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Throat auroras and polar cap patches are common phenomena in the polar ionosphere. An observation campaign was organized, with all-sky imagers at Yellow River Station in Ny-Ålesund in Svalbard, the EISCAT Svalbard Radar, and coordinated low-altitude spacecraft observations. During periods of radial interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), observations showed that poleward moving throat auroras were linked to poleward moving ionization patches. Throat auroras are produced by soft-electron precipitation associated with dayside magnetic reconnection. The red line intensity of throat auroras is found to be correlated with dayside reconnection events. Dense plasma from lower latitudes was transported poleward by enhanced convection associated with the throat auroras to form electron density patches. This is potentially a new patch formation mechanism that is associated with throat auroras and magnetic reconnection for radial IMF. Moreover, the patches were found to E × B drift in the anti-sunward direction.

Baseline (screening) vs treatment cycle 2 (P=.06; paired t test). For patient 5, baseline data were not available.

Purpose:Assess safety and efficacy of nivolumab plus nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine in patients with locally advanced/metastatic pancreatic cancer in a two-part, open-label, phase I trial.Patients and Methods:Fifty chemotherapy-naive patients received nab-paclitaxel 125 mg/m2 plus gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 (days 1, 8, and 15) and nivolumab 3 mg/kg (days 1 and 15) in 28-day cycles. The primary endpoints were dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs; part 1) and grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) or treatment discontinuation due to TEAEs (parts 1/2). Secondary efficacy endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and response. Assessment of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was an exploratory endpoint; additional biomarkers were assessed post hoc.Results:One DLT (hepatitis) was reported in part 1 among six DLT-evaluable patients; 48 of 50 patients experienced grade 3/4 TEAEs and 18 discontinued treatment due to TEAEs. One grade 5 TEAE (respiratory failure) was reported. Median [95% confidence interval (CI)] PFS/OS was 5.5 (3.25–7.20 months)/9.9 (6.74–12.16 months) months, respectively [median follow-up for OS, 13.6 months (95% CI, 12.06–23.49 months)]. Overall response rate (95% CI) was 18% (8.6%–31.4%). Median PFS/OS was 5.5/9.7 months (PD-L1 + CD8+/CD4+ cells increased significantly from baseline to cycle 3; median peak on-treatment Ki67+ CD8+ T-cell values were higher in responders than in nonresponders.Conclusions:The safety profile of nivolumab plus nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine at standard doses in advanced pancreatic cancer was manageable, with no unexpected safety signals. Overall, the clinical results of this study do not support further investigation.

Percentage lymphocyte subset Ki67+. All patient visits are binned by treatment cycle. Data at baseline and treatment cycle 3 were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. All available data are illustrated; however, statistical comparisons were performed only for data available at both baseline and treatment cycle 3 (n=29).

T-Cell Tumor Infiltration in Tissue-Matched Baseline (screening) and On-Treatment Metastatic Tumors (arm B parts 1 and 2)

Investigator-assessed PFS and OS in patients with PD-L1 expression cutoff of 1% (A, B) or 5% (C, D). HR, hazard ratio; mo, months; OS, overall survival; PD-L1, programmed cell death ligand-1; PFS, progression-free survival.

Patients were enrolled in Arm B Part 1 after the safety oversight committee deemed Arm A Part 1 safe. DRC, data review committee; LAPC, locally advanced pancreatic cancer; MPC, metastatic pancreatic cancer; RP2D, recommended Part 2 dose.

Concentrations of CXCL10 (A) and sIL2Rα (B) at baseline and peak on-treatment values. Investigator-assessed PFS in patients with high or low serum cytokines CXCL10 (C) and sIL2Rα (D). CXCL10, interferon gamma-induced protein 10; mo, months; NE, not estimable; NR, nonresponder; PFS, progression-free survival; R, responder; sIL2Rα, soluble form of interleukin 2 receptor alpha; Tx, treatment.

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The Earth’s magnetosphere is the region of space where plasma behavior is dominated by the geomagnetic field. It has a long tail typically extending hundreds of Earth radii (RE) with plentiful open magnetic fluxes threading the magnetopause associated with magnetic reconnection and momentum transfer from the solar wind. The open-flux is greatly reduced when the interplanetary magnetic field points northward, but the extent of the magnetotail remains unknown. Here we report direct observations of an almost complete disappearance of the open-flux polar cap characterized by merging poleward edges of a conjugate horse-collar aurora (HCA) in both hemispheres’ polar ionosphere. The conjugate HCA is generated by particle precipitation due to Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in the dawn and dusk cold dense plasma sheets (CDPS). These CDPS are consist of solar wind plasma captured by a continuous dual-lobe magnetic reconnections, which is further squeezed into the central magnetotail, resulting in a short “calabash-shaped” magnetotail.

Purpose: Assess safety and efficacy of nivolumab plus nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine in patients with locally advanced/metastatic pancreatic cancer in a two-part, open-label, phase I trial. Patients and Methods: Fifty chemotherapy-naive patients received nab-paclitaxel 125 mg/m2 plus gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 (days 1, 8, and 15) and nivolumab 3 mg/kg (days 1 and 15) in 28-day cycles. The primary endpoints were dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs; part 1) and grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) or treatment discontinuation due to TEAEs (parts 1/2). Secondary efficacy endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and response. Assessment of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was an exploratory endpoint; additional biomarkers were assessed post hoc. Results: One DLT (hepatitis) was reported in part 1 among six DLT-evaluable patients; 48 of 50 patients experienced grade 3/4 TEAEs and 18 discontinued treatment due to TEAEs. One grade 5 TEAE (respiratory failure) was reported. Median [95% confidence interval (CI)] PFS/OS was 5.5 (3.25–7.20 months)/9.9 (6.74–12.16 months) months, respectively [median follow-up for OS, 13.6 months (95% CI, 12.06–23.49 months)]. Overall response rate (95% CI) was 18% (8.6%–31.4%). Median PFS/OS was 5.5/9.7 months (PD-L1 Conclusions: The safety profile of nivolumab plus nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine at standard doses in advanced pancreatic cancer was manageable, with no unexpected safety signals. Overall, the clinical results of this study do not support further investigation.

400 Background: The management of esophageal cancer (EC) and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma has focused on perioperative approaches that aim to increase pathological complete response (pathCR) rates, decrease or delay metastases, improve resectability, and enhance overall survival. Atezolizumab is a humanized immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 monoclonal antibody that targets PD-L1 and inhibits the interaction between PD-L1 and its receptors, PD-1, and B7-1, both of which function as inhibitory receptors expressed on T-cells. Therapeutic binding of PD-L1 by atezolizumab has been shown to enhance the magnitude and quality of tumor-specific T-cell responses, resulting in improved anti-tumor activity. The use of immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy in the perioperative setting may improve the response rate in patients with localized EC and GEJ adenocarcinoma. Methods: We conducted a phase I study evaluating the efficacy and safety of atezolizumab in combination with oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil (modified FOLFOX) therapy in the perioperative setting. Patients with T1N1 or T2-3 (any N) localized EC and GEJ type I or II adenocarcinoma were included. Treatment consisted of oxaliplatin (85 mg/m2 over 2 hours on days 1 and 15) and 5-fluorouracil (2.4g/m2 (over 48 hours) via infusion pump on days 1 and 15) followed by atezolizumab (840 mg via IV on days 1 and 15) of each 28-day cycle for a total of 6 doses followed by surgery and subsequently postoperative atezolizumab 1200 mg IV on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle for 8 more doses. Results: From April 2019 to November 2020, 20 patients were enrolled with a median age of 61 years old and baseline TNM staging: T2-3N0 (n=8), T3N1-N2 (n=10), and T3N3-NX (n=2). Eighteen patients underwent surgery; two patients (11%, 95% credible interval = 1-28%) achieved the primary efficacy objective (pathCR defined as pathological T0N0), and two additional patients (11%) had near complete pathCR with

2006 Background: Checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) therapy has demonstrated overall limited efficacy in the treatment of GBM. Sixty newly diagnosed GBM patients unselected for MGMT status underwent treatment with concurrent atezolizumab with radiation therapy and TMZ followed by adjuvant atezolizumab and TMZ (NCT03174197). Clinical data has been reported previously. Methods: Genomic (WES with somatic mutation and SCNA determination N = total 42 samples, 33 baseline, 9 TP-2), transcriptomic (RNA seq N = total 72 samples, 54 baseline, 18 TP-2), and metagenomic sequencing of fecal samples (N = total 45 samples, 26 pre samples, 13 post RT samples, six 6m samples) analyses were conducted on pre-treatment samples. Findings were correlated with clinical outcome including OS and PFS. Twenty of the 60 patients underwent re-resection for suspected recurrent disease of which nine patients had WES and RNA seq performed successfully on paired pre and post treatment samples. Results: Somatic mutation, copy number and ploidy profiles were consistent with known aberrations in GBM. An unsupervised molecular network-based stratification of pre-treatment tumor mutations resulted in patients being grouped in 3 clusters with survival difference. Patients with GBM harboring an EGFR aberrancy were associated with a relatively worse mOS following treatment compared to patients with tumors enriched with PTEN alterations, while patients with IDH1 mutations had the longest mOS. Gene set enrichment analysis of gene expression in tumors from patients ( < mOS vs ≥mOS) identified genes associated with lymphocyte activation and immune response in patients with longer survival (p < 0.01) Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of bacterial taxa demonstrated two distinct clusters with significant difference by OS. Survival analysis and Analysis of Compositions of Microbiomes with Bias Correction (ANCOM-BC) revealed distinct taxa associated with OS ( Ruminococcus spp.) and response to treatment ( Eubacterium spp.), respectively. Conclusions: In this small CPI-treated GBM cohort, WES, SCNA and RNA seq identified pre-treatment tumor features that separated patients by survival. The fecal microbiome observations in our GBM cohort warrants further investigation. Clinical trial information: NCT03174197.

Assess safety and efficacy of nivolumab plusFifty chemotherapy-naive patients receivedOne DLT (hepatitis) was reported in part 1 among six DLT-evaluable patients; 48 of 50 patients experienced grade 3/4 TEAEs and 18 discontinued treatment due to TEAEs. One grade 5 TEAE (respiratory failure) was reported. Median [95% confidence interval (CI)] PFS/OS was 5.5 (3.25-7.20 months)/9.9 (6.74-12.16 months) months, respectively [median follow-up for OS, 13.6 months (95% CI, 12.06-23.49 months)]. Overall response rate (95% CI) was 18% (8.6%-31.4%). Median PFS/OS was 5.5/9.7 months (PD-L15%) and 6.8/11.6 months (PD-L1 ≥5%), respectively. Proportion of peripheral Ki67The safety profile of nivolumab plus

Introduction: Multicenter, phase I study of concurrent and delayed nivolumab plus nab-paclitaxel/carboplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced NSCLC (ineligible for potentially curative radiation or surgery) received nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 (days 1, 8, 15) and carboplatin area under the curve 6 (day 1) intravenously every 21 days (first 4 cycles); nivolumab 5 mg/kg was administered intravenously (day 15) beginning in cycle 1 (concurrent) or cycle 3 (delayed) in separate cohorts and continued beyond the 4 chemotherapy cycles. The primary objective was to assess safety. Secondary objectives were to assess tolerability and explore antitumor activity. Results: All 32 patients received chemotherapy; 20 of 22 and 6 of 10 patients also received concurrent or delayed nivolumab, respectively. No dose-limiting toxicities were reported in the concurrent cohort; 1 dose-limiting toxicity was reported in the delayed cohort. In the concurrent cohort, 20 patients (91%) had ≥1 grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE), and 7 (32%) discontinued treatment due to TEAEs. In the delayed cohort, all patients had ≥1 grade 3/4 TEAE, and 2 (20%) discontinued due to TEAEs. The median progression-free and overall survival, respectively, were 10.5 and 29.3 months in the concurrent cohort and 4.1 and 8.2 months in the delayed cohort. Conclusions: The safety profile of the combination was consistent with that of individual agents and generally similar in the 2 cohorts. Efficacy outcomes in the concurrent cohort, but not in the delayed cohort, were encouraging and support the rationale for concurrent administration of nivolumab with nab-paclitaxel/carboplatin for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02309177.

298 Background: Chemotherapy may work synergistically with immune checkpoint inhibitors by increasing tumor antigen exposure. This 2-part phase I study assessed safety and efficacy of Nivo + nab-P + Gem in APC. Methods: Treatment-naive patients (pts) with APC (locally advanced or metastatic) received nab-P 125 mg/m2 + Gem 1000 mg/m2 on d 1, 8, and 15 + Nivo 3 mg/kg on d 1 and 15 of each 28-d cycle until disease progression (PD), unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal. Pts could continue Nivo alone beyond initial PD. Part 1 assessed dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and determined the recommended Part 2 dose; Part 2 (expansion phase) further assessed safety. The primary endpoints were DLTs (Part 1) and safety and tolerability (Parts 1 and 2). Key secondary endpoints were response rates, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: As of July 13, 2018, 50 pts with APC were treated: 6 in Part 1; 44 in Part 2. The median age was 67.5 years; 56% were male; 62% had an ECOG PS 1. Of 40 pts with available data, 12 (24%) had ≥ 1% and 6 (12%) had ≥ 5% PD-L1 expression at baseline (data missing for 10 pts). The median follow-up was 11.3 mo. In Part 1, 1 DLT (hepatitis, as evidenced by grade 3 elevated liver function tests; suspected to be related to nab-P + Gem) was reported. In Parts 1 and 2, 48 pts (96%) had ≥ 1 grade 3/4 TEAE; 7 (14%) discontinued treatment due to a TEAE. Most common (> 10%) grade 3/4 TEAEs of special interest were anemia (36%), neutropenia (36%), gastrointestinal events (24%), hepatic toxicity (22%), peripheral neuropathy (16%), thrombocytopenia (12%), and colitis (12%). One grade 5 TEAE, respiratory failure (most likely pneumonitis), was reported. The table shows treatment responses. Of 7 pts (14%) who continued Nivo beyond initial PD, 4 achieved disease control. The median PFS was 5.5 mo (6-mo PFS rate, 47%). The median OS was 9.9 mo (6-mo OS rate, 73%). Conclusions: Combining Nivo with nab-P + Gem is feasible in pts with APC: 1 DLT was reported, and no unexpected safety signals were detected. Clinical trial information: NCT02309177. [Table: see text]

Twelve patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) underwent treatment with the nonmyelosuppressive combination regimen BLT-D: clarithomycin (Biaxin [BXN], Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL) 500 mg orally twice daily, low-dose thalidomide (THAL) 50 mg orally escalated to 200 mg daily, and dexamethasone (DXM) 40 mg orally once weekly all with modification for toxicity. Omeprazole (correction of omepraxole) 20 mgm orally twice daily for 2 days with the DXM, and enteric-coated aspirin 81 mg orally daily were also administered. Twelve patients have been evaluated. All had previously received at least one purine analogue or alkylating agent. Five had a reduction in either leukocytes and/or platelets prior to treatment, of which three were disease-related. Median age was 62 years. All patients received a minimum of 6 weeks of therapy. Of the 12 patients, 10 had a significant response (83%) consisting of three near complete, three major, four partial, and two minor responses. Four of five had restoration of reduced blood counts. Two with minor responses did not receive sufficient dose escalation due to toxicity. Median time on therapy was 7 months (range, 3 to 28 months). Patients were removed from therapy primarily due to neurotoxicity. Drug resistance occurred in three patients, with one transformation to large cell lymphoma. Toxicity was as follows: gastrointestinal (primarily constipation), 42%; neurological, 100%; endocrine, 42%, and thrombotic, 8%. Most toxicities were World Health Organization (WHO) grade 1 or 2; however, neurological toxicity was more prominent and severe in WM patients than in myeloma. BLT-D is effective in WM. Because of its toxicity, predominantly neurological, BLT-D may best serve as an induction regimen or to "rescue" patients with refractory disease or disease-related low counts.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant clonal proliferation of plasma cells characterized by the excessive production of a single immunoglobulin protein isotype. In the year 2000, approximately 13,800 new cases of MM were diagnosed in the United States. This accounts for approximately 1% of all malignancies and 10% of hematologic malignancies. Over the past decades, the incidence of MM has been steadily increasing. It is twice as common in African-Americans as in the white population and it usually occurs in older individuals with a median age of 69 years. Although a number of potential risk factors have been suggested for myeloma, including radiation exposure, genetic predisposition, chronic antigenic stimulation such as rheumatoid arthritis and certain bacterial and viral infections, as well as certain occupational exposures, the etiology of this disease remains unknown.

We report the results of a dose-intense chemotherapy regimen designed to rapidly induce remissions in patients with advanced multiple myeloma (MM). Patients received VAD for 3-6 cycles depending on response kinetics. This was followed by three sequential cycles of cyclophosphamide (CTX) at 3 g/m2 every 15 days with G-CSF support. 71% of these patients had stage IIIa, 23% had renal failure. The median age was 58, median beta-2 microglobulin 4.6 and median albumin was 3.5, indicating poor prognosis. Of 35 patients, 66% achieved a complete response (CR) (SWOG). Six patients (18%) had a partial response. Fifty percent of the patients with renal failure recovered their kidney function. High-dose CTX contributed to tumor-mass reduction particularly in patients presenting with high-tumor burden. Tumor-mass reduction following three pulses of dexamethasone (4 days each) is significantly higher than with one pulse (p < 0.005). While high beta-2 microglobulin and LDH levels (p < 0.05) were associated with poor outcome, patients who responded faster to chemotherapy had a longer survival (p = 0.005). We conclude that this regimen is safe and effective. A rapid response may be useful in selecting patients who may benefit from further high dose chemotherapy and stem cell support.

Adjunctive anti-bone resorption therapy has become an important part of multiple myeloma (MM) treatment. Currently, no definite evidence exists that this therapy increases survival. We examined a cohort of 13 of 167 patients (8%) treated with the M-2 protocol who received adjuvant gallium nitrate (GN) treatment for osteolysis, and then compared the outcome of these patients to all individuals treated with the M-2 regimen. The stage at diagnosis was IA in two patients, IIIA in 10 patients and IIIB in one. Median age at diagnosis was 51 years (range 35-73). Median (range) of entry data were: paraprotein level: 6000mg/dl (3058-8675); beta2M: 2.7mg/l, (1.2-9.6); LDH: 166U/l (142-237); hemoglobin: 10.2 g/dl (8.3-12.6); albumin: 3.7 g/dl (2.5-5.0); calcium: 10.0 mg/dl (8.3-14.5); creatinine: 1.2 mg/dl (0.7-2.7). Median survival in these patients was 87+ months from time of diagnosis compared with 48 months for all other patients treated on the M-2 protocol. We identified a subgroup of patients with remarkably prolonged survival who had received M-2 chemotherapy and GN. Survival in this group markedly exceeds expectations for patients with advanced stage disease and poor prognostic features. The administration of GN may have a positive impact on survival either by decreasing skeletal complications or through a direct action of GN on the complex cytokine network involved in the proliferation of the malignant myeloma cell.

Multiple myeloma remains incurable. Despite the pursuit of various chemotherapeutic approaches, little improvement in outcome has been made in the last 30 years. Thalidomide, dexamethasone, and clarithromycin are oral, nonmyelosuppressive agents, each with reported single agent activity against myeloma. We evaluated a regimen of clarithromycin (Biaxin), low-dose thalidomide and dexamethasone (BLT-D) in patients with previously untreated or treated multiple myeloma or Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. Patients were initially given clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily, thalidomide 50-200 mg daily, and dexamethasone 40 mg weekly until disease progression. Minimum response was defined as50% reduction in monoclonal immunoglobulin or light chain levels in serum or urine. Response, toxicity, and survival were determined on an evaluable and/or intent-to-treat basis. Of the 50 patients available for analysis, 92% remain alive and 64% remain on treatment with a median and mean duration of treatment of 7 and 8 months, respectively. Overall, 93% of evaluable patients responded to BLT-D, including 13% complete remissions, 40% near complete responses, 13% major responses, and 27% partial responses. Minimal drug resistance was initially encountered. Neurotoxicity, although usually mild to moderate, was the primary reason for treatment discontinuation. Only four patients died, including three sudden deaths in patients with severe cardiopulmonary disease. It appears that BLT-D is a highly effective, nonmyelosuppressive regimen for myeloma. Caution should be exercised when using thalidomide, alone or in combination, in patients with a preexisting tendency to thromboses, severe cardiopulmonary disease, or neurologic dysfunction.

Revlimid® (R) or lenalidomide is the leading clinical compound in a new group of drugs called IMiD®s, which have immunomodulatory properties. In contrast with thalidomide (T) R has significantly less neurological toxicity. Several phase I and II trials with R showed promising results in relapsed/refractory MM. Our group demonstrated that Bi augments tumor mass reduction and improves responses in patients (pts) receiving low-dose T and/or D. We report the initial results of a phase II trial exploring the combination of Bi plus R plus D (BiRD) in newly diagnosed MM. Methods: The trial is designed to accrue 35 pts. Thus far 28 pts have been accrued between Nov. 2004 and Aug. 2005 of which 22 pts (13 male and 9 female) are eligible for evaluation. R is given orally (po) at a dose of 25 mg daily on days 1–21 of a 28-day cycle. D is given po at a dose of 40 mg once weekly. Bi is given po at 500 mg twice daily. All pts also receive low dose aspirin (ASA)(81mg) once daily as thrombosis prophylaxis, prophylactic sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and a proton pump inhibitor. Responses are defined according to the EBMTR. In addition, the category of near-CR (nCR) is defined as a CR with a positive immunofixation. A minimum of 2 cycles is required for response assessment; all pts are assessed on an intent-to-treat basis. Results: Pt characteristics are as follows: median age of 62 years (range 36–77), hemoglobin of 11.4g/dL (range 7.2–15.1), platelets of 247k/uL (range 51–526), β2m of 4.0mg/L (range 0.8–5.1), CRP of 1.0mg/dL (range 0.3–8.4), creatinine of 1.3mg/dL (range 0.5–3.1), albumin of 3.6g/dL (range 2.3–4.9), and calcium of 8.9mg/dL (range 6.9–11.2). Conventional cytogenetics was normal in all pts; FISH abnormalities are as follows: trisomy 11 (2 pts), tetrasomy 11 (1 pt), del13q14(5 pts), t(4,14)(1pt), t(11,14)(2 pts). 52% of the pts are stage IIIa, 13% are stage IIIb, 35% are stage IIa. Responses are summarized in the table below. Of the 22 evaluable pts, 21(95%) have achieved an objective response (>PR) within 1–2 months of Rx with the remaining pt continues to respond. Nearly one third of pts have achieved either a CR(6/22) or a nCR(1/22-continuing on Rx). The remaining 14 pts(63%) achieved a PR. Of those pts who achieved a PR, 6/14 pts(43%) had >90% reduction in the initial paraprotein, while 12/14 pts(86%) had >75% decrement. 5 pts are now off study (3 pts in CR going to PBSCT and 2 due to toxicities). So far 15 pts have experienced grade ≥3 adverse events. These include, anemia(4.5%), neutropenia(4.5%), thrombocytopenia(4.5%), increased liver enzymes(4.5%), anxiety(4.5%), insomnia(9%), tremors(4.5%), hyperglycemia(4.5%), syncope(4.5%), Stevens Johnson’s(4.5%) and colonic perforation(4.5%). DVT occurred in 3(13.6%) patients, all off ASA, of which 2 (9%) had an associated PE, one of whom died. No grade 4 toxicities have been otherwise observed. Three pts have undergone successful stem cell harvest of which one has undergone transplantation with melphalan 200. Engraftment was successful by day 12. Conclusions: BiRD is highly effective and safe in the initial Rx of MM. Stem cell harvest is not impaired after BiRD induction. Supported in part by the LLS SCOR grant and K23CA109260-01 | | # of Pts | % | |:---------------- | -------- | ---- | | Total | 22 | 100 | | Overall Response | 21 | 95 | | CR | 6 | 27.3 | | n-CR | 1 | 4.5 | | PR | 14 | 63.6 | | SD | 1 | 4.5 | Response Evaluation

Background: Dysregulation of the cell cycle and apoptosis are two critical events in the pathophysiology of MM. This notion is supported by: 1)A high tumor burden is often present despite a low rate of tumor cell proliferation. 2)G1 arrest is common in MM cells while normal plasma cells are permanently withdrawn from cell cycle. 3) Cyclin D1 is often overexpressed without a defined genetic substrate. Herein, we show that cell cycle evaluation in vivo is feasible and that the histone-deacetylase inhibitor depsipeptide might be effective in selected patients with MM. Patients and Methods: In vitro studies were performed in 12 human MM cell lines with defined cytogenetic abnormalities. The IC50 for depsipeptide was determined by evaluation of apoptosis by standard methods. In vivo studies where done as correlates in a phase II protocol. These include: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for co-expression of CD138/Ki-67 as a proliferation index (PCPI), cyclin D1, D3, caspase 3 cleavege, CD31 and bcl-2 before treatment and at 24 hrs and 30 days after treatment. Gene array studies are being performed on selected patients at those timepoints. To date, four stage III patients (PTS) with relapsed MM with four or fewer prior lines of therapy have been treated with one to three cycles of depsipeptide at a dose of 13mg/m2,as a 4-hour infusion on days 1, 8, and 15, repeated every 28 days. Mean age was 63 years (range, 56 to 72). KPS of >80%. Mean albumin was 3.5, (range, 3.2 to 4), mean LDH was 243 (range, 179 to 315). Results: 1)Depsipeptide induces apoptosis in several MM cell lines. All lines were susceptible to depsipeptide, however, differential sensitivities were noted. Three cell lines (ie U266) that contained 11q13 translocation (cyclin D1 overexpression) were the most sensitive with IC50s at least 2 fold lower than other lines. 2) Cell cycle changes are induced by depsipeptide: In 2/4 PTS, a significant increase of the PCPI was seen, whereas a marked reduction in the PCPI in a patient with cyclin D3 overexpression (27% to 16%) was also noted. One patient had an increase of cyclin D1 post treatment. No changes where seen in bcl-2, CD-31, or cleaved caspase-3 expression. 3) Depsipeptide is safe in a limited cohort of MM PTS: Grade 2 fatigue and anorexia were the most common toxicities. Mild thrombocytopenia (mean of 67) did not require transfusions. One patient had stable disease after 3 cycles of treatment, one patient had progression of disease after 3 cycles, one patient progressed after the 1st cycle, and one patient is too early for evaluation. Conclusions: 1)Patients with 11q13 translocation should be a target for treatment with depsipeptide. 2)Depsipeptide given on this schedule is safe and can stabilize tumor-mass in PTS with otherwise progressive relapsed and refractory disease.3) Evidence of cell cycle modulation can be seen during treatment with depsipeptide. No profound changes in apoptosis is evident.4)Further studies may help to understand the mechanism of transcriptional regulation by depsipeptide and will help design rational therapy and combinations. This study continues to accrue patients as part of New York Phase II Consortium. Supported by NCI grant (SAIC1N01-CO-12400-02) and a SCOR for Myeloma grant from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America.

Exponentially growing cultures of Thalassiosira fluviatilis Hustedt and Dunaliella tertiolecta Butcher were exposed to 4 min temperature shocks of 5° to 20°C above ambient (20°C). Photosynthetic carbon fixation, changes in in vivo fluorescence and fluorescence on the addition of the herbicide DCMU (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) were measured over the subsequent 24 h. The fluorescence ratio (R, DCMU-enhanced fluorescence/in vivo fluorescence) paralleled changes in photosynthesis over this period; both were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by temperature shocks of +15° and +20° C, but +5° and +10° C treatments had no inhibitory effect on either relative to the control. The instantaneous response obtained with the fluorescence ratio indicates that the technique might be applicable to routine bioassay procedures and thus replace the time consuming methods now used for the estimation of 14C-incorporation and growth rates.