High-dose Cytarabine Consolidation Therapy Research Articles

Medium-cumulative dose of cytarabine in consolidation therapy shows the greatest benefit in AML patients

BackgroundHigh-dose cytarabine (HDAC) is commonly used for consolidation therapy in young acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, but the dosage of cytarabine is still controversial in the clinic due to its obvious post-chemotherapy adverse effects. The aim of this study was to contrast the efficacy in different dose groups of cytarabine after consolidation therapy in Chinese AML patients.MethodsAML patients treated with cytarabine consolidation at Qilu Hospital, Shandong University from January 2010 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, from which 346 AML patients with relatively complete follow-up data were selected for this study. We compared the patients’ overall survival (OS) rate, relapse-free survival (RFS) rate, and hematologic adverse events in terms of their general characteristics, cytarabine consolidation therapy dose, consolidation course, 2022 European Leukemia Net (ELN) risk stratification, and transplantation.ResultsIn AML patients under 60 years of age, the 5-year RFS rate with high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy was superior to that of small-dose cytarabine (P = 0.024), while the 5-year RFS rate was comparable in the high-dose and intermediate-dose groups, and there was no obvious difference among the three groups in the 5-year OS rate (P > 0.05). OS and RFS of those given more than 3 courses of cytarabine consolidation therapy were better than those in the 1–2 courses group (P = 0.060, P = 0.040). OS and RFS were better in patients with cumulative dose of cytarabine ≥ 36g than in patients with cumulative dose < 36g (P < 0.05), but cumulative dose ≥ 54g was comparable in OS and RFS with ≥ 36–< 54g group (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in hematologic adverse effects among the three treatment groups.In the latest ELN risk stratification favorable-risk group, the cumulative dose of cytarabine ≥ 36g had a better 5-year RFS rate than the < 36g group (P = 0.038), and in the intermediate-risk group the 5-year OS rate and RFS rate were better in the ≥ 36g group than the < 36g group (P = 0.012, 0.025). In addition, the prognosis of transplanted patients was better than that of non-transplanted patients, whereas in non-transplanted patients, consolidation therapy with ≥ 36g cytarabine can effectively improve outcomes. Multivariate analysis indicated that age, fibrinogen (FIB) and the cumulative dose of cytarabine of ≥ 36–< 54g were predictors of OS, while age, white blood cell (WBC) and HDAC were predictors of RFS.ConclusionThe results of the study showed that consolidation therapy with cytarabine up to a cumulative dose of ≥ 36–< 54g in AML patients who did not undergo transplantation significantly improved patient prognosis. In the latest ELN risk stratification, cumulative doses of cytarabine ≥ 36g had a better prognosis in favorable and intermediate-risk patients.

Development of Real-world Data-based Medication Instruction Sheet for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients Receiving High-dose Cytarabine Consolidation Therapy.

For quick and accurate monitoring of potential adverse events (AEs) during concurrent chemotherapy, we had previously developed innovative medication instruction sheets (MIS) for a variety of chemotherapy regimens. However, it is still unclear whether these sheets correctly predict the type and time course of the onset and recovery of AEs. Therefore, we monitored AEs in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving high-dose cytarabine (HD-AraC) using the original MIS. Patients who received HD-AraC following remission induction chemotherapy were included in this study. Data obtained from AE monitoring were evaluated, and the original MIS was modified as appropriate. Among 41 patients, a total of 203 AEs (139 non-hematological and 64 hematological) were observed after chemotherapy. By contrast, all but one patient (97.6%) experienced 102 AEs (43 non-hematological and 59 hematological) before chemotherapy. The AEs that appeared after chemotherapy were all predicted items described in the original MIS; however, their onset and duration were not consistent with the predicted data, in which the prediction accuracy was 69.1% for non-hematological AEs and 1.6% for hematological events. Based on these monitoring data, the original MIS was revised, which led to an increase in the prediction accuracy to 94.2% for nonhematological events and 100% for hematological events. Preexisting AEs should be considered when preparing MIS for consolidation therapy with HD-AraC. The modified MIS based on AE monitoring exhibited a sufficiently high prediction accuracy.

