Upfront Single Versus Double Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: An Intergroup, Multicenter, Phase III Study of the European Myeloma Network (EMN02/HO95 MM Trial)

Abstract

Background The role of single vs double autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with newly diagnosed (ND) multiple myeloma (MM) needs to be prospectively investigated in the novel agent era. Methods The phase III EMN02/HO95 study was designed to compare (first randomization, R1) (stratification according to ISS stage) standard-dose intensification therapy with bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone (VMP) vs high-dose intensification therapy with melphalan at 200 mg/m2 (HDM) followed by ASCT after 3-4 cycles of bortezomib-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone as induction therapy. A second randomization to consolidation therapy vs no consolidation was performed after intensification therapy, to be followed by lenalidomide maintenance until progression or toxicity in both arms. A primary study endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) from R1. In centers with a policy of double ASCT, patients were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to either VMP or single ASCT (ASCT-1) or two sequential courses (administered 2 to 3 months apart) of HDM and double ASCT (ASCT-2) in order to prospectively compare ASCT-1 with ASCT-2, which was an additional study objective. Results From February 2011 to April 2014, 1510 pts aged ≤65 years with symptomatic NDMM were registered and 1192 of these were eligible for R1. According to the design of the study, 614 eligible patients who received the diagnosis of MM in centers with a double intensification policy were randomly assigned to either VMP (n=199) or ASCT-1 (n=208) or ASCT-2 (n=207). Patients randomized to ASCT-1 or ASCT-2 were included in the current pre-specified analysis. Median age was 59 years for patients in the ASCT-1 group and 57 years for those in the ASCT-2 group. The frequency of ISS stage III was 18% and 19%, while revised ISS stage III was 9% and 11%, respectively. Cytogenetic abnormalities were detected by FISH analysis of CD138+ plasma cells. A high-risk (HR) cytogenetic profile, defined by t(4;14) and/or del(17p) and/or t(14;16) (HR cyto-3), was observed in 26% of evaluable patients who were randomized to ASCT-1 and in 21% of those randomly assigned to ASCT-2. If amp(1q) and/or del(1p) were added for the definition of high-risk disease, a HR cytogenetic profile that included at least 1 of the 5 above mentioned chromosomal abnormalities (HR cyto-5) was reported in 55% of evaluable patients in the ASCT-1 group and in 54% of those in the ASCT-2 group. Median follow-up from R1 was 27 (IQR: 20-35) months. On an intention-to-treat basis, the median PFS was 45 months in the ASCT-1 arm and was not yet reached for patients in the ASCT-2 arm; 3-year estimates of PFS were 60% and 73%, respectively (HR=0.66; 95% CI=0.45-0.96; P=0.030). PFS benefit with ASCT-2 was retained across predefined subgroups, including patients with β2-microglobulin >3.5 mg/L (HR=0.59; CI=0.34-0.99; P=0.005), bone marrow plasma cells >60% (HR=0.41; CI=0.22-0.77; P=0.006), LDH values above the upper limits (HR=0.52; CI=0.28-095; P=0.034), revised ISS stage II (HR=0.50; CI=0.31-0.80; p=0.004), HR cyto-3 (HR=0.49; CI=0.24-1.02; P=0.057) and HR cyto-5 (HR=0.57; CI=0.35-0.93; P=0.024). In a multivariate Cox regression analysis stratified by ISS stage, randomization to ASCT-2 (HR=0.62; CI=0.40-0.95; P=0.027) and HR cyto-5 (HR=2.63; CI=1.63-4.16; P<0.001) were the leading independent predictors of PFS. Overall survival was not yet mature and no difference between the two treatment groups was evident. Conclusions Upfront double ASCT after bortezomib-based induction therapy for newly diagnosed MM was superior over a single ASCT in terms of prolonged PFS. Clinical benefits of double ASCT were mostly seen in patients with disease-related factors predicting for poor prognosis. Disclosures Cavo: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria. Offidani:Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Boccadoro:Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; CELGENE: Honoraria, Research Funding; Mundipharma: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; SANOFI: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Abbivie: Honoraria.

Response Assessment in Myeloma: Practical Manual on Consistent Reporting in an Era of Dramatic Therapeutic Advances

“…Recently, 2 studies addressing the role of tandem ASCT have shown opposite results. The European study demonstrated superiority of tandem versus single transplantation [34], especially for high-risk patients, while the United States study by the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN 0702) did not show any benefit [35].…”

Is there still a role for stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma?

“…41 Similar results have been reported in a preliminary analysis of the European EMN02/HO95 trial, in which patients who underwent tandem ASCT had a significantly higher 3-year PFS rate (74% vs 62%; P = .005) in comparison with those who underwent single ASCT. 38 To address the role of consolidation therapy after a first ASCT, the phase 3 STAMINA trial randomized patients with NDMM who previously underwent a first ASCT to either a second ASCT or RVD consolidation followed by lenalidomide maintenance. 39 At 38 months, the investigators found no differences in terms of PFS (57% vs 57%) or OS (86% vs 82%) between the 2 groups.…”

Resistance Mechanisms to Novel Therapies in Myeloma

“…High risk genetic features frequently result in the dysregulation of transcription factors or tumour suppressors and include t(4;14), t(14;16), t (16;20), del(17p) and copy number changes of chromosome 1, which are used for stratifying MM patients in clinical trials and are now becoming important in guiding therapy in routine practice [126]. For example, the EMN02/HO95 study demonstrated the benefit of double autologous stem cell transplantation in patient with high-risk genetics, essentially negating the adverse prognosis of high genetic risk MM [127]. Similarly, the addition of Bortezomib to induction regimens in patients receiving HDM/ASCT may partially overcome cytogenetically defined poor risk [128].…”