Post-consolidation Therapy Research Articles

The results of therapy in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma: the experience of the Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology

Treatment of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) is a complex challenge, and it is based on response to certain elements of therapy. The development and introduction of new treatment approaches, such as GD2-targeted immunotherapy (IT), leads to improved survival in this cohort of patients. The aim of the study was to retrospectively assess the effectiveness of therapy in patients with high-risk NB before the introduction of IT into clinical practice. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 151 NB patients stratified into a high-risk group who had received treatment in accordance with the modified NB2004 protocol of the German Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPOH) at the Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology from 01.2012 to 12.2017. This study was approved by the Independent Ethics Committee and the Academic Council of the Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology. All the study subjects (or their legal representatives) signed a voluntary informed consent form indicating their agreement to treatment and use of their data for research purposes. Overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), and risk factors were analyzed in the patients with high-risk NB including those who had completed multimodal therapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and post-consolidation therapy with isotretinoin and had achieved a satisfactory response to induction therapy (complete response (CR), very good partial response (VGPR), partial response (PR)) (population of special interest). The main unfavorable prognostic clinical and molecular genetic factors affecting survival in the high-risk NB patients were older age, MYCN gene amplification, and stage 4 of the disease. The use of the modified GPOH NB2004 protocol resulted in a satisfactory response (CR/VGPR/PR) to the induction therapy in most patients: 124/151 (82.1 %). Surgery (other than primary tumor biopsy) led to improved survival, with no statistical difference between macroscopic radical surgery and macroscopic residual tumor. At the same time, radiation therapy (RT), as the second element of local control, had a significant impact on EFS in the group of the patients with stage 4 disease: the 3-year EFS was 39.4 % (95 % confidence interval (CI) 23.1–55.4) in the patients with RT versus 25.7 % (95 % CI 17.5–34.7) in the patients without RT (p = 0.0295). The introduction of a new high-dose TreoMel chemotherapy regimen did not result in worse survival rates but led to a decrease in transplant-related toxicity. The 5-year OS and 5-year EFS were 49.4 % (95 % CI 40.9–57.3 %) and 33.3 % (95 % CI 25.9–40.9) respectively for all the study subjects, and 81.6 % (95 % CI 70.3–88.9) and 55.1 % (95 % CI 43.1–65.5) respectively for the patients from the population of special interest. The analysis of the results of therapy in the high-risk NB patients who had received treatment at the Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, yielded results comparable to those of the original GPOH NB2004 protocol. The patients with CR/VGPR/PR to the induction therapy who had completed the protocol treatment with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and isotretinoin post-consolidation therapy demonstrated higher 5-year EFS rates. However, there remains a need to develop more effective treatment regimens for high-risk NB.

Outcomes Following GD2-Directed Postconsolidation Therapy for Neuroblastoma After Cessation of Random Assignment on ANBL0032: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group.

Postconsolidation immunotherapy including dinutuximab, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and interleukin-2 improved outcomes for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma enrolled on the randomized portion of Children's Oncology Group study ANBL0032. After random assignment ended, all patients were assigned to immunotherapy. Survival and toxicities were assessed. Patients with a pre-autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) response (excluding bone marrow) of partial response or better were eligible. Demographics, stage, tumor biology, pre-ASCT response, and adverse events were summarized using descriptive statistics. Event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) from time of enrollment (up to day +200 from last ASCT) were evaluated. From 2009 to 2015, 1,183 patients were treated. Five-year EFS and OS for the entire cohort were 61.1 ± 1.9% and 71.9 ± 1.7%, respectively. For patients ≥ 18 months old at diagnosis with International Neuroblastoma Staging System stage 4 disease (n = 662) 5-year EFS and OS were 57.0 ± 2.4% and 70.9 ± 2.2%, respectively. EFS was superior for patients with complete response/very good partial response pre-ASCT compared with those with PR (5-year EFS: 64.2 ± 2.2% v 55.4 ± 3.2%, P = .0133); however, OS was not significantly different. Allergic reactions, capillary leak, fever, and hypotension were more frequent during interleukin-2-containing cycles than granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-containing cycles (P < .0001). EFS was superior in patients with higher peak dinutuximab levels during cycle 1 (P = .034) and those with a high affinity FCGR3A genotype (P = .0418). Human antichimeric antibody status did not correlate with survival. Analysis of a cohort assigned to immunotherapy after cessation of random assignment on ANBL0032 confirmed previously described survival and toxicity outcomes. EFS was highest among patients with end-induction complete response/very good partial response. Among patients with available data, higher dinutuximab levels and FCGR3A genotype were associated with superior EFS. These may be predictive biomarkers for dinutuximab therapy.

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Entospletinib in Combination with Intensive Induction and Consolidation Chemotherapy in Adults with Newly Diagnosed Nucleophosmin 1-mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Entospletinib in Combination with Intensive Induction and Consolidation Chemotherapy in Adults with Newly Diagnosed Nucleophosmin 1-mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia

GD2-directed bispecific trifunctional antibody outperforms dinutuximab beta in a murine model for aggressive metastasized neuroblastoma

BackgroundNeuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood. Patients with high-risk disease undergo extremely aggressive therapy and nonetheless have cure rates below 50%. Treatment with the ch14.18 monoclonal...

Late Sequelae after Neuroblastoma-Associated Paraneoplastic Anti-Hu Syndrome in a 4-Year-Old Boy

Anti-Hu syndrome is a rare autoantibody associated paraneoplastic disease of the central and peripheral nervous system resulting in a variety of neurological symptoms. In pediatric patients it is described in the context of (ganglio) neuroblastoma associated Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome (OMS) and other paraneoplastic syndromes. The timely diagnosis of paraneoplastic autoimmunity in childhood is hampered by its rarity as well as by the diversity of clinical symptoms that may occur. We report a 4-year-old boy with gastrointestinal disorder and neurological symptoms due to neuroblastomaassociated anti-Hu syndrome. The patient stabilized under a multimodal oncologic, immunosuppressive and antiepileptic treatment regimen. Treatment of neuroblastoma was individually modified and especially the specific anti- GD2 post-consolidation therapy was substituted by oral cyclophosphamide maintenance therapy in order not to aggravate autoimmune encephalitis. At the age of 8 years, the boy has been in ongoing complete oncologic remission for two years after end of relapse treatment. However, he suffers from neurologic symptoms like focal epilepsy and late sequelae of the oncologic disease. This case shows that treatment of paraneoplastic anti-Hu syndrome is challenging, encephalitis may persist long after oncologic remission and may lead to developmental delay and a variety of physical sequelae.

Pharmacokinetics of 13-cis-Retinoic acid in high-risk neuroblastoma patients

13-cis-Retinoic acid is a differentiation agent for neuroblastoma cells and is a part of post-consolidation therapy for high-risk patients. The effectiveness of this therapeutic approach is currently under study. 26 patients with high-risk neuroblastoma treated at Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology were included in the study of 13-cis-Retinoic acid pharmacokinetics by high-performance liquid chromatography assay with ultraviolet detector depending on the method of administration of drug (swallowed capsules or opened capsules before administration). This study is supported by the Independent Ethics Committee and approved by the Academic Council of the Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology. The current study showed that the therapeutic concentration of &gt; 2 μM when taking 13-cis-Retinoic acid at a dose of 160 mg/m2/day was achieved in two groups, regardless of the method of drug administration. However, plasma concentrations of 13-cis-Retinoic acid at 4 hours after administration on the 14th day of therapy were higher in the group of patients who swallowed the capsules (4.1 ± 1.8 μM), compared to those who could not do it (1.9 ± 1.5 μM) (p = 0.022). The introduction into the clinical practice of therapeutic drug monitoring of 13-cis-retinoic acid in high-risk neuroblastoma patients with an assessment of peak concentration and dose adjustment of the following courses may be an important point in the attempt to optimize postconsolidation therapy and improve prognosis.

Induction Chemotherapy With an Anti-GD2 Monoclonal Antibody (Dinutuximab) and Cytokines in Children With Newly Diagnosed High-risk Neuroblastoma: A Case Series

Although outcomes for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma improved after the addition of a chimeric anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody (dinutuximab) as treatment for minimal residual disease, nearly half of these patients die of disease. Recent studies demonstrated efficacy of the combination of chemotherapy with anti-GD2 mAb in patients with relapsed or newly diagnosed disease. This retrospective case series describes 6 patients treated at St Jude Children's Research Hospital with an induction regimen containing dinutuximab and chemotherapy, followed by consolidation and postconsolidation therapy. The treatment was well tolerated with expected toxicities. All patients completed induction therapy and demonstrated a clinical response. Further studies are warranted.

Impact of Measurable Residual Disease (MRD) By Multiparameter Flow Cytometry (MFC): A Real-World Study in 1,076 Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Impact of Measurable Residual Disease (MRD) By Multiparameter Flow Cytometry (MFC): A Real-World Study in 1,076 Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Evaluating the Utilization of All-Trans Retinoic Acid and Arsenic Trioxide during Consolidation Therapy for Patients Receiving Treatment for Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Background. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) accounting for approximately 10% of AML cases. Advancements in the management of APL have led to complete remission (CR) rates of 90-100% and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates between 86-97%. Standard treatment of APL consists of induction and consolidation, with or without post-consolidation therapy, which is directed by risk group, age, and cardiovascular risk. A standard consolidation option consists of arsenic trioxide (ATO) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) (NCCN Guidelines, AML Version 3.2019). Frequently patients are unable to obtain consolidation with ATRA due to the high prescription co-pay and limited financial assistance. This study assessed the efficacy, safety, and financial impact of APL consolidation therapy with ATRA/ATO compared to ATO monotherapy at a single institution. Methods. This single-center, retrospective, chart-review study assessed adult patients with APL who received ATRA/ATO induction, followed by consolidation with ATRA/ATO or ATO monotherapy between November 2012 to January 2018. The primary efficacy endpoint was OS. Secondary endpoints included event-free survival (EFS), relapse-free survival (RFS), hematologic CR or molecular CR (CRm), incidence of adverse drug events, and outpatient accessibility of ATRA. Numerical data were expressed as medians and interquartile range (IQR) and categorical data were evaluated using the Fisher Exact test. The Log-rank test was used for time to event data and analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. A P-value of &lt; 0.05 was defined as statistically significant. Results. The final analysis included 31 patients, 25 patients received standard ATRA/ATO and 6 patients received ATO monotherapy. Patients in the ATRA/ATO group had a median age of 47 years (range 19 - 72); 8 had low risk and 15 had intermediate risk APL. Patients in the ATO monotherapy group had a median age of 73 years (range 70 - 83); 4 had low risk and 1 had intermediate risk APL. Patients in the ATO monotherapy group had more comorbidities, with all patients having a Charlson Comorbidity Index of 4 or higher compared to only 44% of the ATRA/ATO group (p=0.02). A dose reduction for ATO was required for 50% and 28% of patients in the ATO monotherapy and ATRA/ATO groups, respectively due to peripheral neuropathy. During consolidation, patients in the ATO monotherapy group received a median of 5.4 mg/kg of ATO over 2 cycles compared to 11.6 mg/kg over 4 cycles in the ATRA/ATO group (Table 1). Five of six patients (83.3%) and 24 of 25 patients (96%) were alive at last follow-up in the ATO monotherapy and ATRA/ATO groups with a median follow-up of 33.3 months and 35.5 months, respectively (Graph 1). Secondary endpoints are provided in Table 2. There was 1 death in each group, both due to unknown causes. All adverse events occurred in a higher proportion of patients in the ATRA/ATO group (Graph 2). The incidence of headache was significantly higher in the ATRA/ATO group, occurring in 68% of patients and leading to ATRA discontinuation for 1 patient (Table 3), compared to 0 events in the ATO monotherapy group (p=0.004). Barriers to access occurred in 19.4% (6 of 31) of all patients. In addition to the 4 patients who required omission of ATRA upfront due to cost, 2 additional patients discontinued ATRA during consolidation due to affordability (Table 3). Conclusions. Patients in the ATO monotherapy group were on average older, had more comorbid conditions, and received a lower cumulative dose of ATO during consolidation. The standard dose of ATO during consolidation is 12 mg/kg administered over 4 cycles. In our study, patients in the ATO monotherapy group received a median of 5.4 mg/kg of ATO over 2 cycles compared to 11.6 mg/kg over 4 cycles in the ATRA/ATO group. Despite discrepancies in age, comorbidities, and total dose of ATO received, outcomes were similar in the ATRA/ATO and ATO monotherapy groups. Although limited by a small sample size and retrospective design, this study suggests that elimination of ATRA from consolidation may be an acceptable option for patients that are unable to obtain ATRA or that experience intolerable side effects. These findings also suggest that lower cumulative doses of ATO during consolidation may produce similar efficacy with lesser toxicity. Future large, multicenter studies are necessary to confirm the efficacy and safety of these findings. Table Disclosures Manuel: Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Speakers Bureau. Pardee:Rafael Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics/Janssen: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Speakers Bureau; CBM Bipharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Spherix Intellectual Property: Research Funding. Powell:Rafael Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding.

Flow-Cytometry Based Detection of Any Minimal Residual Disease (FC-MRD) in Children with T-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemias (T-ALL) Is a Powerful Indicator of Outcome

