Anna Kalff

The t(4;14) translocation and FGFR3 overexpression in multiple myeloma: prognostic implications and current clinical strategies

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a heterogeneous plasma cell disorder characterized by genetic abnormalities, including chromosomal translocations, deletions, duplications and genetic mutations. Translocations involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain region at chromosome 14q32 are observed in approximately 40% of patients with MM. Translocation of oncogenes into this region may lead to their increased expression, contributing to disease initiation, disease progression and therapeutic resistance. The t(4;14) translocation is associated with upregulation of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) and the myeloma SET domain protein. Patients with t(4;14) demonstrate an overall poor prognosis that is only partially mitigated by the use of the novel agents bortezomib and lenalidomide; as such, an unmet medical need remains for patients with this aberration. Preclinical studies of inhibitors of FGFR3 have shown promise in t(4;14) MM, and these studies have led to the initiation of clinical trials. Data from these trials will help to determine the clinical utility of FGFR3 inhibitors for patients with t(4;14) MM and may pave the way for personalized medicine in patients with this incurable disease.

Dysregulated Class I histone deacetylases are indicators of poor prognosis in multiple myeloma

Histone deacetylases (HDAC) control gene expression through their ability to acetylate proteins, thereby influencing a diverse range of cellular functions. Class I HDAC (HDAC1–3 and 8) and HDAC6 are predominantly upregulated in malignancies and their altered expression in some cancers has a significant prognostic implication. The expression and prognostic consequence of dysregulated Class I HDAC and HDAC6, key players in multiple myeloma (MM), are unknown. This study hypothesized that HDAC are dysregulated in MM and patients with high expression have significantly poorer prognostic outcomes. Quantitative PCR for 11 HDAC (Class I, II, and IV) was performed in genetically heterogeneous human myeloma cell lines (HMCL) and primary MM and compared to normal plasma cells (PC). In HMCL, HDAC1–3 and 8 (Class I), and HDAC5 and HDAC10 (Class II) were significantly upregulated compared to normal PC. In primary MM, the median expression level of all of the HDAC, except HDAC1 and HDAC11, were elevated when compared to normal PC. Patients with higher levels of HDAC1–3, HDAC4, HDAC6, and HDAC11 transcripts demonstrated a significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS). Immunohistochemical staining for HDAC1 and HDAC6 on bone marrow trephines from a uniformly treated cohort of transplant eligible MM patients revealed that HDAC1 protein was detectable in most patients and that higher levels of MM cell HDAC1 protein expression (≥90 % versus ≤20 % MM cell positivity) correlated with both shorter PFS (P = 0 .07) and shorter overall survival (P = 0 .003). Conversely, while the majority of patients expressed HDAC6, there was no correlation between HDAC6 levels and patient outcome. Together, these results indicate that overexpression of Class I HDAC, particularly HDAC1, is associated with poor prognosis in MM.

The impact of a regular erythrocytapheresis programme on the acute and chronic complications of sickle cell disease in adults.

Thirteen adult patients aged 22–63 (median 30) years with sickle cell disease (SCD) were enrolled in a regular erythrocytapheresis (ECP) programme at a single institution between December 1998 and November 2008. The indications for enrolment were recurrent painful crises (PC), acute chest syndrome (ACS), silent cortical ischaemia, pulmonary hypertension, multi‐organ crises and pregnancy. Endpoints retrospectively evaluated included the incidence of SCD‐related acute events requiring hospitalization following and prior to regular ECP, the development of new and progression of pre‐existing related end‐organ damage, the effectiveness in reducing HbS levels acutely and prior to the next exchange and the transfusion‐related complications. Sixteen acute sickle‐related events occurred in five patients in 846 months of patient follow‐up. In all patients with reliable data available pre‐ECP, the frequency of such events was reduced following commencing regular ECP. No patient experienced stroke, multi‐organ crises or developed new and/or progression of end‐organ dysfunction. Regular ECP reduced HbS levels to the target of <30% immediately post‐exchange. Alloimmunization rates were comparable to the literature and ECP was effective in preventing progressive iron overload. Regular ECP was demonstrated to be an effective, well‐tolerated therapy for both acute and chronic complications of SCD in adults.

Circulating tumour DNA analysis demonstrates spatial mutational heterogeneity that coincides with disease relapse in myeloma

Mutational characterisation in multiple myeloma (MM) currently relies on bone marrow (BM) biopsy, which fails to capture the putative spatial and genetic heterogeneity of this multifocal disease. Analysis of plasma (PL)-derived circulating free tumour DNA (ctDNA) as an adjunct to BM biopsy, for mutational characterisation and tracking disease progression, was evaluated. Paired BM MM cell DNA and ctDNA from 33 relapsed/refractory (RR) and 15 newly diagnosed (ND) patients were analysed for KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and TP53 mutations using the OnTarget Mutation Detection (OMD) platform. OMD detected 128 mutations (PL=31, BM=59, both=38) indicating the presence of PL mutations (54%). A higher frequency of PL-only mutations was detected in RR patients than ND (27.2% vs 6.6%, respectively), authenticating the existence of spatial and genetic heterogeneity in advanced disease. Activating RAS mutations were more highly prevalent than previously described with 69% harboring at least one RAS mutation. Sequential ctDNA quantitation with droplet digital PCR through longitudinal PL tracking of specific clones in seven patients demonstrated changes in fractional abundance of certain clones reflective of the disease status. We conclude that ctDNA analysis as an adjunct to BM biopsy represents a noninvasive and holistic strategy for improved mutational characterisation and therapeutic monitoring of MM.

Lenalidomide in multiple myeloma: Current status and future potential

The clinical development of lenalidomide (Revlimid™), then pomalidomide (Actimid™) as members of immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), exemplifies how insight into disease biology can lead to design of effective therapeutic agents. Increased experience and understanding of IMiDs diverse biological effects has lead to rational design of lenalidomide‐based treatment‐regimens over recent years. However, much about lenalidomide is yet to be understood and fully exploited. Here, we review what is known of lenalidomides biological effects, clinical certainties and uncertainties in the treatment of MM, and explore its future potential with other synergistic therapeutic agents. Am. J. Hematol. 2012.

Central nervous system multiple myeloma--potential roles for intrathecal therapy and measurement of cerebrospinal fluid light chains.

Central nervous system (CNS) multiple myeloma (MM) is exceedingly rare and portends a dismal prognosis. While immunomodulators have contributed to the improvement in survival in MM, they appear to have limited activity against CNS MM and, paradoxically, may contribute to the evolution of resistant MM clones capable of surviving within the CNS. We undertook a retrospective analysis to characterize the features of CNS MM and outcome in 17 patients from four institutions identified between 2000 and 2011. The median age was 58 years. Patients had received a median of three prior therapies and all had been exposed to at least one of the so‐called novel anti‐MM agents before the diagnosis of CNS MM. The median time to CNS disease from initial diagnosis was 36 months. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) light chain measurements produced discrepant results to serum light chain measurements in some patients. Treatments included systemic pharmacotherapy, intrathecal (IT) chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy (RT). The median overall survival (OS) from diagnosis of CNS MM was only 4 months. OS was significantly better in patients who received IT chemotherapy (20 months vs. 2 months, respectively; P < 0·02). We conclude that the systematic evaluation of IT therapy and diagnostic utility of CSF light chain measurements in CNS MM are warranted.

Liquid biopsies for liquid tumors: emerging potential of circulating free nucleic acid evaluation for the management of hematologic malignancies

Circulating free nucleic acids; cell free DNA and circulating micro-RNA, are found in the plasma of patients with hematologic and solid malignancies at levels higher than that of healthy individuals. In patients with hematologic malignancy cell free DNA reflects the underlying tumor mutational profile, whilst micro-RNAs reflect genetic interference mechanisms within a tumor and potentially the surrounding microenvironment and immune effector cells. These circulating nucleic acids offer a potentially simple, non-invasive, repeatable analysis that can aid in diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic decisions in cancer treatment.

Fludarabine Melphalan reduced-intensity conditioning allotransplanation provides similar disease control in lymphoid and myeloid malignancies: analysis of 344 patients.

This was an Australasian Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient Registry (ABMTRR)-based retrospective study assessing the outcome of Fludarabine Melphalan (FluMel) reduced-intensity conditioning between 1998 and 2008. Median follow-up was 3.4 years. There were 344 patients with a median age of 54 years (18–68). In all, 234 patients had myeloid malignancies, with AML (n=166) being the commonest indication. There were 110 lymphoid patients with non-hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) (n=64) the main indication. TRM at day 100 was 14% with no significant difference between the groups. OS and disease-free survival (DFS) were similar between myeloid and lymphoid patients (57 and 50% at 3 years, respectively). There was no difference in cumulative incidence of relapse or GVHD between groups. Multivariate analysis revealed four significant adverse risk factors for DFS: donor other than HLA-identical sibling donor, not in remission at transplant, previous autologous transplant and recipient CMV positive. Chronic GVHD was associated with improved DFS in multivariate analysis predominantly due to a marked reduction in relapse (HR:0.44, P=0.003). This study confirms that FluMel provides durable and equivalent remissions in both myeloid and lymphoid malignancies. Disease stage and chronic GVHD remain important determinants of outcome for FluMel allografting.

Laboratory tumor lysis syndrome complicating LBH589 therapy in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia

LBH589 is a novel cinnamic hydroxamic acid analog (HAA) pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) currently in early phase clinical development.

Bisphosphonate guidelines for treatment and prevention of myeloma bone disease

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a haematological malignancy characterised by the clonal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow. More than 80% of patients with MM display evidence of myeloma bone disease (MBD), characterised by the formation of osteolytic lesions throughout the axial and appendicular skeleton. MBD significantly increases the risk of skeletal‐related events such as pathologic fracture, spinal cord compression and hypercalcaemia. MBD is the result of MM plasma cells‐mediated activation of osteoclast activity and suppression of osteoblast activity. Bisphosphonates (BP), pyrophosphate analogues with high bone affinity, are the only pharmacological agents currently recommended for the treatment and prevention of MBD and remain the standard of care. Pamidronate and zoledronic acid are the most commonly used BP to treat MBD. Although generally safe, frequent high doses of BP are associated with adverse events such as renal toxicity and osteonecrosis of the jaw. As such, optimal duration and dosing of BP therapy is required in order to minimise BP‐associated adverse events. The following guidelines provide currently available evidence for the adoption of a tailored approach when using BP for the management of MBD.