Generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Research Articles

Budget Impact Analysis of afatinib for first-line treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients with uncommon EGFR mutations

Background: The current clinical practice for patients affected by Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) with uncommon mutation is based on afatinib and osimertinib, second and third generation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) respectively. For uncommon EGFR mutations, it is still unclear which EGFR TKI is most effective, since there are few dedicated prospective studies and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques trace an increasingly large and sometimes little-known population of EGFR mutations. Objective: To determine the economic impact associated to afatinib and osimertinib, a Budget Impact model considering a 3-year time horizon with two scenarios was developed: a first scenario, called AS IS, based on treatment with afatinib and osimertinib according to a distribution of market shares as emerged from clinical practice; a second suitable scenario, called TO BE, based on reviewed literature data, assuming for each year a 10%, 15% and 20% increase in afatinib use, respectively. Methods: Budget Impact analysis was conducted using a dynamic cohort model, in which the annual number of patients with NSCLC and uncommon mutations was equally distributed over 12 months. Progression-free survival (PFS) data for afatinib and osimertinib were extrapolated up to 36 months from published Kaplan Meier curves, and then the number of patients was estimated for each treatment. Results: The increase of 10% in afatinib use allowed a saving of drug acquisition costs for the Italian NHS, over the 3-year time horizon, of –€ 622,432. The univariate sensitivity analysis shows the market share of osimertinib to be the parameter significantly affecting the results achieved in the base case. Conclusions: The potential increase in the use of afatinib in patients with NSCLC and uncommon mutations leads to lower drug acquisition costs, lower Budget Impact and a saving of money for the Italian NHS.

Adverse outcomes in chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors: Follow-up of patients diagnosed 2002-2017 in a complete coverage and nationwide agnostic register study.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have profoundly improved the clinical outcome for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), but their overall survival is still subnormal and the treatment is associated with adverse events. In a large cohort‐study, we assessed the morbidity in 1328 Swedish CML chronic phase patients diagnosed 2002–2017 and treated with TKIs, as compared to that in carefully matched control individuals. Several Swedish patient registers with near‐complete nationwide coverage were utilized for data acquisition. Median follow‐up was 6 (IQR, 3–10) years with a total follow‐up of 8510 person‐years for the full cohort. Among 670 analyzed disease categories, the patient cohort showed a significantly increased risk in 142 while, strikingly, no category was more common in controls. Increased incidence rate ratios/IRR (95% CI) for more severe events among patients included acute myocardial infarction (AMI) 2.0 (1.5–2.6), heart failure 2.6 (2.2–3.2), pneumonia 2.8 (2.3–3.5), and unspecified sepsis 3.5 (2.6–4.7). When comparing patients on 2nd generation TKIs vs. imatinib in a within‐cohort analysis, nilotinib generated elevated IRRs for AMI (2.9; 1.5–5.6) and chronic ischemic heart disease (2.2; 1.2–3.9), dasatinib for pleural effusion (11.6; 7.6–17.7) and infectious complications, for example, acute upper respiratory infections (3.0; 1.4–6.0). Our extensive real‐world data reveal significant risk increases of severe morbidity in TKI‐treated CML patients, as compared to matched controls, particularly for 2nd generation TKIs. Whether this increased morbidity may also translate into increased mortality, thus preventing CML patients to achieve a normalized overall survival, needs to be further explored.

Upfront Treatment With Osimertinib vs. Osimertinib and Radiotherapy for Patients With EGFR-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Brain Metastases

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> Given the improved central nervous system penetration of 3^rd generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as osimertinib, the role of upfront radiation therapy (RT) in the setting of brain metastases (BM) has been brought into question. We sought to retrospectively evaluate outcomes at our institution for patients with EGFR-positive NSCLC treated with osimertinib as the upfront treatment for new or progressing BM versus osimertinib in combination with intracranial RT. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> This single-institution retrospective analysis of EGFR-positive NSCLC with new or progressing BM included a total of 92 patients with 405 BM treated between 2013 to 2021 and followed until July 2021. Two BM treatment groups were evaluated: (1) patients treated with upfront osimertinib alone (n=58), and (2) patients treated with osimertinib combined with RT [either whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) or stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) prior or concurrently with osimertinib (n=34)]; both groups began treatment within 2 months of BM diagnosis. Time-to-event analysis was conducted with the Kaplan-Meier (KM) method, and outcomes included distant intracranial control (DIC), local control (LC), and overall survival (OS). Cox proportional hazards model was utilized for multivariate analysis (MVA) to identify correlations of clinical outcomes. <h3>Results</h3> Median follow-up from BM diagnosis was 13.2 months (0.8-48.9 months). Of the patients treated with osimertinib and RT, 17 were treated with SRS and 17 with WBRT. No significant differences in age (p=0.96), gender (p=0.42), DS-GPA (p=0.73), KPS (p=0.54, number (p=0.52) or volume (p=0.29) of BM, SRS dose (p=0.44), or number of systemic metastases (p=0.88) were noted between groups. No difference between osimertinib vs osimertinib and RT groups was noted for 12 month KM rates of DIC 84.9% and 68.7% (p=0.80); LC 99.6% and 93.1% (p=0.31); and OS 66% and 73.5% (p=0.). Of the 58 patients treated with upfront osimertinib, 19 patients with 77 lesions eventually required radiation for intracranial progression with 62 of those lesions being treated with SRS. Upon MVA, higher KPS (p=.001) and DS-GPA (p=0.002) were associated with increased OS and systemic metastasis at time of treatment with worse OS (p=0.001). <h3>Conclusion</h3> The results of this study support other preliminary data suggesting that upfront osimertinib alone may provide sufficient intracranial control to allow RT to be deferred until further intracranial progression. Prospective trials are needed to further guide treatment.

First-line therapeutic strategy for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer with Leu858Arg epidermal growth factor receptor mutations: a Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Aim:The objective of this network meta-analysis was to determine the most useful first-line therapeutic strategy for patients with advanced (IIIB/IV or relapsed) non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) Leu858Arg or EGFR 19del mutations.Methods:PubMed, the Web of Science, Medline, and reports of the top three world cancer conferences (WCLC, ESMO, and ASCO) were searched for appropriated randomized controlled studies (RCTs) discussing the use of various generations of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs; gefitinib, erlotinib, icotinib, afatinib, dacomitinib, osimertinib, aumolertinib), chemotherapy [pemetrexed-based chemotherapy (PC), non-pemetrexed-based chemotherapy (NPC)], and different combined therapies (osimertinib plus bevacizumab, afatinib plus cetuximab, erlotinib plus bevacizumab, erlotinib plus ramucirumab, gefitinib plus apatinib, gefitinib plus PC, and gefitinib plus pemetrexed) to treat patients with advanced NSCLC with EGFR Leu858Arg or 19del mutations. OpenBugs and Stata software were used to analyze the data.Results:We included 21 studies with 16 arms (including 2479 cases with EGFR Leu858Arg mutations and 3325 cases with EGFR 19del mutations). Among patients with NSCLC with EGFR Leu858Arg mutations, compared with the first-generation TKIs (such as gefitinib), the second- or third-generation TKIs [dacomitinib: hazard ratio (HR) = 0.63; 95% confidence index (CI) = (0.45, 0.89); osimertinib: HR = 0.63; 95% CI = (0.42, 0.97)] showed significant benefits in improving progression-free survival (PFS), as did afatinib plus cetuximab [HR = 1.98; 95% CI = (1.01, 3.95)], erlotinib plus bevacizumab [HR = 1.79; 95% CI = (1.22, 2.62)], and erlotinib plus ramucirumab [HR = 1.62; 95% CI = (1.07, 2.48)]. In terms of overall survival (OS), these 16 arms showed no significant differences between each other (p > 0.05). Among patients with NSCLC with EGFR 19del mutations, compared with the first- or second-generation TKIs (such as gefitinib and afatinib), aumolertinib [versus gefitinib: HR = 0.39; 95% CI = (0.28, 0.55) versus afatinib: HR = 0.53; 95% CI = (0.35, 0.84)] and osimertinib [versus gefitinib: HR = 0.40; 95% CI = (0.32, 0.51) versus afatinib: HR = 0.53, 95% CI = (0.38, 0.79)] showed significantly beneficial effects. Among these first-line therapeutic strategies for patients with EGFR Leu858Arg mutations, the combination of afatinib and cetuximab ranked as the best to prolong PFS (33.0%). For NSCLC patients with 19del mutations, however, osimertinib plus bevacizumab was the best at prolonging PFS (84.3%).Conclusion:For NSCLC patients with EGFR Leu858Arg mutations, the second-generation TKIs, the third-generation TKIs, and the combined treatments showed better efficacy than the first-generation TKIs for PFS. There were, however, no significant differences between each group for OS.

TP53 co-mutations as an independent prognostic factor in 2nd and further line therapy-EGFR mutated non-small cell lung cancer IV patients treated with osimertinib.

BackgroundThe negative prognostic and predictive value of TP53 co-mutations (TP53 mt+) in EGFR mutated (EGFR mt+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is increasingly being acknowledged. Data consistently show that TP53 mt+ impact negatively on 1st line objective response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with 1st and 2nd generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). However, a negative predictive impact has not been shown for the 3rd generation TKI Osimertinib. Therefore, we investigated the impact of TP53 mt+ in EGFR mt+ NSCLC carrying a T790M resistance mutation and treated in 2nd/further lines with Osimertinib.MethodsA total of 77 EGFR mt+ NSCLC IV patients carrying a T790M resistance mutation from two institutions were analyzed for TP53 mt+. Clinical data including sex, age, presence of CNS metastases, etc., as well as types of EGFR and TP53 mt+ were captured. PFS and OS were calculated from the start of Osimertinib.ResultsTP53 mt+ were found in 32/77 patients (42%). TP53 mt+ was a statistically significant independent negative predictive factor for PFS and OS. PFS for TP53 mt+ patients were 9 months vs. 14 months for patients with TP53 wild-type (TP53WT) (P<0.008). OS for TP53 mt+ patients was 16 months vs. 24 months patients with TP53WT (P<0.025).ConclusionsTP53 mt+ have a negative impact on PFS and OS in a group of patients carrying a sensitizing EGFR mt+ and a T790M resistance mutation treated with Osimertinib. These data, together with the data for 1st/2nd generation TKI in 1st line treatment call for additional therapeutic and management concepts for this subgroup of patients.

