Minimal Residual Disease Negativity Rate Research Articles

Reduced-Dose Chemotherapy Followed By Blinatumomab As Induction Therapy in Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Philadelphia Chromosome-Negative B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia - Interim Results from a Multicenter, Single-Arm, Phase 2 Study

Introduction: Although intensive pediatric chemotherapeutic regimens have shown good efficacy in the treatment of Philadelphia Chromosome-negative (Ph-negative) B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) in adults, the high incidence of chemotherapy-related toxicities limits their use. Blinatumomab, a CD3/CD19 bispecific T-cell antibody, has shown high efficacy in relapsed/refractory or minimal residual disease (MRD) positive BCP-ALL; however, the efficacy of single-agent blinatumomab does not meet the treatment needs of adult patients. Therefore, combining low-intensity chemotherapy with blinatumomab could be a better induction regimen for newly diagnosed adult patients with BCP-ALL. Methods: This multicenter, single-arm, phase 2 trial (NCT05557110) enrolled adult patients (aged 15-59 years) with newly diagnosed Ph-negative BCP-ALL. The induction regimen comprised reduced intensity chemotherapy (idarubicin 8 mg/m 2 on day 1, vindesine 4 mg on day 1, and dexamethasone 9 mg/m 2/day from day 1-7) followed by 2 weeks of blinatumomab (9 ug/day from day 8-14, 28 ug/day from day 15-21). The primary endpoint was to assess the overall response rate (ORR=complete remission [CR] + CR with partial hematologic recovery [CRh] + CR with incomplete hematologic recovery [CRi]) of this induction regimen. Secondary endpoints were MRD negativity (<1x10 -4 by flow cytometry), event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS) and safety. Bone marrow evaluation and one intrathecal injection chemotherapy were performed on day 22±2. Patients not achieving ORR continued blinatumomab for another 2 weeks (28 ug/day from day 1-14), followed by bone marrow re-evaluation. Consolidation therapy was given after achieving ORR with recommended multidrug combination chemotherapy (including high-dose methotrexate or cytarabine combined with asparaginase) or alternating with blinatumomab (28 ug/day for 28 days). If allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is not performed, consolidation therapy needs at least 4 courses before 2 years of maintenance therapy. Results: Interim results are presented here.By July 6, 2023 (data cut-off), 25 patients were enrolled with a median age of 42 years (range: 15-53); 68% were females. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status score ranged from 0-1. Eight (32.0%) patients had poor cytogenetic risk factors, including 3 with P2RY8::CRLF2, 2 with hypodiploidy, 2 with KMT2A rearranged and 1 with alterations of IKZF1 (Table 1). The bone marrow evaluation done in 19 patients on day 8 prior to blinatumomab treatment showed that none of the patients had got ORR. All 21 (100%) patients evaluable for the primary endpoint attained CR/Cri - 19 at the end of 2 weeks of blinatumomab and the remaining 2 after another 2 weeks of blinatumomab (Table 2). The MRD negativity rate was 90.5% (19/21) after 2 weeks of blinatumomab which increased to 95.5% (20/21) after another 2 weeks of treatment with blinatumomab. In 21 patients evaluated for safety, blinatumomab-related cytokine release syndrome was reported in 10 (47.6%) patients (grade 1: n=6, grade 2: n=3 and grade 3: n=1). No incidence of neurotoxicity was reported. Febrile neutropenia was reported in 4 (19%) patients (all ≥grade 3). The non-hematological AEs reported were fever in 7 (33.3%) patients (any grade), increased ALT in 10 (47.6%) patients (any grade) and infections in 4 (19%) patients, including pneumonia in 2 and sepsis in 2 (all ≥grade 3). The median duration of neutrophil deficiency (<0.5×10 9/L) and platelet deficiency (<20×10 9/L) during induction therapy was 9 days (range: 0-20) and 1 day (range: 0-18), respectively. The median follow-up time was 4 months and no relapse or leukemia-related deaths were observed. The median EFS and OS were not yet reached. All enrolled patients are alive except one who died of infection after multidrug combination consolidation chemotherapy. The median cycles for consolidation were 2 (range: 1-5) with 3 patients undergoing allo-HSCT. Conclusion: Thesepreliminary results indicate that the reduced intensity chemotherapy followed by blinatumomab is an effective regimen in adults with newly diagnosed Ph-negative BCP-ALL, resulting in favorable response rates, deep remission, and low-grade treatment-related AEs. These promising findings may provide a rationale for integrating blinatumomab into future induction therapy recommendations.

Mutational Burden in High Risk Genes Do Not Affect Remission Rates and MRD Clearance in Elderly AML Patients Receiving CPX-351 Induction

Background: CPX-351 has recently been approved for the treatment of patients diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) arising from a previous myelodisplastic syndrome (s-AML) or secondary to chemotherapy (t-AML) as per former WHO 2016 classification. Minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment is a strong prognostic factor for relapse and shorter survival in AML patients undergoing intensive induction chemotherapy. Recent studies explored the role of genomic profile of AML influencing clinical outcome. In particular, Papaemmanuil et al showed that mutations in critical genes such as TP53, ASXL1, SRSF2 and RUNX1 are independently associated with a worse prognosis; moreover, co-occurrence of different high-risk mutations are predictors of dismal outcome when conventional chemotherapy is administered. Adverse risk mutations are particularly frequent in s-AML and t-AML. As clinical trials evaluating the prognostic relevance of MRD in the context of different molecular subsets mainly involve younger patients affected by de novo AML and receiving conventional 3+7 chemotherapy, there is a lack of data to define the impact of specific mutations on MRD clearance and prognosis in elderly s- AML and t-AML patients receiving CPX-351 induction. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of recurrent genic mutations and mutational burden at diagnosis on CR probability, MRD clearance and prognosis in a cohort of elderly s-AML or t-AML patients treated with CPX-351 induction chemotherapy. Methods: The study included 67 elderly patients (>60 year, median age 69, range 60-77) with a diagnosis of s-AML or t-AML according to WHO2016 classification, treated in our Center with CPX-351. Next generation sequencing (NGS) was performed using the Myeloid Solution panel by SOPHiA Genetics, encompassing 34 critical genes mutations. Sample have been processed on a Illumina MiSeq platform and the analysis performed with SOPHiA DDM® Software. MRD was analysed in all patients achieving complete remission (CR) with multicolour flow-cytometry, with a threshold of 0.1%. Results: AML patients were re-classified according to ELN 2022 risk score which was adverse, intermediate and favourable in 35, 29 and 3 patients, respectively. Median number of mutations for single patient (mutational burden) by NGS was 4 (range 2-9). Most frequent mutations involved: RUNX1 (44%), ASXL1 (37%), TP53 (33%), IDH1 (18%), IDH2 (14%), DNMT3A (14%), TET2 (8%). Four patients died before response assessment, mainly due to infections. Fifty-four patients (81%) achieved complete remission (CR) after first induction cycle; MRD evaluation was negative in 28/54 responding patients (52%). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that factors traditionally associated with poor outcome such as ELN risk group, leukocytosis at diagnosis or previous treatment with hypomethylating agents did not affect the probability of CR rate and MRD negativity. Interestingly, having any high risk mutation, the combination of ≥2 high risk mutations or high mutational burden (having ≥ 4) did not affect CR probability and MRD negativity rate both in univariate and multivariate analysis. After cycle 2, the cumulative CR rate was 56/67 (84%), with 33/56 (59%) responding patients obtaining MFC MRD negativity. After a median follow up of 36 months (CI 95%; 22.4 -48.5 months), median OS was 19 months (CI 95% 13-24), whereas 2 year OS was 24%. Multivariate OS analysis revealed that negative MRD was the strongest independent predictor of longer survival (p<0.05). Notably, OS was not affected by mutational burden (29.2% and 27.6% for patients with less or more than 4 mutations, respectively, p=n.s, Fig.1). In landmark analysis, patients achieving CR and proceeding to allogeneic stem cell transplantation consolidation (HSCT) within 3 months from CR (N=13) had a significantly better outcome if compared to CR patients who did not receive HSCT or proceeded to transplant later (N= 41, 2-year OS: 84.6% and 31.7, respectively, p<0.03, Fig. 2). Conclusion : CPX-351 is able to induce good quality remission with high CR rate and MRD negativity, regardless of mutational burden, allowing a high number of elderly AML patients to undergo to HSCT. MRD evaluation has proven to be a strong prognostic tool also in the setting of elderly s-AML and t-AML patients receiving CPX-351. The prognostic value of high risk mutation seems to be less relevant in CPX-351 treated patients.

Venetoclax Combined with Homoharringtonine,Cytarabine and Aclacinomycin (HAAV) As Induction Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Young Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Background: The remission rate of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients using traditional induction chemotherapy is approximately 60-70%. Venetoclax (Ven), a b-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) inhibitor, in combination with chemotherapy or hypomethylating agents, has shown a significant increase in remission rates and improvement in patient survival for elderly or unfit for intensive chemotherapy newly diagnosed AML patients. The HAA regimen (consisting of Homoharringtonine, Cytarabine and Aclacinomycin), a specific traditional induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia in China. The HAA regimen achieved complete remission rates about 70% as an induction regimen for newly diagnosed AML. Whether the combination of Ven with HAA regimen as an induction treatment can further enhance the complete remission rate in newly diagnosed adult AML patients requires investigation through well-designed clinical trials. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of HAA combined with Ven as induction regimen (HAAV) in young adult patients with newly diagnosed AML. Design, setting and participants: Single-arm, prospective clinical trial conducted at 8 hospitals in China. Eligible patients (16-60 years old) with newly diagnosed AML (exclude acute promyelocytic leukemia) were enrolled. The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05893472) and continues to accrue patients. Induction regimen: The induction regimen consisted of Homoharringtonine (2.5mg/㎡/d，d3-7 ), cytarabine (100mg/㎡/d by continuous intravenous infusion daily on d3-7) and Aclacinomycin (20mg/d, d3-7) combined with venetoclax (100mg d1, 200mg d2, 400mg d3-8). Main outcomes and measures: The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR) after once cycle of HAAV regimen, which included complete remission (CR), complete remission with incomplete count recovery (CRi), morphologic leukemia-free state (MLFS) and partial remission (PR). Secondary endpoints included minimal residual disease (MRD), overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and adverse events. Results: Untill June 30, 2023, 40 patients were enrolled. The median age is 43 years (range, 18-60), with 60% (24/40) was male. According to the European Leukemia Network prognostic group (2022), 14 (35.0%), 14 (35.0%), and 12 (30.0%) patients were considered to belong to the favorable, intermediate, and adverse groups, respectively. Further details of the patients' characteristics are provided in Table 1. The ORR (CR+PR) was 97.5% (39/40 patients) after one cycle of the induction regimen with the CR rate was 95.0% (38/40). According to the ELN prognostic group (2022), the CR was 100% in favorable-risk patients (14/14), 100% in intermediate-risk patients (14/14), and 83.3% in adverse-risk patients (10/12). For patients who achieved CR, MRD negative rate was 88.9% (32/36) by flow cytometry. During the induction treatment, all patients experienced ≥Grade 3 hematological toxicity, the remaining common adverse reactions were infections and fever. None of patients died during the induction therapy. In patients who achieved response, the median time to recovery of the white blood count (WBC) to ≥1.0 × 10 9/L and the platelet count to ≥20 × 10 9/L after induction therapy was 13 (range: 10-52) and 13 days (range: 2-33), respectively. ( Table 1) Conclusions: Ven combined with HAA (HAAV) is a highly effective and safe induction therapy for young adult patients with de novo AML. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about Ven combined with HAA.

Phase 2 Study of CPX-351 in Combination with Venetoclax in Patients with Newly Diagnosed, High Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Background CPX-351 is a nanoscale liposome of a fixed 5:1 molar ratio of cytarabine and daunorubicin which has improved survival of secondary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) 1. Venetoclax (ven) is a BCL2 inhibitor which, in combination with azacitidine or cytarabine, has become the standard of care for elderly AML. Ven has shown synergism with chemotherapy, with high complete remission (CR) rates in newly diagnosed (ND) and relapsed / refractory (RR) AML 2. In this study, we aim to assess the efficacy and safety of CPX-351 and ven (CPX-ven) in RR and ND AML. Methods This was a phase 2 study with a lead-in safety phase. Enrolment was allowed if the blasts were ≥10%. Patients (pts) age ≥18 with RR AML were eligible for the safety lead-in phase (LIP) or arm A. Arm B enrolled pts age 18 - 69 with ND AML. Other inclusion criteria included adequate liver, renal and cardiac function, and ECOG performance status ≤2. Pts with CNS involvement or prior CPX-351 were excluded. The recommend phase 2 dose was CPX-351 (daunorubicin 44 mg/m 2 and cytarabine 100 mg/m 2 IV on D1, 3 and 5 of induction, and daunorubicin 22 mg/m2 IV on D1 and 3 during consolidation) combined with ven on D2-8 of each cycle. Ven was dosed at 300mg daily and reduced to 150mg or 50mg daily for pts on a moderate or strong CYP3A inhibitors, respectively. The primary outcome measure was complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi). Here, we report the outcomes of arm B including pts with ND AML. Results 14 pts were enrolled on arm B. One pt withdrew and one was too early in treatment, therefore 12 were evaluable. Baseline characteristics are shown in Table 1. The median age was 59.5 years (range, 44 - 69); Four (33.3%) were female. All 12 (100%) pts were classified as adverse risk per the 2017 European Leukemia Net Guidelines. Two (16.7%) pts had treatment for a prior non-myeloid malignancy (therapy-related AML). Eight (66.7%) had an antecedent haematological disorder (secondary AML), of whom seven had treatment (median 1 line, range 1 - 2). Four (33.3%) pts had a complex karyotype, of whom three harbored a TP53 mutation. Nine (75.0%) pts achieved a response, including four CR (33.3%), five CRi (41.6%), and one induction mortality (8.3%) prior to disease assessment. 3/4 (75.0%) pts with complex cytogenetics (including 2/3 (66.7%) with a TP53 mutation) achieved a CR/CRi. Of the secondary AML pts with an evaluable response, 5/7 (71.4%) achieved a CR/CRi. Of the nine pts achieving CR/CRi, five (55.5%) were negative for minimal residual disease (MRD) by flow cytometry. The median number of cycles to CR/CRi was one (range 1 - 2). The median overall survival (OS) was 12.9 months (95% CI, 3.1 - not reached, NR, Figure 1). The median relapse-free survival (RFS) was 8.7 months (95% CI, 3.1 -NR). 7/9 (77.8%) of responding pts underwent an allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) after attaining CR/CRi. There were 90 adverse events (AE) in 10 (83.3%) pts. 80 (88.9%) were grade 1 or 2, 10 (11.1%) were grade ≥3. The most common AE was gastrointestinal with seven (7.8%) occurrences. Four (33.3%) pts developed grade ≥3 infections; of these, one (8.3%) died. The cause of death was neutropenic septic shock due to pneumonia. Conclusion CPX-ven is a feasible option for remission induction in pts with high-risk, newly diagnosed AML. The combination produced high rates of response and MRD negativity in a cohort of pts with adverse risk features, including pts with adverse karyotype and AML following prior HMA-based treatment, allowing them to proceed with SCT. Toxicities are as expected for an intensive chemotherapy regimen. Further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of this combination.

Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers and CtDNA Support the Mechanism of Action and Clinical Efficacy of Golcadomide (CC-99282) Combined with R-CHOP in Previously Untreated Aggressive B-Cell Lymphoma

Introduction Golcadomide (GOLCA, CC-99282) is an orally available cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD ®) that potently degrades target proteins Ikaros and Aiolos, enhancing antiproliferative, apoptotic, and immunomodulatory activity and preferentially distributing to lymphoid organs. In a phase 1 study, GOLCA monotherapy previously demonstrated a manageable safety profile with promising clinical activity in relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Michot Blood 2021). In the ongoing CC-220-DLBCL-001 study (NCT04884035), GOLCA dose finding is underway in patients with previously untreated aggressive B-cell lymphoma (BCL), in combination with R-CHOP in 21-day (D) cycles (C), at a variety of GOLCA dose levels (DLs) and schedules: DL-1 = 0.2 mg D1-7, DL1 = 0.4 mg D1-7, and DL2 = 0.4 mg D1-10. Here, we report Ikaros degradation, immune modulation, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assessment, and baseline tumor genomics. Methods Peripheral blood was collected to analyze Ikaros and Aiolos levels in T cells by flow cytometry (C1D1, C1D7, and C2D1). Immune phenotyping of T and natural killer (NK) cells was performed by flow cytometry (C1D1, C1D15, C2D1, and C3D1). ctDNA levels were analyzed by the PhasED-Seq assay (timepoints C1D1, C2D1, C3D1, and end of treatment [EOT]; Kurtz Nat Biotechnol 2021); somatic variants were filtered by performing PhasED-seq on buffy coats. Pretreatment biopsies were analyzed by whole genome sequencing and whole transcriptome sequencing. DL1 (0.4 mg D1-7) and DL2 (0.4 mg D1-10) data were pooled. Results Ikaros levels in T cells at 5 hours after the first dose had a 1.1% median increase with 0.2 mg and 44% median decrease with 0.4 mg; by C1D7 pretreatment, Ikaros substantially decreased with both DLs (median: 0.2 mg, 87% decrease; 0.4 mg, 83% decrease). Ikaros differences between 0.2 mg and 0.4 mg were not substantial. By C2D1, Ikaros levels recovered to baseline. Based on preclinical benchmarks, steady-state Ikaros degradation in T cells suggested that direct tumor cell killing by GOLCA was achieved. Changes in T and NK cell phenotypes in peripheral blood included activation, increased proliferation, increased T effector memory and regulatory cell levels, and decrease in naive T cells. Changes were seen by C1D15 and maintained at C2D1 and C3D1. Overall, immune changes between 0.2 mg and 0.4 mg dose levels were not substantially different. Phased variant data from ctDNA and buffy coats were evaluable for 34 patients (0.2 mg, n =15; 0.4 mg, n = 19). Baseline ctDNA levels were similar between the 0.2 mg and 0.4 mg cohorts and, consistent with prior studies, correlated with International Prognostic Index and cell of origin. Previously reported landmarks such as early molecular response (EMR; ≥ 2 log decrease) at C2D1 and major molecular response (MMR; ≥ 2.5 log decrease) at C3D1 were assessed (Kurtz J Clin Oncol 2018) . A high fraction of patients designated high risk by pretreatment ctDNA (≥ 2.5 log haploid genome equivalents [HGE]/mL; Kurtz J Clin Oncol 2018) were clinical responders. Patients who achieved minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity on treatment generally remained MRD negative at subsequent timepoints. At C2D1, the EMR and MRD negativity rates for 0.2 mg were 73% (11/15) and 20% (3/15), respectively; for 0.4 mg these rates were 83% (15/18) and 44% (8/18). At C3D1, the MMR and MRD negativity rates for 0.2 mg were 83% (10/12) and 42% (5/12), respectively; for 0.4 mg these were 83% (10/12) and 58% (7/12). Although ctDNA differences between 0.2 mg and 0.4 mg were not substantial, numerically greater ctDNA changes were seen with 0.4 mg GOLCA + R-CHOP vs 0.2 mg GOLCA + R-CHOP and vs R-CHOP and R-CHOP-like regimens from other cohorts ( Figure). Insufficient samples were available to draw conclusions about EOT, but additional ctDNA data will be presented. Whole genome and transcriptome sequencing data from GOLCA + R-CHOP-treated patients will be shown. Conclusions Pharmacodynamic biomarkers and ctDNA levels indicate that both tumor-intrinsic and immune-modulating mechanisms of action of GOLCA remain relevant in combination with R-CHOP in previously untreated aggressive BCL. ctDNA data during treatment are consistent with the efficacy noted on clinical restaging. Translational data demonstrate the potency of GOLCA and will support future frontline clinical trial designs in patients with untreated aggressive BCL. Study support: Celgene, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Improved MRD Negativity Rates in Adverse Genomic Risk B-ALL Patients with Chemotherapy / Blinatumomab Induction: Experience from the Australasian Leukaemia Lymphoma Group (ALLG) ALL06/09 Studies

Introduction: Despite the benefits conferred by pediatric treatment protocols, outcomes in adolescent and young adult (AYA) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remain inferior to children. Poor outcomes in AYA ALL have been associated with reduced tolerability of intensive cytotoxics and higher incidence of adverse risk disease. Our earlier ALLG ALL06 study demonstrated intensive pediatric induction/consolidation could be delivered in a similar time frame as in children suggesting tolerability was not a major contributor to poor outcome in AYA ALL. ALL06 established post consolidation (TP2=d79) minimal residual disease (MRD) positivity (MRD+) and high BMI was predictive of inferior disease free- and overall survival (OS). In order to improve TP2 MRD negativity (MRD-) in B-cell disease, the ALLG ALL09 study substituted standard consolidation for blinatumomab (blin) in phase I and II of a BFM-style protocol . We present the impact of blin on outcomes in genomic cohorts from ALL09 and compare these to similar cohorts from ALL06 treated with standard chemotherapy. Methods: Between Sep 2020 and Apr 2022, 55 patientswere enrolled to ALL09. Of these, 45 had appropriate samples for genomic analyses and 39/45 had an MRD marker identified. These 39 patients formed the genomic cohort presented below. Genomic subtyping was performed using whole transcriptome sequencing, MLPA, karyotype and FISH analyses, and disease was classified into genomic adverse (AR) vs standard (SR) risk based on contemporary literature classifiers. Bone marrow MRD was assessed using ASO-PCR for IGH and TCR rearrangements, at d33 post induction (TP1), and TP2 post blin consolidation. Differences in TP2 MRD were assessed, with estimated 3 yr relapse free survival (RFS) and OS calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: In the ALL09 cohort, median follow up was 629 days with 3 yr RFS 84.5% and OS 87.1%. In the genomic cohort, median follow up was 602 days with 3 yr RFS 88.8% and OS 93.2%, respectively. These compared favorably to 3 yr RFS and OS (both 67.5%) in the B-cell genomic cohort from ALL06. Between ALL09 and ALL06 there were similar proportions of AR patients (73% and 62.5%, respectively). In ALL09, the most frequent subtypes were PAX5alt (18%) and PAX5 p.P80R (11%) versus KMT2Ar and DUX4r (both 17.5%) in ALL06. In ALL09, Ph-like disease represented 13% vs 12.5% in ALL06. In the ALL09 genomic cohort, the MRD+ rate reduced between TP1 and TP2 (p< 0.001), with the reduction in the rate of positivity being more pronounced in the AR cohort (AR MRD+ TP1=85% vs AR TP2=39%; p< 0.001). In contrast, in ALL06 MRD+ in the AR cohort reduced by only 28% between TP1 and TP2 (p >0.05). This suggests a positive impact of blin consolidation in AR patients in ALL09. Despite improved AR MRD+ rates overall, not all genomic subtypes in ALL09 followed this trend (Table 1). To date, there are 5 relapses in the ALL09 cohort, 4 from the genomic cohort. Of these, 1 was hypodiploid and strikingly the remaining 3 patients harbored a TCF3 rearrangement ( TCF3r). All 4 relapses were significantly associated with MRD+ at TP2 (RFS: MRD-, 100% (n=14) vs MRD+, 71% (n=25); p= 0.013), and all were observed in the AR genomic group. Of interest, the fifth case, outside of the genomic cohort, was classified as PAX5alt. In ALL09, high-risk (HR) patients proceeded to intensive HR block chemotherapy with the aim of eliminating MRD prior to allogeneic transplant (SCT). In the genomics cohort 15 patients proceeded to HR therapy, n=12 were considered AR. Sustained MRD+ through HR blocks 1 and 2 was noted in patients harboring PAX5 p.P80R (3/3), KMT2Ar (2/2) and TCF3r (2/3). Of the 9 patients who proceeded to SCT, 3 had PAX5 p.P80R 1 had PAX5alt, 2 were KMT2Ar and there was 1 each of DUX4r, hypodiploid and TCF3r. The 3 patients who remained MRD+ in the SR cohort had PAX5 p.P80R and all 3 proceeded to SCT. Conclusion: This is the first report of the impact of blin consolidation on genomic subsets of de novo AYA ALL. Our study suggests blin sensitivity as assessed by TP2 MRD response may be genomic subtype dependent, with TCF3r associated with sustained MRD+, leading to eventual relapse (3/3 patients). In addition, the PAX5 p.P80R subset was also associated with sustained high levels of TP2 MRD+ (3/4 with an MRD marker) and SCT (3/5 patients). These results may assist with identification of AYA ALL subsets that could benefit from alternative approaches as blin becomes increasingly incorporated into front-line protocols.

