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The proceedings contain 68 papers. The topics discussed include: post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis;cancer, covid and control of RA - a toxic combination?;continuation of golimumab (anti-TNF) in a patient with SpA and low-risk prostate cancer, what is the right decision?;orbital lymphoma in a 72-year-old lady with rheumatoid arthritis: an argument for rituximab;a case of cancer mimicking inflammatory arthritis;managing relapsing and refractory lupus nephritis in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report;a case of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus with pyrexia of unknown origin;recurring brachial plexopathy- the zebra among the horses;and Neisseria meningitidis as a cause of isolated bilateral polyarticular native knee joint septic arthritis.
ABSTRACT
The proceedings contain 68 papers. The topics discussed include: post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis;cancer, covid and control of RA - a toxic combination?;continuation of golimumab (anti-TNF) in a patient with SpA and low-risk prostate cancer, what is the right decision?;orbital lymphoma in a 72-year-old lady with rheumatoid arthritis: an argument for rituximab;a case of cancer mimicking inflammatory arthritis;managing relapsing and refractory lupus nephritis in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report;a case of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus with pyrexia of unknown origin;recurring brachial plexopathy- the zebra among the horses;and Neisseria meningitidis as a cause of isolated bilateral polyarticular native knee joint septic arthritis.
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Background: Extra-nodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Few cases of Ocular adnexal T-cell lymphoma presenting as pre-septal cellulitis/orbital cellulitis has been reported in the literature. However, Extra Nodal NK/T cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma presenting as orbital cellulitis and also with multisystem involvement in the paediatric age group is a rare presentation and not reported earlier. Method(s): 13 years old male presented to us with weakness of left side with left facial palsy for 2.5 months and right eye severe proptosis and vision loss for 2 months. Initially, He was diagnosed with Orbital cellulitis and treated for the same from elsewhere. PET-CT showed FDG avid metabolic active largest soft tissue mass in left lung upper lobe encasing first rib, large active soft tissue mass in the periorbital area, right nasal cavity, right lobe of the thyroid, right kidney, pancreas head, scrotal area, multiple bony lesions. Further biopsy from rib mass revealed NK- T cell lymphoma. He was diagnosed with a rare case of NK/ T cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma with multisystem involvement. Initially, he responded to SMILE regimen of chemotherapy, but he developed white fluffy vitreous opacities in the left eye after 3 cycles, and before vitreous biopsy, he contracted COVID 19 infection. During COVID treatment he has received IV antibiotics and steroids. After recovery from covid illness, his vitreous opacities got disappeared suggestive of possible endophthalmitis rather than intraocular lymphoma. Later within two weeks, he succumbed to the disease. Result(s): Died with disease Conclusion(s): Our case highlights that ocular adnexal lymphoma can be a possible masquerade in cases of refractory lid swelling with erythema and induration and can present as orbital cellulitis with multisystem involvement. Copyright © 2022
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Background Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is an age-related phenomenon characterized by the overrepresentation of blood cells arising from a single, mutant clone and is detectable in 10-20% of individuals over 70.1 CH has now been implicated in a variety of non-hematological disorders, such as cardiovascular diseases and Covid-19 infections, by exacerbating the innate inflammatory response.2-4 However, the impact of CH in solid tumors and response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is unknown. Methods To assess the prevalence and role of CH in patients with solid tumors, we analyzed publicly available data from the MSKCC-IMPACT study.5, 6 To mechanistically study CH in solid tumors, we established an orthotopic model of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in mice with Tet2+/- CH. CH and WT mice were treated with either ICB (aCTLA-4 + aPD-1) or vehicle control. Single-cell (sc-) RNAseq was performed on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (n=3/group) while remaining mice were observed for disease progression and overall survival (n=10/group). Results Analyzing CH frequencies in a cohort of patients with solid tumors, we observed that the prevalence of CH was approximately 5 times higher in patients with cancer when compared to healthy age-matched controls. Further, patients with detectable CH clones had significantly worse overall survival (figure 1A). In vivo, sc-RNAseq data revealed that myeloid cells present within the pancreatic tumors of mice with Tet2+/- CH were significantly enriched for both type I and type II interferon (IFN) signaling (figure 1B). Further, these IFN+ myeloid cells were ablated after ICB therapy in Tet2+/+ WT mice but persisted in mice with Tet2+/- CH (figure 1C). PDAC tumors from mice with Tet2+/- CH had approximately half the total number of infiltrating CD8 T cells at baseline when compared to those from Tet2+/+ WT mice. Upon ICB treatment, CD8 effector cells only expanded in the tumors from Tet2+/+ WT mice. Functionally, this translated to more rapidly progressing tumors, resistance to ICB, and reduced overall survival in mice with Tet2+/- CH (figure 1D). Conclusions CH is present in upwards of 30% of patients with solid tumors and is associated with significantly worsened prognosis. Modeling PDAC in the presence of Tet2+/- CH in vivo revealed distinct alterations in the tumor microenvironment that ultimately influenced tumor progression and response to ICB. This proposed research bridges the fields of solid tumor immunology and clonal hematopoiesis to address novel mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance that will span cancer type and, ultimately, improve patient care.
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Background: Despite of the administration of multiple doses of vaccines (vax), cancer patients (pts) are a group at high risk of COVID-19 complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the factors associated with the humoral response to the 3rd dose (D) of mRNA-based vax in cancer pts during or after active treatment. Patients and Methods: Single institution, prospective study conducted at the L. Sacco Hospital, Milan, between 5/2021-4/2022. 30 days after the 2nd and 30 days after the 3rdD of BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 (selected based on local pharmacy availability), seric levels of 3 antibodies (Ab) were measured in solid tumors pts during or after the active treatment, by a fluorescence bead-based assay. Anti-S and anti-RBD IgG to determine the humoral response to vax, anti-N IgG to identify a previous exposure to SARS-Cov-2. Primary objective: to assess the seroconversion (SC) rate and the Ab titres after 3rdD. Secondary Objectives: to detect any relation between the 3rdD response and pre-defined pts variables;to evaluate the humoral response to 3rdD in pts not responding to the 2ndD. Result(s): 99 of 110 pts were evaluated: 67.7% female, median age 63 ys, 49.5% breast cancer, 67.7% advanced stage. Active treatment: 40.4% biologic agent, 23% chemotherapy (alone or combination), 11.1% hormone. 3rdD vax type: 74.8% BNT162b2, 25.2% mRNA-1273. SC after 3rdD was obtained in 99% of pts. The use of GCSF was associated with a lower amount of anti-RBD IgG (p=0.03). A 6 vs 5 months interval between 2nd and 3rdD was correlated with higher anti-S IgG level (p<0.001). The heterologous vax regimen was associated with higher rate of anti-S IgG (p=0.04), especially the sequence mRNA- 1273 x 2 -> BNT162b2 (p=0.001). No significant correlation at the multivariate analyses was found between Ab levels and the other variables tested (age, BMI, cancer type, tumor stage, use of steroids, previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2, anti-cancer therapy, neutropenic potential of the therapy). 21/22 pts not responding to the 2ndD obtained SC after 3rdD. Conclusion(s): 3rdD of anti-COVID-19 vax is effective in cancer pts with solid tumors undergoing or after recent treatment. In this group the 3rdD oversteps all the negative influence of the factors related to the 2ndD vax failure, achieving the same response of the healthy population and demonstrating efficacy in not previously responders, too. The better performance of the heterologous vax regimen could be due to an exposition to a wider range of epitopes.
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The world population is getting older, but a great challenge is how to increase health span and not only lifespan. What is the role of genetics versus environment? Several recent breakthroughs such as the human genome project, the IPS stem-cells and the CRISPR technology for gene editing will allow a revolution in gene therapy, precision and regenerative medicine and xenotransplantation. Aiming to contribute to a healthier longevity, our group is developing several projects including the characterization of the genome of our elderly highly admixed population. We have performed whole genome sequencing of about 1500 healthy Brazilians older than 60, which represents the largest genome databank in Latin America. Our aims were a) to have a database from our population in order to improve the interpretation of pathogenicity of rare unknown variants in patients with undiagnosed genetic disorders and precision medicine b) identify “protective” variants underlying healthy longevity. We found 2 million genetic variants which were not present in the international databanks (Naslavsky et al., 2022). Since the advent of COVID-19 pandemic, we are investigating genetic variants in individuals, who were exposed to SARS-Cov-2 and remained asymptomatic. To address this question, we investigated discordant couples where one was infected and develop COVID-19 while the partner remained asymptomatic and serum negative. We collected samples from nonagenarians and centenarians who survived COVID-19 or remained asymptomatic. We will infect different IPS derived cell lines from “resistant” centenarians with SARS-Cov2 in an attempt to increase our understanding on “resistant genetic variants and mechanisms”.
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Genome instability mechanisms that characterize cancer initiation and subsequent therapy resistance are still less well understood. Recent evidence suggests that the REV1-dependent translesion synthesis (TLS) is the cornerstone for new mutation formation that primes genome instability, including intrinsic and acquired resistance to therapy. Remarkably, REV1 inhibition also switches the biology of cisplatin-dependent cell death response from apoptosis to senescence, suggesting that REV1 functions beyond a DNA damage polymerase. Furthermore, we discovered two unexpected phenotypes of REV1 TLS polymerase: a) REV1 inhibition triggers autophagy that associated with radioresistance. b) By means of striking preliminary data we show that REV1 inhibition limits SARS-CoV-2 RNA virus propagation, which we recently reported to cause hostcell DNA damage response and telomere instability. These new observations add to the repertoire of REV1- dependent genome instability pathways significant to understanding a wide repertoire of human diseases, including cancer pathogenesis.
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Background: RET fusions are found in 1-2% of patients (pts) with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC). Targeted therapy with RET inhibitors (RETi) significantly improved prognosis. Molecular mechanisms of resistance are still incompletely characterized. Methods: This multicentric retrospective study included 24 centres. Eligible pts had a RET+ aNSCLC, were treated with a RETi and had at least one molecular profile by next-generation sequencing (NGS), performed before and/or after RETi, on tissue and/or plasma samples. Primary resistance under RETi was defined as disease progression (PD) within 6 months of therapy. Results: 95 patients were included with 112 biopsies: 93 at baseline, 19 at PD. 17 patients had paired NGS (baseline and PD). Median age was 65 years (range 56-72);62% were female, 54% were never smokers, 17% had brain metastasis (BM) at diagnosis. 