Forma Therapeutics Research Articles

A Multimodal Neuroimaging Feature Extraction Framework for Biomarker Discovery in Myotonic Dystrophies (P8-4.004)

<h3>Objective:</h3> Myotonic dystrophies (DM) are neuromuscular conditions that cause widespread effects throughout the body. New therapeutics are being developed that attack the RNA mechanism underlying DM. Here, we address the urgent need of identifying DM neuroimaging biomarkers that can be used in trials. <h3>Background:</h3> DTI shows decreased white matter connectivity in DM patients and MRI reveals decreased parietal, frontal, and temporal resting state metabolism. Additionally, DTI studies of DM have shown that the white matter abnormalities are diffuse as opposed to multi-focal. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> Extracting important features from neuroimaging data is challenging due to the high feature dimension and low sample-size problem. This work utilizes a sparse matrix decomposition method and a manifold regularization approach to identify the most discriminative features and improves spatial and temporal resolutions of neuroimaging data. To this end, neuroimaging data of 46 DM1, 17 DM2 patients and 92 healthy controls were analyzed using a ten-fold-cross-validation technique. In addition to neuroimaging data, additional clinical assessments including Quebec Muscular Impairment Rating Scale and Quebec Daytime Sleepiness Scale were calculated for DM patients. Wavelet approximation and detailed coefficients were calculated to consider both long term and short-term fluctuations caused by the disease process. <h3>Results:</h3> Normalized sub-band energy calculated based on wavelet coefficients can characterize DM1 and DM2. Patients with DM1 have widespread white matter volume reductions that are correlated with distal to proximal progression of the muscular involvement in DM1. A significant difference can be seen between DM1 and healthy controls in terms of executive function, motor speed, processing speed, and memory. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> The proposed method can potentially be used to develop and validate key predictors of DM type, severity, and progression of DM central nervous system abnormalities using brain morphometry. Identified features can also potentially provide multidisciplinary biomarkers that help unravel our understanding of fatigue, sleepiness, and attention. <b>Disclosure:</b> Ms. Kamali has nothing to disclose. Dr. Day has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Affinia Therapeutics. Dr. Day has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Novartis Gene Therapy. Dr. Day has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Biogen. Dr. Day has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Roche/Genentech. Dr. Day has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Sarepta. Dr. Day has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Scholar Rock. Dr. Day has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Avidity. Dr. Day has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an officer or member of the Board of Directors for Muscular Dystrophy Association. The institution of Dr. Day has received research support from Audentes. The institution of Dr. Day has received research support from Novartis Gene Therapy. The institution of Dr. Day has received research support from Biogen. The institution of Dr. Day has received research support from Cytokinetics. The institution of Dr. Day has received research support from Roche/Genentech. The institution of Dr. Day has received research support from Sanofi/Genzyme. The institution of Dr. Day has received research support from Sarepta. The institution of Dr. Day has received research support from Scholar Rock. Dr. Day has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. Dr. Sampson has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Dyne Therapeutics. Dr. Sampson has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Expansion Therapeutics. Dr. Sampson has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Viking Therapeutics. Dr. Sampson has received research support from Marigold Foundation. Dr. Sampson has a non-compensated relationship as a Scientific Advisory Committee with Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation that is relevant to AAN interests or activities. Dr. Murad has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of UCB. Dr. Murad has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Skyhawk Therapeutics. Dr. Murad has stock in Forma Therapeutics. Dr. Murad has stock in Skyhawk Therapeutics. Mr. Chaufty has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of UCB. Mr. Chaufty has stock in UCB. Mr. Chaufty has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care.

Olutasidenib alone or with azacitidine in IDH1-mutated acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome: phase 1 results of a phase 1/2 trial

