Candidates For Stem Cell Transplantation Research Articles

Relationship Between Markers of the Acute Phase of Inflammation, Parameters of Blood Lipid Composition and Intracardiac Hemodynamics During Chemotherapy in Patients With Multiple Myeloma.

Aim To evaluate in a pilot study time-related changes in the clinical state, indexes of the acute phase of inflammation, parameters of blood lipid profile, intracardiac hemodynamics, and disorders of cardiac rhythm/conduction in patients who are not candidates for autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplantation, during three bortezomib-containing chemotherapy courses (VCD) followed by a correlation analysis.Material and methods This pilot study included 20 patients diagnosed with myeloma, who were not candidates for autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplantation and who had undergone three courses of VCD chemotherapy (bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone). In addition to mandatory examinations, measurement of blood lipid profile, transthoracic echocardiography (EchoCG), and 24-h Holter electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring were performed for all participants before and after a specific therapy.Results Following three bortezomib-containing courses of chemotherapy, patients of the study group had significant increases in the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (1.6±0.2 and 2.5±0.4; р=0.05), cholesterol concentration (4.8±1.1 and 5.6±1.1 mmol/l, р=0.05), and low-density lipoprotein concentration (2.8±0.4 and 3.5±0.8 mmol/l, р=0.02). In comparing the changes in parameters of intracardiac hemodynamics, criteria for genuine cardiotoxicity were not met, however, a tendency to emergence/progression of myocardial diastolic dysfunction was noted. No clinically significant disorders of cardiac rhythm/conduction were observed. The correlation analysis performed prior to the start of chemotherapy, showed significant strong, direct correlations between the C-protein concentration and left atrial (LA) volume (r=0.793; p=0.006), right atrial (RA) volume (r=0.857; p=0.002), left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic dimension (EDD) (r=0.589; p=0.043), and LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) (r=0.726; p=0.017). Following the specific treatment, significant, medium-power and strong correlations were found between NLR and EDV (r= -0.673; p=0.033), NLR and end systolic volume (ESV) (r= -0.710; p=0.021), respectively. Significant direct correlations were found between the bortezomib dose per one injection and the serum concentration of triglycerides following the treatment (r=0.78; p=0.05); a single bortezomib dose and parameters of intracardiac hemodynamics: LA (r=0.71; p=0.026), RA (r=0.74; p=0.014), EDD (r=0.837; p=0.003), EDV (r=0.749; p=0.013), ESV (r=0.553; p=0.049).Conclusion For the first time, a comprehensive evaluation was performed in patients with multiple myeloma, including the dynamics of blood lipid profile, intracardiac hemodynamics and disorders of cardiac rhythm/conduction during bortezomib-containing antitumor therapy, with an analysis of correlation with levels of acute inflammation phase markers. Although in the observation window for genuine cardiotoxicity, clinically significant cardiovascular complications were not detected, the found correlations may evidence a potential role of systemic inflammation activity in myocardial remodeling in the studied patient cohort.

Prognostic impact of NPM1 and FLT3 mutations in patients with AML in first remission treated with oral azacitidine

AbstractThe randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 QUAZAR AML-001 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01757535) evaluated oral azacitidine (Oral-AZA) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first remission after intensive chemotherapy (IC) who were not candidates for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to Oral-AZA 300 mg or placebo for 14 days per 28-day cycle. We evaluated relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in patient subgroups defined by NPM1 and FLT3 mutational status at AML diagnosis and whether survival outcomes in these subgroups were influenced by presence of post-IC measurable residual disease (MRD). Gene mutations at diagnosis were collected from patient case report forms; MRD was determined centrally by multiparameter flow cytometry. Overall, 469 of 472 randomized patients (99.4%) had available mutational data; 137 patients (29.2%) had NPM1 mutations (NPM1mut), 66 patients (14.1%) had FLT3 mutations (FLT3mut; with internal tandem duplications [ITD], tyrosine kinase domain mutations [TKDmut], or both), and 30 patients (6.4%) had NPM1mut and FLT3-ITD at diagnosis. Among patients with NPM1mut, OS and RFS were improved with Oral-AZA by 37% (hazard ratio [HR], 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41-0.98) and 45% (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.35-0.84), respectively, vs placebo. Median OS was improved numerically with Oral-AZA among patients with NPM1mut whether without MRD (48.6 months vs 31.4 months with placebo) or with MRD (46.1 months vs 10.0 months with placebo) post-IC. Among patients with FLT3mut, Oral-AZA improved OS and RFS by 37% (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.35-1.12) and 49% (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.27-0.95), respectively, vs placebo. Median OS with Oral-AZA vs placebo was 28.2 months vs 16.2 months, respectively, for patients with FLT3mut and without MRD and 24.0 months vs 8.0 months for patients with FLT3mut and MRD. In multivariate analyses, Oral-AZA significantly improved survival independent of NPM1 or FLT3 mutational status, cytogenetic risk, or post-IC MRD status.

