Replacement of bortezomib with carfilzomib for multiple myeloma patients progressing from bortezomib combination therapy.

In this open-label, intra-patient phase I/II trial, bortezomib was replaced with carfilzomib (escalated from 20 to 45 mg/m(2) on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 of a 28-day cycle) for multiple myeloma (MM) patients who progressed while on or within 12 weeks of receiving a bortezomib-containing combination regimen. Study objectives included determination of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), overall response rate (ORR), clinical benefit rate (CBR), time to progression, time to response, duration of response, progression-free survival and overall survival (OS). Of 38 registered patients, 37 were treated and evaluable for efficacy and safety. Thirty-one carfilzomib-based regimens using 14 different drug combinations were tested. One regimen (carfilzomib (45 mg/m(2)), ascorbic acid (1000 mg) and cyclophosphamide (2.2 mg/kg)) reached MTD. ORR and CBR were 43.2 and 62.2%, respectively. Median progression-free survival, time to progression and OS were 8.3, 9.9 and 15.8 months, respectively. Hematologic adverse events (AEs; ⩾grade 3) included lymphopenia (35.1%), thrombocytopenia (24.3%), anemia (10.8%) and neutropenia (10.8%). Nonhematologic AEs (⩾grade 3) included fever (5.4%) and hypokalemia (5.4%). These results demonstrate that replacing bortezomib with carfilzomib is safe and can be effective for MM patients failing bortezomib-containing combination regimens. This trial was registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (#NCT01365559).

Bortezomib in a phase 1 trial for patients with relapsed AL amyloidosis: cardiac responses and overall effects.

BACKGROUND: Bortezomib is approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma and a role has been suggested in the treatment of systemic AL amyloidosis (AL). METHODS: In this phase 1 dose-escalation portion of the first prospective study of single-agent bortezomib in AL, 31 patients with relapsed disease, including 14 (45%) with cardiac involvement, received bortezomib in seven dose cohorts on once-weekly (0.7, 1.0, 1.3, 1.6 mg/m(2)) and twice-weekly (0.7, 1.0, 1.3 mg/m(2)) schedules. Electrocardiographic, Holter and echocardiographic studies were evaluated in all patients to determine safety and response. RESULTS: During therapy (median treatment period 210 days), no patient developed significant ventricular or supraventricular rhythm disturbance on 24-h Holter monitoring; however, no patient satisfied study criteria for cardiac response using echocardiographic assessment or New York Heart Association classification. Seven patients (23%) had a ≥ 10% fall in left ventricular ejection fraction, but only one met criteria for cardiac deterioration. The predominant cardiac adverse events were peripheral edema (23%), orthostatic hypotension (13%) and hypotension (10%). Two patients developed grade 3 congestive heart failure, which resolved following treatment interruption. In this Phase 1 portion, the maximum tolerated dose of bortezomib on either schedule was not reached. Hematologic responses occurred in 14 patients (45%), including seven (23%) complete responses. In non-responders mean left ventricular wall thickness increased during the course of treatment. CONCLUSION: AL is frequently rapidly progressive; in these patients who had relapsed or progressed following previous conventional therapies, these results suggest that bortezomib may slow the progression of cardiac amyloid with limited toxicity.

A phase I dose-ranging trial of monthly infusions of zoledronic acid for the treatment of osteolytic bone metastases.

