A prospective, single-center, randomized phase 2 trial of etoposide in severe COVID-19.

The systemic inflammatory response seen in patients with severe COVID-19 shares many similarities with the changes observed in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH); a disease characterized by excessive immune activation. Many patients with severe COVID qualify for a diagnosis of HLH. Etoposide, an inhibitor of topoisomerase II is used to control inflammation in HLH. This randomized, open-label, single center phase II trial attempted to determine whether etoposide can be used to blunt the inflammatory response in severe COVID. This trial was closed early after eight patients were randomized. This underpowered trial did not meet its primary endpoint of improvement in pulmonary status by two categories on an 8 point ordinal scale of respiratory function. There were not significant differences in secondary outcomes including overall survival at 30 days, cumulative incidence of grade 2 through 4 adverse events during hospitalization, duration of hospitalization, duration of ventilation and improvement in oxygenation or paO2/FIO2 ratio or improvement in inflammatory markers associated with cytokine storm. A high rate of grade 3 myelosuppression was noted in this critically ill population despite dose reduction, a toxicity which will limit future attempts to explore the utility of etoposide for virally-driven cytokine storm or HLH.

Severe maternal morbidity trends over 20 years in a tertiary referral stand-alone maternity unit.

OBJECTIVE: Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) is a better indicator of quality of care than maternal mortality, which is a rare event. Risk factors such as advanced maternal age, caesarean section (CS) and obesity are increasing. The aim of this study was to examine the rate and trends in SMM at our hospital over a 20-year period. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review was performed of cases of SMM from January 1st 2000 to December 31st 2019. Yearly rates for SMM and Major Obstetric Haemorrhage (MOH) were calculated (per 1000 maternities) and linear regression analysis was used to model the trends over time. Average SMM and MOH rates were also calculated for the periods 2000-2009 and 2010-2019 and compared using a chi-square test. The patient demographics of the SMM group were compared to the background population delivered at our hospital using a chi-square test. RESULTS: 702 women with SMM were identified out of 162,462 maternities over the study period yielding an incidence of 4.3 per 1000 maternities. When the two time periods (2000-2009 and 2010-2019) are compared, the rate of SMM increased 2.4 vs 6.2 (p < 0.001), largely due to an increase in MOH 1.72 vs 3.86 (p < 0.001) and pulmonary embolus (PE) also increased 0.2 vs 0.5 (p = 0.012). Intensive-care unit (ICU) transfer rates more than doubled 0.19 vs 0.44 (p = 0.006). Eclampsia rates decreased 0.3 vs 0.1 (p = 0.047) but the rate of peripartum hysterectomy 0.39 vs 0.38 (p = 0.495), uterine rupture 0.16 vs 0.14 (p = 0.867), cardiac arrest (0.04 vs 0.04) and cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) (0.04 vs 0.04) remained unchanged. Maternal age > 40 years 9.7% vs 5% (p = 0.005), previous CS 25.7% vs 14.4%; p < 0.001 and multiple pregnancy 8 vs 3.6% (p = 0.002) were more prevalent in the SMM cohort compared to the hospital population. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, rates of SMM have increased threefold and transfer for ICU care has doubled over 20 years in our unit. The main driver is MOH. The rate of eclampsia has decreased and peripartum hysterectomy, uterine rupture, CVA and cardiac arrest remain unchanged. Advanced maternal age, previous caesarean delivery and multiple pregnancy were more prevalent in the SMM cohort compared to the background population.

Modified High-Dose versus High-Dose Melphalan Conditioning in Older Patients Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Immunoglobulin Light Chain Amyloidosis.

High-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDM/SCT) induces deep hematologic responses (HR) in patients with newly diagnosed systemic immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. Modifying melphalan conditioning dose (mHDM <140 mg/m2) is considered in older patients because of concerns regarding tolerability. Age does not predict frailty, and dose modification could compromise responses in an era where effective non-transplant regimens are available. We analyzed 43 patients ≥ 65 years with AL amyloidosis who underwent SCT at Boston University Amyloidosis Center between 2011 and 2020. Median age was 66 years (range 65-68) versus 69 years (range 65-76) in the HDM and mHDM groups, respectively. HR of ≥ very good partial response at 12 months was 66.7% versus 42.3% for patients treated with HDM versus mHDM. Median progression-free survival (PFS) from day 0 of SCT was not reached versus 12.0 months (P =.13); grade ≥ 3 non-hematologic transplant-related toxicities occurred in 87.5% versus 76.9%; and transplant-related mortality was 0% versus 2.3% in the HDM versus mHDM group, respectively. In carefully selected older patients with AL amyloidosis, HDM is well tolerated. Use of mHDM results in reduced HR and PFS; an important consideration with the advent of highly effective non-transplant therapies.

Predictors of hematologic response and survival with stem cell transplantation in AL amyloidosis: A 25-year longitudinal study.

High-dose melphalan and stem cell transplantation (HDM/SCT) is an effective treatment for selected patients with AL amyloidosis. We report the long-term outcomes of 648 patients with AL amyloidosis treated with HDM/SCT over 25 years. Hematologic CR was achieved by 39% of patients. The median duration of hematologic CR was 12.3 years, and 45% of patients with a hematologic CR had no evidence of a recurrent plasma cell dyscrasia at 15 years after HDM/SCT. With a median follow-up interval of 8 years, the median event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 3.3 and 7.6 years, respectively. Patients with a hematologic CR had a median OS of 15 years, and 30% of these patients survived >20 years. On multivariable analysis, dFLC >180 mg/L and BM plasma cells >10% were independently associated with shorter EFS, whereas BNP >81 pg/mL, troponin I > 0.1 ng/mL, and serum creatinine >2.0 mg/dL were independently associated with shorter OS. We developed a prognostic score for EFS, which incorporated dFLC >180 mg/L and BMPC% >10% as adverse risk factors. Patients with low-risk (0 factors), intermediate-risk (1 factor), and high-risk (2 factors) disease had median EFS estimates of 5.3, 2.8, and 1.0 years, respectively (p < .001). The 100-day treatment-related mortality rate was 3% in the latest treatment period (2012-2021), and the 25-year risk of t-MDS/AML was 3%. We conclude that HDM/SCT induces durable hematologic responses and prolonged survival with improved safety in selected patients with AL amyloidosis.

Underrepresentation of Black participants and adverse events in clinical trials of lenalidomide for myeloma.

Adverse events affecting Black patients, including skin hyperpigmentation, may be overlooked using existing clinical trial data on lenalidomide. The objective of this systematic review is to characterize the representation of Black participants and rate of skin hyperpigmentation in clinical trials. In this systematic review and pooled analysis of 21 clinical trials comprising 4539 participants, the proportion of Black participants in trials (6.9%, n = 315) was significantly less than the multiple myeloma population (p < 0.001). The rate of skin hyperpigmentation (0.066%, n = 3) and all skin changes (6.4%, n = 291) was significantly less compared to a 40.8% incidence in a recent retrospective study (p. <0.001). Among participants undergoing treatment with lenalidomide for multiple myeloma, Black patients were underrepresented and the adverse event of skin hyperpigmentation was underreported. Fair representation of Black patients in clinical trials is needed to better describe this adverse event and other events that may be underreported.

Predictive factors of outcomes in patients with AL amyloidosis treated with daratumumab.

Daratumumab as a single agent (sDARA) or in combination with chemotherapies (cDARA) leads to impressive hematologic and organ responses in AL amyloidosis. However, predictive factors associated with outcomes, and optimal duration of therapy remain unclear. We analyzed 107 patients with AL amyloidosis treated with daratumumab between 2017 and 2020. The median overall survival (OS) was not reached while the median major organ deterioration progression free survival (MOD-PFS) was 36 months in the sDARA cohort and not reached in the cDARA cohort, respectively. Hematologic response > VGPR was achieved in 81% of patients receiving sDARA and 86% of patients treated with cDARA. Several predictive factors were identified on a univariate analysis, including NTproBNP >8500 pg/mL but only achievement of at least VGPR and presence of 1q21 gain were independently associated with MOD-PFS and OS on a multivariate analysis. Finally, patients receiving > 12 cycles had significantly longer MOD-PFS (30 vs.13 months; (p = .0018) and OS (NR vs. 15 months; p < .0001). NTproBNP > 8500 pg/mL, presence of 1q21 gain and shorter duration of therapy (≤ 12 cycles) are strong negative predictive factors for outcomes with daratumumab therapy in AL amyloidosis.

