Pomalidomide-Containing Regimens (PCR) for the Treatment of Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Jimenez-Zepeda Victor H , Venner Christopher P. , Belch Andrew , Sandhu Irwindeep , Nikitina Tatiana , Hewitt Joanne D , Duggan Peter , Neri Paola , Rashid-Kolvear Fariborz , Bahlis Nizar J 
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Pomalidomide is an IMiD that was recently approved for the use of relapsed MM failing lenalidomide and bortezomib. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of pomalidomide-containing regimens (PCR) for heavily-pretreated relapsed or refractory MM (RRMM) at Tom Baker Cancer Center and the Cross Cancer Institute in Alberta.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients with RRMM treated with PCR at our Institutions between 01/10 and 04/15. Patients received oral pomalidomide 2-4mg/d on days 1-21/28, and dexamethasone 20 mg or 40 mg on a weekly schedule, few cases were treated with PD in addition to bortezomib or cyclophosphamide. Definitions of response and progression were used according to the EBMT modified criteria. A p-value was considered statistically significant if <0.05

Results: Between 01/10 and 04/15, 90 patients were identified for the study. Clinical and laboratory characteristics are listed in Table 1. The median number of therapies prior to PCR was 3 (2-11). All patients received lenalidomide and bortezomib or another proteasome inhibitor prior to PCR; 47 patients had bortezomib, 31 had lenalidomide and 11 had both immediately prior to PCR. 21 patients out of 47 receiving bortezomib prior to PCR responded (44%) versus 32.2% (10/31), and 27.2% (3/11), for those receiving lenalidomide and lenalidomide/bortezomib, respectively prior to PCR (p=0.5). Four patients received pomalidomide at a dose of 2mg, 3 at 3mg and the rest at 4mg. After a median of 4 cycles, the ORR was 41.1%. The median time to first response was 8 weeks, with majority of cases achieving at least PR after 2 cycles. FISH cytogenetics at relapse, were available in 46 patients and 16 were high risk (HR, 34.8%). At a median follow-up of 8 months, 44% of patients were alive and 77.8% had already progressed. Median OS was 12.2 months and median PFS 4.0 months. Median PFS was 5.6 months in the group with standard risk (SR) disease compared to 2.9 months for the HR group (p=0.022). Median OS for SR patients was 19.4 months compared to 8 months for the HR group (p=0.11). Two patients discontinued therapy due to thrombocytopenia.

Conclusion: Pomalidomide is an efficacious drug for the treatment of RRMM. The current report confirms the ORR seen in previous studies and suggests a trend to poorer outcomes for the HR cytogenetics group. Further assessment of combinations of pomalidomide with newer agents especially in the setting of HR cytogenetics are warranted.

Table 1. Clinical Characteristics and Response assessment for patients with MM receiving pomalidomide-containing regimens Characteristic N=90 Age (median) 65 GenderMaleFemale 46 (51.1%)44 (48.9%) Hb (g/L) 108 (75-160) Calcium (µmol/L) 2.3 (1.98-3.28) Creatinine (µmol/L) 85.5 (60-1052) B2microglobulin (µmol/L) 3.96 (1.38-25.2) Albumin (g/L) 35.5 (11-52) Stage IStage IIStage III 15.9%52.3%31.8% LDH (IU/L) 190 (71-669) BMPC (%) 40% (5-90%) Heavy chain:IgGIgAIgDBiclonalIgMFLC onclyNon-secretory 61.1%20%01.1%5.6%10%2.2% Light chain:KappaLambda 64.4%33.3% Prior therapies:ASCTThalidomideLenalidomideBortezomibCarfilzomib 53.3%21.1%100%98.9%8.9% High risk (t(4;14), t(14;16), and p53 delStandard risk 34.8%65.2% Chemotherapy regimenDPPACEPomalidomide alonePomalidomide and DexamethasonePomalidomide/Bortezomib and DexamethasonePomalidomide and BortezomibPomalidomide, cyclophosphamide and prednisone 1.1%1.1%88.9%6.7%1.1%1.1% Response rateORRComplete Response/nCRVGPRPRSDMinimal ResponseProgression 41.1%2.2%5.6%33.3%18.9%10%30% Patients that have progressed 77.8% Patients that have died 55.6% BMPC: Bone marrow plasma cells; FLC: Free-light chains only; CC: Conventional cytogenetics

Figure 1. Progression-Free survival according to high-risk cytogenetics by FISH Figure 1. Progression-Free survival according to high-risk cytogenetics by FISH

Disclosures

Jimenez-Zepeda: J&J: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Venner:Amgen: Honoraria; J&J: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Sandhu:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Duggan:Jansen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Neri:Celgene: Research Funding. Bahlis:Johnson & Johnson: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy; Johnson & Johnson: Consultancy; Johnson & Johnson: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.