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The development of novel agents has transformed the treatment paradigm for multiple myeloma, with minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity now achievable across the entire disease spectrum. Bone marrow–based technologies to assess MRD, including approaches using next-generation flow and next-generation sequencing, have provided real-time clinical tools for the sensitive detection and monitoring of MRD in patients with multiple myeloma. Complementary liquid biopsy–based assays are now quickly progressing with some, such as mass spectrometry methods, being very close to clinical use, while others utilizing nucleic acid–based technologies are still developing and will prove important to further our understanding of the biology of MRD. On the regulatory front, multiple retrospective individual patient and clinical trial level meta-analyses have already shown and will continue to assess the potential of MRD as a surrogate for patient outcome. Given all this progress, it is not surprising that a number of clinicians are now considering using MRD to inform real-world clinical care of patients across the spectrum from smoldering myeloma to relapsed refractory multiple myeloma, with each disease setting presenting key challenges and questions that will need to be addressed through clinical trials. The pace of advances in targeted and immune therapies in multiple myeloma is unprecedented, and novel MRD-driven biomarker strategies are essential to accelerate innovative clinical trials leading to regulatory approval of novel treatments and continued improvement in patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Daratumumab-based combination therapies have shown high rates of complete response (CR) and minimal residual disease negativity in patients with multiple myeloma. However, daratumumab, an IgGκ monoclonal antibody, interferes with electrophoretic techniques making it difficult to reliably define residual disease versus CR, especially in patients with IgGκ multiple myeloma. METHODS: Enrichment with polyclonal sheep antibody-coated magnetic microparticles combined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis was used to detect M-proteins in serial samples from newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients treated with daratumumab-based therapy. The performance of the MALDI-TOF MS assay was compared to that of a routine test panel (serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), immunofixation (IFE) and serum free light chain (FLC)). RESULTS: Comparison of MALDI-TOF MS to SPEP/IFE/FLC showed a concordance of 84.9% (p

We describe the use of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in the analysis of a suspected case of gamma heavy chain disease. The patient had an abnormal serum immunofixation result where a monoclonal gamma heavy chain band was present without a corresponding light chain. Analysis by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry revealed large peaks in the spectrum following IgG-specific purification. The m/z values of the peaks were outside the expected range for normal heavy chains or light chains. Corresponding peaks were not present in mass spectra of the kappa- or lambda-specific purifications. MALDI-TOF MS confirmed the presence of a truncated heavy chain without associated light chains. This case report demonstrates the value of mass spectrometry in interpreting challenging cases such as the identification of heavy chain disease.

Background Patients with congenital haptoglobin deficiency can develop anti-haptoglobin antibodies after exposure to blood products, and they can suffer from life-threatening anaphylactic transfusion reactions. Here, we present a case of a 57-year-old Chinese male with myelodysplastic syndrome who manifested an anaphylactic transfusion reaction during the transfusion of platelets. The only abnormality detected during his reaction laboratory workup was an undetectable haptoglobin level in the absence of evidence of hemolysis. Study design and methods Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was explored as a method to be able to detect the presence of anti-haptoglobin antibodies in serum. First, haptoglobin was immobilized to the surface of an SPR sensor chip. The patient's serum sample was injected, and the binding response was monitored in real time. Serum samples from five healthy volunteers were used as negative controls. Binding specificity was assessed in competition experiments using soluble haptoglobin. Anti-IgG, -IgA, -IgM, -IgD and -IgE antibodies were used to identify the antibody isotype. Results An IgG anti-haptoglobin antibody was detected in the patient's serum with SPR. Conclusion SPR provided a rapid, readily available method for the detection of an IgG anti-haptoglobin antibody in an anhaptoglobinemic individual. This confirmed the underlying etiology of the anaphylactic nonhemolytic transfusion reaction and justified the necessity of stringently washed cellular products for all future transfusions and strong caution for future use of plasma-containing products.

Background The incorporation of monoclonal antibodies, such as daratumumab, into multiple myeloma treatment regimens has led to the issue of false-positive interference in both serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and immunofixation (IF). The Hydrashift assay removes daratumumab interference from IF, allowing for correct interpretation. Here, we retrospectively examined the use of the Hydrashift assay at a large cancer center and provide guidelines on its most appropriate use. Methods 38 patients with distinct daratumumab peaks on their SPEP were selected and were used to quantify the daratumumab peak on SPEP using the Sebia Phoresis software. A retrospective review of all Hydrashift assays ordered at our institution from July 2018 to March 2020 was performed. Data collected included patient clone type, IF migration patterns, and Hydrashift result. Serial quantification of SPEP results was performed as the corresponding IF transitioned from a true positive to a false positive. Results Daratumumab adds a maximum magnitude of 0.20 g/dL on SPEP. Serial SPEP quantification showed IF transitioned from true positive to false positive when M-spikes ranged from 0.09 g/dL to 0.11 g/dL. Over 20 months, our laboratory performed 280 Hydrashift assays on 96 patients, 43/96 of whom had comigrating daratumumab/IgG-K IF bands. Conclusions The Hydrashift assay is typically unnecessary in patients with large M-spikes, >0.25 g/dL, regardless of clone type. When patient history is available, we recommend the Hydrashift assay be used in patients with comigrating daratumumab/IgG-K bands with M-spikes of

Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) use mitigates the risk of graft rejection and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT), but ATG overexposure in the setting of lymphopenia negatively affects immune recovery. We hypothesized that standard empiric weight-based dosing of ATG, used to prevent graft rejection in ex vivo CD34-selected allo-HCT, may lead to serious adverse consequences on outcomes in certain patients. We evaluated 304 patients undergoing myeloablative-conditioned ex vivo CD34-selected allo-HCT with HLA-matched donors for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Patients received rabbit ATG at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day i.v. on days -3 and/or -2. An ATG dosing cutoff of 450 mg was used for statistical analyses to assess the relationship between ATG and overall survival (OS). Among all patients, median total ATG dose was 360 mg (range, 130 to 510 mg); 279 (92%) received a total dose of ATG ≤450 mg, and 25 (8%) received a total dose >450 mg. On the first day of ATG administration (day -3), the median absolute lymphocyte count was .0 K/µL. For patients who received a total dose of ATG >450 mg or ≤450 mg, the incidences of acute and late-acute GVHD grade II-IV were statistically similar. At 3 years post-HCT, for patients who received a total dose of ATG >450 mg or ≤450 mg, nonrelapse mortality (NRM) rates were 35% and 18%, respectively (P = .029), disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 37% and 61%, respectively (P = .003), and OS rates were 40% and 67%, respectively (P = .001). Among all patient and HCT characteristics in multivariable analyses, receipt of a total dose of ATG >450 mg was associated with an increased risk of NRM (hazard ratio [HR], 2.9; P = .01), shorter DFS (HR, 2.0; P = .03), and inferior OS (HR, 2.1; P = .01). In summary, the use of weight-based ATG at a time of relative lymphopenia before ex vivo CD34-selected allo-HCT results in overdosing in heavier patients, leading to higher NRM and lower DFS and OS. Further pharmacokinetic investigation in this setting is critical to determining the optimal dosing strategy for ATG.

Background Lenalidomide maintenance improves progression-free survival for patients with multiple myeloma, although its optimal duration is unknown. Clearance of minimal residual disease (MRD) in the bone marrow results in superior outcomes, although its attainment or sustainment does not alter clinical decision-making. Studies that have evaluated MRD serially are limited in length. We therefore aimed to evaluate longitudinal changes in MRD-status (dynamics) and their association with progression-free survival in patients with multiple myeloma.In this single-centre, single-arm, phase 2 study, we enrolled patients aged 18 years and older from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY, USA) who had newly diagnosed multiple myeloma following unrestricted frontline therapy and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status of 2 or lower, including patients who started maintenance before study enrolment. All participants received lenalidomide maintenance at 10 mg for 21 days of 28-day cycles until progression or unacceptable toxic effects for up to 5 years on protocol. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival at 60 months per protocol and key secondary endpoints were MRD rates after completion of the 12th, 24th, and 36th cycle of maintenance and the association between progression-free survival and annual measurement of MRD status. MRD was assessed from first-pull bone marrow aspirates at baseline and annually by flow cytometry per International Myeloma Working Group criteria, (limit of detection of at least 1 × 10Between Sept 8, 2015, and Jan 25, 2019, 108 patients (100 evaluable for the primary endpoint) were enrolled. Median follow-up was 40·7 months (95% CI 38·7-45·0). At 60 months, progression-free survival was 64% (95% CI 52-79). Median progression-free survival was unreached (95% CI unreached-unreached). MRD dynamics were assessed using 340 MRD assessments done over 5 years for 103 evaluable patients. Patients who sustained MRD negativity for 2 years (n=34) had no recorded disease progression at median 19·8 months (95% CI 15·8-22·3) past the 2-year maintenance landmark. By contrast, patients who lost their MRD-negative responses (n=10) were more likely to progress than those with sustained MRD negativity (HR infinite; p0·0001) and those with persistent MRD positivity (HR 5·88, 95% CI 1·18-33·33; p=0·015) at the 2-year landmark. Haematological and non-haematological serious adverse events occurred in 19 patients (18%). The most common adverse events of grade 3 or worse were decreased lymphocyte count in 48 (44%) patients and decreased neutrophil count in 47 (44%) patients. One death occurred on study due to sepsis and heart failure and was considered unrelated to the study drug.Serial measurements of MRD allow for dynamic assessment of risk for disease progression. Early intervention should be investigated for patients with loss of MRD negativity. Sustained MRD positivity is not categorically an unfavourable outcome and might portend prolonged stability of low-level disease.Memorial Sloan Kettering and Celgene.

For patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM) there have been significant treatment advances over the past decade, reflected in an increasing proportion of patients achieving durable remissions. Clinical trials repeatedly demonstrate that achieving a deep response to therapy, with a bone marrow assessment proving negative for minimal residual disease (MRD), confers a significant survival advantage. To accurately assess for minute quantities of residual cancer requires highly sensitive methods; either multiparameter flow cytometry or next generation sequencing are currently recommended for MM response assessment. Under optimal conditions, these methods can detect one aberrant cell amongst 1,000,000 normal cells (a sensitivity of 10-6). Here, we will review the practical use of MRD assays in MM, including challenges in implementation for the routine diagnostic laboratory, standardisation across laboratories and clinical trials, the clinical integration of MRD status assessment into MM management and future directions for ongoing research.

PURPOSE Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with low androgen receptor (AR) and without neuroendocrine signaling, termed double-negative prostate cancer (DNPC), is increasingly prevalent in patients treated with AR signaling inhibitors and is in need of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. METHODS Candidate genes enriched in DNPC were determined using differential gene expression analysis of discovery and validation cohorts of mCRPC biopsies. Laboratory studies were carried out in human mCRPC organoid cultures, prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines, and mouse xenograft models. Epigenetic studies were carried out in a rapid autopsy cohort. RESULTS Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) expression is increased in DNPC relative to prostate-specific antigen (PSA)–expressing mCRPC in the Stand Up to Cancer/Prostate Cancer Foundation discovery cohort (11.2 v 0.28 reads per kilobase per million mapped reads; q < 0.05; n = 117) and in the University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center cohort (9.2 v 0.99 fragments per kilobase of transcript per million mapped reads; P < .0001). DKK1 expression can be regulated by activated Wnt signaling in vitro and correlates with activating canonical Wnt signaling mutations and low PSA mRNA in mCRPC biopsies ( P < .05). DKK1 hypomethylation was associated with increased DKK1 mRNA expression (Pearson r = −0.66; P < .0001) in a rapid autopsy cohort (n = 7). DKK1-high mCRPC biopsies are infiltrated with significantly higher numbers of quiescent natural killer (NK) cells ( P < .005) and lower numbers of activated NK cells ( P < .0005). Growth inhibition of the human PCa model PC3 by the anti-DKK1 monoclonal antibody DKN-01 depends on the presence of NK cells in a severe combined immunodeficient xenograft mouse model. CONCLUSION These results support DKK1 as a contributor to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment of DNPC. These data have provided the rationale for a clinical trial targeting DKK1 in mCRPC (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03837353 ).

Mass spectrometry (MS) is an extremely versatile platform and offers many benefits as a measurement tool in laboratory medicine. The specificity of MS allows analytes to be measured accurately even in the presence of interfering substances or in the presence of structurally similar compounds that cannot be distinguished by other analytical approaches. MS methods may be utilized qualitatively or quantitatively, depending on the specific application. Further, MS lends itself to the measurement of small molecules (such as metals, metabolites, and drugs) as well as peptides and proteins. Beyond its current applications in newborn screening and trace metals analyses, MS has been used in the targeted or untargeted identification of novel psychoactive substances, quantitation of protein-based biomarkers such as thyroglobulin, insulin-like-growth-factor 1, and monoclonal immunoglobulins, classification of amyloidosis, and identification of microorganisms. Its applications in clinical toxicology, endocrinology, and inborn errors of metabolism, among others, demonstrate the dexterity of MS platforms in clinical laboratory medicine. However, as these assays are predominantly laboratory developed tests, there are important challenges and regulatory considerations associated with MS implementation.

International audience; Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) may soon replace routine electrophoretic methods for monitoring monoclonal proteins in patients with multiple myeloma. To further evaluate the clinical utility of this assay, we compared the performance of MALDI-TOF-MS head-to-head with an established bone marrow-based measurable residual disease assay by flow cytometry (Flow-BM-MRD), using Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's 10-color, single-tube method. Our results suggest that MALDI-TOF-MS adds value to bone marrow-based MRD testing and may be most useful for early detection of relapse in peripheral blood compared to current electrophoretic methods.

Efforts over the last 5 years have demonstrated that it is technically feasible to detect low levels of monoclonal proteins in peripheral blood using mass spectrometry. These methods are based on the fact that an M-protein has a specific amino acid sequence, and therefore, a specific mass. This mass can be tracked over time and can serve as a surrogate marker of the presence of clonal plasma cells. This review describes the use of mass spectrometry to detect M-proteins in multiple myeloma to date, identifies the challenges of using this biomarker, and describes potential strategies to overcome these challenges. We discuss the work that must be done for these techniques to be incorporated into clinical practice for tracking of low disease burden in multiple myeloma.

High-resolution mass spectrometers (HRMS), including quadrupole time of flight mass analyzers (QqTOF), are becoming more prevalent as screening tools in clinical and forensic toxicology laboratories. Among other advantages, HRMS instruments can collect untargeted, full-scan mass spectra. These datasets can be analyzed retrospectively using a combination of techniques, which can extend the drug detection capabilities. Most laboratories using HRMS in production settings perform untargeted data collection, but analyze data in a targeted manner. To perform targeted analysis, a laboratory must first analyze a reference standard to determine the expected characteristics of a given compound. In an alternate technique known as suspect screening, compounds can be tentatively identified without the use of reference standards. Instead, predicted and/or intrinsic characteristics of a compound, such as the accurate mass, isotope pattern, and product ion spectrum are used to determine its presence in a sample. The fact that reference standards are not required a priori makes this data analysis approach very attractive, especially for the ever-changing landscape of novel psychoactive substances. In this work, we compared the performance of four data analysis workflows (targeted and three suspect screens) for a panel of 170 drugs and metabolites, detected by LC-QqTOF. We found that retention time was not required for drug identification; the suspect screen using accurate mass, isotope pattern, and product ion library matching was able to identify more than 80% of the drugs that were present in human urine samples. We showed that the inclusion of product ion spectral matching produced the largest decrease in false discovery and false negative rates, as compared to suspect screening using mass alone or using just mass and isotope pattern. Our results demonstrate the promise that suspect screening holds for building large, economical drug screens, which may be a key tool to monitor the use of emerging drugs of abuse, including novel psychoactive substances.

Background. Consensus from prior studies shows that the use of maintenance therapy after completion of combination therapy leads to longer progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with multiple myeloma with some studies showing an overall survival (OS) benefit. Currently, lenalidomide is the standard of care; however, there are limited published data on long-term use regarding ability to sustain minimal residual disease (MRD)-negativity and late toxicities. We were motivated to develop a study focusing on continuous, induction-agnostic lenalidomide maintenance with integration of clinical and correlative data. Here, we report formal results of this phase II study with focus on MRD dynamics and tolerability. Methods. This single arm, phase II trial enrolled 100 evaluable patients. Lenalidomide 10 mg is given days 1-21 on a 28-day cycle. Per protocol, patients underwent bone marrow biopsies and aspirates as well as PET/CT at baseline, annually, at progression/end of study; blood work was done every 3 months. The study was statistically powered for the primary endpoint of PFS at 36 months. Correlative assays included MRD testing (10-color single-tube flow cytometry and IGHV sequencing; sensitivity ≤10-5), genomic characterization of detectable disease, and profiling of the bone marrow microenvironment performed on serially banked samples. Results. 100 evaluable patients were enrolled (63% males) between September 2015 and January 2019. Baseline characteristics include median age 63 years (range 38-87 years) and median ECOG score 1 (range 0-1). Prior to enrollment, 22 (30%) patients had high-risk FISH/SNP signature defined as one or more of: 1q+, t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), and 17p- and 48 patients had undergone autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT). At abstract submission, median cycles delivered is 39 (range 9-62). 74% of patients have completed ³24 cycles and 55% have completed ³36 cycles. Overall PFS at 36 months was 77% (95% CI: 0.69-0.87) and PFS at 60 months was 63% (95% CI: 0.51-0.78). All patients had MRD testing at least once. 46% were MRD-negative at enrollment. 7 patients who were MRD+ at enrollment converted to MRD-negative. At median follow up 39.4 months (range 7-56 months), 20/100 patients (20%) have progressed. In consideration of the entire follow-up time from initial MRD-negativity, 44 (of 95 tested; 46%) and 37 (of 73 tested; 51%) achieved sustained MRD-negativity at 1 and 2 years, respectively. 22 patients were MRD-negative at 3 years (of 51 tested; 43%). Among those who sustained MRD-negativity for 2 years, with median follow-up of 19 months past the 2-year landmark analysis (max 120 months), there were no progression events. Age, induction regimen, and MRD status at enrollment were the only significant variables associated with PFS regardless of cytogenetic risk or transplant status. At 1 and 2-year landmark analysis, MRD-negativity superseded all else as the most significant factor associated with PFS with HR 0.06(p=0.0004) and HR 1/Inf (p=0.015), respectively. Toxicities (grade 3) included neutrophil count decrease (20%), hypertension (3%), diarrhea (3%), lung infection (2%), and maculo-papular rash (2%), and toxicities (grade 4) include sepsis (2%) and platelet count decrease (7%). The most common non-grade 3/4 toxicities were diarrhea (55%), fatigue (36%), and upper respiratory infection (30%). 7% developed a secondary malignancy on study: 3 adenocarcinoma, 1 squamous cell carcinoma, 1 CMML, 1 MDS, 1 ALL, and 1 glioblastoma. One evaluable patient required dose reduction due to toxicities/tolerability. Conclusions. This prospective study of continuous lenalidomide maintenance, agnostic to induction regimen or AHCT usage, was designed to evaluate the dynamics of MRD-negativity in relation to PFS. It expands on the importance of MRD as a predictor of outcome and illustrates how continuous maintenance therapy can deepen and sustain MRD-negative responses achieved with modern combination therapy. For this cohort, MRD-negativity at each landmark profoundly outweighed the impact of all other variates. Among those who had sustained MRD-negativity at 2 years (37% of the cohort), regardless of MRD status at enrollment, none have had progression events at median 43 months. Our results support cross-sectional MRD testing as a surrogate endpoint for drug approval, and the use of longitudinal MRD tracking in clinical management. Disclosures Korde: Amgen: Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Other: Advisory Board. Lesokhin:Genentech: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; GenMab: Consultancy, Honoraria; Juno: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Serametrix Inc.: Patents & Royalties; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Smith:Precision Biosciences: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Fate Therapeutics: Consultancy. Shah:Physicians Education Resource: Honoraria; Celgene/BMS: Research Funding. Mailankody:Physician Education Resource: Honoraria; PleXus Communications: Honoraria; Takeda Oncology: Research Funding; Janssen Oncology: Research Funding; Allogene Therapeutics: Research Funding; Juno Therapeutics, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: Research Funding. Hultcrantz:Intellisphere LLC: Consultancy; Amgen: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; GSK: Research Funding. Hassoun:Takeda: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy. Scordo:McKinsey & Company: Consultancy; Angiocrine Bioscience, Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Omeros Corporation: Consultancy; Kite - A Gilead Company: Other: Ad-hoc advisory board. Chung:Genentech: Research Funding. Shah:Amgen: Research Funding; Janssen Pharmaceutica: Research Funding. Lahoud:MorphoSys: Other: Advisory Board. Thoren:Sebia: Research Funding; The Binding Site: Research Funding. Ho:Invivoscribe, Inc.: Honoraria. Dogan:AbbVie: Consultancy; EUSA Pharma: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Physicians Education Resource: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; National Cancer Institute: Research Funding. Giralt:MILTENYI: Consultancy, Research Funding; ACTINUUM: Consultancy, Research Funding; KITE: Consultancy; OMEROS: Consultancy, Honoraria; NOVARTIS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; CELGENE: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; JAZZ: Consultancy, Honoraria; AMGEN: Consultancy, Research Funding; TAKEDA: Research Funding. Landgren:Takeda: Other: Independent Data Monitoring Committees for clinical trials, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Binding Site: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharma: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Independent Data Monitoring Committees for clinical trials, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Glenmark: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Other: Independent Data Monitoring Committees for clinical trials, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Independent Data Monitoring Committees for clinical trials, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Merck: Other; Cellectis: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Juno: Consultancy, Honoraria; Glenmark: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Karyopharma: Research Funding; Merck: Other; Adaptive: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Binding Site: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Cellectis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Juno: Consultancy, Honoraria.

Background Daratumumab, a therapeutic IgG kappa monoclonal antibody, can cause a false positive interference on electrophoretic assays that are routinely used to monitor patients with monoclonal gammopathies. In this study, we evaluate the ability of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to distinguish daratumumab from disease-related IgG kappa monoclonal proteins (M-protein). Methods Waste clinical samples from 31 patients who were receiving daratumumab and had a history of IgG kappa monoclonal gammopathy were collected. Immunoglobulins were purified from serum and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS. Mass spectra were assessed for the presence of distinct monoclonal proteins. For samples in which only one monoclonal peak was identified near the expected m/z of daratumumab, the Hydrashift 2/4 Daratumumab Assay was used to confirm the presence of an M-protein. Results Using MALDI-TOF MS, daratumumab could be distinguished from M-proteins in 26 out of 31 samples (84%). Results from 2 samples were inconclusive since the M-protein was not detected by the Hydrashift assay and may also be undetectable by MALDI-TOF MS. Comparatively, daratumumab was distinguishable from M-proteins in 14 out of 31 samples (45%) by immunofixation. Conclusions MALDI-TOF MS offers greater specificity compared to immunofixation for distinguishing daratumumab from M-proteins.

Multiple Myeloma, the second most prevalent hematologic malignancy, yet lacks an established curative therapy. However, overall response rate to modern four-drug regimens approaches 100%. Major efforts have thus focused on the measurement of minute quantities of residual disease (minimal residual disease or MRD) for prognostic metrics and therapeutic response evaluation. Currently, MRD is assessed by flow cytometry or by next generation sequencing to track tumor-specific immunoglobulin V(D)J rearrangements. These bone marrow-based methods can reach sensitivity thresholds of the identification of one neoplastic cell in 1,000,000 (10(−6)). New technologies are being developed to be used alone or in conjunction with established methods, including peripheral blood-based assays, mass spectrometry, and targeted imaging. Data is also building for MRD as a surrogate endpoint for overall survival. Here, we will address the currently utilized MRD assays, challenges in validation across labs and clinical trials, techniques in development, and future directions for successful clinical application of MRD in multiple myeloma.

INTRODUCTION. Recent studies show that ~25% of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients treated with 8 cycles of bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRd) achieve minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity. Recently, 42% stringent complete response (sCR) rates were reported with the use of VRd combined with the CD38-targeted monoclonal antibody daratumumab (VRd-D). Here, we present the final results from a phase 2 study using weekly dosing of carfilzomib 56 mg/m2 with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in combination with daratumumab (wKRd-D). The primary endpoint of our study was to demonstrate >60% and to target up to 80% MRD negativity rate with wKRd-D. METHODS. This phase II clinical trial is based on Simon's optimal two-stage design. The wKRd-D dosing schedule is as follows: 8 cycles of treatment; 28-day cycles with IV carfilzomib 20/56 mg/m2 days 1, 8, and 15; PO lenalidomide 25 mg days 1-21; PO/IV dexamethasone 40 mg weekly cycles 1-4, 20 mg after cycle 4; and IV daratumumab 16 mg/kg days 1, 8, 15, and 22 cycles 1-2, days 1 and 15 cycles 3-6, and day 1 cycles 7-8. For fit patients, stem cell collection is recommended after 4 to 6 cycles of therapy; wKRd-D therapy resumed after collection to a total of 8 cycles wKRd-D. Treatment response is being assessed with parallel bone marrow-based MRD assays (10-color single tube flowcytometry and invivoscribe IGHV sequencing); per IMWG guidelines both MRD assays allows detection of 1 myeloma cell in 100,000 cells (10^-5). Baseline bone marrow samples are evaluated with targeted DNA sequencing for FISH-Seq and somatic mutational characteristics (myTYPE). RESULTS. The study is fully enrolled; between October 2018 and November 2019 a total of 41 evaluable patients were enrolled. Baseline characteristics include; median age 59 years (range 30-70 years); 25 (61%) females;16 (39%) males; 20 (49%) patients had high-risk FISH/SNP signature defined as one or more of the following: 1q+, t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), and 17p-. At submission of this abstract, 39 out of 41 patients have completed 8 cycles of treatment and end of treatment evaluations. Of those 39, 29 patients were MRD negative and 10 patients MRD positive. Two patients are pending end of treatment evaluations for response (currently receiving cycle 8 of wKRd-D). Thus, among patients treated on the weekly cohort (wKRd-D) and who were evaluable for the MRD primary endpoint at this analysis, we found 29/39 (74%) to be MRD negative. We further show no added major clinical toxicities with wKRd-D compared to our institution standard of care KRd. At a median follow-up of 10 months, none of the MRD negative patients have progressed. Among 29 patients found to be MRD negative after 8 cycles of wKRd-D, 2 patients have been assessed for MRD at 1 year of follow-up and 2/2 (100%) show 1-year sustained MRD negativity. There are no deaths on the study. CONCLUSIONS. Among patients evaluable for the MRD primary endpoint, in the absence of an autologous bone marrow transplant, here we show a 29/39 (74%) MRD negativity rate among newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients treated with wKRd-D, including weekly carfilzomib 56 mg/m2 dosing. At a median follow-up of 10 months, none of the MRD negative patients have progressed. These results compare favorably with previously published results with KRd, VRd, or VRd-D. Using optimized IV fluid management (250 ml saline prior to first dose of carfilzomib only, and thereafter no IV fluids) coupled with baseline work-up with EKG/echocardiograms for all patients, we did not observe excess rates of cardiovascular or renal adverse event. The wKRd-D dosing schedule has a total of 27 infusions and offers an attractive treatment modality for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. Based on these promising results, a large randomized multi-center study ("ADVANCE") evaluating wKRd-D in relation to established standard of care has been opened for enrollment. Disclosures Landgren: Adaptive: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Juno: Consultancy, Honoraria; Cellectis: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Binding Site: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharma: Research Funding; Merck: Other; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Juno: Consultancy, Honoraria; Glenmark: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Cellectis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Glenmark: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Other: Independent Data Monitoring Committees for clinical trials, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Independent Data Monitoring Committees for clinical trials, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Merck: Other; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Other: Independent Data Monitoring Committees for clinical trials, Research Funding; Binding Site: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharma: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Independent Data Monitoring Committees for clinical trials, Research Funding. Hultcrantz:Intellisphere LLC: Consultancy; Amgen: Research Funding; GSK: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding. Lesokhin:BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; GenMab: Consultancy, Honoraria; Juno: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Serametrix Inc.: Patents & Royalties. Mailankody:Janssen Oncology: Research Funding; Juno Therapeutics, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: Research Funding; Allogene Therapeutics: Research Funding; PleXus Communications: Honoraria; Physician Education Resource: Honoraria; Takeda Oncology: Research Funding. Hassoun:Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding. Shah:Celgene/BMS: Research Funding; Physicians Education Resource: Honoraria. Scordo:McKinsey & Company: Consultancy; Angiocrine Bioscience, Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Omeros Corporation: Consultancy; Kite - A Gilead Company: Other: Ad-hoc advisory board. Chung:Genentech: Research Funding. Shah:Amgen Inc.: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding. Lahoud:MorphoSys: Other: Advisory Board. Thoren:The Binding Site: Research Funding; Sebia: Research Funding. Murata:Abbott Laboratories: Research Funding. Ho:Invivoscribe, Inc.: Honoraria. Dogan:Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Physicians Education Resource: Consultancy; Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; EUSA Pharma: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; National Cancer Institute: Research Funding. Giralt:CSL Behring: Research Funding; Jazz: Research Funding; Actinuum: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Quintiles: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Adienne: Research Funding; Kite: Research Funding. Korde:Astra Zeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: Daratumumab, Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone in Newly-Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma. These drugs are included in the current clinical and correlative Phase II study

Background Chromogranin A (CgA) is a nonspecific marker for the presence of neuroendocrine tumors and neuroendocrine differentiation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the CisBio CgA ELISA. Methods Precision, linearity, limit of blank, and recovery of the CisBio CgA ELISA were evaluated. Seventy waste serum samples obtained from the clinical laboratory at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center were analyzed by the CisBio CgA ELISA. Results were compared to those obtained from a reference laboratory that used a proprietary ELISA for serum CgA measurement. Paired waste plasma samples were also collected from 24 of these patients to assess possible differences between CgA in serum and plasma. Finally, a preliminary reference range study was performed with samples from healthy volunteers in serum (n = 60) and plasma (n = 60). Results Within-run and between-run precision ranged from 3.0% to 5.1% and 4.8% to 12.9%, respectively. The limit of blank was 2.4 ng/mL. Recovery ranged from 88% to 102%. A statistically significant bias was observed when the CisBio CgA assay results were compared to those of a reference laboratory. Comparison of the 2 assays yielded a slope of 9.05, intercept of −18.0, and a correlation coefficient of 0.955. CgA values in serum correlated well to values measured in plasma. Conclusions The analytical performance of the CisBio CgA ELISA was acceptable. However, CgA results are method-specific owing to lack of standardization and use of different antibodies. This lack of standardization results in several challenges for the clinical laboratory when evaluating a CgA assay.

Importance The World Trade Center (WTC) attacks on September 11, 2001, created an unprecedented environmental exposure to known and suspected carcinogens suggested to increase the risk of multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is consistently preceded by the precursor states of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and light-chain MGUS, detectable in peripheral blood. Objective To characterize WTC-exposed firefighters with a diagnosis of multiple myeloma and to conduct a screening study for MGUS and light-chain MGUS. Design, Setting, and Participants Case series of multiple myeloma in firefighters diagnosed between September 11, 2001, and July 1, 2017, together with a seroprevalence study of MGUS in serum samples collected from Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) firefighters between December 2013 and October 2015. Participants included all WTC-exposed FDNY white, male firefighters with a confirmed physician diagnosis of multiple myeloma (n = 16) and WTC-exposed FDNY white male firefighters older than 50 years with available serum samples (n = 781). Exposures WTC exposure defined as rescue and/or recovery work at the WTC site between September 11, 2001, and July 25, 2002. Main Outcomes and Measures Multiple myeloma case information, and age-adjusted and age-specific prevalence rates for overall MGUS (ie, MGUS and light-chain MGUS), MGUS, and light-chain MGUS. Results Sixteen WTC-exposed white male firefighters received a diagnosis of multiple myeloma after September 11, 2001; median age at diagnosis was 57 years (interquartile range, 50-68 years). Serum/urine monoclonal protein isotype/free light-chain data were available for 14 cases; 7 (50%) had light-chain multiple myeloma. In a subset of 7 patients, myeloma cells were assessed for CD20 expression; 5 (71%) were CD20 positive. In the screening study, we assayed peripheral blood from 781 WTC-exposed firefighters. The age-standardized prevalence rate of MGUS and light-chain MGUS combined was 7.63 per 100 persons (95% CI, 5.45-9.81), 1.8-fold higher than rates from the Olmsted County, Minnesota, white male reference population (relative rate, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.34-2.29). The age-standardized prevalence rate of light-chain MGUS was more than 3-fold higher than in the same reference population (relative rate, 3.13; 95% CI, 1.99-4.93). Conclusions and Relevance Environmental exposure to the WTC disaster site is associated with myeloma precursor disease (MGUS and light-chain MGUS) and may be a risk factor for the development of multiple myeloma at an earlier age, particularly the light-chain subtype.

Background Daratumumab, a monoclonal antibody used to treat relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, can interfere with protein electrophoresis and immunofixation assays. False-positive immunofixation results due to daratumumab can cause uncertainty regarding the status of a patient's disease and lead to potential misclassification of their response to therapy. The Hydrashift 2/4 Daratumumab assay (Sebia) was recently cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for resolving daratumumab interference on immunofixation. Here, we evaluate the performance of the Hydrashift assay in multiple myeloma patients receiving treatment with daratumumab-based regimens. Methods Waste serum samples from multiple myeloma patients (n = 40) receiving daratumumab were analyzed by standard immunofixation and the Hydrashift assay. Results from these tests were compared and were evaluated along with pretreatment serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation results, if available. Results The Hydrashift assay shifted the migration of daratumumab in patient samples. In 27 cases, the patient's M protein was distinguishable from daratumumab by standard immunofixation. In these cases, the Hydrashift assay confirmed that the IgGκ band was daratumumab and helped identify the presence of treatment-related oligoclonal bands. There were 11 instances in which the patient's IgGκ M protein comigrated with daratumumab. In all 11 cases, the Hydrashift assay confirmed the presence of residual M protein. Finally, in 2 patients whose pretreatment immunofixation results were not available, the Hydrashift assay confirmed that the IgGκ band visible on immunofixation was due to daratumumab alone. Conclusions The Hydrashift 2/4 Daratumumab assay is a useful tool to clarify the source of an IgGκ band on immunofixation and allow a patient's M protein to be viewed without interference.

Mass spectrometry methods that can detect low levels of monoclonal immunoglobulin in serum have recently been developed. These assays are based on the principle that each immunoglobulin has a unique amino acid sequence and therefore, has a unique mass. This mass can be used as a surrogate marker in order to monitor a patient's disease over time and at low levels. Here, we explain these methods, discuss their advantages and disadvantages and how they may be used to monitor monoclonal immunoglobulins for minimal residual disease detection in multiple myeloma.

Membrane-embedded molecular machines are utilized to move water-soluble proteins across these barriers. Anthrax toxin forms one such machine through the self-assembly of its three component proteins—protective antigen (PA), lethal factor, and edema factor. Upon endocytosis into host cells, acidification of the endosome induces PA to form a membrane-inserted channel, which unfolds lethal factor and edema factor and translocates them into the host cytosol. Translocation is driven by the proton motive force, composed of the chemical potential, the proton gradient (ΔpH), and the membrane potential (Δψ). A crystal structure of the lethal toxin core complex revealed an “α clamp” structure that binds to substrate helices nonspecifically. Here, we test the hypothesis that, through the recognition of unfolding helical structure, the α clamp can accelerate the rate of translocation. We produced a synthetic PA mutant in which an α helix was crosslinked into the α clamp to block its function. This synthetic construct impairs translocation by raising a yet uncharacterized translocation barrier shown to be much less force dependent than the known unfolding barrier. We also report that the α clamp more stably binds substrates that can form helices than those, such as polyproline, that cannot. Hence, the α clamp recognizes substrates by a general shape-complementarity mechanism. Substrates that are incapable of forming compact secondary structure (due to the introduction of a polyproline track) are severely deficient for translocation. Therefore, the α clamp and its recognition of helical structure in the translocating substrate play key roles in the molecular mechanism of protein translocation.

Identification of prognostic factors for patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is essential for optimizing therapy with risk-adapted approaches. In our phase 2 study of positron emission tomography (PET)-adapted salvage therapy with brentuximab vedotin (BV) and augmented ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (augICE), we assessed clinical factors, quantitative PET assessments, and cytokine and chemokine values. Transplant-eligible patients with relapsed/refractory HL received 2 (cohort 1) or 3 (cohort 2) cycles of weekly BV; PET-negative patients (Deauville score ≤2) proceeded to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) whereas PET-positive patients received augICE before ASCT. Serum cytokine and chemokine levels were measured at baseline and after BV. Metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis were measured at baseline, after BV, and after augICE. Sixty-five patients enrolled (45, cohort 1; 20, cohort 2); 49 (75%) achieved complete response and 64 proceeded to ASCT. Three-year overall survival and event-free survival (EFS) were 95% and 82%, respectively. Factors predictive for EFS by multivariable analysis were baseline MTV (bMTV) (P < .001) and refractory disease (P = .003). Low bMTV (

Background Monitoring infliximab (IFX) concentrations and the presence of antidrug antibodies (ADA) is important for patient management. We developed a method to measure IFX and ADA in serum in a single injection using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Methods Using the Bio-Rad ProteOn XPR36, tumor necrosis factor-α and IFX were covalently immobilized onto separate lanes of a chip surface. Diluted serum was injected over both lanes, followed by an injection of goat antihuman antibody. The binding response was used to quantify IFX or detect ADA. The analytical performance of the assay was determined. Using 50 patient samples, SPR results were compared with results from a reporter gene assay (RGA). Results For the quantification of IFX, the functional sensitivity was 0.5 μg/mL. The total precision was Conclusion SPR can be used to measure biological drug concentrations and detect ADA in serum. This technique may provide complementary information to current methods used to detect ADA.

Background. Prior studies consistently show that the use of maintenance therapy after completion of combination therapy translates into longer progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with multiple myeloma. Some studies show that maintenance therapy prolongs overall survival (OS). Typically, maintenance therapy is used in the setting of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma; however, emerging data suggest that (at least a subset of) patients in the early relapse setting, for example those who achieve MRD negativity, may also be candidates for maintenance therapy integrated with careful disease monitoring. Currently, lenalidomide is considered the standard of care for maintenance; however, there is only limited published data on long-term use, with respect to the ability to sustain MRD negativity, mechanisms of relapse, and late toxicities. We were motivated to develop a study focusing on long-term lenalidomide maintenance therapy and to study clinical and correlative data. Here, we report on sustained MRD negativity and clinical tolerability. Methods. This single arm, phase 2 was designed to enroll 100 evaluable patients. Per protocol, maintenance therapy with lenalidomide 10 mg is given days 1-21 on a 28-day cycle. The initial study design had a total duration of 36 months; it was subsequently extended with additional 24 months (i.e., total of 60 months). Per standard procedures for protocol amendments, patients were offered to re-consent for the extension. Per protocol, patients underwent bone marrow biopsies and aspirates as well as PET/CT exams at baseline, annually, at progression/end of treatment; blood work was done every 3 months. Bone marrow and blood samples were banked longitudinally per the research protocols. Based on practical considerations, the study was statistically powered for the primary end-point progression-free survival, which provided sufficient numbers of samples for the planned correlative assays focusing on MRD testing, genomic characterization of detectable disease, and profiling of the bone marrow microenvironment. All these assays were conducted in serial samples collected over time and assessed in relation to clinical outcomes. Results. A total of 100 evaluable patients meeting eligibility criteria were enrolled (63% males) between September 2015 and January 2019. Baseline characteristics include median age 63 years (range 38-86 years) and median ECOG score 1 (range 0-1). At the submission of this abstract, the median number of cycles delivered is currently 26 (range 1 to 48); 86 patients have completed 12 or more cycles, 57 patients have completed 24 or more cycles, and 29 patients have completed 36 or more cycles. MRD testing had been completed at least once in all patients. Thirty-four patients were MRD negative at enrollment. At median followup time of 28 months (range 3.4 to 45.6), 15/100 (15%) patients have progressed. Considering the entire follow-up time from initial MRD negativity to last follow-up on study, we found 39 (of 85 tested; 46%) and 25 (of 57 tested; 44%) to have evidence of 1 and 2 years sustained MRD negativity, respectively. Only 19 patients were tested for MRD at 3 years and 16 (84%) had sustained MRD negativity. Toxicities (grade 3) include neutrophil count decrease (N=9), hypertension (N=3), diarrhea (N=2), lung infection (N=2), and rash maculo-papular (N=2), and toxicities (grade 4) include sepsis (N=2) and platelet count decrease (N=1). The most common 1/2 toxicities were diarrhea (N=51), fatigue (N=33), and upper respiratory infection (N=23). Among evaluable patients, dose reductions of lenalidomide due to toxicities and tolerability issues were done in 6 (6%) patient. Conclusions. Among evaluable patients who were treated with lenalidomide 10 mg maintenance therapy days 1-21 on a 28-day cycle on this study, at a median followup of 28 months, we found 46% and 44% to have evidence of 1 and 2 years sustained MRD negativity, respectively. Currently, 19 patients have been tested for MRD at 3 years; 16 (84%) show evidence of 3 years sustained MRD negativity. The toxicity profile was in accord with prior studies and tolerability was quite good reflected in only 6 patients requiring dose reductions due to toxicities. Correlative assays focusing on mechanisms of sustained MRD negativity in this study are presented in a separate abstract at this meeting. Disclosures Landgren: Adaptive: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Theradex: Other: IDMC; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Merck: Other: IDMC. Lesokhin:Genentech: Research Funding; GenMab: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Research Funding; Serametrix Inc.: Patents & Royalties; Juno: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria. Smith:Celgene: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Fate Therapeutics and Precision Biosciences: Consultancy. Mailankody:Juno: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Takeda Oncology: Research Funding; CME activity by Physician Education Resource: Honoraria. Hassoun:Janssen: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy. Landau:Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, 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; Amgen: Research Funding; Caelum: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Prothena: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Scordo:Angiocrine Bioscience, Inc.: Consultancy; McKinsey & Company: Consultancy. Arcila:Invivoscribe, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria. Ho:Invivoscribe, Inc.: Honoraria. Roshal:Physicians' Education Resource: Other: Provision of services; Celgene: Other: Provision of Services; Auron Therapeutics: Equity Ownership, Other: Provision of services. Dogan:Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy.

Introduction Mass spectrometry-based methods have been shown to be more sensitive for detecting monoclonal proteins (M-protein) in serum compared to current electrophoretic techniques, serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and immunofixation (IFE). In particular, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) may soon replace these techniques for the routine monitoring of multiple myeloma (MM) patients due to its relatively low cost and high throughput. In this study, we evaluate the performance of MALDI-TOF MS in the follow up of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients treated with a daratumumab-based combination therapy. We report our findings compared to SPEP and IFE results and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the technique in the serial analysis of patients. Patients and Methods Twenty-seven NDMM patients treated with daratumumab-based combination therapy were included in this study; median age 57 years (range 33-79 years) and 52% were males. Each patient had 10 time points of follow-up: baseline, day 15 of cycle 1, the first day of each cycle from cycle 2 to cycle 8, and at the end of treatment (EOT). All samples were analyzed in a blinded fashion by MALDI-TOF MS. First, immunoglobulins were purified from serum using magnetic beads specific for IgG and IgA heavy chains or kappa and lambda light chains. Immunoglobulins were eluted from the beads and the light chains and heavy chains were separated by adding a reducing agent. Purified samples were analyzed using a Microflex LT MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer (Bruker). Samples taken at baseline were used to identify the mass to charge ratio (m/z) of the M-protein which served as a surrogate marker in the analysis of subsequent samples. MALDI-TOF MS results were compared to SPEP, IFE and the kappa/lambda free light chain (κ/λ) ratio. Results At baseline, IFE and MALDI-TOF MS were positive for all 27 patients while SPEP was negative for M-protein in 2 patients. Different M-protein isotypes were observed including 3 free kappa, 1 free lambda, 15 IgG kappa, 3 IgG Lambda, 3 IgA kappa and 2 IgA lambda. The κ/λ ratio was abnormal for 26/27 patients. Twenty-three patients completed the 8 cycles of treatment. During the follow-up, 14 of the 23 patients remained positive until the EOT by MALDI-TOF MS. Regarding these patients, 3 were negative by SPEP and IFE at the EOT. Nine of the 23 patients became negative by MALDI-TOF MS in a median time of 5 cycles (range 2- 8). Among these 9 patients, 1 reached a complete response (CR) and 6 reached stringent CR in a median time of 3 cycles (range cycle 2 - EOT). The 2 patients that did not reach CR but were negative by MALDI are suspected to have a false positive IFE result. These patients' IgG kappa M-protein overlaps with daratumumab on IFE and the Hydrashift assay (Sebia) was unavailable at the time of analysis. In these cases, MALDI provided better specificity compared to IFE as the M-protein could be distinguished from daratumumab based on m/z. However, daratumumab could not always be distinguished from the M-protein at some timepoints for some patients. The patient that still had an abnormal κ/λ ratio but was negative by MALDI had κ light chain MM. MALDI-TOF MS may be less sensitive for the detection of free light chains in serum. We observed differences between the M-spike intensity of the heavy- and light-chain specific purifications especially when the M-protein was at low levels. This may be due to differences in the polyclonal background for each purification reaction and will affect the sensitivity of M-protein detection. Conclusions This study is important because it helps to understand the performance of MALDI-TOF MS in the follow-up of MM patients under therapy. The use of serial samples allowed us to characterize patterns of immune markers longitudinally in relation to given therapy. The m/z ratio at baseline is a key for the interpretation during the follow-up and to avoid interference with other monoclonal immunoglobulins, like daratumumab, for example. When more than one monoclonal immunoglobulin is present, their relative concentration, not just their m/z values, is important for distinguishing two different peaks. MALDI-TOF MS is useful for monitoring patients under therapy because it provides higher specificity and sensitivity than electrophoretic methods. This may be especially important in clinical trials and in accurately defining CR and sCR. Disclosures Lesokhin: BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; GenMab: Consultancy, Honoraria; Juno: Consultancy, Honoraria; Genentech: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Serametrix Inc.: Patents & Royalties; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria. Mailankody:Takeda Oncology: Research Funding; CME activity by Physician Education Resource: Honoraria; Juno: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding. Smith:Celgene: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Fate Therapeutics and Precision Biosciences: Consultancy. Hassoun:Janssen: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding. Landgren:Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Adaptive: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Theradex: Other: IDMC; Merck: Other: IDMC; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

Introduction In multiple myeloma (MM), the absence of measurable residual disease (MRD) after completed therapy is associated with longer progression free survival. Different techniques are available to detect low levels of plasma cells in bone marrow (BM) either by flow cytometry or by next-generation sequencing as a gold standard of molecular methods. But these techniques are limited because they require a representative bone marrow sample obtained by an invasive procedure. Therefore, detecting low levels of disease in blood would be ideal, because serial sampling is much easier and fully representative, and it would allow for the detection of extramedullary disease. Mass spectrometry-based methods have been shown to be more sensitive for detecting monoclonal proteins (M-protein) in serum. In this study, we were motivated to evaluate MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) head-to-head with an established BM-based MRD assays. Patients and Methods This cohort included 71 patients treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) who had serum samples available at 2 timepoints including during active disease and within 60 days of MRD results as determined by flow cytometry of bone marrow aspirates (Flow-BM-MRD). The cohort enrolled 26 females and 45 males with a median age of 61 years (range 37-78 years). Twenty-seven patients had high-risk cytogenetics at baseline. The median time between diagnosis and the MRD timepoint was 13.4 months (3.4-91 months). MALDI-TOF MS analysis was performed according to the method published by Mills et al. Immunoglobulins were purified from serum samples using CaptureSelect beads specific of each isotype and were then eluted from the beads. Light chains and heavy chains were separated by the addition of a reducing agent. Purified samples were mixed in matrix and spotted onto a stainless steel MALDI plate and were analyzed using a Microflex LT MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer (Bruker). Samples taken during active disease were used to identify the mass to charge ratio (m/z) of the M-protein and served as a surrogate marker in the analysis of subsequent samples. MALDI-TOF MS results were compared to the Flow-BM-MRD assay, performed using the MSKCC's ten-color, single-tube method. Results MALDI-TOF MS detected an M-protein in all 71 active disease samples and in 25 MRD samples. MALDI-TOF-MS results at the MRD timepoint were concordant with Flow-BM-MRD for 44/71 patients (p=0.342, chi-square test). Eight patients were positive and 36 negative by both techniques. Twenty-seven patients were discordant, including 10 patients detectable only by Flow-BM-MRD and 17 detectable only by MALDI-TOF MS. Among the 10 patients detectable by flow cytometry but not by MALDI, the median MRD level was 0.00092% (+ To determine the clinical utility of more sensitive M-protein detection, we evaluated the clinical outcome for the 48 newly diagnosed MM patients in CR at the MRD timepoint with a median follow-up of 11 months. Of these 48 patients, 2 of the 3 that were positive by both techniques relapsed during follow-up. One out of 27 patients that were negative by both techniques relapsed. None of the 10 patients who were positive only by MALDI-TOF relapsed and 1 of the 8 patients who were positive only by Flow-BM-MRD relapsed. Conclusions This study is important because it is a first step in understanding how to use a more sensitive blood test for the follow-up of MM patients. MALDI-TOF MS analysis may provide complementary results to Flow-BM-MRD especially for the follow-up of patients in CR and during maintenance therapy to detect poor responders that would be positive by both techniques. In summary, our results suggest that MALDI-TOF may be quite useful for early detection of relapse. Disclosures Roshal: Physicians' Education Resource: Other: Provision of services; Celgene: Other: Provision of Services; Auron Therapeutics: Equity Ownership, Other: Provision of services. Hassoun:Celgene: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy. Smith:Celgene: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Fate Therapeutics and Precision Biosciences: Consultancy. Lesokhin:Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Serametrix Inc.: Patents & Royalties; Genentech: Research Funding; GenMab: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Juno: Consultancy, Honoraria. Mailankody:Juno: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Takeda Oncology: Research Funding; CME activity by Physician Education Resource: Honoraria. Landgren:Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Theradex: Other: IDMC; Adaptive: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Merck: Other: IDMC; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

IMPORTANCE: Multiple myeloma is consistently preceded by monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Risk models that estimate the risk of progression from MGUS to multiple myeloma use data from a single time point, usually the initial workup. OBJECTIVE: To longitudinally investigate the alterations of serum immune markers with stable vs progressive MGUS. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective cross-sectional cohort study included 77 469 adult participants aged 55 to 74 years in the screening arm of the National Cancer Institute Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial who had a diagnosis of progressing MGUS (n = 187) or stable MGUS (n = 498), including light-chain subtype, from November 1993, through December 2011. For each participant, all available serially stored prediagnostic serum samples (N = 3266) were obtained. Data analysis was performed from April 2018, to December 2018. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Serum protein and monoclonal immunoglobulin levels, serum free light chains, and serum light chains within each immunoglobulin class were measured. RESULTS: Of 685 individuals included in the study, 461 (67.3%) were men; the mean (SD) age was 69.1 (5.6) years. In cross-sectional modeling, risk factors associated with progressive MGUS were IgA isotype (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.80; 95% CI, 1.03-3.13; P = .04), 15 g/L or more monoclonal spike (adjusted OR, 23.5; 95% CI, 8.9-61.9; P 10) serum free light chains ratio (adjusted OR, 46.4; 95% CI, 18.4-117.0; P

e19525 Background: Minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity after completed therapy is associated with longer progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Current standard of care for MRD testing use flow cytometry and/or next generation sequencing (NGS)-based assays applied on bone marrow (BM) aspirate samples. To develop a strategy for MRD tracking in peripheral blood (PB), we were motivated to evaluate MALDI-TOF head-to-head with established bone marrow-based MRD assays. Methods: We used MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to detect M-proteins in PB. Our cohort included patients who had serum samples available at 2 timepoints including during active disease and within 60 days of MRD results as determined by flow cytometry of BM aspirates. The cohort enrolled 71 patients (26 females, 45 males) with a median age of 61 years (37-78 years). Twenty-seven patients had high-risk cytogenetics at baseline. Patients were classified at diagnosis as ISS1 (n = 38), ISS2 (n = 18) or ISS3 (n = 6). The flow cytometry based MRD assay was performed using MSKCCs 10-color, single-tube method. MALDI-TOF analysis was performed as described by Mills et al. Samples taken during active disease were used to identify the mass/charge ratio of the M-protein at baseline and in follow-up samples. MALDI-TOF results were compared to flow cytometry bone marrow-based MRD results. Results: The median time between diagnosis and the MRD timepoint was 13.4 months (3.4-91 months). MALDI-TOF in PB and flow cytometry BM-based MRD results were concordant for 44/71 (62%) patients (8+/+, 36 -/- respectively) while 27 were discordant (10 +/-, 17-/+). Fifty-four of 71 patients were in complete response (CR) (45/54 in sCR) at the time of MRD. MALDI-TOF was still positive in 13 of these 54 CR patients. In this cohort, the median PFS since MRD assessment was not reached in the 2 subgroups of double negative patients (n = 31) or in patients with a positive result in at least one technique (n = 23) with a median follow-up of 11.2 months (0-34.6 months). Conclusions: In 44/71 (62%) samples, MALDI-TOF of PB results and flow cytometry BM-based MRD results were concordant. MALDI-TOF of PB may be useful for detecting measurable residual disease and for the monitoring of MM patients during maintenance therapy with the future goal to rule out early recurrent disease.

Context. Challenging clinical scenario in which elevated β-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG, subsequently termed HCG) levels suggested occult tumor metastases after removal of bilateral testicular cancers and metastases from them and as well as after chemotherapy. Case Report. A 22-year-old male, post excision of bilateral testicular tumors, who had no imaging or clinical evidence of residual tumor but an elevated HCG raising the question of the presence and location of occult tumor metastases. Clinical Questions. Does luteinizing hormone (LH) cross-react with HCG in current assays? What levels of testosterone and estradiol are necessary to suppress LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in a male patient with bilateral orchiectomy, and therefore lacking inhibin? Does the pituitary secrete HCG and under what circumstances? Assessment. Current HCG assays no longer cross-react with LH as did prior assays, but the presence of heterophile antibodies and other factors such as biotin can still cause false positive HCG levels. In the chronic post-orchiectomy state, the pituitary is relatively resistant to LH and FSH suppression by testosterone. The pituitary secretes HCG in very small amounts unless interruption of negative feedback results in high LH and FSH whereupon HCG levels become elevated. Clinical Conclusion. A GnRH antagonist suppressed both LH and HCG in this patient indicating that the elevated HCG was secreted by the pituitary and not by occult tumor metastases. Further credence for this conclusion resulted from the lack of a progressive increase in HCG levels over a 4-year period of follow-up and from no evidence of metastatic tumors on serial imaging.

Context. Bupropion overdose commonly causes generalized seizures and central nervous system depression. Less commonly, cardiotoxicity has been reported. The toxicity of the parent drug compared to its active metabolite hydroxybupropion is uncertain. Case details. A 31-year-old man presented to the emergency department with altered mental status after an intentional overdose of bupropion. Three hours after admission he developed status epilepticus requiring intubation, and 13 h after admission he developed marked widening of the QRS complex and prolongation of the QTc interval. Serial serum bupropion levels peaked with the onset of cardiotoxicity (334 ng/mL) and fell into the therapeutic range within 24 h, which coincided with normalization of his ECG intervals. Levels of the metabolite hydroxybupropion peaked later (4302 ng/mL) and remained elevated even after neurological and cardiotoxic symptoms resolved. Discussion. Cardiotoxicity appears to be caused primarily by bupropion rather than its acti...

High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) has gained recognition as a valuable tool for comprehensive drug screening in a variety of biological matrices. HRMS instruments collect untargeted, accurate mass data, which permit identification of known and unknown compounds in a single analytical run. One of the most challenging aspects of implementing an HRMS drug screen is establishing appropriate data analysis parameters for identifying compounds. Unlike other types of mass spectrometry data, guidelines for HRMS data analysis and acceptability criteria have not been established. Although many laboratories have published on the utility of HRMS for drug screening, few have included details on how they determined allowable errors and set positivity criteria. Previously, we developed and validated a comprehensive 169-compound drug screen on a high-resolution quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometer. Here we report the detailed procedure that we used to determine appropriate positivity criteria for our screening procedure. Our approach was empirical; we collected data and analyzed it with commonly available software. We found that a combined scoring approach using a threshold of 70, with 70% weight given to library match and 10% weight given to each of mass error, retention time error and isotope pattern difference provided optimum drug identification efficiency of 99.2%. Our results demonstrate the importance of library matching in accurately identifying compounds, and underscore the utility of robust product ion spectra that contain information on the lineage, mass and relative abundance of fragments. The method we describe is easily adaptable to include alternative parameters that may be available in software associated with a variety of HRMS platforms. With careful selection of error limits and positivity criteria, HRMS instruments are capable of producing high-quality, high-confidence results that may reduce the need for confirmatory testing.

The essential cellular functions of secretion and protein degradation require a molecular machine to unfold and translocate proteins either across a membrane or into a proteolytic complex. Protein translocation is also critical for microbial pathogenesis, namely bacteria can use translocase channels to deliver toxic proteins into a target cell. Anthrax toxin (Atx), a key virulence factor secreted by Bacillus anthracis, provides a robust biophysical model to characterize transmembrane protein translocation. Atx is comprised of three proteins: the translocase component, protective antigen (PA) and two enzyme components, lethal factor (LF) and oedema factor (OF). Atx forms an active holotoxin complex containing a ring-shaped PA oligomer bound to multiple copies of LF and OF. These complexes are endocytosed into mammalian host cells, where PA forms a protein-conducting translocase channel. The proton motive force unfolds and translocates LF and OF through the channel. Recent structure and function studies have shown that LF unfolds during translocation in a force-dependent manner via a series of metastable intermediates. Polypeptide-binding clamps located throughout the PA channel catalyse substrate unfolding and translocation by stabilizing unfolding intermediates through the formation of a series of interactions with various chemical groups and α-helical structure presented by the unfolding polypeptide during translocation.

Although traditional hallucinogenic drugs such as marijuana and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are not typically associated with seizures, newer synthetic hallucinogenic drugs can provoke seizures. Here, we report the unexpected consequences of taking a street-bought hallucinogenic drug thought to be LSD. Our patient presented with hallucinations and agitation progressing to status epilepticus with a urine toxicology screen positive only for cannabinoids and opioids. Using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry, an additional drug was found: an amphetamine-derived phenylethylamine called 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine. We bring this to the attention of the neurologic community as there are a growing number of hallucinogenic street drugs that are negative on standard urine toxicology and cause effects that are unexpected for both the patient and the neurologist, including seizures.

INTRODUCTION Using Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone (KRd) combination therapy in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients lead to ~40% minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rate. Here, we use KRd in combination with daratumumab (DKRd); and treatment response is assessed with extensive correlative science including parallel bone-marrow-based and blood-based MRD tracking, together with targeted DNA sequencing of baseline bone marrow samples. Primary end-point is to rule out 60% and to target up to 80% MRD negativity rate. METHODS This is a single-arm, Phase II clinical trial based on Simon's optimal two-stage design. The first cohort (twice-a-week carfilzomib) (N=41) has the following treatment schedule: 8 cycles of treatment; 28-day cycles with carfilzomib 20/36 mg/m2 days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16; lenalidomide 25 mg days 1-21; dexamethasone 40 mg weekly cycles 1-4, 20 mg after cycle 4; and daratumumab 16 mg/kg days 1, 8, 15, and 22 cycles 1-2, days 1 and 15 cycles 3-6, and day 1 cycles 7-8. The second cohort (once-a-week carfilzomib) (N=41): 8 cycles of treatment; 28-day cycles with carfilzomib 20/56 mg/m2 days 1, 8, and 15; lenalidomide, dexamethasone, and daratumumab are given at the same doses/schedules as the first cohort. For fit patients, stemcell collection is recommended after 4 to 6 cycles of therapy; DKRd therapy is resumed after collection to a total of 8 cycles DKRd. Treatment response is being assessed with parallel bone-marrow-based (10-color single tube flowcytometry, invivoscribe V(D)J sequencing) as well as blood-based (MALDI-TOF and QTOF-mass spectrometry [MS]) for MRD tracking. Baseline bone marrow samples are evaluated with targeted DNA sequencing for FISH-Seq and somatic mutational characteristics (myTYPE). Here, we present the first stage (N=28) of the first cohort (twice-a-week carfilzomib). We are waiting for the results to mature before the second stage (N=13) of the first cohort can open. The second cohort (once-a-week carfilzomib) is opening for enrollment in August 2018 (N=41). RESULTS The first stage of the first cohort is fully enrolled; 28 patients meeting eligibility criteria were enrolled onto study (14 males, 14 females) between October 2017 and July 2018. Baseline characteristics include; median age 60 years (range 32-80 years); 12(43%) patients had high-risk FISH/SNP signature defined as one or more of the following: 1q+, t(4,14), t(14,16), t(14,20), and 17p-. At the submission of this abstract, 20 patients have completed one or more cycles DKRd; among these, 3 patients have completed all 8 cycles. The median number of cycles delivered is currently 4 (range 1-8). Full assessments with MRD assays have been completed in 3 patients: -Pt #1 obtained complete response (CR) after 3 cycles, and workup after the last cycle of therapy showed MRD-negativity (by 10-color single tube flowcytometry and V(D)J sequencing) in the bone marrow; and peripheral blood (serum) was negative by MALDI-TOF MS after completion of cycle 2. -Pt#2 obtained CR after 4 cycles, however, workup after cycle 5 showed MRD-positivity (by 10-color single tube flowcytometry and V(D)J sequencing) in the bone marrow; and peripheral blood (serum) was positive by MALDI-TOF MS throughout the end of the last cycle. -Pt#3 obtained CR after 4 cycles and after 6 cycles both 10-color single tube flowcytometry and V(D)J sequencing showed MRD-negativity in the bone marrow. However, MALDI-TOF MS detected small abnormal serum proteins in peripheral blood and remained positive throughout the end of cycle 8. Overall, the DKRd therapy is well tolerated and it has similar toxicity profile as KRd. Grade >3 adverse events were hypotension, musculoskeletal deformity, back pain, dyspnea, lung-infection, and febrile neutropenia. So far, 5 patients underwent dose reductions of lenalidomide. CONCLUSIONS In this pre-planned interim analysis of our phase II study, we show that DKRd is a highly effective and well tolerated combination therapy for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. Based on small numbers of patients who have completed the planned DKRd cycles and been evaluated by bone marrow-based MRD and peripheral-blood based assays, we show that highly sensitive protein assays may allow longitudinal MRD tracking in peripheral-blood. At the meeting, we will present updated results using longitudinal testing with MALDI TOF-MS and QTOF-MS on the entire cohort. Disclosures Landgren: Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Merck: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lesokhin:Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Research Funding; Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Serametrix, inc.: Patents & Royalties: Royalties. Mailankody:Juno: Research Funding; Physician Education Resource: Honoraria; Takeda: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding. Smith:Celgene: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties: CAR T cell therapies for MM, Research Funding. Hassoun:Oncopeptides AB: Research Funding. Shah:Amgen: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding. Arcila:Invivoscribe, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria. Ho:Invivoscribe, Inc.: Honoraria. Korde:Amgen: Research Funding.

The protein transporter anthrax lethal toxin is composed of protective antigen (PA), a transmembrane translocase, and lethal factor (LF), a cytotoxic enzyme. After its assembly into holotoxin complexes, PA forms an oligomeric channel that unfolds LF and translocates it into the host cell. We report the crystal structure of the core of a lethal toxin complex to 3.1-Å resolution; the structure contains a PA octamer bound to four LF PA-binding domains (LF(N)). The first α-helix and β-strand of each LF(N) unfold and dock into a deep amphipathic cleft on the surface of the PA octamer, which we call the α clamp. The α clamp possesses nonspecific polypeptide binding activity and is functionally relevant to efficient holotoxin assembly, PA octamer formation, and LF unfolding and translocation. This structure provides insight into the mechanism of translocation-coupled protein unfolding.

Cellular compartmentalization requires machinery capable of translocating polypeptides across membranes. In many cases, transported proteins must first be unfolded by means of the proton motive force and/or ATP hydrolysis. Anthrax toxin, which is composed of a channel-forming protein and two substrate proteins, is an attractive model system to study translocation-coupled unfolding, because the applied driving force can be externally controlled and translocation can be monitored directly by using electrophysiology. By controlling the driving force and introducing destabilizing point mutations in the substrate, we identified the barriers in the transport pathway, determined which barrier corresponds to protein unfolding, and mapped how the substrate protein unfolds during translocation. In contrast to previous studies, we find that the protein's structure next to the signal tag is not rate-limiting to unfolding. Instead, a more extensive part of the structure, the amino-terminal β-sheet subdomain, must disassemble to cross the unfolding barrier. We also find that unfolding is catalyzed by the channel's phenylalanine-clamp active site. We propose a broad molecular mechanism for translocation-coupled unfolding, which is applicable to both soluble and membrane-embedded unfolding machines.

The assembly of bacterial toxins and virulence factors is critical to their function, but the regulation of assembly during infection has not been studied. We begin to address this question using anthrax toxin as a model. The protective antigen (PA) component of the toxin assembles into ring-shaped homooligomers that bind the two other enzyme components of the toxin, lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF), to form toxic complexes. To disrupt the host, these toxic complexes are endocytosed, such that the PA oligomer forms a membrane-spanning channel that LF and EF translocate through to enter the cytosol. Using single-channel electrophysiology, we show that PA channels contain two populations of conductance states, which correspond to two different PA pre-channel oligomers observed by electron microscopy-the well-described heptamer and a novel octamer. Mass spectrometry demonstrates that the PA octamer binds four LFs, and assembly routes leading to the octamer are populated with even-numbered, dimeric and tetrameric, PA intermediates. Both heptameric and octameric PA complexes can translocate LF and EF with similar rates and efficiencies. Here, we report a 3.2-A crystal structure of the PA octamer. The octamer comprises approximately 20-30% of the oligomers on cells, but outside of the cell, the octamer is more stable than the heptamer under physiological pH. Thus, the PA octamer is a physiological, stable, and active assembly state capable of forming lethal toxins that may withstand the hostile conditions encountered in the bloodstream. This assembly mechanism may provide a novel means to control cytotoxicity.

Background: Liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) with untargeted data collection is especially attractive for general unknown drug screening owing to its ability to identify unexpected compounds. LC-HRMS offers several advantages over traditional selected reaction monitoring (SRM) techniques and could be an ideal screening platform as long as its analytical performance is comparable to that of SRM-based methods. Methods: We developed a broad-spectrum drug screen on a high-resolution mass spectrometer [tandem quadrupole time-of-flight (QqTOF)] that collected data in an untargeted manner and compared its performance to a nominal mass instrument [triple quadrupole linear ion trap (QqLIT)] that collected data in a targeted manner. Both methods used information-dependent acquisition of product ion spectra. We evaluated the lower limits of detection and matrix effects for each method and compared their ability to identify drugs in 100 routine clinical urine samples. Additional information (patient prescription history, drug screening results, etc.) was used to confirm discordant results. Results: QqLIT was slightly more analytically sensitive than QqTOF; however, this difference did not significantly affect compound identification in patient samples. QqLIT identified 596 drugs in the urine samples, of which 531 (89%) were confirmed. QqTOF identified 515 drugs, of which 500 (97%) were confirmed. There were 562 instances of a confirmed drug (68 unique drugs) in the 100 urine samples; the methods were concordant in 469 of these instances. Conclusions: Overall, QqTOF performed similarly to QqLIT and could serve as an alternative method for general unknown screening.

Using SEC HPLC and fluorescence anisotropy, absorption spectra were assigned to the specific oligomeric structures found with phycocyanin. The absorption spectra were used to quantify the population of each oligomeric form of the protein as a function of both urea concentration and temperature. Phycocyanin hexamers dissociate to trimers with equilibrium constants of 10(-6) to 10(-5). Phycocyanin trimers dissociate to monomers with equilibrium constants of 10(-15) to 10(-12). Both dissociation constants increase linearly with increasing urea concentration, and deltaG(o) values calculated from the equilibrium constants fit best with an exponential function. Our findings appear in contrast with the commonly used linear extrapolation model, deltaG(urea)(o) = deltaG(water)(o) + A[denaturant], in which a linear relationship exists between the free energy of protein unfolding or loss of quaternary structure and the denaturant concentration. Our data examines a smaller range of denaturant concentration than generally used, which might partially explain the inconsistency.

Lactic acidosis is a well-recognized consequence of metformin. Hypoglycemia has been reported previously in metformin overdose, but the presence of other co-ingestions (e.g., a sulfonylurea) was not definitively excluded.A 15-year-old girl ingested 75 g of metformin and 3 g of quetiapine. On examination in the emergency department 2 h later, she was drowsy but had normal vital signs. She developed lactic acidosis, hypotension, and recurrent and severe hypoglycemia (15 mg/dL and 20 mg/dL), requiring boluses of 50%dextrose. The first episode of hypoglycemia occurred approximately 4 h after ingestion. Serum metformin level 2 h after ingestion was 267 mg/L (therapeutic range, 0.465-2.5), and serum insulin was 2 mU/L (normal range, 6-35). Extensive laboratory investigation using high-resolution mass-spectrometry ruled out other possible hypoglycemic agents. She recovered after hemodialysis.Metformin overdose can cause severe hypoglycemia in the absence of other antidiabetic drugs. Potential mechanisms of metformin-induced hypoglycemia include decreased hepatic glucose production, decreased glucose absorption, and poor oral intake.

Individually, the three protein components of anthrax toxin are nontoxic, but when they assemble, they form active holotoxin complexes. The role of the protective antigen (PA) component of the toxin is to deliver the two other enzyme components, lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF), across the plasma membrane and into the cytoplasm of target cells. PA is produced as a proprotein, which must be proteolytically activated, and generally cell-surface activation is mediated by a furin-family protease. Activated PA can then assemble into one of two non-interconverting oligomers, a homoheptamer and homooctamer, which have unique properties. Herein we describe molecular determinants that influence the stoichiometry of PA in toxin complexes. By tethering PA Domain 4 to Domain 2 with two different length cross-links, we can control the relative proportions of PA heptamers and octamers. The longer cross-link favors octamer formation, whereas the shorter one favors formation of the heptamer. X-ray crystal structures of PA (up to 1.45 Å resolution), including these cross-linked PA constructs, reveal that a hinge-like movement of Domain 4 correlates with the relative preference for each oligomeric architecture. Furthermore, we report the conformation of the flexible loop containing the furin-cleavage site and show that for efficient processing, the furin site cannot be moved ~5 or 6 residues within the loop. We propose that there are different orientations of Domain 4 relative to the main body of PA that favor the formation of either the heptamer or the octamer.