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Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official... Mar 2021Melphalan flufenamide (melflufen) is a first-in-class peptide-drug conjugate that targets aminopeptidases and rapidly and selectively releases alkylating agents into...
PURPOSE
Melphalan flufenamide (melflufen) is a first-in-class peptide-drug conjugate that targets aminopeptidases and rapidly and selectively releases alkylating agents into tumor cells. The phase II HORIZON trial evaluated the efficacy of melflufen plus dexamethasone in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), a population with an important unmet medical need.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Patients with RRMM refractory to pomalidomide and/or an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody received melflufen 40 mg intravenously on day 1 of each 28-day cycle plus once weekly oral dexamethasone at a dose of 40 mg (20 mg in patients older than 75 years). The primary end point was overall response rate (partial response or better) assessed by the investigator and confirmed by independent review. Secondary end points included duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival, and safety. The primary analysis is complete with long-term follow-up ongoing.
RESULTS
Of 157 patients (median age 65 years; median five prior lines of therapy) enrolled and treated, 119 patients (76%) had triple-class-refractory disease, 55 (35%) had extramedullary disease, and 92 (59%) were refractory to previous alkylator therapy. The overall response rate was 29% in the all-treated population, with 26% in the triple-class-refractory population. In the all-treated population, median duration of response was 5.5 months, median progression-free survival was 4.2 months, and median overall survival was 11.6 months at a median follow-up of 14 months. Grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 96% of patients, most commonly neutropenia (79%), thrombocytopenia (76%), and anemia (43%). Pneumonia (10%) was the most common grade 3/4 nonhematologic event. Thrombocytopenia and bleeding (both grade 3/4 but fully reversible) occurred concomitantly in four patients. GI events, reported in 97 patients (62%), were predominantly grade 1/2 (93%); none were grade 4.
CONCLUSION
Melflufen plus dexamethasone showed clinically meaningful efficacy and a manageable safety profile in patients with heavily pretreated RRMM, including those with triple-class-refractory and extramedullary disease.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Dexamethasone; Disease Progression; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Europe; Female; Humans; Male; Melphalan; Middle Aged; Multiple Myeloma; Phenylalanine; Progression-Free Survival; Recurrence; Time Factors; United States
PubMed: 33296242
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.20.02259 -
Cancer Nov 2022
Topics: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Melphalan; Multiple Myeloma; Taste; Transplantation Conditioning; Transplantation, Autologous
PubMed: 36041229
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34443 -
Leukemia Jan 2020Patients with multiple myeloma are generally older and vary in fitness levels, which may influence the clinical benefit of treatment. Patients from the large, phase 3...
Patients with multiple myeloma are generally older and vary in fitness levels, which may influence the clinical benefit of treatment. Patients from the large, phase 3 FIRST trial in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) were retrospectively investigated to determine outcomes based on frailty using scores for age, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS), instead of the EQ-5D quality-of-life questionnaire, as previously reported. ECOG PS (n = 1618) was investigated in frailty groups: frail (49%) and nonfrail (51%). Frail patients experienced worse progression-free and overall survival vs nonfrail patients. Prognostic assessment was improved when combining frailty and International Staging System stage (I/II vs III). Frail patients had a higher risk of developing grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events. Treatment effects observed in the FIRST trial were confirmed per frailty group and per frailty and ISS group. The use of this ECOG PS-containing frailty scale as a predictive measure of clinical outcomes in patients with transplant-ineligible NDMM is supported by data from the FIRST trial. This score, based on age, CCI, and ECOG PS, can be easily replicated and may help design future myeloma studies in frail or nonfrail elderly patients.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Dexamethasone; Female; Frail Elderly; Frailty; Humans; Lenalidomide; Male; Melphalan; Middle Aged; Multiple Myeloma; Prednisone; Thalidomide; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31427722
DOI: 10.1038/s41375-019-0539-0 -
The Malaysian Journal of Pathology Dec 2017POEMS syndrome is the syndrome of Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal protein and typical Skin changes. A 65-year-old lady presented with the...