55 patients received pralsetinib, 36 selpercatinib, 4 other RETi. Overall, median PFS under RETi was 17.1 months (95%CI 12.6-28). Primary resistance to RETi occurred in 22 (23%) patients. Primary resistant versus durable responders to RETi had non-adenocarcinoma histology in 9% vs 46% (p=0.61), smoking history in 57% vs 40% (p=0.21), BM in 5% vs 21% (p=0.1), TP53 mutations in 37% vs 22% (p=0.23). KRAS G12V mutation and SMARCA4 alterations were found only in poor responders (4.5% vs 0%, p=0.2;and 25% vs 0%, p=0.04, respectively). Among biopsies at PD (N=19, 13 liquid and 6 tissue biopsies), 7/13 (54%) liquid biopsies failed due to insufficient ctDNA. In 12 evaluable pts, 3 (25%) acquired secondary RET mutations (2 G810S and 1 S904F), 3 (25%) had novel RET rearrangements (2 in intron 11, 1 RET-DOCK1, 1 RET-CSGALNACT2) and 3 (25%) pts had off-target alterations (2 MET and 1 MYC amplification). Three pts (25%) developed novel TP53 mutations, while 3 (25%) had no novel identifiable alterations at PD. Conclusions: SMARCA4 and KRAS co-mutations may have a role in primary resistance to RETi. Secondary RET mutations, novel RET rearrangements and MET/MYC amplifications were identified after treatment with RETi. More than half of pts had insufficient ctDNA at PD, making tissue biopsy essential to identify resistance mechanisms. Legal entity responsible for the study: Institut Gustave Roussy. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: V. Fallet: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: AstraZeneca, BMS, Takeda, Roche, Pfizer, Sanofi, Sandoz, Jansen;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: AstraZeneca, BMS, Takeda, Pfizer, MSD;Financial Interests, Personal, Expert Testimony: GSK, Boehringer. C. Audigier-Valette: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Ipsen, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, and Roche. A. Russo: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, MSD, Novartis;Financial Interests, Personal, Writing Engagements: AstraZeneca, Novartis. A. Calles Blanco: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, Roche, Lilly, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Takeda, Sanofi;Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Speaker honoraria: Bayer;Financial Interests, Institutional, Research Grant, Drug-only for Investigator-initiated trial: Merck Sharp & Dohme. P. Iranzo Gomez: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: Bristol-Myers Squibb Recipient, F. Hoffmann, La Roche AG, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Boehringer Ingelheim, MSD Oncology, Rovi, Yowa Kirin, Grunenthal Pharma S.A., Pfizer. M. Tagliamento: Financial Interests, Personal, Other, medical writer: Novartis, Amgen;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, travel/accommodation: Roche, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, Takeda. L. Mezquita: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Takeda, AstraZeneca, Roche;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Roche, BMS, AstraZeneca, Takeda;Financial Interests, Personal, Research Grant, SEOM Beca Retorno 2019: BI;Financial Interests, Personal, Research Grant, ESMO TR Research Fellowship 2019: BMS;Financial Interests, Institutional, Research Grant, COVID research Grant: Amgen;Financial Interests, Institutional, Invited Speaker: Inivata, Stilla. C. Lindsay: Financial Interests, Institutional, Principal Investigator: Roche, Amgen, BI;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: CBPartners, Amgen. S. Ponce: Financial Interests, Institutional, Principal Investigator: Merck Sharp and Dohme, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Foundation Medicine, PharmaMar. Personal fees: Merck Sharp and Dohme, Bristol-Myers Squibb, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Foundation Medicine, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Amgen, Celgene.;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Merck Sharp and Dohme, Bristol-Myers Squibb, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Foundation Medicine, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Amgen, Celgene.;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Other: Merck Sharp and Dohme, Bristol-Myers Squibb, F. Hoffmann-La Roche. M. Aldea: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, travel/accommodation: Sandoz. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
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Background: Lenalidomide (LEN) maintenance and continuous LEN-based induction therapy until disease progression have become standard of care for frontline therapy of multiple myeloma (MM). As such, an increasing number of patients (pts) in need of 2nd line therapy have LEN-refractory disease. Optimal treatment in this setting has not been rigorously assessed in randomized studies. The phase I portion of Alliance A061202 demonstrated the safety of the ixazomib-pomalidomide-dexamethasone (IXA-POM-DEX) combination for the treatment of pts with LEN and proteasome inhibitor (PI)-refractory MM. Aims: In the randomized phase II portion, we evaluated the addition of IXA to POM-DEX for PI naïve / sensitive pts progressing on LEN as part of 1st line therapy. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Key secondary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR), depth of response, survival and safety. Methods: Pts were randomized 1:1 to IXA-POM-DEX or POM-DEX and stratified by prior bortezomib exposure, International Staging System stage (1 and 2 vs 3) and the presence of high-risk cytogenetics. POM was administered at 4 mg on days 1-21;IXA 4 mg on days 1, 8 and 15;and DEX 20 mg (>75 years (yrs)) or 40 mg (≤75 yrs) on days 1, 8, 15 and 22 of a 28-day cycle. Treatment was continued until disease progression, the emergence of unacceptable side effects or withdrawal of treatment consent. Results: 38 and 39 eligible pts were assigned to IXA-POM-DEX and POM-DEX, respectively. The median age was 66 yrs (range 41-83) and 64 yrs (range 52-85). A planned first interim analysis was conducted after 43 out of 57 required events had occurred. PFS favored the IXA-POM-DEX arm (one-sided log rank test value = 4.6345, p=0.03134 [< p-value boundary of 0.058]), yielding a hazard ratio of 0.528 (upper 90% bound = 0.777). A stratified log-rank test found that PFS was superior for the triplet after adjusting for stratification factors (one-sided stratified log rank test value = 5.8371;p=0.0157), adjusted hazard ratio 0.451 (upper 90% bound = 0.694). The ORR favored IXA-POM-DEX (63.2% vs 43.6%, p=0.0853), and the ≥very good partial response was 26.3% vs 5.1%, respectively (p=0.01). The clinical benefit rate (ORR + minimal response rate) was 73.7% and 56.4%. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events included lymphopenia, neutropenia, anemia, and fatigue in 40%, 37%, 16% and 16% of IXAPOM-DEX-treated pts and 26%, 21%, 13%, and 15% of POM-DEX-treated pts. Therapy was discontinued for disease progression in 47.4% of pts on IXA-POM-DEX and 76.9% of pts on POM-DEX and for adverse events in 7.9% and 7.7% of pts, respectively. Summary/Conclusion: The addition of IXA to the POM-DEX backbone improved the depth of response and PFS for pts relapsing on LEN as part of 1st line therapy. Hematologic toxicity was increased with the addition of IXA, but side effects were manageable. The ease of administration of this all-oral combination allowed for safer, uninterrupted treatment during the COVID pandemic. Our results should be confirmed in phase III trials but lend support for this regimen as part of 2nd line therapy for this patient population.
