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Additional therapeutic options are needed for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). We present data from a phase 1b, open-label, dose-escalation study (NCT01965353) of 20 patients with RRMM (median age: 63 years [range: 50–77]) and a median of four prior regimens (range: 2–14); 85% had refractory disease (lenalidomide [80%]; bortezomib [75%]; lenalidomide and bortezomib [50%]). Patients received a median of six cycles (range: 1–74) of panobinostat (10 or 15 mg), lenalidomide 15 mg, bortezomib 1 mg/m2, and dexamethasone 20 mg (pano-RVd). Median follow-up was ~14 months. Six dose-limiting toxicities were reported (mostly hematological); maximum tolerated dose of panobinostat (primary endpoint) was 10 mg. Most common adverse events (AEs) were diarrhea (60%) and peripheral neuropathy (60%); all grade 1/2. Grade 3/4 AEs occurred in 80% of patients and included decreased neutrophil (45%), platelet (25%) and white blood cell (25%) counts, anemia (25%) and hypophosphatemia (25%). No treatment-related discontinuations or mortality occurred. In evaluable patients (n = 18), overall response rate was 44%, and clinical benefit rate was 61%. Median duration of response was 9.2 months; progression-free survival was 7.4 months; overall survival was not reached. Pano-RVd proved generally well-tolerated and demonstrated potential to overcome lenalidomide and/or bortezomib resistance.

Introduction It is thought that more than 1:3 individuals ≥65 years old fall at least once per year. With an increasing number of elderly inpatients in an ageing Australian population, falls prevention is now part of patient safety. We aimed to characterise associated factors of inpatient falls and patient outcomes in an acute medical ward in a regional hospital. Methodology Inpatient falls for a 12-month duration (January-December 2018) were identified through a mandatory incident reporting system. Identifiable cases were included in the study with medical records reviewed retrospectively to ascertain active medical issues. Individuals with recurrent falls in the same admission were only counted once. Statistical analyses were performed in cases which completed an Ontario Modified Stratify (Sydney Scoring) Falls Risk Screen (OMS) during admission. An OMS score of ≥9 was indicative of high falls risk (HFR). Active issues were categorised based on major diagnostic categories. Results A total of 77 falls occurred during the 12-month period. Fifty three events fulfilled criteria for further analyses. This comprised of 24 (45.3%) males and 29 (54.7%) females once recurrent fallers were accounted. The mean cohort age was 80.2 years (SD 13.6) with a mean OMS score of 14.3 (SD 8.6) whereby 63.0% were deemed HFR. The top six categories of active issues experienced in this group were history of fall(s) contributing to admission (47.2%), cognitive impairment/ delirium/ dementia (43.4%), infection (43.4%), significant orthopaedic/ rheumatological disorders (39.6%), ischaemic heart disease/ heart failure/ valvulopathy (34%) and hypertension (34%). Medical admission outcomes for inpatient fallers were as follows; 58.5% discharged, 22.6% transferred to subacute care, 3.8% interhospital transfer and 15.1% death. Conclusion Recommended cut-off scores for the OMS are likely suboptimal in multimorbid elderly acute medical inpatients. Based on the limited sample size, elderly inpatients who experienced in-hospital falls are at higher risk of mortality.

We tested the hypothesis that using CXCR4 inhibition to target the interaction between the tumor cells and the microenvironment leads to sensitization of the tumor cells to apoptosis. Eligibility criteria included multiple myeloma (MM) patients with 1-5 prior lines of therapy. The purposes of the phase I study were to evaluate the safety and maximal-tolerated dose (MTD) of the combination. The treatment-related adverse events and response rate of the combination were assessed in the phase II study. A total of 58 patients were enrolled in the study. The median age of the patients was 63 years (range, 43-85), and 78% of them received prior bortezomib. In the phase I study, the MTD was plerixafor 0.32 mg/kg, and bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 . The overall response rate for the phase II study was 48.5%, and the clinical benefit rate 60.6%. The median disease-free survival was 12.6 months. The CyTOF analysis demonstrated significant mobilization of plasma cells, CD34+ stem cells, and immune T cells in response to plerixafor. This is an unprecedented study that examines therapeutic targeting of the bone marrow microenvironment and its interaction with the tumor clone to overcome resistance to therapy. Our results indicate that this novel combination is safe and that the objective response rate is high even in patients with relapsed/refractory MM. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00903968.

The chapters in this volume emphasise that orphanhood is far more than a state of bereavement, although it is, of course, that too. Our contributors demonstrate that being orphaned is a state of mind, which informs the perceptions of the individual and remains throughout life. Contributors trace the influence of orphanhood through debates about legal representation, charity, the role of benefactors, and into debates about gender, agency and the limits of humanity. The role of inheritance frequently recurs in these discussions, interrogated as both a resource and a burden. The question of inheritance is frequently combined with the analysis of gender roles, as our contributors show that female paternal bereavement was an especially challenging condition to negotiate. The chapters also chart and explore the often redemptive role of care giving in orphan narratives, and use this to examine the ways in which orphan narratives redefine the family. Read collectively then, the chapters of Rereading Orphanhood prompt a thorough reassessment of the role of the literary orphan, and in the process, shed new light on the construction of social, literary and cultural bonds.

Like the orphan figure, literary modernism can be characterised by its complex and often contested relations with the past, especially the Victorian past, whose influences were still palpable. Modernist responses range from the rejection of inherited values, distilled in the injunction to ‘Make it New!’ to the embrace of the past seen in ‘Tradition and the Individual Talent’. Similarly, literary orphan figures modulate between attempts at self-fashioning and the impulse to (re)create or trace their relation to their inheritance. This chapter traces the varying ways in which the relationship between the accumulation of inheritance and the attempt to innovate and change are teased out in Djuna Barnes’ Nightwood (1936) and Linda Grant’s When I Lived in Modern Times (2000). Nightwood makes use of the narrative of Felix Volkbein to reach into the past as a way of coming to terms with inheritance and through this, approaching the future. Conversely, When I Lived in Modern Times examines the effects of the last vestiges of Victorian treatment of both orphans and ‘wayward women’ and explores the extent to which Modernist idealism can really function as an escape from that inheritance.

Free-roaming dogs are a common phenomenon on many American Indian reservations as well as globally. Lack of canine restriction may be pathologized by outsiders, assumed to be a “problem” that reflects underlying individual or community dysfunction. Seldom investigated are the cultural logics underlying the lack of restriction, and the positive role that dogs may be playing in the community. This paper examines relationships between a northern plains reservation community and their dogs. We found these relationships to be complex and multifaceted, harkening back to a pre-contact past when human survival itself depended on the dog, and extending into a present shaped by a broad range of cultural notions about the human–dog relationship. We explore the concept of dog restriction, asking what it means for connections with dogs in a context where relationships with dogs run deep, but have been disrupted by settler colonialism. We found a community that very much desires dogs and views them positively, ...

Background.This study aimed to determine the progression-free survival and response rate using early therapeutic intervention in patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) using the combination of ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone. Methods.Patients enrolled on study met eligibility for high-risk SMM based on the newly defined criteria proposed by Rajkumar et al. (Blood 2014). The treatment plan was designed to be administered on an outpatient basis where patients receive 9 cycles of induction therapy of ixazomib (4mg) at days 1, 8, and 15, in combination with lenalidomide (25mg) at days 1-21 and dexamethasone at days 1, 8, 15, and 22. The induction phase was followed by ixazomib (4mg) and lenalidomide (15mg) maintenance for another 15 cycles. A treatment cycle was defined as 28 consecutive days for a total of 24 months period. Bone marrow samples of all patients were obtained before starting therapy for baseline assessment for minimal residual disease (MRD) testing, whole-exome sequencing (WES), and RNA sequencing of plasma and bone marrow microenvironment cells. Moreover, blood samples were obtained at screening and before each cycle for isolating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Results.In total, 53 of the planned 62 patients have been enrolled in this study from February 2017 to May 2019. The median age of the patients enrolled was 61 years (range, 41 to 84) with 22 male (41.5%). The analysis was conducted on patients who have completed at least 1 cycle of therapy (n=45). The median follow-up for the trial is 14.4 months (range: 2- 27.6). Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (iFISH) was successful in 37 patients (82.2%). High-risk cytogenetics (defined as the presence of t(4;14), 17p deletion, and 1q gain) were found in 20 patients (54%). The median number of cycles completed was 14 cycles (range: 1-24). According to the study's inclusion criteria, baseline markers showed that 15, 14, and 13 patients had 3, 4, and 5 high-risk features, respectively. Moreover, 24 patients (53.3%) met the criteria of high-risk SMM, according to the Mayo 2018 model. The most common grade 3 adverse events were hypertension (6.3%), hypophosphatemia (4.2%), and rash (4.2%). Grade 4 thrombocytopenia and neutropenia were each reported in 4.4% of patients, and hyperglycemia was reported in 2.2%. Stem cells were collected in all eligible patients by the end of the induction phase. As of the abstract date, the overall response rate (partial response or better) in participants who completed at least 1 cycle of treatment was 91.1% (41/45), with 14 Complete Responses (CR, 31.1%), 9 very good partial responses (VGPR, 20%), 18 partial responses (40%), and 4 minimal Responses (MR, 10%). ORR in patients who completed the induction phase (≥9 cycles) was 97% (n= 32/33), with 14(42.4%) and 9 (27.2%) having CR and VGPR, respectively. All patients who had a CR have also achieved a stringent CR. Six patients have completed the treatment protocol and are currently on follow-up. As of July 2019, none of the patients have progressed to overt MM. MRD testing by next-generation sequencing is ongoing for patients who achieved CR or VGPR and will be presented at the meeting. Conclusion.The combination of ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone is an effective and well-tolerated intervention in high-risk smoldering myeloma with 91% ORR and 54.7% CR and VGPR to date. The high response rate, convenient schedule and manageable toxicity build on prior studies which have shown efficacy of lenalidomide and dexamethasone in high risk smoldering myeloma. Longer follow-up for disease outcome is ongoing. Disclosures Bustoros, MD: Takeda: Honoraria. Nadeem:Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy. Prescott:Janssen: Equity Ownership. Munshi:Takeda: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Adaptive: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; Adaptive: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Oncopep: Consultancy; Oncopep: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy. Anderson:OncoPep: Other: Scientific founder ; C4 Therapeutics: Other: Scientific founder ; Gilead Sciences: Other: Advisory Board; Janssen: Other: Advisory Board; Sanofi-Aventis: Other: Advisory Board. Richardson:Oncopeptides: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Amgen: 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; 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; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ghobrial:Amgen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy. OffLabel Disclosure: Ixazomib, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone is an investigational combination in high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma and has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration or any other regulatory agency worldwide for the use under investigation.

We examined the combination of the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus with bortezomib and rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) in a phase I/II study. All patients received six cycles of the combination of everolimus/rituximab or everolimus/bortezomib/rituximab followed by maintenance with everolimus until progression. Forty-six patients were treated; 98% received prior rituximab and 57% received prior bortezomib. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed in the phase I. The most common treatment-related toxicities of all grades were fatigue (63%), anemia (54%), leucopenia (52%), neutropenia (48%) and diarrhea (43%). Thirty-six (78%) of the 46 patients received full dose therapy (FDT) of the three drugs. Of these 36, 2 (6%) had complete response (90% confidence interval (CI): 1-16). In all, 32/36 (89%) of patients experienced at least a minimal response (90% CI: 76-96%). The observed partial response or better response rate was 19/36 (53, 90 CI: 38-67%). For the 36 FDT patients, the median progression-free survival was 21 months (95% CI: 12-not estimable). In summary, this study demonstrates that the combination of everolimus, bortezomib and rituximab is well tolerated and achieved 89% response rate even in patients previously treated, making it a possible model of non-chemotherapeutic-based combination therapy in WM.

Summary Proteasome inhibitors (PI) and immunomodulatory agents (IMIDs) have improved the overall survival (OS) of patients with multiple myeloma (MM), but concerns have been raised about increased incidence of extramedullary disease (EMD) after the combined use of PIs and IMIDs for upfront therapy. We evaluated whether the addition of lenalidomide to bortezomib-based front-line regimens precipitated earlier development of EMD. We reviewed the charts of 117 MM patients (median follow-up from diagnosis 6·1 years; range 0·1–10·2 years) enrolled in eight clinical trials of first-line treatment with bortezomib-based regimens, with or without lenalidomide. We assessed development of EMD as extraosseous (distant from bone) or osseous (originating from bone) plasmacytomas. The primary endpoint was time from diagnosis until development of EMD, based on imaging, biopsy and/or physical examination. Any form of EMD at progression was observed in 40 (34·2%) patients, including 21 (18%) osseous, 8 (7%) extraosseous and 11 (9%) both osseous and extraosseous. Median OS was 0·9 years (range 0·1–4·8 years) after extraosseous EMD development. Sensitivity analyses with follow-up times truncated at 5 years detected no statistically significant difference in rates of any EMD form between the two groups (P > 0·2 for each comparison). Therefore, we observed no evidence that bortezomib–lenalidomide-based front-line therapy precipitates earlier EMD.

Bortezomib frequently produces severe treatment-related peripheral neuropathy (PN) in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM). Carfilzomib is a neuropathy-sparing proteasome inhibitor. We examined carfilzomib, rituximab, and dexamethasone (CaRD) in symptomatic WM patients naïve to bortezomib and rituximab. Protocol therapy consisted of intravenous carfilzomib, 20 mg/m2 (cycle 1) and 36 mg/m(2) (cycles 2-6), with intravenous dexamethasone, 20 mg, on days 1, 2, 8, and 9, and rituximab, 375 mg/m(2), on days 2 and 9 every 21 days. Maintenance therapy followed 8 weeks later with intravenous carfilzomib, 36 mg/m(2), and intravenous dexamethasone, 20 mg, on days 1 and 2, and rituximab, 375 mg/m(2), on day 2 every 8 weeks for 8 cycles. Overall response rate was 87.1% (1 complete response, 10 very good partial responses, 10 partial responses, and 6 minimal responses) and was not impacted by MYD88(L265P) or CXCR4(WHIM) mutation status. With a median follow-up of 15.4 months, 20 patients remain progression free. Grade ≥2 toxicities included asymptomatic hyperlipasemia (41.9%), reversible neutropenia (12.9%), and cardiomyopathy in 1 patient (3.2%) with multiple risk factors, and PN in 1 patient (3.2%) which was grade 2. Declines in serum IgA and IgG were common. CaRD offers a neuropathy-sparing approach for proteasome inhibitor-based therapy in WM. This trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01470196.

In this prospective, multicenter, phase 2 study, 64 patients with relapsed or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (MM) received up to 8 21-day cycles of bortezomib 1.0 mg/m(2) (days 1, 4, 8, and 11), lenalidomide 15 mg/day (days 1-14), and dexamethasone 40/20 mg/day (cycles 1-4) and 20/10 mg/day (cycles 5-8) (days of/after bortezomib dosing). Responding patients could receive maintenance therapy. Median age was 65 years; 66% were male, 58% had relapsed and 42% had relapsed and refractory MM, and 53%, 75%, and 6% had received prior bortezomib, thalidomide, and lenalidomide, respectively. Forty-eight of 64 patients (75%; 90% confidence interval, 65-84) were alive without progressive disease at 6 months (primary end point). The rate of partial response or better was 64%; median duration of response was 8.7 months. Median progression-free and overall survivals were 9.5 and 30 months, respectively (median follow-up: 44 months). Common treatment-related toxicities included sensory neuropathy (53%), fatigue (50%), and neutropenia (42%); common grade 3/4 treatment-related toxicities included neutropenia (30%), thrombocytopenia (22%), and lymphopenia (11%). Grade 3 motor neuropathy was reported in 2 patients. Lenalidomide-bortezomib-dexamethasone appears effective and tolerable in patients with relapsed or relapsed and refractory MM, demonstrating substantial activity among patients with diverse prior therapies and adverse prognostic characteristics. This trial is registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00378209.

Background. This study aimed to determine the progression-free survival and response rate using early therapeutic intervention in patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) using the combination of ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone. Methods. Patients enrolled on study met eligibility for high-risk SMM based on the newly defined criteria proposed by Rajkumar et al., Blood 2014. The treatment plan was designed to be administered on an outpatient basis where patients receive 9 cycles of induction therapy of ixazomib (4mg) at days 1, 8, and 15, in combination with lenalidomide (25mg) at days 1-21 and Dexamethasone at days 1, 8, 15, and 22. This induction phase is followed by ixazomib (4mg) and lenalidomide (15mg) maintenance for another 15 cycles. A treatment cycle is defined as 28 consecutive days, and therapy is administered for a total of 24 cycles total. Bone marrow samples from all patients were obtained before starting therapy for baseline assessment, whole exome sequencing (WES), and RNA sequencing of plasma and bone marrow microenvironment cells. Moreover, blood samples were obtained at screening and before each cycle to isolate cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Stem cell collection is planned for all eligible patients. Results. In total, 26 of the planned 56 patients were enrolled in this study from February 2017 to April 2018. The median age of the patients enrolled was 63 years (range, 41 to 73) with 12 males (46.2%). Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (iFISH) was successful in 18 patients. High-risk cytogenetics (defined as the presence of t(4;14), 17p deletion, and 1q gain) were found in 11 patients (61.1%). The median number of cycles completed was 8 cycles (3-15). The most common toxicities were fatigue (69.6%), followed by rash (56.5%), and neutropenia (56.5%). The most common grade 3 adverse events were hypophosphatemia (13%), leukopenia (13%), and neutropenia (8.7%). One patient had grade 4 neutropenia during treatment. Additionally, grade 4 hyperglycemia occurred in another patient. As of this abstract date, the overall response rate (partial response or better) in participants who had at least 3 cycles of treatment was 89% (23/26), with 5 Complete Responses (CR, 19.2%), 9 very good partial responses (VGPR, 34.6%), 9 partial responses (34.6%), and 3 Minimal Responses (MR, 11.5%). None of the patients have shown progression to overt MM to date. Correlative studies including WES of plasma cells and single-cell RNA sequencing of the bone microenvironment cells are ongoing to identify the genomic and transcriptomic predictors for the differential response to therapy as well as for disease evolution. Furthermore, we are analyzing the cfDNA and CTCs of the patients at different time points to investigate their use in monitoring minimal residual disease and disease progression. Conclusion. The combination of ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone is an effective and well-tolerated intervention in high-risk smoldering myeloma. The high response rate, convenient schedule with minimal toxicity observed to date are promising in this patient population at high risk of progression to symptomatic disease. Further studies and longer follow up for disease progression are warranted. Disclosures Bustoros: Dava Oncology: Honoraria. Munshi:OncoPep: Other: Board of director. Anderson:C4 Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; Celgene: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Takeda Millennium: Consultancy; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncopep: Equity Ownership. Richardson:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Oncopeptides: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Research Funding; Janssen: 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. Ghobrial:Celgene: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy.

The present study aimed to determine the safety and activity of the histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat in patients with relapsed/refractory Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). Eligibility criteria included patients with relapsed/refractory WM with any number of prior therapies. Patients received panobinostat at 30 mg 3 times a week; 12 of 36 (33%) patients were enrolled at 25 mg dose. A total of 36 patients received therapy. The median age was 62 years (range, 47-80) and the median number of prior therapies was 3 (range, 1-8). All of the patients had received prior rituximab. Minimal response (MR) or better was achieved in 47% of patients (90% confidence interval [CI], 33-62), with 22% partial remissions and 25% MR. In addition, 18 (50%) patients achieved stable disease and none showed progression while on therapy. The median time to first response was 1.8 months (range, 1.7-3.2). The median progression-free survival was 6.6 months(90% CI, 5.5-14.8). Grade 3 and 4 toxicities included thrombocytopenia (67%), neutropenia (36%), anemia (28%), leukopenia (22%), and fatigue (11%). We conclude that panobinostat is an active therapeutic agent in patients with relapsed/ refractory WM. This study (www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00936611) establishes a role for histone deacetylase inhibitors as an active class of therapeutic agents in WM.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), also called sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), is a potentially life-threatening complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Untreated hepatic VOD/SOS with multi-organ failure (MOF) is associated with >80% mortality. Defibrotide has shown promising efficacy treating hepatic VOD/SOS with MOF in phase 2 studies. This phase 3 study investigated safety and efficacy of defibrotide in patients with established hepatic VOD/SOS and advanced MOF. Patients (n = 102) given defibrotide 25 mg/kg per day were compared with 32 historical controls identified out of 6867 medical charts of HSCT patients by blinded independent reviewers. Baseline characteristics between groups were well balanced. The primary endpoint was survival at day +100 post-HSCT; observed rates equaled 38.2% in the defibrotide group and 25% in the controls (23% estimated difference; 95.1% confidence interval [CI], 5.2-40.8;P= .0109, using a propensity-adjusted analysis). Observed day +100 complete response (CR) rates equaled 25.5% for defibrotide and 12.5% for controls (19% difference using similar methodology; 95.1% CI, 3.5-34.6;P= .0160). Defibrotide was generally well tolerated with manageable toxicity. Related adverse events (AEs) included hemorrhage or hypotension; incidence of common hemorrhagic AEs (including pulmonary alveolar [11.8% and 15.6%] and gastrointestinal bleeding [7.8% and 9.4%]) was similar between the defibrotide and control groups, respectively. Defibrotide was associated with significant improvement in day +100 survival and CR rate. The historical-control methodology offers a novel, meaningful approach for phase 3 evaluation of orphan diseases associated with high mortality. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #.

We present the case of a woman with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM) who received combination lenalidomide and bortezomib therapy for 90 cycles followed by continuous lenalidomide monotherapy and has completed over 100 cycles of treatment to date. The patient was diagnosed with advanced-stage, symptomatic MM in 2001. Following a partial response (PR) to dexamethasone in combination with pamidronate and thalidomide, the patient underwent protocol-directed non-myeloablative allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from her matched sibling donor the following year. In 2004, the patient relapsed and was enrolled in a phase I, dose-escalation trial of lenalidomide plus bortezomib for relapsed and refractory MM. After eight cycles of study treatment, the patient achieved a minimal response. The patient received a total of 90 cycles of treatment with lenalidomide 5 mg given for 14 d every 21 d, and 1 mg/m(2) of bortezomib initially given on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 for the first 20 cycles, and then weekly thereafter on days 1 and 8. Bortezomib was discontinued after 90 cycles, and the patient continued to receive lenalidomide monotherapy. As of cycle 100, the patient achieved a PR. Currently, she is clinically stable with response sustained for over 7 yrs. Therapy has been well tolerated with no significant long-term toxicity; no dose reductions of lenalidomide and bortezomib were required. The excellent tolerability of this steroid-free approach and the durable response seen underscore the potential benefits of participating in early-phase clinical trials evaluating novel therapies and new drug combinations. This case further supports that combination treatment with lenalidomide and bortezomib is an effective therapy in the management of patients with relapsed and refractory MM.

This phase 1/2 study is the first prospective evaluation of lenalidomide-bortezomib-dexamethasone in front-line myeloma. Patients (N = 66) received 3-week cycles (n = 8) of bortezomib 1.0 or 1.3 mg/m2 (days 1, 4, 8, 11), lenalidomide 15 to 25 mg (days 1-14), and dexamethasone 40 or 20 mg (days 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12). Responding patients proceeded to maintenance or transplantation. Phase 2 dosing was determined to be bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2, lenalidomide 25 mg, and dexamethasone 20 mg. Most common toxicities included sensory neuropathy (80%) and fatigue (64%), with only 27%/2% and 32%/3% grade 2/3, respectively. In addition, 32% reported neuropathic pain (11%/3%, grade 2/3). Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities included lymphopenia (14%), neutropenia (9%), and thrombocytopenia (6%). Thrombosis was rare (6% overall), and no treatment-related mortality was observed. Rate of partial response was 100% in both the phase 2 population and overall, with 74% and 67% each achieving very good partial response or better. Twenty-eight patients (42%) proceeded to undergo transplantation. With median follow-up of 21 months, estimated 18-month progression-free and overall survival for the combination treatment with/without transplantation were 75% and 97%, respectively. Lenalidomide-bortezomib-dexamethasone demonstrates favorable tolerability and is highly effective in the treatment of newly diagnosed myeloma. This study is registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00378105.

Therapeutic options for severe hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) are limited and outcomes are dismal, but early phase I/II studies have suggested promising activity and acceptable toxicity using the novel polydisperse oligonucleotide defibrotide. This randomized phase II dose-finding trial determined the efficacy of defibrotide in patients with severe VOD following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and identified an appropriate dose for future trials. Adult and pediatric patients received either lower-dose (arm A: 25 mg/kg/day; n = 75) or higher-dose (arm B: 40 mg/kg/day; n = 74) i.v. defibrotide administered in divided doses every 6 hours for ≥ 14 days or until complete response, VOD progression, or any unacceptable toxicity occurred. Overall complete response and day + 100 post-HSCT survival rates were 46% and 42%, respectively, with no significant difference between treatment arms. The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was low (8% overall; 7% in arm A, 10% in arm B); there was no significant difference in the overall rate of adverse events between treatment arms. Early stabilization or decreased bilirubin was associated with better response and day + 100 survival, and decreased plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) during treatment was associated with better outcome; changes were similar in both treatment arms. Defibrotide 25 or 40 mg/kg/day also appears effective in treating severe VOD following HSCT. In the absence of any differences in activity, toxicity or changes in PAI-1 level, defibrotide 25 mg/kg/day was selected for ongoing phase III trials in VOD.

Purpose Lenalidomide and bortezomib are active in relapsed and relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). In preclinical studies, lenalidomide sensitized MM cells to bortezomib and dexamethasone. This phase I, dose-escalation study (ie, NCT00153933) evaluated safety and determined the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of lenalidomide plus bortezomib in patients with relapsed or with relapsed and refractory MM. Patients and Methods Patients received lenalidomide 5, 10, or 15 mg/d on days 1 through 14 and received bortezomib 1.0 or 1.3 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 of 21-day cycles. Dexamethasone (20mg or 40 mg on days 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, and 12) was added for progressive disease after two cycles. Primary end points were safety and MTD determination. Results Thirty-eight patients were enrolled across six dose cohorts. The MTD was lenalidomide 15 mg/d plus bortezomib 1.0 mg/m2. Dose-limiting toxicities (n = 1 for each) were grade 3 hyponatremia and herpes zoster reactivation and grade 4 neutropenia. The most common treatment-related, grades 3 to 4 toxicities included reversible neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and leukopenia. Among 36 response-evaluable patients, 61% (90% CI, 46% to 75%) achieved minimal response or better. Among 18 patients who had dexamethasone added, 83% (90% CI, 62% to 95%) achieved stable disease or better. Median overall survival was 37 months. Conclusion Lenalidomide plus bortezomib was well tolerated and showed promising activity with durable responses in patients with relapsed and relapsed/refractory MM, including patients previously treated with lenalidomide, bortezomib, and/or thalidomide. The combination of lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone is being investigated in a phase II study in this setting and in newly diagnosed MM.

MYD88(L265P) and CXCR4(WHIM) mutations are highly prevalent in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. MYD88(L265P) triggers tumor-cell growth through Bruton's tyrosine kinase, a target of ibrutinib. CXCR4(WHIM) mutations confer in vitro resistance to ibrutinib.We performed a prospective study of ibrutinib in 63 symptomatic patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia who had received at least one previous treatment, and we investigated the effect of MYD88 and CXCR4 mutations on outcomes. Ibrutinib at a daily dose of 420 mg was administered orally until disease progression or the development of unacceptable toxic effects.After the patients received ibrutinib, median serum IgM levels decreased from 3520 mg per deciliter to 880 mg per deciliter, median hemoglobin levels increased from 10.5 g per deciliter to 13.8 g per deciliter, and bone marrow involvement decreased from 60% to 25% (P0.01 for all comparisons). The median time to at least a minor response was 4 weeks. The overall response rate was 90.5%, and the major response rate was 73.0%; these rates were highest among patients with MYD88(L265P)CXCR4(WT) (with WT indicating wild-type) (100% overall response rate and 91.2% major response rate), followed by patients with MYD88(L265P)CXCR4(WHIM) (85.7% and 61.9%, respectively) and patients with MYD88(WT)CXCR4(WT) (71.4% and 28.6%). The estimated 2-year progression-free and overall survival rates among all patients were 69.1% and 95.2%, respectively. Treatment-related toxic effects of grade 2 or higher included neutropenia (in 22% of the patients) and thrombocytopenia (in 14%), which were more common in heavily pretreated patients; postprocedural bleeding (in 3%); epistaxis associated with the use of fish-oil supplements (in 3%); and atrial fibrillation associated with a history of arrhythmia (5%).Ibrutinib was highly active, associated with durable responses, and safe in pretreated patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. MYD88 and CXCR4 mutation status affected responses to this drug. (Funded by Pharmacyclics and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01614821.).

A single cycle of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support (HDC) in women with responsive metastatic breast cancer (BC) consistently achieves over 50% complete and near complete response (CR/nCR). This significant cytoreduction results in a median event-free survival (EFS) of 8 months, and approximately 20% 3-year and 16% 5-year EFS in selected patients. To improve long-term outcomes, new strategies to treat minimal residual tumor burden are needed. Increased total dose delivered can be achieved with two cycles of HDC. Critical design issues include shortening induction chemotherapy to avoid development of drug resistance and the use of different agents for each HDC cycle. We have determined the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for paclitaxel combined with high-dose melphalan in the context of a double transplant and explored the impact of a short induction phase. Between June 1994 and August 1996, we enrolled 32 women with metastatic BC on to this phase I double transplant trial. Induction consisted of doxorubicin 30 mg/m2/day days 1-3 given for 2 cycles every 14 days with G-CSF 5 microg/kg s.c. days 4-12. Stem cell collection was performed by leukapheresis in each cycle when the WBC recovered to above 1000/microl. Patients with stable disease or better response to induction were eligible to proceed with HDC. HDC regimen I (TxM) included paclitaxel with dose escalation from 0 to 300 mg/m2 given on day 1 and melphalan 180 mg/m2 in two divided doses given on day 3. HDC regimen II was CTCb (cyclophosphamide 6 g/m2, thiotepa 500 mg/m2, and carboplatin 800 mg/m2 total doses) delivered by 96-h continuous infusion. At the first dose level of 150 mg/m2 paclitaxel by 3 h infusion, four of five patients developed dose-limiting toxicity consisting of diffuse skin erythema and capillary leak syndrome. Only two of these five completed the second transplant. Subsequently, paclitaxel was delivered by 24-h continuous infusion together with 96 h of dexamethasone and histamine receptor blockade. This particular toxicity was not observed again. No toxic deaths occurred and dose-limiting toxicity was not encountered. Three patients were removed from study prior to transplant: one for insurance refusal and two for disease progression. All others completed both cycles of transplant. Complete and near complete response (CR/nCR) after completion of therapy was achieved in 23 (72%) of 32 patients. The median EFS is 26 months. The median overall survival has not yet been reached. At a median follow-up of 58 months, EFS and overall survival are 41% and 53%, respectively. This double transplant approach is feasible, safe, and tolerable. Treatment duration is only 14 weeks and eliminates lengthy induction chemotherapy. The observed event-free and overall survivals are promising and are better than expected following a single transplant. Whilst selection biases may in part contribute to this effect, a much larger phase II double transplant trial is warranted in preparation for a potential randomized comparison of standard therapy vs single vs double transplant.

Objective: Lenalidomide-bortezomib-dexamethasone (RVD) is associated with a high-rate of response in newlydiagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) with high-dose melphalan conditioningis a standard of care in MM. The impact of ASCT following RVD induction is not known. This study evaluates the impactof ASCT following RVD induction therapy in MM. Methods: Using our center’s transplant database, we identified 60 patients with newly diagnosed MM who underwentRVD induction followed by ASCT in first response. We describe disease characteristics including International StagingSystem (ISS) stage and cytogenetics, pre- and post-ASCT response, as well as progression-free survival (PFS) from timeof ASCT. Results: The rate of paraprotein complete response prior to and following ASCT was 50% and 60%, respectively. Amongthe 30 patients who did not achieve a paraprotein CR pre-ASCT, 14 (47%) patients had improved response post-transplant.At a median follow-up of 23 months, 90% (90% CI: [81%, 95%]) of the patients were alive without progression 12 monthsafter transplant. Conclusion: ASCT improves the rate of CR in patients with newly diagnosed MM who receive RVD induction therapy.

PURPOSE With a median observation time of 50 months from transplant, 13 (22%) of 62 women with metastatic breast cancer treated with high-dose chemotherapy at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI)/Beth Israel Hospital (BIH) remain progression-free. This study determined factors prognostic for prolonged progression-free survival (PFS). METHODS From June 1988 to January 1992, women who responded to standard chemotherapy received high-dose cyclophosphamide, thiotepa, and carboplatin with autotransplantation. Data encompassing initial breast cancer diagnosis, metastatic presentation, and response to induction treatment were examined for correlations with improved PFS. RESULTS The 5-year PFS rate for the entire group is estimated to be 21% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10% to 32%). For those patients who attained a complete response (CR) to induction therapy, the 5-year PFS rate is estimated to be 31% (95% CI, 0% to 63%). In univariate analyses, a single metastatic site, CR to induction therapy, prolonged interval from primary diagnosis to first metastases, estrogen receptor (ER)-negative tumors, and older age (> or = 40 years) were associated with prolonged PFS. In multivariate analyses, single metastatic site (P = .002) and attainment of a CR to induction chemotherapy (P = .04) were the most significant predictors for PFS, with a strong trend observed for an interval from primary diagnosis to onset of metastatic disease of 24+ months (P = .066). CONCLUSION We and others have shown that 10% to 25% of women with metastatic breast cancer are progression-free after high-dose chemotherapy with autotransplantation. Those with chemosensitive disease, minimal tumor bulk, and a prolonged disease-free interval appear to benefit most. Emphasis should continue to focus on the development of more effective cytotoxic regimens and biologic approaches to increase the percentage of patients who may benefit from this approach.

In this prospective study of patients with relapsed or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (MM) treated with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, relationships between markers of endothelial stress and drug administration and incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) were assessed. Of 33 enrolled patients, laboratory and treatment data were available for 32 patients. Of these, 23 received pulsed dexamethasone (40 mg/day on days 1-4, 9-12 and 17-21 of each 28-day cycle) and 9 received weekly dexamethasone (40 mg/day on days 1, 8, 15 and 21 of each cycle). The overall incidence of VTE was 9%. A decreasing trend in markers values was observed with intercellular adhesion molecule (P = 0·05), fibrinogen (P = 0·008), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (P 0·001), homocysteine (P = 0·002) and P-selectin (P 0·001) during therapy. Compared with weekly dexamethasone, pulsed dexamethasone was associated with significantly greater variation in mean adjusted relative values of fibrinogen, P-selectin and vascular endothelial growth factor (P 0·001 for all comparisons), although there was no apparent association with VTE incidence. Lenalidomide plus dexamethasone affects endothelial stress marker levels in patients with advanced MM. The higher variation seen with pulsed dexamethasone suggests greater endothelial stress with this approach.

We present the case of a woman with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM) who received combination lenalidomide and bortezomib therapy for 90 cycles followed by continuous lenalidomide monotherapy and has completed over 100 cycles of treatment to date. The patient was diagnosed with advanced-stage, symptomatic MM in 2001. Following a partial response (PR) to dexamethasone in combination with pamidronate and thalidomide, the patient underwent protocol-directed non-myeloablative allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from her matched sibling donor the following year. In 2004, the patient relapsed and was enrolled in a phase I, dose-escalation trial of lenalidomide plus bortezomib for relapsed and refractory MM. After eight cycles of study treatment, the patient achieved a minimal response. The patient received a total of 90 cycles of treatment with lenalidomide 5 mg given for 14 d every 21 d, and 1 mg/m(2) of bortezomib initially given on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 for the first 20 cycles, and then weekly thereafter on days 1 and 8. Bortezomib was discontinued after 90 cycles, and the patient continued to receive lenalidomide monotherapy. As of cycle 100, the patient achieved a PR. Currently, she is clinically stable with response sustained for over 7 yrs. Therapy has been well tolerated with no significant long-term toxicity; no dose reductions of lenalidomide and bortezomib were required. The excellent tolerability of this steroid-free approach and the durable response seen underscore the potential benefits of participating in early-phase clinical trials evaluating novel therapies and new drug combinations. This case further supports that combination treatment with lenalidomide and bortezomib is an effective therapy in the management of patients with relapsed and refractory MM.

PURPOSE Twenty-seven percent of responding metastatic breast cancer patients remain progression-free a median 29 months following one intensification course of cyclophosphamide (6,000 mg/m2), thiotepa (500 mg/m2), and carboplatin (800 mg/m2) (CTCb) with autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). European investigators report high complete response (CR) rates with melphalan for breast cancer. This trial studied the feasibility of two tandem high-dose intensification therapies in an attempt to optimize disease response and duration. PATIENTS AND METHODS Women with at least partial responses (PRs) to induction therapy received melphalan (140 to 180 mg/m2), followed 24 hours later by chemotherapy and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized peripheral-blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) and subsequent G-CSF until WBC recovery. The women were monitored as outpatients. After recovery, patients were hospitalized for CTCb with marrow, PBPC, and G-CSF support. RESULTS Twenty women were assessable. Fourteen (70%) required admission for fever (10% infection) or mucositis (35%) after melphalan (median stay, 5 days). Median days of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) less than 500/microL and platelet count less than 20,000/microL were 6 and 5.5, respectively. Patients received CTCb 25 days after starting melphalan and had a hospital stay of 25 days. After CTCb, median days of ANC less than 500/microL and platelet count less than 20,000/microL were 11.5 and 24, respectively. Grade 3 toxicities included venoocclusive disease (VOD) (10%), mucositis (45%), and infection (20%). Toxicities were reversible without mortality. CONCLUSION With mobilized PBPCs and growth factors, double dose-intensive chemotherapy is feasible with acceptable toxicity. When compared with trials using marrow alone, these supportive adjuncts decrease sepsis and organ toxicity. The concepts of dose and dose-intensity may now be more effectively and safely studied in chemosensitive tumors, including breast cancer.

Aim This project sought to determine nurses' understanding and management of infants with intravenous (IV) therapy. There were three specific aims: • To improve identification and management of extravasation injuries in neonates • To ensure management of extravasation injuries in neonates is classified according to IV extravasation staging guidelines • To develop a protocol that outlined actions required to manage extravasation injuries Methods This project utilised a pre- and post-implementation audit strategy using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Getting Research into Practice (GRIP) program. This method has been used to improve clinical practice by utilising an audit, feedback and re-audit sequence. The project was implemented in four stages over a 7-month period from 21 October 2009 to 30 May 2010. Results Initially, there was poor compliance with all four criteria, ranging from zero to 63%. The GRIP phase of the project identified five barriers which were addressed throughout this project. These related to education of staff and the development of a protocol for the prevention and management of extravasation injuries in the neonatal population. Following implementation of best practice, the second audit showed a marked improvement in all four criteria, ranging from 70 to 100% compliance. Conclusions Overall, this project has led to improvements in clinical practice in line with current evidence. This has resulted in enhanced awareness of the risks associated with IV therapy and of measures to prevent an injury occurring within this clinical setting.

Summary Background Multiple myeloma is the second most prevalent haematological malignancy and is incurable. Our aim was to assess the response and safety of the combination of temsirolimus (an mTOR inhibitor) and bortezomib in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Methods We did an open-label, dose-escalation study in three centres in the USA. Patients were enrolled from June, 2007, to December, 2009. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older with relapsed or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma after one or more treatment (including lenalidomide, bortezomib, or thalidomide), with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0–2. Patients were assigned a dose level in the order of their entry into the study. Phase 1 was to assess the safety and establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the combination and phase 2 was to assess overall response rate at the MTD. Intravenous temsirolimus was given at 15 or 25 mg and intravenous bortezomib at 1·3 or 1·6 mg/m 2 once a week, with dose escalation until dose-limiting adverse events were recorded in two of the three people in the dose cohort. Use of steroids were not permitted. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with a partial response or better. Analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis, with all patients who had been enrolled included. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00483262. Findings 20 patients were enrolled into the phase 1 study and 43 into phase 2. All patients were heavily pretreated (median five lines in the phase 1 cohort, and four lines in the phase 2 cohort). The MTD was determined to be 1·6 mg/m 2 bortezomib on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 in combination with 25 mg temsirolimus on days 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, for a cycle of 35 days. In the phase 2 study, the proportion of patients with a partial response or better was 33% (14 of 43; 90% CI 21–47). Long-term follow-up of patients is ongoing. There were three deaths during treatment in the phase 1 and 2 studies: one patient died of septic shock in the phase 1 study; one patient died with H1N1 influenza infection and one died with cardiac amyloid and ventricular arrhythmia unrelated to treatment in the phase 2 study. In the phase 1 study, the most common treatment-related grade 3–4 adverse events were thrombocytopenia (13 patients), lymphopenia (ten), neutropenia (nine), leucopenia (seven), and anaemia (five). In the phase 2 study, the most common treatment-related grade 3–4 adverse events were thrombocytopenia (25 patients), lymphopenia (24), neutropenia (17), leucopenia (ten), anaemia (seven), and diarrhoea (five). Four patients in the phase 1 study had sensory peripheral neuropathy (grade 2 or less); in the phase 2 study, 11 had sensory peripheral neuropathy (all grade 2 or less) and seven motor peripheral neuropathy (one grade 3, six grade 2 or less). Interpretation mTOR inhibitors could have a role in combination with weekly bortezomib for the treatment of patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma without the addition of steroids. Funding Millennium Inc, Pfizer Inc, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

This study aimed to determine the activity and safety of weekly bortezomib and rituximab in patients with untreated Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia (WM). Patients with no prior therapy and symptomatic disease were eligible. Patients received bortezomib IV weekly at 1.6 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, 15, q 28 days × 6 cycles, and rituximab 375 mg/m(2) weekly on cycles 1 and 4. Primary endpoint was the percent of patients with at least a minor response (MR). Twenty-six patients were treated. At least MR was observed in 23/26 patients (88%) (95% CI: 70-98%) with 1 complete response (4%), 1 near-complete response (4%), 15 partial remission (58%), and 6 MR (23%). Using IgM response evaluated by nephlometry, all 26 patients (100%) achieved at least MR or better. The median time to progression has not been reached, with an estimated 1-year event free rate of 79% (95% CI: 53, 91%). Common grade 3 and 4 therapy related adverse events included reversible neutropenia in 12%, anemia in 8%, and thrombocytopenia in 8%. No grade 3 or 4 neuropathy occurred. The combination of weekly bortezomib and rituximab exhibited significant activity and minimal neurological toxicity in patients with untreated WM.

Purpose This study aimed to determine activity and safety of weekly bortezomib and rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). Patients and Methods Patients who had at least one previous therapy were eligible. All patients received bortezomib intravenously weekly at 1.6 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15, every 28 days for six cycles and rituximab 375 mg/m2 weekly on cycles 1 and 4. The primary end point was the percentage of patients with at least a minor response. Results Thirty-seven patients were treated. The majority of patients (78%) completed treatment per protocol. At least minimal response (MR) or better was observed in 81% (95% CI, 65% to 92%), with two patients (5%) in complete remission (CR)/near CR, 17 patients (46%) in partial response, and 11 patients (30%) in MR. The median time to progression was 16.4 months (95% CI, 11.4 to 21.1 months). Death occurred in one patient due to viral pneumonia. The most common grade 3 and 4 therapy-related adverse events included reversible neutropenia in 16%, anemia in 11%, and thrombocytopenia in 14%. Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in only two patients (5%). The median progression-free (PFS) is 15.6 months (95% CI, 11 to 21 months), with estimated 12-month and 18-month PFS of 57% (95% CI, 39% to 75%) and 45% (95% CI, 27% to 63%), respectively. The median overall survival has not been reached. Conclusion The combination of weekly bortezomib and rituximab showed significant activity and minimal neurologic toxicity in patients with relapsed WM.

Background: Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare, low-grade lymphoproliferative disorder. Based on preclinical studies, we conducted a phase II clinical trial testing the efficacy and safety of the Akt inhibitor perifosine in patients with relapsed/refractory WM. Patients and Methods: Thirty-seven patients were treated with oral perifosine (150 mg daily) for six cycles. Stable or responding patients were allowed to continue therapy until progression. Results: The median age was 65 years (range, 44-82). The median number of prior therapy lines was two (range, one to five). Of the 37 patients, 4 achieved partial response (11%), 9 minimal response (24%), and 20 showed stable disease (54%). The median progression-free survival was 12.6 months. Additionally, β2 microglobulin of >3.5 mg/dL was associated with poor event-free survival (P = 0.002). Perifosine was generally well tolerated; adverse events related to therapy were cytopenias (grade 3-4, 13%), gastrointestinal symptoms (grade 1-2, 81%), and arthritis flare (all grades, 11%). Translational studies using gene expression profiling and immunohistochemistry showed that perifosine inhibited pGSK activity downstream of Akt, and inhibited nuclear factor κB activity. Conclusion: Perifosine resulted in at least a minimal response in 35% of patients and a median progression-free survival of 12.6 months in patients with relapsed or relapsed/refractory WM, as well as in vivo inhibition of pGSK activity. The results of this study warrant further evaluation of perifosine in combination with rituximab or other active agents in patients with WM. Clin Cancer Res; 16(3); 1033–41

Sirolimus is an effective agent used in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis after allogeneic transplantation. It also has antiproliferative effects on vascular endothelium when used to coat coronary artery stents. We noted an excess of veno-occlusive disease (VOD) in a clinical trial, and retrospectively reviewed the records of 488 patients to determine the association between sirolimus and VOD. When used with cyclophosphamide/total body irradiation (Cy/TBI) conditioning, sirolimus is associated with an increased incidence of VOD (OR 2.35, P = .005). The concomitant use of methotrexate further increased this rate (OR 3.23, P < .001), while sirolimus without methotrexate was not associated with an increased risk of VOD (OR 1.55, P = .33). Mortality after VOD diagnosis was unaffected, and overall treatment-related mortality was lowest when sirolimus was used without methotrexate. Similar findings were noted in matched, related, and unrelated as well as mismatched donor subgroups. When used with busulfan-based conditioning, sirolimus use was associated with an even higher rate of VOD (OR 8.8, P = .008). Our findings suggest that sirolimus use is associated with VOD after TBI-based transplantation when used with methotrexate after transplantation. Sirolimus-based GVHD prophylaxis without methotrexate is associated with the greatest overall survival. Myeloablative doses of busulfan should not be used with sirolimus-based immunosuppression.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine the safety and activity of plerixafor (CXCR4 inhibitor) in combination with bortezomib as a chemosensitization strategy in multiple myeloma (MM). The phase I portion of this study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). The phase II portion was designed to assess the toxicity profile and the proportion of overall confirmed response (CR + PR). This was based on preclinical studies demonstrating that plerixafor (Mozobil, Sanofi Corporation, MA) induces de-adhesion of MM cells and sensitization to bortezomib in preclinical animal models. METHODS: Eligibility criteria included: 1) patients with relapsed or relapsed/refractory MM with 1–5 prior lines of therapy including bortezomib (unless patients were refractory to bortezomib), 2) measurable disease, 3) not receiving chemotherapy < 3 weeks, or biological therapy for MM < 2 weeks prior to study treatment. Phase I included eight cohorts with different doses and two treatment schedules. In cohorts 1–5, patients received plerixafor at the recommended dose subcutaneously (sq) on days 1–6 of each cycle and bortezomib at the recommended dose twice a week on days 3, 6, 10, and 13 every 21 days. Cohort 5b–7 plerixafor was given at the recommended dose sq on days 1, 3, 6, 10, and 13 and bortezomib was given at the recommended dose twice a week on days 3, 6, 10, and 13 every 21 days. For the phase II portion patients received plerixafor at the MTD, 320 mcg/kg sq on days 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, and 13. Bortezomib was given 1.3 mg/m2 IV or sq twice a week on days 3, 6, 10, 13, every 21 days. Dexamethasone was given at 40mg on days of Bortezomib. Patients who had a response or stable disease went on to receive a total of 8 cycles followed by maintenance therapy. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from the patients in the phase I portion of trial at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 24 hours post-dose on days 1 and 3, and time points 0, 2, and 4 hours post-dose on days 6, 10 and 13 of cycle 1. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were enrolled in the phase I portion of trial and 23 patients in the phase II study. In the phase I study, the median age was 60 years (range, 44–85) and median lines of prior therapy were 2 (range, 1–4) with all but 3 patients receiving prior bortezomib. The median number of cycles on therapy was 3 (1–11). Dose limiting toxicities including insomnia, restlessness, and psychosis were observed in two patients at dose level 6 (plerixafor 0.40 mg/kg and bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2). To further explore the safety of maximum tolerated dose, three additional patients were enrolled at dose level 5b. There were no grade 4 toxicities. Grade 3 toxicities included lymphopenia (40%), hypophosphatemia (20%), anemia (10%), hyponatremia (10%), hypercalcemia (10%), and bone fracture due to myeloma bone disease (10%). In the phase II portion, twenty-three patients have been treated to date. The median age was 70 (56-83), the median lines of prior therapy were 3 (1-5). The median number of cycles on therapy was 7 (1-12). Grade 4 toxicities include lymphopenia (9%), thrombocytopenia (17%) and pneumonia (4%). Grade 3 toxicities included anemia (9%), thrombocytopenia (17%), neutropenia (4%), lymphopenia (13%), hyperglycemia (9%), hypophosphatemia (9%), elevated ALT, AST and Lipase (4%). In the phase I study, 23 patients were evaluable for response, including 1 (4%) complete response (CR), 1 (4%) very good partial response (VGPR) and 3 (13%) MR. In addition, 15 (65%) patients achieved stable disease (SD). For the phase II study, the response rate of PR or better was 13/23 (43%) including 4 (17%) VGPR and 6 (26%) PR in this relapsed/refractory population. In addition, 7 (39%) patients had stable disease (SD), and 3 (13%) had progressive disease (PD). We also examined in vivo mobilization of plasma cells, CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells and other accessory bone marrow cells. Analysis of these samples showed rapid mobilization of plasma cells at 2 hours post-plerixafor with a rapid return to normal levels at 4 and 24 hours post plerixafor. Similar results were observed on days 1 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of plerixafor and bortezomib was very active in this study, with minimal neuropathy or other toxicities seen to date, and the regimen was generally well tolerated. The responses observed are encouraging, with 43% PR or better in this relapsed and refractory population, including patients with significant exposure to prior bortezomib therapy. Disclosures Ghobrial: Sanofi: Research Funding; Millennium: 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; Noxxon: Research Funding; BMS: Advisory board, Advisory board Other, Research Funding; Onyx: Advisory board Other. Off Label Use: Plerixafor is not FDA approved for relapsed myeloma. Laubach:Novartis: Research Funding; Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Schlossman:Millennium: Consultancy. Anderson:Celgene: Consultancy; Sanofi-Aventis: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy; Acetylon: Scientific Founder, Scientific Founder Other; Oncoprep: Scientific Founder Other; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy.

Background: Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia is a distinct lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. Several clinical trials have shown high rates of response in patients with relapsed WM using bortezomib and rituximab combinations. In addition, the TORC1 inhibitor everolimus has previously shown a high response rate of 70% in this patient population. In this trial, we aimed to examine the safety and activity of the combination of everolimus with bortezomib and rituximab (RVR) and to determine whether a deep response can be achieved with a triple combination of targeted therapeutic agents in WM. Methods: The phase I portion of the study evaluated the maximum tolerated dose of everolimus, rituximab combination or RVR combination, while the phase II portion evaluated the depth of responses to the RVR combination. Patients were eligible for this trial if they had relapsed or refractory WM. There was no limit on the number of prior therapies. Patients were required to be ≥18 years old and have measurable and symptomatic disease. For the phase I, patients were assigned to a dose level in the order of study entry. In the dose-escalation scheme, everolimus was given at 5 or 10 mg PO with rituximab, or with bortezomib at 1.3 or 1.6 mg/m2 and rituximab. Rituximab was given at a fixed dose of 375 mg/m2 IV. In the phase II, patients received everolimus 10 mg flat dose PO daily, Bortezomib IV 1.6mg/m2 weekly on days 1, 8, 15 q 28 days and rituximab IV 375 mg/ m2 weekly on days 1, 8, 15 22 q 28 days on cycles 1 and 4 only. Treatment was daily and 4 weeks (28 days) was considered one cycle. Patients received a total of 6 cycles followed by maintenance therapy with everolimus 10 mg PO daily until progression. Dexamethasone was not permitted. Patients were assessed every cycle while on combination therapy, and every 3 months while on maintenance therapy. Patients with stable disease (SD) or responding disease could continue therapy until progression. Results: From April 2010 to July 2013, a total of 46 patients were enrolled on this trial; of these, 23 patients were in the phase I study and 23 patients in the phase II study. The median number of prior treatments was 2 (range 1-9) Prior therapies received included bortezomib-based therapy (26, 56%) and rituximab (45, 98%). Median treatment duration was 10 months (range, 3 weeks to 41 months) for all patients. There were no DLTs observed and no deaths occurred on this study. The most common toxicities in all patients on study were fatigue (29 patients, 63%); anemia and leukopenia (each in 24 patients, 52%); neutropenia (22, 48%); diarrhea (20, 43%); and neuropathy, pneumonitis/pulmonary infiltrates (each in 19 patients, 41%). The overall response rate (ORR) which includes patients with minor response (MR) or better in the phase II study (N=23) was 91% (95% CI, 72-99%) with 1 CR, 1 VGPR, 16 PR, and 3 MR. When all 36 patients on the phase I and phase II studies who received full dose of RVR were combined, the ORR was 89% (95% CI 74 – 97%), with 2 CR, 3 VGPR, 21 PR, and 6 MR. Conclusions: The RVR regimen is safe and well tolerated. RVR led to an overall response rate of 89% with PR or better achieved in 72% making this a highly effective regimen even in patients previously treated with bortezomib and/or rituximab. This study represents one of the first combination efforts of novel agents targeting the PI3K signaling pathway with a proteasome inhibitor. Disclosures Ghobrial: Sanofi: Research Funding; Noxxon: Research Funding; BMS: Advisory board, Advisory board Other, Research Funding; Onyx: Advisory board Other; Millennium: 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. Off Label Use: Bortezomib and everolimus are not approved for WM. Laubach:Novartis: Research Funding; Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Anderson:Celgene: Consultancy; Sanofi-Aventis: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy; Acetylon: Scientific Founder, Scientific Founder Other; Oncoprep: Scientific Founder Other; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy.

Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is the most common regimen-related toxicity accompanying stem cell transplantation (SCT). Severe VOD complicated by multisystem organ failure (MOF) remains almost uniformly fatal. Preliminary experience with defibrotide (DF), a single-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotide with fibrinolytic, antithrombotic, and anti-ischemic properties, in the treatment for severe VOD has suggested safety and activity. Eighty-eight patients who developed severe VOD after SCT were treated with DF under a defined treatment plan. At diagnosis, median bilirubin was 76.95 microM (4.5 mg/dL), median weight gain was 7%, ascites was present in 84%, and abnormal hepatic portal venous flow was present in 35%. At DF initiation, median bilirubin had increased to 215.46 microM (12.6 mg/dL), and MOF was present in 97%. DF was administered intravenously in doses ranging from 5 to 60 mg/kg per day for a median of 15 days. No severe hemorrhage or other serious toxicity related to DF was reported. Complete resolution of VOD was seen in 36%, with 35% survival at day +100. Predictors of survival included younger age, autologous SCT, and abnormal portal flow, whereas busulfan-based conditioning and encephalopathy predicted worse outcome. Decreases in mean creatinine and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1(PAI-1) levels during DF therapy predicted better survival. The complete response rate, survival to day +100, and absence of significant DF-associated toxicity in this largest patient cohort reported to date confirm the results of earlier studies. Certain features associated with successful outcome may correlate with DF-related treatment effects, and prospective evaluation of DF therapy for severe VOD should allow better definition of predictors of response or failure.

Introduction Whole genome sequencing has revealed highly prevalent somatic mutations in WM (Hunter et al, ICML-12, 2013). MYD88 L265P is present in >90% of patients with Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia (WM), and supports malignant growth via signaling involving Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK). Ibrutinib inhibits BTK, and in vitro induces apoptosis of WM cells bearing MYD88 L265P (Yang et al, Blood 2013). WHIM-like mutations in CXCR4 are present in 1/3 of patients with WM, and their expression induces BTK activity and confers decreased sensitivity to ibrutinib mediated growth suppression in WM cells (Cao et al, ASH 2013, submitted). We therefore evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of ibrutinib in relapsed or refractory WM, and examined the impact of MYD88 L265P and WHIM-like CXCR4 mutations on ibrutinib response given our laboratory findings. Patients and Methods Symptomatic WM patients who received at least 1 prior treatment were enrolled on this prospective clinical trial. Intended therapy consisted of 420 mg of oral ibrutinib daily for 2 years or until progression, or unacceptable toxicity. Sanger sequencing was used to determine MYD88 and CXCR4 mutations in sorted bone marrow lymphoplasmacytic cells (BM LPC) from 43 and 40 patients, respectively. Forty of 43 (93%) and 10/40 (25%) patients had MYD88 L265P and WHIM-like CXCR4 mutations, respectively. Results 63 patients including 17 with refractory disease were enrolled; all 63 are evaluable for response and toxicity. Median baseline characteristics: Age 63 (range 44-86) ; Prior therapies 2 (range 1-6); Hematocrit 30.8% (range 24.5-41.5); Hemoglobin 10.5 g/dL (8.2-13.8 g/dL); serum IgM 3,610 mg/dL (range 735-8390 mg/dL); serum M-protein 2.14 g/dL (range 0.5-5.4 g/dL); B2M 3.9 mg/L (range 1.3-14.2 mg/L); BM disease involvement 65% (range 3.2-95%). At best response, median serum IgM levels and M-protein declined to 1,340 mg/dL and 0.84 g/dL, respectively (p2 treatment related toxicities include thrombocytopenia (n=9; 14.3%); neutropenia (n=12; 19.1%); stomatitis (n=1; 1.6%); atrial fibrillation (n=1; 1.6%); diarrhea (n=1; 1.6%); herpes zoster (n=1; 1.6%); hematoma (n=1; 1.6%); hypertension (n=1; 1.6%) and epistaxis (n=1; 1.6%). 59 patients remain on study with 7 on reduced doses of ibrutinib. Reasons for discontinuation include non-response (n=1) in a patient with wild type MYD88; MDS/RAEB (n=1) in a heavily pre-treated patient who attained PR, but who had 5q deletions pre-dating protocol therapy; thrombocytopenia (n=1) in a patient with splenic entrapment; and patient decision (n=1). In patients who underwent tumor sequencing, attainment of major responses was impacted by mutations in CXCR4, but not MYD88 L265P. The major response rate was 77% for patients with wild-type CXCR4 vs. 30% in those with WHIM-like CXCR4 mutations (p=0.018). Decreases in serum IgM (p=0.047) and IgM M-spike (p=0.012), as well as improvements in hemoglobin (p=0.058) were greater in patients with wild-type CXCR4. Patients with wild-type CXCR4 also had increased peripheral lymphocytosis following ibrutinib treatment versus those with WHIM-like CXCR4 mutations (p=0.001). Conclusions Ibrutinib is highly active, and well-tolerated in patients with relapsed or refractory WM. Rapid reductions in serum IgM and improved hematocrit occur in most patients receiving ibrutinib. The presence of WHIM-like CXCR4 mutations impacts responses and peripheral lymphocytosis in WM patients undergoing ibrutinib treatment. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Ibrutinib is a Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK)inhibitor that, in vitro, induces apoptosis of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia cells bearing somatic mutations of MYD88 L265P.

Introduction The phase I aimed to determine the safety and maximum tolerated dose of the combination of everolimus and rituximab, or everolimus, bortezomib, and rituximab and the phase II study aimed to examine response and safety of the combination of all 3 agents in relapsed and/or relapsed/refractory Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia. This trial was based on our preclinical studies that demonstrated synergistic activity of everolimus and bortezomib with rituximab in WM. Methods Eligibility criteria include: 1) patients with relapsed or relapsed/refractory WM with any number of prior lines of therapy, including everolimus and bortezomib 2) not completely refractory to rituximab 3) measurable disease by monoclonal IgM protein in the serum and lymphoplasmacytic cells in the bone marrow, 4) Not receiving chemotherapy > 3 weeks, or biological/novel therapy for WM > 2 weeks. A cycle is 28 days and a total of 6 cycles are given, followed by everolimus maintenance until Progression. The phase I trial included two stages with a total of four dose levels. In stage A, patients received everolimus at the recommended dose orally daily for 28 days and rituximab at the recommended dose IV on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 every 28 days at cycle 1 and 4 only. In stage B, patients received everolimus at the recommended dose orally daily for 28 days, bortezomib at the recommended dose IV on days 1, 8, 15 every 28 days, and rituximab at the recommended dose IV on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 every 28 days at cycle 1 and 4 only. For the phase II study, patients received everolimus 10 mg daily, bortezomib IV 1.6mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 15 every 28 days, and rituximab 375mg/m2 IV on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 every 28 days at cycle 1 and 4 only. Patients were assessed for response after every cycle. Subjects who had a response continued on therapy for a total of 6 cycles, and then continued on to maintenance therapy with everolimus alone until progression Results Forty-Six patients were enrolled in this phase I/II clinical trial from April 2009 to July 2013. The median age is 65 (range, 47–84) yrs and the median lines of prior therapy is 5 (range, 1–9) with 45 (98%) patients receiving prior rituximab and 23 (50%) receiving prior bortezomib. The median number of cycles on therapy was 19.5 (range, 0–39). Overall, this combination therapy is very well tolerated. Grade 4 toxicities included: neutropenia (4.3%), leukopenia (2.2%), thrombocytopenia (13%), lymphopenia (2.2%) and hypertriglyceridemia (2.2%). Grade 3 toxicities included: neutropenia (13%), leukopenia (13%), anemia (10.9%), lymphopenia (8.7%), pneumonitis (4.3%), SGPT (4.3%), neuropathy (4.3%), Herpes zoster reactivation (4.3%), (2.2%) bacterial endocarditis, (2.2%) congestive heart failure, (2.2%) hearing loss, hyperglycemia (4.3%) hypernatremia (4.3%) and 1(2.2%) subject had an incarcerated inguinal hernia with small bowel obstruction. Two patients discontinued therapy due to grade 3 anemia. For the phase II study, sixteen patients are currently evaluable for response, including 2 (13%) complete response (CR), 11 (68%) partial response and 1 (6%) minimal response (MR), for an overall response rate including MR of 14/16 (88%) in this relapsed/refractory population. Furthermore, overall response including MR in phase I was 1/23 (4%) complete response, 7/23 (30%) partial response and 10/23 (43%) minimal response. In phase II 1/23 (4%) complete response, 14/23 (61%) partial response and 2/23 (9%) minimal response. Additionally, 8 (17%) patients achieved stable disease. Conclusions The combination of everolimus, bortezomib, and rituximab is generally well tolerated, and importantly no grade 3/4 neuropathy was seen. The responses observed to date indicate that this combination is highly effective in this relapsed/refractory population. This study was supported from the FDA Office of Orphan Products Development and by Millennium/Takeda and Novartis Inc. Disclosures: Ghobrial: Onyx: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Richardson:Millennium: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Johnson & Johnson: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Treon:Millennium: Consultancy. Matous:Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau.