Seronegative myasthenia gravis is a rare, but potential adverse effect of immune checkpoint inhibition. There have been few but increasing number of cases reported in recent years, and early recognition is important for prompt diagnosis and management. Here, we describe the case of a 65-year-old male with metastatic renal cell carcinoma on pembrolizumab diagnosed with new-onset seronegative myasthenia gravis and review literature on its management.

Proteasome inhibitors are the cornerstone of multiple myeloma treatment, but challenges still remain despite the increased survival rates. We conducted a review on the role of curcumin, a natural product, as an adjunct to bortezomib and carfilzomib in preclinical multiple myeloma models. Four studies reviewed showed enhanced anticancer effects when curcumin was combined with bortezomib compared to either treatment alone. Two additional studies showed similar results with carfilzomib. Synergistic mechanisms include inhibition of NF-kB, IL-6-induced signaling pathways, JNK pathway modulation, and increased cell cycle arrest.

Background Light-chain (AL) amyloidosis is a multi-organ amyloid deposition disease caused by misfolded protein aggregation. Current treatments have improved overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) but challenges remain in improving therapy with newer agents and targeting amyloid protein deposits with novel immunotherapy. We review the literature regarding efficacy of existing chemotherapy in AL amyloidosis and summarize non-FDA approved novel drugs and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in early phase clinical development. Methods We searched databases including Cochrane library, PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov for all prospective and retrospective studies (As of 4/15/2018) with measured hematologic response rate (HR) in patients with AL amyloidosis since 2000. Inclusion criteria included all prospective and retrospective studies with melphalan-based treatments, bortezomib combinations including bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone (VCD), bortezomib and dexamethasone (VD) and immunotherapies. We included all studies with at least 5 or more patients and reported HR. Results From 918 studies, we selected 57 studies (2640 patients) evaluating HR with melphalan-based stem cell transplant (SCT) treatments and non-stem cell transplant treatments including melphalan and bortezomib combinations. Other agents included daratumumab (anti-CD38 mAb), and ixazomib (proteasome inhibitor). Mean aggregate HR reported from studies with melphalan-based SCT treatment (17 studies, n=587) was 67%. Mean aggregate HR from all non-transplant treatments (40 studies, n=2053) was 64%. Of the non-transplant treatments, HR for melphalan-based treatments (21 studies, n=1148) was 59% and varied as follows: melphalan + lenalidomide + dexamethasone (57%) and melphalan + dexamethasone (52%). Mean aggregated HR for non-transplant bortezomib-based treatment (17 studies, n=859) was 72% consisting of VD (69%) and VCD (76%). HR with Ixazomib (1 study) and Daratumumab (1 study) was 52% and 76% respectively. Other novel drugs currently being studied include 11-1F4 (chimeric fibril-reactive mAb), GSK2398852 and GSK2315698 (anti-serum amyloid protein mAbs), and NEOD001 (anti-circulating soluble and deposited aggregated amyloid mAb). Conclusion For AL amyloidosis, melphalan-based SCT has shown effectiveness while VD and VCD demonstrate effectiveness in non-transplant patients. Further studies are warranted to evaluate novel proteasome inhibitors (Ixazomib) and emerging immunotherapy with daratumumab. Current trials including amyloid protein and fibril targeting (circulating and tissue-fixed) with novel immunotherapy are innovative and may have higher clinical efficacy, but need further testing. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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