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Background: The introduction of venetoclax into clinical practice has improved the outcome of patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (RR-CLL). The results of the MURANO trial published in March 2018 showed significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in RR-CLL patients treated with venetoclax and rituximab (VEN-R) comparing to bendamustine and rituximab (BR) and resulted in the approval of VEN-R in the therapy of RR-CLL in the European Union and the United States. It should be noted that the results of registration studies often do not correspond with the data from real-life observations. Aims: To study the clinical efficacy and safety profile of VEN-R treatment in RR-CLL patients outside clinical trials. Methods: We performed retrospective analysis of RR-CLL patients treated with VEN-R in hematology centers of the Polish Adult Leukemia Study Group (PALG) from 2019 to 2021. Results: Clinical data of 117 RR-CLL patients treated with VEN-R were collected. Median patient age upon initiation of VEN-R therapy was 67 years (range 33 - 84 years). Seventy-two patients (61.5%) were men. Median Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) was 6 (range 2 -16). Patients were treated with a median of 2 (range 1-9) previous lines of therapy, whereas 32 patients (27.4%) had relapsed following the first line of treatment. Overall, 25 patients (21.4%) had 17p deletion, whereas TP53 mutation was identified in 13 patients (11.1%). The median follow-up was 9.96 months (range 0.27 -29.13). The overall response rate (ORR) was 95.2%. Seventeen patients (14.5%) achieved complete remission (CR), 83 (70.9%) partial remission (PR), while in 5 patients (4.3%) disease progression was noted. In the patients with 17p deletion (n=22) or TP53 mutation (n=11), CR and PR were observed in 4 (12.1%) and 29 (87.9%) patients, respectively. The median PFS in the whole cohort was 20.8 (95% CI 18.43 -not reached) months and the median OS was not reached. In our study none of the analyzed clinico-pathological factors had significant impact on ORR, PFS and OS. During the follow-up time four (3.4%) cases of Richter transformation were diagnosed. There were 18 deaths recorded during the course of observation;3 (16.7%) due to disease progression and 7 (38.9%) due to COVID-19 infection. The others were due to infections other than SARS-CoV-2 (n=3, 16.7%) and the cause of death could not be specified in five cases (27.8%). Eighty-three patients (70.9%) remain on treatment, while treatment was discontinued in thirty-four cases (29.1%). Reasons for therapy discontinuation included patient's death (52.9%), treatment-related cytopenias (17.6%), disease progression (14.7%), Richter's transformation (11.8%), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (5.9%), diarrhea (2.9%) and infections (8.8%). In one case treatment discontinuation was due to consent withdrawal and one patient was lost to follow-up. The following adverse events of VEN-R treatment were reported during the study: all grade neutropenia (71.8% with grade 3/4 in 55.6%), anemia (51.3%), thrombocytopenia (47%), pneumonia (9.4%), neutropenic fever (6.8%), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (4.3%), immune thrombocytopenic purpura (1.7%), diarrhea (4.3%) and in one case exacerbation of heart failure was observed. Summary/Conclusion: In this retrospective analysis the outcomes of treatment with the VEN-R regimen in real-life setting were worse than those reported in the MURANO trial.
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Background: We have previously described AUTO1, a CD19 CAR with a fast off-rate CD19 binding domain, designed to reduce CAR T-cell immune toxicity and improve engraftment. Its clinical activity has been tested in r/r paediatric and adult B-ALL (Ghorashian S et al., Nat Med 2019;Roddie C et al., JCO 2021). This data confirms the intended function of the receptor, with low levels of CRS/ICANS and long-term engraftment of CAR T-cells observed in both patient groups. Aims: We have initiated testing of AUTO1 in the setting of B-NHL and CLL/SLL (NCT02935257). Methods: Manufacturing: CAR T-cell products were generated using a semi-automated closed process from non-mobilised patient leukapheresate. Study design: Subjects ≥ 16y underwent lymphodepletion with fludarabine (30mg/m x3) and cyclophosphamide (60mg/kg x1) prior to AUTO1 infusion, with the exception of the DLBCL cohort who additionally received a single dose of pembrolizumab (200mg) on day -1 to potentiate CAR-T expansion. AUTO1 dose varies based on the indication. Split dosing of 230 x106 CD19 CAR T-cells at day 0 and day 9 is employed in the CLL cohort. A single dose of 200 x106 CD19 CAR T-cells is delivered to patients with B-NHL. Study endpoints include feasibility of manufacture, grade 3-5 toxicity and remission rates at 1 and 3 months. Results: As of 8th February 2022, we enrolled 23 patients: 11 low grade NHL (LG-NHL:7 with FL and 3 with MCL), 7 DLBCL and 5 CLL. Apheresis was successful in all 23 patients and product manufacture was successful in 22 (pending in the last). 19 patients were infused: 10 with LG-NHL, 6 with DLBCL and 3 with CLL. 1 CLL patient was pending infusion at time of data cut-off and 2 patients died pre-infusion: 1 MCL patient, from COVID-19 and 1 CLL patient, from intracerebral haemorrhage. Patients treated with AUTO1 had a median age of 60 years (range 39-79), had received a median of 3 prior lines of treatment (range 2-8). Grade 1 CRS was reported in 6/19 and Grade 2 CRS in 3/19. No ICANS was observed in the B-NHL and CLL cohorts. CAR engraftment was observed in 13/13 patients evaluated by qPCR with ongoing persistence in 12/13 patients at last follow-up. In the LG-NHL and DLBCL cohorts 10/10 and 4/5 evaluable patients respectively were in CMR by 18FDG PET-CT post-treatment. Responses were ongoing in 9/10 LG-NHL at 12 months and in 4/4 DLBCL at months 1, 3, 3 and 6. In the CLL cohort, 2/3 evaluable patients achieved MRD negative remission in the bone marrow with residual small volume lymph nodes by CT at 6 and 3 months of follow-up respectively. 1 CLL patient did not engraft and had SD at month 1. Summary/Conclusion: AUTO1 has a tolerable safety profile in patients with r/r B-NHL and CLL despite high disease burden. Early data shows excellent complete remission rates and excellent CAR engraftment/expansion. Additional patients, updated data and longer follow up will be presented.
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Background: During the coronavirus pandemic, the risk of severe COVID-19 and mortality are higher in certain groups, in particular in patients with oncohematological diseases. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a special group of oncohematological diseases in which mortality in the era of COVID-19 has increased 2-3 times. Currently, there is no consensus on the treatment of ALL during coronavirus infection. Aims: To determine the basic principles and features of the management of patients with ALL during COVID-19. Methods: 46 patients with ALL and COVID-19 (men 52.2%, women 47.8%) aged 18-74 years (median-44.5) were treated at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52 on 01.04.20-01.11.21. B-ALL was 58.7% (27 patients), T-ALL - 34.8% (16 patients), biphenotypic - 4.3% (2 patients), not defined - 2.2% (1 patient), Ph-positive ALL - 17.4% (8 patients). The status of the disease of patients upon admission to the Hospital differed: debut of ALL - 20 patients (43.5%), remission - 16 patients (34.8%), relapse and refractory course - 10 patients (21.7%). All patients were treated COVID-19 in accordance with the current guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COVID- 19 (interleukin 6 inhibitor, anticoagulant and antibacterial therapy, glucocorticoids (GCs), human immunoglobulin (IG) against COVID-19). According to vital indications and with stabilization of the patient's condition, 18 patients (39.1%) received chemotherapy (CT). Results: There were no deaths in the group of patients with remission of ALL. In patients with the debut of ALL, mortality was 45% (9 patients), in relapse and refractory course - 50% (5 patients) (p=0.005). Mortality in the group who did not receive CT was 35.7%, and in the group who received CT - 22.2%. 6 patients with Ph-positive ALL (75.0%) continued therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). According to the protocol for the treatment of ALL, full doses of GCs (100%) and anthracyclines (ATC) (100%) were used, lumbar punctures (LP) and intrathecal (IT) injections of CT (100%) were continued. Due to the high risk of thrombotic complications in COVID-19 and asparaginase therapy, anticoagulant therapy was performed (100%). Prevention of pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) (89.1%), antifungal (37.0%) and antibacterial (87.0%) therapy were carried out in the treatment of COVID-19. With the persistence of COVID-19 and the absence of antibodies to COVID-19, 2 patients received repeated transfusion of human IG against COVID-19. Summary/Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients in remission of ALL coronavirus infection are treated and controlled. Treatment of COVID-19 in patients with ALL is carried out according to general protocols for the treatment of COVID-19, taking into account the peculiarities of nosology (agranulocytosis, high risk of PCP and fungal infection with long-term therapy of GCs, persistence of COVID-19). When the patient's condition is stabilized, the issue of CT should be decided individually in each case, taking into account all the risks of ALL and COVID-19. During CT, use full doses of GCs, ATC. In patients with mild and moderate COVID-19, continue LP and IT injections of CT, therapy with TKI.
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Background: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a B-cell tumor which often relapses. BCR inhibitors (Ibrutinib, Acalabrutinib) and antiapoptotic BCL2-family members blockers BH3-mimetics (Venetoclax, ABT-199) are effective drugs to fight MCL. However, the disease remains incurable, due to therapy resistance, even to the promising Venetoclax and Ibrutinib combination. Therefore, there is a profound need to explore novel useful therapeutic targets. CK2 is a S/T kinase overexpressed in several solid and blood tumors. We demonstrated that CK2, operating through a 'non-oncogene addiction' mechanism promotes tumor cell survival, and counteracts apoptosis, by activating pro-survival signaling cascades, such as NF-κ B, STAT3 and AKT. CK2 could regulate also BCL2 family members. The CK2 chemical inhibitor CX-4945 (Silmitasertib, Sil) is already under scrutiny in clinical trials in relapsed multiple myeloma, solid tumors and COVID-19. Aims: In this work, we tested the effect of CK2 chemical inhibition or knock down on Venetoclax (Ven)-induced cytotoxicity in MCL pre-clinical models to effectively reduce MCL cell growth and clonal expansion. Methods: CK2 expression and BCR/BCL2 related signaling components were analyzed in MCL cells and control cells by Western blotting. CK2 and BCL2 inhibition was obtained with Sil and Ven, respectively and with CK2 gene silencing through the generation of anti-CK2 shRNA IPTG-inducible MCL cell clones. Survival, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and proliferation were investigated by FACS analysis of AnnexinV/PI and JC-10 staining. The synergic action of Ven and Sil was analyzed by the Chou-Talalay combination index (CI) method. CK2 knock down in vivo was obtained in xenograft NOD-SCID mouse models Results: CK2 inactivation (with Sil or CK2 silencing) determined a reduction in the activating phosphorylation of S529 p65/RelA and S473 and S129 AKT, important survival cascades for MCL. Sil or CK2 silencing caused BCL2 and related MCL1 protein reduction, causing cell death. Importantly, we confirmed these results also in an in vivo xenograft mouse model of CK2 knockdown in MCL. Sil +Ven combination increased MCL cell apoptosis, as judged by the augmented frequency of Annexin V positive cells and expression of cleaved PARP protein, and JC-10 mitochondrial membrane depolarization, with respect to the single treatments. Captivatingly, Sil or CK2 gene silencing led to a substantial reduction of the Ven-induced increase of MCL-1, potentially counteracting a deleterious Ven-induced drawback. Analysis of cell cycle distribution confirmed an increased frequency of apoptotic cells in the sub G1 phase in CK2-silenced cells and a modulation of the other phases of the cell cycle. Remarkably, the calculated CI less than 1 suggested a strong synergic cell-killing effect between Sil and Ven, on all the cell lines tested, including those less sensitive or resistant to Ven Summary/Conclusion: We demonstrated that the simultaneous inhibition/knock down of CK2 and BCL2 synergistically cooperates in inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of MCL malignant B-lymphocytes and has the potential of reducing MCL clonal growth, also counterbalancing mechanism of resistance that may arise with Ven. Therefore, CK2 is a rational therapeutic target for the treatment of MCL to be tested in combination with Ibrutinib or Ven.
