International Prognostic Scoring System Intermediate-2 Research Articles

Treatment of myelofibrosis with refractory anemia with luspatercept: a multicenter Chinese study.

Myelofibrosis is a rare and often fatal hematological neoplasm, and the treatment of myelofibrosis-associated anemia remains suboptimal, with no improved therapies. Luspatercept was shown to display some efficacy in a phase 2 clinical trial for Myelofibrosis with anemia, yet relevant research are limited. Threrfore,data from patients diagnosed with refractory anemic primary or post-essential thrombocythemia/polycythemia vera myelofibrosis, who were treated with luspatercept for at least 9 weeks, were retrospectively collected. Eighteen patients with myelofibrosis treated with luspatercept were enrolled. Median age was 68 years (range, 44-80 years), and 27.8% were males. Ten (55.6%) were transfusion-dependent. Ten (55.6%) were Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System intermediate-1, and eight (44.4%) were intermediate-2. The median follow-up was 7 (4-16) months. Erythroid response occurred in eight patients (44.4%) at week 12, four patients (30.8%) at week 24, and nine (50%) at the end of follow-up. Patients who were transfusion-dependent and not transfusion-dependent had similar HI-E responses, at different time points (P > 0.05). Patients had a significantly higher hemoglobin level at 12 weeks, 24 weeks, and at the end of follow-up, than at baseline (P = 0.001, P = 0.021, and P = 0.005, respectively). Treatment-related adverse events occurred in five (16.7%) patients, with no serious adverse events. Two (11.1%) patients relapsed at weeks 15 and 31. One patient progressed to acute myeloid leukemia. No patients had died by the end of follow-up. Luspatercept induced a good response in patients with anemic myelofibrosis, with a low relapse rate and good tolerance.

Pelabresib (CPI-0610) Combined with Ruxolitinib for JAK Inhibitor Treatment-Naïve Patients with Myelofibrosis: Durability of Response and Safety Beyond Week 24

Background: Myelofibrosis (MF) is characterized by progressive bone marrow (BM) fibrosis, splenomegaly and cytopenias resulting from aberrant megakaryopoiesis and proinflammatory cytokine expression. These processes are heavily regulated by bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) protein-mediated gene expression (eg NF-κB target genes, MYC and BCL-2) and lead to myeloproliferation and cytopenias. The current standard of care for patients (pts) with MF is the Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) ruxolitinib (RUX); however, the depth and durability of responses, along with the percentage of pts that achieve ≥35% spleen volume reduction from baseline (BL; SVR35) and ≥50% total symptom score reduction (TSS) from BL (TSS50) with RUX monotherapy are limited. Pelabresib (CPI-0610; PELA) is an oral, small-molecule, investigational BET inhibitor that downregulates NF-κB signaling and other relevant genes involved in MF disease pathways (Mascarenhas J, et al. HemaSphere 2022;6:99-100). In the ongoing Phase 2 MANIFEST study (NCT02158858), PELA is under investigation as monotherapy and in combination with RUX in pts with MF. Here, we present results from Arm 3 of MANIFEST (in which JAKi-naïve pts with MF receive PELA in combination with RUX). Aims: The primary endpoint of MANIFEST Arm 3 is SVR35 after 24 weeks (wks) of treatment. Secondary endpoints include TSS50, duration of splenic response, pharmacokinetics and safety. Exploratory endpoints include transfusion independence and changes from BL in BM fibrosis. In this abstract we will discuss results from the September 2021 data cut; longer-term data from the July 2022 data cut will be presented. Methods: Spleen volume was assessed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging every 12 wks; TSS per Myelofibrosis Symptom Assessment Form v4.0; and BM fibrosis by biopsies at Wk 24 and Wk 48. Duration of splenic response and safety data are also evaluated. Data presented are from the September 2021 data cut; a more mature data set will be presented at the conference. Results: Eighty-four pts received ≥1 dose of PELA and RUX. Median age was 68 years (range 37-85); 24%, 61% and 16% had Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System intermediate-1, intermediate-2 or high risk, respectively. Pts who did not reach Wk 24 were counted as nonresponders. At Wk 24 and Wk 48, 68% (57/84) and 60% (47/79) of pts, respectively, achieved SVR35. SVR35 at any time was achieved by 80% pts (67/84), and 87% (58/67) pts with SVR35 maintained response at the time of data cutoff. Median spleen volume change was -50% (range -84.4% to 27.9%) at Wk 24. Median time to SVR35 response was 12 wks (first on-treatment assessment of splenic response); durable spleen volume reductions were observed as depicted in mean spleen volume change over time in Figure 1. TSS50 was achieved by 56% (46/82) pts at Wk 24 and 43% (34/79) at Wk 48. TSS50 at any time was achieved by 81% pts (68/84). The median change in TSS was −59% (range −100% to 225%) at Wk 24. Mean TSS change over time is shown in Figure 2, indicating sustained reduction in symptom burden. Median follow up for Arm 3 was 21.8 (range 21.2-22.5) months; median treatment duration was not reached as of data cutoff. BM fibrosis improved by ≥1 grade in 28% (16/57) of evaluable pts at Wk 24 as assessed by central pathology review; 56% maintained the improvement at the next available assessment (Wk 48 or beyond) or longer; and 40% achieved ≥1 grade improvement at any time (best response). The most common hematologic treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) of any grade was thrombocytopenia, reported in 52% (Grade ≥3: 12%) of pts. Anemia was reported in 42% (Grade ≥3: 34%). Serious adverse events reported in ≥2 pts were respiratory tract infections (6 pts), pyrexia (3 pts) and anemia, multiorgan failure, fall and pelvic fracture (2 pts each). TEAEs that led to PELA discontinuation occurred in 7 pts (8%). Updated data with longer follow-up, including durability of splenic response and safety data from a more mature data set, will be available for presentation at the conference. Conclusions: The combination of PELA and RUX in JAKi-naïve pts with MF showed durable improvements in spleen volume, total symptom score and BM fibrosis, and was generally well tolerated. The randomized, double-blind, active-controlled Phase 3 MANIFEST-2 study is open for enrollment and evaluating the safety and efficacy of PELA in combination with RUX in JAKi treatment-naïve pts with MF (NCT04603495). Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Molecular Responses Are Observed across Mutational Spectrum in Treatment-Naïve Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients Treated with Venetoclax Plus Azacitidine

Molecular Responses Are Observed across Mutational Spectrum in Treatment-Naïve Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients Treated with Venetoclax Plus Azacitidine

British Society for Haematology guidelines for the management of adult myelodysplastic syndromes.

British Society for Haematology guidelines for the management of adult myelodysplastic syndromes.

Impact of Transfusion Dependency on Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). Analysis on 669 Patients By Disease Risk

Background:There is some evidence indicating that transfusion dependency negatively impact health-related quality of life HRQOL of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). However, there is paucity of evidence-based on this relationship across all different disease risk-group categories.Aims:The primary objective of this study is to examine whether transfusion dependency has a different impact on HRQOL outcomes (ie. functional wellbeing and symptom burden) by disease risk according to the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS).Methods:Analysis is based on 669 newly diagnosed MDS patients enrolled in ongoing international prospective observational study. Patients with any IPSS risk score category were consecutively enrolled in 37 centers from nine countries. Patients were invited to participate during one of the first consultations, after confirmed diagnosis of MDS. Multidimensional HRQOL and fatigue outcomes were assessed at baseline (i.e., before treatment) with the well validated European Organization for Research and treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)Fatigue questionnaires. Patients were classified as transfusion dependent (TD) or transfusion independent (TI) using the following definition of “transfusion dependency”: having received at least one red blood cell transfusion every 8 weeks over a period of 4 months (Malcovati L, et al, J Clin Oncol . 2007; 25: 3503-10). We used proportions, means and medians to describe data, by risk and transfusion-dependence groups. Possible statistically significant differences between groups were assessed by Fisher and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests according to the type of variable. We also investigated possible clinically meaningful differences according to previously published guidelines.Results:Median age of the entire cohort (N=669) was of 77 years (range 18-96 years) and there were 418 men (62%) and 251 (38%) women. Of the entire cohort, 364 (54%) were classified as IPSS intermediate-2 or high-risk (higher risk disease: HRD) and 305 (46% as IPSS low or intermediate-1 (lower risk disease: LRD). There were: 44(14%) and 261(86%) patients respectively classified TD and TI in the LRD group, while in the HRD group there were 78(21%) and 286 (79%) patients respectively classified as TD and TI. Within LRD and HRD groups, there were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, comorbidity and education level between TD and TI patients. In addition, there were no statistically significant imbalances in the distribution of IPSS risk categories, respectively low and int-1 in LRD patients and int-2 and high-risk in HRD patients, between TD and TI groups. Within LRD, median hemoglobin (Hb) level was 10.2 g/dl and 8.9 g/dl for TI and TD patients and within HRD, median Hb level was 9.5 g/dl and 8.2 g/dl for TI and TD patients respectively. HRQOL profile of TD patients was generally worse than that of TI patients in both LRD and HRD. However, statistically and clinically meaningful differences in key symptoms of fatigue (P=.001, mean difference of 11.1) and pain (P=.002, mean difference of 8.4) were only noted between TD and TI patients within the HRD group. The trend of a fatigue was also confirmed by the FACIT Fatigue scale. Details on mean differences in selected HRQOL scales by disease risk groups (LRD versus HRD) are provided in Figure 1.Conclusion:This study suggests that impact of transfusion dependency on HRQOL can be different depending on disease risk at diagnosis with some major impact in fatigue and pain for HRD patients. This data might help physicians to provide more targeted interventions. [Display omitted] DisclosuresEfficace:Incyte: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; TEVA: Consultancy, Research Funding; Lundbeck: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding. Gaidano:AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Breccia:TEVA: Speakers Bureau. Platzbecker:Acceleron: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

Pre-transplantation cytoreduction does not benefit advanced myelodysplastic syndrome patients after myeloablative transplantation with grafts from family donors.

