Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, melphalan and prednisone therapy for elderly patients with multiple myeloma

Melphalan & Prednisone (MP) is considered as the standard therapy for Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients not eligible for high-dose therapy. Here, we report the results of a phase I-II study to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the association of PLD to the conventional MP regimen during the first six cycles of the front-line therapy for untreated MM patients older than 70. Thirty patients were included in the study with a median age of 77 years (71-84) and a M/F ratio of 17/13. The phase I of the study demonstrated that the maximum tolerable dose of PLD in this setting was 30 mg/m(2), so it was the final dose evaluated in the study. Twenty-nine patients were valuable for response, which was: complete in 4 (14%) partial in 15 (52%) minor/no changes in 7 (24%) and progressive in 3 (10%). The median progression free survival (PFS) was 24 months. The median overall survival (OS) has not been reached yet, with a 3-year probability for OS and PFS of 52 and 37%, respectively. Haematological toxicity was frequent but usually weak/moderate (grades 1 & 2 of the WHO scale) and it was resolved only with dose delays. Infection was a relatively frequent event (30% of patients), but only in 4 cases it was of grade 3. No cases of palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia were observed. In conclusion, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin can be safely added to the other chemotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of elderly MM patients, which can be very useful for patients in whom novel agents are not tolerated or inefficient.     

Bortezomib plus dexamethasone vs thalidomide plus dexamethasone for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma

A randomized phase II selection design study (JCOG0904) was carried out to evaluate the more promising regimen between bortezomib (Bor) plus dexamethasone (Dex; BD) and thalidomide (Thal) plus Dex (TD) in Bor and Thal‐naïve patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Patients ≥20 and <80 years old with a documented diagnosis of symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM) who received one or more prior therapies were randomized to receive BD (Bor 1.3 mg/m²) or TD (Thal 200 mg/d). In both arms, 8 cycles of induction (3‐week cycle) were followed by maintenance phase (5‐week cycle) until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or patient refusal. The primary end‐point was 1‐year progression‐free survival (PFS). Forty‐four patients were randomized and assigned to receive BD and TD (n = 22, each group). At a median follow‐up of 34.3 months, the 1‐year PFS in the BD and TD arms were 45.5% (95% confidence interval (CI), 24.4%‐64.3%) and 31.8% (95% CI, 14.2%‐51.1%), respectively, and the overall response rates were 77.3% and 40.9%, respectively. The 3‐year overall survival (OS) was 70.0% (95% CI, 44.9%‐85.4%) in the BD, and 48.8% (95% CI, 25.1%‐69.0%) in the TD arm. Among grade 3/4 adverse events, thrombocytopenia (54.5% vs 0.0%) and sensory peripheral neuropathy (22.7% vs 9.1%) were more frequent in BD when compared with the TD arm. Patients treated with BD had better outcomes than those treated with TD with regard to 1‐year PFS and 3‐year OS. Thus, BD was prioritized over TD for further investigations in Bor and Thal‐naïve RRMM patients. (Clinical trial registration no. UMIN000003135.)     

Treatment of elderly patients with refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma: oral drugs adherence and the COVID-19 outbreak

Once the treatment of refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma in the elderly is greatly influenced by the adherence of patients and family members, clinicians should be aware of patients’ behavior and lifestyle, as it may influence the individual treatment plan for each patient. Furthermore, treatment with oral chemotherapy is of special value during the COVID-19 outbreak. Multidisciplinary healthcare involvement is crucial in the management of polypharmacy, adverse events and dose adjustment due to comorbidities and natural loss of renal function with age. Oral drugs simplify intake, reduce hospital visits, and improve autonomy and quality of life. However, although oral drugs have advantages, they also transfer control and responsibility from the healthcare professional to the patient, who must be able to understand and follow the directions given. Therefore, patient education and communication with healthcare professionals are critical for adherence.     

Bortezomib and its role in the management of patients with multiple myeloma

The multicatalytic proteinase complex, or proteasome, is responsible for the majority of regulated eukaryotic protein turnover through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Bortezomib (Velcade^®, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), the first drug specifically designed to target the proteasome, has recently entered the clinical arena. Previous preclinical studies showed that bortezomib had a unique cytotoxicity profile and that proteasome inhibition in vivo could be achieved safely with concomitant antitumor efficacy. In clinical studies, bortezomib has shown remarkable single-agent activity against relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma in both Phase I and II trials. Based on the latter, bortezomib has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for patients who have received two prior regimens and progressed on the second of these. Early results with bortezomib as a front-line therapy for multiple myeloma have shown a high response rate and further studies are ongoing. Preclinical studies support the possibility that modulation of proteasome function has great potential as a strategy for chemosensitization. Preliminary clinical trial results suggest that combinations using standard chemotherapeutics with bortezomib may have higher response rates in multiple myeloma than bortezomib as a single agent. Furthermore, these combinations may be able to recapture a response in patients whose disease was previously resistant to the standard agent, or bortezomib, or both. If borne out by additional studies, these results suggest that older treatment paradigms, in which drugs were used once but then discarded from the armamentarium upon disease progression, may need to be reassessed. Bortezomib may provide significant benefits to patients both alone and in combination with other agents and at several time points during the natural history of multiple myeloma.     

