scholarly journals Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: How Many Drugs Are Enough?

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (11.5) ◽  
pp. 1347-1350
Author(s):  
Shaji K. Kumar

The treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) has evolved over the past decade, yet it remains a chronic disease. Several trials of 4-drug induction regimens have resulted in deepening of disease response. With the emergence of multidrug regimens, questions have arisen regarding the role of autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in MM therapy and available treatment options after ASCT. Clinicians have also continued to improve the efficacy of maintenance therapies. In transplant-ineligible patients, the phases of treatment are less distinct; however, several regimens have demonstrated efficacy in this clinical setting. Future research should focus on individualizing treatment approaches.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 1170-1170
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Olin ◽  
David L. Porter ◽  
Selina M. Luger ◽  
Stephen J. Schuster ◽  
Donald Tsai ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) as part of initial therapy has been shown to prolong survival of patients with multiple myeloma, with some achieving durable complete remission. However, the majority of patients ultimately relapse after ASCT and require salvage treatment. Options for the treatment of such patients have increased significantly over recent years, including not only novel chemotherapeutic and biological agents but also additional ASCTs. We performed a retrospective analysis of our experience with salvage ASCT for multiple myeloma to determine which clinical variables influence outcome. Methods: Between October 1992 and February 2005, we performed 342 ASCTs for multiple myeloma. Twenty-six of these were salvage transplants for relapsed disease after prior ASCT, and all were included in the analysis. Patients who received two planned (tandem) ASCTs were not included. Results: The median age at diagnosis was 47 (range 25–66), and median ISS and DS stages at diagnosis were 1 and 2, respectively. The initial ASCT was melphalan-based in 21/26; six (23%) achieved a complete response (CR) to the initial transplant, and fifteen (58%) achieved a partial response (PR). The median event-free survival (EFS) after the initial transplant was 19.5 months (range 2–60). The median time between initial and salvage ASCT was 2.6 years (range 0.3–7.6). Twenty-two patients (85%) received non-transplant therapy between ASCTs, and the median number of lines of therapy prior to salvage ASCT was 3. At the time of salvage ASCT, the median age was 52.5 (range 28–69). Fourteen patients received melphalan alone, eight received melphalan/TBI, and four received other regimens. Eleven patients (42%) achieved a response to therapy (1 CR, 10 PR). One patient (4%) died of transplant-related toxicity. The median follow-up after salvage ASCT is 12 months (range 0.2–58). Median EFS is 9 months, and median overall survival (OS) is 36 months. The 2-year EFS is 14%, and 2-year OS is 52%. On univariate analysis, both response to and EFS after initial transplant significantly predict improved EFS after salvage transplant (p=0.0008 and p=0.0065 respectively). Both also predict improved OS (p=0.03 and 0.0005 respectively). A greater than 12 month interval between first and second transplant also correlated with OS (p=0.04). There was no significant difference in EFS or OS by preparative regimen. Interestingly, type of response to the salvage transplant (CR/PR or less than PR) did not predict improved EFS or OS. Conclusion: This study suggests that salvage ASCT after relapse from initial ASCT is a feasible therapy for patients with heavily treated multiple myeloma, particularly those with a prolonged response to the first transplant.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 8596-8596
Author(s):  
N. Shah ◽  
D. Weber ◽  
R. Orlowski ◽  
M. Wang ◽  
S. K. Thomas ◽  
...  

