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Published in: Journal of Hematology & Oncology 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Multiple Myeloma | Case Report

Triple MAPK inhibition salvaged a relapsed post-BCMA CAR-T cell therapy multiple myeloma patient with a BRAF V600E subclonal mutation

Authors: Muhammad Elnaggar, Sarita Agte, Paula Restrepo, Meghana Ram, David Melnekoff, Christos Adamopoulos, Mark M. Stevens, Katerina Kappes, Violetta Leshchenko, Daniel Verina, Sundar Jagannath, Poulikos I. Poulikakos, Samir Parekh, Alessandro Laganà

Published in: Journal of Hematology & Oncology | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a progressive plasma cell neoplasm characterized by heterogeneous clonal expansion. Despite promising response rates achieved with anti-BCMA CAR-T cell therapy, patients may still relapse and there are currently no clear therapeutic options in post-CAR-T settings. In this report, we present a case of a post-BCMA CAR-T relapsed/refractory (RR) MM patient with skin extramedullary disease (EMD) in which a novel MAPK inhibition combinatorial strategy was implemented based on next-generation sequencing and in vitro experiments.

Case presentation

A 61-year-old male with penta-refractory MM penta- (IgA lambda), ISS stage 3 with hyperdiploidy, gain of 1q21 and del13 was treated with anti-BCMA CAR-T cell therapy, achieving a best response of VGPR. He progressed after 6 months and was salvaged for a short period with autologous stem cell transplantation. Eventually, he progressed with extramedullary disease manifested as subcutaneous nodules. Based on whole-exome sequencing, we identified a BRAF (V600E) dominant subclone in both bone marrow and cutaneous plasmacytoma. Following in vitro experiments, and according to our previous studies, we implemented a triple MAPK inhibition strategy under which the patient achieved a very good partial response for 110 days, which allowed to bridge him to subsequent clinical trials and eventually achieve a stringent complete response (sCR).

Conclusion

Here, we show the applicability, effectiveness, and tolerability the triple MAPK inhibition strategy in the context of post-BCMA CAR-T failure in specific subset of patients. The triple therapy could bridge our hospice bound RRMM patient with BRAF (V600E) to further therapeutic options where sCR was achieved. We will further evaluate triple MAPK inhibition in patients with BRAF V600E in a precision medicine clinical trial launching soon.
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Metadata
Title
Triple MAPK inhibition salvaged a relapsed post-BCMA CAR-T cell therapy multiple myeloma patient with a BRAF V600E subclonal mutation
Authors
Muhammad Elnaggar
Sarita Agte
Paula Restrepo
Meghana Ram
David Melnekoff
Christos Adamopoulos
Mark M. Stevens
Katerina Kappes
Violetta Leshchenko
Daniel Verina
Sundar Jagannath
Poulikos I. Poulikakos
Samir Parekh
Alessandro Laganà
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Hematology & Oncology / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1756-8722
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13045-022-01330-3

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