High Efficacy and Feasibility of a Full Pediatric Induction in Adults Aged up to 55 Years with Philadelphia-Negative Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background: Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults has historically shown unsatisfactory outcomes when compared to the outstanding results obtained in pediatric patients. Pediatric protocols rely on increased drug intensity and on a tighter evaluation of minimal residual disease (MRD) for early intensification. Nowadays, pediatric-inspired protocols have been established as the standard of care for adolescents and young adult patients (AYA) leading to improved results. In the setting of older patients, probably due to the limited data available, the feasibility of such intensive therapies, and in particular the administration of high doses PEG-asparaginase (PEGASP), is still a matter of debate. In this context, the NOPHO group reported that a full-pediatric protocol was feasible and highly effective in adult patients, up to 45 years of age. Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the entire full pediatric AIEOP-BFM LAL 2009 protocol in an older cohort of adult patients up to 55 years. Methods: Since May 2013, 28 consecutive adults diagnosed with Ph-neg ALL received first line therapy according to AIEOP- BFM-ALL 2009 protocol, which includes high PEG-asparaginase (PEGASP) doses, with an accurate MRD-driven therapeutic strategy. The protocol consists of 2 induction blocks: IA (Vincristine, Daunorubicin, PEGASP, IT methotrexate) and IB (Cytarabine, 6-mercaptopurine, cyclophosphamide, IT methotrexate), I consolidation block (high-dose methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, IT methotrexate), maintenance therapy (6-mercaptopurine, weekly MTX, IT Methotrexate). Median age in our study was 45 years (range 17-55), equal to the maximum age allowed in the NOPHO study. Fifteen patients had B-ALL, 13 T-ALL/T including 5 Early-T phenotype. Dose intensification and stem cell transplantation (SCT) were scheduled according to baseline and MRD-driven risk assessment. MRD was evaluated by multicolor-flow cytometry (MFC), with a threshold for positivity of 0.025%, and molecular PCR for JH rearrangement (MOL), with a sensitivity greater or equal to 10-4 in all patients. Patients with MOL MRD >10-4 but <10-3 were defined as low-level positive. MRD time points were day 33 and day 78 (MFC and MOL). Results: All patients achieved complete hematological remission following the first Induction course (100%). One patient died during induction due to infection by multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa. In general, therapy was well tolerated. Remarkably, patients in this study received high dose of PEGASP (median 10000 UI/sqm, equal to 4 administrations at 2500 UI/sqm each) without experimenting life threatening toxicities, which mostly consisted in asymptomatic elevation of transaminase (7 patients G3, 1 G4) and/or bilirubin (9 patients G3, 1 G4) only requiring supportive therapy. No major bleeding or thrombotic events o other >G2 toxicities were observed. All except one patient achieved CR at day 33 and all patients achieved CR at day 78. MFC MRD evaluation at day 33 resulted negative in 24/25 evaluable patients (95%). Day 33 MOL-MRD was evaluated in 22 patients, and resulted negative, low level positive or positive in 14, 5 and 3 patients, respectively. MRD assessment at day 78 showed both MFC and MOL negativity achieved in all 25 and 22 evaluated patients, respectively (Fig. 1). Four very high-risk patients underwent SCT in negative MRD status. After a median follow-up of 59 months (CI 95% 38.45-78.63), median survival was not reached, 5-years OS was 88.7% (Fig. 2). One patient died due to progressive transverse myelitis after isolated CNS relapse and one patient died due to sudden cardiac arrest while in complete MRD negative remission, 6 months after completion of therapy. All other 25 patients are alive and in complete MRD negative remission. Conclusion: The application of a full pediatric induction regimen in a cohort of adult ALL patients with a median age of 45 years proved to be feasible, with tolerable toxicities. In particular, we didn't observe major toxicities during the intensified PEGASP administration and all patients were able to receive the planned PEGASP doses. The possibility to maintain the correct timing translated in a very high MRD negativity rate and promising OS survival.

Results of the Phase III Randomized Iskia Trial: Isatuximab-Carfilzomib-Lenalidomide-Dexamethasone Vs Carfilzomib-Lenalidomide-Dexamethasone As Pre-Transplant Induction and Post-Transplant Consolidation in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients

Background. The current standard treatment for transplant-eligible (TE) patients (pts) with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) consists of quadruplet induction with proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory agents, dexamethasone and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody followed by high-dose melphalan and autologous stem-cell transplant (MEL200-ASCT), with subsequent consolidation. The phase III IsKia trial assessed efficacy and safety of isatuximab-carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (IsaKRd) as pre-ASCT induction and post-ASCT consolidation vs KRd. Methods. TE NDMM pts aged <70 years were enrolled and randomized. IsaKRd pts received 4 28-day cycles of Isa: 10 mg/kg IV days 1, 8, 15, 22 cycle 1, followed by 10 mg/kg days 1, 15 cycles 2-4; K: 20 mg/m 2 IV day 1 cycle 1, followed by 56 mg/m 2 IV days 8, 15 cycle 1 and days 1, 8, 15 cycles 2-4; R: 25 mg PO daily days 1-21; d: 40 mg PO days 1, 8, 15, 22; MEL200-ASCT and 4 consolidation cycles with IsaKRd at the same schedule. KRd pts received 4 KRd induction cycles; MEL200-ASCT and 4 KRd consolidation cycles (K, R and d at the same schedule as in the IsaKRd arm). The primary endpoint was the rate of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity by next-generation sequencing (NGS; 10 -5) after consolidation in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. MRD was tested in all pts who achieved at least a very good partial response (≥VGPR). Key secondary endpoints were the rate of NGS MRD negativity (10 -5) after induction and PFS. MRD rates were evaluated in an ITT analysis (pts with missing MRD data or who achieved ≤PR were considered as MRD positive). The data cut-off for the analysis was May 22, 2023. Results. 302 pts were enrolled and randomized (151 in both the IsaKRd and KRd arms). Pt characteristics were well balanced between the two arms: median age was 61 vs 60 years, respectively; 18% vs 19% of pts had high-risk (HiR) cytogenetic abnormalities (CA) [del(17p) and/or t(4;14) and/or t(14;16)]; 9% vs 8% had ≥2 HiR CA [double hit; including del(17p), t(4;14), t(14;16) and gain/amp(1q)]. In ITT analysis, the rates of MRD negativity at the 10 -5 cut-off after consolidation (primary endpoint) were 77% vs 67% (OR 1.67; p=0.049) with IsaKRd vs KRd; the respective rates of MRD negativity at the 10 -6 cut-off were 67% vs 48% (OR 2.29; p<0.001); consistent MRD results were detected by next-generation flow. ≥VGPR after consolidation was 94% in both arms; ≥CR 74% vs 72% and sCR 64% vs 67% in the IsaKRd vs KRd arms. The MRD negativity advantage, both at 10 -5 and 10 -6, was retained in all subgroups analyzed ( Figure), with similar benefit in pts with standard-risk (SR) and HiR features. In particular, the 10 -5 MRD negativity rates with IsaKRd were 76% in HiR and 77% in double-hit pts, comparable to the one in SR pts (79%). In the KRd arm, the 10 -5 MRD negativity rates were 58% in HiR and 53% in double-hit pts, inferior to the one in SR pts (70%). The 10 -6 MRD negativity rates with IsaKRd were 72% in HiR, 77% in double-hit pts and 67% in SR pts. The MRD negativity rate after induction (first key secondary endpoint) was also significantly higher with IsaKRd vs KRd (10 -5: 45% vs 26%, OR 2.34, p<0.001; 10 -6: 27% vs 14%, OR 2.36, p=0.004), with a consistent benefit in all subgroups. After induction, the MRD negativity rates in HiR and double-hit pts treated with IsaKRd were: 10 -5, HiR 60%, double-hit 54%; 10 -6, HiR 40%, double-hit 31%. The MRD negativity rates after ASCT were also significantly better with IsaKRd vs KRd (10 -5: 64% vs 49%, OR 1.93, p=0.006; 10 -6: 52% vs 27%, OR 3.01, p<0.001), with a consistent advantage in all subgroups. At the current follow-up (median, 20 months, IQR 18-23), there was no difference in PFS (95% at 1 year in both arms). 55% of pts had ≥1 hematologic adverse events (AEs) with IsaKRd vs 43% with KRd; main grade 3-4 hematologic AEs in IsaKRd vs KRd were neutropenia (37% vs 22%) and thrombocytopenia (15% vs 17%). 41% of pts had ≥1 non-hematologic AEs with IsaKRd vs 37% with KRd, including infections (16% vs 12%), gastrointestinal (7% vs 5%), vascular (2% vs 7%) and cardiac events (1% vs 4%). Discontinuation for toxicity was 6% in IsaKRd vs 5% in KRd arms; treatment-related deaths were 4 with IsaKRd (2 COVID, 1 pneumonia, 1 pulmonary embolism) and 1 with KRd (septic shock). Conclusion. In TE NDMM pts, the addition of isatuximab to KRd induction and consolidation significantly increased MRD negativity rates in every treatment phase as compared to KRd, with no new safety concerns. This benefit was retained in HiR pts.