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Background: Systemic AL amyloidosis is an incurable relapsing plasma cell disorder. Despite therapeutic advances, there are no approved treatments for relapse disease. Treatment is often challenging due to underlying organ dysfunction. Belantamab mafodotin is an antibody-drug conjugate targeting B-cell maturation antigen with approval for relapsed refractory myeloma. In multiply pre-treated myeloma, the DREAMM-2 phase II trial showed an overall response rate of 32% for those with 2.5 mg/kg dose administered every three weeks with 2/3rd patients reporting keratopathy. A small case series of 6 patients with relapsed AL amyloidosis (Zhang et al , ASH 2021) was recently reported and a phase 2 trial is recruiting for patients with refractory amyloidosis (NCT04617925). Aims: We report our initial results using Belantamab monotherapy for the treatment of patients with AL amyloidosis with relapsed disease. Methods: Data for consecutive patients who were administered Belantamab at a specialist referral centre, National Amyloidosis Centre, University College London, was analysed. Results: Eleven patients were included 8 male, 3 female. Median age at Belantamab initiation was 65 (range 42-74) years. Eight patients had λ AL-type and three κ AL-type. At diagnosis, median involved free light-chain concentration was 534 (range 73-7181) mg/l. A median of two organs involved at baseline (range 1-3): 4 had cardiac involvement (half Mayo stage 2;half Mayo stage 3a) and 8 had renal involvement. The median prior lines of therapy was 3 (range 2-5) with all exposed to prior immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors and 73% to anti-CD38 antibody treatments. Thirty-six percent had relapsed after melphalan-conditioned autologous stem cell transplantation. A median of 3 cycles of belantamab were delivered (range 1-8). The most frequent adverse event was ocular toxicity which was experienced in 8 patients (grade 1-3), necessitating dose modification of the three-weekly schedule. One patient developed transient grade 1 dyspnoea and liver dysfunction. No patients developed cytopenias, unlike previous reports (Zhang et al , 2021), nor infections beyond COVID (2 patients mild with no hospital admissions). The majority of the cohort required dose reduction either at initiation (patient 4, due to end stage renal failure;patient 11, post-renal transplant) or during therapy (n=5;three to 1.9mg/kg, two to 1.25mg/kg) due to ocular toxicity. Only one patient remained on the standard dose of 2.5mg/kg for >3 cycles. Ocular toxicity improved after treatment interruption (drug intervals 4-6 weeks) and no patients required complete treatment cessation. One patient is too early to assess response. Haematological responses (PR or better) were seen in 7 patients with 3 complete responses and two very good partial responses (VGPR) which are ongoing. Both renal patients (patients 4 and 11) commenced a dose of 1.25mg/kg and sustained a VGPR with no additional toxicity. Patient 3 had a 42% reduction in sFLC after two doses but then a prolonged gap due to keratopathy and has lost the response. There were no cardiac or renal toxicities observed. Summary/Conclusion: Belantamab mafodotin demonstrates significant activity in patients with heavily pre-treated AL amyloidosis with 70% achieving a ≥PR. Apart from keratopathy requiring dose modification, no other substantial toxicity was observed. Two patients with renal impairment (stage V CKD and ESRD) and one patient post-renal transplant tolerated treatment with no additional toxicity. Belantamab mafodotin shows promise in treatment of relapsed AL and needs further prospective trials.
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Background: Cohort A of the multicohort phase 2 CARTITUDE-2 (NCT04133636) study is assessing ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who received 1-3 prior lines of therapy (LOT) and were refractory to lenalidomide (len). This population is difficult to treat and has poor prognosis. Aims: To present updated results from CARTITUDE-2 Cohort A. Methods: All patients provided informed consent. Eligible patients had progressive MM after 1-3 prior LOT that included a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD). Patients were len-refractory and had no prior exposure to BCMA-targeting agents. Patients received a single cilta-cel infusion (target dose: 0.75×106 CAR+ viable T cells/kg) after lymphodepletion. Cilta-cel safety and efficacy were assessed. The primary endpoint was minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity at 10-5 by next generation sequencing. Patient management strategies were used to reduce the risk of movement and neurocognitive adverse events (MNTs). Other assessments included pharmacokinetic (PK) analyses (Cmax and Tmax of CAR+ T-cell transgene levels in blood), levels of cytokine release syndrome (CRS)-related cytokines (e.g., IL-6) over time, peak levels of cytokines by response and CRS, association of cytokine levels with immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), and CAR+ T cell CD4/CD8 ratio by response, CRS, and ICANS. Results: As of January 2022 (median follow-up: 17.1 months [range: 3.3-23.1]), cilta-cel was administered to 20 patients (male: 65%;median age: 60 years [range: 38-75]). Median number of prior LOT was 2 (range: 1-3);median time since MM diagnosis was 3.5 years (range: 0.7-8.0). 95% of patients were refractory to their last LOT;40% were triple-class refractory. Overall response rate was 95%, with 90% of patients achieving ≥complete response and 95% achieving ≥very good partial response. Median time to first response was 1.0 month (range: 0.7-3.3);median time to best response was 2.6 months (range: 0.9-13.6). All MRD-evaluable patients (n=16) achieved MRD negativity at 10-5. Median duration of response was not reached. The 12-month progression-free survival rate was 75% and the 12-month event-free rate was 79%. CRS occurred in 95% of patients (grade 3/4: 10%), with a median time to onset of 7 days (range: 5-9) and median duration of 3 days (range: 2-12). 30% of patients had neurotoxicity (5 grade 1/2 and 1 grade 3/4). ICANS occurred in 3 patients (15%;all grade 1/2);1 patient had facial paralysis (grade 2). No MNTs were observed. 1 death due to COVID-19 occurred and was assessed as treatment-related by the investigator;2 deaths due to progressive disease and 1 due to sepsis (not related to treatment) also occurred. Based on preliminary PK analyses of CAR transgene by qPCR, peak expansion of CAR-T cells occurred at day 10.5 (range: 8.7-42.9);median persistence was 153.5 days (range: 57.1-336.8). Summary/Conclusion: A single cilta-cel infusion led to deepening and durable responses at this longer follow-up (median 17.1 months) in patients with MM who had 1-3 prior LOT and were len-refractory. Follow-up is ongoing. We will present updated and detailed PK, cytokine, and CAR-T subset analyses as well as clinical correlation to provide novel insights into biological correlates of efficacy and safety in this difficult-to-treat patient population, which is being further evaluated in the CARTITUDE-4 study (NCT04181827;enrollment concluded).
