轻微反应（MR）2例（8%）,疾病稳定（SD）1例（4%）。骨髓瘤细胞、血清单克隆M蛋白均较治疗前下降。最常见不良反应为血液学改变,血小板减少、中性粒细胞减少、贫血;其次为胃肠道反应,便秘。另外,周围神经病变（PN）较为多见。结论PDD方案治疗初治MM具有良好的临床疗效和安全性。     

硼替佐米对K562细胞增殖、凋亡及SHIP基因表达的影响

本研究旨在探讨蛋白酶体抑制剂硼替佐米(bortezomib)对K562细胞的增殖、凋亡及SHIP基因表达的影响。将不同浓度的硼替佐米作用于K562细胞,采用MTT法测定细胞增殖活性,用流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡,RT-PCR方法检测SHIP mRNA表达。结果表明,硼替佐米10、20、50和100 nmol/L作用于K562细胞24 h,细胞增殖抑制率分别为(5.76±1.47)%、(10.55±1.59)%、(17.14±2.05)%和(27.69±3.57)%,空白对照组为(1.30±0.10)%;20nmol/L硼替佐米作用于K562细胞24、48、72 h,细胞增殖抑制率分别为(10.55±1.59)%、(16.33±2.53)%、(19.78±1.56)%,24 h组与48 h组比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),10、20、50、100 nmol/L硼替佐米作用于K562细胞24h,Annexin V-FITC/PI双标法显示其凋亡率分别为(12.7±0.6)%、(26.9±0.9)%、(32.6±1.2)%、(72.5±1.5)%,均高于对照组(1.0±0.5)%(P<0.05)。RT-PCR法检测结果显示应用硼替佐米作用后SHIP mRNA表达上调明显,与空白对照组比较差异有统计学意义。结论:硼替佐米呈时间、浓度依赖性抑制K562细胞增殖,并能通过上调SHIP基因的表达诱导细胞凋亡。     

A phase I/II trial of bortezomib combined concurrently with gemcitabine for relapsed or refractory DLBCL and peripheral T‐cell lymphomas

There remains an unmet therapeutic need for patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL). We conducted a phase I/II trial with bortezomib (dose‐escalated to 1·6 mg/m²) given concurrently with gemcitabine (800 mg/m²) days 1 + 8 q21 d. Of 32 patients, 16 each had relapsed/refractory PTCL and DLBCL. Median prior therapies were 3 and 35% had failed transplant. Among the first 18 patients, 67% experienced grade 3/4 neutropenia and/or grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia resulting in repeated treatment delays (relative dose intensity: 46%). Thus, the study was amended to give bortezomib and gemcitabine days 1 + 15 q28 d, which resulted in markedly improved tolerability. Among all patients, the overall response rate (ORR) was 24% with 19% complete remission (CR; intent‐to‐treat (ITT) ORR 16%, CR 13%), which met criteria for futility. The ORR for DLBCL was 10% (CR 10%) vs. 36% for PTCL (CR 27%). Among 6 PTCL patients treated on the modified schedule, ORR by ITT was 50% (CR 30%). Altogether, concurrent bortezomib/gemcitabine given days 1 + 8 q21 d was not tolerable, while modification to a bi‐monthly schedule allowed consistent treatment delivery. Whereas efficacy of this combination was low in heavily pre‐treated DLBCL, there was a signal of activity in relapsed/refractory PTCL utilizing the modified schedule.     

Bortezomib and thalidomide, a steroid free regimen in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma

Despite their efficacy in myeloma, corticosteroids have acute and chronic toxicities. Newer agents with significant anti-myeloma activity permit the development of steroid-free regimens. We designed a Phase II clinical trial to study the toxicity and efficacy of a steroid-free combination of bortezomib and thalidomide as a first-line treatment in patients with symptomatic myeloma. Patients received bortezomib 1·3 mg/m(2) on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 every 21 d and thalidomide 150 mg/d for a maximum of eight cycles. Amongst 27 evaluable patients, the overall response was 81·5% with 25·8% near complete response or greater. The response rate was comparable to most other two drug combinations for upfront therapy but lower than that obtained with the use of three drugs. The most common grade 3 toxicities were peripheral neuropathy (22%), pneumonia (15%), fatigue (7%) and anaemia (7%). Peripheral neuropathy completely resolved in 80% of the patients upon completion of therapy, but not in the remaining 20% of patients. No venous thromboembolic events were observed even in the absence of prophylactic anticoagulation. The median progression-free survival was 16·8 months (95% confidence interval 8·7-21·6 months). Median overall survival has not yet been reached at a median follow up of 39 months. The 3-year overall survival was 74%. This study demonstrates: (i) the efficacy of a steroid-free regimen; (ii) mostly reversible treatment-related peripheral neuropathy; and (iii) the absence of venous thrombotic events.     