Bortezomib,thalidomide, and dexamethasone as induction therapy for patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND:

This single‐center retrospective study determined the efficacy of bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (BTD) as induction for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who were eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT).

METHODS:

Patients with symptomatic MM who had received BTD induction before stem cell collection at Winship Cancer Institute were included. BTD induction comprised up to 8 3‐week cycles of bortezomib 1.3 mg/m² on Days 1, 4, 8, and 11; thalidomide 100 mg daily; and dexamethasone 40 mg on Days 1 through 4 and Days 9 through 12. Stem cell mobilization involved granulocyte‐colony–stimulating factor and/or cyclophosphamide. Response was assessed according to European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation criteria.

RESULTS:

Review of medical records identified 44 eligible patients (34 patients who were treated in the front‐line setting and 10 patients who were treated for recurrent disease) who received a median of 4 BTD cycles. The overall response rate (ORR) was 91%, which included a greater than or equal to very good partial response (≥VGPR) rate of 57% (including 20% stringent complete responses/complete response [sCR/CR] rate). In front‐line patients, the ORR was 94%, which included a 56% ≥VGPR rate (24% sCR/CR). The median CD34‐positive stem cell collection was 10.67 × 10⁶/kg. The ORR after ASCT in 34 patients who were evaluable for response was 100%, including a 76% ≥VGPR rate (53% sCR/CR). Among all 44 patients, the median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 27.4 months. The median overall survival (OS) was not reached after a median follow‐up of 25 months, and the 2‐year OS rate was 82%. There were no significant differences in PFS (27.4 months vs 23.5 months) or in 2‐year survival (80% vs 90%) between patients who did and did not undergo ASCT, respectively. Twenty patients (45%) developed neuropathy, including 4 (9%) with grade 3 neuropathy episodes, and 1 patient developed deep vein thrombosis.

CONCLUSIONS:

BTD was highly effective and well tolerated as induction for MM patients who were eligible for ASCT. Long‐term outcomes appeared to be similar with or without ASCT consolidation. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.     

硼替佐米为主联合化疗方案与传统化疗方案治疗多发性骨髓瘤的疗效比较

目的:比较硼替佐米联合化疗方案和传统化疗方案治疗多发性骨髓瘤（multiple myeloma,MM）的临床疗效,为临床用药提供依据。方法:回顾性分析155例多发性骨髓瘤患者,根据治疗方案分为硼替佐米组78例和传统化疗方案组77例。患者均完成了3个疗程及以上的治疗,以到达平台期所用的疗程数作为临床观察终点,比较两种方案的治疗效果。计量资料根据资料特点选用t检验;计数资料采用χ2检验。结果:两组在性别、年龄、初治/复发、DS分期、ISS分期、分型、治疗前肾功能的基线水平上差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。硼替佐米组治疗MM的客观缓解率（objective response rate,ORR）（71.8% vs 50.6%）和完全缓解率（complete response/near complete response,CR+nCR）（44.9% vs 28.6%）均明显高于传统化疗组,组间差异有统计学意义（P=0.007,P=0.035）。硼替佐米组平均疗程数比传统化疗方案组少2个周期。按是否所有疗程均使用硼替佐米进行亚组分析,组间ORR值及CR+nCR值比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,且单纯使用硼替佐米方案的平均疗程数比混合使用硼替佐米方案少4个周期。结论:硼替佐米为主的化疗方案相比于传统化疗方案疗效显著,更快获得良好疗效,提高疾病缓解率,可作为临床治疗MM患者的较好选择方案之一。     