Background: Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) is a powerful predictor of event-free survival in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, as T-ALL is less common, MRD studies are limited, often with small cohorts, and even fewer have been done by flowcytometry-based MRD (FC-MRD). There have also been different time-points such as Post-Induction (PI-MRD), and late or Post-Consolidation (PC-MRD) that have shown significant correlation with overall, event, and relapse-free survival (OS, EFS &amp; RFS). As the available literature is still not conclusive, we investigated the impact of FC-MRD on survival in childhood T-ALL at a large tertiary cancer care centre in India. Methods: Children less than 15-years age diagnosed with T-ALL from Jan-2014 to May 2018 were treated uniformly on a modified MCP-841 protocol that included a 4-drug induction (vincristine, prednisolone, l-asparaginase, daunomycin), and consolidation with high-dose cytarabine (24gm/m2 in 3 equal legs for children below 3-years, and 16gm/m2 in two equal legs, for 3 or more years age). Post-consolidation therapy followed the pattern of Interim Maintenance, two Delayed Intensification cycles, and 18 months of Maintenance. Central Nervous System (CNS)-directed therapy consisted of intrathecal methotrexate in all cycles, and those with CNS involvement received additional Cranial Radiation of 18Gy. In early-thymic-precursor (ETP-ALL) immunophenotype patients, dexamethasone replaced prednisolone in Induction. The protocol did not include High-Dose Methotrexate. FC-MRD was estimated by 10-color FC-MRD assay on Navios flow-cytometer (Beckman Coulter, Inc.) at Post-Induction(day-35), and Post-Consolidation(day-78) for those PI-MRD positive(+ve). FC-MRD was analyzed on Kaluza® software v-1.3. Any detectable value was taken as positive. Statistical analysis was performed using MedCalc Statistical Software®. Results: Of 368 eligible patients diagnosed at our centre in the study period, 81 did not undergo PI-MRD (14- Induction deaths, 13- treatment abandonment, 54- referral to other institute/ time-point missed/ did not consent/ other reasons). Another 18 abandoned treatment within 100 days of diagnosis and were also excluded. In the remaining 269, median age was 10-years (range:1-15), M:F-3.8:1. Median presenting WBC was 96.7 x 103/cmm (range:1.14-849), and thirteen patients had ETP. PI-MRD was positive in 125(46%) patients (median MRD -0.3%, range:0.0007-43.6%) of which 58(46.4%) developed medullary relapse, compared to 17 of 144(11.6%) for PI-MRD negative(-ve) patients, with Hazard Ratio (HR) for risk of medullary-relapse for PI-MRD+ve being 5.02(95% CI:3.16-7.96; p&lt;0.0001). Median RFS was 20.5 months (95% CI:16.2-34.7) for PI-MRD+ve patients, while median was not-reached for PI-MRD-ve. PI-MRD+ve patients were at high risk for all events (medullary relapse, extramedullary relapse and death) with an incidence of 53.6% versus 27.8%; p&lt;0.0001, and HR of 2.36 (95% CI:1.6-3.47; p&lt;0.0001). Probability of EFS at 30 months was 68.9% for PI-MRD+ve and 41.1% for PI-MRD-ve patients(Fig-1), while there was no significant difference in 30-month OS, which were 78.7% and 77.9% respectively. Most relapsed/ refractory patients were unable to undergo intensive salvage regimens and/ or hematopoietic stem cell transplants due to socio-economic constraints. When their disease progressed, they were mostly sent home on palliative care on an oral metronomic chemotherapy protocol, on which they survived for varying periods of times. PC-MRD was available in 90 PI-MRD+ patients, and was positive in 28(31%), with median MRD level of 0.055% (range:0.0008-27.6%). PC-MRD+ve patients had significantly shorter RFS (median-14.3 months, 95% CI:7.1-49.7 months), with risk of relapse HR of 2.36 (95% CI:1.6-3.47; p&lt;0.0001). Univariate and multivariate analysis using Cox-hazard model for age, hyperleukocytosis and ETP-immunophenotype showed that PI-MRD was the most significant and an independent high-risk factor for relapse with HR for multivariate analysis being 5.5(95% CI:2.85-11.45; p&lt;0.0001). Conclusion: We conclude that 10-color FC-MRD done Post-Induction and Post-Consolidation detecting any residual disease reliably identifies those at highest risk of relapse and any other event. PI-MRD+ is an independent, and also the most important risk-factor for any event, and if PC-MRD is also positive, relapse occurs early. Figure 1 Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Phase II Study of Midostaurin + Chemotherapy in Pediatric Patients with Untreated, Newly Diagnosed, FLT3-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Background: In pediatric patients with AML, the presence of FLT3-internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutation is indicative of high-risk disease and confers a worse prognosis and a greater chance of relapse. Midostaurin is a multikinase inhibitor with potent activity against both mutated and non-mutated FLT3. In adult patients with FLT3-mutated AML, midostaurin in combination with chemotherapy has demonstrated good safety/tolerability and significantly improved overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) compared with placebo + chemotherapy. We present here the design of an ongoing phase II study (NCT03591510) evaluating midostaurin combined with standard chemotherapy and as a single-agent post-consolidation therapy in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with FLT3-mutated AML, other than acute promyelocytic leukemia. Study Design and Methods: This open-label, single-arm study is composed of 2 parts. For Part 1, the primary objective is to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of midostaurin in combination with chemotherapy, as determined by the occurrence of dose-limiting toxicities. For Part 2, in which patients will receive the RP2D of midostaurin, the primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of midostaurin + chemotherapy as measured by the EFS rate at 24 mo (for regulatory purposes outside the US) or to assess the safety/tolerability of midostaurin + chemotherapy (for regulatory purposes within the US). Secondary objectives include safety/tolerability (outside US) and EFS at 24 mo (within US), other efficacy parameters (including OS, complete remission [CR], CR with incomplete blood count recovery [CRi], cumulative incidence of relapse, and minimal residual disease-negative status), and characterization of the pharmacokinetics of midostaurin. Eligible patients are aged 3 mo to &lt; 18 yr with expected survival of &gt; 12 wk, have a Lansky or Karnofsky performance status of ≥ 60, and have previously untreated de novo AML with FLT3 mutation: ITD and/or mutation in the tyrosine kinase domain, with mutant/wild-type signal ratio cutoff of ≥ 0.05. Exclusion criteria include any concurrent malignancy, Philadelphia chromosome or BCR-ABL1-positive AML, AML associated with Down syndrome, secondary AML, symptomatic leukemic central nervous system involvement, bone marrow failure syndrome, or prior treatment with a FLT3 inhibitor. Patients are to receive 5 treatment blocks: 2 of standard induction (Blocks 1-2) and 3 of consolidation (Blocks 3-5) chemotherapy, each with sequential twice-daily (BID) oral midostaurin. In Part 1 of the study, midostaurin will be given at a starting dose of 30 mg/m2 BID; dose escalation and determination of RP2D will be facilitated by a Bayesian hierarchical logistic regression model guided by escalation with overdose control principle. In Part 2, midostaurin will be administered at the RP2D. Induction therapy will be the local standard chemotherapy regimen with midostaurin starting after 24 hr from identification of FLT3 abnormalities and continuing for 14 d for Block 1, and FLADx (fludarabine + high-dose cytarabine on D1-5, daunorubicin on D2, 4, 6) with sequential midostaurin on D8-21 for Block 2. Patients demonstrating CR or modified CRi will proceed to consolidation with the following chemotherapy regimens, each with sequential midostaurin on D8-21: HAM (high-dose cytarabine on D1-3, mitoxantrone on D3, 4) for Block 3, HA3E (high-dose cytarabine on D1-3, etoposide on D1-5) for Block 4, and HiDAC (high-dose cytarabine on D1-3) for Block 5. Patients must be in continued remission (CR or modified CRi) to receive each block of consolidation therapy. Patients who complete Block 5 and remain in remission will proceed to 12 × 28-d cycles of post-consolidation therapy with single-agent midostaurin. Patients may undergo allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at any time at the investigator's discretion. Overall, the aim is to recruit a minimum of 52 patients, including at least 49 at the RP2D dose. This study is currently enrolling patients at 13 centers in 7 countries (as of July 26, 2019), and a total of 37 centers in 14 countries are planned. Disclosures Reinhardt: Novartis: Other: Participation in Advisory Boards; Jazz: Other: Participation in Advisory Boards, Research Funding; CSL Behring: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding. Zwaan:BMS: Research Funding; Servier: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy; Pfizer: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Other: Travel support; Roche: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy. Hoenekopp:Novartis Pharma AG Basel: Employment, Equity Ownership. Niolat:Novartis Pharma: Employment. Ifrah:Novartis: Employment. Noel-Baron:Novartis: Employment, Equity Ownership. Locatelli:Miltenyi: Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Bellicum: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; BluebirdBio: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. OffLabel Disclosure: Midostaurin is a kinase inhibitor approved in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of FLT3-mutated AML in adults; the study reported here is in pediatric patients with FLT3-mutated AML.