Fetal Disseminated Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor.

Fetal Disseminated Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor.

Strongyloides stercoralis prevalence in solid-organ and haematopoietic stem cell transplant candidates and recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

IntroductionStrongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal helminth ubiquitous in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It persists in the human host for a lifetime as a result of autoinfection and if undetected...

Development and validation of a prognostic scoring model to risk stratify childhood acute myeloid leukaemia.

SummaryTo create a personal prognostic model and modify the risk stratification of paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia, we downloaded the clinical data of 597 patients from the Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) database as a training set and included 189 patients from our centre as a validation set. In the training set, age at diagnosis, ‐7/del(7q) or ‐5/del(5q), core binding factor fusion genes, FMS‐like tyrosine kinase 3‐internal tandem duplication (FLT3‐ITD)/nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) status, Wilms tumour 1 (WT1) mutation, biallelic CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (CEBPA) mutation were strongly correlated with overall survival and included to construct the model. The prognostic model demonstrated excellent discriminative ability with the Harrell's concordance index of 0.68, 3‐ and 5‐year area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.71 and 0.72 respectively. The model was validated in the validation set and outperformed existing prognostic systems. Additionally, patients were stratified into three risk groups (low, intermediate and high risk) with significantly distinct prognosis, and the model successfully identified candidates for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The newly developed prognostic model showed robust ability and utility in survival prediction and risk stratification, which could be helpful in modifying treatment selection in clinical routine.

EE278 Economic Burden of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Relapse in US Patients

Most patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) experience disease relapse after remission, and many are not candidates for curative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Using real-world cost estimates, we sought to quantify the economic burden of relapse in patients with AML who attain remission.

PB2118: PHASE 3 RANDOMIZED STUDY OF LONCASTUXIMAB TESIRINE IN COMBINATION WITH RITUXIMAB (LONCA-R) VERSUS IMMUNOCHEMOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH R/R DLBCL (LOTIS-5)

Background: Patients (pts) with refractory or relapsed (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have poor outcomes with standard treatment. Loncastuximab tesirine (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl; Lonca), an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) comprising a humanized anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody conjugated to a pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimer toxin, is approved in R/R DLBCL based on data from the phase 2 LOTIS-2 trial (Caimi et al. Lancet Oncol 2021). Rituximab (R) is part of standard immunochemotherapy for DLBCL, both as frontline therapy and in subsequent treatments. Preclinical evidence suggests that the addition of rituximab to anti-CD19 ADC therapy may result in prolonged tumor control (Ryan et al. Blood 2017). Aims: LOTIS-5 aims to evaluate Lonca-R vs. standard immunochemotherapy of R + gemcitabine + oxaliplatin (R-GemOx) in pts with R/R DLBCL. Methods: This is a phase 3 randomized open-label, two-part, two-arm multicenter study of Lonca-R in pts with R/R DLBCL (NCT04384484). A review of safety data from the nonrandomized safety run-in (Part 1), comparing the safety of Lonca-R to previous Lonca safety data, was completed in January 2022. The trial is now continuing to the randomized phase (Part 2). In Part 2, approximately 330 pts will be randomized 1:1 to receive Lonca-R or R-GemOx. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of Lonca-R versus R-GemOx. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival by independent central review (ICR). Secondary endpoints include overall survival, overall response rate (by ICR using 2014 Lugano classification), complete response rate by ICR, duration of response by ICR, frequency and severity of adverse events, changes from baseline in safety laboratory and clinical variables, concentration and pharmacokinetic parameters of Lonca (conjugated and total antibody and unconjugated warhead), immunogenicity, and changes in patient-reported outcomes. The time to event endpoints will be analyzed based on the intent-to-treat population using a stratified log-rank test. The dosing regimen for Lonca-R: Lonca at 0.15 mg/kg + rituximab at 375 mg/m2 every 3 weeks (Q3W) for 2 cycles and then Lonca at 0.075 mg/kg + rituximab at 375 mg/m2 Q3W for up to 6 cycles. The dose regimen of R-GemOx: rituximab at 375 mg/m2, gemcitabine at 1000 mg/m2, and oxaliplatin at 100 mg/m2 every 2 weeks for up to 8 cycles. Key inclusion criteria include age ≥18 years, pathologic diagnosis of DLBCL (including pts with DLBCL transformed from indolent lymphoma) or high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements, ≥1 line of prior systemic therapy, not being a candidate for stem cell transplantation, and measurable disease per the 2014 Lugano classification. Results: The randomized part of LOTIS-5 commenced in January 2022, and recruitment is ongoing. Summary/Conclusion: N/A

P553: A PHASE 2, OPEN-LABEL, MULTIARM, MULTICENTER STUDY TO EVALUATE MAGROLIMAB COMBINED WITH ANTILEUKEMIA THERAPIES FOR FIRST-LINE, RELAPSED/REFRACTORY, OR MAINTENANCE TREATMENT OF ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA

Background: Magrolimab (Hu5F9-G4) is an antibody blocking CD47, a macrophage immune checkpoint and “don’t eat me” signal on cancer cells. Magrolimab induces tumor phagocytosis and eliminates leukemia stem cells. Chemotherapy and hypomethylating agents synergize with magrolimab by inducing “eat me” signals on leukemic blasts, thereby enhancing phagocytosis. Magrolimab+azacitidine (AZA) has shown encouraging clinical efficacy with an objective response rate (ORR) of 63% and a complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) rate of 54% in first-line acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Newly diagnosed AML patients (pts) who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy (IC) are incurable despite the progress made with AZA+venetoclax (VEN; median overall survival [OS] 14-18 months), while AML pts with relapsed/refractory (R/R) disease after intensive regimens have a dismal prognosis. Furthermore, for pts in remission, maintenance therapy with oral AZA has improved OS and prevented relapse, although relapse rates remain high. Magrolimab combinations are being evaluated in each of these settings to improve the standard of care. Aims: To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of magrolimab combined with antileukemia therapies in first-line pts ineligible for IC (cohort 1), R/R pts after IC (cohort 2), and pts in CR/CRi with presence of minimal residual disease (MRD) after IC (cohort 3). Methods: This is an open-label, multiarm, multicenter study that includes 3 safety run-ins with corresponding phase 2 cohorts. Pts in cohort 1 must be ≥75 years or 18-74 years with comorbidities that preclude IC. Pts in cohort 2 must have R/R AML after initial IC. Pts in cohort 3 must have achieved a CR/CRi with MRD positivity, as assessed by flow cytometry, after IC, and not be candidates for hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Each cohort will initially enroll 6 pts for 1 cycle (28 days) to assess dose-limiting toxicities and determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Pts in cohort 1 will receive a combination of magrolimab, VEN, and AZA. Pts in cohort 2 will receive magrolimab in combination with mitoxantrone, etoposide, and cytarabine (MEC). Pts in cohort 3 will receive magrolimab with oral CC-486. All will receive magrolimab on the same schedule. In cycle 1, magrolimab will be administered intravenously (IV) as priming and ramp-up doses at 1 mg/kg on days 1 and 4, 15 mg/kg on day 8, 30 mg/kg on days 11, 15, and then weekly for 5 doses, followed by every other week beginning 1 week after the fifth weekly 30 mg/kg dose. For cohort 1, AZA (75 mg/m2) will be administered IV/subcutaneously on days 1-7 or 1-5, 8, and 9 of each cycle. VEN, MEC, and CC-486 will be administered according to labeled indications. After completion of the safety run-in, additional pts will be enrolled in cohort 1 (n=40), cohort 2 (n=30), and cohort 3 (n=40) for phase 2. In phase 2, pts in cohorts 1 and 3 will receive study treatment at RP2D until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or loss of clinical benefit. Pts in cohort 2 will receive magrolimab with MEC for up to 3 cycles followed by magrolimab alone for a total of 12 magrolimab cycles. In cohorts 1 and 2, the primary efficacy endpoint is the CR rate. Secondary endpoints of interest include OS, ORR, and MRD-negative CR/CRi rates. The primary efficacy endpoint in cohort 3 is the MRD-negative CR rate. Results: Trial in progress. Summary/Conclusion: Patient enrollment is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT04778410.

