Inflammation is a hallmark of cancer. It contributes to a heterogeneous, hyperpermeable, and poorly perfused tumor vasculature, as well as to a dense and disorganized extracellular matrix, which together negatively affect drug delivery. Reasoning that glucocorticoids have pleiotropic effects, we use clinical-stage dexamethasone liposomes (LipoDex) to prime the tumor microenvironment for improved drug delivery and enhanced treatment efficacy. We show that LipoDex priming improves tumor vascular function and reduces extracellular matrix deposition. Single-cell sequencing corroborates LipoDex-mediated inhibition of pro-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic, and pro-fibrogenic gene expression in mononuclear cells, tumor-associated macrophages, and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Multimodal optical imaging illustrates that LipoDex pre-treatment increases the tumor accumulation and intratumoral distribution of subsequently administered polymeric and liposomal drug delivery systems. Using Doxil as a prototypic nanodrug, we finally show that LipoDex priming promotes antitumor treatment efficacy. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that desmoplastic tumors can be primed for improved drug targeting and therapy using clinical-stage glucocorticoid liposomes.

• Keywords
• cancer-associated fibroblasts, corticosteroids, drug targeting, liposomes, nanomedicine, tumor microenvironment, tumor priming, tumor-associated macrophages,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Despite significant advancements in therapy of multiple myeloma (MM) over the past 20 years, most patients experience relapse, necessitating new treatment approaches. This study aims to compare the real-world effectiveness of lenalidomide (LEN)-based triplet therapies, specifically daratumumab (DRD), carfilzomib (KRD), and ixazomib (IRD), in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).A retrospective registry-based study analyzed 538 RRMM patients undergoing therapy for their first to third relapse. The primary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), with a matching-adjusted indirect comparisons (MAIC) employed to address cohort differences.ORR was highest for DRD at 91.4%, followed by KRD (89.6%) and IRD cohorts (Early-IRD: 79.6%, Late-IRD: 70.8%). Median PFS for DRD was greater at 23.64 months compared to KRD (16.52 months) and IRD groups (Early-IRD: 19.97 months, Late-IRD: 11.57 months). The MAIC confirmed better outcomes for the DRD regimen. High-risk features were not overcome by any of the LEN-based regimens.The findings underscore the superior efficacy of DRD in achieving sustained responses in RRMM patients. The composition of the cohort is a crucial factor, extending beyond selection criteria. This study highlights the importance of real-world evidence in assessing treatment modalities in clinical settings.

• Keywords
• Lenalidomide triplets, Multiple myeloma, Relapsed/refractory, Risk groups,
• MeSH
• Drug Resistance, Neoplasm MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Glycine analogs & derivatives   administration & dosage   MeSH
• Lenalidomide * administration & dosage   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local * drug therapy   MeSH
• Multiple Myeloma * drug therapy   mortality   pathology   MeSH
• Antibodies, Monoclonal administration & dosage   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Oligopeptides administration & dosage   MeSH
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols * therapeutic use   MeSH
• Registries MeSH
• Retrospective Studies MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Boron Compounds administration & dosage   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic epidemiology   MeSH
• Names of Substances
• carfilzomib MeSH Browser
• daratumumab MeSH Browser
• Glycine MeSH
• ixazomib MeSH Browser
• Lenalidomide * MeSH
• Antibodies, Monoclonal MeSH
• Oligopeptides MeSH
• Boron Compounds MeSH

We performed real world evidence (RWE) analysis of daratumumab, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Dara-Rd) versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) treatment in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients (RRMM). In total, 240 RRMM patients were treated with Dara-Rd from 2016 to 2022 outside of clinical trials in all major Czech hematology centers. As a reference, 531 RRMM patients treated with Rd were evaluated. Patients' data were recorded in the Czech Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies (RMG). Partial response (PR) or better response (ORR) was achieved in significantly more patients in Dara-Rd than in Rd group (91.2% vs. 69.9%; p < 0.001). The median progression free survival (PFS) was 26.9 months in the Dara-Rd and 12.8 months in the Rd group (p < 0.001). Median overall survival (OS) was not reached in the Dara-Rd compared to 27.2 months in the Rd group (p = 0.023). In patients with 1-3 previous treatment lines, there was significant PFS benefit of Dara-Rd compared to Rd (median PFS not reached vs. 13.2 months; p < 0.001). In patients with > 3 previous treatment lines, there was no significant PFS benefit of Dara-Rd treatment (7.8 months vs. 9.9 months; p = 0.874), similarly in patients refractory to PI + IMIDs (11.5 months vs. 9.2 months; p = 0.376). In RWE conditions, the median PFS in RRMM patients treated with Dara-Rd is shorter when compared to clinical trials. In heavily pretreated RRMM patients, efficacy of Dara-Rd treatment is limited; best possible outcomes of Dara-Rd are achieved in minimally pretreated patients.