Prospective Evaluation of Sorafenib Combined with Chemotherapy in Newly Diagnosed Adult Core-Binding Factor Acute Myeloid Leukemia: An Open-Label, Randomized Controlled, Multicenter Phase II Trial

Objective Core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML) includes AML with t(8;21)(q22;q22) and inv(16)(p13q22)/t(16;16)(p13;q22) chromosomal rearrangements, leading to the RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and CBFB-MYH11 fusion genes, respectively. Although CBF-AML is considered to have a favorable prognosis relative to other AML subtypes, up to 40% of these patients experience relapse. Recent studies demonstrate achievement of complete molecular remission (CMR) at the end of treatment significantly associated with a reduced risk of relapse. A high frequency of mutations and/or high expression of KIT gene is observed in CBF-AML. Sorafenib is a first-generation type-II multitargeted tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor (TKI) that suppresses various signaling pathways associated with the development of AML, such as RTK (FLT3, c-KIT). Thus the purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of sorafenib combined with chemotherapy in adult newly diagnosed CBF-AML. Methods Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to control group (chemotherapy alone) or sorafenib group (sorafenib combined with chemotherapy). For control group, patients received one cycle of induction therapy with idarubicin (12 mg/m² on days 1-3) plus cytarabine (100 mg/m² on days 1-7), followed by one cycle of idarubicin (8 mg/m² on days 1-3) plus cytarabine (2 g/m² q12h on days 1-3) and two cycles of high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy (2 g/m² q12h on days 1-3). For sorafenib group, patients were treated with chemotherapy plus sorafenib at 400 mg twice daily on days 8-21 for induction cycle, and on days 1-21 for each consolidation, and as maintenance for 12 months. Allogeneic or autologous HSCT were implemented based on the measurable residual disease (MRD) level and donor availability after 4 cycles of therapy. MRD levels were serially monitored for RUNX1-RUNX1T1 or CBFB-MYH11 transcripts by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results were expressed as a [fusion gene/ABL1] ×100 transcript ratio. Major molecular response (MMR) and complete molecular remission (CMR) are defined as transcript ratio < 0.1% and 0.001%, respectively. The primary endpoint was CMR after 4 cycles of therapy in bone marrow (BM). Results Between January 2020 and March 2022, 64 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to sorafenib group (n=32) or control group (n=32). There is no significant difference between the two groups about age, gender, CBF subtype, BM blast percentage, additional chromosome abnormalities and gene mutations at diagnosis. The hematological complete remission in the sorafenib and control group were 96.9% and 94.1%, respectively (p=.592). Following three cycles of therapy, MMR was observed in 79.3% of the sorafenib group and 46.9% of the control group (p =.009). Sorafenib group also had a significantly higher CMR than control group (62.1% vs 28.1%, p =.009). After four cycles of therapy, MMR increased to 100% in the sorafenib group and 70.8% in the control group (p =.019), whileCMR was also more frequently achieved in the sorafenib group than that in the control group (90.9% vs 54.2%, p =.006). There was no significant difference of grades 3-4 adverse events between the two groups. Grade 4 neutropenia (neutrophil count less than 0.5×10⁹ cells per L) and thrombocytopenia (platelet count less than 20×10⁹ per L) were observed in all cases. The median duration of neutropenia was 12d (range, 6-25d) in the sorafenib group and 10d (range, 5-22d) in the control group (p =.063) , while the median duration of thrombocytopenia was 12d (range, 5-33d) and 9d (range, 6-19d) (p =.052), respectively.The most common grade 3-4 non-hematological adverse events in sorafenib and control group were pneumonia (31.3% vs 57.4%, p=.019), mucositis (21.9% vs 24.1%, p =.816), blood stream infection (37.5% vs 31.5%, p =.568). Conclusion Sorafenib combined with chemotherapy significantly increased the CMR after 4 cycles of therapy, however, the incidence of haematological and non-haematological adverse events did not apparently increased. The impact of sorafenib combined with chemotherapy on relapse and survival of CBF-AML need further following-up. Keywords: Sorafenib, CBF-AML, CMR, adverse events

Effect of postremission chemotherapy before human leukocyte antigen–identical sibling transplantation for acute myelogenous leukemia in first complete remission

AbstractAllogeneic bone marrow transplantation is an effective postremission strategy for patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in first complete remission (CR). The value of administering consolidation chemotherapy before human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–identical sibling transplantation is not established. Outcomes of patients with AML in first CR receiving no consolidation therapy, standard-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy, and high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy before HLA–identical sibling transplantation were compared. Five-year treatment-related mortality rates were 30% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18% to 42%) in patients receiving no consolidation chemotherapy, 22% (95% CI, 17% to 28%) in those receiving standard-dose cytarabine consolidation, and 24% (95% CI, 17% to 31%) in those receiving high-dose cytarabine (P = NS). Five-year cumulative incidences of relapse were 19% (10% to 30%), 21% (16% to 27%), and 17% (11% to 24%), respectively (P = NS). Five-year probabilities of leukemia-free survival were 50% (36% to 63%), 56% (49% to 63%), and 59% (50% to 66%), respectively (P = NS). Five-year probabilities of overall survival were 60% (46% to 71%), 56% (49% to 63%), and 60% (51% to 67%), respectively (P = NS). The data indicate that postremission consolidation with cytarabine before allogeneic transplantation for AML in first CR is not associated with improved outcome compared to proceeding directly to transplantation after successful induction.

Loss of X chromosome predicts favorable prognosis in female patients with t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia

The prognostic significance of loss of X chromosome (-X) in t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unclear. We evaluated the role of -X in 158 female patients with t(8;21) AML collected retrospectively from 15 Chinese AML study groups. Patients with -X accounted for 25.3% and showed a significantly higher complete remission rate, better 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse (25.2 vs. 50.5%, p = 0.013), relapse-free survival (69.4 vs. 44.7%, p = 0.025), and overall survival (77.4 vs. 52.7%, p = 0.026) compared with those without -X. Patients with -X were more likely to achieve minimal residual disease negativity (risk ratio = 1.62; p = 0.020). A Multivariate analysis adjusting for age, white blood cell, KIT-D816 mutation, high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation showed -X to be an independent favorable prognostic factor. Our results suggest that -X may be associated with better outcomes in patients with t(8;21) AML.

Loss of the Y chromosome predicts a high relapse risk in younger adult male patients with t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia on high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy: a retrospective multicenter study

The prognostic significance of loss of the Y chromosome (LOY) in patients with t(8;21)(q22;q22) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains poorly understood. To investigate this issue, 226 younger adult male patients with t(8;21) AML from 15 Chinese hematology research centers were retrospectively evaluated, among which, 50.4% had LOY. In patients receiving high-dose cytarabine (HiDAC) consolidation therapy, LOY was associated with a significantly higher cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR, HR = 2.18, p = .048), worse relapse-free survival (RFS, HR = 2.39, p = .026), and worse but not significant overall survival (OS, HR = 2.71, p = .166). A multivariate analysis adjusted for age, WBC, KIT mutations, and minimal residual disease showed LOY to be an independent adverse prognostic factor for relapse in patients on HiDAC consolidation therapy. Our results suggest that LOY may be associated with a high relapse risk in t(8;21) AML patients receiving HiDAC therapy during consolidation.

Condensed versus standard schedule of high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy with pegfilgrastim growth factor support in acute myeloid leukemia

The aim of this cohort study was to compare a condensed schedule of consolidation therapy with high-dose cytarabine on days 1, 2 and 3 (HDAC-123) with the HDAC schedule given on days 1, 3 and 5 (HDAC-135) as well as to evaluate the prophylactic use of pegfilgrastim after chemotherapy in younger patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission. One hundred and seventy-six patients were treated with HDAC-135 and 392 patients with HDAC-123 with prophylactic pegfilgrastim at days 10 and 8, respectively, in the AMLSG 07-04 and the German AML Intergroup protocol. Time from start to chemotherapy until hematologic recovery with white blood cells >1.0 G/l and neutrophils >0.5 G/l was in median 4 days shorter in patients receiving HDAC-123 compared with HDAC-135 (P<0.0001, each), and further reduced by 2 days (P<0.0001) by pegfilgrastim. Rates of infections were reduced by HDAC-123 (P<0.0001) and pegfilgrastim (P=0.002). Days in hospital and platelet transfusions were significantly reduced by HDAC-123 compared with HDAC-135. Survival was neither affected by HDAC-123 versus HDAC-135 nor by pegfilgrastim. In conclusion, consolidation therapy with HDAC-123 leads to faster hematologic recovery and less infections, platelet transfusions as well as days in hospital without affecting survival.

Condensed Versus Standard Schedule of High-Dose Cytarabine Consolidation Therapy with Pegfilgrastim Growth Factor Support in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