Choosing treatment options for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal plasma cell disorder that is still incurable using conventional treatments. Over the last decade, advances in front-line therapy have led to an increase in survival, but there are still some doubts in the case of relapsed/refractory disease. We searched the PubMed database for articles on treatment options for patients with relapsed/refractory MM published between 1996 and 2013. These treatments included hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), rechallenges using previous chemotherapy regimens, and trials of new regimens. The introduction of new agents such as the immunomodulatory drugs (IMIDs) thalidomide and lenalidomide, and the first-in-its-class proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, has greatly improved clinical outcomes in patients with relapsed/refractory MM, but not all patients respond and those that do may eventually relapse or become refractory to treatment. The challenge is therefore to select the optimal treatment for each patient by balancing efficacy and toxicity. To do this, it is necessary to consider disease-related factors, such as the quality and duration of responses to previous therapies, and the aggressiveness of the relapse, and patient-related factors such as age, comorbidities, performance status, pre-existing toxicities and cytogenetic patterns. The message from the trials reviewed in this article is that the new agents may be used to re-treat relapsed/refractory disease, and that the sequencing of their administration should be modulated on the basis of the various disease and patient-related factors. Moreover, our understanding of the pharmacology and molecular action of the new drugs will contribute to the possibility of developing tailored treatment.     

PAD序贯自体造血干细胞移植治疗难治多发性骨髓瘤(附22例)

目的:多发性骨髓瘤(multiple myeloma,MM)至今仍不可治愈,几乎所有病人均会出现复发或难治,本文初步探讨硼替佐米应用于难治性MM患者PAD化疗并序贯自体外周血造血干细胞移植(autologous pe-ripheral blood stem cell t ransplantation,APBSCT)的可行性和疗效。方法:采用PAD(硼替佐米+阿霉素+地塞米松)方案治疗复发或难治性MM。结果:22例中3例难治MM患者给予PAD方案化疗4-6个疗程后,2例达到接近完全缓解(nCR),1例达到部分缓解(VGPR),并随后行APBSCT,动员方案PAD+CTX(PAD,环磷酰胺1.5g/m2,d15)联合G-CSF。预处理方案为马法兰140mg/m2。移植后采用沙利度胺100mg/天。所有患者在移植前均达到CR或VGPR,干细胞采集充分,安全有效,移植后造血功能均快速顺利重建。无1例死亡。移植后采用沙利度胺维持,随访3-12个月,病情稳定。结论:PAD用于难治MM患者的治疗达CR后,继续序贯进行APBSCT不仅可行,而且PAD不影响正常造血干细胞动员,故采用PAD和序贯用PAD+CTX动员方案的APBSCT的治疗手段,为难治MM患者的治疗提供新的治疗手段。但对长期生存的改善作用需进一步研究。     

PAD序贯自体造血干细胞移植治疗难治多发性骨髓瘤（附22例）

目的：多发性骨髓瘤（multiple myeloma,MM）至今仍不可治愈,几乎所有病人均会出现复发或难治,本文初步探讨硼替佐米应用于难治性MM患者PAD化疗并序贯自体外周血造血干细胞移植（autologous pe-ripheral blood stem cell t ransplantation,APBSCT）的可行性和疗效。方法：采用PAD（硼替佐米＋阿霉素＋地塞米松）方案治疗复发或难治性MM。结果：22例中3例难治MM患者给予PAD方案化疗4-6个疗程后,2例达到接近完全缓解（nCR）,1例达到部分缓解（VGPR）,并随后行APBSCT,动员方案PAD＋CTX（PAD,环磷酰胺1.5g/m2,d15）联合G-CSF。预处理方案为马法兰140mg/m2。移植后采用沙利度胺100mg/天。所有患者在移植前均达到CR或VGPR,干细胞采集充分,安全有效,移植后造血功能均快速顺利重建。无1例死亡。移植后采用沙利度胺维持,随访3-12个月,病情稳定。结论：PAD用于难治MM患者的治疗达CR后,继续序贯进行APBSCT不仅可行,而且PAD不影响正常造血干细胞动员,故采用PAD和序贯用PAD＋CTX动员方案的APBSCT的治疗手段,为难治MM患者的治疗提供新的治疗手段。但对长期生存的改善作用需进一步研究。     

Reduced bone marrow stem cell pool and progenitor mobilisation in multiple myeloma after melphalan treatment