Venetoclax in Combination with Daratumumab and Dexamethasone Elicits Deep, Durable Responses in Patients with t(11;14) Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Updated Analyses of Minimal Residual Disease Negativity in Phase 1/2 Study

Introduction: Venetoclax (Ven) is a potent and selective oral BCL-2 inhibitor with demonstrated anti-myeloma activity in patients with t(11;14)-positive relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). The combination of Ven with daratumumab (D) and dexamethasone (d) has shown a high overall response rate (ORR) and tolerable safety profile in the Phase 1/2 study ( Blood [2021] 138 [Supplement 1]: 817). Here, we report updated analyses of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity from the Phase 1/2 trial of VenDd at 400 and 800 mg Ven dose levels, versus bortezomib plus Dd (DVd) in patients with t(11;14)-positive RRMM. Methods: Parts 1 (nonrandomized) and 3 (randomized among Ven [400 mg] Dd, Ven [800 mg] Dd and DVd arms) in this Phase 1/2 multicenter study evaluated VenDd versus DVd in patients with t(11;14)-positive RRMM (as determined by central lab plasma-cell enriched fluorescence in situ hybridization), who had ≥1 prior line of therapy (LOT), including proteasome inhibitor and immunomodulatory drug exposure (NCT03314181). Patients in the investigational arm (VenDd, 28 day cycles [C]) received oral Ven once daily (400 mg or 800 mg) with D (either 16 mg/kg intravenous [IV] or 1800 mg subcutaneous [C1-2: Days 1, 8, 15, 22; C3-6: Days 1 and 15; C7+: Day 1]) and d (40 mg weekly; oral/IV); patients in the DVd arm were dosed per label. MRD negativity (<10 −5) was assessed in bone marrow aspirates by next-generation sequencing (clonoSEQ®, Adaptive, Seattle, WA) at the time of suspected complete response (CR) / stringent CR (sCR), and 6- and 12-months post confirmation of CR/sCR. Patients with a missing or indeterminate assessment were considered MRD positive. Results: As of March 10, 2023, Part 1 enrolled 5 patients (Ven [400 mg] Dd) and 19 patients (Ven [800 mg] Dd). Part 3 enrolled 21 patients (Ven [400 mg] Dd), 10 patients (Ven [800 mg] Dd), and 26 patients (DVd). A total of 80 patients were enrolled (Parts 1 and 3 combined); 55 patients received VenDd (24% high-risk cytogenetics, 53% 1 prior LOT, 2% prior anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody [mAb], 76% lenalidomide-refractory); and 26 received DVd (23% high-risk cytogenetics, 38% 1 prior LOT, 4% anti-CD38 mAb, 92% lenalidomide-refractory). Median (range) follow-up for survivors was longer with VenDd than DVd (28.2 months [1.0-55.7 months] with VenDd vs 16.9 months [0.0-34.1 months] with DVd). VenDd achieved 96% ORR, 93% ≥ very good partial response (VGPR), 67% ≥ CR, and median progression-free survival (PFS) not reached (95% confidence interval [CI]: 35.0- not estimable [NE]). DVd achieved 65% ORR, 39% ≥ VGPR, 19% ≥ CR, and median PFS 15.5 months (7.5-NE). The 33-month PFS rate was 73.4% (95% CI: 56.4-84.6) versus 38.8% (16.3-61.1) for VenDd versus DVd. MRD negativity rates were 38% with VenDd and 8% with DVd. MRD negativity rates in key subgroups, including number of prior LOTs, lenalidomide refractory status, and high-risk cytogenetics, were higher with VenDd compared to DVd (Table). Of 8 VenDd-treated patients assessed for duration of MRD negativity, 6 were MRD negative >6 months, of whom 2 achieved MRD negativity >12 months. No DVd-treated patients had durable MRD negativity >6 months (Figure). No new safety signals were observed. Conclusions: VenDd treatment showed higher rates of MRD-negativity and sustained MRD-negativity compared to DVd in patients with t(11;14)-positive RRMM, which was associated with longer PFS with VenDd.

Delaying Pegaspargase Administration during Induction in Adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background Pegaspargase (PEG-asparaginase) is a key drug in pediatric-inspired regimens that is utilized frequently in young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Pegaspargase has unique toxicities including hypersensitivity, hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, thrombosis and hypertriglyceridemia. Hepatotoxicity occurs frequently during the induction cycle in newly diagnosed (ND) adults with ALL, and although it is usually reversible, its prolonged persistence may cause interruptions in the treatment. We analyzed two approaches for pegaspargase administration in ND adults with ALL; early administration on day 4 and delayed administration on day 15 that were utilized in our treatment protocols.We hypothesized that later administration of pegaspargase is associated with lower risk of toxicity while maintaining similar response rate. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of adult patients (age:19-71) with ND ALL that received pegaspargase during their first induction chemotherapy cycle. Patients were stratified into two groups, the early (day 4) and delayed (day 15) pegaspargase group. The primary objective was to assess differences in toxicities, including hepatotoxicity, hypertriglyceridemia, thrombosis, and pancreatitis. Adverse events were graded using NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0. Key secondary outcomes included differences in minimal residual disease (MRD), complete remission (CR) rates, and induction related mortality. Statistical analysis was done with descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U test, Pearson chi-squared test, and multivariate analysis (p-value < 0.05). Results Of 117 patients analyzed, there were 72 (62%) patients who received early pegaspargase (EP) while 45 (38%) patients received delayed pegaspargase (DP). The median age of patients was younger in the EP cohort (31.5 vs. 38, p=0.03) and there was no significant difference in gender (p=0.36), BMI (p=0.42), or median pegaspargase dose (p=0.12). CALGB10403 was the most common chemotherapy regimen in the EP cohort and in 20% of DP cohort, while modified BFM was the most common chemotherapy regimen in DP cohort (80%). Grade 3/4 transaminitis occurred more frequently in EP compared to DP cohort (15% vs 2%; p=0.02), however, other grade 3/4 toxicities were not statistically different: hyperbilirubinemia (21% vs 11%; p=0.17), hypertriglyceridemia (3% vs 9%; p=0.14), and pancreatitis (4% vs 2%; p=0.57), respectively. The CR rate (88% vs 80%; p= 0.18) and end of induction MRD negative rate (60% vs 61%; p=0.86) were similar for EP and DP cohorts, respectively. There was no significant difference in the rates of documented infections during induction (10% vs 9%; p=0.88) and 90-day mortality (2% vs 0%; p=0.42) between EP and DP cohorts, respectively. Post-pegaspargase dose modifications to induction chemotherapy were only observed in the EP cohort (18% vs 0%; p=0.002), with modifications including reduction (5%), delays (6%), and discontinuation (5%) of other chemotherapy agents. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, only older age (OR 1.05; p=0.025) and EP administration (OR 4.58; p=0.007) predicted increased risk of grade 3/4 hepatotoxicity (transaminitis and/or hyperbilirubinemia). Conclusions Delaying pegaspargase administration from day 4 to day 15 during induction cycle in adults with ALL was associated with lower rate of high-grade hepatotoxicity and subsequent treatment dose modifications. Delaying pegaspargase had no negative impact on CR or MRD-negativity rates at the end of induction.