Real world outcomes in patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation–A single institution experience

Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been associated with a worse prognosis compared to Ph negative ALL. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy has led to an improvement in response rates and survival, thus becoming a critical component of therapy. We performed a retrospective cohort study of Ph+ ALL patients treated at the University of Michigan who received TKI therapy pre- and post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) from April 2007 to November 2019. The study included 40 patients with Ph+ ALL (47.5% female) with a median age of 54 (24-69) years. Median event-free survival (EFS) was not reached, with a 5-year EFS of 61%. Median overall survival (OS) was not reached, with a 5-year OS of 71%. There was no difference in 2-year EFS or OS for patients on pre-transplant imatinib or dasatinib (p = 0.16, 0.09, respectively), though definitive conclusions are challenging as post-transplant TKI therapy was variable. The incidence of any grade acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 62.5% (25/40) and any grade chronic GVHD was 77.5% (31/40). Complete molecular remission (CMR) was achieved in 57.5% of patients pre-transplant with no significant difference when stratified by induction TKI (p = 1). Achievement of CMR pre-HSCT showed a trend towards improved 2-year EFS (p=0.0198) but did not significantly change 2-year OS (p = 1). Patients receiving 1st and 2nd generation TKIs pre- and post-HSCT seem to have favorable outcomes, although type of TKI (pre-HSCT) did not significantly impact EFS or OS. In addition, attaining a CMR pre-transplant improved EFS, but did not change OS.

Management of hepatocellular carcinoma with novel immunotherapeutic agents and prospects for the future

The most frequent type of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although HCC is not the most frequent cancer, it is characterized by high mortality – the 5-year survival rate is 6,9%. In recent decades there was only one molecule available in treatment (sorafenib). However, in the past few years there have been advances in treatment. Nowadays, new generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors, check point inhibitors and anti-angiogenesis drugs are available. All those studies were analyzed outcome in context of monotherapy or combined therapies. In this review we made an attempt to com­pare results from different studies. Even though, many studies are undergoing final stages of clinical trials, it seems that combined therapies should be the next step in treatment advances.

Blood-Brain Barrier in Brain Tumors: Biology and Clinical Relevance.

The presence of barriers, such as the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and brain–tumor barrier (BTB), limits the penetration of antineoplastic drugs into the brain, resulting in poor response to treatments. Many techniques have been developed to overcome the presence of these barriers, including direct injections of substances by intranasal or intrathecal routes, chemical modification of drugs or constituents of BBB, inhibition of efflux pumps, physical disruption of BBB by radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (EMP), laser-induced thermal therapy (LITT), focused ultrasounds (FUS) combined with microbubbles and convection enhanced delivery (CED). However, most of these strategies have been tested only in preclinical models or in phase 1–2 trials, and none of them have been approved for treatment of brain tumors yet. Concerning the treatment of brain metastases, many molecules have been developed in the last years with a better penetration across BBB (new generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors like osimertinib for non-small-cell lung carcinoma and neratinib/tucatinib for breast cancer), resulting in better progression-free survival and overall survival compared to older molecules. Promising studies concerning neural stem cells, CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptors) strategies and immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors are ongoing.

Leukemia Stem Cells as a Potential Target to Achieve Therapy-Free Remission in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

Simple SummaryLeukemic stem cells represent a rare subpopulation of leukemic cells, which not only drive leukemia initiation and progression, but also contribute to drug resistance and/or disease relapse. To achieve permanent cures and prevent relapse, eradication of leukemia stem cells is essential. Chronic myeloid leukemia is a myeloproliferative disorder, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors have dramatically improved long-term outcomes and quality of life for patients. Point mutations of the kinase domain of BCR-ABL1 lead to drug resistance, and as a result, several new generations of tyrosine kinase inhibitor have been introduced to the clinic. Some patients develop drug resistance without known mutations, however, and the presence of leukemia stem cells is believed to be at least partially associated with resistance development and disease relapse. The identification of specific markers distinguishing leukemia stem cells from healthy hematopoietic stem cells, and the potential contributions of the bone marrow microenvironment to leukemia pathogenesis, have also been explored. In this review, we revisit the current knowledge regarding the roles of leukemia stem cells in response to pharmacological treatment and explore how durable treatment-free remission may be achieved after discontinuing tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment.Leukemia stem cells (LSCs, also known as leukemia-initiating cells) not only drive leukemia initiation and progression, but also contribute to drug resistance and/or disease relapse. Therefore, eradication of every last LSC is critical for a patient’s long-term cure. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder that arises from multipotent hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have dramatically improved long-term outcomes and quality of life for patients with CML in the chronic phase. Point mutations of the kinase domain of BCR-ABL1 lead to TKI resistance through a reduction in drug binding, and as a result, several new generations of TKIs have been introduced to the clinic. Some patients develop TKI resistance without known mutations, however, and the presence of LSCs is believed to be at least partially associated with resistance development and CML relapse. We previously proposed targeting quiescent LSCs as a therapeutic approach to CML, and a number of potential strategies for targeting insensitive LSCs have been presented over the last decade. The identification of specific markers distinguishing CML-LSCs from healthy HSCs, and the potential contributions of the bone marrow microenvironment to CML pathogenesis, have also been explored. Nonetheless, 25% of CML patients are still expected to switch TKIs at least once, and various TKI discontinuation studies have shown a wide range in the incidence of molecular relapse (from 30% to 60%). In this review, we revisit the current knowledge regarding the role(s) of LSCs in CML leukemogenesis and response to pharmacological treatment and explore how durable treatment-free remission may be achieved and maintained after discontinuing TKI treatment.

Comparison of afatinib and osimertinib effect on overall survival in first-line drug treatment of EGFR-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: network meta-analysis

Background. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the standard of treatment of EGFR-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC). Different TKI generations have different properties. Currently there are no results of head-to-head clinical trials of II generation TKI afatinib against III generation TKI osimertinib. In such case network meta-analysis (NMA) can be used for evidence synthesis.&#x0D; Aim. To compare afatinib and osimertinib effect on overall survival (OS) in first-line drug treatment of EGFR-positive mNSCLC.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Search of trials to build evidence network was done in Medline, CT.gov, and EU-CTR. Endpoint was OS measured as hazard ratio (HR) of all-cause death. Analysis was split into base case analysis and two sensitivity analyses depending on criteria of transitivity. Random effect model was used for NMA. Results were analyzed in overall population and subgroups according to the type of EGFR-mutation, ECOG score, and presence of CNS metastases. Statistical analysis was done in R with netmeta package.&#x0D; Results. Fourteen trials were included in the study. There was no statistically significant difference regarding OS between afatinib and osimertinib in overall population neither in base case nor in first sensitivity analysis: HR 1.06 [0.79; 1.41], p=0.697 and 1.08 [0.83; 1.41], p=0.561, respectively. Results of comparison of II generation TKIs against osimertinib in second sensitivity analysis were consistent: HR 1.03 [0.81; 1.31], p=0.834. Results in all subgroups were consistent with each other and overall population. There was no statistically significant heterogeneity/inconsistency in the network in any of the analyses.&#x0D; Conclusion. Afatinib and osimertinib have similar efficacy regarding OS in first-line drug treatment of EGFR-positive mNSCLC.

VP9-2021: ORIENT-31: Phase III study of sintilimab with or without IBI305 plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR mutated nonsquamous NSCLC who progressed after EGFR-TKI therapy

Treatment option for nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (nsqNSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor mutations (EGFRm) is limited upon progression after tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). ORIENT-31 is a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study of sintilimab (sint, anti-PD-1 antibody) with or without IBI305 (bevacizumab biosimilar) plus chemotherapy (chemo) in patients (pts) with EGFRm nsqNSCLC who progressed after EGFR TKI therapy (NCT03802240). Pts with EGFRm nsqNSCLC who had progressed afterEGFR-TKI therapy were randomized (1:1:1) to Arm A (sint + IBI305 + chemo), Arm B [sint + placebo 2 (pb2) + chemo] or Arm C (pb1 + pb2 + chemo), stratified by sex (male vs female) and brain metastasis (yes vs no). Sint / pb1 (200 mg), IBI305 / pb2 (15 mg/kg), pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) and cisplatin (75 mg/m2) were administered IV Q3W for 4 cycles, followed by maintenance treatment of sint / pb1, IBI305 / pb2 and pemetrexed. Conditional crossover to sint monotherapy was allowed for pts in Arm C. Primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) by independent radiographic review committee (IRRC). By data cutoff (31 Jul, 2021, median follow up of 9.8m) of first interim analysis, 444 pts were randomized (Arm A / B / C 148 / 145 / 151). Median age was 57 y. 36.0% pts had brain metastasis. Previously, 63.7% pts received 1st or 2nd generation (G) TKI with T790M-, 28.2% pts received 1st or 2nd and then 3rd G TKI with T790M+, 8.1% pts received first-line 3rd G TKI. Median PFS (95%CI) by IRRC was 6.9m (6.0, 9.3) in Arm A, 5.6m (4.7, 6.9) in Arm B, 4.3m (4.1, 5.4) in Arm C. PFS was significantly prolonged in Arm A vs. Arm C (HR 0.464, 95%CI: 0.337, 0.639; p<0.0001). Arm B showed trend of PFS benefit vs. Arm C (HR 0.750, 95%CI: 0.555, 1.013; p=0.0584). The futility analysis of Arm A vs. B did not cross the futility boundary (HR 0.726, 95%CI: 0.528, 0.998). Confirmed ORR were 43.9%, 33.1% and 25.2% in Arm A, B and C respectively. Incidence of grade ≥3 treatment-emergent AEs were 54.7%, 39.3% and 51.0% respectively. In pts with EGFRm nsqNSCLC who progressed after EGFR-TKIs, sint combined with IBI305 and chemo has significantly improved PFS compared with chemo alone.

STAT5 inhibitor Pimozide as a probable therapeutic option in overcoming Ponatinib resistance in K562 leukemic cells

Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 5 (STAT5) is a transcription factor that plays a key role in neoplasia, triggered by the fusion oncogene BCR-ABL1; it is not only an essential protein for the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), but also its overexpression is associated with drug resistance developed toward various generations of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs); these are still accepted as gold standard therapeutics for the treatment of CML. In this study, it was investigated whether suppression of STAT5 via a “STAT5 inhibitor” Pimozide resulted in any regain of chemosensitivity to third-generation TKI Ponatinib. Accordingly, the experimental work was designed on both parental CML cell line K562WT and its 1 nM Ponatinib-resistant counterpart, indicated as K562-Pon1. Based on the experimental results, Pimozide was more effective in resistant cells compared to wild-type cells for inducing apoptosis and block cell arrest. Combination therapy of Pimozide and Ponatinib demonstrated that STAT5 was a significant protein for regaining chemosensitivity to Ponatinib when its expression was suppressed both at mRNA and protein level. In conclusion, we consider that STAT5 inhibitor Pimozide can be a good alternative or combination therapy with TKIs for patients suffering from chemotherapeutic drug resistance. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Non-Intensive Continuous Treatment with a Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) Followed By Allo-HSCT Is an Effective Therapeutic Strategy for Adult Ph-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Outcomes of the Russian Prospective Multicenter RALL Study

Introduction. As Ph-positive (Ph+) ALL in adults remains less favorable in prognosis than other ALL, and by expert opinion needs non-intensive chemotherapy protocols and new generation TKI with the majority of pts undergoing allo-HSCT, the results of treatment based on the different approach: de-escalated but continuous treatment with the change of TKI according to the molecular response and allo-HSCT may be of interest and provide new insights to the treatment of Ph+ ALL.Aim. To evaluate survival and outcomes in different risk groups in pts with Ph+ ALL in the RALL-study (Ph+ALL-2009, Ph+ALL-2012 and Ph+ALL-2012m protocols).Patients and methods. Between January 2010 and June 2021, 74 new Ph+ ALL cases were diagnosed in 6 centers of the RALL-group and 63 of them were evaluable for analysis (median age 37 years (17-73), m/f 32(43%)/42(57%), CNS disease in 13(21%) pts, WBC>30*10 9/l in 27(43%) pts, bcr/abl transcript p190/p210/p190+210 in 31(60%)/12(23%)/9(17%) cases). Standard cytogenetic was performed in all 63 pts, 1 had no mitosis, 6(10%) monosomy 7 and 2 (3%) complex karyotypes were detected.All pts were treated according to RALL protocols with continuous Imatinib. Ph+ALL-2009 protocol included 600 mg Imatinib with prednisone, VNCR, L-asp, Dauno, Cph, followed by 6-MP and MTX. Imatinib had to be changed to Dasatinib (140 mg) after non-achievement of molecular complete response (MolCR) on day 70. MolCR was defined as bcr/abl chimeric transcript <0,01% by PCR with 10 -4 sensitivity. In protocols Ph+ALL-2012 and Ph+ALLm, we de-intensified chemotherapy: reduced Dauno, Cph and L-asp doses, accordingly. All pts were considered as candidates for allogeneic HSCT in CR1 if HLA-identical donor was available. 36 (57%) pts underwent HSCT in the first-line therapy: 2(6%) autologous, 9 (25%) matched related, 20 (56%) matched unrelated and 5 (13%) haplo-HSCT.Results. Hematological complete remission (CR) was achieved in 60 (95%) of 63 pts (1 early death and 2 refractory cases occurred). On day 70, MolCR was achieved in 21(38%) of 56 pts. Death on therapy in CR (within 5 months of induction/consolidation) was registered in 4 (6%) cases. The major causes of the non-relapsed mortality in unrelated allo-HSCT (n=9) were aGVHD and severe infections, at a median +4 months after HSCT.The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) for all 63 pts were 58% and 45%, respectively. The long-term outcome on different protocols (Ph+ALL-2009, Ph+ALL-2012 and Ph+ALL-2012m) were similar: 3-year OS - 55% vs 51% vs 75% (p=0,27), 3-year DFS - 56% vs 44% vs 50% (p=0,54), respectively.The 5-year OS was 65% vs 61% (p=0,84), and DFS was 57% vs 31% (p=0,24) in transplanted vs non-transplanted patients by landmark analysis with a median 5,3 month of CR. Landmark analysis of 5-year OS for transplanted and non-transplanted pts depending on age showed no significant difference for both groups: >45y 40% vs 80%; and ≤45y 70% vs 49%, respectively (p=0,1625), although data for 5-year OS was still not mature at the time of analysis. DFS was significantly different in transplanted vs. non-transplanted pts: >45y 40% vs 71%; ≤45y 61% vs 0%; respectively (p=0,0439).In a multivariate analysis for Ph+ ALL among common risk factors (age > 45y, WBC>30, LDH>2N, immunophenotype, late MolCR >70d, CNS leukemia) WBC>30, HSCT were significant risk factors for OS and DFS.Conclusions. Our data demonstrate that de-intensification of chemotherapy does not affect the efficacy of Ph+ ALL therapy in the era of TKIs. We confirmed that patients older than 45y old could be treated by chemotherapy with TKI (new generation TKI if needed) only, but all pts younger than 45y should be considered for HSCT. [Display omitted] DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

A Predictive Score for Failure-Free Survival in Persons with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Receiving Imatinib

