Thalidomide is effective in the treatment of newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). However, the role of thalidomide in the post-autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) ...context remains unclear. This study assessed whether the addition of thalidomide consolidation following ASCT would improve the durability of responses achieved and overall survival.
Between January 2002 and March 2005, 269 patients with newly diagnosed MM who achieved disease stabilization or better with conventional induction chemotherapy received a single high-dose melphalan conditioned ASCT. Post-ASCT, 129 patients were randomly assigned to receive indefinite prednisolone maintenance therapy (control group) and 114 to receive the same in addition to 12 months of thalidomide consolidation (thalidomide group). The primary study end points were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The secondary end point was tolerability.
After a median follow-up of 3 years, the postrandomization 3-year PFS rates were 42% and 23% (P < .001; hazard ratio HR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.71) and the OS rates were 86% and 75% (P = .004; HR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.76) in the thalidomide and control groups, respectively. There was no difference in survival between groups 12 months after disease progression (79% v 77%; P = .237). Neurological toxicities were more common in the thalidomide arm but there were no differences between arms for thromboembolic events.
Consolidation therapy with 12 months of thalidomide combined with prednisolone prolongs survival when used after a single high-dose therapy supported ASCT in patients with newly diagnosed MM. Furthermore, thalidomide consolidation therapy did not adversely impact on survival in the subsequent salvage setting.
Carbon nanotubes are difficult to aerosolize in a controlled manner. We present a method for generating aerosols not only of carbon nanotubes, but also of many reference and proprietary materials ...including quantum dots, diesel particulate matter, urban dust, and their mixtures, using electrospraying. This method can be used as a teaching tool, or as the starting point for advanced research, or to deliver nanomaterials in animal exposure studies. This electrospray system generates 180 microg of nanotubes per m(3) of carrier gas, and thus aerosolizes an occupationally relevant mass concentration of nanotubes. The efficiency achievable for single-walled carbon nanotubes is 9.4%. This system is simple and quick to construct using ordinary lab techniques and affordable materials. Since it is easy to replace soiled parts with clean ones, experiments on different types of nanomaterial can be performed back to back without contamination from previous experiments. In this paper, the design, fabrication, operation and characterization of our versatile electrospray method are presented. Also, the morphological changes that carbon nanotubes undergo as they make the transition from dry powders to aerosol particles are presented.
It is currently unclear whether the small airways (diameter <2 μm) contribute significantly to late asthmatic reactions to inhaled allergen.
We sought to determine whether naturalistic exposure to ...cat allergen induced late responses in the small airways as measured by pulmonary function testing and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest performed at end-expiration.
In a group of 10 subjects with cat-induced asthma, physiologic studies (spirometry and lung volumes, including closing volume) and HRCT were performed before and 6 and 23 hours after a cat room challenge that caused a 20% or greater acute fall in FEV
1.
There was no significant decline in FEV
1 at 6 or 23 hours after cat exposure. Forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% of forced vital capacity was significantly decreased at 6 hours after the challenge and returned to normal by 23 hours. HRCT image analysis as well as closing volume demonstrated increased air trapping from baseline at both 6 and 23 hours after the challenge. In addition, image analysis demonstrated a significant increase in small airways hyperresponsiveness to methacholine at 23 hours after the challenge. No significant mean changes were noted in lung volumes at either 6 or 23 hours or in PC
20 FEV
1 at 23 hours postchallenge.
These findings demonstrate that naturalistic exposure to cat allergen results in significant small airways obstruction and hyperresponsiveness persisting for at least 23 hours, at which time these changes cannot be detected by conventional physiologic measures.
Physiologically silent distal lung inflammation persists after an antigenic challenge.
In late 2001, some U.S. Postal Service workers and a few members of Congress were exposed to anthrax spores. This led to an increased effort to develop employable methods to protect workers from ...exposure to anthrax. Some investigations focused on selection and use of respirators to protect workers against airborne anthrax. The present study evaluated the potential for several types of half-mask respirators to release deposited particles. Four brands of the most commonly used filtering facepiece respirators (hereafter termed masks) were loaded with 0.59-μm, 1.0-μm, and 1.9-μm polystyrene latex (PSL) microspheres (nominally 0.6, 1.0, and 2.0 μm) and then dropped onto a rigid surface. The load conditions were 10, 20, or 40 million particles, and drop heights were 0.15, 0.76, and 1.37 m. For the average conditions of 0.76 m, 1.15 μm size and 22 million particles loaded, the average particle release was 0.604 particles per 10,000 (95% CI: .552, .662) particles loaded for all of the filtering facepieces tested. The averaging of conditions is a useful tool to provide generalized information and is also useful when making risk estimates. For most filtering facepiece respirators, particle release tended to increase with drop height and particle size, and there appeared to be a slight inverse relationship with particle load. Two brands of reusable elastomeric half-mask respirators with P100 high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter cartridges were also evaluated. Results of these tests were inconclusive. Part II in this issue addresses the release of particles when simulating removal of a filtering facepiece from a wearer's head.
