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Multiple Myeloma, Gammopathies

IKZF1 expression is a prognostic marker in newly diagnosed standard-risk multiple myeloma treated with lenalidomide and intensive chemotherapy: a study of the German Myeloma Study Group (DSMM)

Leukemia volume 31, pages 1363–1367 (2017)Cite this article

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Abstract

Lenalidomide is an immunomodulatory compound with high clinical activity in multiple myeloma. Lenalidomide binding to the Cereblon (CRBN) E3 ubiquitin ligase results in targeted ubiquitination and degradation of the lymphoid transcription factors Ikaros (IKZF1) and Aiolos (IKZF3) leading to growth inhibition of multiple myeloma cells. Recently, Basigin (BSG) was identified as another protein regulated by CRBN that is involved in the activity of lenalidomide. Here, we analyzed the prognostic value of IKZF1, IKZF3, CRBN and BSG mRNA expression levels in pretreatment plasma cells from 60 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma uniformly treated with lenalidomide in combination with intensive chemotherapy within a clinical trial. We found that IKZF1 mRNA expression levels are significantly associated with progression-free survival (PFS). Patients in the lowest quartile (Q1) of IKZF1 expression had a superior PFS compared with patients in the remaining quartiles (Q2–Q4; 3-year PFS of 86 vs 51%, P=0.01). This translated into a significant better overall survival (100 vs 74%, P=0.03). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant impact of IKZF1, IKZF3 and BSG expression levels on PFS in cytogenetically defined standard-risk but not high-risk patients. Our data suggest a prognostic role of IKZF1, IKZF3 and BSG expression levels in lenalidomide-treated multiple myeloma.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG; Emmy-Noether program Kr3886/2-1 to JK, KFO-216 to CL, RB, HE and LB). FK was supported in part by the Deutsche Krebshilfe (grant 109420, Max-Eder program). FB was supported by the European Research Commission (project BCM-UPS), the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 1243) and the Wilhelm Sander Stiftung (#2012.096.1). LB was supported in part by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Heisenberg-Professur BU 1339/8-1).

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Author notes

  1. J Krönke, F Kuchenbauer, S Knop and C Langer: These authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine III, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany

    J Krönke, F Kuchenbauer, M Kull, V Teleanu, L Bullinger, D Bunjes, A Greiner, S Kolmus, S Köpff, H Döhner & C Langer

  2. Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Würzburg University Medical Center, Würzburg, Germany

    M Schreder, H Einsele, R Bargou & S Knop

  3. Department of Internal Medicine II, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany

    L-O Mügge

  4. Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany

    C Straka

  5. Department of Internal Medicine I, Freiburg University Hospital, Freiburg, Germany

    M Engelhardt

  6. Department of Internal Medicine III, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany

    F Bassermann

  7. Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, Würzburg University Medical Center, Würzburg, Germany

    R Bargou

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  1. J Krönke
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to J Krönke or C Langer.

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Competing interests

Celgene cooperation provided lenalidomide as study medication used in this trial. JK received honoraria from Celgene. SK received honoraria from Celgene, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Janssen, Onyx. CL received honoraria from Celgene, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Janssen, Novartis, Takeda Oncology.

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Krönke, J., Kuchenbauer, F., Kull, M. et al. IKZF1 expression is a prognostic marker in newly diagnosed standard-risk multiple myeloma treated with lenalidomide and intensive chemotherapy: a study of the German Myeloma Study Group (DSMM). Leukemia 31, 1363–1367 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/leu.2016.384

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