BackgroundThe role of pre‐hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) cytoreduction with either induction chemotherapy (IC) or hypomethylating agents (HMAs) in treating advanced myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) remains debatable. We aimed to evaluate pre‐HSCT strategies by comparing the endpoints related to disease control between advanced MDS patients with pre‐HSCT cytoreduction and those with best supportive care.MethodsWe described 228 consecutive advanced MDS patients who received HSCT from a haploidentical donor (HID, n = 162) or matched related donor (MSD, n = 66) with uniform myeloablative conditioning regimens between January 2015 and December 2018. Of these 228 patients, 131 (57.5%) were treated exclusively with pre‐HSCT best supportive care (BSC), 49 (22.5%) were given HMA, and 48 (21.1%) received both IC and HMA. Propensity score‐matching analysis, multivariate analyses, and subgroup analyses were performed to elucidate the impact of pre‐HSCT strategies on transplant outcomes.ResultsThe 3‐year relapse‐free survival (RFS) rates were 78.2% and 70.0% for the BSC and cytoreduction cohorts (P = 0.189) and were 78.2%, 66.7%, and 73.2% for the BSC, HMA, and HMA+IC groups, respectively (P = 0.269). A propensity score‐matching analysis confirmed that the 3‐year RFS rates were 81.9%, 87.5%, and 66.9% for BSC, cytoreduction complete remission (CR), and cytoreduction non‐CR groups, respectively (P = 0.051). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that pre‐HSCT cytoreduction, older patient age, monosomal karyotype, and interval between diagnosis and HSCT were poor prognostic factors for RFS. In the subgroup analyses, BSC was associated with longer RFS compared to cytoreduction among the younger patients, those with international prognostic scoring system intermediate‐2/high risk at diagnosis, and those with intermediate/poor cytogenetics.ConclusionsDifferent pre‐HSCT therapies did not yield discrepant post‐HSCT outcomes. No benefit in terms of post‐HSCT outcomes were correlated with pre‐HSCT cytoreduction in advanced MDS even for cytoreduction CR patients. Early referral to HSCT is essential for advanced MDS patients.

Safety, Efficacy, and Patient-Reported Outcomes of Venetoclax in Combination with Azacitidine for the Treatment of Patients with Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome: A Phase 1b Study

Safety, Efficacy, and Patient-Reported Outcomes of Venetoclax in Combination with Azacitidine for the Treatment of Patients with Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome: A Phase 1b Study

Oral cedazuridine/decitabine for MDS and CMML: a phase 2 pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic randomized crossover study

AbstractThis phase 2 study was designed to compare systemic decitabine exposure, demethylation activity, and safety in the first 2 cycles with cedazuridine 100 mg/decitabine 35 mg vs standard decitabine 20 mg/m2 IV. Adults with International Prognostic Scoring System intermediate-1/2- or high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) were randomized 1:1 to receive oral cedazuridine/decitabine or IV decitabine in cycle 1, followed by crossover to the other treatment in cycle 2. All patients received oral cedazuridine/decitabine in subsequent cycles. Cedazuridine and decitabine were given initially as separate capsules in a dose-confirmation stage and then as a single fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablet. Primary end points: mean decitabine systemic exposure (geometric least-squares mean [LSM]) of oral/IV 5-day area under curve from time 0 to last measurable concentration (AUClast), percentage long interspersed nuclear element 1 (LINE-1) DNA demethylation for oral cedazuridine/decitabine vs IV decitabine, and clinical response. Eighty patients were randomized and treated. Oral/IV ratios of geometric LSM 5-day AUClast (80% confidence interval) were 93.5% (82.1-106.5) and 97.6% (80.5-118.3) for the dose-confirmation and FDC stages, respectively. Differences in mean %LINE-1 demethylation between oral and IV were ≤1%. Clinical responses were observed in 48 patients (60%), including 17 (21%) with complete response. The most common grade ≥3 adverse events regardless of causality were neutropenia (46%), thrombocytopenia (38%), and febrile neutropenia (29%). Oral cedazuridine/decitabine (100/35 mg) produced similar systemic decitabine exposure, DNA demethylation, and safety vs decitabine 20 mg/m2 IV in the first 2 cycles, with similar efficacy. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02103478.

Predisposition to transformation from myelodysplastic syndrome into acute myeloid leukemia – case presentation

Predisposition to transformation from myelodysplastic syndrome into acute myeloid leukemia – case presentation

Diagnostic Testing Patterns and Concordance with World Health Organization (WHO) Criteria for Patients (Pts) with Newly Diagnosed (ND) Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) in the Connect® MDS/AML Registry

Diagnostic Testing Patterns and Concordance with World Health Organization (WHO) Criteria for Patients (Pts) with Newly Diagnosed (ND) Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) in the Connect® MDS/AML Registry

Validation of Low Risk Prognostic Scoring System (LR-PSS) in Patients with Lower Risk IPSS-R Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Results from a Single Center

Background: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) therapeutic decisions have been traditionally based on the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) (Greenberg et al, Blood 1997) and IPSS-R (Greenberg et al, Blood 2012). Recently, next-generation sequencing genetics has been incorporated into management of MDS, however its use is limited in routine clinical practice. Current prognostic models do not allow the identification of patients with low risk disease (low or intermediate-1 IPSS) and poor prognosis, who could benefit from an early intervention. Garcia-Manero et al (Leukemia 2008) described a specific prognostic scoring system for this subgroup of patients (LR-PSS) based on age ≥60 years, hemoglobin <10g/dl, platelet count <50k/uL or 50-200k/uL, bone marrow blasts ≥4% and unfavorable cytogenetics (non-del(5q), non-diploid). This LR-PSS score system enables the stratification of low risk MDS patients into 3 different risk categories; interestingly, the third category identifies a subgroup of patients with a median overall survival (OS) similar to that of patients classified as intermediate-2 and high risk IPSS. Besides, the IPSS-R described by Greenberg et al (Blood 2012) has demonstrated a strong prognostic value for OS and LFS as compared to the IPSS when applied to different independent series of MDS patients. The prognostic impact of the LR-PSS has not been analyzed in MDS patients with very low-, low- and intermediate IPSS-R scores. Aim: To analyze the prognostic value of Low Risk Prognostic Scoring System(LR-PSS) in a population of lower risk MDS patients (very low, low and intermediate IPSS-R) analyzing as endpoints overall survival (OS) and leukemia free survival (LFS). Methods: A total of 890 consecutive patients with MDS (01/1992-7/2018) diagnosed at the Catalan Institute of Oncology in Barcelona were included in the study. 539 (60%) had available cytogenetics and therefore, IPSS-R could be assessed. 474 (88%) patients were classified as very low, low and intermediate IPSS-R and were included in the study. Results: 178 (37.6%) patients were classified as very low, 219 (46.2%) low and 77 (16.2%) intermediated IPSS-R risk MDS. Median age at diagnosis was 73 years (range 32-101). 332 (70%) were male. According to the 2008 WHO classification, 2.5% CRDU, 7.4% RA, 42.2% RCMD, 13.7% RAEB‐1, 3.6% RAEB‐2, 26.4% CMML and 4.2% MDS‐U with isolated 5q deletion. At diagnosis, median hemoglobin, platelet and bone marrow blast were 11.6 g/dL (5.5-17.1), 157 x109/L (1-1492) and 2 % (0-17), respectively. 84 (17.7%) patients had unfavorable LR-PSS cytogenetics at diagnosis. Median follow up time for survivors was 5.4 years (range 0.25-23.8). At the time of last follow up, 58.4 % (277) had died and 71 (15%) had progressed to acute myeloid leukemia. When the LR-PSS was applied to the very low, low and intermediate IPSS-R subgroups, three well-differentiated prognostic categories could be identified: 103 patients (21.7%) category 1 (scores 0-2); 330 (69.6%) patients category 2 (scores 3-4) and 41 (8.7%) patients category 3 (scores 5-7) with significant different OS and LFS. Median OS for categories 1, 2 and were 7.1 years (95% CI 4.9-9.2), 5.7 years (95% CI 4.7-6.7) and 2.8 years (95% CI 2.1-3.6), p<0.001 (Figure 1), respectively. Rate of progression to acute myeloid leukemia was 10% (10/99), 15% (48/323) and 27% (11/411) for categories 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Summary/Conclusion: When applied to a low risk (very low, low and intermediate) IPSS-R cohort of MDS population, LR-PSS identifies a subgroup of patients with a significantly worse prognosis who could benefit from an early treatment intervention. Disclosures Sureda: Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy; Roche: Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau.

Problem kontroli leukocytozy u chorego na pierwotne włóknienie szpiku leczonego ruksolitynibem

Ruxolitynib — JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor — registrated for patients with myelofibrosis (MF) IPSS (International Prognostic Scoring System) intermediate-2 or high, with splenomegaly and general symptomatology. Moreover, ruxolitinib is used to reduce splenomegaly and general symptomatology in patients with MF who are candidates for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (allo- -HSCT). Anemia, thrombocytopenia and occasionally leukopenia with neutropenia are observed as a main side effects of ruxolitinib. Moreover, there are problems related to cytokine storm caused by treatment discontinuation. Here we report the patient with MF and important leucocytosis, in whom splenomegaly and general symptoms were reduced due to ruxolitinib. However, ruxolitinib in monotherapy did not reduce the leukocyte count, so the the combined therapy with ruxolitinib plus hydroxycarbamide was initiated. As the result of the treatment, reduction of number of leukocytes was observed, meanwhile the level of hemoglobin was stable and platelets count drop slightly. Thereafter, the patient proceeded to allo-HSCT. So far, there are two cases of patients treated with ruxolitinib plus hydroxycarbamid published in the literature. We think, that all cases treated in that way, should be reporteds, as we can establish the safety of this drug combination.