Background Initial tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy strategies in persons with newly-diagnosed chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) include the standard dose imatinib, a 2 nd generation TKI, staring with imatinib and then increasing the dose or switching to a 2 nd generation TKI if the 2020 European LeukemiaNet (ELN) response landmarks are not met. Which therapy strategy is best is still uncertain. There is no predictive score for failure-free survival in this setting to help physicians choose between these alternatives.Objective Develop and validate a predictive score for failure-free survival (FFS; FFS predictive score [FFSPS]) in persons with newly-diagnosed chronic phase CML receiving initial imatinib therapy.Methods Data from 1321 consecutive subjects receiving initial therapy with imatinib were interrogated to identify co-variates predicting FFS with failure defined according to the 2020 ELN criteria. Cut-offs for continuous variables were determined by analyzing receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves, and a Cox multi-variable regression model was used to identify predictive co-variates in a training dataset (n = 880). A weighted predictive score (FFSPS) was developed and validated in 441 other subjects.Results In the training dataset, WBC ≥ 120 × 10E+9 /L (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 1.7 [95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.1, 2.2]), haemoglobin concentration ≤ 113.5 g/L (HR = 2.3 [1.7, 3.1]), blood basophils ≥ 11.5% (HR =1.6 [1.0, 2.3]) and EUTOS long-term survival (ELTS) risk score (intermediate-risk, HR = 1.9 [1.4, 2.6]; high-risk, HR = 3.7 [2.2, 5.0]) were significantly-associated with worse FFS and each assigned 1 point in the scoring system except ELTS high-risk which was assigned 2 points. According to the FFSPS, the training dataset were classified into 5 subgroups: the very low- (score = 0; n = 307, 35%), low- (score = 1; n = 176, 20%), intermediate- (score = 2; n = 183, 21%); high- (score = 3; n = 152, 17%) and the very high- (score ≥ 4; n = 62, 7%) risk subgroups. There were significant differences in the 7-year probabilities of FFS among the 5 subgroups (89% [84, 92%] vs. 76% [67, 83%] vs. 64% [56, 71%] vs. 52% [43, 60%] vs. 28% [17, 40%], p < 0.001, Figure A). The concordance statistic (C-statistic) based on the FFSPS was 0.75 (0.69, 0.78) in the training dataset. And in the validation dataset, 155 (35%), 88 (20%), 94 (21%), 70 (16%) and 34 (8%) subjects were classified as the very low-, low-, intermediate-, high-, and the very high-risk subgroups, among which there were significant differences in the probabilities of 7-year FFS (p < 0.001, Figure B). The C-statistic in the validation dataset was 0.74 (0.67, 0.80). Moreover, the FFSPS was also correlated with probabilities of major molecular response (MMR), MR 4.0 and MR 4.5, progression-free survival (PFS) and survival (all p-values < 0.001, Figure C-G).Conclusions We describe a predictive score for FFS in persons with newly-diagnosed chronic phase CML receiving initial imatinib therapy. The score identifies persons with different probabilities of success. These data should help physicians estimate the best TKI-therapy strategy in this setting. [Display omitted] DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Updated Results of Pivotal Phase 2 Trials of Olverembatinib (HQP1351) in Patients (Pts) with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI)-Resistant BCR-ABL1 T315I-Mutated Chronic- and Accelerated-Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML-CP and CML-AP)

Background: Management of CML with TKIs is constrained by treatment resistance, which portends a poor prognosis particularly in pts failing 2 nd-generation TKIs. Cells with BCR-ABL1 T315I mutations are insensitive to 1 st- and 2 nd -generation TKIs, and compound BCR-ABL1 mutations complicate management with all TKIs (including 3 rd-generation ponatinib). Olverembatinib is a novel, potent, 3 rd-generation, orally active BCR-ABL1 TKI with promising activity against CML , largely irrespective of genotype and has a preliminary favorable safety profile.Methods: HQP1351-CC201 and HQP1351-CC202 are Chinese open, single-arm, multicenter phase 2 trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of olverembatinib in adults with TKI-resistant (BCR-ABL1 T351-mutated) CML-CP and CML-CP, respectively. Olverembatinib was administered at 40 mg orally on alternate days for 28-day cycles. The primary outcome measure is major cytogenetic response (MCyR) and major hematologic response (MaHR) by the end of Cycle 12 in CML-CP and CML-AP, respectively. Secondary study endpoints include : complete CyR (CCyR), complete hematologic response (CHR), major molecular response (MMR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety, including treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) and serious AEs (SAEs).Results:Baseline characteristicsStudy CC201（CML-CP）On the study cutoff date of August 25,2020, 41 pts were enrolled, of whom 32 (78%) completed ≥ 12 cycles and 21 (51.2%) were male. The median (range) follow-up was 13 (3.1-16.3) months, age was 47 (22-70) years, and interval from CML diagnosis to first olverembatinib dose was 5.31 (0.6-23.2) years. In all, 32 (78.1%) pts had received ≥ 2 prior TKIs and 9 pts withdrew because of progressive disease (PD), intolerance, or consent withdrawal before Cycle 12.Study CC202（CML-AP）On the cut-off date of July 27, 2020, 23 pts were enrolled, of whom 14 (61%) had completed ≥ 12 cycles and 18 (78.3%) were male. The median (range) follow-up was 13.5 (1.4-15.2) months, age was 41 (21-74) years, and interval from CML diagnosis to first olverembatinib dose was 4.96 (0.4-10.2) years. In all, 18 (78.3%) pts had received ≥ 2 prior TKIs, and 11 pts withdrew because of PD or intolerance before Cycle 12.EfficacyStudy CC201（CML-CP）After ≥ 12 treatment cycles in pts without responses at baseline, all 31 (100%) experienced CHR (10 other pts had CHR at baseline); 31/41 (75.6%) MCyR; 28/41 (68.3%) CCyR; and 23/41 (56.1%) MMR (Figure 1). The median time to CHR was 1 (95% CI = 1.0-1.9) month, the median time to MCyR was 2.8 (95% CI = 2.8-5.6) months, and the median time to MMR was 6.5 (95% CI = 2.8 to not reached [NR]) months. At 12 months, the PFS rate was 89.3% (95% CI = 73.9%-95.8%), and the OS was 100% (95% CI = 100%-100%).Study CC202（CML-AP）After ≥ 12 treatment cycles in pts without responses at baseline, 17/23 (73.9%) experienced MaHR (65.2% CHR and 8.7% no evidence of leukemia [NEL]); 12/23 (52.2%) MCyR; 11/23 (47.8%) CCyR; and 9/23 (39.1%) MMR (Figure 1). The median time to MaHR was 2.8 (95% CI = 1.0-4.7) months, the median time to MCyR was 5.6 (95% CI = 2.00-NR) months, and the median time to MMR was 13.1 (95% CI = 5.6-NR) months. At 12 months, the PFS rate was 74.1% (95% CI = 48.2%-88.4%), and the OS was 91.3% (95% CI = 69.5%-97.8%).SafetyStudy CC201（CML-CP）Frequent TRAEs (all grades; grade 3-4; SAEs) included thrombocytopenia (70.7%; 48.8%; 7.3%), followed by anemia (61%; 26.8%; 2.4%), leukopenia (43.9%; 17.1%; 0), and neutropenia (36.6%; 19.5%; 0). Common nonhematologic TRAEs (all grades; G3-4) included skin pigmentation (56.1%, 0%) and elevations in creatine kinase (51.2%, 14.6%), ALT (39%, 2.4%) and AST (34.1%, 0) (Table 1). No deaths occurred.Study CC202（CML-AP）Common TRAEs (all grades; G3-4; SAEs) included thrombocytopenia (73.9%; 56.5%; 17.4%), anemia (60.9%; 34.8%; 13.0%), leukopenia (56.5%; 30.4%; 0), and neutropenia (26.1%; 21.7%; 0). Common nonhematologic AEs included skin pigmentation (69.6%), hypocalcemia (52.2%), proteinuria (47.8%), hypertriglyceridemia (56.5%), hyperphosphatemia (47.8%), hyperuricemia (21.7%), and arthralgia (34.8%), of which most were grade 1-2 (Table 2).Conclusions: Olverembatinib was efficacious and well tolerated when administered as monotherapy in pts with TKI-resistant CP-CML and AP-CML and the BCR-ABL1 T315Imutation. Internal study identifiers: HQP1351-CC201-CC202. ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT03883087 and NCT03883100. [Display omitted] DisclosuresChen: Ascentage Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Niu: Ascentage Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Men: Ascentage Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Yang: Ascentage Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Other: Leadership and other ownership interests, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding. Zhai: Ascentage Pharma Group Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Other: Leadership and other ownership interests, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Ascentage Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Other: Leadership and other ownership interests, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding.

Contemporary “Real World” Molecular Testing and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Adherence Patterns Among Older Pts with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in the United States

Contemporary “Real World” Molecular Testing and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Adherence Patterns Among Older Pts with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in the United States

Arsenic Trioxide Suppresses Growth of BCR-ABL1 Positive Cells with “Gatekeeper” or Compound Mutation

Introduction:Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and 30% of adult acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL) are characterized by the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph +), having a (9;22) chromosomal translocation. The BCR-ABL1 fusion protein is the hallmark of Ph + leukemia. BCR-ABL1 is characterized by constitutively activated ABL1 tyrosine kinase activity that determines its transformation potential. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have greatly improved the overall prognosis of these diseases. However, unsatisfactory responses in advanced disease stages, resistance and long-term tolerability of BCR-ABL1 inhibitors represent major clinical problems. The most important resistance mechanism against TKIs is the acquisition of point mutations within the BCR-ABL1 kinase domain that impair drug binding, restoring the oncoprotein's constitutively active tyrosine kinase activity. The selection of leukemic clones driven by BCR-ABL1 harboring point mutations, such as the E255K, Y253F/H (P-loop), H396R (activation loop) or the T315I (gatekeeper).Second- and third generation TKIs such as nilotinib, dasatinib, and ponatinib effectively overcome point mutation-mediated resistance. Ponatinib is the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved TKI with activity against all known BCR-ABL1 point mutations, including BCR-ABL1-T315I. However, the emergence of compound mutations (two mutations within the same BCR-ABL1 allele) has been linked to resistance to all approved TKIs, including ponatinib, posing a clinical challenge with limited treatment options.The anti-cancer agent arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been used to treat patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). APL patients respond very well to ATO therapy and achieve complete remission, possibly through induction of apoptosis and differentiation. In addition, it has been demonstrated that combined treatment of ATO with interferon or nilotinib significantly suppressed cell proliferation. However, the potential effects of ATO on BCR-ABL1 mutations and especially on compound mutation is not apparent. This study aimed to investigate the role of ATO in BCR-ABL1 resistant mutations, including compound mutation in Ph + leukemias.Methods:We undertook preclinical evaluation of ATO and compared it with approved TKIs e.g. imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib, ponatinib and ABL inhibitor asciminib, in vitro models of CML and primary patient-derived long term cultures (PD-LTC) of Ph + ALL patients with or without mutation. The effects on mutational resistance were investigated in Ba/F3 cells expressing BCR-ABL1 with T315I mutation and T315I-E255K mutation. For non-mutational resistance, we used PD-LTCs from Ph + ALL patients with different levels of non-mutational drug resistance. Cell proliferation was assessed by XTT.Results:ATO efficiently inhibited the growth of all PD-LTCs in cellular assays at dosages of 200-500nM. It also suppressed the growth of Ph + PD-LTC with non- mutational resistance (BV) and the BCR-ABL1-T315I positive PD-LTC (KO) in this dosage range. In all modelsWe treated Ba/F3 cells expressing native BCR-ABL1, BCR-ABL1-T315I mutation and BCR-ABL1-T315I-E255K (compound mutation) with increasing concentrations of imatinib (250, 500 and 1000nM), nilotinib (100, 200 and 400nM), dasatinib (10, 25 and 50nM), ponatinib (10, 50 and 100nM), asciminib) (ABL allosteric inhibitor) (5, 10 and 20nM) and ATO (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 µM). We found that all the inhibitors significantly inhibited the proliferation of Ba/F3 cells expressing wild type BCR-ABL1 in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, the growth of Ba/F3 cells expressing BCR-ABL1-T315I was inhibited by increasing concentration of ponatinib, asciminib and ATO. ATO potently inhibited the most challenging mutation (T315I-E255K) with a clinically relevant concentration (IC50 250nM). All approved ABL kinase inhibitors (AKIs) and allosteric inhibitors like asciminib could not inhibit the growth of Ba/F3 cells expressing BCR-ABL1 compound mutation.Conclusions:Our findings indicate that ATO significantly suppressed the proliferation of cells expressing non-mutated BCR-ABL1, single and compound mutated BCR-ABL1. These results support including ATO in treating patients with Ph + leukemias having BCR-ABL1 resistant single or compound mutati DisclosuresOttmann: Novartis: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene/BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Fusion: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding.

The Omission of High-Dose Cytarabine during Consolidation Therapy of Ph-Positive ALL Patients Treated with Nilotinib and Low-Intensity Chemotherapy Results in an Increased Risk of Relapses Despite Non-Inferior Levels of Late BCR-ABL1 MRD Response. First Results of the Randomized Graaph-2014 Study

The Omission of High-Dose Cytarabine during Consolidation Therapy of Ph-Positive ALL Patients Treated with Nilotinib and Low-Intensity Chemotherapy Results in an Increased Risk of Relapses Despite Non-Inferior Levels of Late BCR-ABL1 MRD Response. First Results of the Randomized Graaph-2014 Study

Incidence of Pleural Effusion with Dasatinib and the Effect of Switching Therapy to Bosutinib in Patients with Chronic Phase CML

Incidence of Pleural Effusion with Dasatinib and the Effect of Switching Therapy to Bosutinib in Patients with Chronic Phase CML

Hemoglobin Changes during Long-Lasting Frontline Treatment with Tyrosine-Kinase Inhibitors in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Introduction Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) has become highly curable after introduction of Tyrosine-Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs). However, several side-effects have been reported with the prolonged use of TKIs: in particular, severe cardiovascular and pulmonary toxicities were observed with 2 nd generation TKIs (2G-TKIs), nilotinib and dasatinib. Imatinib is generally considered safer, even if some concerns were recently raised on its renal toxicity and occurrence of late anemia.Aims To evaluate the impact of imatinib compared to 2G-TKIs on the hemoglobin (Hb) levels in the long-lasting frontline treatment of CML patients.Methods From 1/2002 to 12/2015, 365 CML patients were diagnosed and treated frontline with TKIs in 2 different Centres in Italy: of them, 123 permanently discontinued the treatment before the 5 th year from the start due to intolerance (31 cases, 25.2%), primary resistance (41, 33.3%), secondary resistance (16, 13.0%), blastic evolution (4, 3.2%), unrelated death (12, 9.8%) or were lost to follow-up (19, 15.5%). At 5 years, the remaining 242 patients were still receiving frontline TKI treatment and were considered for the present analysis. Hb levels were recorded at baseline and thereafter every 12 months up to the 5 th year of treatment.Results As to frontline treatment, 186 patients (76.8%) received imatinib and 56 (23.2%) 2G-TKIs (nilotinib in 44 cases and dasatinib in 12, respectively). The main clinical features at diagnosis of the entire cohort and according to frontline treatment are reported in the table: median Hb value at baseline was significantly lower in patients treated with 2G-TKIs. Median Hb values at different time-points according to frontline treatment are reported in the Figure. In patients treated with imatinib, median Hb levels at 12 th (12.5 g/dl, IQR 11.6-13.5) and 60 th month (12.4 g/dl, IQR 11.4-13.3) were stable compared to baseline (12.8 g/dl, IQR 11.3-13.8) (p=0.248 and p=0.075, respectively). On the contrary, median Hb levels at 12 th (13.4 g/dl, IQR 12.2-14.3) and 60 th month (13.6 g/dl, IQR 12.0-14.6) showed a significant increase compared to baseline (11.8 g/dl, IQR 10.6-13.7) in patients treated with 2G-TKIs (p<0.001 in both cases). As a consequence, during the treatment median Hb values became significantly higher at any different time-point in patients treated with 2G-TKIs compared to patients treated with imatinib (p=0.005 at the 12 th month, p=0.010 at the 60 th month). At baseline, the rate of patients with mild to moderate anemia (Hb < 11 g/dl) was significantly lower in those treated with imatinib [34/186 (18.2%) vs 20/56 (35.7%) treated with 2G-TKIs, p=0.006]: at the 12 th month, no difference was observed [15/186 (8.0%) in patients treated with imatinib vs 3/56 (5.3%) in patients treated with 2G-TKIs, p=0.498], while at the 60 th months the rate of patients with mild to moderate anemia became significantly higher in those treated with imatinib [29/186 (15.6%) vs 2/56 (3.6%) treated with 2G-TKI, p=0.018].Conclusions Present data highlight that long-lasting treatment with imatinib can have a negative late effect on erythropoiesis, with incomplete recovery of hemoglobin levels and occurrence of late anemia in about 15% of patients at the 60 th month of therapy.This possible adverse event, which is still unrecognized and seems very rare with 2G-TKIs, could affect quality of life and should be recognized in the long-term management of CML patients. [Display omitted] DisclosuresLatagliata: BMS Cellgene: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Martelli: Novartis: Other: advisory board; Gilead: Other: advisory board. Breccia: Pfizer: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb/Celgene: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria.