Light chain deposition disease (LCDD) is a rare hematologic disorder that can affect any organ but predominantly involves the kidneys. Existing literature is limited to case reports and small single-center retrospective series, explaining the lack of any treatment algorithms and management guidelines for patients with this disorder. In this systematic review of literature, we explored the role of standard and high-dose chemotherapy-autologous stem cell transplant for LCDD. A total of 11 studies were identified to evaluate the hematologic and renal responses to various treatment regimens. Autologous stem cell transplant and bortezomib-based regimens appear to have reasonable safety and efficacy for this rare hematologic disorder, albeit some statistical and analytical limitations. Large multicenter retrospective and prospective studies are needed to better elucidate the role of various chemotherapy regimens as well as autologous stem cell transplant for patients with LCDD.
4 September 2023 in Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
Multiple myeloma (MM) patients with high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities (HRMM) have inferior survival outcome and are under-represented in clinical trials. There is scarce data on MM patients with more than one high-risk cytogenetic aberration (i.e. ultra high-risk MM). To evaluate outcomes of newly diagnosed MM patients with ultra high-risk MM who underwent autologous stem cell transplant (autoHCT). We conducted a retrospective single-center chart review analysis of adult patients with ultra high-risk MM who received autoHCT between 2008-2018 at MD Anderson Cancer Center. High-risk cytogenetics were defined as del17p, t(4;14), t(14;16) or 1q21 gain or amplification (1q+) by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Seventy-nine patients with two or more high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities were included in our analysis, with a median age of 61 (range 33.5-76.5) years and 57% were female. Sixty-seven patients had two HR cytogenetic abnormalities, while 12 patients had three. The most common combinations of HR abnormalities were [1q+, t(4:14)] (n=25, 32%) and [1q+, del17p] (n=21, 27%). The majority of patients received either bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRD) (48%) or carfilzomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (KRD) (16%) as induction therapy. Prior to autoHCT, 52 (66%) patients achieved ≥VGPR, whereas 23 (29%) patients achieved MRD negative ≥VGPR. Fifty-six (71%) patients received post-transplant maintenance therapy. At day 100 post autoHCT and at best post-transplant response, 36 (46%) patients and 40 (51%) patients achieved MRD negative ≥VGPR, respectively. With a median follow-up in surviving patients of 38.3 (range 11.9 to 104.8) months, the median PFS and OS in the entire cohort were 22.9 and 71.5 months, respectively. For the subset of patients with three HR abnormalities, the median PFS and OS were 15.6 and 28.0 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, achieving MRD negative ≥VGPR prior to autoHCT was associated with improved PFS (HR 0.42; p=0.045), while male gender (HR 0.15; p=0.009) and achieving MRD negative ≥VGPR post autoHCT (HR 0.27; p=0.026) were associated with improved OS. MM patients with ultra high-risk MM have a median PFS of <24 months with the current standard of care that includes consolidation with autoHCT. These patients may benefit from earlier use of newer treatment modalities, such as CAR-T and bispecific antibodies.
Secondary immune‐related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare but life‐threatening complication of immune checkpoint inhibitors. HLH‐2004 and HLH‐1994 guidelines originally developed for primary HLH are the only available guidelines. It has proven to have a good prognosis if diagnosed promptly with discontinuation of immunotherapy and treated with corticosteroid monotherapy.
Treatment options are limited for multiple myeloma patients who have developed four/five drug-refractory disease. Selinexor (Sel) and belantamab mafodotin (belamaf) were recently approved by the US FDA for treatment of RRMM. The toxicity profile of these drugs is a concern since these agents are used in patients who have already undergone multiple lines of treatment. In this review, we discuss the toxicity profile and strategies for the management of toxicities of Sel and belamaf for the treatment of RRMM. We conducted a comprehensive literature search on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Clinicaltrials.gov using the terms “selinexor”, “belantamab”, “belamaf”, and “multiple myeloma” without applying any limitations based on the date of the study, language, or country of origin. The most common hematological toxicity associated with these two drugs is thrombocytopenia. Cytopenias, constitutional symptoms, gastrointestinal effects, and hyponatremia are the major toxicities of Sel. Keratopathy and anemia are the major toxicities of belamaf. Treatment modifications and dose interruption are usually needed when side effects are more than grade II. As these are newer drugs with limited data, continuous surveillance and monitoring are warranted during the treatment course with early mitigation strategies.
6 October 2022 in Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia