Immune dysregulation and alteration of the bone marrow microenvironment allowing plasma cells to escape immune surveillance are well-known factors associated with the proliferation of clonal plasma cells and development of multiple myeloma (MM). Whilst immunotherapeutic approaches are now commonplace in a wide spectrum of malignancies, this aberration of myeloma development gives rise to the biological rationale for the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in MM. However, the initial experience with these agents has been challenging with limited single agent efficacy, significant toxicity, and side effects. Herein, we review the biological and immunological aspects of MM and ICIs. We discuss the basic biology of immune checkpoint inhibitors, mechanisms of resistance, and drug failure patterns, review the published clinical trial data for ICIs in MM, and look towards the future of ICIs for MM treatment.
6618 Background: Molecular biomarkers have become essential in determining optimal treatment for patients with advanced non-small-cell-lung cancer (NSCLC). Few studies have evaluated the implementation of biomarker assessment (e.g. EGFR, ALK and ROS1) in routine clinical practice. We endeavored to assess adherence to biomarker testing guidelines in different clinical settings, specifically in a university hospital versus a community hospital in the same region. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in newly diagnosed metastatic non-squamous-NSCLC patients comparing the compliance of biomarker testing based on nationally established guidelines available at the time of diagnosis. De-identified electronic health record (EHR) data were collected from Mercy Catholic Medical Center (MCMC) and Hahnemann University Hospital (HUH) between 1/1/15- 1/30/19. Results were compared in each setting to determine utilization of biomarker testing. Results: 27 patients were identified at MCMC and 41 at HUH. 22 (81%) patients at MCMC and 36 (88%) patients at HUH underwent appropriate molecular testing based on guidelines available at the time of diagnosis. Conclusions: Our data suggests that both university and community institutions have appropriately adapted the evolving guidelines for molecular testing for patients with non-squamous NSCLC. In the rare instances that molecular testing was not performed, the most common reason was inadequate amounts of tissue available. Newer technologies, such as next-gen sequencing and serum based testing, will make compliance with guidelines easier in the future, particularly as increasing numbers of molecular markers will need to be assessed.
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