@article{GrunzKunzBaumannetal.2023, author = {Grunz, Jan-Peter and Kunz, Andreas Steven and Baumann, Freerk T. and Hasenclever, Dirk and Sieren, Malte Maria and Heldmann, Stefan and Bley, Thorsten Alexander and Einsele, Hermann and Knop, Stefan and Jundt, Franziska}, title = {Assessing osteolytic lesion size on sequential CT scans is a reliable study endpoint for bone remineralization in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {15}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {15}, issn = {2072-6694}, doi = {10.3390/cancers15154008}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-362526}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Multiple myeloma (MM) frequently induces persisting osteolytic manifestations despite hematologic treatment response. This study aimed to establish a biometrically valid study endpoint for bone remineralization through quantitative and qualitative analyses in sequential CT scans. Twenty patients (seven women, 58 ± 8 years) with newly diagnosed MM received standardized induction therapy comprising the anti-SLAMF7 antibody elotuzumab, carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (E-KRd). All patients underwent whole-body low-dose CT scans before and after six cycles of E-KRd. Two radiologists independently recorded osteolytic lesion sizes, as well as the presence of cortical destruction, pathologic fractures, rim and trabecular sclerosis. Bland-Altman analyses and Krippendorff's α were employed to assess inter-reader reliability, which was high for lesion size measurement (standard error 1.2 mm) and all qualitative criteria assessed (α ≥ 0.74). After six cycles of E-KRd induction, osteolytic lesion size decreased by 22\% (p \< 0.001). While lesion size response did not correlate with the initial lesion size at baseline imaging (Pearson's r = 0.144), logistic regression analysis revealed that the majority of responding osteolyses exhibited trabecular sclerosis (p \< 0.001). The sum of osteolytic lesion sizes on sequential CT scans defines a reliable study endpoint to characterize bone remineralization. Patient level response is strongly associated with the presence of trabecular sclerosis.}, language = {en} } @article{BuckSerflingLindneretal.2022, author = {Buck, Andreas K. and Serfling, Sebastian E. and Lindner, Thomas and H{\"a}nscheid, Heribert and Schirbel, Andreas and Hahner, Stefanie and Fassnacht, Martin and Einsele, Hermann and Werner, Rudolf A.}, title = {CXCR4-targeted theranostics in oncology}, series = {European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging}, volume = {49}, journal = {European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging}, number = {12}, doi = {10.1007/s00259-022-05849-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-324545}, pages = {4133-4144}, year = {2022}, abstract = {A growing body of literature reports on the upregulation of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in a variety of cancer entities, rendering this receptor as suitable target for molecular imaging and endoradiotherapy in a theranostic setting. For instance, the CXCR4-targeting positron emission tomography (PET) agent [\(^{68}\)Ga]PentixaFor has been proven useful for a comprehensive assessment of the current status quo of solid tumors, including adrenocortical carcinoma or small-cell lung cancer. In addition, [\(^{68}\)Ga]PentixaFor has also provided an excellent readout for hematological malignancies, such as multiple myeloma, marginal zone lymphoma, or mantle cell lymphoma. PET-based quantification of the CXCR4 capacities in vivo allows for selecting candidates that would be suitable for treatment using the theranostic equivalent [\(^{177}\)Lu]/[\(^{90}\)Y]PentixaTher. This CXCR4-directed theranostic concept has been used as a conditioning regimen prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and to achieve sufficient anti-lymphoma/-tumor activity in particular for malignant tissues that are highly sensitive to radiation, such as the hematological system. Increasing the safety margin, pretherapeutic dosimetry is routinely performed to determine the optimal activity to enhance therapeutic efficacy and to reduce off-target adverse events. The present review will provide an overview of current applications for CXCR4-directed molecular imaging and will introduce the CXCR4-targeted theranostic concept for advanced hematological malignancies.}, language = {en} } @article{SolimandoKrebsBittrichetal.2022, author = {Solimando, Antonio Giovanni and Krebs, Markus and Bittrich, Max and Einsele, Hermann}, title = {The urgent need for precision medicine in cancer and its microenvironment: the paradigmatic case of multiple myeloma}, series = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, volume = {11}, journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, number = {18}, issn = {2077-0383}, doi = {10.3390/jcm11185461}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-288164}, year = {2022}, abstract = {No abstract available}, language = {en} } @article{FischerKnopDanhofetal.2022, author = {Fischer, Julia and Knop, Stefan and Danhof, Sophia and Einsele, Hermann and Keller, Daniela and L{\"o}ffler, Claudia}, title = {The influence of baseline characteristics, treatment and depression on health-related quality of life in patients with multiple myeloma: a prospective observational study}, series = {BMC Cancer}, volume = {22}, journal = {BMC Cancer}, doi = {10.1186/s12885-022-10101-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300435}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is the third most common hematologic malignancy with increasing importance due to improving treatment strategies and long-term outcomes in an aging population. This study aims to analyse influencing factors on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), such as treatment strategies, participation in a clinical trial and patient characteristics like anxiety, depression, gender, and age. A better understanding of the individual factors in context with HRQoL could provide a helpful instrument for clinical decisions. Methods In this prospective observational study, the HRQoL of MM patients with different therapies (first-line and relapse) was quantified by standardized questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 and -MY20) in the context of sociodemographic data, individual anxiety and depressiveness (PHQ-4), and a selected number of clinical parameters and symptoms at defined time-points before, during, and after therapy. Results In total, 70 patients were included in the study. The median age of the study cohort was 62 years. 44\% were female and 56\% were male patients. More than half of the patients were fully active with an ECOG 0. Global health status was significantly higher in patients with first-line treatment and even increased after start of therapy, while the pain level decreased. In contrast, patients with relapsed MM reported a decreasing global health status and increasing pain. Additionally, there was a higher global health status in less anxious/depressive patients. HRQoL decreased significantly after start of chemotherapy in the parameters body image, side effects of treatment, and cognitive functioning. Tandem stem-cell transplantation was not found to be a risk factor for higher impairment of HRQoL. Participation in a clinical study led to an improvement of most aspects of HRQoL. Among others, increased anxiety and depression, female gender, older age, impaired performance status, and recurrent disease can be early indicators for a reduced HRQoL. Conclusion This study showed the importance of regular longitudinal assessments of patient reported outcomes (PROs) in routine clinical care. For the first time, to our knowledge, we were able to demonstrate a potential impact between participation in clinical trials and HRQoL. However, due to frequently restrictive inclusion criteria for clinical trials, these MM patients might not be directly comparable with patients treated within standard therapy concepts. Further studies are needed to clarify the relevance of this preliminary data in order to develop an individualized, patient-centred, therapy concept.}, language = {en} } @article{ZhouRuckdeschelPeteretal.2022, author = {Zhou, Xiang and Ruckdeschel, Anna and Peter, Jessica and B{\"o}ckle, David and Hornburger, Hannah and Danhof, Sophia and Steinhardt, Maximilian Johannes and Heimeshoff, Larissa and Einsele, Hermann and Kort{\"u}m, Klaus Martin and Rasche, Leo}, title = {Salvage therapy with "Dara-KDT-P(A)CE" in heavily pretreated, high-risk, proliferative, relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma}, series = {Hematological Oncology}, volume = {40}, journal = {Hematological Oncology}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1002/hon.2949}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-257495}, pages = {202-211}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The multi-agent therapy "VDT-PACE" represents an established regimen in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Here, we report on our experience with a "modified VDT-PACE" incorporating new generation anti-MM agents daratumumab and carfilzomib ("Dara-KDT-P(A)CE"). We retrospectively analyzed 38 patients with RRMM treated with "Dara-KDT-P(A)CE". The median age was 62 (range 45-82) years, and the patients were heavily pretreated with a median of 5 (range 2-12) prior lines of therapy. Twenty-one (55\%) patients suffered from penta-refractory MM. High-risk cytogenetics was present in 31 (81\%) patients. The patients received a median of 2 (range 1-10) cycles of this therapy, and the overall response rate (ORR) was 70\%. Patients with penta-refractory MM and high-risk cytogenetics showed similar ORR of 65\% and 79\%, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival were 4.1 (95\% CI 2.7-5.4) and 8.4 (95\% CI 6.7-10.0) months, respectively. Patients with lactate dehydrogenase >250 IU/L showed significantly shorter PFS in comparison with others patients (p = 0.006). We used this regimen as bridging therapy prior to chimeric antigen receptor T-cell infusion in four patients. In conclusion, "Dara-KDT-P(A)CE" is an effective salvage therapy for patients with heavily pretreated, multi-refractory, high-risk RRMM lacking alternative options.}, language = {en} } @article{BachmannSchrederEngelhardtetal.2021, author = {Bachmann, Friederike and Schreder, Martin and Engelhardt, Monika and Langer, Christian and Wolleschak, Denise and M{\"u}gge, Lars Olof and D{\"u}rk, Heinz and Sch{\"a}fer-Eckart, Kerstin and Blau, Igor Wolfgang and Gramatzki, Martin and Liebisch, Peter and Grube, Matthias and Metzler, Ivana v. and Bassermann, Florian and Metzner, Bernd and R{\"o}llig, Christoph and Hertenstein, Bernd and Khandanpour, Cyrus and Dechow, Tobias and Hebart, Holger and Jung, Wolfram and Theurich, Sebastian and Maschmeyer, Georg and Salwender, Hans and Hess, Georg and Bittrich, Max and Rasche, Leo and Brioli, Annamaria and Eckardt, Kai-Uwe and Straka, Christian and Held, Swantje and Einsele, Hermann and Knop, Stefan}, title = {Kinetics of renal function during induction in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: results of two prospective studies by the German Myeloma Study Group DSMM}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {13}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {6}, issn = {2072-6694}, doi = {10.3390/cancers13061322}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-234139}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background: Preservation of kidney function in newly diagnosed (ND) multiple myeloma (MM) helps to prevent excess toxicity. Patients (pts) from two prospective trials were analyzed, provided postinduction (PInd) restaging was performed. Pts received three cycles with bortezomib (btz), cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone (dex; VCD) or btz, lenalidomide (len), and dex (VRd) or len, adriamycin, and dex (RAD). The minimum required estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was >30 mL/min. We analyzed the percent change of the renal function using the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO)-defined categories. Results: Seven hundred and seventy-two patients were eligible. Three hundred and fifty-six received VCD, 214 VRd, and 202 RAD. VCD patients had the best baseline eGFR. The proportion of pts with eGFR <45 mL/min decreased from 7.3\% at baseline to 1.9\% PInd (p < 0.0001). Thirty-seven point one percent of VCD versus 49\% of VRd patients had a decrease of GFR (p = 0.0872). IMWG-defined "renal complete response (CRrenal)" was achieved in 17/25 (68\%) pts after VCD, 12/19 (63\%) after RAD, and 14/27 (52\%) after VRd (p = 0.4747). Conclusions: Analyzing a large and representative newly diagnosed myeloma (NDMM) group, we found no difference in CRrenal that occurred independently from the myeloma response across the three regimens. A trend towards deterioration of the renal function with VRd versus VCD may be explained by a better pretreatment "renal fitness" in the latter group.}, language = {en} } @article{ZhouFluechterNickeletal.2020, author = {Zhou, Xiang and Fl{\"u}chter, Patricia and Nickel, Katharina and Meckel, Katharina and Messerschmidt, Janin and B{\"o}ckle, David and Knorz, Sebastian and Steinhardt, Maximilian Johannes and Krummenast, Franziska and Danhof, Sophia and Einsele, Hermann and Kort{\"u}m, K. Martin and Rasche, Leo}, title = {Carfilzomib based treatment strategies in the management of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma with extramedullary disease}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {12}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {4}, issn = {2072-6694}, doi = {10.3390/cancers12041035}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-203704}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Published experience with carfilzomib in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) and extramedullary disease (EMD) is still limited. The current study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of carfilzomib containing therapy regimens in EMD. We retrospectively analyzed 45 patients with extramedullary RRMM treated with carfilzomib from June 2013 to September 2019. The median age at the start of carfilzomib was 64 (range 40-80) years. Twenty (44\%) and 25 (56\%) patients had paraosseous manifestation and EMD without adjacency to bone, respectively. The serological overall response rate (ORR) was 59\%. Extramedullary response was evaluable in 33 patients, nine (27\%) of them achieved partial remission (PR) (ORR = 27\%). In 15 (33\%) patients, we observed no extramedullary response despite serological response. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were five (95\% CI, 3.5-6.5) and ten (95\% CI, 7.5-12.5) months, respectively. EMD without adjacency to bone was associated with a significantly inferior PFS (p = 0.004) and OS (p = 0.04) compared to paraosseous lesions. Carfilzomib based treatment strategies showed some efficacy in heavily pretreated patients with extramedullary RRMM but could not overcome the negative prognostic value of EMD. Due to the discrepancy between serological and extramedullary response, evaluation of extramedullary response using imaging is mandatory in these patients.}, language = {en} } @article{HoseSchrederHefneretal.2021, author = {Hose, Dorothea and Schreder, Martin and Hefner, Jochen and Bittrich, Max and Danhof, Sophia and Strifler, Susanne and Krauth, Maria-Theresa and Schoder, Renate and Gisslinger, Bettina and Einsele, Hermann and Gisslinger, Heinz and Knop, Stefan}, title = {Elotuzumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone is a very well tolerated regimen associated with durable remission even in very advanced myeloma: a retrospective study from two academic centers}, series = {Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology}, volume = {147}, journal = {Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology}, issn = {0171-5216}, doi = {10.1007/s00432-020-03323-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-235762}, pages = {205-212}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background The anti-SLAMF7 monoclonal antibody, elotuzumab (elo), plus lenalidomide (len) and dexamethasone (dex) is approved for relapsed/refractory MM in the U.S. and Europe. Recently, a small phase 2 study demonstrated an advantage in progression-free survival (PFS) for elo plus pomalidomide (pom)/dex compared to pom/dex alone and resulted in licensing of this novel triplet combination, but clinical experience is still limited. Purpose To analyze the efficacy and safety of elo/pom/dex in a "real world" cohort of patients with advanced MM, we queried the databases of the university hospitals of W{\"u}rzburg and Vienna. Findings We identified 22 patients with a median number of five prior lines of therapy who received elo/pom/dex prior to licensing within an early access program. Patients received a median number of 5 four-week treatment cycles. Median PFS was 6.4 months with 12-month and 18-month PFS rates of 35\% and 28\%, respectively. The overall response rate was 50\% and 64\% of responding patients who achieved a longer PFS with elo/pom/dex compared to their most recent line of therapy. Objective responses were also seen in five patients who had been pretreated with pomalidomide. Low tumor burden was associated with improved PFS (13.5 months for patients with ISS stage I/II at study entry v 6.4 months for ISS III), although this difference did not reach statistical significance. No infusion-related reactions were reported. The most frequent grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia and pneumonia. Conclusion Elo/pom/dex is an active and well-tolerated regimen in highly advanced MM even after pretreatment with pomalidomide.}, language = {en} } @article{SteinhardtZhouKrummenastetal.2020, author = {Steinhardt, Maximilian Johannes and Zhou, Xiang and Krummenast, Franziska and Meckel, Katharina and Nickel, Katharina and B{\"o}ckle, David and Messerschmidt, Janin and Knorz, Sebastian and Dierks, Alexander and Heidemeier, Anke and Lapa, Constantin and Einsele, Hermann and Rasche, Leo and Kort{\"u}m, Klaus Martin}, title = {Sequential CD38 monoclonal antibody retreatment leads to deep remission in a patient with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma}, series = {International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology}, volume = {34}, journal = {International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology}, doi = {10.1177/2058738420980258}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-236235}, pages = {1-5}, year = {2020}, abstract = {We report on a currently 76-year-old female patient with relapsed/refractory (RR) multiple myeloma (MM) treated at our institution. This patient had received six lines of therapy including tandem autologous stem cell transplant, proteasome inhibitor, immunomodulatory drugs and CD38 antibody MOR202. At the last relapse, she progressed during treatment with pomalidomide and MOR202. In an individualized therapy concept, we started a multi-agent salvage therapy with pomalidomide, bortezomib, doxorubicin, dexamethasone, and CD38 antibody daratumumab ("Pom-PAD-Dara"), which resulted in a stringent complete remission with minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity after nine cycles. So far, our patient shows a progression free survival of more than 12 months. Our case demonstrates the feasibility of successful CD38 antibody retreatment in a patient with heavily pretreated CD38 antibody resistant MM.}, language = {en} } @article{ZhouDierksKertelsetal.2020, author = {Zhou, Xiang and Dierks, Alexander and Kertels, Olivia and Samnick, Samuel and Kircher, Malte and Buck, Andreas K. and Haertle, Larissa and Knorz, Sebastian and B{\"o}ckle, David and Scheller, Lukas and Messerschmidt, Janin and Barakat, Mohammad and Truger, Marietta and Haferlach, Claudia and Einsele, Hermann and Rasche, Leo and Kort{\"u}m, K. Martin and Lapa, Constantin}, title = {The link between cytogenetics/genomics and imaging patterns of relapse and progression in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: a pilot study utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {12}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {9}, issn = {2072-6694}, doi = {10.3390/cancers12092399}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-211157}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Utilizing 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT), we performed this pilot study to evaluate the link between cytogenetic/genomic markers and imaging patterns in relapsed/refractory (RR) multiple myeloma (MM). We retrospectively analyzed data of 24 patients with RRMM who were treated at our institution between November 2018 and February 2020. At the last relapse/progression, patients had been treated with a median of three (range 1-10) lines of therapy. Six (25\%) patients showed FDG avid extramedullary disease without adjacency to bone. We observed significantly higher maximum standardized uptake values (SUV\(_{max}\)) in patients harboring del(17p) compared with those without del(17p) (p = 0.025). Moreover, a high SUV\(_{max}\) of >15 indicated significantly shortened progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.01) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.0002). One female patient exhibited biallelic TP53 alteration, i.e., deletion and mutation, in whom an extremely high SUV\(_{max}\) of 37.88 was observed. In summary, this pilot study suggested a link between del(17p)/TP53 alteration and high SUV\(_{max}\) on 18F-FDG PET/CT in RRMM patients. Further investigations are highly warranted at this point.}, language = {en} }