The content of stem cells was analysed in bone marrow samples from 75 multiple myeloma patients. In unstimulated bone marrow the percentage of CD34+ cells was significantly reduced in 11 patients previously treated with melphalan-prednisolone (MP)(median= 0.15%) compared to median 0.87% in 31 untreated patients (P=0.0001). The bone marrow cellularity in the two groups did not differ. There was no correlation between the number of courses or total dose of melphalan and content of CD34+ cells in the bone marrow. The clonogenicity as well as the ability to expand the marrow stem cell pool during growth factor treatment were also reduced in MP treated patients compared to untreated patients. Analysis of different subsets of CD34+ cells revealed no influence on the pre B cell compartment in the bone marrow by MP treatment, but the committed stem cells (CD34+CD38+) were reduced more than the uncommitted stem cells (CD34+CD38-) in the MP treated group compared to the untreated patients. Mobilisation to and harvest of total number of CD34+ cells from peripheral blood was also reduced in the MP treated group. There was, however, no difference in the distribution between CD34+CD38+ and CD34+CD38- populations in the leukapheresis products in the untreated and the melphalan-treated group, suggesting selective mobilisation of CD34+CD38+ cells and/or differentiation of CD34+CD38-cells during growth factor stimulation. We conclude that melphalan decreased the number of stem cells in the bone marrow, the ability to expand the stem cell pool and mobilise stem cells to the pheripheral blood.     

Panobinostat: a novel pan-deacetylase inhibitor for the treatment of relapsed or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma

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 summarize the preclinical, pharmacokinetic and clinical data for panobinostat in MM.     

Vorinostat in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma

The addition of vorinostat to lenalidomide/dexamethasone represents a novel combination therapy in multiple myeloma (MM), informed by laboratory studies suggesting synergy. This was a phase I, multicenter, open-label, non-randomized, dose-escalating study in patients with relapsed or relapsed and refractory MM. Clinical evaluation, electrocardiogram, laboratory studies and adverse events were obtained and assessed. The maximum-tolerated dose was not reached owing to a non-occurrence of two dose-limiting toxicities per six patients tested at any of the dosing levels. Patients tolerated the highest dose tested (Level 5) and this was considered the maximum administered dose: at 400 mg vorinostat on days 1–7 and 15–21, 25 mg lenalidomide on days 1–21 and 40 mg dexamethasone on days 1, 8, 15 and 22, per 28-day cycle. Drug-related adverse events were reported in 90% of patients serious adverse experiences were reported in 45% of the patients and 22% of all patients had adverse experiences considered, possibly related to study drug by the investigators. A confirmed partial response or better was reported for 14/30 patients (47%) evaluable for efficacy, including 31% of patients previously treated with lenalidomide. Vorinostat in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone proved tolerable with appropriate supportive care, with encouraging activity observed.     

65岁以上老年多发性骨髓瘤初治的化疗进展

多发性骨髓瘤（multiple myeloma,MM）是以骨髓单克隆浆细胞增多为特征的B细胞恶性肿瘤。对于老年（65岁以上）多发性骨髓瘤初治一般采用马法兰加泼尼松（MP）方案治疗,但其总的缓解率及生存率低。近几年来一些新的化疗药物对多发性骨髓瘤初治的疗效得到了肯定。本文就老年多发性骨髓瘤初治的化疗新进展作一综述。     

Pomalidomide alone or in combination with dexamethasone in Japanese patients with refractory or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma

This phase 1, open‐label, dose‐escalation study investigated the tolerated dose (recommended dose), safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of pomalidomide alone or pomalidomide plus low‐dose dexamethasone in Japanese patients with refractory or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Twelve patients were enrolled. Patients received pomalidomide 2 mg (Cohort 1) or 4 mg (Cohort 2) orally on day 1 and days 3–21 of a 28‐day cycle. The tolerated dose of pomalidomide was determined to be 4 mg given on days 1–21 of a 28‐day cycle. Efficacy outcomes with pomalidomide plus low‐dose dexamethasone were consistent with those of previous studies. Responses (partial response or better) were achieved by three patients (25%; 1 [17%] in Cohort 1 and 2 [33%] in Cohort 2), and the median time to response was 6.4 months overall (9.0 months for Cohort 1 and 4.2 months for Cohort 2). The median progression‐free survival was 5.5 months overall (5.1 months for Cohort 1 and not reached for Cohort 2). The most frequently occurring grade ≥3 adverse events were neutropenia (67%), anemia (25%), lymphopenia (25%), and pneumonia (25%), consistent with previous studies of pomalidomide plus low‐dose dexamethasone in refractory or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Further investigation of pomalidomide is recommended for Japanese patients with refractory or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01568294).     

Phase II study of melphalan, thalidomide and prednisone combined with oral panobinostat in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma

The combination of melphalan, prednisone and thalidomide (MPT) has demonstrated efficacy and acceptable toxicity in newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Panobinostat is a potent oral pan-deacetylase inhibitor (pan-DACi). In preclinical and clinical studies, panobinostat showed good anti-myeloma activity in combination with several agents. This phase II study evaluated the combination of a fixed dose of MPT with escalating doses of panobinostat (three times weekly for 3 weeks, followed by a 9-day rest period) in relapsed/refractory MM. We used a two-stage design to determine whether the combination was safe and effective. At least a partial response was observed in 38.5% of patients. The maximum tolerated dose of panobinostat in combination with MPT could not be determined due to the high rate of dose-limiting toxicities experienced with panobinostat at doses of 10 and 15 mg. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (71%) and thrombocytopenia (35.5%). In conclusion, MPT in combination with panobinostat three times weekly for 3 weeks followed by a 9-day rest period is not well tolerated in patients with relapsed/refractory MM. Future studies should evaluate alternative dose schedules of panobinostat.     