Bisphosphonates are potent inhibitors of bone resorption and provide a therapeutic benefit for patients with bone metastases. Zoledronic acid is a highly potent, nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate. In the present trial, we assessed the safety and tolerability of increasing doses of zoledronic acid and its effects on urinary markers of bone resorption in cancer patients with bone metastases. Fifty-nine cancer patients with bone metastases were enrolled sequentially into one of 8 treatment groups in the core protocol. Each patient received a 5-min i.v. infusion of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.5, 2, 4, or 8 mg zoledronic acid monthly for 3 months. Patients were monitored for clinical findings, adverse events, electrocardiograms, markers of bone resorption, as well as routine hematology, blood chemistries, and urinalysis. Thirty patients who demonstrated a radiographic response to treatment or stable disease in the core protocol were enrolled in a humanitarian extension protocol and continued to receive monthly infusions. Zoledronic acid was well tolerated at all dose levels. Adverse events reported by >10% of patients included skeletal pain, nausea, fatigue, upper respiratory tract infection, constipation, headache, diarrhea, and fever. Three patients in the core protocol and one patient in the extension protocol experienced grade 3 skeletal pain, "flu-like" symptoms, or hypophosphatemia, which were possibly related to treatment; all recovered completely. Adverse events were reported with similar frequency across all of the dosage groups. Zoledronic acid resulted in sustained, dose-dependent decreases in urinary markers of bone resorption. Zoledronic acid was safe and well tolerated and demonstrated potent inhibition of bone resorption.

Human herpesvirus 8 open reading frame 26 and open reading frame 65 sequences from multiple myeloma patients: a shared pattern not found in Kaposi's sarcoma or primary effusion lymphoma.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), multicentric Castleman's disease, and recently multiple myeloma (MM). DNA sequence analyses of HHV-8 suggest that multiple HHV-8 strains exist. We extracted DNA from 24 patients with MM and 3 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and compared HHV-8 open reading frames (ORFs) 26 and 65 sequences with those derived from patients with KS, PEL, and two HHV-8-positive PEL cell lines KS-1 and BC-1. ORF26 sequence data suggest that MM patients are consistently carriers of HHV-8 strain subtype C3. All MM patients also consistently revealed either a single bp deletion or substitution at position 112197 in ORF65. This unique alteration is not present in patients with KS or PEL or in PEL cell lines. It occurs in the portion of ORF65 that is known to be responsible for a serological response to HHV-8.

The role of human and viral cytokines in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by the accumulation of monoclonal plasma cells, a terminally differentiated form of B lymphocyte, in the bone marrow. This disease is most often associated with bone destruction, anemia and renal failure. Besides the malignant plasma cells, it has become clear that nonmalignant cells in the bone marrow also contribute to the development of this malignancy by the release of cytokines. Further support for the importance of the supporting cells comes from our recent finding of the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) in the nonmalignant bone marrow stromal cells from these patients.

Lack of serologic association of human herpesvirus-8 (KSHV) in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance with and without progression to multiple myeloma.

Because human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) DNA has been found in multiple myeloma (MM) patients by polymerase chain reaction, it was suggested that HHV-8 may play a role in the transformation of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) to MM. Therefore, 362 MGUS sera with and without progression to MM were tested for IgG antibody to HHV-8. Only 7.8% of the MGUS sera contained HHV-8 antibody to lytic proteins, and IgG antibody to HHV-8 latent antigen was even lower than lytic antibody (2.9%). No differences were observed in the distribution of antibody to HHV-8 in sera from MGUS patients who progressed to MM. The seroprevalences of HHV-8 in MGUS (7.8%), MM (5.4%), and healthy donors (5.9%) were similar, thus arguing for the lack of epidemiologic evidence of HHV-8 participation in the pathogenesis of MM. MGUS patients were immune competent in response to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection because 97% contained antibody to EBV virus capsid antigen.

Cloning of the first invertebrate MAGE paralogue: an epitope that activates T-cells in humans is highly conserved in evolution.

The MAGE (Melanoma Associated Antigen) family tumor-specific antigens are shared by a number of histologically different tumors. Till date, only human and mouse MAGE genes have been characterized. Our study describes the first non-mammalian member of MAGE super-family, DMAGE from D. melanogaster. A conceptual translation of the cDNA of DMAGE identifies a putative protein that contains a motif that shares eight out of nine amino acids with the previously identified promiscuous, HLA-A2 restricted antigenic epitope in the C-terminus of human MAGE-B1 and -B2. Similarly, this motif of DMAGE shares seven out of nine amino acids with the same antigenic epitope of human MAGE-A3 and -A12. Thus, the phylogeny of proteins that activate tumor specific T-cells in mammals as unmutated self-proteins began at least 100 million years earlier in evolution than the emergence of the adaptive immune system of higher vertebrates. Northern analysis revealed that DMAGE is a developmentally regulated gene highly expressed in adult fruit fly and in the embryo of D. melanogaster. In contrast, the expression level of the mRNA of DMAGE in fruit fly larva is substantially lower than in embryo and adult fly. We propose that studies of DMAGE on D. melanogaster may help define the function(s) of MAGE super-family genes.