Olutasidenib (FT-2102) is a potent, selective, oral, small-molecule inhibitor of mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1). The aims for phase 1 of this phase 1/2 study were to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and clinical activity of olutasidenib, as monotherapy or in combination with azacitidine, in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome, harbouring mutant IDH1. In this phase 1/2, multicentre, open-label clinical trial, we enrolled patients aged 18 years or older with acute myeloid leukaemia or intermediate, high, or very high risk myelodysplastic syndrome harbouring mutant IDH1 at 18 study sites in the USA, Australia, France, and Spain. Other key eligibility criteria included Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-2 with adequate liver and renal function. The primary outcomes were dose-limiting toxicities and the maximum tolerated dose, maximum evaluated dose, and the recommended phase 2 dose of olutasidenib. Olutasidenib was administered orally in doses of 150 mg once daily, 150 mg twice per day, and 300 mg once daily. Azacitidine (75 mg/m2) was administered subcutaneously or intravenously daily for 7 days on, 21 days off. The study was ongoing at the data cutoff (Oct 2, 2019) and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02719574. Patients were enrolled between Aug 8, 2016, and Nov 14, 2018. 78 patients received olutasidenib as monotherapy (n=32) or in combination with azacitidine (n=46). The median follow-up was 8·3 months (IQR 3·1-13·3) for monotherapy and 10·1 months (4·2-15·3) for combination therapy. 16 (50%) of 32 patients in the monotherapy group and 24 (52%) of 46 patients in the combination therapy group were women. Most patients were White (26 [81%] for monotherapy and 31 [67%] for combination therapy). No dose-limiting toxicities were reported in the dose-escalation cohorts and 150 mg twice per day was declared the recommended phase 2 dose on the basis of safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and clinical activity. The most common (≥20%) grade 3-4 treatment-emergent adverse events with monotherapy were thrombocytopenia (nine [28%] of 32 patients), febrile neutropenia (seven [22%] of 32), and anaemia (seven [22%] of 32); and with combination therapy were thrombocytopenia (19 [41%] of 46), febrile neutropenia (13 [28%] of 46), neutropenia (13 [28%] of 46), and anaemia (nine [20%] of 46). 11 (34%) of 32 patients in the monotherapy group and nine (20%) of 46 patients in the combination therapy group died (most commonly from disease progression [three (9%) of 32 and four (9%) of 46]). No deaths were considered study-drug related. For patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukaemia, 41% (95% CI 21-64; nine of 22) receiving monotherapy and 46% (27-67; 12 of 26) receiving combination therapy had an overall response. For treatment-naive patients with acute myeloid leukaemia, 25% (1-81; one of four) receiving monotherapy and 77% (46-95; ten of 13) receiving combination therapy had an overall response. Olutasidenib, with or without azacitidine, was well tolerated and showed meaningful clinical activity in patients with IDH1-mutated acute myeloid leukaemia. The results of this phase 1 study provide rationale for the continued evaluation of olutasidenib in multiple patient populations with myeloid malignancies. Forma Therapeutics.

Novo Nordisk agrees to buy Forma Therapeutics for $1.1 billion

Novo Nordisk agrees to buy Forma Therapeutics for $1.1 billion

Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia Enters the Molecularly Targeted Era Via FLT3 Inhibition

Article Tools UNDERSTANDING THE PATHWAY Article Tools OPTIONS & TOOLS Export Citation Track Citation Add To Favorites Rights & Permissions COMPANION ARTICLES Sorafenib in Combination With Standard Chemotherapy for Children With High Allelic Ratio FLT3/ITD+ Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group Protocol AAML1031. March 29, 2022 ARTICLE CITATION DOI: 10.1200/JCO.22.00499 Journal of Clinical Oncology - published online before print April 18, 2022 PMID: 35436158 Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia Enters the Molecularly Targeted Era Via FLT3 Inhibition Alexander E. Perl , MD1xAlexander E. PerlSearch for articles by this author Show More 1Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.22.00499 First Page Full Text PDF Figures and Tables © 2022 by American Society of Clinical OncologyAUTHOR'S DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTERESTPediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia Enters the Molecularly Targeted Era Via FLT3 InhibitionThe following represents disclosure information provided by the author of this manuscript. All relationships are considered compensated unless otherwise noted. Relationships are self-held unless noted. I = Immediate Family Member, Inst = My Institution. Relationships may not relate to the subject matter of this manuscript. For more information about ASCO's conflict of interest policy, please refer to www.asco.org/rwc or ascopubs.org/jco/authors/author-center.Open Payments is a public database containing information reported by companies about payments made to US-licensed physicians (Open Payments).Alexander E. PerlHonoraria: Astellas Pharma, Daiichi SankyoConsulting or Advisory Role: Astellas Pharma, Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Daiichi Sankyo, AbbVie, FORMA Therapeutics, Sumitomo Dainippon, Celgene/Bristol Myers Squibb, Syndax, Genentech, BerGenBio, ImmunogenResearch Funding: Astellas Pharma (Inst), Bayer (Inst), Daiichi Sankyo (Inst), Fujifilm (Inst), AbbVie (Inst), Syndax (Inst)No other potential conflicts of interest were reported. Companion Sorafenib in Combination With Standard Chemotherapy for Children With High Allelic Ratio FLT3/ITD+ Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group Protocol AAML1031