Live Lymphoma and CLL Cells inside the Bone Marrow Fibroblasts: Implication in Residual Disease Persistence

Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi) have generated remarkable clinical responses in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other mature B-cell malignancies. However, deep, and durable response to BTK inhibition is uncommon. A significant number of patients with measurable residual disease relapse with resistance to therapies. Although mutational mechanisms responsible for resistance have been well described, it is not known what mechanism led to persistence of the minimal residual disease (MRD) in the first place. The tumor microenvironment (TME) contributes to drug resistance. Various roles for stroma participation have been described, however, none of these include the physical intracellular sheltering of tumor cells. Cell-in-cell (CIC) describes the microscopic observations of the embodiment of an intact cell by another whole cell ( Fig. 1A). Pathologists have reported this phenomenon sporadically in human fixed tissues for over a century. However, its biological, pathological, and clinical significance remains obscure. In the absence of systematic studies, understanding the significance of live CIC remains challenging. In this investigation, we studied primary human CLL samples using an ex vivo co-culture model system which mimics the CLL TME. In the TME system, CLL cells were cocultured with a primary bone marrow fibroblast line (BMF) in the presence of B-cell growth factors. The tumor cells survive for weeks, become larger, downregulate surface CXCR4. Phenotypically, tumor cells proliferate and divide into daughter cells. Collectively, these features recapitulate the behavior of lymph node-resident CLL cells. Using the TME system, we have demonstrated that modeled drug response correlates well with patient clinical response to BTK inhibitor ibrutinib and BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax. Interestingly, with confocal microscopy and 3D reconstruction, we observed that CLL cells placed in the model system were actively internalized by BMF in all 41 CLL cases studied. CLL cells were live and mobile. Moreover, one CLL cell was captured halfway in ( Fig. 1B). The number of internalized CLL cells was quantified and correlated with patients' clinical and pathological features. No correlations were found between CIC and widely used CLL prognostic indicators, including cytogenetic features and IGHV mutational status. However, we have found that patients who were on treatment for CLL at the time of sample collection had higher levels of CIC than those not treated. We hypothesized that live CIC may be an important mechanism contributing to residual disease persistence and drug resistance. To test the hypothesis, we exposed CLL cells in the TME model system to covalent and noncovalent BTKi including ibrutinib, zanubrutinib, and pirtobrutinib at clinically achievable concentrations. Our results showed that drug exposure drove CLL cells into BMF. This happened specifically to the BTK inhibitors as BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax was not observed to cause such an increase in CIC. These laboratory findings are consistent with the clinical observations that the rate of MRD negativity is much higher with venetoclax treatment than with BTKi. Additionally, CIC was observed in both follicular lymphoma (FL) cell line and primary FL cells suggesting the phenomenon is not limited to CLL. Further, we found that CIC was stimulated by several B-cell growth factors. The chemokine CXCL12-CXCR4 axis played a critical role in this process. Specifically, conditioned medium containing CXCL12 ligand promoted cell internalization, while plerixafor, a CXCR4 antagonist, largely prevented CIC from occurring. Furthermore, plerixafor blocks ibrutinib-driven CIC in cell lines as well as in primary CLL cells. Our study represents the first report implicating the CIC phenomenon in residual disease persistence using a cohort of patient-derived CLL cells assessed with 3D imaging and quantitative approach. These findings suggest that live CIC may be an important mechanism tumor cells use to avoid harmful drug insults, survive, persist, and later proliferate, eventually leading to clinical relapse. Targeting the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis may become a potential therapeutic strategy to minimize residual disease and future relapse. Fig.1. A. Images are reconstructed in 3D using Imaris v10.0. BMF cells are visualized as transparent red surfaces and CLL cells as green surfaces. B. One CLL cell was captured halfway in.

Daratumumab, Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone Induction and Consolidation with Tandem Transplant in High-Risk Newly Diagnosed Myeloma Patients: Final Results of the Phase 2 Study IFM 2018-04

Background: High-risk (HR) cytogenetic is associated with poor outcome in transplant eligible (TE) newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). The triplet combination carfilzomib lenalidomide and dexamethasone (KRD) plus transplantation demonstrated high efficacy with favorable safety profile in TE-NDMM patients (FORTE). The addition of daratumumab (Dara) to frontline therapy also improved response rate and progression free-survival in TE-NDMM patients (CASSIOPEIA, GRIFFIN). Double transplant also improved outcome of HR TE NDMM patients (EMN02). The phase 2 trial 2018-04 from the Intergroupe Francophone du Myelome (IFM) evaluated an intensive strategy with Dara-KRD induction and consolidation plus double transplant in HR TE NDMM (NCT03606577). Methods: HR MM was defined by the presence of del17p, t(4;14) and/or t(14;16). Treatment strategy included Dara-KRD induction (6 cycles), autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), Dara-KRD consolidation (4 cycles), second ASCT, Dara-lenalidomide maintenance for 2 years. The primary endpoint was the feasibility of this intensive strategy. Results: Fifty patients with previously untreated NDMM were included from july 2019 to march 2021 in 11 IFM centers. Median age was 57 (range 38 -65). Based on inclusion criteria, all patients had HR cytogenetic, including 17p deletion (n=20, 40%), t(4;14) (n=26, 52%) or t(14;16) (n=10, 20%). Four (8%) patients had extramedullary disease. At data cut-off, the study met the primary endpoint with 36 (72%) patients completing second transplant. Twenty-one patients (42%) discontinued the study, due to stem-cell collection failure (n=8), disease progression (n=8), adverse event (n=4), consent withdrawal (n=1). Grade 3-4 Dara-KRD induction/consolidation related adverse event (>5% of patients) were neutropenia (44%), anemia (22%), thrombocytopenia (24%) and infection (14%). Four patients discontinued treatment due to severe adverse event (COVID-19 infection, drug-induced hepatitis, JC virus related encephalopathy, intracerebral hemorrhage). Seven patients died, 5 due to disease progression and 2 due to infection. Responses deepened over time with an overall response rate before maintenance of 100%, including 81 % complete response. Among evaluable patients (33/36), pre maintenance Minimal Residual Disease negativity rate (NGS, 10 -6) was 94%. After a median follow up of 32 months, the 24-months PFS is 87% (78-87%) and the 24-months OS is 94% (87-100%). Conclusions: Dara-KRD induction/consolidation with tandem transplant was feasible in TE NDMM patients with high-risk cytogenetic profile, and resulted in high MRD negativity rate and high progression free survival.

Phase II Trial of Daratumumab, Bortezomib, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone in High-Risk Smoldering Multiple Myeloma

Background: Daratumumab, bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (D-RVD) has shown high rates of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity in newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) and is now a standard regimen in transplant-eligible patients. Lenalidomide has shown to delay progression in patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (HR-SMM) and curative intent trials with carfilzomib-based therapy and stem cell transplantation have been recently reported in HR-SMM leading to deep responses but with concern for treatment-related toxicities. Thus, we proposed to examine the activity and safety of fixed duration D-RVD in patients with HR-SMM, with MRD-adaptive duration of therapy. Methods: This is a phase II, open-label study evaluating D-RVD in HR-SMM. Eligibility criteria includes HR-SMM per Mayo 2018 “20-2-20” model and other previously established criteria including Mayo 2008 criteria, PETHEMA criteria, evolving type of SMM, and high-risk FISH. Treatment with D-RVD is 2 years (24 cycles) with daratumumab subcutaneous (SQ) per standard dose and schedule, bortezomib 1.3mg/m2 SQ on days 1, 8, 15 for cycles 1-6 then biweekly until completion of cycle 24, lenalidomide 25mg on days 1-21 for cycles 1-6 followed by 15mg d1-21 from cycles 7-24 with weekly low dose dexamethasone. All eligible patients undergo stem cell collection after 6 cycles of therapy. The primary objective is rate of MRD-negativity at 2 years. Secondary objectives include PFS, ORR, and safety. In part 2 of the study, patients that are MRD-positive after 2 years of treatment will be randomized to observation vs continued therapy with daratumumab and lenalidomide for an additional 24 months. The primary objective of part 2 is rate of MRD conversion from positive to negative. Results: At the time of data cut off in May 2023, 38 patients have been enrolled to part 1 with a median follow up of 18 months. The median age is 62 years old (range 36-77) with 23 females (61%) and 15 males (39%). The median plasmacytosis of enrolled patients was 20%, with median M-protein of 2.17 g/dL and median FLC ratio of 8.1. Twenty-four patients (62%) had at least one high-risk FISH abnormality (fifteen with 1q gain, four with t(4;14), one with t(14;16) and one with del 17p). Eight patients (21%) had more than one high-risk FISH abnormality. Most common grade 3 toxicities included neutropenia (13%), ALT increased (8%), and diarrhea (8%). Upper respiratory infections occurred in 61% of patients but were mostly low-grade (COVID-19 infection in 11 patients, 1 with grade 3). No patients discontinued therapy due to toxicity. Of the 35 patients that completed at least 2 cycles of therapy, the ORR is 100% with 43% CR, 34% VGPR and 17% PR with responses deepening over time. Seventy-seven percent of patients achieved VGPR or greater. MRD was evaluable in 22 patients at 6 months with MRD negativity rate of 59% and 14% at thresholds of 10 -5 and 10 -6, respectively. At 12 months, 20 patients were MRD-evaluable with 65% and 20% achieving MRD negativity at 10 -5and 10 -6, respectively. Of the 10 MRD-evaluable patients at 24 months, 60% were MRD negative at 10 -5 and 40% at 10 -6. No patients have progressed on treatment. Stem cell collection was successful in all eligible patients with average stem cell yield of 5.53 x 10 6 CD34+ cells/kg. Conclusions: D-RVD in HR-SMM demonstrates significant activity, including a 100% ORR and high rates of MRD-negative disease, preventing progression to overt myeloma.