POEMS syndrome is the syndrome of Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal protein and typical Skin changes. A 65-year-old lady presented with the 2-day-history of inability to walk, 4-month-history of progressive worsening of muscle weakness of both lower limbs and 1-year-history of progressive worsening of bilateral numbness of lower limbs. Nerve conduction study revealed generalized sensorimotor demyelinating polyneuropathy. She was initially treated as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and high-dose prednisolone. However, she had no significant neurological improvement despite getting standard therapy. In addition to peripheral neuropathy, the presence of hepatosplenomegaly, skin changes, polycythaemia and thrombocytosis prompted for further investigations. She was diagnosed as POEMS syndrome based on the presence of two mandatory major criteria [polyneuropathy, monoclonal plasma cell proliferative disorder (lambda)], one major criterion (sclerotic bone lesions) and three minor criteria (organomegaly, skin changes and thrombocytosis/polycythaemia). She received treatment with melphalan and prednisolone. She achieved clinical improvement and partial response (haematologic and radiological) after six cycles of therapy. We highlight the awareness of this rare syndrome, for patients presenting with peripheral neuropathy and not responding to its standard therapy, by recognizing other associated clinical manifestations and proceeding further diagnostic work-up.
Topics: Aged; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Female; Humans; Melphalan; Myeloablative Agonists; POEMS Syndrome; Prednisolone
PubMed: 29279594
DOI: No ID Found -
Blood Jan 2016In this issue of Blood, Mateos et al report that bortezomib plus melphalan and prednisone (VMP) and lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone (Rd) administered in a...
In this issue of Blood, Mateos et al report that bortezomib plus melphalan and prednisone (VMP) and lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone (Rd) administered in a sequential or an alternating scheme were equally active and induced comparable toxicities in elderly myeloma patients.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Dexamethasone; Female; Humans; Male; Melphalan; Multiple Myeloma
PubMed: 26823507
DOI: 10.1182/blood-2015-11-678524 -
Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy Aug 2017Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable disease characterized by clonal plasma cell proliferation and overproduction of monoclonal paraprotein, hypercalcemia, renal... (Review)
Review
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable disease characterized by clonal plasma cell proliferation and overproduction of monoclonal paraprotein, hypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia, osteolytic bone lesions, and infections. Melphalan, a nitrogen mustard, is an alkylating agent synthesized in 1953, and it has been used in multiple myeloma therapy for fifty years. Although novel agents have been introduced in the past few decades improving prognosis of the disease, melphalan still maintains a crucial role in the treatment of MM acting both as cytotoxic agent through damage to DNA, and as immunostimulatory drug by inhibiting Interleukin-6, as well as interaction with dendritic cells, and immunogenic effects in tumor microenvironment. Areas covered: This review focuses on available data about melphalan pharmacology and its role in clinical practice. Expert opinion: Melphalan remains crucial in therapy of multiple myeloma because of its good manageability, safety profile, efficacy, and economic sustainability. These characteristics make it pivotal also for new regimens in combination with novel agents.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Interleukin-6; Melphalan; Molecular Structure; Multiple Myeloma; Myeloma Proteins; Prognosis
PubMed: 28658983
DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2017.1349102 -
Blood May 2022High-dose melphalan supported by autologous transplantation has been the standard of care for eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) for >25 years.... (Review)
Review
High-dose melphalan supported by autologous transplantation has been the standard of care for eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) for >25 years. Several randomized clinical trials have recently reaffirmed the strong position of transplantation in the era of proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs combinations, demonstrating a significant reduction of progression or death in comparison with strategies without transplantation. Immunotherapy is currently changing the paradigm of MM management, and daratumumab is the first-in-class human monoclonal antibody targeting CD38 approved in the setting of newly diagnosed MM. Quadruplets have become the new standard in transplantation programs, but outcomes remain heterogeneous, with various response depth and duration. The development of sensitive and specific tools for disease prognostication allows the consideration of strategies adaptive to dynamic risk. This review discusses the different options available for the treatment of transplantation-eligible patients with MM in frontline setting.
Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bortezomib; Humans; Melphalan; Multiple Myeloma; Proteasome Inhibitors; Transplantation, Autologous
PubMed: 34788422
DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020008735 -
Scientific Reports Aug 2023Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer death in women. Dietary bioactive compounds may act at different stages...
Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer death in women. Dietary bioactive compounds may act at different stages of carcinogenesis, including tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. Spices have been used for thousands of years and have many bioactive compounds with chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties. Curcumin has a multitude of beneficial biological properties, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. This study investigated the effects of cotreatment with curcumin and the chemotherapeutic drug melphalan in cultured MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. When used alone, both curcumin and melphalan had a cytotoxic effect on breast cancer cells. Combined treatment with 11.65 µM of curcumin and 93.95 µM of melphalan (CURC/MEL) reduced cell viability by 28.64% and 72.43% after 24 h and 48 h, respectively. CURC/MEL reduced the number of colony-forming units and increased ROS levels by 1.36-fold. CURC/MEL alter cell cycle progression, induce apoptosis, and upregulate caspases-3, -7, and -9, in MDA-MB-231 cells. Cotreatment with curcumin and melphalan have anti-breast cancer cells effects and represent a promising candidate for clinical testing.
Topics: Female; Humans; Melphalan; Curcumin; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Cycle Checkpoints; Apoptosis
PubMed: 37596331
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40535-5 -
Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Dec 2022For eligible patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis, high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT)...
For eligible patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis, high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a standard and widely used consolidation therapy. Autologous HCT requires specialized care at a transplantation center and investment from patients and caregivers. We studied the safety and feasibility of delivering transplantation care in a homebound setting to decrease the burden of therapy and increase access to autologous HCT. Patients with MM and AL amyloidosis undergoing autologous HCT were eligible if they resided in designated ZIP codes and had a full-time caregiver, Wi-Fi connection, HCT Comorbidity Index ≤3, and Karnofsky Performance Status score ≥80. High-dose melphalan (on day -2) and hematopoietic cell reinfusion (day 0) were administered in the outpatient clinic. Protocol-specific home care was provided from day +1 through engraftment. Patients were assessed and blood was drawn daily by advanced practice providers. Interventions were delivered by registered nurses. Attending physicians communicated daily through telemedicine. Quality of life, patient and caregiver satisfaction, and fecal microbiota profiling data were collected. Fifteen patients were enrolled and received transplantation care at home starting on day +1 following hematopoietic cell infusion. Patients remained in the program for an average of 12 days and required an average of 2 outpatient visits while receiving home care. Seven of 15 patients were admitted for a median of 4 days (range, 3 to 10 days); admission occurred on day +7 in 5 patients, on day +8 in 1 patient, and on day +12 in 1 patient for neutropenic fever in 2 patients, fever attributed to engraftment syndrome in 2 patients, diarrhea in 2 patients, and dehydration in 1 patient. Only 1 patient had a documented infection (Clostridioides difficile). One patient admitted with neutropenic fever required intensive care unit admission for a gastrointestinal bleed. Forty-seven percent of the patients experienced a grade ≥3 nonhematologic toxicity. There were no deaths on the study. Patients and caregivers reported high satisfaction with care. Microbiota diversity patterns were similar to those of autologous HCT recipients who did not receive post-HCT care at home, although a subset of the cohort maintained microbiota diversity throughout. Homebound HCT in an urban setting is safe and feasible, with less than one-half of patients requiring inpatient admission. Despite increased patient and caregiver responsibility in the homebound setting compared with an inpatient setting, patient and caregiver satisfaction was high. These results support expansion of homebound transplantation care programs.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Pilot Projects; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Transplantation, Autologous; Melphalan; Multiple Myeloma; Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis
PubMed: 36182105
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2022.09.014 -
Acta Haematologica 2020AL amyloidosis is a systemic amyloidosis and is associated with an underlying plasma cell dyscrasia. High-dose intravenous melphalan and autologous stem cell... (Review)
Review
AL amyloidosis is a systemic amyloidosis and is associated with an underlying plasma cell dyscrasia. High-dose intravenous melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation was developed for the treatment of AL amyloidosis in the early 1990s and was prompted by its success in myeloma. This application has evolved significantly over the past three decades. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of eligibility criteria, stem cell collection, and mobilization strategies and regimens, risk-adapted melphalan dosing, role for induction and consolidation therapies as well as long-term outcome with respect to survival, hematologic response and relapse as well as organ responses following stem cell transplantation. Continued efforts to refine patient selection and management, and incorporate novel anti-plasma cell agents in combination or sequentially to further improve outcomes in AL amyloidosis are also discussed.
Topics: Combined Modality Therapy; Disease Management; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization; Humans; Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis; Melphalan; Myeloablative Agonists; Organ Specificity; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; Postoperative Care; Transplantation Conditioning; Transplantation, Autologous; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32248194
DOI: 10.1159/000506498