Molecular Characteristics of Response to Olutasidenib (FT-2102) in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory mIDH1 Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Molecular Characteristics of Response to Olutasidenib (FT-2102) in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory mIDH1 Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Etavopivat, an Allosteric Activator of Pyruvate Kinase-R, Improves Sickle RBC Functional Health and Survival and Reduces Systemic Markers of Inflammation and Hypercoagulability in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Analysis of Exploratory Studies in a Phase 1 Study

Etavopivat, an Allosteric Activator of Pyruvate Kinase-R, Improves Sickle RBC Functional Health and Survival and Reduces Systemic Markers of Inflammation and Hypercoagulability in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Analysis of Exploratory Studies in a Phase 1 Study

Activation of Pyruvate Kinase-R with Etavopivat (FT-4202) Is Well Tolerated, Improves Anemia, and Decreases Intravascular Hemolysis in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease Treated for up to 12 Weeks

Activation of Pyruvate Kinase-R with Etavopivat (FT-4202) Is Well Tolerated, Improves Anemia, and Decreases Intravascular Hemolysis in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease Treated for up to 12 Weeks

Olutasidenib (FT-2102) in Combination with Azacitidine Induces Durable Complete Remissions in Patients with mIDH1 Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Olutasidenib (FT-2102) in Combination with Azacitidine Induces Durable Complete Remissions in Patients with mIDH1 Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Trial in Progress: A Phase 2, Open-Label Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of the PKR Activator Etavopivat (FT-4202) in Patients with Thalassemia or Sickle Cell Disease

Trial in Progress: A Phase 2, Open-Label Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of the PKR Activator Etavopivat (FT-4202) in Patients with Thalassemia or Sickle Cell Disease

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Caregivers of Young Children with Sickle Cell Disease Enrolled in the Engage-HU Trial

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Caregivers of Young Children with Sickle Cell Disease Enrolled in the Engage-HU Trial

Safety and Efficacy of Aru-1801 in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: Early Results from the Phase 1/2 Momentum Study of a Modified Gamma Globin Gene Therapy and Reduced Intensity Conditioning

▪Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic red blood cell (RBC) disorder that causes chronic hemolytic anemia, progressive organ damage, and life-threatening acute complications such as painful vaso-occlusive crises. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) with myeloablative conditioning remains the only curative therapy for SCD but has several limitations including low donor availability and conditioning-related toxicity. Genetic modification of autologous hematopoietic system cells (HSCs) with reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) using a high-potency drug product may address these limitations.ARU-1801 is a gene therapy that uses a modified γ-globin lentiviral vector to produce HbF G16D within autologous CD34+ HSCs. Preclinical studies in SCD mice have shown the G16D mutation enables γ-globin G16D to bind α-globin with higher affinity; lentiviral transfer of γ-globin G16D resulted in 1.5-2x more HbF per vector copy number (VCN) compared to analogous wild-type γ-globin vector. Early studies also suggested HbF G16D may be more potent for anti-sickling than HbF, lowering reticulocyte counts in SCD mice to a greater extent at similar protein levels. We hypothesize ARU-1801 with RIC could lessen toxicities and resource utilization relative to myeloablative approaches, allowing expanded access to gene therapy for a broader group of SCD patients. Updated data from patients in the ongoing Phase 1/2 study (NCT02186418) including laboratory and clinical markers of efficacy are presented here.Methods: Adults (18-45 years old) with severe SCD (defined by recurrent vaso-occlusive events [VOE] and acute chest syndrome) were screened for eligibility. Prior to ARU-1801 drug product (DP) infusion, all patients received a single IV dose of RIC melphalan (140 mg/m 2). Endpoints included measures of safety, engraftment, VCN, hemoglobin sub-fractions, and SCD-related outcomes. Patients were weaned off transfusions 3-6 months after DP infusion. Levels of anti-sickling globins (including HbF G16D) are presented as proportions of non-transfused total hemoglobin.Results: As of 28 July 2021, four patients (mean, 26 [19-35] years old) have been treated with ARU-1801 gene therapy for SCD with three patients followed for ≥12 months post-transplant. Transient neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were the predominant adverse events, lasting a median seven days each. There have been no other serious adverse events related to chemotherapy or ARU-1801 to date.At 36 months post-transplant, Patient 1 has shown stable HbF expression (27%) and 64% F-cells. Patient 2 has maintained 14% HbF and 37% F-cells at 36 months despite lower engraftment of ARU-1801 due to renal hyperfiltration (eGFR = 200 mL/min/1.73 m 2) at time of conditioning, which resulted in lower melphalan exposure. Both patients saw marked improvements in SCD manifestations, including 93% and 85% fewer annualized VOEs, respectively, in the two years after receiving ARU-1801 gene therapy compared to two years prior.Patient 3 received ARU-1801 manufactured with several process modifications (including improvements of HSC collection timing and lentiviral production) and has maintained 36% HbF at month 15 with pancellular distribution (96% F-cells). To date, Patient 3 has had no VOEs since ARU-1801 administration, representing 100% reduction from baseline.Conclusion: Amelioration of SCD phenotype and engraftment of ARU-1801 gene-modified HSCs is possible with a single RIC dose of melphalan, as demonstrated in three patients. The first patient shows 27% HbF expression at three years, and 93% reduction in VOEs. The second patient had lower HSC engraftment due to below-target melphalan exposure (likely caused by renal hyperfiltration), with 14% HbF and 5% HbA2 at three years. Nonetheless, an 85% reduction in VOEs in Patient 2 demonstrates significant clinical benefit. Dose-adjusted melphalan has the potential to improve engraftment in SCD patients with renal hyperfiltration. Following manufacturing process improvements, the third patient has shown the highest HbF (36%) at one year, the highest F-cells (96%), and no VOEs since receiving ARU-1801. ARU-1801, with RIC melphalan conditioning, is a promising alternative to myeloablative transplants for achieving durable responses with a favorable safety profile in patients with severe SCD. Longer follow-up and additional patients will be presented. [Display omitted] DisclosuresAsnani: Avicanna Ltd.: Research Funding; Aruvant Sciences: Research Funding. Lutzko: Aruvant Sciences: Patents & Royalties: preclinical vector development. Quinn: Forma Therapeutics: Consultancy; Emmaus Medical: Research Funding; Novo Nordisk: Consultancy; Aruvant: Research Funding. Lo: Aruvant Sciences: Current Employment. Little: Aruvant Sciences: Current Employment. Dong: Aruvant Sciences: Current Employment. Malik: Aruvant Sciences: Consultancy; Forma Therapeutics: Consultancy; Aruvant Sciences: Patents & Royalties; CSL Behring: Patents & Royalties. OffLabel Disclosure:Plerixafor was used for stem cell mobilization. Melphalan was used as chemotherapy conditioning prior to autologous transplant with ARU-1801

Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Voxelotor for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: Results from an Open-Label Extension of the Phase 3 HOPE Trial

Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Voxelotor for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: Results from an Open-Label Extension of the Phase 3 HOPE Trial

Overexpression of Human TLR8 Causes Fatal Anemia in SLE-Prone Mice By Altering the Bone Marrow Erythropoietic Niche

Anemia is a common hematologic abnormality in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease characterized by innate immune system activation by nucleic acid containing immune complexes and cell debris. Work in mouse models has shown that overactivation of several cytoplasmic innate immune sensors by either self-DNA or self-RNA specifically leads to erythroid cell death in the fetal liver while sparing other hematopoietic cell lineages.The endosomal receptors TLR7 and TLR8 both recognize ssRNA in humans. TLR7 overexpression in mice causes a lupus syndrome that includes the development of mild to moderate anemia (Hb >10) and thrombocytopenia and is associated with spleen histiocytosis, autoimmune hemolysis, erythrophagocytosis and compensatory stress erythropoiesis in the spleen. A recent study demonstrated that patients with TLR8 gain of function mutations present with immunodeficiency, inflammation and bone marrow failure. However the role of TLR8 in SLE has been difficult to study in mice because it has a 5 amino acid deletion that attenuates its RNA binding capacity.To address the role of TLR8 in SLE, we overexpressed human TLR8 in a lupus mouse model (huTLR8tg.Sle1.Yaa) using a BAC transgene. 50% of homozygous huTLR8tg.Sle1.Yaa mice developed severe anemia (Hb<9) resulting in early mortality starting at 3-4.5 months of age. This phenotype required both the Sle1 and Yaa loci that promote the formation of high titer anti-chromatin and anti-RNA antibodies and onset of nephritis at >6 months of age. There was no difference in autoantibody titers between Sle1.Yaa wt and huTLR8tg mice and early death was not due to premature onset of renal disease. All mice had normal RBC indices prior to 10 weeks of age. Anemia was associated with an increase in bone marrow (BM) trabecular bone and a decrease in erythroblastic islands (EBI) in the BM with compensatory stress erythropoiesis leading to reticulocytosis and vast splenomegaly. RBC half-life was normal even after the development of reticulocytosis, but decreased in severely anemic mice as a pre-terminal event. Using CFSE labeling of RBCs we showed that hemophagocytosis occurred in vivo as a result of expansion of phagocytic red pulp macrophages.Flow cytometry of BMs from transgenic mice showed normal erythroid progenitors but a block at the late CFU-E/early proerythroblast stage leading to overall decreased terminal erythroid differentiation. Single cell RNAseq of EBIs isolated from transgenic BMs confirmed the block in erythropoiesis. The erythroblast cluster proximal to the block had a signature of mitochondrial stress and decreased proliferation. Spleen EBIs from transgenic mice were characterized by a low frequency of early erythroblasts compared with BM EBIs. We found 6 related clusters of EBI central macrophages in the BMs of both wt and transgenic mice. In transgenic mice, most of these displayed an inflammatory and Type 1 IFN signature. One cluster (M2) expressed all the classical central macrophage phenotypic markers in wt mice but was characterized in transgenic mice by downregulation of multiple phagocytic receptors and a 5-fold decrease of VCAM1 expression. Loss of VCAM1 and downregulation of CD169 in central macrophages of transgenic BMs was confirmed by flow cytometry. By contrast spleen central macrophages from transgenic mice retained VCAM and CD169 expression.Together, these results suggest that failure of BM erythropoiesis in huTLR8 transgenic SLE.Yaa lupus-prone mice, in which the acquisition of anti-nucleic acid autoantibodies drives excess innate stimulus through TLR7 and huTLR8, is due to a block in differentiation from CFU-E to the early proerythroblast stage; this is associated with an inflammatory phenotype specifically in BM erythroblastic island central macrophages and down regulation of adhesion and phagocytic receptors. Stress erythropoiesis in the spleens is associated with vast expansion of red pulp macrophages with phagocytic properties and fatal anemia is associated with a decrease in red blood cell half-life, suggesting that excessive RBC phagocytosis, coupled with insufficient erythroblast progenitors, eventually exceeds the capability of stress erythropoiesis to replace the RBC mass. DisclosuresKalfa: Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Other: Steering Committee, Research Funding; FORMA Therapeutics, Inc: Research Funding. Paulson: Forma Therapeutics: Consultancy. Blanc: Keros Therapeutics, Inc.: Consultancy.

ERN-EuroBloodNet European Registry of Patients Affected by Red Blood Cell Disorders and COVID-19

ERN-EuroBloodNet European Registry of Patients Affected by Red Blood Cell Disorders and COVID-19

Real-World Experience of Patients with Sickle Cell Disease Treated with Voxelotor: A Multicenter, Retrospective Study

Real-World Experience of Patients with Sickle Cell Disease Treated with Voxelotor: A Multicenter, Retrospective Study

Age-Associated Decline in Blood Parameters in Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease

IntroductionIndividuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) in resource-rich countries are now living longer due to the implementation of newborn screening, use of prophylactic penicillin, and introduction of hydroxyurea. The impact of SCD on the bone marrow and peripheral blood counts as individuals with SCD age is not well described in the hydroxyurea era. As a result of increased red blood cell (RBC) turnover due to hemolysis in SCD, potential ineffective erythropoiesis, and well-described systemic inflammatory processes, the increased stress in the bone marrow may manifest as decreased peripheral blood cell counts over time in a during an aging process unique to those with SCD.ObjectiveThe objective was to model routine clinical blood measurements (n=5,328) with a longitudinal cohort of 447 patients, resulting in models of circulating blood counts as a potential marker of bone marrow function across the lifespan in adults with SCD. Our working hypothesis was that increasing age would be associated with decreases in certain blood counts, with trends modified by SCD genotype severity.MethodsIn this large, single institution retrospective cohort study, we analyzed blood count measurements from adults with SCD. We used an accelerated longitudinal cohort design to examine changes in white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin (HGB), absolute reticulocyte count (ARC), and platelet count over time. Genotypes were grouped as severe (HbSS or HbSβ 0-thalassemia; n=301), non-severe (HbSC or HbSβ +-thalassemia; n=136), or other (n=10). For HGB and ARC, we adjusted for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum creatinine.ResultsPatients ranged in age at enrollment from 18 to 84 (M = 31.9, SD=12.9), with median follow-up time of 3.6 years and a median of 6 measurements per patient. Overall, HGB and ARC decreased across the lifespan; however, trends were moderated by genotype. Compared to individuals with non-severe genotypes, those with the severe genotypes had consistently lower HGB levels that did not differ by age. For ARC, the severe genotypes had higher levels in young adulthood, which slowly decreased with age. WBC also decreased with age for this group. In contrast, individuals with the non-severe genotype showed an increase in WBC by age. Platelet counts decreased with increasing age for those with the severe genotype while those with non-severe genotypes showed an increase with age.ConclusionSevere SCD genotypes are associated with decreases in HGB, ARC, WBC, and platelet count by age. For HGB and ARC, these declines are significantly attenuated by renal function, suggesting that such declines are largely related to worsening renal function with age. However, an intrinsic bone marrow contribution to this aging process should also be explored in future studies. Decreases in WBC and platelet count with time, observed in the severe genotypes, support the presence of pathological processes of bone marrow dysfunction that may worsen with age. A possible etiology of the increasing bone marrow dysfunction in SCD may be a result of bone marrow exhaustion or cellular senescence. Prospective studies to explore contributors to reduced blood counts during the aging process in individuals with SCD are needed. We are actively exploring potential biomarkers associated with this process. [Display omitted] DisclosuresCarden: Forma Therapeutics: Current Employment. Derebail: Novartis: Consultancy; UpToDate: Patents & Royalties; Travere Therapeutics: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy. Ataga: Novo Nordisk: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Forma Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Global Blood Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

The Effect of Voxelotor on Exercise Capacity of Youths with Sickle Cell Anemia

Background/Hypothesis: Children and adults with sickle cell anemia (SCA) exhibit decreased cardiopulmonary fitness. Anemia is directly related to oxygen carrying capacity and is one factor that affects cardiopulmonary fitness. The new sickle cell drug voxelotor raises hemoglobin in patients with SCA treated or untreated with hydroxyurea. We hypothesized that voxelotor improves exercise capacity in youths with SCA.Methods: A single-center, open-label, single-arm longitudinal interventional pilot study was conducted for patients with SCA age > 12. Participants performed baseline Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET#1), took 1500mg voxelotor for 2 months, then CPET was repeated (CPET#2). A modified Bruce Protocol using 2-minute stages was performed on a motorized treadmill, for a goal of 8-12 minutes of exercise. Breath by breath gas exchange data were collected and analyzed using a VMax Encore 29C metabolic cart. The metabolic test included standard monitoring of heart rate, EKG ST changes, arrhythmias, and O2 saturation. A respiratory quotient >1.1 was used as evidence of participant effort. Peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2), anaerobic threshold (AT), O2 pulse, VE/VCO2 slope, and time exercised in CPET#1 and CPET#2 were compared for each participant. The primary endpoint was peak VO2.Hemoglobin (Hgb), reticulocyte count, and bilirubin were measured before CPET#1 and CPET#2. Pill count was used to monitor medication adherence and left shift of the P50 oxygen dissociation curve was used to document biochemical effect of voxelotor. Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) and Clinician Global Impression of Change (CGIC) surveys were collected at the end of the study.Statistical analysis was performed using Student's paired T-test.Results: Nine SCA patients ages 12-20, including 4 males and 5 females, completed the study. All had Hgb SS and were stably maintained on hydroxyurea, which was continued without dose change during the study. After 2 months of voxelotor, all participants demonstrated expected hematologic changes, including mean rise in Hgb +1.3 g/dL (95% C.I.= 0.8, 1.7), mean decrease in reticulocyte count -2.4% (95% C.I.= -4.1, -0.8), and mean decrease in bilirubin -0.4 mg/dL (95% C.I.= -0.8, -0.1). All participants demonstrated voxelotor adherence and leftward shift of p50 (Table 1).Oxygen consumption, measured as percent predicted peak VO2 (ml/kg/min), ranged from 52% to 80% in CPET#1 and from 55% to 71% in CPET#2. The changes in peak VO2 for individual participants ranged from -10% to +10% of predicted peak VO2, with a mean difference of -2.2% (95% CI = -7.1, 2.7), which is insignificant (p=0.3). Using +/- 6% as variability in peak VO2 measurement, 5 participants exhibited no change, 3 participants had decrease in peak VO2 of -7%, -9%, and -10%, while peak VO2 increased by +10% for a single participant, who started to exercise on his own after starting voxelotor. Changes in individuals' anaerobic threshold, O2 pulse, VE/VCO2 slope, and time exercised were not significant and did not correlate with changes in peak VO2. All participants achieved respiratory quotient >1.1, assuring participant effort during CPET (Table 2).On the 7-point PGIC questionnaire evaluating activity limitations, symptoms, emotions, and overall quality of life, 7 out of 9 participants reported positive change, including “a great deal better,” “definite,” and “moderate” improvements. Two participants reported minimal to no change, and no participants reported worsening. In comparison, clinicians reported “minimal” to “much” improvement on CGIC for all participants. Overall, patient impression of improvement was higher than clinician impression of improvement.Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of using CPET to evaluate exercise capacity longitudinally in youths with SCA. After addition of voxelotor to hydroxyurea for 2 months, all patients perceived global improvement. Peak VO2 did not change in 8 out of 9 participants and improved for 1 participant who exercised between the 2 CPETs. To increase peak VO2, higher Hgb increase, concurrent regular exercise, and longer exposure to voxelotor may be necessary.This study was funded by Global Blood Therapeutics [Display omitted] DisclosuresLarkin: Forma Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding. Dulman: Pfizer: Other: own stock. Kuypers: Forma Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding.

Experiences of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Reported By Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) across Different Regions: International Sickle Cell World Assessment Survey (SWAY)

Experiences of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Reported By Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) across Different Regions: International Sickle Cell World Assessment Survey (SWAY)

A Phase 1 Dose Escalation Study of Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) Inhibitor PRT543 in Patients with Myeloid Malignancies

A Phase 1 Dose Escalation Study of Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) Inhibitor PRT543 in Patients with Myeloid Malignancies

Long-Term Outcome of Conjunctival Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma: A Large Single-Institution Analysis

BackgroundThe most common subtype of B-cell lymphomas presenting in the conjunctiva is extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (EMZL), accounting for ~80% of cases. Most patients (pts) present with localized disease, and radiation therapy (RT) is the preferred treatment strategy. We aimed to retrospectively analyze our single-institution experience to provide further insight into the characteristics and long-term outcomes of conjunctival EMZL.MethodsWe evaluated 72 pts diagnosed with conjunctival EMZL between 01/1995 and 12/2020 at the University of Miami. Pts' characteristics included age, sex, TNM-AJCC ocular lymphoma and Ann Arbor staging systems, MALT-IPI score, treatment (RT, chemotherapy, rituximab), and treatment response (complete response (CR), partial response, stable disease, progression of disease). Primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and compared using the log rank test and the univariable Cox regression analysis. We also performed a competing risk univariable analysis (UVA) assessing predictors of cumulative incidence of relapse/progression, with death without relapse as a competing risk, using the Fine and Gray regression analysis.ResultsAmong all 72 pts, mean age was 59.9 yrs (7-93) with 38 (52.8%) being >60 yrs old, 46 (63.9%) were female, 56 (77.8%) had unilateral conjunctival disease, localized disease (T1N0M0 and Ann Arbor stage I) was present in 63 (87.5%), 6 (8.3%) had disseminated disease with more than 1 extranodal site involved, and 29 (40.3%) had a MALT-IPI of 1 or 2. After biopsy and surgical removal, 65 (90.2%) received additional treatment, while 6 (8.3%) were followed only, and in one case therapy information was not available . RT was the most common treatment (53 pts [73.6%], with 46 [86.8%] of those treated with ≥ 30 Gy). In two of these patients RT was combined with chemotherapy. Other treated pts received immunochemotherapy (12 [16.7%], including rituximab in 8). Five pts with stage II-IV disease received systemic therapy. CR was achieved in 63 (87.5%) after first line treatment, and no high-grade lymphoma transformation was seen. With a median follow up of 6.67 yrs (0.56-24.13), there were 14 relapses (19.4%). Among 53 pts treated with RT there were 8 relapses (15.1%), only one (1.9%) within the RT field. There were 23 progression events (31.9%, 14 relapses and 9 deaths without documented relapse), and a total of 14 deaths (19.4%).Mean PFS and OS were 6.69 yrs (0.49-20.37, SD 4.95) and 7.81 yrs (0.56-24.13, SD 5.40), respectively. The 10-yr PFS and OS were 68.4% (95%CI 52.8, 79.8%) and 89.4% (95%CI 77.4, 95.2%), respectively. Variables associated with shorter PFS in UVA Cox model were age > 60 yrs (HR=2.93, 95%CI 1.08, 7.95; p=0.035), high MALT-IPI (1-2) (HR=2.42, 95%CI 1.01, 5.78; p=0.048), and use of chemotherapy only (HR=2.73, 95%CI 1.13, 6.56; p=0.025). Variables associated with shorter OS included age >60 yrs (HR=9.07, 95%CI 1.17, 70.26; p=0.035) and high MALT-IPI (HR=6.19, 95%CI 1.35, 28.33; p=0.019). CR after frontline therapy was associated with longer PFS (HR=0.13, 95%CI 0.04, 0.45; p=0.001) but not OS. PFS of MALT-IPI 0 vs 1-2 was significantly longer (p=0.042), with 10-yr PFS 80.9% (95%CI 63.4%, 90.6%) vs 55.6% (95%CI 32.1%, 73.8%). Similarly, longer OS was observed in MALT-IPI 0 pts (p=0.0077; 10-yr OS 95.2% [95%CI 82.2%, 98.8%] vs 80.6% [95%CI 55.6%, 92.4%]) (Figure).A subset UVA Cox analysis of patients with Ann Arbor stage I showed longer PFS associated with CR after frontline therapy (HR 0.15, 95%CI 0.04, 0.58; p=0.006) with no significant association with age >60 yrs, high MALT-IPI or use of chemotherapy. Variables associated with shorter OS were age >60 yrs (HR 8.01, 95%CI 1.00, 63.98; p=0.05) and high MALT-IPI (HR 13.41, 95%CI 1.67, 107.99; p=0.015), similarly to the primary analysis.On univariable Fine and Gray regression models with death without relapse/progression as a competing risk, RT (SHR=0.33, 95%CI 0.12, 0.96; p=0.041) and CR-post frontline therapy (SHR=0.11, 95%CI 0.03, 0.36; p<0.001) were associated with lower risk of relapse. Conversely, chemotherapy (SHR=3.47, 95%CI 1.20, 10.0; p=0.022) was associated with higher risk of relapse.ConclusionPatients with conjunctival EMZL exhibit excellent long-term survival, and RT remains the most effective frontline therapy. MALT-IPI appropriately identifies patients at risk for treatment failure. [Display omitted] DisclosuresAlderuccio: ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Oncinfo / OncLive: Honoraria; Puma Biotechnology: Other: Family member; Inovio Pharmaceuticals: Other: Family member; Agios Pharmaceuticals: Other: Family member; Forma Therapeutics: Other: Family member. Lossos: Lymphoma Research Foundation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; NCI: Research Funding; Stanford University: Patents & Royalties; Verastem: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; NIH grants: Research Funding; University of Miami: Current Employment.