65岁以上老年多发性骨髓瘤初治的化疗进展

多发性骨髓瘤(multiple myeloma,MM)是以骨髓单克隆浆细胞增多为特征的B细胞恶性肿瘤。对于老年(65岁以上)多发性骨髓瘤初治一般采用马法兰加泼尼松(MP)方案治疗,但其总的缓解率及生存率低。近几年来一些新的化疗药物对多发性骨髓瘤初治的疗效得到了肯定。本文就老年多发性骨髓瘤初治的化疗新进展作一综述。     

Bortezomib in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic agents for multiple myeloma compared with bortezomib alone

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated synergy between bortezomib and a number of conventional cytotoxic agents. This study examined whether or not the speed of the response, progression and safety from a combination treatment of bortezomib with common chemotherapeutic drugs is superior to bortezomib monotherapy. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with relapsed, refractory multiple myeloma (MM) who had received at least two cycles of treatment including bortezomib were enrolled in this study. The median age was 56 (35-79) years and 49.1% were male. Thirty-two patients were treated with bortezomib alone and 25 were treated with chemotherapeutic agents that were given in combination with bortezomib. The monoclonal immunoglobulin (mIg) or free light chain (FLC) concentrations were determined in the sera before and after two cycles of bortezomib treatment. The adverse events were assessed and graded according to the NCI Common Toxicity Criteria (version 2.0). RESULTS: Thirty-one of the 57 patients (54.4%) attained an early objective response (EOR) after the second bortezomib treatment, defined as a >/=50% decrease in the serum mIg or FLC concentration. Improvements in the response were observed when common chemotherapeutic agents were added to bortezomib monotherapy. In patients who received bortezomib combined with chemotherapeutic agents, 19 out of 25 patients (76%) showed an EOR, whereas 12 out of 32 patients (37.5%) given bortezomib monotherapy achieved an EOR after the second cycle of bortezomib treatment (P = 0.004); the median decrease from the baseline in the paraprotein level was 74.6 +/- 5.9 and 39.7 +/- 4.2%, respectively (P = 0.003). A statistically significant elevation of serum lactic dehydrogenase (P = 0.007) and alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.027) from baseline within two cycles of bortezomib treatment was observed in responding patients. With the combination treatment, peripheral neuropathy of >/=Grade II occurred in 12 out of 25 patients (48%) compared with 12 of 32 (37.5%) in those given bortezomib alone (P = 0.589). The median time to progression of disease was similar in the two groups (359 +/- 43.5 versus 365 +/- 103.5, P = 0.688). The multivariate Cox regression model showed that a high serum albumin and low beta2-microglobulin are favorable factors for the progression-free survival following bortezomib treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Bortezomib in combination with common chemotherapeutic agents is more active in the treatment of relapsed, refractory MM than with bortezomib alone. However, more effective post-bortezomib treatment is needed to reduce the rate of disease progression particularly in patients with high tumor burden.     

Melphalan and its role in the management of patients with multiple myeloma

Melphalan is an alkylating agent approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma and ovarian cancer. The combination of oral melphalan and prednisone was first introduced in the 1960s and remains the standard therapy for elderly multiple myeloma patients. High-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell support became the standard treatment for younger patients since the 1990s. The occurrence of drug resistance is the major limiting factor for the long-term success of this therapy, and relapse always occurs. In recent years, advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of myeloma and the mechanism of drug resistance have led to the development of novel targeted therapies that are able to overcome resistance and show additive or synergistic effects with melphalan. Thalidomide, its immunomodulatory derivative lenalidomide and the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, in combination with oral melphalan in the elderly and with intravenous melphalan in younger patients, are changing the traditional treatment paradigm of multiple myeloma.     

复发难治性多发性骨髓瘤的治疗新进展

多发性骨髓瘤(MM)是一种不可治愈的恶性浆细胞疾病,且几乎所有的患者最终都会出现复发及耐药。目前尚无针对复发难治性MM的标准治疗方案。近年来,关于药物治疗、造血干细胞移植治疗有了新的进展,本文就近年来新的治疗进展综述如下。