▪Background: The concept of intensive post-remission chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is based on the observation that despite achievement of a first complete remission (CR) after intensive induction therapy virtually all patients relapse in the absence of further treatment. Moreover, randomized studies showed that intensive post-remission consolidation chemotherapy was superior to prolonged low-dose maintenance therapy in younger patients. With regard to consolidation therapy, the landmark study conducted by the Cancer and Leukemia Group B established the current standard for patients aged 60 years and younger with high-dose cytarabine (HDAC) 3g/m² bidaily on days days 1, 3, and 5.Aims: to compare a compressed schedule of high-dose cytarabine (HDAC) on days 1, 2, and 3 with the standard HDAC given on days 1, 3, and 5 as well as to evaluate the prophylactic use of pegfilgrastim after chemotherapy in patients in first CR receiving repetitive consolidation cycles for acute myeloid leukemia.Methods: Patients (18 to 60 years) were accrued between 2004 and 2009. They were randomized up-front 1:10 between the standard German intergroup-arm (Büchner et al. J Clin Oncol. 2012;30:3604-10) and the AMLSG 07-04 study (NCT00151242). Induction therapy in the AMLSG 07-04 study consisted of two cycles of idarubicin, cytarabine and etoposide +/- all-trans retionoic acid (ATRA) and +/- valproic acid (VPA) in a 2 by 2 factorial design. After recruitment of 392 patients the randomization for VPA was stopped due to toxicity. For consolidation therapy, patients with high-risk AML, defined either by high-risk cytogenetics or induction failure, were assigned to receive allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation from a matched related or unrelated donor. All other patients were assigned to 3 cycles of HDAC from 2004 to November 2006 with cytarabine 3g/m² bidaily, on days 1, 3, 5 and pegfilgrastim on day 10 (HDAC-135) and from December 2006 to 2009 patients were treated with a condensed schedule with cytarabine 3g/m², bidaily, on days 1,2,3 and pegfilgrastim on day 8 (HDAC-123). Patients randomized into the German AML intergroup arm were treated for consolidation therapy with cytarabine 3g/m² bid on days 1, 3, 5 (HDAC-135) without prophylactic growth-factor support.Results:Overall 568 patients receiving 1376 consolidation cycles were included into the study. According to up-front randomization 41 were treated with HDAC-135 without prophylactic growth factor support in the German AML Intergroup protocol, 135 with HDAC-135 and 392 with HDAC-123 with intended prophylactic pegfilgrastim at day 10 and 8, respectively, in the AMLSG 07-04 protocol. Time from start to chemotherapy until hematological recovery with leukocytes >1.0G/l and neutrophils >0.5G/l was significantly (p<0.0001, each) and in median 4 days shorter in patients receiving HDAC-123 compared to HDAC-135, and further reduced by 2 days (p<0.0001) by the addition of pegfilgrastim. Treatment with ATRA and VPA according to initial randomization had no impac on hematological recovery times. Rates of infections were significantly reduced by HDAC-123 compared to HDAC-135 (p<0.0001) and pegfilgrastim yes versus no (p=0.002). Days in hospital and platelet transfusions were also significantly reduced in patients receiving HDAC-123 compared to HDAC-135. Relapse-free and overall survival were similar with HDAC-123 and HDAC-135 (p=0.48, p=0.90, respectively).Conclusion: Data from our study suggest that consolidation therapy with a condensed schedule of HDAC-123 is superior to that of standard HDAC-135 in terms of faster hematological recovery, lower infection rate and fever days in hospital. In addition, the administration of one dose of pegfilgrastim after chemotherapy further shortened hematological recovery and reduced infection rate. Importantly, similar efficacy in terms of relapse-free and overall survival rates after HDAC-123 and HDAC-135 were observed. DisclosuresLübbert:Ratiopharm: Other: Study drug valproic acid; Janssen-Cilag: Other: Travel Funding, Research Funding; Celgene: Other: Travel Funding. Fiedler:GSO: Other: Travel; Pfizer: Research Funding; Teva: Other: Travel; Gilead: Other: Travel; Novartis: Consultancy; Ariad/Incyte: Consultancy; Kolltan: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding. Schlenk:Amgen: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding.

A Phase I Dose Finding Trial of Eltrombopag during Consolidation Therapy in Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Employing a Unique Dosing Design: PrE0901, a Precog Study

Introduction: High-dose cytarabine consolidation chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) induces profound transient myelosuppression. Thrombocytopenia is a limiting factor in chemotherapy administration for maintaining dose intensity and schedule as thrombocytopenic-related hemorrhage may contribute to significant morbidity and mortality. Therapeutic and prophylactic platelet (plt) transfusions remain the treatment of choice but the benefits typically last only 3-7 days, are expensive, time consuming, and may induce alloimmunization and transmit infection. PrE0901 was a phase I multi-center study to evaluate the safety and toxicity of eltrombopag, an orally bioavailable thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist, for plt recovery in AML patients (pts) receiving consolidation therapy.Methods: The primary objectives were to determine the safety, tolerability, and optimal dosing of eltrombopag while describing the kinetics of plt recovery in AML pts receiving intensive consolidation. Plt recovery was defined as a sustained plt count of ≥ 20 x 109/L following the nadir with no plt transfusions in prior 7 days or a continued upward trend in plt count for at least 2 successive measurements despite no plt transfusions in 48 hours. We used a standard 3+3 design utilizing a novel dose escalation/de-escalation strategy for pts in either first or second complete remission, ≥18 and ≤70 years of age, who had an ECOG performance status of 0-2. Cytarabine was administered at 3 g/m2 (1.5 g/m2 for pts >60 years) IV over 3 hours twice daily on days 1,3,5. Eltrombopag at assigned dose was administered with a first cycle of cytarabine only. Planned eltrombopag dose levels -2, -1, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 50, 100, 150, 150, 150, 200, and 300 mg, respectively (Table 1). Eltrombopag was to start on days X, X, 3, -1, -5, -5, and -5 relative to day of cytarabine start and levels -2, -1, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively, with day X being variable depending on timing of observed dose limiting toxicities (DLTs). The eltrombopag was continued until plt recovery or for up to 35 consecutive days, whichever occurred first. An exploratory objective was to determine if eltrombopag had an effect on TPO and EPO blood concentrations in this setting.Results: Accrual began on July 31, 2012 and the trial closed on January 8, 2016 upon recommendation after an independent Data and Monitoring Committee reviewed a separate trial of eltrombopag therapy in MDS which demonstrated futility. 104 pts were screened. 54 declined participation and 35 were deemed medically ineligible. A total of 15 eligible pts were enrolled; 14 were treated on study with one pt being withdrawn prior to starting treatment due to infection. Three pts were treated at each of dose levels 1-4 and two were treated on dose level 5. No DLTs were observed. Median time to plt recovery of all pts treated on study was 22.5 (range 16-43) days. Pts in cohort 1 dosed with eltrombopag 150 mg daily starting on day 3 of consolidation demonstrated the fastest plt recovery (median =19 days; range 19, 19, 19) compared to cohort 2 who received 150 mg daily starting on day -1 of consolidation and recovered the slowest (median 23 days; range 16, 23, 43). Dose escalation in terms of starting eltrombopag further in advance of chemotherapy exposure as within cohort 3 (150 mg starting day -5) was associated with a median plt recovery of 27 (range 22, 27, 27) days. Eltrombopag dose intensification with cohort 4 at 200 mg daily and cohort 5 at 300 mg daily was associated with median plt recoveries of 24 (range 18, 24, 26) and 23 (range 19, 27) days, respectively. Kinetics of plt recovery for all cohorts are represented in Figure 1 and duration of eltrombopag exposure for each individual patient is represented in Table 2.Conclusions: Endogenous cytokine (TPO and EPO) levels varied inversely with plt and hematocrit values and did not appear to be affected by eltrombopag dose / schedule (details to be provided at ASH Annual Mtg). Unusually high screen fail numbers warrant examination to guide future trial design in the post-remission setting. The addition of eltrombopag to high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy was well-tolerated and no DLTs were observed. The results for cohort 1 [eltrombopag 150 mg daily starting on day 3 of consolidation] demonstrated the fastest plt recovery. Further investigation is needed to define the optimal role, dose, and schedule of eltrombopag in the treatment of chemotherapy associated myelosuppression. [Display omitted] [Display omitted] [Display omitted] DisclosuresStrickland:Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Ambit: Consultancy; Baxalta: Consultancy; Boehringer Ingelheim: Consultancy, Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Sunesis Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Astellas Pharma: Research Funding; Celator: Research Funding; Cyclacel: Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutica: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding.

Addition of sorafenib versus placebo to standard therapy in patients aged 60 years or younger with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (SORAML): a multicentre, phase 2, randomised controlled trial

Preclinical data and results from non-randomised trials suggest that the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib might be an effective drug for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia. We investigated the efficacy and tolerability of sorafenib versus placebo in addition to standard chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia aged 60 years or younger. This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial was done at 25 sites in Germany. We enrolled patients aged 18-60 years with newly diagnosed, previously untreated acute myeloid leukaemia who had a WHO clinical performance score 0-2, adequate renal and liver function, no cardiac comorbidities, and no recent trauma or operation. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive two cycles of induction therapy with daunorubicin (60 mg/m(2) on days 3-5) plus cytarabine (100 mg/m(2) on days 1-7), followed by three cycles of high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy (3 g/m(2) twice daily on days 1, 3, and 5) plus either sorafenib (400 mg twice daily) or placebo on days 10-19 of induction cycles 1 and 2, from day 8 of each consolidation, and as maintenance for 12 months. Allogeneic stem-cell transplantation was scheduled for all intermediate-risk patients with a sibling donor and for all high-risk patients with a matched donor in first remission. Computer-generated randomisation was done in blocks. The primary endpoint was event-free survival, with an event defined as either primary treatment failure or relapse or death, assessed in all randomised patients who received at least one dose of study treatment. We report the final analysis. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00893373, and the EU Clinical Trials Register (2008-004968-40). Between March 27, 2009, and Nov 28, 2011, 276 patients were enrolled and randomised, of whom nine did not receive study medication. 267 patients were included in the primary analysis (placebo, n=133; sorafenib, n=134). With a median follow-up of 36 months (IQR 35·5-38·1), median event-free survival was 9 months (95% CI 4-15) in the placebo group versus 21 months (9-32) in the sorafenib group, corresponding to a 3-year event-free survival of 22% (95% CI 13-32) in the placebo group versus 40% (29-51) in the sorafenib group (hazard ratio [HR] 0·64, 95% CI; 0·45-0·91; p=0·013). The most common grade 3-4 adverse events in both groups were fever (71 [53%] in the placebo group vs 73 [54%] in the sorafenib group), infections (55 [41%] vs 46 [34%]), pneumonia (21 [16%] vs 20 [14%]), and pain (13 [10%] vs 15 [11%]). Grade 3 or worse adverse events that were significantly more common in the sorafenib group than the placebo group were fever (relative risk [RR] 1·54, 95% CI 1·04-2·28), diarrhoea (RR 7·89, 2·94-25·2), bleeding (RR 3·75, 1·5-10·0), cardiac events (RR 3·46, 1·15-11·8), hand-foot-skin reaction (only in sorafenib group), and rash (RR 4·06, 1·25-15·7). In patients with acute myeloid leukaemia aged 60 years or younger, the addition of sorafenib to standard chemotherapy has antileukaemic efficacy but also increased toxicity. Our findings suggest that kinase inhibitors could be a useful addition to curative treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia. Overall survival after long-term follow-up and strategies to reduce toxicity are needed to determine the future role of sorafenib in treatment of this disease. Bayer HealthCare.

Possible benefit of consolidation therapy with high-dose cytarabine on overall survival of adults with non-promyelocytic acute myeloid leukemia.

In adults with non-promyelocytic acute myeloid leukemia (AML), high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy has been shown to influence survival in selected patients, although the appropriate doses and schemes have not been defined. We evaluated survival after calculating the actual dose of cytarabine that patients received for consolidation therapy and divided them into 3 groups according to dose. We conducted a single-center, retrospective study involving 311 non-promyelocytic AML patients with a median age of 36 years (16-79 years) who received curative treatment between 1978 and 2007. The 131 patients who received cytarabine consolidation were assigned to study groups by their cytarabine dose protocol. Group 1 (n=69) received <1.5 g/m2 every 12 h on 3 alternate days for up to 4 cycles. The remaining patients received high-dose cytarabine (≥1.5 g/m2 every 12 h on 3 alternate days for up to 4 cycles). The actual dose received during the entire consolidation period in these patients was calculated, allowing us to divide these patients into 2 additional groups. Group 2 (n=27) received an intermediate-high-dose (<27 g/m2), and group 3 (n=35) received a very-high-dose (≥27 g/m2). Among the 311 patients receiving curative treatment, the 5-year survival rate was 20.2% (63 patients). The cytarabine consolidation dose was an independent determinant of survival in multivariate analysis; age, karyotype, induction protocol, French-American-British classification, and de novo leukemia were not. Comparisons showed that the risk of death was higher in the intermediate-high-dose group 2 (hazard ratio [HR]=4.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.81-11.21) and the low-dose group 1 (HR=4.43; 95% CI: 1.97-9.96) than in the very-high-dose group 3, with no significant difference between those two groups. Our findings indicated that very-high-dose cytarabine during consolidation in adults with non-promyelocytic AML may improve survival.

Sunitinib and Intensive Chemotherapy in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Activating FLT3 Mutations: Results of the AMLSG 10-07 Study (ClinicalTrials.gov No. NCT00783653)