Clinical implications and prognostic value of TP53 gene mutation and deletion in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

目的探讨伴TP53基因异常骨髓增生异常综合征（MDS）患者的临床特征及预后。方法回顾性分析2009年10月至2017年12月中国医学科学院血液病医院新诊断的584例原发性MDS患者临床资料，采用包含112个血液肿瘤相关基因的靶向测序技术进行突变分析，并采用间期荧光原位杂交（FISH）技术检测TP53基因缺失。分析TP53基因突变和（或）缺失与临床特征之间的关系及其对患者总生存（OS）的影响。结果42例（7.2%）伴TP53基因异常，其中单纯基因突变31例（5.3%），单纯基因缺失8例（1.4%），同时伴有突变和缺失3例（0.5%）。34例伴TP53基因突变患者中共检测到37个TP53突变，其中35个位于DNA结合结构域（第5~8号外显子），1个位于第10号外显子，1个为剪切位点突变。伴TP53基因异常组的平均基因突变数目（2.52个）显著高于无异常组（1.96个）（z=−2.418，P=0.016）。伴TP53基因异常患者的中位年龄[60（21~78）岁]高于无异常患者[52（14~83）岁]（z=−2.188，P=0.029）；伴TP53基因异常组中复杂核型比例、IPSS较高危组（中危-2及高危）比例显著高于无异常组（P值均<0.001）。伴TP53基因异常组的中位OS期[13（95%CI 7.57~18.43）个月]较无异常组（未达到）显著缩短（χ2=12.342，P<0.001），但多因素模型纳入复杂核型进行校正后，TP53突变不再是独立预后因素。结论伴TP53基因异常MDS患者中基因突变较基因缺失常见，突变位点主要分布于DNA结合结构域。TP53基因异常与复杂核型相关，且常与多个基因突变相伴出现。在多因素模型纳入复杂核型校正后，TP53基因异常则不再是独立的预后因素。

Azacitidine with or without eltrombopag for first-line treatment of intermediate- or high-risk MDS with thrombocytopenia

AbstractAzacitidine treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) generally exacerbates thrombocytopenia during the first treatment cycles. A Study of Eltrombopag in Myelodysplastic Syndromes Receiving Azacitidine (SUPPORT), a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, investigated the platelet supportive effects of eltrombopag given concomitantly with azacitidine. International Prognostic Scoring System intermediate-1, intermediate-2, or high-risk MDS patients with baseline platelets <75 × 109/L were randomized 1:1 to eltrombopag (start, 200 mg/d [East Asians, 100 mg/d], maximum, 300 mg/d [East Asians, 150 mg/d]) or placebo, plus azacitidine (75 mg/m2 subcutaneously once daily for 7 days every 28 days). The primary end point was the proportion of patients platelet transfusion-free during cycles 1 through 4 of azacitidine therapy. Based on planned interim analyses, an independent data monitoring committee recommended stopping the study prematurely because efficacy outcomes crossed the predefined futility threshold and for safety reasons. At termination, 28/179 (16%) eltrombopag and 55/177 (31%) placebo patients met the primary end point. Overall response (International Working Group criteria; complete, marrow, or partial response) occurred in 20% and 35% of eltrombopag and placebo patients, respectively, by investigator assessment. There was no difference in hematologic improvement in any cell lineage between the 2 arms. There was no improvement in overall or progression-free survival. Adverse events with ≥10% occurrence in the eltrombopag vs placebo arm were febrile neutropenia and diarrhea. Compared with azacitidine alone, eltrombopag plus azacitidine worsened platelet recovery, with lower response rates and a trend toward increased progression to acute myeloid leukemia. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02158936.

Patient-reported outcomes enhance the survival prediction of traditional disease risk classifications: An international study in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

Current prognostic systems for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are based on clinical, pathologic, and laboratory indicators. The objective of the current study was to develop a new patient-centered prognostic index for patients with advanced MDS by including self-reported fatigue severity into a well-established clinical risk classification: the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS). A total of 469 patients with advanced (ie, IPSS intermediate-2 or high-risk) MDS were analyzed. Untreated patients (280 patients) were recruited into an international prospective cohort observational study to create the index. The index then was applied to an independent cohort including pretreated patients with MDS from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts (189 patients). At baseline, patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). A new prognostic index was developed: the FA-IPSS(h), in which FA stands for fatigue and h for higher-risk. This new risk classification enabled the authors to distinguish 3 subgroups of patients with distinct survival outcomes (ie, risk-1, risk-2, and risk-3). Patients classified as FA-IPSS(h) risk-1 had a median overall survival (OS) of 23 months (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 19-29 months), whereas those with risk-2 had a median OS of 16 months (95% CI, 12-17 months) and those with risk-3 had a median OS of 10 months (95% CI, 4-13 months). The predictive accuracy of this new index was higher than that of the IPSS alone in both the development cohort as well as in the independent cohort including pretreated patients. The FA-IPSS(h) is a novel patient-centered prognostic index that includes patients' self-reported fatigue severity. The authors believe its use might enhance physicians' ability to predict survival more accurately in patients with advanced MDS. Cancer 2018;124:1251-9. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

The Impact of Splenectomy in Myelofibrosis Patients before Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Performing a pretransplantation splenectomy in patients with myelofibrosis (MF) is a matter of debate, as while the procedure improves hematological recovery, it may lead to severe morbidities. We retrospectively analyzed data from 85 consecutive patients who underwent transplantation in our center for MF, including 39 patients who underwent splenectomy before their transplantation. A majority of them had primary MF (78%), were considered high-risk patients (84% dynamic international prognostic scoring system intermediate-2 or higher), and had received transplants from HLA-matched sibling donors (56%) after a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen (82%). One-half of all splenectomized patients presented surgical or postsurgical morbidities, most frequently thrombosis and hemorrhage. After adjustment using Cox models, pretransplantation splenectomy was not associated with nonrelapse mortality or post-transplantation relapse but with an improved overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS). We conclude that some patients with huge splenomegaly may undergo pretransplantation splenectomy without a deleterious impact on post-transplantation outcomes. OS and EFS improvement should in confirmed in controlled study.