Recent advances in multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematologic malignancy, with approximately 15,000 new cases each year in the United States. Our understanding of the pathophysiology underlying myeloma continues to expand, but the cause of this plasma cell dyscrasia remains unclear. Though controversy remains regarding a possible viral cause of myeloma, evidence suggesting a role for the human herpesvirus-8 is mounting. The roles of cytogenetic abnormalities as well as aberrant angiogenesis and cytokine expression in the etiology of myeloma continue to be explored and may lead to future therapeutic strategies. Transplantation in myeloma is rarely curative but offers clinical benefit not only for young but possibly for older myeloma patients as well. Newer bisphosphonates may offer greater ease of administration, improved efficacy, and possibly even enhanced antitumor effect. Finally, thalidomide offers significant clinical benefit to patients with myeloma previously refractory to multiple agents, and its role in early stages of the disease is under investigation.

Assessment of thymic output in adults after haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation and prediction of T-cell reconstitution.

BACKGROUND: The potential benefits of haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation are tempered by the depletion of T-cells accompanying this procedure. We used a new technique which quantifies the excisional DNA products of T-cell-receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement to measure thymic output directly in patients with multiple myeloma, and thus assessed the contribution of the thymus to immune recovery after transplantation. METHODS: We studied 40 patients, 34-66 years of age, who had been randomly assigned myeloablative chemotherapy and autologous peripheral-blood haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation with unmanipulated grafts or grafts enriched for CD34 stem cells. CD4 and CD8 T-cell counts were measured, thymic output was estimated serially until 2 years after transplantation, and percentages of naive T-cells were measured. FINDINGS: The production of substantial numbers of new naive T cells by the thymus could be detected by 100 days post-transplant; there was a significant inverse relation between age and recovery of new T cells. In the CD34-unselected group, numbers of TCR-rearrangement excision circles returned to baseline after 2 years, whereas in the CD34-selected group, numbers at 2 years were significantly higher than both baseline numbers (p=0.004), and 2-year numbers in the unselected group (p=0.046). Increased thymic output correlated with, and was predictive of, increased naive T-cell numbers and broader T-cell-receptor repertoires. INTERPRETATION: Our results provide evidence that the adult thymus contributes more substantially to immune reconstitution after haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation than was previously thought, and therefore could be a target for therapeutic intervention.

Human herpesvirus 8 (KSHV) contamination of peripheral blood and autograft products from multiple myeloma patients.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), has recently been identified within the bone marrow dendritic cells of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. This virus contains homologues to human cytokines such as IL-6 that could potentially stimulate myeloma cell growth and contribute to disease pathogenesis. Since mobilization chemotherapy may increase circulating dendritic cell numbers, we searched for HHV-8 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) before and after mobilization chemotherapy given to MM patients. Furthermore, we determined if autograft purging using the CEPRATE SC device would reduce the percentage of HHV-8 infected stem cell products. Only two of the 39 PBMC samples collected prior to mobilization chemotherapy contained PCR detectable virus, yet nine of 37 PBMCs collected on the first day of leukapheresis had detectable HHV-8 (P = 0.016). HHV-8 was more frequently identified in autograft products before vs after Ceprate SC selection (40% vs 15%, P = 0.016). Although the role HHV-8 plays in myeloma pathogenesis remains unclear, these results imply that mobilization chemotherapy increases the numbers of circulating HHV-8-infected dendritic cells within the peripheral blood. In addition, CD34 selection of autograft products in MM patients may reduce the reintroduction of virally infected cells following high-dose chemotherapy. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 25, 153-160.