8596 Background: The introduction of novel therapeutic options with bortezomib and immunomodulatory agents in the up-front management of multiple myeloma (MM) has significantly improved induction response rates. However, the role of high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) after induction with these highly active agents is not known, especially in patients with only a partial response to induction therapy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 95 newly diagnosed MM patients treated with induction bortezomib-lenolidomide-dexamethasone (BLD) or bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone (BTD) prior to ASCT. Responses were graded according to IMWG criteria. Results: 19 patients received BLD and 76 patients received BTD. All patients were conditioned with a melphalan-based regimen. Of the 19 patients who underwent induction with BLD, complete response (CR), very good partial response (VGPR) and partial response (PR) were achieved in 2 (11%), 8 (42%) and 9 (47%) respectively for an overall response rate (ORR) of 19/19 (100%). After ASCT, CR, VGPR and PR were achieved in 9 (47%), 5 (26%) and 5 (26%) respectively for a continued ORR of 21/21 (100%). Notably, 4/8 (50%) of patients with a VGPR after induction therapy with BLD improved to a CR after ASCT. 3/9 (33%) of patients with an initial PR to BLD improved to a CR and 1/9 (11%) with a PR improved to VGPR after ASCT. Of the 76 patients who underwent induction with BTD, CR, VGPR and PR were achieved in 6 (8%), 37 (49%) and 31(41%) respectively for an ORR of 74/76 (97%). 1 patient had stable disease and 1 patient had progressive disease. After ASCT, 27/76 (36%) achieved a CR, 30/76 (39%) a VGPR and 18/76 (24%) a PR for an ORR of 75/76 (99%). Of the patients who initially had a VGPR to BTD 16/37 (43%) improved to a CR while 5/32(16%)of PR patients improved to a CR and 9/32 (28%) of PR patients improved to a VGPR. Conclusions: Of the 40 patients who only achieved a PR after induction therapy with BLD or BTD, 16 (40%) had further improvement to a CR or VGPR after ASCT. Thus there is a significant benefit of ASCT in these patients who initially demonstrate relative resistance to induction therapy with highly active regimens. [Table: see text]


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 2159-2159
Author(s):  
Paul M Maciocia ◽  
Nicholas Counsell ◽  
Antonia Bird ◽  
Laura Percy ◽  
Sally Moore ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction High dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) represents the standard of care for untreated patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who are young and fit. Novel agents are changing the landscape of pre- and post-ASCT therapies, but benefits may not apply to all patients. We report 338 MM patients treated with up-front ASCT at University College Hospital London from September 1993 - December 2010. Results Patient characteristics are described in Table 1. 90 (27%) received novel agents (thalidomide, bortezomib or lenalidomide) prior to transplant, and the remainder had VAD (vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone)-based regimens. Most patients (64%) had 1 line of therapy prior to ASCT, 26% had 2 lines and 11% >/=3 lines. Responses to first line therapy were 24% >/= VGPR, 45% PR, ORR 69%. Best response prior to ASCT was: 27% >/= VGPR, 59% PR, ORR of 86%. 42 patients (12%) had stable disease or worse pre-ASCT. Transplant-related mortality at 100 days was 3.3%, 166 patients (49%) attained >/= VGPR at 3 months and 126 (37%) PR. Maintenance/consolidation regimens were interferon or thalidomide-based. Median follow-up was 6.1 yrs, progression-free survival (PFS) 2.0 yrs and overall survival was (OS) 5.8 yrs from ASCT and 6.8 yrs from diagnosis. 266 patients have relapsed, and 169 have died. On multivariate analysis, international staging system (ISS) stage 1, female gender, use of novel agents first-line and disease response (>/=VGPR pre- and 3 months post-ASCT) predicted longer PFS (p's < 0.05). Timing of relapse was the most important predictor of survival (median OS 1.6yrs if relapse within 12 months vs 7.2yrs if not, HR = 6.7, p<0.001. Shorter OS was also associated with male gender, advanced ISS, non-IgG isotype, CD56-negativity, older age at ASCT, <PR post ASCT (p's < 0.05) and later year of ASCT (median OS 6.2 yrs 2005-10 v 4.9 yrs 1993-2004, HR = 0.8, p = 0.006). Use of novel agents at first line predicted longer OS on univariate but not multivariate analysis. Prior lines of therapy and time from diagnosis to ASCT did not impact PFS or OS. Post-ASCT maintenance/ consolidation therapy was associated with prolonged PFS (adj HR 0.6, [95% CI 0.4-0.8] and OS (adj HR 0.5 [0.3-0.7]. Adverse cytogenetics (CGN) was associated with reduced PFS (HR 1.7 [1.1 – 2.7]) and OS (HR 2.2 [1.2-4.0]). In patients with adverse CGN who did not relapse early, OS was similar to patients with standard risk CGN (OS 5.6 yrs v 7.2 yrs, p = NS, Fig 1). Outcomes for those relapsing early were similar in pre-2005 and later (>/= 2005) cohorts (OS 1.6 v 1.7 yrs, p = NS, Fig 2). Median post-relapse survival (PRS) was 2.6 yrs. Factors predicting longer PRS included IgG isotype, CD56-positivity, later year of ASCT and of relapse, younger age at ASCT, longer PFS from ASCT and the use of novel agents at relapse. Patients relapsing in 2005 and later had longer PRS (3.6 v 1.3 yrs, HR = 0.4, p = 0.0001). Prior treatment with maintenance/consolidation did not impact PRS (PRS 3.1 v 2.4 yrs, p = NS). Conclusions These data indicate that post-ASCT strategies and choice of agent at relapse may be as important determinants of outcome as disease response pre-ASCT. Early relapse was the most important predictor of death following ASCT and may outweigh the impact of adverse CGN. The adverse outcome of patients relapsing early is not salvaged using contemporary treatment strategies at relapse. The benefit of CD56 expression on OS, but not on PFS suggests this denotes disease that remains chemo-responsive disease through relapses. Maintenance or consolidation therapy following ASCT appears to prolong PFS and OS without impacting post-relapse survival. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2016 ◽  
Vol 02 (01) ◽  
pp. 023-028
Author(s):  
Esha Kaul ◽  
Sanjeev Sharma

AbstractMultiple myeloma has been regarded as an incurable disease with frequent relapses. The diagnostic criteria have been revised multiple times to include early stage of the disease where treatment can be effective and can prolong the survival. Newer diagnostic criteria for myeloma have incorporated ≥60% plasma cells in the bone marrow and serum free light chain ratio (involved to uninvolved free light chains) of ≥100. The role of positron emission tomography-computed tomography scans has been recognized, and it has been increasingly utilized upfront in the management of multiple myeloma. Role of minimal residual disease monitoring has been studied in multiple trials and will in near future guide the treatment. Autologous stem cell transplant is still the preferred consolidation therapy after initial three or four drug induction. With the use of novel drugs combinations and with emerging treatment options the standard of care of myeloma patients will change.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 175-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah A. Holstein ◽  
Vera J. Suman ◽  
Philip L. McCarthy

Lenalidomide is a derivative of thalidomide and belongs to the class of drugs known as the immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs). The IMiDs have played a large role in improving the survival outcomes of patients with multiple myeloma. In particular, lenalidomide is currently standard of care in the newly diagnosed setting, in the maintenance setting post-autologous stem cell transplant, as well as in the relapsed/refractory setting. While the combination of lenalidomide and various proteasome inhibitors has proven particularly effective, there are emerging data demonstrating the effectiveness of lenalidomide in combination with other important classes of drugs including the monoclonal antibodies. Recent studies have provided insight into the molecular target of lenalidomide and the other IMiDs, although there is still much to be learned regarding the mechanisms by which lenalidomide affects the myeloma cell and the immune system. Here we review the molecular mechanisms of action, side effects, and the results of the clinical trials which have led to the widespread incorporation of lenalidomide into the myeloma therapeutic armamentarium.


2020 ◽  
Vol 145 (12) ◽  
pp. 820-827
Author(s):  
Charlotte Weyermann ◽  
Christian Straka ◽  
Hermann Einsele

AbstractThe prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma has improved significantly over the past 20 years. However, the patient population in the relapse situation is very heterogeneous due to increasing age and the previous course of the disease and therapy. In particular, the approval of new targeted substances offers numerous treatment options that can be adapted to the individual situation.In relapsed multiple myeloma, disease- and patient-specific factors must be considered for an individually adapted therapy. Suitable patients can also receive an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or, in the case of early relapse after ASCT, an allogenic stem cell transplant, if possible as part clinical studies. Proteasome or immunomodulator-based triple combinations are the standard in recurrence. In frail patients, a combination of two can also be used. The new substances also offer very good therapeutic options for high-risk cytogenetics or renal insufficiency. The monoclonal antibodies Daratumumab and Elotuzumab are well tolerated except for infusion reactions and are highly effective in various combinations, even in high-risk cytogenetics.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document