Anti-GD2 antibody-containing immunotherapy postconsolidation therapy for people with high-risk neuroblastoma treated with autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Neuroblastoma is a rare malignant disease that primarily affects children. The tumours mainly develop in the adrenal medullary tissue, and an abdominal mass is the most common presentation. High-risk disease is characterised by metastasis and other primary tumour characteristics resulting in increased risk for an adverse outcome. The GD2 carbohydrate antigen is expressed on the cell surface of neuroblastoma tumour cells and is thus a promising target for anti-GD2 antibody-containing immunotherapy. To assess the efficacy of anti-GD2 antibody-containing postconsolidation immunotherapy after high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) compared to standard therapy after HDCT and autologous HSCT in people with high-risk neuroblastoma. Our primary outcomes were overall survival and treatment-related mortality. Our secondary outcomes were progression-free survival, event-free survival, early toxicity, late non-haematological toxicity, and health-related quality of life. We searched the electronic databases CENTRAL (2018, Issue 9), MEDLINE (PubMed), and Embase (Ovid) on 20 September 2018. We searched trial registries and conference proceedings on 28 October 2018. Further searches included reference lists of recent reviews and relevant articles as well as contacting experts in the field. There were no limits on publication year or language. Randomised controlled trials evaluating anti-GD2 antibody-containing immunotherapy after HDCT and autologous HSCT in people with high-risk neuroblastoma. Two review authors independently performed study selection, abstracted data on study and participant characteristics, and assessed risk of bias and GRADE. Any differences were resolved by discussion, with third-party arbitration unnecessary. We performed analyses according to the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We used the five GRADE considerations, that is study limitations, consistency of effect, imprecision, indirectness, and publication bias, to judge the quality of the evidence. We identified one randomised controlled trial that included 226 people with high-risk neuroblastoma who were pre-treated with autologous HSCT. The study randomised 113 participants to receive immunotherapy including isotretinoin, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-2, and ch14.18, a type of anti-GD2 antibody also known as dinutuximab. The study randomised another 113 participants to receive standard therapy including isotretinoin.The results on overall survival favoured the dinutuximab-containing immunotherapy group (hazard ratio (HR) 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31 to 0.80; P = 0.004). The results on event-free survival also favoured the dinutuximab-containing immunotherapy group (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.92; P = 0.020). Randomised data on adverse events were not reported separately. The study did not report progression-free survival, late non-haematological toxicity, and health-related quality of life as separate endpoints. We graded the quality of the evidence as moderate. The evidence base favours dinutuximab-containing immunotherapy compared to standard therapy concerning overall survival and event-free survival in people with high-risk neuroblastoma pre-treated with autologous HSCT. Randomised data on adverse events are lacking, therefore more research is needed before definitive conclusions can be made regarding this outcome.