Phase 3 randomized study of loncastuximab tesirine in combination with rituximab (Lonca-R) versus immunochemotherapy in patients with R/R DLBCL (LOTIS-5).

TPS7591 Background: Patients (pts) with refractory or relapsed (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have poor outcomes with standard treatment. Loncastuximab tesirine (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl; Lonca), an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) comprising a humanized anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody conjugated to a pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimer toxin, is approved in R/R DLBCL based on data from the phase 2 LOTIS-2 trial (Caimi et al. Lancet Oncol 2021). Rituximab (R) is part of standard immunochemotherapy for DLBCL, both as frontline therapy and in subsequent treatments. Preclinical evidence suggests that the addition of rituximab to anti-CD19 ADC therapy may result in prolonged tumor control (Ryan et al. Blood 2017). LOTIS-5 aims to evaluate Lonca-R vs. standard immunochemotherapy of R + gemcitabine + oxaliplatin (R-GemOx) in pts with R/R DLBCL. Methods: This is a phase 3 randomized open-label, two-part, two-arm multicenter study of Lonca-R in pts with R/R DLBCL (NCT04384484). A review of safety data from the nonrandomized safety run-in (Part 1), comparing the safety of Lonca-R to previous Lonca safety data, was completed in January 2022. The trial is now continuing to the randomized phase (Part 2). In Part 2, approximately 330 pts will be randomized 1:1 to receive Lonca-R or R-GemOx. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of Lonca-R versus R-GemOx. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival by independent central review (ICR). Secondary endpoints include overall survival, overall response rate (by ICR using 2014 Lugano classification), complete response rate by ICR, duration of response by ICR, frequency and severity of adverse events, changes from baseline in safety laboratory and clinical variables, concentration and pharmacokinetic parameters of Lonca (conjugated and total antibody and unconjugated warhead), immunogenicity, and changes in patient-reported outcomes. The time to event endpoints will be analyzed based on the intent-to-treat population using a stratified log-rank test. The dosing regimen for Lonca-R: Lonca at 0.15 mg/kg + rituximab at 375 mg/m2 every 3 weeks (Q3W) for 2 cycles and then Lonca at 0.075 mg/kg + rituximab at 375 mg/m2 Q3W for up to 6 cycles. The dose regimen of R-GemOx: rituximab at 375 mg/m2, gemcitabine at 1000 mg/m2 Gem, and oxaliplatin at 100 mg/m2 every 2 weeks for up to 8 cycles. Key inclusion criteria include age ≥18 years, pathologic diagnosis of DLBCL (including pts with DLBCL transformed from indolent lymphoma) or high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements, ≥1 line of prior systemic therapy, not being a candidate for stem cell transplantation, and measurable disease per the 2014 Lugano classification. The randomized part of LOTIS-5 commenced in January 2022, and recruitment is ongoing. Funding: ADC Therapeutics SA; medical writing: CiTRUS Health Group. Clinical trial information: NCT04384484.

A phase 1 study of NTX-301, an oral DNMT1 inhibitor, in patients with MDS and AML (trial in progress).

TPS7077 Background: Patients with relapsed and/or refractory (r/r) myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are not candidates for stem-cell transplantation have dismal outcomes. Novel therapies are needed. The nucleoside analogue NTX-301 (5-aza-4’-thio-2’-deoxycytidine or Aza-TdC) is incorporated into DNA, where it engages the active site of DNA methyltransferase I (DNMT1), a maintenance methyltransferase that contributes to the hypermethylation and silencing of tumor suppressor genes. DNMT1 can become trapped in a covalent complex with DNA, thus depleting free enzyme and inhibiting the normal maintenance methylation of CpG sites, resulting in re-activation of tumor suppressor genes. Preclinical data suggest a correlation between NTX-301 activity in leukemia xenograft models and decreased levels of DNMT1. NTX-301 offers an improvement over traditional DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (azacitidine, decitabine) by virtue of a higher incorporation rate into DNA at lower levels of cytotoxicity. Methods: This is a phase 1, open-label, multi-center, dose-escalation study to assess the safety, tolerability, and recommended myeloid monotherapy dose of NTX-301 in patients with r/r myeloid neoplasms. Patients ≥ 18 years with r/r higher-risk MDS (intermediate, high, very-high risk by IPSS-R), high-risk CMML (int-2/high by CPSS or CPSS-mol), or AML (marrow blasts ≤ 30% or WBC < 20,000 cells/µL without leukoreduction) are eligible. Other key eligibility criteria: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0–2; adequate cardiac, renal, and liver function; and resolved acute effects of any prior therapy. Successive cohorts of patients will receive escalating doses of NTX-301 starting from 2 mg QD. Each cycle is 21 days in duration (treatment for 5 days/week x 2 weeks and 1 week off). The trial incorporates accelerated titration design for dose level 1 and 2 followed by traditional 3+3 dose escalation design (3-6 patients per cohort) from dose level 3. Intrapatient dose escalation is allowed. NTX-301 treatment will continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, whichever occurs first. Primary endpoints: incidence and severity of adverse events, dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), maximum tolerated dose (MTD), biologically effective dose (BED). Secondary endpoints: PK parameters of NTX-301, PD assessment through global hypomethylation assay and other markers in blood and marrow, and clinical efficacy [overall response rate (ORR), complete remission (CR), marrow CR (mCR), partial remission (PR), stable disease (SD), hematologic improvement (HI) per mIWG criteria]. After the MTD/BED is identified, the safety and efficacy of NTX-301 will be explored further in selected myeloid malignancies. The study began enrolling patients in January 2021 and is still recruiting. Clinical trial information: NCT04167917.

Efficacy and safety of high-intensity versus reduced-intensity induction in Philadelphia chromosome-positive all ineligible for HSCT.

e19031 Background: Treatment options for Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) ALL are increasing. When combined with TKIs, it is unclear if high-intensity regimens lead to a survival benefit compared to reduced-intensity regimens in patients that are not candidates for allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). In this study, we sought to examine outcomes of high-intensity and reduced-intensity induction regimens and concurrent TKI administration with respect to toxicity, response, and survival in non-transplant candidates. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 31 patients with Ph+ B-ALL treated at our institution during January 2015 to January 2021 that were not candidates for HSCT. Baseline patient demographics were obtained, including age, performance status at diagnosis, cytogenetic and molecular profiling through NGS, doses of induction, toxicity, response, MRD analysis, and survival. The event for calculating the overall survival (OS) was the date of death and patients were otherwise censored at the date of last contact. Results: We divided the cohort of 31 patients into two sub-cohorts: a high-intensity cohort of 22 patients treated with TKIs and hyperCVAD, CALGB 10403, or ECOG 1910 and a low-intensity cohort of 9 patients treated with TKI + steroids + vincristine, TKI + steroids, or TKI alone. There was expectedly a significant difference in age between the two groups (p = .002) with more advanced age in the reduced-intensity cohort, though no difference in sex (p≥.999), ECOG score at diagnosis (p = .886), or Charlson Comorbidity Index score (p = .180). Grade 3 or higher toxicity was approaching statistical significance with more toxicity in the higher-intensity group (p = .075). With fewer deaths during induction, achievement of CR or CRi was higher in the reduced-intensity cohort (100% versus 73.7%), though was not significantly different between the groups (p = .288) and the median OS was not reached in either cohort (p = .935) after a median follow-up time of 3.29 years. Conclusions: Acknowledging the limits of a small sample size and retrospective nature of the study, there was no observed difference in survival between high-intensity and reduced-intensity induction with TKIs for patients ineligible for HSCT. Reduced-intensity inductions were associated with a trend toward less severe toxicity. These findings are suggestive that reduced-intensity induction with TKIs in Ph+ ALL may represent a reasonable option for those ineligible for HSCT. Prospective randomized controlled trials in this population are warranted.