HHV-8 infection and multiple myeloma.

Human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) also known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman disease. Recently, this gamma-herpes virus was also found in the nonmalignant bone marrow dendritic cells of the majority of myeloma patients. In addition, HHV-8 is also detectable in the peripheral blood of most myeloma patients. In contrast, this virus is rarely detected in close contacts of myeloma patients or healthy subjects. Furthermore, only about one-third of patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) are infected with HHV-8. Sequencing of HHV-8 DNA isolated from myeloma patients shows both interpatient differences and conserved differences unique to myeloma compared to HHV-8 in other malignancies. Consistent expression of both the viral homologs of interferon regulatory factor and interleukin-8 receptor in myeloma suggests a possible role for these transforming viral genes in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Identification of a new, unorthodox member of the MAGE gene family.

Several tumor-associated antigen families, such as MAGE, GAGE/PAGE, PRAME, BAGE, and LAGE/NY-ESO-1, exist. These antigens are of particular interest in tumor immunology, because their expression, with exception of testis and fetal tissues, seems to be restricted to tumor cells only. We have identified a novel member of the MAGE gene family, MAGED1. Northern hybridization and RT-PCR demonstrated that the expression level of MAGED1 in different normal adult tissues is comparable to that in testis and fetal liver. Thus, MAGED1 does not possess an expression pattern characteristic of previously identified MAGE family genes, suggesting that the biology of the MAGE-family genes is more complex than previously thought. Chromosome mapping linked MAGED1 to marker AFM119xd6 (DXS1039) on chromosome Xp11.23.

HHV-8 and multiple myeloma.

Recently, a new member of the gamma-herpesvirus family, human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), was identified in a case of Kaposi's sarcoma. This virus has also been found in the nonmalignant dendritic cells of the bone marrow from myeloma patients. In addition, HHV-8 is also detectable in the peripheral blood of most patients although its absence suggests earlier stage disease. By contrast, this virus is undetectable in the blood of family members and sexual partners of myeloma patients. Sequencing of HHV-8 open reading frames from myeloma patients show interpatient differences as well as consistent differences in the myeloma samples compared to HHV-8 in other malignancies associated with HHV-8 infection. Consistent expression of both the viral homologues of interferon regulatory factor and IL-8 receptor suggest a possible role for these transforming viral genes in the pathogenesis of myeloma. The latter gene is known to induce angiogenesis and preliminary studies show the abundance of vascular endothelial cells in the bone marrow of myeloma patients.

The role of human herpesvirus-8 in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma.

Human herpesvirus-8 has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of KS, BCBL, and multicentric Castleman's disease. Evidence for its role in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma is accumulating. Human herpesvirus-8 is detectable in the nonmalignant bone marrow dendritic cells from most myeloma patients. In addition, HHV-8 is also detected in the peripheral blood of most myeloma patients. In contrast, this virus is rarely detected in close contacts of myeloma patients, healthy individuals, or patients with other malignancies. Furthermore, only about one fourth of patients with MGUS are infected with HHV-8. Sequencing of HHV-8 DNA isolated from myeloma patients shows both minor differences among patients and a conserved deletion unique to myeloma compared with HHV-8 in other malignancies. Consistent expression of both the viral homologues of IRF and IL-8R in myeloma suggests a possible role for these transforming viral genes in the pathogenesis of this disease. Although the described association between multiple myeloma and HHV-8 implies a causal role in the pathogenesis of this disease, no cause-and-effect relationship is yet demonstrated. Evidence may be obtained directly by fulfilling Koch's postulate in an animal model and indirectly through therapeutic interventions with antiviral agents or through extensive epidemiological studies. Such epidemiological studies would be greatly facilitated by the development of antibodies directed against the HHV-8 viral proteins uniquely present in myeloma. A direct or indirect causal effect of HHV-8 has potentially enormous implications for the therapeutic benefit of antiviral agents and preventative strategies using vaccines. There is, indeed, preliminary evidence that antiviral therapy in HIV-infected patients reduces the risk or development of KS. Clinical improvement in patients with KS treated with antiviral agents has also been reported. These observations suggest that future treatment strategies to combat multiple myeloma may include antiviral agents.