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Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common adult leukemia. Approximately 2% of patients with CLL develop immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) during the course of the disease. When resistant to steroids, this constitutes as indication for treatment of the CLL. Here we report a patient with refractory ITP secondary to CLL successfully treated with venetoclax. Aims: To present an interesting case with CLL related refractory ITP treated successfully with novel agent venetoclax. Methods: Patient data was taken from the patient herself and Hospital records. Informed consent to publish the case is obtained from patient. Permission for off-label venetoclax and eltrombopag was obtained from Ministry of Health of Turkey. Results: 46-year-old female patient presented with lumps on her neck that were present for the last 9 months in November 2020. She has a history of frequent pneumonia and otitis but no constitutional symptoms. Her physical examination reveals multiple 2cm lymphadenopathies on her neck and no organomegaly or other pathological features. Blood work shows mild lymphocytosis (6800/mm3) with no serious cytopenias. Peripheral blood smear, flow cytometry and bone marrow biopsy were all compatible with CLL. She was classified as Binet A CLL and was followed up with no treatment after appropriate vaccinations against capsulated pathogens. In July and August 2021 she received two doses of mRNA vaccination against COVID-19. On 1st November 2021 she experienced excessive menstrual bleeding and blood work showed platelet count of 23000/mm3, she was started on steroids (1 mg/kg/day) and after 4 days platelet count has risen to 55000/mm3, she discontinued steroids on her own against medical advice. On 13th of November she presented with extensive petechiae and purpura and was again started on steroids and was given the courses of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) without any sustained response. She was refractory to platelet transfusions too. She was transferred to our clinic. She was found to have del11q and del13q. She refused bone marrow examination. She was treated with rituximab, steroids, vincristine, IVIG and eltrombopag for ITP without success (Fig. 1). She had a minimal response to IVIG only. She received two courses of bendamustine (90 mg/kg for two days) also without success. Three courses of plasmapheresis yielded no response either. After mild success with immunadsorbtion apharesis she was started on venetoclax plus rituximab with ramp-up. Sustained response was achieved within the first week of venetoclax therapy. (Figure Presented ) Summary/Conclusion: Gordon et al. reported 2 CLL cases one with ITP and other with Evans syndrome successfully treated with venetoclax. We think, this treatment should be considered in patients with refractory immune cytopenias secondary to CLL and assessed with prospective clinical trials.
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Background: Preclinical data indicate that anti-PD-1 agents can facilitate activity of bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) molecules. Here we assess the combination of the anti-CD19 BiTE molecule blinatumomab with the anti-PD-1 antibody AMG 404 in adults with R/R ALL (NCT04524455). Methods: Eligible adults with R/R ALL (Ph+ disease included) received 2-5 treatment cycles. Each cycle was 42 days, consisting of 4 weeks of cIV blinatumomab and a 2-week treatment-free interval as per label. In Cohort 1, AMG 404 was dosed IV at 240 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W);first dose was Day (D) 11 of Cycle (C) 1. Primary endpoints were dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and other adverse events (AEs). Results: As of 20 Dec 2021, patients (pts) from Cohort 1 (n=8) had median age of 57 (range: 24-73) y, 6/ 8 male, 6/8 Caucasian, 1 with extramedullary disease (duodenum), 2 with prior blinatumomab, and a median of 5 (2-15) prior treatment lines. Two pts remain on study and 2 completed the study;4 pts discontinued the study due to death (n=3) or consent withdrawn (n=1). No DLTs were reported for the 3 evaluable pts. Of the 5 pts not evaluable for DLTs, in C1, 4 had disease progression and 1 an unrelated fatal pneumonia. Treatment-related grade (Gr) ≥3 and/or serious AEs in all 8 pts included cytokine release syndrome (CRS) (1 pt Gr 2, 1 pt Gr 1 and 3), Gr 3 increases in ALT and AST, Gr 3 fever, Gr 3-4 neutropenia, Gr 4 neutropenia/Gr 3-4 thrombocytopenia (same pt), Gr 2 sensorimotor polyneuropathy, Gr 3 hypertension, Gr 3 encephalopathy, and in 1 pt Gr 3-4 decreases in white blood cells, lymphocytes, and neutrophils. One pt developed Gr 3 SARS-COV-2 pneumonia on C2D25, resolving without clinical sequelae. C3 start was delayed by 12 days but protocol treatment resumed uneventfully. All 3 DLT-evaluable pts had a complete response (CR) or CR with partial hematologic recovery (CRh), 2/3 without measurable residual disease (MRD), within 2 cycles;the 3rd pt had an MRD response at the end of C3. Preliminary pharmacokinetic results for the combination of blinatumomab and AMG 404 demonstrated that their exposures were consistent with those observed for each as monotherapy and did not indicate any drug-drug interactions. To date, all samples tested for anti-blinatumomab antibodies have been negative. Conclusions: In this ongoing phase 1b study, the combination of blinatumomab with AMG 404 was tolerated with a manageable safety profile. No DLTs were reported. Enrollment continues in Cohort 2 in which AMG 404 is dosed Q4W at 480 mg starting on C1D1, 48 hours prior to blinatumomab.
ABSTRACT
Proteasome inhibitors are among the most potent classes of drugs in multiple myeloma treatment. One of the main challenges in myeloma therapy is acquired resistance to drugs. Several theories have been proposed to describe the mechanisms responsible for resistance to the most commonly used proteasome inhibitors bortezomib and carfilzomib. This study aimed to describe functional differences between sensitive myeloma cells (MM1S WT) and their daughter cell lines resistant to either bortezomib (MM1S/R BTZ) or carfilzomib (MM1S/R CFZ), as well as between both resistant cell lines. Bortezomib- and carfilzomib-resistant cell lines were successfully generated by continuous exposure to the drugs. When exposed to different drugs than during the resistance generation period, MM1S/R BTZ cells showed cross-resistance to carfilzomib, whereas MM1S/R CFZ cells were similarly sensitive to bortezomib as MM1S WT cells. Following proteomic profiling, unsupervised principal component analysis revealed that the MM1S/R BTZ and MM1S/R CFZ cell lines differed significantly from the MM1S WT cell line and from each other. Canonical pathway analysis showed similar pathways enriched in both comparisons - MM1S WT vs. MM1S/R CFZ and MM1S WT vs. MM1S/R BTZ. However, important differences were present in the statistical significance of particular pathways. Key alterations included the ubiquitin-proteasome system, metabolic pathways responsible for redox homeostasis and the unfolded protein response. In functional studies, both drugs continued to reduce chymotrypsin-like proteasome activity in resistant cells. However, the baseline activity of all three catalytic domains of the proteasome was higher in the resistant cells. Differences in generation of reactive oxygen species were identified in MM1S/R BTZ (decreased) and MM1S/CFZ cells (increased) in comparison to MM1S WT cells. Both baseline and drug-induced activity of the unfolded protein response were higher in resistant cells than in MM1S WT cells and included all three arms of this pathway: IRE1α/XBP1s, ATF6 and EIF2α/ATF4 (downstream effectors of PERK). In conclusion, contrary to some previous reports, resistant MM1S cells show upregulation of unfolded protein response activity, reflecting the heterogeneity of multiple myeloma and prompting further studies on the role of this pathway in resistance to proteasome inhibitors.
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Introduction: Patients with pre-existing comorbidities and immunosuppression due to lymphoma and its treatments, are at greater risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe manifestation of COVID-19. Patients treated with anti CD 20 monoclonal antibody such as rituximab for non-Hodgkin-lymphoma, which induces rapid B cell depletion and possibly impacting the clinical course of COVID- 19 in terms of prolonged hospital stay and higher mortality. Case report: Here, we describe a case series of three male patients already COVID RTPCR positive admitted at our institute aged >60 years, all treated with rituximab for non-Hodgkin-lymphoma. All patients had increased inflammatory markers, bilateral ground-glass opacities on chest CT and required intensive care in view of progressive hypoxemia and respiratory distress, treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, antifungals, corticosteroids, anticoagulants, injection remdesivir, Tab barcitinib, and other supportive treatment. One patient also received IVIG. Initially, all patients required high oxygen support followed by non-invasive ventilation and finally invasive mechanical ventilatory support in view of increased ventilatory need with Fio2 100%. Despite best intensive care, all patients showed progressive deterioration with refractory hypoxemia and refractory hypotension and succumbed. Discussion: All three patients had prolonged COVID RT PCR positive varies from one month to maximum 5 months and showed mortality. High in-hospital mortality related to severe COVID-19 among patients with lymphoma has been reported in several countries. The risk of early death for patients with severe COVID-19 and lymphoma increases with age and relapsed lymphoma disease. Lack of an efficient antibody production caused by B cell depletion might explain the protracted course, moderate symptoms as lack of antibody producing B cell may have prevented activation of the complement system. Conclusion: The incidence, risk factors, and outcome of prolonged forms of COVID-19 for patients with lymphoma are still poorly assessed. Relapsed/refractory lymphoma and recent administration of anti CD20 therapy are risk factors for prolonged in-hospital stay and death for lymphoma patients hospitalized for COVID-19. These findings may contribute to guide the management of lymphoma during the pandemic.
ABSTRACT
Background: Cohort A of the multicohort phase 2 CARTITUDE-2 (NCT04133636) study is evaluating cilta-cel safety and efficacy in pts with MM who received 1-3 prior LOT and were len-refractory - a difficult- to-treat population with poor prognosis. We present updated results. Methods: Pts had progressive MM after 1-3 prior LOT, including a PI and IMiD, were len-refractory, and had no prior exposure to BCMA-targeting agents. A single cilta-cel infusion (target dose 0.75×106 CAR+ viable T cells/kg) was given post lymphodepletion. Safety and efficacy were assessed, and the primary endpoint was MRD negativity at 10-5. Management strategies were implemented to minimize risk of movement/neurocognitive AEs (MNTs). Pharmacokinetic (PK) analyses (Cmax and Tmax of CAR+ T-cell transgene levels in blood) are being conducted, as well as analyses of levels of CRS-related cytokines (eg, IL-6) over time, peak levels of cytokines by response and CRS, association of cytokine levels with ICANS, and CAR+ T cell CD4/CD8 ratio by response, CRS, and ICANS. Results: As of January 2022 (median follow- up [MFU] 17.1 mo [range 3.3-23.1]), 20 pts (65% male;median age 60 y [range 38-75]) received cilta-cel. Pts received a median of 2 (range 1-3) prior LOT, and a median of 3.5 y (range 0.7-8.0) since MM diagnosis. 95% were refractory to last LOT, and 40% were triple-class refractory. ORR was 95%, 90% achieved CR or better, and 95% had ≥VGPR. Median times to first and best response were 1.0 mo (range 0.7-3.3) and 2.6 mo (range 0.9-13.6), respectively. 16 pts were MRDevaluable, all of whom achieved MRD negativity at 10-5. Median DOR was not reached and 12-mo event-free rate was 79%. The 12-mo PFS rate was 75%. Median time to onset of CRS was 7 d (range 5-9) and occurred in 95% of pts (gr 3/4: 10%), with median duration of 3 d (range 2-12). Neurotoxicity occurred in 30% of pts (5 gr 1/2;1 gr 3/4). 3 pts (15%) had ICANS (all gr 1/2);1 pt had gr 2 facial paralysis. No MNTs were seen. 1 death occurred due to COVID-19 (assessed as tx-related by the investigator), 2 due to progressive disease, and 1 due to sepsis (not related to tx). Preliminary PK analyses indicate that peak expansion of CAR-T cells occurred at d 10.5 (range 8.7-42.9) and median persistence was 153.5 d (range 57.1-336.8). Conclusions: At a longer MFU of 17.1 mo, a single cilta-cel infusion led to deepening and durable responses in pts with MM who had 1-3 prior LOT and were lenrefractory. Follow-up is ongoing. Updated and in-depth PK, cytokine, and CAR-T subset analyses and clinical correlation will be presented and provide novel insights into biological correlates of efficacy and safety in this pt population. This pt population is being further evaluated in the CARTITUDE-4 study (NCT04181827), which has concluded enrollment.