Tanespimycin and bortezomib combination treatment in patients with relapsed or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma: results of a phase 1/2 study

This open-label, dose escalation, multicentre phase 1/2 trial was undertaken to determine the safety and tolerability of the heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitor tanespimycin (100-340 mg/m(2) )+ bortezomib (0·7-1·3 mg/m(2) ) given on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 in each 21-d cycle. Phase 2 expansion occurred at the highest tested dose of tanespimycin at 340 mg/m(2) and bortezomib at 1·3 mg/m(2) . Seventy-two patients (median age, 60 years) with relapsed or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (MM) were enrolled; 63 patients (89%) completed the study. Tanespimycin in combination with bortezomib was well tolerated; few patients experienced significant neutropenia, constipation and anorexia (<10%), and no patients developed severe peripheral neuropathy. Among 67 efficacy-evaluable patients, there were 2 (3%) complete responses and 8 (12%) partial responses, for an objective response rate (ORR) of 27%, including 8 (12%) minimal responses. Response rates were highest among bortezomib-naive patients and proved durable in all patient subgroups, including those with bortezomib-refractory disease. Pharmacodynamic analyses indicated that tanespimycin plus bortezomib effectively inhibited the proteasome, as evidenced by decreased 20S proteasome activity, and inhibited HSP90, as reflected by increased HSP70 expression. The results of this study support additional studies of this combination approach in MM.     

硼替佐米联合地塞米松治疗多发性骨髓瘤临床研究

目的观察硼替佐米联合地塞米松(PD)在多发性骨髓瘤(MM)中的应用。方法 2008年2月至2010年4月北京积水潭医院36例MM患者接受PD治疗。以同期46例VADT化疗的MM患者做为对照。分析病情转归及不良反应。结果 (1)PD用于初治和复发和(或)难治MM患者疗效均显著。初治组治疗有效率85.7%(18/21);复发和(或)难治组的有效率为80.0%(12/15);总有效率为83.3%(30/36)。PD与VADT治疗初治MM的有效率差异无统计学意义(85.7%对78.1%,P=0.740),PD治疗复发和(或)难治MM的有效率明显高于VADT组(80.0%对42.9%,P=0.039)。PD起效快,治疗有效的患者均在1个疗程后达PR;63.9%患者在3个疗程内达到VGPR以上缓解,优于VADT组的30.4%。(2)PD不良反应主要有乏力、周围神经病变及血小板减少等。PD治疗初治MM较复发和(或)难治MM不良反应小,耐受性好,更能坚持长期化疗以获得最大缓解。(3)PD治疗的MM患者骨痛缓解快,全身骨密度增高较VADT组更显著[(1.138±0.102)g/cm2对(1.053±0.137)g/cm2,P=0.039)]。结论硼替佐米联合地塞米松治疗MM缓解率高,可首选用于治疗初治及复发和(或)难治MM。     

Bortezomib increases osteoblast activity in myeloma patients irrespective of response to treatment

OBJECTIVES: Myeloma bone disease is a result of excessive osteoclast activation and impaired osteoblast function. Recent in vitro studies suggested that proteasome inhibitors might increase osteoblast function. METHODS: We analyzed serum markers of osteoblast activity in 25 patients with multiple myeloma receiving bortezomib alone or in combination with dexamethasone. As control, serum samples from 58 consecutive myeloma patients receiving a therapy different than bortezomib (i.e. adriamycin/dexamethasone, melphalan/prednisone or thalidomide) were evaluated. The serum concentrations of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and osteocalcin were quantified before initiation of treatment and after 3 months. RESULTS: In patients treated with bortezomib, mean serum levels of osteocalcin significantly increased from 6.3 to 10.8 microg/L (P = 0.024), while mean BAP levels increased from 19.7 to 30.2 U/L (P < 0.0005). Of interest, the increase in BAP was significant both in responders and non-responders. In contrast, the control group did not show a statistically significant change in BAP (24.8 U/L vs. 23.3 U/L) and osteocalcin (6.8 microg/L vs. 6.5 microg/L) before and after the treatment. CONCLUSION: These data show that treatment with bortezomib leads to enhanced markers of osteoblast activity in patients with myeloma. The comparison with the control group suggests that the effect on osteoblasts is unique to the proteasome inhibitor.