Cardiovascular adverse events are associated with usage of immune checkpoint inhibitors in real-world clinical data across the United States.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can cause life-threatening cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) that may not be attributed to therapy. The outcomes of clinical trials may underestimate treatment-related adverse events due to restrictive eligibility, limited sample size, and failure to anticipate selected toxicities. We evaluated the incidence and clinical determinants of CVAEs in real-world population on ICI therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among 2 687 301 patients diagnosed with cancer from 2011 to 2018, 16 574 received ICIs for any cancer. Patients in the ICI and non-ICI cohorts were matched in a 1 : 1 ratio according to age, sex, National Cancer Institute comorbidity score, and primary cancer. The non-ICI cohort was stratified into patients who received chemotherapy (N = 2875) or targeted agents (N = 4611). All CVAEs, non-cardiac immune-related adverse events occurring after treatment initiation, baseline comorbidities, and treatment details were identified and analyzed using diagnosis and billing codes. RESULTS: Median age was 61 and 65 years in the ICI and non-ICI cohorts, respectively (P < 0.001). ICI patients were predominantly male (P < 0.001). Lung cancer (43.1%), melanoma (30.4%), and renal cell carcinoma (9.9%) were the most common cancer types. CVAE diagnoses in our dataset by incidence proportion (ICI cohort) were stroke (4.6%), heart failure (3.5%), atrial fibrillation (2.1%), conduction disorders (1.5%), myocardial infarction (0.9%), myocarditis (0.05%), vasculitis (0.05%), and pericarditis (0.2%). Anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 increased the risk of heart failure [versus anti-programmed cell death protein 1; hazard ratio (HR), 1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27-2.84] and stroke (HR, 1.7; 95% CI 1.3-2.22). Pneumonitis was associated with heart failure (HR, 2.61; 95% CI 1.23-5.52) and encephalitis with conduction disorders (HR, 4.35; 95% CI 1.6-11.87) in patients on ICIs. Advanced age, primary cancer, nephritis, and anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 therapy were commonly associated with CVAEs in the adjusted Cox proportional hazards model. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the importance of risk stratification and cardiovascular monitoring for patients on ICI therapy.

Comparing measures of hematologic response after high-dose melphalan and stem cell transplantation in AL amyloidosis.

Hematologic complete response (hemCR) in AL amyloidosis requires absence of monoclonal protein by immunofixation electrophoreses (IFE) and normal serum free light chain ratio (FLCR). Recent literature suggests that an involved free light chain (iFLC) <20 mg/L or difference in free light chains (dFLC) <10 mg/L may more accurately predict outcomes after treatment. We evaluated overall survival in 340 patients treated with high-dose melphalan and stem cell transplantation (SCT). Of 305 patients evaluable 6 months after SCT, 90 (30%) achieved hemCR, 132 (43%) dFLC <10 mg/L, 118 (39%) iFLC <20 mg/L, and 176 (58%) normal FLCR. Of 215 patients without hemCR, 65 (30%) had dFLC <10 mg/L and 86 (40%) had normal FLCR. Overall survival (OS) in those achieving dFLC <10 mg/L or normal FLCR without hemCR was inferior to those achieving hemCR (p = 0.013 and p = 0.001). OS was not significantly different in patients achieving iFLC <20 mg/L without hemCR compared with hemCR (p = 0.243). Of those with hemCR, OS was not significantly improved if dFLC <10 mg/L was also achieved (p = 0.852), but OS was improved for those with hemCR who also attained iFLC <20 mg/L (p = 0.009). Multivariate analysis demonstrated absence of monoclonal protein in IFE and iFLC <20 mg/L as independent predictors of survival. Attainment of hemCR remains a treatment goal, although achieving iFLC <20 mg/L may also predict improved OS.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis.

OBJECTIVES: A subset of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients exhibit clinical features of cytokine storm. However, clinicopathologic features diagnostic of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) have not been reported. We studied the reticuloendothelial organs of 4 consecutive patients who died of COVID-19 and correlated with clinical and laboratory parameters to detect HLH. METHODS: Autopsies were performed on 4 patients who died of COVID-19. Routine H&E staining and immunohistochemical staining for CD163 were performed to detect hemophagocytosis. Clinical and laboratory results from premortem blood samples were used to calculate H-scores. RESULTS: All 4 cases demonstrated diffuse alveolar damage within the lungs. Three of the 4 cases had histologic evidence of hemophagocytosis within pulmonary lymph nodes. One case showed hemophagocytosis in the spleen but none showed hemophagocytosis in liver or bone marrow. Lymphophagocytosis was the predominant form of hemophagocytosis observed. One patient showed diagnostic features of HLH with an H-score of 217, while a second patient likely had HLH with a partial H-score of 145 due to a missing triglyceride level. The remaining 2 patients had H-scores of 131 and 96. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-associated HLH. Identification of HLH in a subset of patients with severe COVID-19 will inform clinical trials of therapeutic strategies.