Recent advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma represents the second most common hematologic malignancy, with nearly 15,000 new cases each year in the United States. Although further understanding of the pathogenesis of this B-cell malignancy has been made, the disease remains incurable with a median survival of approximately 3 years. The identification of new genetic events in the malignant cells themselves may lead to new potential therapies. Moreover, recent identification of the new human herpesvirus 8 in the supporting cells of the bone marrow of these patients will likely change approaches to this disease in the laboratory and the clinic. Further development of new high-dose therapy approaches has led to a reduction in treatment-related mortality with an improvement in overall survival. Treatment with the bisphosphonate pamidronate reduces skeletal complications and may also improve overall survival of these patients.

Methylation of the p16INK4A gene in multiple myeloma.

The p16INK4A (p16) binds to both cyclin D-CDK4 and cyclin D-CDK6 and inhibits the progression of the cell cycle from G1 to S phase. Loss of expression of this protein can occur by several mechanisms including structural alterations. Recent studies have suggested that the loss of expression of p16 can occur by hypermethylation of the gene. The methylation status of the p16 gene in multiple myeloma was examined in three myeloma cell lines (U266, RPMI8226 and IM9) and 16 primary myeloma samples using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). The U266 and RPMI8226 cell lines contained a completely methylated p16 gene and the IM9 line had a partially methylated p16 gene. Identical results were obtained by another polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methylation assay system as well as Southern blotting after using a methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme. The U266 cell line expressed no p16, and the IM9 had weak expression as determined by reverse transcript (RT-)PCR. The U266 cells began to express, and IM9 increased the accumulation of, the p16 RNA after treatment with the demethylating agent 5'-aza-2-deoxycytidine (10(-6)-10(-5) M). This suggested that the levels of methylation of the p16 gene detected by the MSP technique correlated with the regulation of transcription of this gene. Examination of the primary myeloma samples showed that eight of 16 (50%) contained a methylated p16 gene. We have previously found that alterations of the p16 gene, such as deletions and point mutations, are rare in primary multiple myeloma; none of the 16 samples included in this study had p16 gene alterations. Our results suggest that methylation of the p16 gene may contribute to the development and/or progression of multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma: the cells of origin--a two-way street.

Multiple myeloma results from an interplay between the monoclonal malignant plasma cells and supporting nonmalignant cells in the bone marrow. Recent studies suggest that the final transforming event in this B cell disorder occurs at a late stage of B cell differentiation based on the characteristics of the immunoglobulin genes expressed by the malignant clone as well as surface markers present on the tumor cells. Recently, an increasing pathogenic role in this malignancy by the nonmalignant cells in the bone marrow has been suggested by several studies. Specific infection of these supporting cells by the recently identified Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) suggests a novel mechanism by which this nonmalignant population may lead to the development of this B cell malignancy and support its growth.

Localization of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus in bone marrow biopsy samples from patients with multiple myeloma.

We have recently demonstrated the presence of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) in cultured bone marrow (BM) stromal dendritic cells from all patients with myeloma studied. To show that these findings were not an artifact of tissue culture, we performed in situ hybridization (ISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect KSHV in BM core biopsies. Using ISH to open reading frame-72 (ORF 72), we localized KSHV to BM dendritic cells in 17 of 20 patients with myeloma, 2 patients with plasmacytosis associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and 1 case of aplastic anemia. In contrast, BM from normal subjects (n = 4) and patients with lymphoma and leukemia (n = 21) did not contain KSHV. PCR amplification with KSHV primers demonstrated product in fresh BM biopsy samples from 6 of 7 myeloma patients, whereas three normal marrows contained no amplified product. These findings suggest that KSHV, possibly through alterations in the BM microenvironment and production of viral interleukin-6 (vIL-6), may stimulate and maintain abnormal plasma cell proliferation in myeloma and related disorders.