In conclusion, the risk of developing ONJ after treatment of zoledronic acid is reduced (but not deleted) by the implementation of preventive measures.

Recent data suggest a suboptimal antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with hematological malignancies. Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 were evaluated in 276 patients with plasma cell neoplasms after vaccination with either the BNT162b2 or the AZD1222 vaccine, on days 1 (before the first vaccine shot), 22, and 50. Patients with MM (n = 213), SMM (n = 38), and MGUS (n = 25) and 226 healthy controls were enrolled in the study (NCT04743388). Vaccination with either two doses of the BNT162b2 or one dose of the AZD1222 vaccine leads to lower production of NAbs in patients with MM compared with controls both on day 22 and on day 50 (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Furthermore, MM patients showed an inferior NAb response compared with MGUS on day 22 (p = 0.009) and on day 50 (p = 0.003). Importantly, active treatment with either anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) or belantamab mafodotin and lymphopenia at the time of vaccination were independent prognostic factors for suboptimal antibody response following vaccination. In conclusion, MM patients have low humoral response following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, especially under treatment with anti-CD38 or belamaf. This underlines the need for timely vaccination, possibly during a treatment-free period, and for continuous vigilance on infection control measures in non-responders.

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We prospectively studied the impact of several cytogenetic abnormalities (CAs) in patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma who received lenalidomide and dexamethasone (RD) with or without the addition of bortezomib (V). On the basis of the presence of previous neuropathy, 50 patients were treated with RD and 49, without preexisting neuropathy, with VRD. The overall response rate was 63%, similar for RD and VRD. Poor risk cytogenetics were associated with lower response rates in RD (P ¼ 0.01), but not in VRD (P ¼ 0.219). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was similar for RD (9 months) and VRD (7 months). The median overall survival (OS) for all patients was 16 months, with no differences between RD or VRD regimens. Poor risk cytogenetics, especially del17p, resistance to previous thalidomide, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and presence of extramedullary disease were associated with inferior response to therapy and shorter PFS and OS. The impact of other CAs on OS was more pronounced in RD. In conclusion, the presence of CAs is an important adverse prognostic factor for patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma, but resistance to previous thalidomide, elevated LDH and presence of extramedullary disease remain of major prognostic importance. The outcome of patients with del17p remains extremely poor even with VRD combination.

Asymptomatic multiple myeloma (AMM) is characterized by a constant risk of progression to symptomatic myeloma. To evaluate previously recognized risk factors and to identify high-risk features we analyzed 96 patients with AMM and at least 18 months of follow-up. The progression rate at 1,2, and 3 years was 8%, 15% and 26%, respectively, and the projected 5-year progression rate was 38%. Extensive bone marrow (BM) infiltration, abnormal free light chain (FLC) ratio and serum monoclonal (M)-protein ≥ 3 gr/dl were the most significant factors for progression, whereas the type of heavy (IgG vs IgA) or light chain or immunoparesis of the uninvolved immunoglobulins were not. Abnormal marrow signal of magnetic resonance imaging of the spine was associated with a significant risk of progression (median 15 months, P=0.001). Extensive BM infiltration ≥ 60% (hazard ratio, HR: 13.7, P<0.001) and FLC ratio ≥ 100 (HR: 9, P=0.003) independently identified a 'very high-risk' group, which included 12.5% of patients with AMM and who progressed ≤ 18 months from initial diagnosis. Development of anemia and/or lytic bone lesions were the most common features of symptomatic progression. In conclusion, there is a subgroup of patients who have a substantial risk of progression to symptomatic disease that can be detected at diagnosis (either by extensive BM infiltration ≥ 60% or FLC ratio ≥ 100) and may be considered for immediate treatment.

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The role of thalidomide, bortezomib and lenalidomide in multiple myeloma patients presenting with renal impairment was evaluated in 133 consecutive newly diagnosed patients who were treated with a novel agent-based regimen. A significant improvement of renal function (XrenalPR (renal partial response)) was observed in 77% of patients treated with bortezomib, in 55% with thalidomide and in 43% with lenalidomide (P ¼ 0.011). In multivariate analysis, bortezomib-based therapy was independently associated with a higher probability of renal response compared with thalidomide-or lenalidomide-based therapy. Other important variables included eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) X30 ml/min, age p65 years and myeloma response. Patients treated with bortezomib achieved at least renalPR in a median of 1.34 months vs 2.7 months for thalidomide and 46 months for lenalidomide-treated patients (P ¼ 0.028). In multivariate analysis bortezomib-based therapy, higher doses of dexamethasone (X160 mg during the first month of treatment), an eGFR X30 ml/min and age p65 years were independently associated with shorter time to renal response. In conclusion, bortezomib-based therapies may be more appropriate for the initial management of patients with myeloma-related renal failure; however, thalidomide and lenalidomide are also associated with significant probability of improvement of their renal function.

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