AbstractAbstract 1483▪▪This icon denotes a clinically relevant abstract Background:Activating FLT3 mutations including internal tandem duplications (FLT3-ITD) and tyrosine-kinase domain mutation (FLT3-TKD) occur in approximately one third of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and are particularly associated with a poor outcome in case of FLT3-ITD. Sunitinib is a multitargeted FLT3 inhibitor approved for the treatment of advanced/metastatic renal cancer and metastatic/unresectable malignant GIST after failure of imatinib. Sunitinib has been evaluated in refractory AML as single agent treatment resulting in transient blast count reduction and in several cases of partial response in AML with activating FLT3 mutations. Aims:To evaluate the feasibility of a standard induction and consolidation therapy in combination with orally administered sunitinib in elderly AML patients with activating FLT3 mutations. Methods:Patients aged 60 years or higher with AML with activating FLT3 mutations (FLT3-ITD, FLT3-TKD) and fit enough for intensive chemotherapy were eligible. Induction therapy included cytarabine 100 mg/m2 per continuous infusion on days 1–7 and daunorubicin 60 mg/m2 i.v. on days 1–3 (DA). A second course was allowed in responding patients, who did not achieve a complete remission (CR). In patients achieving a CR after induction therapy three consolidation cycles were intended (cytarabine 1 g/m2 i.v. bid, on days 1,3,5). A 3+3 dose escalation/de-escalation scheme was used to define the dose and scheduling of sunitinib. The first cohort of three patients received oral sunitinib continuously starting from day 1 in a dose of 25 mg/day (level 1). Dose escalation to level 2 with sunitinib 37.5 mg/day continuously or dose de-escalation to level −1 with 25 mg day 1 to 7 had been defined in the protocol. After definition of the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) an extension of the cohort at that dose was intended. Results:A total of twenty-two patients were enrolled between January 2009 and March 2011. The median age was 70 years (range 60–78), 13 were female. The type of AML was de novo in 16 pts., s-AMLin one patient and t-AML in 4 pts. Fifteen patients had a FLT3-ITD (68%) and 7 a FLT3-TKD (32%) mutation. A NPM1 mutation was present in 11 patients (50%), 15 patients exhibited a normal karyotype, 3 an intermediate-2 risk karyotype according to ELN guidelines and 2 a complex karyotype and 2 had no evaluable metaphases. In the first cohort 5 patients were treated and two experienced dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), i) prolonged hematological recovery beyond day 35 in a patient achieving a CR and ii) a hand-foot-syndrome grade III. Four of the 5 patients achieved a CR. According to the protocol the following patients received treatment at dose level −1 with sunitinib 25mg days 1 to 7. In this cohort only one DLT occurred, again prolonged hematological recovery. Thus the MTD was defined at dose level −1. Response to induction therapy in all patients was CR in 13 pts. (59%), partial remission in 1 pt. (4.5%), refractory disease in 5 pts. (23%), death in 3 pts. (13.5%). CR rate in AML with FLT3-ITD was 53% (8/15) and 71% (5/7) in those with FLT3-TKD. All 13 patients achieving CR received repetitive cycles of high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy and 7 proceeded to single agent sunitinib maintenance therapy (median 11 months, range 1–24 months). In these patients relapse occurred in 10, one patient died due to severe colitis during consolidation therapy and two patients are in sustained CR. Two patients not achieving a CR after induction therapy underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation form matched unrelated donors. Twelve of the 22 patients died leading to a median survival of 18.8 months and a 2 year survival of 36% (95%-CI, 19–70%). Median relapse-free survival was 11 months. Conclusion:Combination of intensive induction and consolidation therapy with oral sunitinib in AML with activating FLT3 mutations is feasible with 25 mg sunitinib given during intensive therapy on days 1 to 7 and continuously during maintenance. Disclosures:Fiedler:Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding.

Feasibility and Safety of Maintenance Therapy in the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Brief Abstract In this study, we present data about the feasibility and safety of a prolonged monthly myelosuppressive maintenance therapy as a postremission therapy for acute myeloid leukemia after induction and induction-type consolidation. Maintenance therapy could be started in 57% of CR patients assigned to maintenance and completed in 14%. Full Abstract Introduction We have previously shown that a prolonged monthly myelosuppressive chemotherapy proved superior to high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy ( J Clin Oncol 2003; 21:4496) after induction therapy and induction-type consolidation therapy. In this study, feasibility and safety of this approach was evaluated in the AMLCG 1999 trial. Patients and Methods 827 patients with a CR before May 2005 were either randomized up front to receive maintenance therapy ( Results Out of the 827 patients, 326 patients (39%) did not receive maintenance therapy due to allogeneic (63; 7.6%) or autologous (6; 0.7%) stem cell transplantation (SCT); early relapse (126; 15.3%); withdrawal of consent (19; 2.3%); medical reasons other than relapse (60; 7.3%); other reasons not classified (9; 1.1%); or death in remission (43; 5.2%). In 30 patients (3.6%), the application of maintenance therapy cannot be followed due to loss of follow-up or incomplete documentation. For the remaining 471 patients (57.0%) with a documented start of the maintenance therapy, the median number of maintenance courses applied was 6 (first to third quartile: 2–16) over a median duration from achievement of CR of 10 months (first to third quartile: 5–24). A dose reduction was necessary in all patients. Out of the 471 patients who started maintenance, therapy was terminated early in 348 patients (73.9%) due to an allogeneic SCT in first CR (7 patients; 1.5%); relapse (205; 43.5%); withdrawal of consent (21; 4.5%); medical reasons other than relapse (89; 18.9%); other reasons not classified (17; 3.6%), loss of follow-up or incomplete documentation (55; 11.7%); and death in CR (8; 1.7%). 69 patients (14.4%) completed maintenance for 3 years. Conclusion These results show that a prolonged monthly myelosuppressive maintenance therapy as part of a postremission therapy in AML is feasible and safe.

Prolonged Monthly Myelosuppressive Maintenance Chemotherapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: The AMLCG Experience.

We have previously shown that a monthly myelosuppressive chemotherapy proved superior to high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy (J Clin Oncol 2003, 21:4496) after induction therapy and induction-type consolidation therapy. In the multicenter AMLCG 1999 trial, we reported that this maintenance therapy resulted in equal results with lower therapy-related morbidity and death-rate compared to autologous stem cell transplantation in patients <60 years of age. However, data about the feasibility and compliance of this prolonged maintenance therapy are still lacking. In the AMLCG 1999 trial, patients <60 years of age were randomized upfront to receive either an autologous stem cell transplantation or a maintenance therapy for three years from achievement of complete remission after consolidation therapy TAD. Patients ≥60 years of age were assigned to maintenance therapy following consolidation therapy. Maintenance courses were araC 100mg/m2 q 12 hr sc × 10 and either daunorubicin 45mg/m2 × 2 (AD), or thioguanine 100mg/m2 q 12hr × 10 (AT), or cyclophosphamide 1g/m2 iv (AC), and again AT-AD-AT-AC-. In patients with a leukopenia <1.000/μl or thrombocytopenia <20.000/μl after two following cycles, dosage was permanently reduced by 50%. Of all patients who achieved a CR before July 1st 2004, 269 patients <60 years were randomized to receive maintenance, and all 423 patients ≥60 years were assigned to maintenance. Out of the 692 patients, 211 patients (30.5%) did not receive maintenance therapy due to: allogeneic (49, 7.1%) or autologous (6, 0.9%) stem cell transplantation, early relapse (52, 7.5%), withdrawal of consent (17, 2.5%), medical reasons other than relapse (53, 7.7%), other reasons not classified (7, 1.0%) or death in CR (27, 3.9%). In 78 patients (11.3%) the application of maintenance therapy cannot be followed due to loss of follow-up or incomplete documentation. For the remaining 403 (58.2%) patients with a documented start of the maintenance therapy, the median number of maintenance courses applied was 6 (1st to 3rd quartile: 2–16) over a median duration from achievement of CR of 10 months (1st to 3rd quartile: 5–24). Due to fixed dose adjustment rules, the median dosage of the applied chemotherapy declined from 90.5% (range 8.2–183.3%) in the first course to 47.1% (range 6.6–128.6%) in the third course. From the fifth course on, the median dosage was between 22.2 and 26.3%. Out of the 403 patients who started maintenance, therapy was terminated early in 346 patients (85.9%) due to: an allogeneic stem cell transplantation in 1st CR (3 patients, 0.7%); relapse (175, 43.4%); withdrawal of consent (17, 4.2%); medical reasons other than relapse (72, 17.9%); other reasons not classified (13, 3.2%), loss of follow-up or incomplete documentation (56, 13.9%); and death in CR (10, 2.5%). Of the latter, 5 patients (1.2%) succumbed to therapy-related death. Of the 129 patients experiencing a relapse free survival of ≥ three years, the median number of applied courses was 20 (1st to 3rd quartile: 4–29) over a median duration of 31 months after achieving CR (1st to 3rd quartile: 11–36). Taken together, this results show that a prolonged monthly myelosuppressive maintenance therapy as part of a postremission therapy in AML is feasible and shows a high compliance and acceptance among patients.

Treatment of acute leukemia in adults.

The goal of therapy for young adults with de novo acute myeloid leukemia is cure. Seventy percent or more of young adults achieve initial remission, and 30% to 40% of adults receiving postremission chemotherapy appear to remain in remission. High-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy appears particularly effective. However, with current approaches, only 20% of young adults are cured. New approaches are needed to increase the cure rate substantially, and autologous bone marrow transplantation appears to be the most promising treatment modality in acute myeloid leukemia. Improved preparative regimens and purging techniques may be critical factors in determining the effectiveness of autologous bone marrow transplantation. In adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia, very high remission rates are now being reported with intensive multiagent induction therapy, and approximately one third of young adults with this disease are cured with current intensive chemotherapy approaches. The role and optimal methods of bone marrow transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia are under investigation.