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The standard prognostic marker for multiple myeloma (MM) patients is the revised International Staging System (R-ISS). However, there is room for improvement in guiding treatment. This applies particularly to older patients, in whom the benefit/risk ratio is reduced because of comorbidities and subsequent side effects. We hypothesized that adding gene-expression data to R-ISS would generate a stronger marker. This was tested by combining R-ISS with the SKY92 classifier (SKY-RISS). The HOVON-87/NMSG-18 trial (EudraCT: 2007-004007-34) compared melphalan-prednisone-thalidomide followed by thalidomide maintenance (MPT-T) with melphalan-prednisone-lenalidomide followed by lenalidomide maintenance (MPR-R). From this trial, 168 patients with available R-ISS status and gene-expression profiles were analyzed. R-ISS stages I, II, and III were assigned to 8%, 75%, and 7% of patients, respectively (3-year overall survival [OS] rates: 80%, 65%, 33%, P = 8 × 10−3). Using the SKY92 classifier, 13% of patients were high risk (HR) (3-year OS rates: standard risk [SR], 70%; HR, 28%; P < .001). Combining SKY92 with R-ISS resulted in 3 risk groups: SKY-RISS I (SKY-SR + R-ISS-I; 15%), SKY-RISS III (SKY-HR + R-ISS-II/III; 11%), and SKY-RISS II (all other patients; 74%). The 3-year OS rates for SKY-RISS I, II, and III are 88%, 66%, and 26%, respectively (P = 6 × 10−7). The SKY-RISS model was validated in older patients from the CoMMpass dataset. Moreover, SKY-RISS demonstrated predictive potential: HR patients appeared to benefit from MPR-R over MPT-T (median OS, 55 and 14 months, respectively). Combined, SKY92 and R-ISS classify patients more accurately. Additionally, benefit was observed for MPR-R over MPT-T in SKY92-RISS HR patients only.

The standard prognostic marker for multiple myeloma (MM) patients is the revised International Staging System (R-ISS). However, there is room for improvement in guiding treatment. This applies particularly to older patients, in whom the benefit/risk ratio is reduced because of comorbidities and subsequent side effects. We hypothesized that adding gene-expression data to R-ISS would generate a stronger marker. This was tested by combining R-ISS with the SKY92 classifier (SKY-RISS). The HOVON-87/NMSG-18 trial (EudraCT: 2007-004007-34) compared melphalan-prednisone-thalidomide followed by thalidomide maintenance (MPT-T) with melphalan-prednisone-lenalidomide followed by lenalidomide maintenance (MPR-R). From this trial, 168 patients with available R-ISS status and gene-expression profiles were analyzed. R-ISS stages I, II, and III were assigned to 8%, 75%, and 7% of patients, respectively (3-year overall survival [OS] rates: 80%, 65%, 33%, P= 8 × 10−3). Using the SKY92 classifier, 13% of patients were high risk (HR) (3-year OS rates: standard risk [SR], 70%; HR, 28%; P< .001). Combining SKY92 with R-ISS resulted in 3 risk groups: SKY-RISS I (SKY-SR + R-ISS-I; 15%), SKY-RISS III (SKY-HR + R-ISS-II/III; 11%), and SKY-RISS II (all other patients; 74%). The 3-year OS rates for SKY-RISS I, II, and III are 88%, 66%, and 26%, respectively (P= 6 × 10−7). The SKY-RISS model was validated in older patients from the CoMMpass dataset. Moreover, SKY-RISS demonstrated predictive potential: HR patients appeared to benefit from MPR-R over MPT-T (median OS, 55 and 14 months, respectively). Combined, SKY92 and R-ISS classify patients more accurately. Additionally, benefit was observed for MPR-R over MPT-T in SKY92-RISS HR patients only.

The emergence of highly active novel agents has led some to question the role of autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) and subsequent consolidation therapy in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. We therefore compared autologous HSCT with bortezomib–melphalan–prednisone (VMP) as intensification therapy, and bortezomib–lenalidomide–dexamethasone (VRD) consolidation therapy with no consolidation.

The etiology of multiple myeloma (MM) is poorly understood. Summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of multiple phenotypes can be exploited in a Mendelian randomization (MR) phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) to search for factors influencing MM risk. We performed an MR-PheWAS analyzing 249 phenotypes, proxied by 10 225 genetic variants, and summary genetic data from a GWAS of 7717 MM cases and 29 304 controls. Odds ratios (ORs) per 1 standard deviation increase in each phenotype were estimated under an inverse variance weighted random effects model. A Bonferroni-corrected threshold of P = 2 × 10−4 was considered significant, whereas P < .05 was considered suggestive of an association. Although no significant associations with MM risk were observed among the 249 phenotypes, 28 phenotypes showed evidence suggestive of association, including increased levels of serum vitamin B6 and blood carnitine (P = 1.1 × 10−3) with greater MM risk and ω-3 fatty acids (P = 5.4 × 10−4) with reduced MM risk. A suggestive association between increased telomere length and reduced MM risk was also noted; however, this association was primarily driven by the previously identified risk variant rs10936599 at 3q26 (TERC). Although not statistically significant, increased body mass index was associated with increased risk (OR, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.99-1.22), supporting findings from a previous meta-analysis of prospective observational studies. Our study did not provide evidence supporting any modifiable factors examined as having a major influence on MM risk; however, it provides insight into factors for which the evidence has previously been mixed.

The etiology of multiple myeloma (MM) is poorly understood. Summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of multiple phenotypes can be exploited in a Mendelian randomization (MR) phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) to search for factors influencing MM risk. We performed an MR-PheWAS analyzing 249 phenotypes, proxied by 10 225 genetic variants, and summary genetic data from a GWAS of 7717 MM cases and 29 304 controls. Odds ratios (ORs) per 1 standard deviation increase in each phenotype were estimated under an inverse variance weighted random effects model. A Bonferroni-corrected threshold of P= 2 × 10−4was considered significant, whereas P< .05 was considered suggestive of an association. Although no significant associations with MM risk were observed among the 249 phenotypes, 28 phenotypes showed evidence suggestive of association, including increased levels of serum vitamin B6 and blood carnitine (P= 1.1 × 10−3) with greater MM risk and ω-3 fatty acids (P= 5.4 × 10−4) with reduced MM risk. A suggestive association between increased telomere length and reduced MM risk was also noted; however, this association was primarily driven by the previously identified risk variant rs10936599 at 3q26 (TERC). Although not statistically significant, increased body mass index was associated with increased risk (OR, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.99-1.22), supporting findings from a previous meta-analysis of prospective observational studies. Our study did not provide evidence supporting any modifiable factors examined as having a major influence on MM risk; however, it provides insight into factors for which the evidence has previously been mixed.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common blood malignancy. Epidemiological family studies going back to the 1920s have provided evidence for familial aggregation, suggesting a subset of cases have an inherited genetic background. Recently, studies aimed at explaining this phenomenon have begun to provide direct evidence for genetic predisposition to MM. Genome-wide association studies have identified common risk alleles at 24 independent loci. Sequencing studies of familial cases and kindreds have begun to identify promising candidate genes where variants with strong effects on MM risk might reside. Finally, functional studies are starting to give insight into how identified risk alleles promote the development of MM. Here, we review recent findings in MM predisposition field, and highlight open questions and future directions.

While genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of multiple myeloma (MM) have identified variants at 23 regions influencing risk, the genes underlying these associations are largely unknown. To identify candidate causal genes at these regions and search for novel risk regions, we performed a multi-tissue transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS). GWAS data on 7319 MM cases and 234,385 controls was integrated with Genotype-Tissue Expression Project (GTEx) data assayed in 48 tissues (sample sizes, N= 80–491), including lymphocyte cell lines and whole blood, to predict gene expression. We identified 108 genes at 13 independent regions associated with MM risk, all of which were in 1 Mb of known MM GWAS risk variants. Of these, 94 genes, located in eight regions, had not previously been considered as a candidate gene for that locus. Our findings highlight the value of leveraging expression data from multiple tissues to identify candidate genes responsible for GWAS associations which provide insight into MM tumorigenesis. Among the genes identified, a number have plausible roles in MM biology, notably APOBEC3C, APOBEC3H, APOBEC3D, APOBEC3F, APOBEC3G, or have been previously implicated in other malignancies. The genes identified in this TWAS can be explored for follow-up and validation to further understand their role in MM biology.

Introduction :

Introduction: Daratumumab (DARA) is a human, CD38-targeting, IgG1κ monoclonal antibody approved as monotherapy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) and in combination with standard of care for RRMM and NDMM. The addition of DARA to standard-of-care regimens in phase 3 studies has consistently improved progression-free survival (PFS) and led to deep and durable responses, including higher rates of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity compared with standard of care. In the primary analysis of the phase 3 MAIA study (median follow-up, 28.0 mo), D-Rd vs Rd significantly improved PFS and MRD-negativity rates in transplant-ineligible NDMM (Facon T, N Engl J Med2019). With longer follow-up (36.4 mo), D-Rd maintained a PFS benefit and deeper and more durable responses vs Rd alone (Bahlis N, Blood2019. 134[Suppl 1]:1875). Here, we report updated efficacy and safety findings from MAIA after approximately 4 years of follow-up.

Kumar: Sanofi: Research Funding; Carsgen: Other, Research Funding; Cellectar: Other; Celgene/BMS: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Genentech/Roche: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Takeda: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Janssen Oncology: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Novartis: Research Funding; Oncopeptides: Consultancy, Other: Independent Review Committee; IRC member; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; AbbVie: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Tenebio: Other, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; MedImmune: Research Funding; Genecentrix: Consultancy; Dr. Reddy's Laboratories: Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments, Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy. Facon:Celgene, Janssen, Takeda, Amgen, Roche, Karyopharm, Oncopeptides, BMS, Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Usmani:Abbvie: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Speaking Fees, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Speaking Fees, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Other; GSK: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS, Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Speaking Fees, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Speaking Fees, Research Funding; SkylineDX: Consultancy, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Array Biopharma: Research Funding. Plesner:Janssen: Consultancy. Orlowski:Founder of Asylia Therapeutics, Inc., with associated patents and an equity interest, though this technology does not bear on the current submission.: Current equity holder in private company, Patents & Royalties; STATinMED Research: Consultancy; Laboratory research funding from BioTheryX, and clinical research funding from CARsgen Therapeutics, Celgene, Exelixis, Janssen Biotech, Sanofi-Aventis, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.: Research Funding; Amgen, Inc., AstraZeneca, BMS, Celgene, EcoR1 Capital LLC, Forma Therapeutics, Genzyme, GSK Biologicals, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Janssen Biotech, Juno Therapeutics, Kite Pharma, Legend Biotech USA, Molecular Partners, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi-Aventis, Servier, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Touzeau:Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses; GlaxoSmithKline: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding. Bahlis:BMS/Celgene and Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accomodations, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria; GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria. Goldschmidt:Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Grants and/or provision of Investigational Medicinal Product:, Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Johns Hopkins University: Other: Grants and/or provision of Investigational Medicinal Product; Incyte: Research Funding; University Hospital Heidelberg, Internal Medicine V and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany: Current Employment; GlaxoSmithKline (GSK): Honoraria; Adaptive Biotechnology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Grants and/or provision of Investigational Medicinal Product, Research Funding; Mundipharma GmbH: Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Chugai: Honoraria, Other: Grants and/or provision of Investigational Medicinal Product:, Research Funding; Dietmar-Hopp-Foundation: Other: Grants and/or provision of Investigational Medicinal Product:; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Grants and/or provision of Investigational Medicinal Product:, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Grants and/or provision of Investigational Medicinal Product:, Research Funding; Molecular Partners: Research Funding; Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD): Research Funding. O'Dwyer:Celgene: Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); BMS: Research Funding; Carrick Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); Janssen: Consultancy, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); AbbVie: Consultancy; ONK Therapeutics: Consultancy, Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding. Venner:Celgene, Amgen: Research Funding; Janssen, BMS/Celgene, Sanofi, Takeda, Amgen: Honoraria. Weisel:Adaptive: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria; GlaxoSmithKline: Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria. Hulin:Celgene/Bristol-Myers Squibb, Janssen, GlaxoSmithKline, and Takeda: Honoraria. Karlin:GlaxoSmithKline: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, personal fees; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, personal fees; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, personal fees; Celgene: Other: Personal fees; Sanofi: Honoraria; AbbVie: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support; Celgene/Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support. Preis:Janssen: Other: for factor XI inhibitor. Broyl:Janssen, Celgene, Takeda, Amgen: Honoraria. Hansson:Amgen, Celgene, Takeda, Janssen Cilag: Consultancy. Krevvata:Janssen: Current Employment. Wang:Janssen: Current Employment. Van Rampelbergh:Janssen: Current Employment. Ukropec:Janssen: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Uhlar:Janssen: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Kobos:Janssen: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Perrot:Amgen, BMS/Celgene, Janssen, Sanofi, Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

Maintenance therapy following autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) can delay disease progression and prolong survival in patients with multiple myeloma. Ixazomib is ideally suited for maintenance therapy given its convenient once-weekly oral dosing and low toxicity profile. In this study, we aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of ixazomib as maintenance therapy following ASCT.

Immunoglobulins are the effector molecules of the adaptive humoral immune system. In a genome-wide association study of 19,219 individuals, we found 38 new variants and replicated 5 known variants associating with IgA, IgG or IgM levels or with composite immunoglobulin traits, accounted for by 32 loci. Variants at these loci also affect the risk of autoimmune diseases and blood malignancies and influence blood cell development. Notable associations include a rare variant at RUNX3 decreasing IgA levels by shifting isoform proportions (rs188468174[C>T]: P = 8.3 × 10−55, β = −0.90 s.d.), a rare in-frame deletion in FCGR2B abolishing IgG binding to the encoded receptor (p.Asn106del: P = 4.2 × 10−8, β = 1.03 s.d.), four IGH locus variants influencing class switching, and ten new associations with the HLA region. Our results provide new insight into the regulation of humoral immunity.

Human primary CMML cells produce immunosuppressive ROS that may impact on NK cell- and T cell-mediated clearance of leukemic cells. Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a myeloproliferative and myelodysplastic neoplasm with few treatment options and dismal prognosis. The role of natural killer (NK) cells and other antileukemic lymphocytes in CMML is largely unknown. We aimed to provide insight into the mechanisms of immune evasion in CMML with a focus on immunosuppressive reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed by the myeloid cell NADPH oxidase-2 (NOX2). The dominant population of primary human CMML cells was found to express membrane-bound NOX2 and to release ROS, which, in turn, triggered extensive PARP-1–dependent cell death in cocultured NK cells, CD8+T effector memory cells, and CD8+T effector cells. Inhibitors of ROS formation and scavengers of extracellular ROS prevented CMML cell-induced lymphocyte death and facilitated NK cell degranulation toward Ab-coated, primary CMML cells. In patients with CMML, elevation of immature cell counts (CD34+) in blood was associated with reduced expression of several NK cell-activating receptors. We propose that CMML cells may use extracellular ROS as a targetable mechanism of immune escape.

Although common risk alleles for multiple myeloma (MM) were recently identified, their contribution to familial MM is unknown. Analyzing 38 familial cases identified primarily by linking Swedish nationwide registries, we demonstrate an enrichment of common MM risk alleles in familial compared with 1530 sporadic cases (P = 4.8 × 10-2 and 6.0 × 10-2, respectively, for 2 different polygenic risk scores) and 10?171 population-based controls (P = 1.5 × 10-4 and 1.3 × 10-4, respectively). Using mixture modeling, we estimate that about one-third of familial cases result from such enrichments. Our results provide the first direct evidence for a polygenic etiology in a familial hematologic malignancy.

Although common risk alleles for multiple myeloma (MM) were recently identified, their contribution to familial MM is unknown. Analyzing 38 familial cases identified primarily by linking Swedish nationwide registries, we demonstrate an enrichment of common MM risk alleles in familial compared with 1530 sporadic cases (P= 4.8 × 10−2and 6.0 × 10−2, respectively, for 2 different polygenic risk scores) and 10 171 population-based controls (P= 1.5 × 10−4and 1.3 × 10−4, respectively). Using mixture modeling, we estimate that about one-third of familial cases result from such enrichments. Our results provide the first direct evidence for a polygenic etiology in a familial hematologic malignancy.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies associated vasculitides (AAV) is a group of autoimmune diseases, characterized by small vessel inflammation. Phagocytes such as neutrophils and monocytes are the main effector cells found around the inflamed vessel wall. Therefore, we wanted to investigate aspects of function and activation of these cells in patients with AAV. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate: the expression of activation markers (CD11c, CD62L, CD177 and C5aR); the number of recently released neutrophils from bone marrow, defined as CD10-D16lowcells in peripheral blood; and the capacity of peripheral blood monocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to produce reactive oxygen species and to phagocytose opsonized bacteria. AAV patients (n = 104) showed an increase of CD10-CD16lowneutrophils and total PMN in peripheral blood, suggesting a combination of increased bone marrow release and prolonged survival. An increased percentage of AAV PMN expressed CD177 but no other signs of activation were seen. A decreased production of reactive oxygen species was observed in AAV phagocytes, which was associated with disease activity. Moreover, granulocytes from patients with microscopic polyangiitis showed lower oxidative burst capacity compared to patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis or eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. In addition, decreased phagocytosis capacity was seen in PMN and monocytes. Our results indicate that phagocytes from AAV patients have impaired function, are easily mobilized from bone marrow but are not particularly activated. The association between low reactive oxygen species formation in PMN and disease severity is consistent with findings in other autoimmune diseases and might be considered as a risk factor.

Patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) have poor prognosis. The STRATUS study assessed safety and efficacy of pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone in the largest cohort to date of patients with RRMM. Patients who failed treatment with bortezomib and lenalidomide and had adequate prior alkylator therapy were eligible. Pomalidomide 4 mg was given on days 1-21 of 28-day cycles with low-dose dexamethasone 40 mg (20 mg for patients aged >75 years) on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity. Safety was the primary end point; secondary end points included overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Among 682 patients enrolled, median age was 66 years, and median time since diagnosis was 5.3 years. Median number of prior regimens was 5. Most patients were refractory to both lenalidomide and bortezomib (80.2%). Median follow-up was 16.8 months; median duration of treatment was 4.9 months. Most frequent grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events were hematologic (neutropenia [49.7%], anemia [33.0%], and thrombocytopenia [24.1%]). Most common grade 3/4 nonhematologic toxicities were pneumonia (10.9%) and fatigue (5.9%). Grade 3/4 venous thromboembolism and peripheral neuropathy were rare (1.6% each). The ORR was 32.6%, and the median DOR was 7.4 months. Median PFS and OS were 4.6 months and 11.9 months, respectively. We present the largest trial to date evaluating pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone in patients with RRMM, further confirming that this regimen offers clinically meaningful benefit and is generally well tolerated. www.Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01712789.

Patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) have poor prognosis. The STRATUS study assessed safety and efficacy of pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone in the largest cohort to date of patients with RRMM. Patients who failed treatment with bortezomib and lenalidomide and had adequate prior alkylator therapy were eligible. Pomalidomide 4 mg was given on days 1-21 of 28-day cycles with low-dose dexamethasone 40 mg (20 mg for patients aged >75 years) on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity. Safety was the primary end point; secondary end points included overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Among 682 patients enrolled, median age was 66 years, and median time since diagnosis was 5.3 years. Median number of prior regimens was 5. Most patients were refractory to both lenalidomide and bortezomib (80.2%). Median follow-up was 16.8 months; median duration of treatment was 4.9 months. Most frequent grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events were hematologic (neutropenia [49.7%], anemia [33.0%], and thrombocytopenia [24.1%]). Most common grade 3/4 nonhematologic toxicities were pneumonia (10.9%) and fatigue (5.9%). Grade 3/4 venous thromboembolism and peripheral neuropathy were rare (1.6% each). The ORR was 32.6%, and the median DOR was 7.4 months. Median PFS and OS were 4.6 months and 11.9 months, respectively. We present the largest trial to date evaluating pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone in patients with RRMM, further confirming that this regimen offers clinically meaningful benefit and is generally well tolerated. www.Clinicaltrials.govidentifier NCT01712789.

The combination of melphalan, prednisone, and thalidomide (MPT) is considered standard therapy for newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who are ineligible for stem cell transplantation. Long-term treatment with thalidomide is hampered by neurotoxicity. Melphalan, prednisone, and lenalidomide, followed by lenalidomide maintenance therapy, showed promising results without severe neuropathy emerging. We randomly assigned 668 patients between nine 4-week cycles of MPT followed by thalidomide maintenance until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity (MPT-T) and the same MP regimen with thalidomide being replaced by lenalidomide (MPR-R). This multicenter, open-label, randomized phase 3 trial was undertaken by Dutch-Belgium Cooperative Trial Group for Hematology Oncology and the Nordic Myeloma Study Group (the HOVON87/NMSG18 trial). The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). A total of 318 patients were randomly assigned to receive MPT-T, and 319 received MPR-R. After a median follow-up of 36 months, PFS with MPT-T was 20 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 18-23 months) vs 23 months (95% CI, 19-27 months) with MPR-R (hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.72-1.04; P = .12). Response rates were similar, with at least a very good partial response of 47% and 45%, respectively. Hematologic toxicity was more pronounced with MPR-R, especially grades 3 and 4 neutropenia: 64% vs 27%. Neuropathy of at least grade 3 was significantly higher in the MPT-T arm: 16% vs 2% in MPR-R, resulting in a significant shorter duration of maintenance therapy (5 vs 17 months in MPR-R), irrespective of age. MPR-R has no advantage over MPT-T concerning efficacy. The toxicity profile differed with clinically significant neuropathy during thalidomide maintenance vs myelosuppression with MPR.

The combination of melphalan, prednisone, and thalidomide (MPT) is considered standard therapy for newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who are ineligible for stem cell transplantation. Long-term treatment with thalidomide is hampered by neurotoxicity. Melphalan, prednisone, and lenalidomide, followed by lenalidomide maintenance therapy, showed promising results without severe neuropathy emerging. We randomly assigned 668 patients between nine 4-week cycles of MPT followed by thalidomide maintenance until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity (MPT-T) and the same MP regimen with thalidomide being replaced by lenalidomide (MPR-R). This multicenter, open-label, randomized phase 3 trial was undertaken by Dutch-Belgium Cooperative Trial Group for Hematology Oncology and the Nordic Myeloma Study Group (the HOVON87/NMSG18 trial). The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). A total of 318 patients were randomly assigned to receive MPT-T, and 319 received MPR-R. After a median follow-up of 36 months, PFS with MPT-T was 20 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 18-23 months) vs 23 months (95% CI, 19-27 months) with MPR-R (hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.72-1.04; P= .12). Response rates were similar, with at least a very good partial response of 47% and 45%, respectively. Hematologic toxicity was more pronounced with MPR-R, especially grades 3 and 4 neutropenia: 64% vs 27%. Neuropathy of at least grade 3 was significantly higher in the MPT-T arm: 16% vs 2% in MPR-R, resulting in a significant shorter duration of maintenance therapy (5 vs 17 months in MPR-R), irrespective of age. MPR-R has no advantage over MPT-T concerning efficacy. The toxicity profile differed with clinically significant neuropathy during thalidomide maintenance vs myelosuppression with MPR.

Molecular characterization of malignant plasma cells is increasingly important for diagnostic and therapeutic stratification in multiple myeloma. However, the malignant plasma cells represent a relatively small subset of bone marrow cells, and need to be enriched prior to analysis. Currently, the cell surface marker CD138 (SDC1) is used for this enrichment, but has an important limitation in that its expression decreases rapidly after sampling. Seeking alternatives to CD138, we performed a computational screen for myeloma plasma cell markers and systematically evaluated 7 candidates. Our results conclusively show that the markers CD319 (SLAMF7/CS1) and CD269 (TNFRSF17/BCMA) are considerably more robust than CD138 and enable isolation of myeloma plasma cells under more diverse conditions, including the samples that have been delayed or frozen. Our results form the basis of improved procedures for characterizing cases of multiple myeloma in clinical practice.

Dysfunction of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells has been proposed to determine the course of disease in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but only limited information is available on the mechanisms of lymphocyte inhibition. We aimed to evaluate to what extent human malignant AML cells use NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) as an immune evasion strategy. We report that a subset of malignant myelomonocytic and monocytic AML cells (French-American-British [FAB] classes M4 and M5, respectively), recovered from blood or BM of untreated AML patients at diagnosis, expressed the NADPH oxidase component gp91phox. Highly purified FAB M4/M5 AML cells produced large amounts of ROS on activation and triggered poly-[ADP-ribose] polymerase-1−dependent apoptosis in adjacent NK cells, CD4+T cells, and CD8+T cells. In contrast, immature (FAB class M1) and myeloblastic (FAB class M2) AML cells rarely expressed gp91phox, did not produce ROS, and did not trigger NK or T-cell apoptosis. Microarray data from 207 AML patients confirmed a greater expression of gp91phoxmRNA by FAB-M4/M5 AML cells than FAB-M1 cells (P< 10−11) or FAB-M2 cells (P< 10−9). Our data are suggestive of a novel mechanism by which monocytic AML cells evade cell-mediated immunity.

Dysfunction of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells has been proposed to determine the course of disease in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but only limited information is available on the mechanisms of lymphocyte inhibition. We aimed to evaluate to what extent human malignant AML cells use NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) as an immune evasion strategy. We report that a subset of malignant myelomonocytic and monocytic AML cells (French-American-British [FAB] classes M4 and M5, respectively), recovered from blood or BM of untreated AML patients at diagnosis, expressed the NADPH oxidase component gp91phox. Highly purified FAB M4/M5 AML cells produced large amounts of ROS on activation and triggered poly-[ADP-ribose] polymerase-1−dependent apoptosis in adjacent NK cells, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells. In contrast, immature (FAB class M1) and myeloblastic (FAB class M2) AML cells rarely expressed gp91phox, did not produce ROS, and did not trigger NK or T-cell apoptosis. Microarray data from 207 AML patients confirmed a greater expression of gp91phox mRNA by FAB-M4/M5 AML cells than FAB-M1 cells (P < 10−11) or FAB-M2 cells (P < 10−9). Our data are suggestive of a novel mechanism by which monocytic AML cells evade cell-mediated immunity.

Targeting mechanisms of neutrophil elastase (NE) and other luminal proteins stored in myeloperoxidase (MPO)–positive secretory lysosomes/primary granules of neutrophils are unknown. These granules contain an integral membrane protein, CD63, with an adaptor protein-3–dependent granule delivery system. Therefore, we hypothesized that CD63 cooperates in granule delivery of the precursor of NE (proNE). Supporting this hypothesis, an association was demonstrated between CD63 and proNE upon coexpression in COS cells. This also involved augmented cellular retention of proNE requiring intact large extracellular loop of CD63. Furthermore, depletion of CD63 in promyelocytic HL-60 cells with RNA interference or a CD63 mutant caused reduction of cellular NE. However, the proNE steady-state level was similar to wild type in CD63-depleted clones, making it feasible to examine possible effects of CD63 on NE trafficking. Thus, depletion of CD63 led to reduced processing of proNE into mature NE and reduced constitutive secretion. Furthermore, CD63-depleted cells showed a lack of morphologically normal granules, but contained MPO-positive cytoplasmic vacuoles with a lack of proNE and NE. Collectively, our data suggest that granule proteins may cooperate in targeting; CD63 can be involved in ER or Golgi export, cellular retention, and granule targeting of proNE before storage as mature NE.

Targeting mechanisms of neutrophil elastase (NE) and other luminal proteins stored in myeloperoxidase (MPO)–positive secretory lysosomes/primary granules of neutrophils are unknown. These granules contain an integral membrane protein, CD63, with an adaptor protein-3–dependent granule delivery system. Therefore, we hypothesized that CD63 cooperates in granule delivery of the precursor of NE (proNE). Supporting this hypothesis, an association was demonstrated between CD63 and proNE upon coexpression in COS cells. This also involved augmented cellular retention of proNE requiring intact large extracellular loop of CD63. Furthermore, depletion of CD63 in promyelocytic HL-60 cells with RNA interference or a CD63 mutant caused reduction of cellular NE. However, the proNE steady-state level was similar to wild type in CD63-depleted clones, making it feasible to examine possible effects of CD63 on NE trafficking. Thus, depletion of CD63 led to reduced processing of proNE into mature NE and reduced constitutive secretion. Furthermore, CD63-depleted cells showed a lack of morphologically normal granules, but contained MPO-positive cytoplasmic vacuoles with a lack of proNE and NE. Collectively, our data suggest that granule proteins may cooperate in targeting; CD63 can be involved in ER or Golgi export, cellular retention, and granule targeting of proNE before storage as mature NE.

Silvennoinen: BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Cancer patients Finland: Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Waage:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy; Shire: Honoraria. Schjesvold:Celgene, Amgen, Janssen, Oncopeptides: Research Funding; Amgen, Celgene, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Oncopeptides, Sanofi, SkyliteDX, Takeda: Honoraria; Amgen, Celgene, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Oncopeptides, Sanofi, Takeda: Consultancy. Anttila:Sanofi: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Advisory Board; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding. Säily:Amgen: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Janssen Cilag: Honoraria; Boehringer Ingelheim: Honoraria. Sankelo:Celgene, Amgen, Sanofi: Other: Congress travel support. Partanen:Abbvie: Honoraria, Other: Scientific Advisory Board Meeting; Behring: Honoraria; Takeda: Other: Scientific Advisory Board Meeting.

Cavo: Jannsen, BMS, Celgene, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline, Takeda, Amgen, Oncopeptides, AbbVie, Karyopharm, Adaptive: Consultancy, Honoraria. Gay:AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GSK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Adaptive: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Seattle Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncopeptides: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Beksac:Janssen&janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Deva: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Dimopoulos:Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees. Petrucci:GSK: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Zweegman:Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Zamagni:Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Speakers Bureau; Celgene Corporation: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Speakers Bureau. Palumbo:Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Galli:BMS: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Maisnar:Janssen, Takeda, Amgen, BMS/Celgene, The Binding Site: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hansson:Amgen, Celgene, Takeda, Janssen Cilag: Consultancy. Belotti:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jannsen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Offidani:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria. Zambello:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Liberati:Verastem: Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Morphosys: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; GSK: Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria; Oncopeptides: Research Funding; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding. Broyl:Janssen, Celgene, Takeda, Amgen: Honoraria. Musto:Amgen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Ludwig:Seattle Genetics: Other: Advisory Boards; Takeda: Research Funding; Sanofi: Other: Advisory Boards, Speakers Bureau; Bristol Myers: Other: Advisory Boards, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Other: Advisory Boards, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Other: Advisory Boards, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Speakers Bureau. Hajek:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Oncopeptides: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pharma MAR: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Waage:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy; Shire: Honoraria. Mellqvist:Janssen. Celgene, Amgen: Honoraria. Boccadoro:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Mundipharma: Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; AbbVie: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding. Sonneveld:Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Skyline Dx: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

Introduction

Introduction:The multicentre, randomized, open-label, phase 3 EMN02/HO95 study for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) included two randomization stages (1:1) to (R1) intensification therapy with either upfront ASCT or bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone (VMP), and thereafter to (R2) consolidation therapy or no consolidation, followed by lenalidomide maintenance in both arms. Results of the final analysis from R1 (M. Cavo et al. Lancet Haematol. 2020, 7, e456-68) showed that at a median follow-up of 60.5 months progression-free survival (PFS), the primary study endpoint, was significantly improved with ASCT compared with VMP (median, 57 versus 42 months; HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.62-0.85, adjusted p=0.0001). However, no difference between these groups was found in terms of overall survival (OS), a secondary endpoint (HR 0·90, 0·71-1·13, adjusted p=0·35).

Schjesvold: Novartis, Amgen, Celgene, Takeda, Janssen, Oncopeptides, MSD, Sanofi: Consultancy; Celgene, Amgen, Janssen, Oncopeptides: Research Funding; Amgen, Celgene, Takeda, Janssen,Novartis, SkyliteDX, Oncopeptides, Sanofi: Honoraria. Ribrag:Roche/Genentech: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; arGEN-X-BVBA: Research Funding; BAY1000394 studies on MCL: Patents & Royalties; Immune Design: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Eisai: Honoraria; AZD: Honoraria, Other; Pharmamar: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel Expenses; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel Expenses; Gilead: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Infinity: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Epizyme: Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; argenX: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Research Funding; Institut Gustave Roussy: Current Employment; Nanostring: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Rodriguez-Otero:GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Honoraria; Celgene/Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); Kite: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Medscape: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Oncopeptides: Consultancy, Honoraria. Robak:Abbvie, Pharmacyclics, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Janssen, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Acerta, AstraZeneca, BioGene, UCB: Research Funding; F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Abbvie, Pharmacyclics, Novartis, Janssen, Acerta, AstraZeneca, BioGene, UCB, Sandoz: Honoraria. Hansson:Amgen, Celgene, Takeda, Janssen Cilag: Consultancy. Hajek:Celgene, Novartis, Amgen, Takeda, Janssen, BMS: Research Funding; Takeda, Amgen, Oncopeptides, Sanofi, Janssen, Novartis, Celgene: Honoraria; BMS, Takeda, Amgen, Oncopeptides, Sanofi, Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Amor:Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GSK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene-BMS: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Martinez-López:Janssen, BMS, Sanofi, Novartis, Incyte, F. Hoffmann-La Roche and Amgen: Honoraria, Other: Advisory boards; Hosea and Altum: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen, Novartis, BMS, Incyte: Consultancy. Onishi:Genentech, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Gallo:F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Raval:F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Deshpande:Syneos Health: Current Employment. Malhi:Genentech, Inc.: Current Employment; F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Hong:F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Genentech, Inc.: Current Employment. Raab:Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Heidelberg Pharma: Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.Venetoclax (ABT-199/GDC-0199) is a highly selective, potent, oral B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) inhibitor. Cobimetinib (GDC-0973/RG7420) is an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MAP2K1 or MEK1). Atezolizumab (RG7446/MPDL-3280A) is a monoclonal antibody directed against programmed death-1 ligand-1 (PD-L1).

Introduction:MAPK pathway mutations are present in more than 50% of patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM; Xu et al. Oncogenesis 2017; Kortum et al. Blood 2016). While MEK inhibitors have demonstrated limited single-agent activity in RRMM, combination with BCL-2 inhibition with or without PD-L1 inhibition may improve efficacy, by shifting the apoptotic balance towards cell death and increasing CD8+ T cell recognition and enhancing the anti-tumor immune response. We conducted a Phase Ib/II study of cobimetinib (C) as a single agent and in novel combinations with venetoclax (V) with or without atezolizumab (A) in pts with RRMM (NCT03312530).

A significant part of the therapeutic benefit of interferon‐α (IFN‐α) therapy in malignant diseases and in chronic viral infections is assumed to result from activation of lymphocytes with natural killer (NK) and T cell phenotype. In tumor tissue and in chronically infected tissue, the function and viability of these lymphocytes are frequently impaired. Mononuclear phagocyte (MP)‐derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been proposed to contribute to the lymphocyte suppression in these tissues. Here, we report that three types of human cytotoxic lymphocytes of relevance to immunoactivation by IFN‐α, CD3ɛ+/8+/56–T cells, CD3ɛ–/56+NK cells, and CD3ɛ+/56+NK/T cells became anergic to IFN‐α induction of the cell‐surface activation marker CD69 after exposure to autologous MPs in vitro. In addition to their incapacity to express CD69, cytotoxic lymphocytes acquired features characteristic of apoptosis after incubation with MPs. The lymphocyte apoptosis and nonresponsiveness to IFN‐α were prevented by two inhibitors of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase‐dependent formation of ROS in MPs, histamine dihydrochloride and diphenylene ionodonium, as well as by catalase, a scavenger of ROS. We conclude that MP‐derived ROS may negatively affect IFN‐α‐induced immunostimulation and propose that ROS inhibitors or scavengers may be useful to improve lymphocyte activation during treatment with IFN‐α.

Hematopoietic cells contain secretory lysosomes that degranulate at sites of inflammation. We envisage that secretory granules can act as vehicles for targeting inflammatory sites, including malignancies, and thereafter, locally release therapeutically active agents to these sites. Exogenous proteins, such as the soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNFR1), have been shown previously to be targeted to secretory lysosomes [1]. In this work, we asked whether exogenous, secretory lysosome‐targeted proteins were subject to regulated secretion. sTNFR1–transmembrane (tm)–cytosol‐sorting signal (Y) and sTNFR1–tm–Y–enhanced green fluorescent protein (egfp) were expressed in rat basophilic leukemia cell clones having different secretory capacities. sTNFR1–tm–Y was targeted directly from the Golgi to secretory lysosomes, followed by generation of membrane‐free sTNFR1, whose secretion could be triggered by a Ca2+ionophore or immunoglobulin E receptor activation. In contrast, sTNFR1–tm–Y–egfp was targeted to the plasma membrane and then subjected to endocytosis and presumably, secretory lysosome targeting, as judged by results from antibody ligation and cell‐surface biotinylation. Activation of protein kinase C with phorbol ester promoted ectodomain shedding at the cell surface, resulting in sTNFR1 release from sTNFR1–tm–Y–egfp. These results support a concept for using the storage organelles of hematopoietic cells as vehicles for targeting sites of inflammation with therapeutically active agents.

Natural killer (NK) cells are deficient in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), but the mechanisms responsible for the dysfunction are not completely understood. This study reports that CML cells effectively inhibit the baseline and interleukin-2 (IL-2)-induced NK cell cytotoxicity against a CML cell-derived line (K562). A sizable fraction of NK cells subsequently acquired features characteristic of programmed cell death/apoptosis. The CML cell-mediated inhibition of NK cells required triggering of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-mediated formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and was prevented by catalase, a scavenger of ROS, and by histamine, acting via H2-receptor–mediated inhibition of ROS production in CML cells. In contrast, nonmalignant neutrophilic granulocytes inhibited NK cells via ROS production without the requirement of exogenous NADPH oxidase-triggering stimuli. We propose that paracrine production of ROS may contribute to the dysfunction of NK cells in CML and that histamine may serve as an autocrine inhibitor of ROS formation in leukemic granulocytes.

Natural killer (NK) cells are deficient in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), but the mechanisms responsible for the dysfunction are not completely understood. This study reports that CML cells effectively inhibit the baseline and interleukin-2 (IL-2)-induced NK cell cytotoxicity against a CML cell-derived line (K562). A sizable fraction of NK cells subsequently acquired features characteristic of programmed cell death/apoptosis. The CML cell-mediated inhibition of NK cells required triggering of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-mediated formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and was prevented by catalase, a scavenger of ROS, and by histamine, acting via H2-receptor–mediated inhibition of ROS production in CML cells. In contrast, nonmalignant neutrophilic granulocytes inhibited NK cells via ROS production without the requirement of exogenous NADPH oxidase-triggering stimuli. We propose that paracrine production of ROS may contribute to the dysfunction of NK cells in CML and that histamine may serve as an autocrine inhibitor of ROS formation in leukemic granulocytes.

AbstractThe functions of intratumoral lymphocytes in many human malignant tumors are inhibited by reactive oxygen species (ROS), generated by adjacent monocytes/macrophages (MO). In vitro data suggest that immunotherapeutic cytokines such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) or interferon-αα (IFN-αα) only weakly activate T cells or natural killer (NK) cells in a reconstituted environment of oxidative stress and that inhibitors of the formation of ROS or scavengers of ROS synergize with IL-2 and IFN-αα to activate T cells and NK cells. In this review, we focus on the immunoenhancing properties ofhistamine, a biogenic amine. Histamine inhibits ROS formation in MO via H2––receptors; thereby, histamine protects NK cells from MO-mediated inhibition and synergizes with IL-2 and IFN-αα to induce killing of NK cell-sensitive human tumor cells in vitro. Histamine also optimizes cytokine-induced activation of several subsets of T cells by affording protection against MO-inflicted oxidative inhibition. The putative clinical benefit of histamine as an adjunct to immunotherapy with IL-2 and/or IFN-αα is currently evaluated in clinical trials in metastatic malignant melanoma and acute myelogenous leukemia.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is an effective activator of lymphocytes with anti-neoplastic properties such as T-cells or natural killer cells, and this property of IL-2 has formed the basis for its widespread used as an immunotherapeutic agent in human neoplastic disease. In recent years, IL-2 therapy for solid neoplastic diseases and hematopoietic cancers has been supplemented with histamine dihydrochloride with the aim of counteracting immunosuppressive signals from monocytes/macrophages. Here we review the preclinical basis for the use of histamine as an adjunct to IL-2 in cancer immunotherapy. Copyright 2000 Academic Press

Oxidative stress inflicted by monocytes/macrophages (MO) is recognized as an important immunosuppressive mechanism in human neoplastic disease. We report that two types of lymphocytes of relevance for protection against malignant cells, T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, became anergic to the T cell and NK cell activator interleukin-2 (IL-2) after exposure to MO-derived reactive oxygen metabolities and subsequently acquired features characteristic of apoptosis. The MO-induced anergy and apoptosis in T cells and NK cells were reversed by histamine, an inhibitor of reactive oxygen metabolite synthesis in MO. We propose that strategies to circumvent oxidative inhibition of lymphocytes may be of benefit in immunotherapy of neoplastic disease.