Inclusion of Patient's Self-Reported Fatigue into a Standard Laboratory Risk Classification Enhances Survival Prediction in Patients with Advanced Myelodysplastic Syndromes

BACKGROUND: Patients with higher risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) according to the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) have poor life expectancy making accurate prediction of overall survival (OS) a critical issue for optimal and personalized patients' management.PURPOSE: The primary objective of this study was to develop a patient-based prognostic index for higher risk-disease, that would include self-reported fatigue into the widely used IPSS classification. A secondary objective was to examine whether this patient-based index would provide more accurate OS prediction than the standard IPSS classification.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Analysis is based on 280 newly diagnosed patients with MDS classified with an intermediate-2 or high-risk score (i.e., higher-risk) according to the IPSS. Patients were recruited in an international prospective cohort observational study involving 37 centers. OS was defined as the date of diagnosis of IPSS intermediate-2 or high risk MDS up to death for any cause. Patients were censored at the date of last follow up if not dead at the time of analysis. Before treatment start, all patients completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire and the fatigue scale was a priori selected for possible inclusion into the IPSS. Among all observed values of the fatigue score (range: 0-100) we looked for a threshold defining four risk groups, formed by patients reporting either low or high fatigue respectively in intermediate-2 and high risk IPSS groups. The final prognostic index was developed based on univariate and multivariate Cox models. Differences among Kaplan-Meier OS estimation of new risk categories were assessed by log-rank test. Sensitivity analyses were performed, 1) assessing differences in patients’ baseline characteristics among risk groups, by Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher’s exact tests 2) accounting for several potential confounding factors (baseline and time-dependent) in a multivariate extended Cox model, including treatment received after baseline assessment and further evolution into acute myeloid leukemia, 3) performing a bootstrap resampling procedure to internally validate the final prognostic index. Discrimination and calibration of the new index were evaluated. For all analyses, α=0.05.RESULTS: With a median follow- up of 15 months (IQR 8-27) we observed 113 deaths. The median OS of the overall population was 17 months (95% CI, 15-19). The majority of patients (N=165, 59%) received treatment with hypomethylating agents. The final cut-off value selected for the EORTC QLQ-C30 fatigue scale was 45 points discriminating between patients with low (<45 points) or high fatigue (≥45 points). A new risk score classification was then developed, namely, the Fatigue(FA)-IPSS(h), enabling to distinguish three risk group categories (i.e., risk-1, risk-2 and risk-3) in contrast to the two categories of the IPSS (intemediate-2 and high-risk). Patients with the most favorable prognosis according to the FA-IPSS(h) (i.e., risk-1) had a median OS of 23 months (95% CI, 19-29), those with risk-2 had a median survival of 16 months (95% CI, 12-17) and those with the least favorable prognosis (risk-3) had median OS of 10 months (95% CI, 4-13). In contrast, median OS was 20 months (95% CI, 17-24 months) and 13 months (95% CI, 9-16 months) for patients with an IPSS intermediate-2 and high risk scores, respectively. Survival rates at 6 months, one and two years were markedly different amongst the three groups of the FA-IPSS(h). For example, one-year OS for patients with the most favorable prognosis (risk-1) was 80.2% (95% CI, 73.4-87.8) and only 37.5% (95% CI, 23.8-59.1) for those with the poorest prognosis (risk-3). Sensitivity analyses supported our findings. The FA-IPSS(h) index showed very good predictive performance (bootstrap-corrected c-index=0.911).CONCLUSION: The FA-IPSS(h) is a new prognostic index that integrates patient's self-reported fatigue into the well established IPSS index. Its use might enhance physicians' ability to more accurately predict OS in higher-risk MDS. Also, implementation of this index into standard practice might have important implications to elicit a more active patient participation during initial consultations. DisclosuresEfficace:Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; TEVA: Consultancy, Research Funding; Lundbeck: Research Funding. Gaidano:Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Morphosys: Consultancy, Honoraria. Bonnetain:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgène: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Ipsen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Integragen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Nestle: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Chugai: Consultancy, Honoraria; Merck Serono: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria. Fianchi:Novartis: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Breccia:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Ariad: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria. Platzbecker:Celgene Corporation: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; TEVA Pharmaceutical Industries: Honoraria, Research Funding.

A retrospective study of azacitidine treatment in patients with intermediate-2 or high risk myelodysplastic syndromes in a real-world clinical setting in Greece.

For patients with intermediate-2 or high risk [according to the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS)] myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), azacitidine treatment offers hematologic improvement (HI) but also has the potential to modify the natural disease course. 'RETRO-AZA-MDS-001', a retrospective chart review study was conducted from February to November 2012 across 17 hematology hospital sites of Greece, aiming to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety profile of azacitidine in IPSS intermediate-2/high risk adult MDS patients in routine care. A total of 88 patients (median age 74.7years), with a 6.6month median (range 1.0-49.5) azacitidine treatment duration were enrolled. The overall response rate [complete response (CR), marrow CR and partial response] was 37.7% (23/61), while stable disease with HI was achieved by 21.3% (13/61). The HI rate was 33.0% (29/88) and the AML transformation rate 6.8% (6/88). Of the transfusion-dependent patients, 7.3% (3/41) became transfusion-independent during azacitidine treatment. The incidence of non-serious and serious adverse events related to azacitidine was 50.0 and 42.0%, respectively. Patients not receiving prior ESA therapy were expected to be 7.6 times more likely to achieve a clinical response (p=0.012). The study corroborates the favorable risk-benefit profile of azacitidine for intermediate-2/high risk MDS patients in routine clinical practice.

Eltrombopag for the Treatment of Thrombocytopenia of Low and Intermediate-1 IPSS Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Interim Results on Efficacy, Safety and Quality of Life of an International, Multicenter Prospective, Randomized, Trial

▪Background: About 10% of low risk patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) experience severe thrombocytopenia. Bleeding and the scarce efficacy of platelet (PLT) transfusions drive research in novel treatments. Eltrombopag is an oral agonist of the thrombopoetin-receptor (TPO-R). Its potential in increasing platelet (PLT) counts in low risk MDS has not been evaluated. We present interim results on the efficacy and safety of eltrombopag in inducing PLT responses in patients with low and intermediate-1 International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) risk MDS with severe thrombocytopenia in a Phase II, multicentre, prospective, placebo-controlled, single-blind study (EQoL-MDS).Methods: Primary endpoints are safety and efficacy of eltrombopag. Secondary endpoints include changes in quality of life (QoL), PLT transfusion requirement, incidence and severity of bleeding, and survival. Inclusion criteria are adult age; PLT<30 Gi/L; ECOG performance status < 4; ineligibility for, relapsed or refractory to other treatments; and naive to TPO-R agonists. Eltrombopag/placebo (2:1) is administered at a 50 mg daily starting dose with 50 mg increases every 2 weeks to maximum 300 mg to target PLT 100 Gi/L. Dose interruptions or reductions are required for PLT >200 Gi/L or adverse events. Study design is shown in the figure. PLT response, assessed at each visit, is defined as Response if: 1) baseline PLT>20 Gi/L: absence of bleeding and increase by at least 30 Gi/L from baseline; 2) baseline PLT<20 Gi/L: PLT>20 Gi/L and increase by at least 100%, not due to PLT transfusions; and Complete Response if PLT≥100 Gi/L and absence of bleeding. QoL scores are analysed by MDS-specific instrument, QOL-E v. 3.Results: Seventy patients (46 on eltrombopag - Arm A, 24 on placebo -Arm B) have been randomized at the time of this report. Mean age is 68.3 (SD 13.0) years, M/F 38/32. ECOG performance status was 0 in 47 cases, 1 in 16 cases, 2 in 7 cases. Ten patients had comorbidities. According to the WHO 2008 classification, 22 patients had refractory cytopenia with unilineage dysplasia, 9 had refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts, 31 had refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia (of which 15 with ringed sideroblasts), 6 had refractory anemia with excess blasts-1 and 2 were unclassified. IPSS score was low in 48 cases. Mean baseline platelet (PLT) count was 17.1 (SD 8.2) Gi/L, mean hemoglobin level 10.8 (SD 2.5) g/dL and mean white blood cell count was 5.0 (SD 3.8) Gi/L. Twenty-five (36%) patients were red blood cell transfusion-dependent. Thirty-three had a WHO bleeding scale of 1, 2 experienced mild blood loss, 4 a gross blood loss and 1 a debilitating blood loss. Fourteen patients in Arm A and 8 in Arm B had required PLT transfusions in the 8 weeks prior to randomization. Twenty-three cases (50%) in Arm A have responded versus 2 (8%) in Arm B (p=0.001). Thirty-three patients have completed at least 24 weeks of study. Median time to response was 14 days (IQR 7-46 days) at a median daily dose of 75 (IQR 50-162.5 mg). PLT count increased by mean 53.2 (SD 68.1) Gi/L (p=0.001) in Arm A versus no significant changes in Arm B by week 24.QOL-E scores at baseline and 12 weeks in 47 cases in both arms are shown in the table. There was an increase in treatment outcome index,mainly experienced in the first 3 weeks (p=0.034). Fatigue improved from baseline to 12 weeks associated with response (p=0.016).Related Grade III-IV adverse events (AE) occurred in 10 patients (22%) in Arm A and consisted in: nausea (4), hypertransaminasemia (3), hyperbilirubinemia (1), sepsis (1), pruritis (1), heart failure (1), asthenia (1), vomit (1), while in Arm B 1 patient (4 %) experienced grade 3 bone marrow fibrosis. MDS disease progression occurred in 5 (11%) in Arm A versus 2 (8%) in Arm B, p=ns.Conclusions: Preliminary data indicate that lower risk MDS patients with severe thrombocytopenia undergoing treatment with eltrombopag experience significant improvements in PLT counts accompanied by improvements in fatigue. The drug appears to be well-tolerated and not associated with MDS progression. Further follow-up is required to evaluate the impact on survival. [Display omitted] [Display omitted] DisclosuresOliva:Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Other: Advisory Board, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy. Santini:celgene, Janssen, Novartis, Onconova: Honoraria, Research Funding. Palumbo:Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Advisory Board. Fenaux:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding.

A Novel Model to Predict Outcome of Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) at the Time of Hypomethylating Agent Failure

Background:Several validated prognostic models exist for patients (pts) with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), including the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS), the Revised IPSS (IPSS-R), the World Health Organization (WHO) classification-based Prognostic Scoring System (WPSS), and the MD Anderson Prognostic Scoring System (MDAPSS). All were developed in pts with newly diagnosed MDS, and their prognostic value in subsequent stages of disease, such as at the time of hypomethylating agents failure (HMAs, azacitidine (AZA) and decitabine (DAC), has not been established. Despite this, the IPSS and IPSS-R is often used to determine clinical trial eligibility for pts who fail HMA and has been used by the FDA for drug labeling in this setting. Here in we developed a new prognostic model that predicts outcome post HMAs failure (HMAF).MethodsIncluded patients were diagnosed with higher-risk MDS (per 2008 WHO criteria, higher-risk defined as IPSS Intermediate-2/High) with clinical and pathologic data entered into the MDS Clinical Research Consortium database. The IPSS, IPSS-R, WPSS and MDAPSS were calculated at the time of diagnosis and HMAF. HMAF was defined as no response to AZA or DAC following >4 cycles, loss of response, or progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at any time after starting therapy. Responses were defined per International Working Group criteria (IWG 2006). Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the time of diagnosis to time of death or last follow up when the models were applied at diagnosis and from HMAF date to time of death or last follows up when the models were applied at the time of HMAF. Cox proportional hazard analysis within the multivariable model-building with fractional polynomials (MFP) approach, which automatically select from all factors at the time of HMAF, was used to build the new model. Akaike information criterion (AIC) was used to compare fits from Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsOf 450 higher-risk MDS pts who failed HMAs, 311 (69.1%) were treated with AZA and 139 (30.9%) with DAC. The median age at diagnosis was 70 years (range: 35-91). Best responses (BR) to HMA were: 96 (21.3%) with complete remission, 40 (8.9%) partial remission, 46 (10.2%) hematologic improvement, 180 (40.0%) stable disease, and 88 (19.6%) with progressive disease. The median number of cycles received during treatment was 6 (range, 2-51). With a median follow up of 17.4 months (IQ range, 16.1, 18.7), the median OS from diagnosis for the entire group was 18.5 months (IQ range, 17.2, 19.8). Median OS from diagnosis was similar for patients treated with AZA compared to DAC (18.0 months vs. 20.3 months, p = .36). The median OS after HMAF was 7.3 months (IQ range, 6.3, 8.4). Survival plots for each prognostic scoring system at diagnosis and HMAF are shown in Figure 1. Comparing the predictive power of these scoring systems at the time of HMAF, the AICc for each model was: MDASS (3541.1); IPSS-R (3562.0), IPSS (3570.0), and WPSS with AICc of (3572.2) (lower AICc indicates better fit of the model). Given the lower predictive power of the current prognostic models at the time of HMAF, we developed a new prognostic model specific for this patient population. Our MFP modeling approach selected 6 factors that have significant association with OS at the time of HMAF in the final Cox multivariate model (Table 1). The new model identified two risk groups: Low: score < 2.25, median OS 11.0 months (95% CI 8.8-13.6) and a high risk group with score of > 2.25 and median OS 4.5 months (95% CI 3.9-5.3). Using the internal model validation assessment, the estimated AICc for the new model was 3520.4 (lowest AICc). When the new model was applied at time of diagnosis, the AICc decreased to 3515.1, a much smaller decrease compared to the existing prognostic systems built at diagnosis: MDASS (3515.7), IPSS-R (3528.2), WPSS (3537.5) and IPSS (3537.7).ConclusionCurrently available MDS prognostic scoring systems should be used cautiously in pts at the time of HMAF and, given their inconsistent reliability, should be avoided for clinical trial eligibility or drug labeling. A new prognostic model was developed specific for this patient population. [Display omitted] [Display omitted] DisclosuresKomrokji:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incite: Consultancy; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; GSK: Research Funding. Steensma:Celgene: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; Onconova: Consultancy. Padron:Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Research Funding. List:Celgene Corporation: Honoraria, Research Funding. Sekeres:TetraLogic: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.