Estimand Framework in AML Based on a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Study Investigating the Effect of Adding Midostaurin to Standard Chemotherapy in Patients with Newly Diagnosed AML without a FLT3 Mutation

In the ongoing randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study in patients with newly diagnosed FLT3-mutation-negative acute myeloid leukemia (AML; NCT03512197) investigating the effect of adding midostaurin to standard chemotherapy, event-free survival (EFS) is the primary endpoint. EFS is a standard endpoint in clinical studies in AML. In a recent FDA submission, EFS was confirmed by an advisory committee to be clinically meaningful in AML (https://www.fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/Drugs/OncologicDrugsAdvisoryCommittee/UCM570800.pdf. Accessed August 1, 2018). With the release of the International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) E9 draft addendum, we describe EFS in the estimand framework to address the scientific question of interest and illustrate the power of this concept to transparently define the relevant population, the variable of interest, and the management of relevant incidents that can occur in a clinical trial (“intercurrent events”).The objective is to determine the benefit of adding midostaurin to the whole standard chemotherapy sequence, consisting of induction, consolidation therapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT; if applicable), and postconsolidation therapy, in patients with newly diagnosed AML without a FLT3 mutation. The main interest is the interventional effect of the whole treatment sequence and not the contribution of an individual part of it.The study population includes all randomized patients following the treatment policy approach. Patients can be randomized only if there is confirmation from the central laboratory that there is no FLT3 mutation.EFS is a composite endpoint defined as the time from randomization until death, relapse, or induction failure. Induction failure is defined as no achievement of remission until end of the induction period. The definition of induction failure also includes instances in which HSCT is conducted as salvage therapy in nonresponding patients. Per convention, the EFS event date of induction failure is set to the randomization date.The option to receive HSCT can be an outcome of the treatment. Therefore, clinical benefit is assessed regardless of whether patients received HSCT. This treatment policy approach mandates collection of disease assessments after HSCT has been completed. In the same consideration, the option to receive consolidation and postconsolidation treatment is also an outcome of the induction treatment as only patients achieving remission with induction qualify to continue with consolidation and postconsolidation treatment. As such, the benefit is assessed regardless of treatment duration.The analysis plan defines a supportive estimand to assess the treatment effect of midostaurin, excluding potential benefit from HSCT. Another supportive estimand assesses the effect of discontinuation of induction treatment due to toxicities. This approach addresses a hypothetical scenario in which patients did not receive HSCT, for instance, to estimate the midostaurin-only effect. However, the outcome of the treatment is not limited to the direct effect of an experimental compound but also includes which new treatment option the compound allows for the patients (eg, HSCT).The estimand framework is an efficient tool to ensure consistency between the scientific question and the definition of the study objectives. It ensures transparency in unfavorable yet unavoidable situations in clinical trials (“intercurrent events”). It facilitates communication within the clinical team and with health authorities. The outcome of studies that are following the estimand framework can be interpreted in a consistent manner. DisclosuresBengoudifa:Novartis: Employment. Weber:Novartis: Employment. Gathmann:Novartis: Employment. Hoenekopp:Novartis: Employment. Berkowitz:Novartis: Employment.

A Comprehensive Safety Trial of Chimeric Antibody 14.18 With GM-CSF, IL-2, and Isotretinoin in High-Risk Neuroblastoma Patients Following Myeloablative Therapy: Children's Oncology Group Study ANBL0931.

A phase 3 randomized study (COG ANBL0032) demonstrated significantly improved outcome by adding immunotherapy with ch14.18 antibody to isotretinoin as post-consolidation therapy for high-risk neuroblastoma (NB). This study, ANBL0931, was designed to collect FDA-required safety/toxicity data to support FDA registration of ch14.18. Newly diagnosed high-risk NB patients who achieved at least a partial response to induction therapy and received myeloablative consolidation with stem cell rescue were enrolled to receive six courses of isotretinoin with five concomitant cycles of ch14.18 combined with GM-CSF or IL2. Ch14.18 infusion time was 10-20 h per dose. Blood was collected for cytokine analysis and its association with toxicities and outcome. Of 105 patients enrolled, five patients developed protocol-defined unacceptable toxicities. The most common grade ≥ 3 non-hematologic toxicities of immunotherapy for cycles 1-5, respectively, were neuropathic pain (41, 28, 22, 31, 24%), hypotension (10, 17, 4, 14, 8%), allergic reactions (ARs) (3, 10, 5, 7, 2%), capillary leak syndrome (1, 4, 0, 2, 0%), and fever (21, 59, 6, 32, 5%). The 3-year event-free survival and overall survival were 67.6 ± 4.8% and 79.1 ± 4.2%, respectively. AR during course 1 was associated with elevated serum levels of IL-1Ra and IFNγ, while severe hypotension during this course was associated with low IL5 and nitrate. Higher pretreatment CXCL9 level was associated with poorer event-free survival (EFS). This study has confirmed the significant, but manageable treatment-related toxicities of this immunotherapy and identified possible cytokine biomarkers associated with select toxicities and outcome. EFS and OS appear similar to that previously reported on ANBL0032.

Retinoic acid postconsolidation therapy for high-risk neuroblastoma patients treated with autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Neuroblastoma is a rare malignant disease and mainly affects infants and very young children. The tumours mainly develop in the adrenal medullary tissue, with an abdominal mass as the most common presentation. About 50% of patients have metastatic disease at diagnosis. The high-risk group is characterised by metastasis and other features that increase the risk of an adverse outcome. High-risk patients have a five-year event-free survival of less than 50%. Retinoic acid has been shown to inhibit growth of human neuroblastoma cells and has been considered as a potential candidate for improving the outcome of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. This review is an update of a previously published Cochrane Review. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of additional retinoic acid as part of a postconsolidation therapy after high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), compared to placebo retinoic acid or to no additional retinoic acid in people with high-risk neuroblastoma (as defined by the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) classification system). We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library (2016, Issue 11), MEDLINE in PubMed (1946 to 24 November 2016), and Embase in Ovid (1947 to 24 November 2016). Further searches included trial registries (on 22 December 2016), conference proceedings (on 23 March 2017) and reference lists of recent reviews and relevant studies. We did not apply limits by publication year or languages. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating additional retinoic acid after HDCT followed by HSCT for people with high-risk neuroblastoma compared to placebo retinoic acid or to no additional retinoic acid. Primary outcomes were overall survival and treatment-related mortality. Secondary outcomes were progression-free survival, event-free survival, early toxicity, late toxicity, and health-related quality of life. We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. The update search did not identify any additional studies. We identified one RCT that included people with high-risk neuroblastoma who received HDCT followed by autologous HSCT (N = 98) after a first random allocation and who received retinoic acid (13-cis-retinoic acid; N = 50) or no further therapy (N = 48) after a second random allocation. These 98 participants had no progressive disease after HDCT followed by autologous HSCT. There was no clear evidence of difference between the treatment groups either in overall survival (hazard ratio (HR) 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46 to 1.63; one trial; P = 0.66) or in event-free survival (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.49; one trial; P = 0.59). We calculated the HR values using the complete follow-up period of the trial. The study also reported overall survival estimates at a fixed point in time. At the time point of five years, the survival estimate was reported to be 59% for the retinoic acid group and 41% for the no-further-therapy group (P value not reported). We did not identify results for treatment-related mortality, progression-free survival, early or late toxicity, or health-related quality of life. We could not rule out the possible presence of selection bias, performance bias, attrition bias, and other bias. We judged the evidence to be of low quality for overall survival and event-free survival, downgraded because of study limitations and imprecision. We identified one RCT that evaluated additional retinoic acid as part of a postconsolidation therapy after HDCT followed by autologous HSCT versus no further therapy in people with high-risk neuroblastoma. There was no clear evidence of a difference in overall survival and event-free survival between the treatment alternatives. This could be the result of low power. Information on other outcomes was not available. This trial was performed in the 1990s, since when many changes in treatment and risk classification have occurred. Based on the currently available evidence, we are therefore uncertain about the effects of retinoic acid in people with high-risk neuroblastoma. More research is needed for a definitive conclusion.

Anti-GD2 antibody-containing immunotherapy post-consolidation therapy for people with high-risk neuroblastoma treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Anti-GD2 antibody-containing immunotherapy post-consolidation therapy for people with high-risk neuroblastoma treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adults with Philadelphia-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia: no difference in the high- and low-risk groups.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the most effective post-consolidation therapy and curative option for adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-negative) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in first complete remission (CR1). A human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-haploidentical related donor (haplo-RD) is one of the most important alternative sources for those without HLA-identical sibling donor (ISD). The present study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) in adult Ph-negative ALL CR1 patients (n = 183). We produced an unmanipulated haplo-HSCT protocol including granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) for all donors, intensive immune suppression, anti-thymocyte globulin, and combination of G-CSF-primed bone marrow harvest and G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells harvest as the source of stem cell grafts. The median age for high-risk versus low-risk groups were 29 versus 23 years. Three-year incidences of relapse mortality and nonrelapse mortality for high-risk versus low-risk groups were 7.1% versus 11.1% (p = 0.498) and 18.0% versus 16.2% (p = 0.717), respectively. Three-year probabilities of disease-free survival and overall survival for high-risk versus low-risk groups were 67.6% versus 68.2% (p = 0.896) and 74.9% versus 72.7% (p = 0.981), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that limited cGVHD and a lower pre-HSCT comorbidity burden were associated with better outcomes. In summary, comparable outcomes were observed among high- and low-risk Ph-negative ALL CR1 patients after haplo-HSCT. Haplo-RD could be considered for adults with Ph-negative ALL in CR1 as an important alternative source of donors in cases when no ISD is available.

Mobilization-Driven Postconsolidation Therapy in Elderly Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Feasibility and Efficacy of Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation versus Low-Dose Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin

We prospectively evaluated 2 postconsolidation strategies, administered according to the mobilization outcome, in 72 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) fit elderly patients, achieving complete remission after the first high-dose cytarabine-based induction. Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) was performed in patients collecting ≥3 × 106 CD34+/kg and low-dose gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) was performed in poor mobilizers (collecting <3 × 106 CD34+/kg). Fifty-five patients (76.3%) underwent peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization, after first consolidation, and 24 of 55 (44%) collected >3 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg. Among the 55 patients eligible for PBSC mobilization, 7 did not receive the planned treatment, 23 were allocated for ASCT, and 25 were allocated for GO on an intention-to-treat basis. With a median follow-up of 70 months (range, 24 to 124), 20 of 55 patients are alive, 18 of them in continuous complete remission. The 8-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) are, respectively, 35.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 24% to 49.8%) and 31.2% (95% CI, 21% to 43.8%), median OS and DFS were 22 and 16 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, postconsolidation treatment and hyperleukocytosis (WBC > 50,000/μL) significantly predicted OS and DFS, whereas secondary AML was significantly associated with a higher relapse rate (83.4% versus 54% of de novo AML). Patients with hyperleukocytosis had 0% 3-year OS versus the 46% (at 8 years) in patients without hyperleukocytosis (P = .01); 57% of patients in the GO arm are alive at 8 years, compared with 25.4% of patients in the ASCT arm, who had an overall relative risk (RR) of death of 2.6 (95% CI, 1.2 to 5.8; P = .02). DFS at 8 years was 45.3% in patients receiving GO, compared with 26% in ASCT arm (RR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1 to 4.3; P = .05). Our study outlines low feasibility and efficacy of ASCT in elderly AML patients, whereas postconsolidation with GO appears safe and effective in this unfavorable setting. The study was registered at Umin Clinical Trial Registry (www.umin.ac.jp/ctr), number R000014052.

Arsenic Trioxide-Based Therapy Of Relapsed Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: Updated Results Of The European Registry Of Relapsed APL (PROMYSE)

Abstract Background Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is regarded as the treatment of choice for relapsed PML-RARA+ acute promyelocytic leukemia (rAPL). In 2008, a European online registry of rAPL based on uniform CRFs was established under the auspices of the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) to gain insights in the clinical and biological characteristics of rAPL treated with ATO and to allow an assessment of the different options for postconsolidation therapy. Methods Eligibility criteria for prospective or retrospective registration were PML-RARA+ 1st or successive molecular or clinical relapse of APL from the year 2003 onwards. The treatment should be based on the European recommendations for treatment of rAPL (www.leukemia-net.org/content/), which offer induction and consolidation therapy with ATO and several options for post-consolidation therapy including autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation or chemotherapy consolidation followed by various modifications of maintenance therapy ± ATO - to be selected depending on several variables including patient age, performance status, PCR status after consolidation, type of frontline therapy, first CR duration and donor availability. Results By 30 June 2013, of 220 registered cases, 198 were evaluable (172 in 1st, 26 in ≥2nd relapse). Of these, 149 patients (pts) in 1st relapse received ATO-based salvage therapy after standard frontline therapy based on all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and anthracyclines (98 hematological (hematol) relapses of bone marrow combined with CNS relapse in 5 pts, 40 molecular (mol), 11 isolated extramedullary, mainly CNS). Clinical characteristics: median age at relapse 44 years (y) (4 to 81), 67% males, Sanz Risk Score at 1st diagnosis: low 23%, intermediate 48% and high 29% of pts. Median duration of first remission was 565 d (105 d to 7.0 y). The median treatment duration of ATO (0,15 mg/kg/day) plus ATRA (44% of pts) for remission induction (ind) was 30 days (d) and for consolidation (cons) 25 d. CNS relapses received ATO and additional intrathecal chemotherapy ± irradiation. WBC white blood cell count; Leuko.: leukocytosis requiring hydroxyurea; ADS: APL differentiation syndrome; 1 median; 2 hematological; 3 RT-PCR of PML-RARA negative. In non-hematological relapses, no early deaths occurred and no major side effects of ATO were seen. Median follow up of the 149 pts was 2.8 y (6 d to 10 y). Three-year overall survival (OS) was 70%, 95%CI [61;79] and 6-year OS 56% [42;70]. Three-year OS of hematological, molecular and extramedullary relapse was 69% [58;80], 66% [48;84] and 90% [81;99], respectively (p=0.2). Concerning outcome after transplantation, 3-year OS after autologous was 82% [70;94] (n=55), after allogeneic 75% [58;92] (n=32) and without transplantation 66% [48;84] (n=55) (p=0.4). Conclusions With ATO-based salvage therapy over 50% of patients in 1st relapse of APL can probably be cured. Pts in molecular relapse have a lower rate of early complications and death. Long-term survival is possible with transplantation-free approaches, but transplantation seems to improve the outcome. Disclosures: Lengfelder: TEVA/ Cephalon: Research Funding. Lo-Coco:TEVA: Speakers Bureau.

A phase 3 study of gemtuzumab ozogamicin during induction and postconsolidation therapy in younger patients with acute myeloid leukemia

AbstractThis randomized phase 3 clinical trial evaluated the potential benefit of the addition of gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) to standard induction and postconsolidation therapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Patients were randomly assigned to receive daunorubicin (45 mg/m2 per day on days 1, 2, and 3), cytarabine (100 mg/m2 per day by continuous infusion on days 1–7), and GO (6 mg/m2 on day 4; DA+GO) vs standard induction therapy with daunorubicin (60 mg/m2 per day on days 1, 2, and 3) and cytarabine alone (DA). Patients who achieved complete remission (CR) received 3 courses of high-dose cytarabine. Those remaining in CR after consolidation were randomly assigned to receive either no additional therapy or 3 doses of GO (5 mg/m2 every 28 days). From August 2004 until August 2009, 637 patients were registered for induction. The CR rate was 69% for DA+GO and 70% for DA (P = .59). Among those who achieved a CR, the 5-year relapse-free survival rate was 43% in the DA+GO group and 42% in the DA group (P = .40). The 5-year overall survival rate was 46% in the DA+GO group and 50% in the DA group (P = .85). One hundred seventy-four patients in CR after consolidation underwent the postconsolidation randomization. Disease-free survival was not improved with postconsolidation GO (HR, 1.48; P = .97). In this study, the addition of GO to induction or postconsolidation therapy failed to show improvement in CR rate, disease-free survival, or overall survival. This trial is registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00085709.