• Keywords
• Multiple myeloma, Relapse, Response rate, Treatment,
• MeSH
• Dexamethasone adverse effects   MeSH
• Lenalidomide therapeutic use   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Multiple Myeloma * diagnosis   drug therapy   MeSH
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols therapeutic use   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• daratumumab MeSH Browser
• Dexamethasone MeSH
• Lenalidomide MeSH

PURPOSE: Primary plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is the most aggressive monoclonal gammopathy. It was formerly characterized by ≥ 20% circulating plasma cells (CTCs) until 2021, when this threshold was decreased to ≥ 5%. We hypothesized that primary PCL is not a separate clinical entity, but rather that it represents ultra-high-risk multiple myeloma (MM) characterized by elevated CTC levels. METHODS: We assessed the levels of CTCs by multiparameter flow cytometry in 395 patients with newly diagnosed transplant-ineligible MM to establish a cutoff for CTCs that identifies the patients with ultra-high-risk PCL-like MM. We tested the cutoff on 185 transplant-eligible patients with MM and further validated on an independent cohort of 280 transplant-ineligible patients treated in the GEM-CLARIDEX trial. The largest published real-world cohort of patients with primary PCL was used for comparison of survival. Finally, we challenged the current 5% threshold for primary PCL diagnosis. RESULTS: Newly diagnosed transplant-ineligible patients with MM with 2%-20% CTCs had significantly shorter progression-free survival (3.1 v 15.6 months; P < .001) and overall survival (14.6 v 33.6 months; P = .023) than patients with < 2%. The 2% cutoff proved to be applicable also in transplant-eligible patients with MM and was successfully validated on an independent cohort of patients from the GEM-CLARIDEX trial. Most importantly, patients with 2%-20% CTCs had comparable dismal outcomes with primary PCL. Moreover, after revealing a low mean difference between flow cytometric and morphologic evaluation of CTCs, we showed that patients with 2%-5% CTCs have similar outcomes as those with 5%-20% CTCs. CONCLUSION: Our study uncovers that ≥ 2% CTCs is a biomarker of hidden primary PCL and supports the assessment of CTCs by flow cytometry during the diagnostic workup of MM.

• MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Multiple Myeloma * drug therapy   MeSH
• Biomarkers, Tumor MeSH
• Neoplastic Cells, Circulating * pathology   MeSH
• Plasma Cells pathology   MeSH
• Leukemia, Plasma Cell * MeSH
• Prognosis MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Biomarkers, Tumor MeSH

BACKGROUND: We confirmed the benefit of addition of ixazomib to lenalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) in unselected real-world population. We report the final analysis for overall survival (OS), second progression free survival (PFS-2), and the subanalysis of the outcomes in lenalidomide (LEN) pretreated and LEN refractory patients. METHODS: We assessed 344 patients with RRMM, treated with IRD (N = 127) or RD (N = 217). The data were acquired from the Czech Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies (RMG). With prolonged follow-up (median 28.5 months), we determined the new primary endpoints OS, PFS and PFS-2. Secondary endpoints included the next therapeutic approach and the survival measures in LEN pretreated and LEN refractory patients. RESULTS: The final overall response rate (ORR) was 73.0% in the IRD cohort and 66.8% in the RD cohort. The difference in patients reaching ≥VGPR remained significant (38.1% vs. 26.3%, p = 0.028). Median PFS maintained significant improvement in the IRD cohort (17.5 vs. 12.5 months, p = 0.013) with better outcomes in patients with 1-3 prior relapses (22.3 vs. 12.7 months p = 0.003). In the whole cohort, median OS was for IRD vs. RD patients 40.9 vs. 27.1 months (p = 0.001), with further improvement within relapse 1-3 (51.7 vs. 27.8 months, p ˂ 0.001). The median PFS of LEN pretreated (N = 22) vs. LEN naive (N = 105) patients treated by IRD was 8.7 vs. 23.1 months (p = 0.001), and median OS was 13.2 vs. 51.7 months (p = 0.030). Most patients in both arms progressed and received further myeloma-specific therapy (63.0% in the IRD group and 53.9% in the RD group). Majority of patients received pomalidomide-based therapy or bortezomib based therapy. Significantly more patients with previous IRD vs. RD received subsequent monoclonal antibodies (daratumumab-16.3% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.0054; isatuximab 5.0% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.026) and carfilzomib (12.5 vs. 1.7%, p = 0.004). The median PFS-2 (progression free survival from the start of IRD/RD therapy until the second disease progression or death) was significantly longer in the IRD cohort (29.8 vs. 21.6 months, p = 0.016). There were no additional safety concerns in the extended follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The IRD regimen is well tolerated, easy to administer, and with very good therapeutic outcomes. The survival measures in unsorted real-world population are comparable to the outcomes of the clinical trial. As expected, patients with LEN reatment have poorer outcomes than those who are LEN-naive. The PFS benefit of IRD vs. RD translated into significantly better PFS-2 and OS, but the outcomes must be accounted for imbalances in pretreatment group characteristics (especially younger age and stem cell transplant pretreatment), and in subsequent therapies.

• Keywords
• immunomodulatory drugs, multiple myeloma, proteasome inhibitors, real-world analysis, relapsed and refractory,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Multiple available combinations of proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators (IMIDs), and monoclonal antibodies are shifting the relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) treatment landscape. Lack of head-to-head trials of triplet regimens highlights the need for real-world (RW) evidence. We conducted an RW comparative effectiveness analysis of bortezomib (V), carfilzomib (K), ixazomib (I), and daratumumab (D) combined with either lenalidomide or pomalidomide plus dexamethasone (Rd or Pd) in RRMM. A retrospective cohort of patients initiating triplet regimens in line of therapy (LOT) ≥ 2 on/after 1/1/2014 was followed between 1/2007 and 3/2018 in Optum's deidentified US electronic health records database. Time to next treatment (TTNT) was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods; regimens were compared using covariate-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models. Seven hundred forty-one patients (820 patient LOTs) with an Rd backbone (VRd, n = 349; KRd, n = 218; DRd, n = 99; IRd, n = 154) and 348 patients (392 patient LOTs) with a Pd backbone (VPd, n = 52; KPd, n = 146; DPd, n = 149; IPd, n = 45) in LOTs ≥2 were identified. More patients ≥75 years received IRd (39.6%), IPd (37.8%), and VRd (36.7%) than other triplets. More patients receiving VRd/VPd were in LOT2 vs other triplets. Unadjusted median TTNT in LOT ≥ 2: VRd, 13.9; KRd, 8.7; IRd, 11.4; DRd, not estimable (NE); and VPd, 12.0; KPd, 6.7; IPd, 9.5 months; DPd, NE. In covariate-adjusted analysis, only KRd vs DRd was associated with a significantly higher risk of next LOT initiation/death (HR 1.72; P = 0.0142); no Pd triplet was significantly different vs DPd in LOT ≥ 2. Our data highlight important efficacy/effectiveness gaps between results observed in phase 3 clinical trials and those realized in the RW.

• Keywords
• Bortezomib, Carfilzomib, Daratumumab, Ixazomib, Lenalidomide, Pomalidomide, Proteasome inhibitor triplet therapy, Real-world, Relapsed refractory multiple myeloma,
• MeSH
• Bortezomib therapeutic use   MeSH
• Glycine analogs & derivatives   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local drug therapy   MeSH
• Multiple Myeloma drug therapy   MeSH
• Antibodies, Monoclonal therapeutic use   MeSH
• Oligopeptides therapeutic use   MeSH
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols therapeutic use   MeSH
• Retrospective Studies MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Boron Compounds therapeutic use   MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Bortezomib MeSH
• carfilzomib MeSH Browser
• daratumumab MeSH Browser
• Glycine MeSH
• ixazomib MeSH Browser
• Antibodies, Monoclonal MeSH
• Oligopeptides MeSH
• Boron Compounds MeSH

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: We have performed a head to head comparison of all-oral triplet combination of ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (IRD) versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (RD) in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) in the routine clinical practice. METHODS: A total of 344 patients treated with IRD (N = 127) or RD (N = 217) were selected for analysis from the Czech Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies (RMG). Descriptive statistics were used to assess patient's characteristics associated with the respective therapy. The primary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS), secondary end points included response rates and overall survival (OS). Survival endpoints were plotted using Kaplan-Meier methodology at 95% Greenwood confidence interval. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the effect of treatment regimens and the significance of uneven variables. Statistical tests were performed at significance level 0.05. RESULTS: In the whole cohort, median PFS for IRD was 17.5 and for RD was 11.5 months favoring the all-oral triplet, p = 0.005; in patients within relapse 1-3, the median PFS was 23.1 vs 11.6 months, p = 0.001. The hazard ratio for PFS was 0.67 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51-0.89, p = 0.006). The PFS advantage translated into improved OS for patients treated with IRD, median 36.6 months vs 26.0 months (p = 0.008). The overall response rate (ORR) was 73.0% in the IRD group vs 66.2% in the RD group with a complete response rate (CR) of 11.1% vs 8.8%, and very good partial response (VGPR) 22.2% vs 13.9%, IRD vs RD respectively. The IRD regimen was most beneficial in patients ≤75 years with ISS I, II, and in the first and second relapse. Patients with the presence of extramedullary disease did not benefit from IRD treatment (median PFS 6.5 months). Both regimens were well tolerated, and the incidence of total as well as grade 3/4 toxicities was comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis confirms the results of the TOURMALINE-MM1 study and shows benefit of all-oral triplet IRD treatment versus RD doublet. It demonstrates that the addition of ixazomib to RD improves key survival endpoints in patients with RRMM in a routine clinical setting.

• Keywords
• Clinical trial, Dexamethasone, Ixazomib, Lenalidomide, Multiple myeloma, Patient registry,
• MeSH
• Administration, Oral MeSH
• Drug Resistance, Neoplasm MeSH
• Dexamethasone pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Progression-Free Survival MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Glycine analogs & derivatives   pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Kaplan-Meier Estimate MeSH
• Lenalidomide pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local drug therapy   mortality   pathology   MeSH
• Multiple Myeloma drug therapy   mortality   pathology   MeSH
• Follow-Up Studies MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Registries statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Boron Compounds pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic epidemiology   MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Dexamethasone MeSH
• Glycine MeSH
• ixazomib MeSH Browser
• Lenalidomide MeSH
• Boron Compounds MeSH

Prolonging overall survival (OS) remains an unmet need in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). In ELOQUENT-2 (NCT01239797), elotuzumab plus lenalidomide/dexamethasone (ERd) significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) versus lenalidomide/dexamethasone (Rd) in patients with RRMM and 1-3 prior lines of therapy (LoTs). We report results from the pre-planned final OS analysis after a minimum follow-up of 70.6 months, the longest reported for an antibody-based triplet in RRMM. Overall, 646 patients with RRMM and 1-3 prior LoTs were randomized 1:1 to ERd or Rd. PFS and overall response rate were co-primary endpoints. OS was a key secondary endpoint, with the final analysis planned after 427 deaths. ERd demonstrated a statistically significant 8.7-month improvement in OS versus Rd (median, 48.3 vs 39.6 months; hazard ratio, 0.82 [95.4% Cl, 0.68-1.00]; P = 0.0408 [less than allotted α of 0.046]), which was consistently observed across key predefined subgroups. No additional safety signals with ERd at extended follow-up were reported. ERd is the first antibody-based triplet regimen shown to significantly prolong OS in patients with RRMM and 1-3 prior LoTs. The magnitude of OS benefit was greatest among patients with adverse prognostic factors, including older age, ISS stage III, IMWG high-risk disease, and 2-3 prior LoTs.

• MeSH
• Dexamethasone administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Lenalidomide administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Survival Rate MeSH
• Multiple Myeloma drug therapy   mortality   MeSH
• Disease-Free Survival MeSH
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Recurrence MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Clinical Trial, Phase III MeSH
• Multicenter Study MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Dexamethasone MeSH
• elotuzumab MeSH Browser
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized MeSH
• Lenalidomide MeSH

The phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled TOURMALINE-MM3 study (NCT02181413) demonstrated improved progression-free survival with ixazomib maintenance versus placebo post autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in multiple myeloma patients. We report additional safety data from TOURMALINE-MM3 to inform adverse event (AE) management recommendations. Patients were randomized 3:2 to receive ixazomib (n = 395) or placebo (n = 261) on days 1, 8, and 15 of 28-day cycles for ~ 2 years or until progressive disease/toxicity. The initial 3-mg ixazomib dose was escalated to 4 mg in cycle 5, if tolerated in cycles 1-4. Safety was a secondary endpoint assessed in all treated patients; AEs were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for AEs v4.03. The rate of grade ≥ 3 AEs was higher in the ixazomib arm (19%) than in the placebo arm (5%), but the rate of discontinuation due to AEs was similar (7% vs. 5%). For AEs of clinical interest, rates were higher with ixazomib versus placebo: nausea 39% versus 15%, vomiting 27% versus 11%, diarrhea 35% versus 24%, thrombocytopenia 13% versus 3%, and peripheral neuropathy 19% versus 15%. However, the majority of events were low-grade, manageable with supportive therapy or dose reduction, and reversible, and did not result in discontinuation. There was no evidence of cumulative, long-term, or late-onset toxicity with ixazomib maintenance. Ixazomib is an efficacious and tolerable option for post-ASCT maintenance. AEs associated with ixazomib maintenance can be managed in the context of routine post-ASCT supportive care due to the limited additional toxicity. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02181413.

• Keywords
• Adverse events, Ixazomib, Maintenance therapy, Multiple myeloma, Safety,
• MeSH
• Autografts MeSH
• Glycine administration & dosage   adverse effects   analogs & derivatives   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Survival Rate MeSH
• Multiple Myeloma * mortality   therapy   MeSH
• Follow-Up Studies MeSH
• Disease-Free Survival MeSH
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Silicates administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Boron Compounds administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Stem Cell Transplantation * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Multicenter Study MeSH
• Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Glycine MeSH
• ixazomib MeSH Browser
• Silicates MeSH
• Boron Compounds MeSH
• tourmaline MeSH Browser