bims-hemali Biomed News
on Hematologic malignancies
Issue of 2025–03–23
thirteen papers selected by
Alexandros Alexandropoulos, Γενικό Νοσοκομείο Αθηνών Λαϊκό



  1. Haematologica. 2025 03 20.
      Patients with multiple myeloma meeting frailty criteria have worse outcomes than those identified as non-frail. Here, we present a post-hoc subgroup analysis of IMROZ, a global, phase III, open-label study investigating isatuximab (Isa) with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRd) followed by Isa-Rd (n=265) versus VRd followed by Rd (n=181) in newly diagnosed transplant-ineligible multiple myeloma (Ti NDMM) patients using the simplified International Myeloma Working Group (sIMWG) frailty score. Although patients aged >80 were excluded, there was no exclusion for patients meeting frailty criteria. All patients received standard VRd/Rd dosing; Isa-VRd patients received intravenous Isa (cycle 1, 10 mg/kg QW; cycles 2-17, Q2W; subsequent cycles, Q4W). Patients with a frailty score of 0/1 were considered non-frail; scores ≥2 were frail. Using this scoring, 26.7% of patients were frail (26.0% Isa-VRd; 27.6% VRd), and 72.0% non-frail (72.8% Isa-VRd; 70.7% VRd). After a median follow-up of 59.7 months, Isa-VRd significantly improved progression-free survival versus VRd in frail patients (hazard ratio [HR] 0.518; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.294-0.912, P=0.0227) and non-frail patients (HR 0.615; 95% CI 0.419-0.903, P=0.0131). Significantly more frail patients receiving Isa-VRd than VRd achieved minimal residual disease negativity and complete response (odds ratio 3.459 [95% CI 1.495-8.006], P=0.0030, 10-5 by next-generation sequencing). Rates of treatment-emergent adverse events leading to definitive discontinuation were similar between both arms regardless of frailty status. This post-hoc subgroup analysis of the IMROZ trial demonstrated that Isa-VRd is an effective option with a manageable safety profile for frail patients with Ti NDMM.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2024.287200
  2. Cancer Med. 2025 Mar;14(6): e70619
       AIMS/BACKGROUND: Recent agents have profoundly reshaped the multiple myeloma (MM) landscape. Their real-world impacts need to be assessed over the long term.
    METHODS: EMMY is a non-interventional, prospective dynamic cohort, conducted in France, since 2017, with 900 patients enrolled each year. Newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) who initiated a treatment from 2017 to 2020 are here described.
    RESULTS: A total of 1036 non-transplant eligible (NTE) patients (median age: 74.9 years) and 561 patients who received autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) (median age: 60.6 years) were enrolled. For ASCT patients, a shift in induction treatment from bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone (VTd) (29.1%) to bortezomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (VRd) (55.1%) marked the period. Maintenance treatment with R after ASCT became a standard (75% of patients). In NTE patients, R-based regimens were increasingly used from 29.4% in 2017 (of whom Rd.: 17.0%, VRd: 10.6%) to 73.3% in 2020 (of whom Rd.: 21.8%, VRd: 48.5%). Median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 46.5 months (95% CI: 37.8-50.6) and 18.7 months (95% CI: 16.3-20.8) in ASCT and NTE patients, respectively. In the ASCT group, patients treated with and without R maintenance had a mPFS of 51.8 (95% CI: 44.1-NA) and 29.6 months (95% CI: 21.8-40.9), respectively. In the NTE group, the mPFS was 26.3 (95% CI: 21.9-30.9) and 14.6 months (95% CI: 11.9-17.7) in patients who received an R-based and non-R-based regimen, respectively. The estimated 48-month overall survival rates were 89% (95% CI: 84.5-92.2) and 63% (95% CI: 58.5-67.1) for ASCT and NTE patients, respectively.
    CONCLUSIONS: The 2017-2020 period was marked by the expansion of R use in both NDMM ASCT and NTE patients.
    Keywords:  ASCT patients; NTE patients; first‐line therapy; multiple myeloma; real world
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70619
  3. Blood. 2025 Mar 18. pii: blood.2024027944. [Epub ahead of print]
      Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the mainstay of treatment for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The standard dose has been established for each drug according to the indication for the various stages of the disease and whether as initial therapy or after failure of prior therapies. The recommended doses are fixed for all patients and dose adjustments are mostly recommended for management of adverse events. The standard doses have been derived largely from phase 1 studies, but as we discuss in this review, the current model may not be optimal for this purpose for drugs such as TKIs that are meant to be used for extended periods of time. Subsequent studies have led to changes in the initial recommendations for some drugs. In others, experience and real-world data have led to the use of TKIs using doses and adjustments that may be different than what clinical trials have recommended. In other scenarios, available data suggests that the current standard dose may need to be revisited. It may also be time to reconsider the standard approach of starting therapy with the standard dose and adjusting merely based on adverse events. We propose a flexible model that perhaps reflects more accurately what is being done frequently in the clinic.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024027944
  4. JAMA. 2025 Mar 17.
       Importance: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has an annual incidence of 2 cases per 100 000 people and is newly diagnosed in approximately 9300 individuals per year in the US. Approximately 150 000 people in the US and 5 million worldwide have CML.
    Observations: Chronic myeloid leukemia is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome, which is defined by the BCR::ABL1 oncogene that develops after fusion of the ABL1 proto-oncogene to the constitutively active BCR gene. Approximately 90% of people with CML present with an indolent chronic phase of CML, defined as blasts of less than 10% in the blood or bone marrow, absence of extramedullary evidence of leukemia, basophils of less than 20%, and platelet counts of 100 to 1000 × 109/L. The most advanced stage is CML blastic phase (CML-BP), characterized by the World Health Organization as 20% or more blasts/immature cells and by the MD Anderson Cancer Center and European LeukemiaNet as 30% or more. Approximately 1% to 2% of patients with CML present with CML-BP. Since 2000, first-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting BCR::ABL1, such as imatinib, and second-generation TKIs, such as bosutinib, dasatinib, and nilotinib, have improved CML-related mortality from 10% to 20% per year to 1% to 2% per year, such that patients with CML have survival rates similar to those of a general age-matched population. Six BCR::ABL1 TKIs have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, including 5 that are first-line treatment (imatinib, dasatinib, bosutinib, nilotinib, and asciminib) and 5 approved for treatment after disease progression despite initial therapy (dasatinib, bosutinib, nilotinib, ponatinib, asciminib). Effects on improved survival are similar with all TKIs, although more patients are able to promptly achieve and maintain BCR::ABL1 clearance with second- and third-generation TKIs. Medication adherence is important to maintain treatment responsiveness. All TKIs are associated with hematologic toxicity, such as myelosuppression, with additional agent-specific adverse effects, such as pleural effusion (dasatinib), arterio-occlusive events such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral artery disease (nilotinib, ponatinib), gastrointestinal disturbance (bosutinib), or increased amylase and lipase with pancreatitis (ponatinib, asciminib, nilotinib). These adverse effects should be considered when selecting a TKI. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant is a reasonably safe therapy, with cure rates ranging from 20% to 60% based on the stage of CML at the time of transplant. Stem cell transplant is reserved for patients with CML who do not respond to second-generation TKIs, those with intolerance to multiple TKIs, or those with accelerated-phase CML or CML-BP.
    Conclusions and Relevance: Chronic myeloid leukemia is a myeloproliferative neoplasm that can typically be effectively treated with TKIs, improving survival similar to that of a general age-matched population. Many patients require continuous TKI therapy. Therefore, TKI therapy should be selected with consideration of adverse effects, and patients should be helped to maximize adherence to TKI treatment.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2025.0220
  5. Blood. 2025 Mar 16. pii: blood.2024026139. [Epub ahead of print]
      Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a severe hyperinflammatory syndrome, and the overall survival of adult patients is poor. Ruxolitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) 1/2 inhibitor, has shown promise in treating HLH and exerts synergistic effects when combined with dexamethasone. Our pilot study preliminarily demonstrated that the combination of ruxolitinib and dexamethasone (the Ru-D regimen) had a high response rate and led to favorable short-term survival outcomes in adult HLH patients. In this prospective phase 2 clinical trial, we propose the Ru-D regimen as a first-line treatment for adults newly diagnosed with HLH with unknown triggers (chictr.org.cn identifier: ChiCTR2100049996). A total of 28 Chinese patients were enrolled, and the median follow-up time was 25.1 months (range, 0.87-34.0). The 2-month OS rate (the primary endpoint) was 85.7%, which exceeded our expected 2-month OS rate of 75%. The 6-month and 2-year OS rates were 67.9% (19/28) and 53.6% (15/28), respectively. The median OS of lymphoma-associated HLH (LAHS) patients was 5.8 months, and most of these patients had NK/T-cell lymphoma. In contrast, the 2-year OS rate of non-LAHS patients was 75%. The overall response rate (ORR) was 85.7% (24/28); 17.9% (5/28) of patients achieved a complete response (CR) during the Ru-D regimen. Overall, the Ru-D regimen was well tolerated in HLH patients. This study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of the Ru-D regimen in adults newly diagnosed with HLH with unknown triggers and warrants a phase 3 randomized controlled study.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024026139
  6. Lancet Haematol. 2025 Mar 13. pii: S2352-3026(24)00385-5. [Epub ahead of print]
       BACKGROUND: Talquetamab is the first GPRC5D × CD3 bispecific antibody approved for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. In phase 1 of the MonumenTAL-1 study, initial results of subcutaneous talquetamab 0·4 mg/kg once a week and 0·8 mg/kg every 2 weeks showed preliminary clinical activity. We describe safety and activity results in patients treated with talquetamab, including patients who had received previous T-cell redirection therapy (TCR). This post-hoc analysis was done with more mature median follow-up to evaluate duration of response in patients treated with talquetamab 0·8 mg/kg every 2 weeks.
    METHODS: MonumenTAL-1 is a multicentre, open-label, phase 1-2 study of talquetamab, phase 1 of which has previously been published. The 0·4 mg/kg once a week and 0·8 mg/kg every 2 weeks recommended subcutaneous doses identified in phase 1 were evaluated in phase 2 in patients who were 18 years of age or older, had at least three previous lines of therapy, had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 2, and were naive or exposed to previous TCR. The primary endpoint was overall response rate assessed by independent review committee in all patients who received at least one dose of talquetamab. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of talquetamab. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03399799 (phase 1) and NCT04634552 (phase 2).
    FINDINGS: Between Jan 3, 2018, and Feb 20, 2023, 735 patients were screened across all phase 1-2 cohorts. Of these, 537 patients screened for inclusion were treated across phase 1 and 2 cohorts, of whom 1983 (27%) patients were excluded from the study, most commonly due to not meeting eligibility criteria or not having measurable disease. As of Oct 11, 2023, 375 patients had received recommended talquetamab doses across three groups: 143 (0·4 mg/kg once a week group) and 154 (0·8 mg/kg every 2 weeks group) TCR-naive patients and 78 with previous TCR who received either recommended dose (previous TCR group). 217 (58%) of 375 patients were male and 158 (42%) were female. 325 (87%) of 375 patients were White and 32 (9%) patients were Black. Median follow-up was 25·6 months (IQR 8·5-25·9) in the 0·4 mg/kg once a week group, 19·4 months (9·2-20·7) in the 0·8 mg/kg every 2 weeks group, and 16·8 months (7·6-18·7) in the previous TCR group. Overall response rate was 74% (106 of 143 patients, 95% CI 66-81) in the 0·4 mg/kg once a week group, 69% (107 of 154 patients, 62-77) in the 0·8 mg/kg every 2 weeks group, and 67% (52 of 78 patients, 55-77) in the previous TCR group. Most common adverse events in the 0·4 mg/kg once a week, 0·8 mg/kg every 2 weeks, and previous TCR groups were cytokine release syndrome (113 [79%] of 143 patients, 115 [75%] of 154 patients, and 57 [73%] of 78 patients), taste changes (103 [72%], 110 [71%], and 59 [76%]), and infections (85 [59%], 105 [68%], and 59 [76%]). Most common grade 3-4 adverse events were neutropenia (44 [31%], 33 [21%], and 37 [47%]), anaemia (45 [31%], 40 [26%], and 21 [27%]), and lymphopenia (37 [26%], 40 [26%], and 13 [17%]). Fatal adverse events occurred in five patients in the 0·4 mg/kg once a week group, seven patients in the 0·8 mg/kg every 2 weeks group, and no patients in the previous TCR group; none were related to treatment.
    INTERPRETATION: Talquetamab continued to demonstrate high overall response rates in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma with longer follow-up in this post-hoc analysis. Overall response rate was promising in patients with previous TCR, including therapies targeting BCMA. On-target, off-tumour adverse events were common but led to few treatment discontinuations.
    FUNDING: Janssen.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3026(24)00385-5
  7. Clin Exp Med. 2025 Mar 21. 25(1): 93
      CD26 + leukemic stem cells (LSC) are a specific marker for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), absent in healthy individuals and other myeloid neoplasms. These cells can contribute to disease resistance, as they are believed to sustain the leukemic clone despite effective tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. This study analyzed CD26 + LSC and BCR::ABL1 transcript levels simultaneously using multiparametric flow cytometry and RT-qPCR in 210 chronic-phase patients undergoing TKI therapy and 31 patients in treatment-free remission (TFR). A significant decrease in LSC levels was observed as patients achieved deep molecular response (DMR, BCR::ABL1IS ≤ 0.01%) (χ2, p < 0.001). However, 19% (14/73) of DMR patients displayed persistent CD26 + LSC, suggesting a quiescent state without detectable BCR::ABL1 transcripts. A weak correlation (r = 0.187, p = 0.046) between LSC/µL absolute number and BCR::ABL1 transcript levels indicates a limited predictive value between these two variables. In TFR patients, LSC recurrence during follow-up did not correlate with molecular relapse, questioning their clinical relevance in this setting. In conclusion, while CD26 + LSC are frequently observed in patients with poor molecular response, their levels significantly decrease as patients achieve DMR. However, their persistence or recurrence in TFR lacks prognostic value for molecular relapse, indicating that CD26 + LSC are not reliable predictors of outcomes in CML.
    Keywords:  CD26 + leukemic stem cell; Chronic myeloid leukemia; Deep molecular response; Treatment-free remission; Tyrosine kinase inhibitor
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-025-01626-x
  8. Cancer Treat Res Commun. 2025 Mar 12. pii: S2468-2942(25)00035-8. [Epub ahead of print]43 100897
      Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) manifests extranodally in one-third of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cases. However, primary DLBCL of the lacrimal sac is very rare. A 54-year-old man presented with a 5-month history of right-sided epiphora. He visited three private clinics and was misdiagnosed with conjunctivitis. Later, a painless mass in the right lacrimal area prompted an MRI scan followed by a CT scan, which suggested a lacrimal sac mass. The mass was surgically excised, and histopathology and immunohistochemistry revealed DLBCL. A PET/CT scan was done instead of bone marrow biopsy, which excluded systemic lymphomatous involvement, confirming the diagnosis of primary right lacrimal sac DLBCL. The patient received six standard cycles of the R-CHOP regimen. Although no radiotherapy was used, CT findings after the completion of the 4th cycle showed a complete response (CR), which was maintained in a follow-up CT scan 2 months after chemotherapy completion. Despite the rarity of the tumor, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of long-standing or unresponsive inflammatory conditions. Radiotherapy-free management could achieve CR in limited-stage DLBCL.
    Keywords:  Conjunctivitis; Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; Extra nodal lymphoma; Lacrimal sac; R-CHOP; Radiotherapy
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctarc.2025.100897
  9. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2025 Mar 18. pii: S0041-008X(25)00081-X. [Epub ahead of print] 117305
      The poor prognosis of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is largely ascribed to the deficiency of persistently effective therapies. Despite the recent approval of targeted drugs such as the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax, the clinical benefit is limited due to the development of resistance. The use of natural products is emerging as a feasible strategy to treat malignant diseases including AML. Flavokawain A (FKA) is a naturally occurring chalcone isolated from the root of kava and possesses extensive antitumor activities. The therapeutic potential of FKA in AML remains unknown. In the present study, we found that treatment with FKA reduced the viability in four AML cell lines in dose- and time-dependent manners. The anti-AML activity of venetoclax was significantly potentiated by FKA. Mechanistically, FKA induced G1 phase arrest in AML cells along with CDT1 downregulation and p27 upregulation. Knockdown of CDT1 increased the expression of p27, leading to the inhibition on cell viability. Both p27 upregulation and viability inhibition caused by FKA was partially rescued by CDT1 overexpression. The therapeutic effect of FKA alone or in combination with venetoclax was verified in primary blasts from AML patients, further strengthening the clinical relevance of the current study. Therefore, our data suggest that FKA can be considered as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of AML.
    Keywords:  Acute Myeloid Leukemia; CDT1; Cell Cycle; Venetoclax; p27
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2025.117305
  10. Br J Haematol. 2025 Mar 16.
      Despite the development of novel treatments, multiple myeloma (MM) and light-chain (AL) amyloidosis remain incurable diseases. BCL2 inhibitors are a class of drugs under development for plasma cell disorders, with strong data supporting their use, particularly in patients with MM and AL amyloidosis harbouring the t(11;14). Venetoclax, the most extensively studied BCL2-specific inhibitor, was initially designed and evaluated for other malignant blood disorders. However, it has since shown promising efficacy in both randomized and real-world studies for MM and AL amyloidosis, either as a monotherapy or in combination with other agents. Nonetheless, toxicity concerns have been raised, underscoring the need for careful patient selection and precise dose optimization. Additionally, other BCL2-targeting drugs are under investigation in preclinical and clinical studies. This review focuses on the current role of BCL2 inhibitors in the treatment landscape of MM and AL amyloidosis.
    Keywords:  BCL‐2; amyloidosis; multiple myeloma
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1111/bjh.20046
  11. Blood. 2025 Mar 16. pii: blood.2024027336. [Epub ahead of print]
      Rilzabrutinib is a covalent, reversible BTK inhibitor with multiple mechanisms targeting key immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) disease pathophysiology. The phase 3 LUNA3 study in previously treated adults with persistent/chronic ITP evaluated oral rilzabrutinib 400 mg bid (n=133) vs placebo (n=69) for 24 weeks. At baseline overall, median age was 47 years (range, 18-80), 63% female, 7.7 year (range, 0.3-52.2) median duration of ITP, and 28% were splenectomized. Overall (N=202), 85 (64%) rilzabrutinib and 22 (32%) placebo patients achieved platelet response (≥50×109/L or 30×109/L-<50×109/L and doubled from baseline) during the first 12 weeks and were eligible to complete the double-blind period. The primary endpoint durable platelet response (platelet count ≥50×109/L for ≥two-thirds of ≥8 of the last 12 of 24 weeks without rescue therapy) was observed in 31 (23%) rilzabrutinib vs 0 placebo patients (P<0.0001). All secondary efficacy endpoints were significantly superior for rilzabrutinib (P<0.05). Median time to first platelet response was 15 d in rilzabrutinib responders. Rilzabrutinib significantly reduced rescue therapy use by 52% (P=0.0007) and improved week 25 bleeding scores (P=0.0006). Improved physical fatigue was sustained from week 13 (P=0.01) through 25 (P=0.0003). Treatment-related adverse events were mainly grade 1-2. One rilzabrutinib patient with multiple risk factors had serious treatment-related grade 3 peripheral embolism (lower left leg) and another died from unrelated pneumonia. Rilzabrutinib-- in ITP patients who failed multiple previous therapies (splenectomy, TPO-RA, rituximab and/or fostamatinib) resulted in rapid and durable platelet response, reduced rescue medication use and bleeding, significantly improved physical fatigue, and showed favorable safety. NCT04562766; EudraCT 2020-002063-60.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024027336