Multiple myeloma: 2022 update on diagnosis, risk stratification, and management.

Multiple myeloma accounts for approximately 10% of hematologic malignancies. The diagnosis requires ≥10% clonal bone marrow plasma cells or a biopsy-proven plasmacytoma plus evidence of one or more multiple myeloma defining events (MDE): CRAB (hypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia, or lytic bone lesions) attributable to the plasma cell disorder, bone marrow clonal plasmacytosis ≥60%, serum involved/uninvolved free light chain (FLC) ratio ≥ 100 (provided involved FLC is ≥100 mg/L), or >1 focal lesion on magnetic resonance imaging. The presence of del(17p), t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), gain 1q, or p53 mutation is considered high-risk multiple myeloma. The presence of any two high risk factors is considered double-hit myeloma, and three or more high risk factors is triple-hit myeloma. In patients who are candidates for autologous stem cell transplantation, induction therapy consists of bortezomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone (VRd) given for approximately 3-4cycles followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). In high-risk patients, daratumumab, bortezomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone (Dara-VRd) is an alternative to VRd. Selected standard-risk patients can collect stem cells, get additional cycles of induction therapy, and delay transplant until first relapse. Patients who are not candidates for transplant are treated with VRd for approximately 8-12 cycles followed by maintenance or alternatively with daratumumab, lenalidomide, dexamethasone (DRd) until progression. Standard-risk patients need lenalidomide maintenance, while bortezomib plus lenalidomide maintenance is needed for high-risk myeloma. A triplet regimen is usually needed at relapse, with the choice of regimen varying with each successive relapse.

Multidisciplinary supportive care in systemic light chain amyloidosis.

The immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis is a multisystemic disease which manifests by damage to the vital organs by light chain-derived amyloid fibril. Traditionally, the treatment has been directed to the underlying plasma cell clone with or without high dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation using melphalan based conditioning. Now with the approval of highly tolerable anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody daratumumab based anti-plasma cell therapy in 2021, high rates of hematologic complete responses are possible even in patients who are otherwise deemed not a candidate for autologous stem cell transplantation. However, despite the progress, there remains a limitation in the strategies to improve symptoms particularly in patients with advanced cardiac involvement, those with nephrotic syndrome and autonomic dysfunction due to underlying systemic AL amyloidosis. The symptoms can be an ordeal for the patients and their caregivers and effective strategies are urgently needed to address them. The supportive care is aimed to counteract the symptoms of the disease and the effects of the treatment on involved organs’ function and preserve patients’ quality of life. Here we discuss multidisciplinary approach in a system-based fashion to address the symptom management in this dreadful disease. In addition to achieving excellent anti-plasma cell disease control, using treatment directed to remove amyloid from the vital organs can theoretically hasten recovery of the involved organs thereby improving symptoms at a faster pace. Ongoing phase III clinical trials of CAEL-101 and Birtamimab will address this question.

Has Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation a Role in the Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia?

The past three decades have brought major therapeutic advances in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) both in adults and children. The current state-of-the-art treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) in combination or not with chemotherapy results in long-lasting remission and cure in more than 90% of newly diagnosed patients. These treatments have made relapse a rare event. The detection of PML-RARA transcript by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) during treatment and follow-up can predict a hematological relapse. All studies have suggested a survival benefit in patients with molecular relapse given pre-emptive therapy compared with those treated at the time of overt hematological relapse. ATO-based regimens seem to be effective for achieving a second molecular complete remission (CR). Patients in second molecular CR are generally considered candidates for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), while for those with a persistent molecular disease, allogeneic HSCT should be offered if a suitable donor is identified.Except for sporadic pediatric reports, most of the evidence for using HSCT to treat relapsed/refractory APL comes from adult literature. Therefore, we now provide a review of published pediatric data that evaluated the role of HSCT in children with refractory/recurrent APL disease.

Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm With Central Nervous System Involvement: A Case Report

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm is a rare hematologic neoplasm characterized by cutaneous, hematologic, and central nervous system (CNS) involvement with poor prognosis. Diagnosis is made by flow cytometry, although there are no specific markers, making its diagnosis challenging. So far, with the available evidence, acute lymphoid leukemia-type schemes and consolidation with allogeneic transplant seem to become the first-line therapy. With its characterization, new therapies directed toward CD123 and the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 have appeared to prolong the survival of these patients. We present a case of a 27-year-old male patient diagnosed with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm with unusual CNS manifestations and without skin involvement who achieved complete remission with venetoclax and improvement of neurological symptoms, making him a candidate for hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

564 - Optimization of Older Adults Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant (allo-SCT) Candidates to Improve Survival (OTIS): A Novel Study Design Incorporating Geriatric Assessment with Targeted Intervention

564 - Optimization of Older Adults Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant (allo-SCT) Candidates to Improve Survival (OTIS): A Novel Study Design Incorporating Geriatric Assessment with Targeted Intervention

Induced pluripotent stem cell generation using mRNAs: the effect of valproic acid, 5-azacytidine and ascorbic acid

In the bourgeoning fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) technology with gene therapy are promising candidates for alternative stem cell source and cell transplantation. In this study, small molecules as anti-oxidant; ascorbic acid (ASA), histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi); Valproic acid (VPA), and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi); 5-Azacytidine (5-AzaC) were examined during the generation of murine iPSCs using mRNA of Yamanaka factors from mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). These modulators were selected based on their well-known effect on the epigenetic status and chromatin modification during early reprogramming. iPSC generation was performed by using synthesized mRNAs of Yamanaka factors Oct4, Sox2, c-Myc, and Klf4 (OSCK) as a standard reprogramming strategy. Both morphological changes and the expression level of the pluripotency markers were examined. 5-AzaC with 1 µM concentration has a slightly toxic effect on the cells, affecting its proliferation and growing efficiency. In contrast, the use of VPA or ASA led to a two-fold increase in the number of iPSC colonies. The iPSCs cultured with the addition of VPA or ASA showed a high expression of the tested pluripotency markers, with a significant increase, more than that of the cells cultured with the addition of 5-AzaC. These findings shed light on the role of ASA, VPA, and 5-AzaC during murine iPSCs generation using a mRNA reprogramming strategy.

How We Manage Myelofibrosis Candidates for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Moving from indication to transplantation is a critical process in myelofibrosis. Most of guidelines specifically focus on either myelofibrosis disease or transplant procedure, and, currently, no distinct indication for the management of MF candidates to transplant is available. Nevertheless, this period of time is crucial for the transplant outcome because engraftment, non-relapse mortality, and relapse incidence are greatly dependent upon the pre-transplant management. Based on these premises, in this review, we will go through the path of identification of the MF patients suitable for a transplant, by using disease-specific prognostic scores, and the evaluation of eligibility for a transplant, based on performance, comorbidity, and other combined tools. Then, we will focus on the process of donor and conditioning regimens’ choice. The pre-transplant management of splenomegaly and constitutional symptoms, cytopenias, iron overload and transplant timing will be comprehensively discussed. The principal aim of this review is, therefore, to give a practical guidance for managing MF patients who are potential candidates for allo-HCT.

Peptide hormone ELABELA promotes rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and migration by manipulating the cell cycle through the PI3K/AKT pathway under the hypoxia and ischemia microenvironment

BackgroundMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are emerging as a potential candidate for stem cell transplantation to repair myocardial tissue in myocardial infarctions (MI). However, there are some pivotal limitations such as poor survival and low migration capacity of MSCs in hypoxic and ischemic microenvironments of MI. Our previous work verified that ELABELA (also abbreviated as ELA), a peptide hormone, could play a role as a growth factor and prolong the life span of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (RAT BM-MSCs) under hypoxic and ischemic conditions. Nevertheless, the influence of ELA on the cell cycle, proliferation, and migration remains elusive. This study will further explore the improvement of the biological functions of ELA-treated RAT BM-MSCs, so as to provide a reference for improving the efficacy of RAT BM-MSCs in MI.MethodsRat BM-MSCs were isolated from 80 to 120 g Sprague Dawley rats by flushing femurs and tibias under the aseptic condition. RAT BM-MSCs of the third passage were divided into control group, hypoxic/ischemic (H/I) group, ELA group, ELA-LY group and LY group. RAT BM-MSCs were cultured under normoxia in control group. In H/I group, RAT BM-MSCs were exposed to hypoxia (1% O2) and serum deprivation for 24 h. RAT BM-MSCs in ELA group were treated with 5 µM ELA prior to the H/I exposure for 24 h. The PI3K/AKT inhibitor, LY294002 (50 µM), was used in ELA-LY group and LY group to observe the effect of ELA on PI3K/AKT activation. Cell proliferation ability was examined by CCK-8. Cell cycle was assessed with flow cytometry. Cell migration was evaluated by Transwell assay. Expression levels of total-AKT, phosphorylated-AKT, and cell cycle-associated proteins were examined by Western blotting.ResultsELA-treated RAT BM-MSCs exhibited significantly higher proliferation ability, cell viability, and migration under H/I conditions. The cell cycle analysis showed that an increased proportion of cells in the S and G2/M phases of the cell cycle were observed in ELA-treated RAT BM-MSCs. The addition of ELA activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Additionally, upon treating with the inhibitor of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, ELA-triggered proliferation, cell viability, and migration were abrogated.ConclusionsELA can be used to enhance the proliferation ability, cell viability, and migration of RAT BM-MSCs through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and alleviate cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase under hypoxic and ischemic injury. Thus, this study provides a promising strategy that ELA may help to optimize the mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy in MI.

Oral azacitidine prolongs survival of patients with AML in remission independently of measurable residual disease status

AbstractMeasurable residual disease (MRD) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in remission after intensive chemotherapy is predictive of early relapse and poor survival. Postremission maintenance therapy that prolongs MRD negativity or converts MRD+ patients to MRD− status may delay or prevent relapse and improve overall survival (OS). In the phase 3 QUAZAR AML-001 trial, oral azacitidine (oral-AZA; formerly CC-486), a hypomethylating agent, significantly prolonged OS and relapse-free survival (RFS) compared with placebo in patients aged ≥55 years with AML in first remission after intensive chemotherapy who were not candidates for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In this trial, MRD (≥0.1% leukemic cells in bone marrow) was assessed by multiparameter flow cytometry in serial samples collected at baseline and on day 1 of every 3 cycles. As expected, baseline MRD status was significantly associated with both OS and RFS. Multivariate analyses showed oral-AZA significantly improved OS and RFS vs placebo independent of baseline MRD status. Oral-AZA treatment also extended the duration of MRD negativity by 6 months vs placebo and resulted in a higher rate of conversion from MRD+ at baseline to MRD− during treatment: 37% vs 19%, respectively. In the oral-AZA arm, 24% of MRD responders achieved MRD negativity >6 months after treatment initiation. Although presence or absence of MRD was a strong prognostic indicator of OS and RFS, there were added survival benefits with oral-AZA maintenance therapy compared with placebo, independent of patients' MRD status at baseline. Registered at clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01757535.