Evidence-Based Recommendations for Induction Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Transplant-Eligible Multiple Myeloma Patients; A Scoping Review

Introduction Multiple myeloma is a hematological malignancy characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of plasma cells within the bone marrow, with an increasing incidence and mortality in the last decade. Eligibility for stem cell transplantation plays a crucial role in determining the approach to treatment, with transplant eligible patients undergoing triple induction therapy with an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and steroid. We aimed to review the recent data on the available treatment options for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) in transplant eligible patients. Methods A scoping review was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines utilizing the PubMed and Embase databases. The inclusion criteria was phase II or III clinical trials pertaining to the use of triple and quadruple therapy in NDMM patients, from the year 2010 onwards. A total of 2377 search results were screened, with 510 undergoing full-text screening against the inclusion criteria. Covidence was used to facilitate the screening process (Figure 1). Results Forty studies were included in the analysis. Eleven trials were based on Daratumumab induction. Additionally, two trials each utilized Isatuximab and Carfilzomib-based induction. One trial employed induction therapy containing Elotuzumab, and another utilized Cyclophosphamide. Addition of Daratumumab to the triplet regimen resulted in significant improvements in response rates and depth of responses. CASSIOPEIA trial demonstrated a notable improvement in minimal residual disease (MRD), with VTd treatment yielding 44% MRD, while Dara-VTd regimens achieved 64% MRD. Similarly, complete response (CR) rates increased from 26% to 39%, respectively. GRIFFIN trial revealed a remarkable 55% reduction in the risk of disease progression for patients with Dara-RVd . Moreover, the estimated 48-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 87.2% in the Dara-RVd group, compared to 70% in the RVd group. Notably, the median PFS was not reached in either treatment arm. The Lyra trial, which analyzed Dara-CyBorD followed by Dara maintenance, demonstrated a CR rate of 48.7% for transplant patients and 29.8% for non-transplant patients, respectively. Additionally, the MASTER trial revealed that Dara-KRd/autologous hematopoietic cell transplant (AHCT) led to a high rate of MRD negativity, with 80% of patients achieving MRD negativity. The two-year PFS was 87%. Furthermore, the addition of Isatuximab and Carfilzomib to the treatment regimen demonstrated favorable outcomes in terms of MRD and PFS (Table 1). The addition of Elotuzumab did not lead to a significant improvement in outcomes. Moreover, caution is warranted when using Cyclophosphamide, given its less favorable safety profile and limited additional benefit in survival outcomes (MRD: 27% in +Cyclophosphamide arm vs. 35% without), including a temporary decline in health-related quality of life. Conclusion In conclusion, this scoping review underscores the significance of individualized treatment approaches for multiple myeloma based on clinical trial results. Each induction regimen has shown varying levels of efficacy and safety, offering clinicians flexibility to tailor treatments for different patient populations. The results from these trials will serve as valuable benchmarks and inform future research in the quest for improved therapies for NDMM patients.

MagnetisMM-7: An open-label, multicenter, randomized phase 3 study of elranatamab versus lenalidomide in post-transplant patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

TPS8066 Background: Elranatamab is a humanized bispecific antibody targeting B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) on myeloma cells and CD3 on T cells. Elranatamab has shown promising efficacy and acceptable safety in pts with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (MM). The aim of the MagnetisMM-7 study is to evaluate elranatamab monotherapy vs lenalidomide monotherapy in pts with newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) after undergoing autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Methods: MagnetisMM-7 is an ongoing, open-label, 2-arm, multicenter, randomized phase 3 study estimated to enroll ~700 pts. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05317416. Pts are randomized to receive either subcutaneous elranatamab or oral lenalidomide once daily. After initial step-up dosing, two alternative dosing regimens of elranatamab are examined. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) assessed by blinded independent review per International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria (up to ~5 y). Secondary endpoints include overall survival, minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rate at 12 mo after randomization per IMWG criteria as assessed via next-generation sequencing (NGS), sustained MRD negativity rate at 24 mo after randomization as assessed via NGS, PFS by investigator, duration of MRD negativity, complete response (CR) rate, duration of CR, safety, quality of life, immunogenicity, and pharmacokinetics. Key inclusion criteria are: ≥18 y; a diagnosis of MM with measurable disease according to IMWG criteria; history of induction therapy for NDMM, followed by high dose therapy and ASCT with or without consolidation; partial response or better according to IMWG criteria; identification of the dominant malignant clone; and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤1. Randomization must occur ≤120 d from ASCT; for pts who receive consolidation therapy after ASCT, randomization must occur ≤60 d of consolidation and ≤7 mo of ASCT. Key exclusion criteria are: plasma cell leukemia; amyloidosis; Waldenström's macroglobulinemia; POEMS syndrome; known active CNS involvement or clinical signs of myelomatous meningeal involvement; previous MM maintenance treatment; prior treatment with BCMA-targeted therapy; any other active malignancy ≤3 y of enrollment; active, uncontrolled bacterial, fungal, or viral infection; and previous administration of an investigational drug or vaccine ≤30 d or 5 half-lives preceding the first dose of study treatment. As of February 2023, the study is open and enrolling at 29 sites in 13 countries. Clinical trial information: NCT05317416 .

A phase 1 study of belantamab mafodotin in combination with standard of care in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: An interim analysis of DREAMM-9.

8018 Background: Belantamab mafodotin (belamaf) is a B-cell maturation antigen-binding antibody-drug conjugate that eliminates myeloma cells via direct cell killing and anti-myeloma immune responses. DREAMM-9 (NCT04091126) is an ongoing Phase 1, randomized, dose and schedule evaluation study. It aims to evaluate belamaf plus bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRd) in adult patients (pts) with transplant-ineligible (TI) newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) and to establish the recommended dose for future development of belamaf combination therapies in the 1st-line setting. Herein, we report updated interim-analysis data. Methods: Belamaf dose cohorts (Co1–7) are shown in the Table. VRd was given every 3 weeks (Q3W) until cycle 8, and Rd Q4W thereafter. Following safety data from Co2–5, Co6–7 were opened in parallel (randomized 1:1) and have shorter follow-up (Table). Safety was the primary endpoint; efficacy and tolerability were secondary endpoints. Minimal residual disease (MRD) was assessed by next-generation sequencing (10-5). Results: As of data cutoff (Oct 20, 2022), 93 pts were treated across Co1–7. Median age (range) was 73 (51–88) years, 55% of pts were male, and 84% were white. The most commonly reported non-ocular adverse events (AEs) across all Co were thrombocytopenia (46%), constipation (36%), diarrhea (34%), and peripheral sensory neuropathy (31%). Overall, belamaf-related Grade ≥3 AEs occurred in 35% of pts and led to belamaf dose reductions in 7% and dose delays in 63% of all treated patients. Grade ≥3 ocular AEs (keratopathy and visual acuity [KVA] scale) occurred in 53% of all pts and led to dose reductions in 12% and dose delays in 52% of overall pts. Fatal AEs occurred in 7 pts, all unrelated to study treatment. Efficacy results and ocular AEs are summarized in the Table: 100% of pts responded in Co1 (1.9 mg/kg Q3/4W) and Co3 (1.9 mg/kg Q6/8W). Median time to very good partial response or better (≥VGPR) ranged from 2.1 to 3.1 months (mo) across cohorts. Highest MRD negativity (MRD[-]) rates (≥VGPR) were seen in Co1 (83%) and Co3 (67%). Conclusions: This updated interim analysis demonstrates that belamaf plus VRd has no new safety signals and provides early and deep anti-myeloma responses in pts with TI NDMM, with high MRD[-] rates. Clinical trial information: NCT04091126 . [Table: see text]

MagnetisMM-6: An open-label, multicenter, randomized phase 3 study of elranatamab + daratumumab + lenalidomide (EDR) versus daratumumab + lenalidomide + dexamethasone (DRd) in transplant ineligible (TI) patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM).

TPS8065 Background: Elranatamab, a humanized bispecific antibody targeting B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) on myeloma cells and CD3 on T cells, has shown promising efficacy and acceptable safety in clinical studies, as monotherapy (MagnetisMM-3, NCT04649359) and in combination with daratumumab (MagnetisMM-5, NCT05020236), in the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Despite recent advances in the treatment of NDMM, MM remains incurable and more effective treatment options are needed. The aim of the MagnetisMM-6 study (NCT05623020) is to evaluate EDR versus DRd for TI patients with NDMM. Methods: MagnetisMM-6 is an ongoing, open-label, 2-arm, multicenter, randomized phase 3 study estimated to enroll ~646 patients. There are 2 parts: Part 1 evaluates the safety and recommended phase 3 dose (RP3D) of EDR: Part 2 evaluates the efficacy and safety of EDR at RP3D vs DRd in TI patients with NDMM. TI is defined as age ≥65 or age < 65 with comorbidities impacting the possibility of transplant. The primary endpoints of Part 2 are minimal residual disease (MRD) at 12 mo and progression-free survival. Secondary endpoints include overall and sustained MRD negativity rates, duration of MRD negativity, objective response rate, complete response (CR) rate, time to response, duration of response, duration of CR, overall survival, safety, quality of life, immunogenicity, and pharmacokinetics. Part 1 includes TI patients with NDMM as well as patients with RRMM who have received 1−2 prior lines of therapy including ≥1 immunomodulatory drug and ≥1 proteasome inhibitor. Part 2 includes only TI patients with NDMM. Key inclusion criteria are: ≥18 y; a diagnosis of MM (according to International Myeloma Working Group [IMWG] criteria); an ECOG performance status ≤2; and measurable disease based on IMWG criteria (serum M-protein ≥0.5 g/dL, urinary M-protein excretion ≥200 mg/24 hr, or involved serum free light chain [FLC] ≥100 mg/L and abnormal serum immunoglobulin κ:λ FLC ratio [ < 0.26 or > 1.65]). Key exclusion criteria are: smoldering MM; monoclonal gammopathy; Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia; plasma cell leukemia; active, uncontrolled bacterial, fungal, or viral infections; previous systemic treatment for MM (NDMM patients only); previous treatment with a BMCA-directed therapy or anti-CD38-directed therapy ≤6 mo of the first dose of study treatment (RRMM patients only); or stem cell transplant ≤3 mo of the first dose of study treatment or active graft versus host disease (RRMM patients only). As of February 2023, the study is open and enrolling at 9 sites in 5 countries. Clinical trial information: NCT05623020 .

Isatuximab, carfilzomib, and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma: updated results from IKEMA, a randomized Phase 3 study

Longer-term outcomes with the anti-CD38 antibody isatuximab in combination with carfilzomib-dexamethasone (Isa-Kd) were evaluated in the randomized Phase 3 trial IKEMA (NCT03275285), in a prespecified, follow-up analysis of progression-free survival (PFS, primary study endpoint), final complete response (CR) using Hydrashift Isa immunofixation assay, minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity, and safety. Enrolled patients had relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (1–3 prior treatment lines). Isa 10 mg/kg was administered intravenously weekly in cycle 1 then biweekly. Efficacy analyses were performed in the intent-to-treat population (Isa-Kd: n = 179, Kd: n = 123) and safety evaluated in treated patients (Isa-Kd: n = 177, Kd: n = 122). Consistent with the primary interim analysis, the addition of Isa to Kd prolonged PFS (HR 0.58, 95.4% CI: 0.42–0.79; median PFS 35.7 [95% CI: 25.8–44.0] vs 19.2 [95% CI: 15.8–25.0] months). PFS benefit was observed with Isa-Kd across subgroups, including patients with poor prognosis. The stringent CR/CR rate was 44.1% vs 28.5% (odds-ratio: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.26–3.48), the MRD negativity rate 33.5% vs 15.4% (odds-ratio: 2.78, 95% CI: 1.55–4.99) and the MRD negativity CR rate 26.3% vs 12.2%, with Isa-Kd vs Kd. The safety profile of Isa-Kd was similar to that reported in the prior interim analysis. These findings further support Isa-Kd as a standard-of-care treatment for relapsed multiple myeloma patients.Clinical trial information: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03275285.

Association of Minimal Residual Disease Negativity Rates With Progression Free Survival in Frontline Therapy Trials for Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: A Meta-analysis.

Current frontline therapies for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients have significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS). This has led to interest in minimal residual disease negativity (MRDng) as an efficacy-response biomarker and possible surrogate endpoint. A meta-analysis was conducted to explore the surrogacy of MRD for PFS and quantify the relationship between MRDng rates and PFS at the trial level. A systematic search was conducted on phase II and III trials reporting MRDng rates along with median PFS (mPFS) or PFS hazard ratios (HR). Weighted linear regressions were conducted relating mPFS to MRDng rates, and relating PFS HRs to either odds ratios (OR) or rate differences (RD) for MRDng in comparative trials. A total of 14 trials were available for the mPFS analysis. log(MRDng rate) was moderately associated with log (mPFS), with a slope of β=0.37 (95% CI, 0.26 to 0.48) and R2=0.62. A total of 13 trials were available for the PFS HR analysis. Treatment effects on MRDng rates were correlated with the corresponding effects on PFS: log (PFS HR) and log (MRDng OR) had a moderate association with β=-0.36 (95% CI, -0.56 to -0.17) and R2=0.53 (95% CI, 0.21 to 0.77); log (PFS HR) and the MRDng RD had a stronger association with slope β=-0.03 (95% CI, -0.04 to -0.02) and R2=0.67 (95% CI, 0.31 to 0.86). MRDng rates moderately associate with PFS outcomes. MRDng RDs are more strongly associated with HRs than MRDng ORs, with evidence suggestive of potential surrogacy.

Efficacy and Safety of Venetoclax-Based Induction Therapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The clinical data of 51 newly diagnosed patients ineligible for intensive therapy and patients with R/R AML treated in the Department of Hematology of Xijing Hospital from February 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The incidence of complete remission (CR)/CR with incomplete hematological recovery (CRi), objective remission rate (ORR), minimal residual disease (MRD) status, advense events (AE), overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed. Among 51 patients, 32 patients were newly diagnosed patients unfit for intensive therapy, with a median age of 60 (29-88) years, and 19 patients were R/R patients, with a median age of 49 (22-92) years. The median cycles of VEN-based treatment in the two groups were both 2. The CR/CRi rates in the ND-AML and R/R-AML group after one course of induction treatment were 65.6% and 36.9%, respectively, and the ORR were 81.3% and 42.1%, respectively. The cumulative CR/CRi rates after 1-3 courses of VEN-based treatment were 71.9% and 47.4%, respectively. The MRD negativity rates of patients achieving CR/CRi were 69.6% and 33.3%, respectively. In the ND-AML and R/R-AML group, the median PFS were 8(5-11) and 3(1-5) months, and the median OS were 13 (6-20) and 5 (3-7) months, respectively. The median OS of patients achieving CR/CRi in both groups was significantly better than that of patients not achieving CR/CRi (13 months vs 4 months; OS not reached vs 4 months). During the first induction cycle, the incidence of grade 3 or higher granulocytopenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia was 96%, 90.2% and 84.3%, respectively. 30 patients (58.8%) had granulocytopenia with fever. The most common non-hematological AE was infection (12/51, 23.5%), followed by gastrointestinal symptoms (6/51, 11.8%). The VEN-based strategy has good treatment response and tolerance in newly diagnosed patients unfit for intensive therapy and R/R AML. The most common AEs are hematological toxicities and infection.