This study evaluated the potential for disposable filtering facepiece respirators (hereafter termed masks) contaminated with 1-μ m particles to release particles as a result of lateral tension ...applied to the mask. The lateral tension was designed to simulate the removal of a contaminated mask from a user's head. Four brands of filtering facepieces were loaded with approximately 20 million 1.0-μ m polystyrene latex (PSL) microspheres. The respirators were then placed in a test chamber and subjected to lateral tension between 17.8-26.7 N (4-6 lbs) for 1 to 2 sec. The findings suggest that neither mask type nor loading condition affects particle release. This supports our hypothesis that when filtering facepiece respirators are properly removed from the head they will not release a significant number of particles.
The ALLG MM14 trial evaluated the impact of low dose dexamethasone (LoDEX) withdrawal in lenalidomide (LEN) refractory and relapsed (RR) multiple myeloma (MM) patients achieving initial disease ...control with pomalidomide (POM) and LoDEX re-induction. As previously reported, patients continuing with POM LoDEX had superior progression free survival (PFS) compared to maintenance with POM alone, however, this early PFS benefit was lost and by 18m was reversed to favour POM only. In patients who received post-progression therapy, more durable responses (second PFS: 12.7m vs 4.6m, p=0.034) and superior survival (OS: 19.4m vs 12.5m, p=0.092) were seen in those previously treated with POM alone. Here we present findings from the preliminary correlative immune studies of this trial.
Aims To undertake mass cytometry (CyTOF) based immune profiling in patients with advanced MM receiving treatment with POM LoDEX.
Methods MM14 was a multicentre, open-label, randomised phase 2 study of LEN refractory RRMM patients who had received ≥ 2 prior lines of therapy. Patients were treated with POM 4mg d1-21 (28d cycle) and LoDEX (40mg weekly). After 4 cycles (induction), patients with stable disease or better (≥SD) were randomised to receive maintenance with ongoing POM-LoDEX or POM alone. Therapy continued until toxicity/progression. PBMCs were collected at baseline and sequentially while on treatment. Cells were barcoded using the Cell-ID 20-Plex Pd barcoding kit (Fluidigm) followed by staining with sub-set/function defining antibodies (targeting myeloid, B, T and NK cells: CD16, CD24, CD11c, CD45RO, CD314, CD38, CD336, HLA-DR, CD14, CD56, CD158a, CD27, CD28, CD159a, CD8, CD19, CD45RA, CD11b, CD4, IgD, CD335, FOXP3, CD25, CD66b, CD3, CD337, CD20, CD158b, CD127 CD57, CD197, CD194, CD304 and CD279). Samples were acquired on the Helios instrument. Data were clustered in the VORTEX package. Significant differences in cluster frequency were assessed by Mann-Whitney test for statistical significance. Cluster phenotypes were determined and validated via multiple visualisation approaches. CD3-CD19-CD56+ NK cells were pre-gated from patient datasets. We then performed Boolean gating using seven NK cell activation/inhibitory markers - CD158a, CD158b, CD159a, CD314, CD335, CD336 and CD337. Boolean populations that comprised 3% or greater of the total NK cell population (median) were then compared. A Mann-Whitney test was used to determine statistical significance.
Results 154 patients from 11 Australian sites were enrolled. The median number of prior treatment lines was 4.5, 82.5% were double refractory. 78 patients who achieved ≥SD were randomised to maintenance: POM n = 40, Pom LoDEX n = 38. CD336+CD20+ cells (“NK-B-cells”) were identified in the pre-induction samples of all patients and were significantly more frequent in responders (median 2% of total cells) than in non-responders (0.8% of total cells, p<0.0001). These cells also variably expressed CD19, IgD, HLA-DR, CD158b, CD38 and CD45RA. Preliminary validation of this observation has also been successfully undertaken in an independent cohort of MM patients utilising multi-parameter flow cytometry. In the patients who achieved ≥SD, 5 out of the 8 large clusters (each at least 3% median of total nucleated cells evaluated) that were significantly enriched (p<0.0001) following POM LoDEX induction were neutrophil populations. These populations all expressed CD66b but with variable expression of CD24, CD16, CD11c, CD11b and CD45RO. Inhibited NK cells (CD3-CD19-CD56+) based on CD159a, CD314 and CD158a expression were enriched pre-induction and significantly decreased following POM LoDEX (p<0.0001), while activated NK cells expressing CD337 and CD336 and no inhibitory receptors were significantly increased following POM LoDEX (p<0.0001).
Conclusion Utilising CyToF, we have identified a novel “NK B cell” population in RRMM patients, with a higher baseline frequency of these cells being associated with a greater likelihood of response to POM LoDEX. Importantly, we have also confirmed the presence of these cells in an independent MM cohort. Moreover, subsequent to POM LoDEX exposure we have demonstrated the enrichment of heterogeneous neutrophil populations as well as an increase in activated NK cells and commensurate decrease in inhibited NK cells. These novel observations may provide new insights into the mechanisms of action of pomalidomide in MM.
Kalff:Amgen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; pfizer: Honoraria. Khong:Novartis Oncology: Research Funding. Reynolds:Alfred Health: Employment, Other: Biostatistician for trials funded by the Australian government and Abbvie, Amgen, Celgene, GSK, Janssen-Cilag, Merck, Novartis, Takeda, but sponsored by Alfred Health.; AUSTRALASIAN LEUKAEMIA & LYMPHOMA GROUP (ALLG): Consultancy; Novartis AG: Equity Ownership; Novartis Australia: Honoraria. Quach:GSK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ho:Novartis: Other: Trial Investigator meeting travel costs; La Jolla: Other: Trial Investigator meeting travel costs; Celgene: Other: Trial Investigator meeting travel costs; Janssen: Other: Trial Investigator meeting travel costs. Mollee:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Spencer:Takeda: Other: Consulting/advisory role, Research Funding; Janssen Oncology: Other: Consulting/advisory role, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Other: Consulting/advisory role, Research Funding; AbbVie: Other: Consulting/advisory role, Research Funding; Servier: Other: Consulting/advisory role; Secura Bio: Other: Consulting/advisory role; Haemalogix: Other: Consulting/advisory role; Celgene: Other: Consulting/advisory role, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Other: Consulting/advisory role; Specialised Therapeutics Australia: Consultancy, Honoraria.
Whilst the addition of dexamethasone to upfront therapy with immunomodulatory (IMiD®) agents in myeloma (MM) is important to mediate rapid reduction in disease burden, preliminary findings suggest ...that the NK stimulatory effects of IMiD® compounds are best harnessed without the co-administration of dexamethasone. This may be especially effective in the setting of minimal disease burden (i.e. maintenance) when some inherent immune recovery has occurred, however this has yet to be confirmed in a prospective clinical trial.
Aims:
To evaluate the effect of maintenance with pomalidomide (POM) alone versus POM-low dose dexamethasone (LoDEX) following treatment with POM-LoDEX induction on progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and kinetics of response (overall response rate (ORR), clinical benefit rate (CBR)) in relapsed/refractory MM patients who were refractory to lenalidomide (R-LEN).
Methods:
MM14 was a multicentre, open-label, randomised phase 2 study of relapsed R-LEN MM patients who had received at least 2 prior lines of therapy. Patients commenced POM 4mg d1-21 (28d cycle) and LoDEX (40mg weekly). After 4 cycles (induction), patients with stable disease (SD) or better were randomised to receive POM alone (P) or combined with LoDEX (Pd) as maintenance. Therapy continued until toxicity/progression. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS software v9.4. The log-rank test was used to compare the survival distributions in the maintenance arms and pre-specified pointwise comparisons, with adjustment for multiplicity, were used to explore the possibility of non-proportional hazards.
Results:
154 patients from 11 Australian sites were enrolled (M:F 80:74), median age: 67yrs (range 35-88). Median number of prior treatment lines: 4.5 (2-14). All were R-LEN, 127 (82.5%) were bortezomib refractory (double refractory).
Median follow-up for all registered patients was 27.8m. Median PFS for all patients was 4.5m (IQR 2.3-8.3m) and median OS was 14.5m (IQR 6.7-30.7m). ORR was 40.9% (63/154); median time to achieve ORR was 4.6 months. CBR was 53.3% (82/154); median time to achieve CBR was 2.6m.
Eighty-one patients were randomised; however 3 were randomised in error. Therefore, a modified intention-to-treat (mITT) analysis included 78 (51%) patients who achieved ≥SD with induction and commenced maintenance: P = 40, Pd = 38. Median PFS (from time of randomisation) for P was 2.58m versus 5.73m for Pd (p=0.051) Figure A. Comparison of PFS at six 3-monthly intervals favoured Pd (from 3m to 12m) (p<0.00001), however at 18m, P was favoured (p=0.018). Median OS (from time of randomisation) was 25.6m for P versus 17.4m for Pd (p=0.356) Figure B. Comparisons of survival at six 3-monthly time points demonstrated no difference between the arms at months 3-12, however at 15m and 18m, survival favoured P (p=0.006 and p=0.02 respectively).
There was no difference in response (ORR, CBR) between P and Pd in the mITT population: ORR P (8/21) versus Pd (8/18), CBR P (12/21) versus Pd (11/18). In a landmark analysis for response achieved (ORR/CBR) at 4 months post registration, there was no difference in PFS or OS for patients within either arm according to whether they achieved ORR/CBR.
Of the mITT population (n=78), 39 had post-progression therapy data available (P = 21, Pd = 18). Of the remainder, 18 were palliated and 21 did not have available data. There was no difference in response (ORR, CBR) to salvage therapy between the two arms. However, responses were more durable for P compared to Pd: median second PFS (from start of post-progression therapy) was 12.7m versus 4.6m respectively (p=0.034) Figure C. P tended towards superior OS (from start of post-progression therapy): median 19.4m versus 12.5m (p=0.0922) Figure D. There was no difference in PFS/OS between individual treatment groups (bortezomib, carfilzomib, chemotherapy, thalidomide, LEN, other).
Conclusion:
After initial disease control with POM-LoDEX, MM patients continuing with POM-LoDEX had superior PFS compared to maintenance with POM alone. However, this early PFS benefit is lost and in fact reversed by 18m; and in those randomised patients who went on to receive post-progression therapy, more durable responses and superior survival were seen in those previously treated with POM alone. Correlative studies are underway to investigate the immunological mechanisms behind these observations.
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Kalff:Janssen: Honoraria; Amgen: Other: travel to preceptorship; Celgene: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Reynolds:Novartis: Equity Ownership, Other: former employee of Novartis AG and holds stock in the company. . Quach:Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen Cilag: Consultancy; Sanofi Genzyme: Research Funding. Ho:Amgen: Honoraria; Celgene: Other: Travel to meeting; Janssen: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: travel to meeting. Mollee:Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Estell:Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
ObjectivesWe examined associations between parental occupational chemical exposures up to 10 years before conception and the risk of sporadic retinoblastoma among offspring.MethodsIn our multicentre ...study on non-familial retinoblastoma, parents of 187 unilateral and 95 bilateral cases and 155 friend controls were interviewed by telephone. Exposure information was collected retroactively through a detailed occupational questionnaire that asked fathers to report every job held in the 10 years before conception, and mothers 1 month before and during the index pregnancy. An industrial hygienist reviewed all occupational data and assigned an overall exposure score to each job indicating the presence of nine hazardous agents.ResultsWe estimated elevated ORs for unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma among offspring of fathers who were exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or paints in the 10 years before conception. However, only for exposure to paints did confidence limits exclude the null for bilateral disease (OR: 8.76, 95% CI: 1.32 to 58.09). Maternal prenatal exposure to at least one of the nine agents was related to increased risk of unilateral disease in their children (OR: 5.25, 95% CI: 1.14 to 24.16). Fathers exposed to at least one of the nine agents and who were ≥30 years of age were at increased risk of having a child diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma (OR: 6.59, 95% CI: 1.34 to 32.42).ConclusionsOur results suggest a role for several hazardous occupational exposures in the development of childhood retinoblastoma.
LEOPARD was a single arm, phase II study of lenalidomide (LEN) and alternate day prednisolone maintenance in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) following autologous stem cell ...transplantation (ASCT). Sixty patients were enrolled. Estimated median potential follow-up was 44 m, median PFS was 38.3 m, median OS was not reached (landmark 36 m OS: 71.4%). Correlative immunohistochemistry performed on pre-ASCT trephines demonstrated high MM tumor cereblon (total/cytoplasmic) was associated with superior OS (p = .045, p = .031, respectively), whereas high c-Myc was associated with inferior PFS (p = .04). Patients with high cereblon (total/nuclear) were more likely to improve depth of response, whereas patients with high c-Myc were less likely, suggesting alternative/more effective post-ASCT strategies for patients with high c-Myc need identification. Peripheral blood immune profiling (mass cytometry) informed a more sustained response to LEN maintenance, demonstrating enrichment of activated/cytotoxic NK cells and cytotoxic T cells in patients with durable responses, contrasting with enrichment of B-regs in early relapsers.
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