Prognostic Scoring System Risk Category Research Articles

IDH1 Mutation Is an Independent Inferior Prognostic Indicator for Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Background: Genomic sequencing technologies have identified isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations in haematological malignancies. The prognostic implications of somatic IDH mutation (mIDH) in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) remain controversial. Methods: Mutations in IDH1 and IDH2 were detected using genomic sequencing technologies in 97 patients with MDS. Results: Seven (7.2%) mutations were identified: 3 in IDH1 (all R132C) and 4 in IDH2 (3 R140Q and 1 R140L). The frequency of mutation was 16.6% (2/12) in refractory anaemia with excess blasts (RAEB)-1 and 14.7% (5/34) in RAEB-2. IDH1/2 mutations were closely associated with higher bone marrow blast counts (median 10.0 vs. 2.3%; p = 0.019) and lower absolute neutrophil counts (median 0.44 × 10⁹/L vs. 1.21 × 10⁹/L; p = 0.027). All IDH mutations were mutually exclusive and heterozygous. IDH mutations were not significantly correlated with any specific karyotype. Patients with IDH1 mutations exhibited shorter overall and progression-free survival (OS and PFS; p = 0.039 and p = 0.042, respectively), whereas IDH2 mutations did not affect OS or PFS (p = 0.560 and p = 0.218, respectively). Multivariate analysis indicated that IDH1 mutation (p = 0.018; hazard ratio [HR] 4.735; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.299-17.264), karyotype risk (p = 0.036; HR 1.619; 95% CI 1.033-2.539) and the revised International Prognostic Scoring System risk category (p < 0.0001; HR 2.122; 95% CI 1.401-3.213) were independent inferior prognostic factors. Conclusions:IDH1 mutation is associated with a poor prognosis.

Risk factors and a prognostic model for postsplenectomy survival in myelofibrosis.

Palliative treatment in myelofibrosis (MF) includes transfusion support, JAK2 inhibitors, involved field radiotherapy and splenectomy. To assist in selecting patients who are likely to benefit from splenectomy, we looked into risk factors for postsplenectomy survival, in 120 consecutive cases (median age 66 years); at the time of splenectomy, 61% displayed red cell transfusion need, 49% platelet count <100 × 10(9)/L, 25% leukocyte count >25 × 10(9)/L, 60% constitutional symptoms and 13% circulating blasts ≥5%; dynamic international prognostic scoring system risk categories were 21% high, 55% intermediate-2, 21% intermediate-1 and 3% low. Among informative cases, karyotype was abnormal in 60% and driver mutational status was JAK2 75%, CALR 15%, MPL 4% and triple-negative 6%. At median follow-up of 1.3 years, from time of splenectomy, 95 (79%) deaths and 30 (25%) leukemic transformations were recorded. Median postsplenectomy survival was 1.5 years; in multivariable analysis, survival was adversely affected by age >65 years, transfusion need, leukocyte count >25 × 10(9)/L and circulating blasts ≥5%; these variables were subsequently used to devise an HR-weighted scoring system with high (3-4 risk factors), intermediate (2 risk factors) and low (0-1 risk factors) risk categories; the corresponding postsplenectomy median survivals were 0.3 (HR 5.9, 95% CI 3.2-11.0), 1.3 (HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.8-4.6) and 2.9 years. Postsplenectomy survival was not affected by driver mutational status or occurrence of leukemic transformation. Leukemia-free survival was predicted by very high risk karyotype. The observations from the current study might help identify appropriate candidates for splenectomy in MF.

Presentation and outcome of patients with 2016 WHO diagnosis of prefibrotic and overt primary myelofibrosis

AbstractThe 2016 revision of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of myeloproliferative neoplasms defines 2 stages of primary myelofibrosis (PMF): prefibrotic/early (pre-PMF) and overt fibrotic (overt PMF) phase. In this work, we studied the clinical and molecular features of patients belonging to these categories of PMF. The diagnosis of 661 PMF patients with a bone marrow biopsy at presentation was revised according to modern criteria; clinical information and annotation of somatic mutations in both driver and selected nondriver myeloid genes were available for all patients. Compared with pre-PMF, overt PMF was enriched in patients with anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, higher blast count, symptoms, large splenomegaly, and unfavorable karyotype. The different types of driver mutations were similarly distributed between the 2 categories, whereas selected mutations comprising the high mutation risk (HMR) category (any mutations in ASXL1, SRSF2, IDH1/2, EZH2) were more represented in overt PMF. More patients with overt PMF were in higher International Prognostic Scoring System risk categories at diagnosis, and the frequency increased during follow-up, suggesting greater propensity to disease progression compared with pre-PMF. Median survival was significantly shortened in overt PMF (7.2 vs 17.6 years), with triple negativity for driver mutations and presence of HMR mutations representing independent predictors of unfavorable outcome. The findings of this “real-life” study indicate that adherence to 2016 WHO criteria allows for identification of 2 distinct categories of patients with PMF where increased grades of fibrosis are associated with more pronounced disease manifestations, adverse mutation profile, and worse outcome, overall suggesting they might represent a phenotypic continuum.

Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1) mRNA Expression Level at Diagnosis Is a Significant Prognostic Marker in Elderly Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Background/Aims: A high expression of Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) mRNA occurs in most cases of acute leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Although there are many reports suggesting that acute myeloid leukemia patients with high expression levels of WT1 mRNA have a relatively poor long-term survival, there are few reports addressing the relationship between WT1 levels and prognosis in MDS. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 42 elderly patients with MDS whose WT1 levels at diagnosis were available, and we assessed the relationships between WT1 levels in peripheral blood and preexisting prognostic factors such as World Health Organization prognostic scores and Revised International Prognostic Scoring System risk categories, bone marrow blast percentages, and chromosomal abnormalities linked to a poor prognosis. We also evaluated the relationship between WT1 levels and prognosis. Results:WT1 levels were significantly different between high- and low-risk MDS patients (p < 0.05). There was a trend towards a significant difference between those with and those without poor prognostic chromosomal rearrangements (p = 0.051). Moreover, the overall survival and progression-free survival were significantly worse in elderly patients with higher levels of WT1 (p = 0.00039 and p = 0.00077, respectively). Conclusions: The WT1 mRNA expression level at diagnosis may be a significant independent prognostic marker for elderly patients with MDS.

Head-to-Head Comparison of 5-Azacitidine Versus Decitabine for the Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

AbstractAbstract 2843 IntroductionThe hypomethylating agents (HMAs) 5-azacitidine (AZA) and decitabine (DAC) provided significant overall response rates (40–60%) in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and improved the outcome of higher risk MDS. However, phase III trials comparing AZA or DAC to conventional treatment including best supportive care have shown discrepant results. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety between AZA and DAC in patients with MDS. MethodsWe evaluated 203 patients in lower risk with significant cytopenia and higher risk MDS who received AZA and 97 patients who received DAC in Korea between January 2004 and December 2011. AZA 75mg/m2/day was given subcutaneously for 7 days every 4 weeks. DAC 20mg/m2/day was given intravenously over one hour for 5 days every 4 weeks. We compared overall response rate (complete responses, partial responses, marrow complete responses, and hematologic improvements), overall survival (OS) and adverse outcomes with the use of propensity-score matching in the overall cohort according to HMAs. ResultsAmong 300 patients, propensity matching for the entire cohort created 97 matched pairs of patients. The International Prognostic Scoring System risk category was Intermediate-2/High in 40.2%. A median of 5 courses (range 1–24) were delivered in AZA and 5 courses (range 1–14) in DAC. In the overall matched cohort, there was no significant difference between AZA and DAC in overall response rate (44.2% vs. 52.1%, P=.28), OS (28 vs. 23 months; hazard ratio for AZA, 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75 to 1.72, P=.54) with a median follow-up duration of 29.6 months. Among the patient under 65, no significant differences were noted for OS between AZA and DAC group. Among the patient over 65, however, the patients who received DAC showed higher risk of death than those who received AZA with borderline significance (hazard ratio for AZA, 1.58; 95% CI 0.91 to 2.73, P=.10). The cumulative hazard of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was 16.3% in AZA and 21.9% in DAC at one year, and 32.2% in AZA and 55.3% in DAC at two year. The incidence of grade 3 & 4 neutropenia was significantly higher in DAC than AZA (P=.026). Among 1151 assessable treatment courses (604 in AZA, 547 in DAC), AZA group have less likely to experience fever episodes requiring intravenous antibiotics than DAC group (8.6 vs. 15.7 episodes per 100 courses; risk ratio, 0.55; P<.001). ConclusionsIn a cohort of patients in lower risk with significant cytopenia and higher risk MDS, AZA and DAC showed comparable efficacy in terms of overall response rate, OS and risk of transformation to AML. However, patients receiving DAC experienced more frequent grade 3 & 4 neutropenia and fever episodes than patient receiving AZA. When both AZA and DAC are available, safety profiles as well as treatment efficacy need to be considered. [Display omitted] [Display omitted] Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Outcome of 5-Azacitidine and Decitabine Treatment in Elderly Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome

AbstractAbstract 4959 Background:Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are heterogenous group of hematologic disorders broadly characterized by cytopenias associated with a dysmorphic and usually cellular bone marrow, and by consequent ineffective blood cell production. For patients with MDS an epigenetic therapy with hypomethylating agents is considered standard of care. We evaluated the outcome of 5-Azacitidine and Decitabine treatment in elderly patients with myelodysplastic syndrome in our veterans hospital. Method:For analysis, patients were included if they were > 60 years, had morphological evidence of MDS per bone marrow examination at the time of diagnosis and were treated with either hypomethylating agent, 5-azacitidine and decitabine. The patients received 5-azacitidine 75mg/m2, d1–7 or decitabine 20mg/m2, d1–5 at four weeks interval. The primary end point was overall response rate. Results:A total of 25 patients were analyzed. Median age was 68 years (range 61–81 years). 9(36%) patients had received 5-azacitidine and 16(64%) patients had received decitabine. The International Prognostic Scoring System risk category was Intermediate-2/High in 44%. A median of 5 courses (range 1–16) were delivered and 60%(15/25) patients were treated 4 cycles over. The overall response rate was 59%. Patients who showed response (CR+PR+HI) had significantly longer overall survival than those who did not (30 months vs 5months, p=0. 01). With a median follow-up duration of 12 months, median overall survival was 14. 7 months. The difference in overall survival was evident in the Intermediate-2/High risk group but not in the Intermediate-1 risk group. However, the difference between 5-azacitidine and decitabine group was not stastically significant. Conclusion:In our study, both 5-azacitidine and decitabine were feasible and effective in elderly patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. The overall survival was significantly longer in patients showing response. There were needed additional large-scale prospective studies. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Differential prognostic effect of IDH1 versus IDH2 mutations in myelodysplastic syndromes: a Mayo Clinic Study of 277 patients

Unlike the case with acute myeloid leukemia, there is limited information on the prognostic impact of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). In the current study of 277 patients with MDS, IDH mutations were detected in 34 (12%) cases: 26 IDH2 (all R140Q) and 8 IDH1 (6 R132S and 2 R132C). Mutational frequency was 4% (2 of 56) in refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts, 12% (16 of 130) in refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia, 14% (2 of 14) in MDS-unclassifiable, 14% (6 of 42) in refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB)-1 and 23% (8 of 35) in RAEB-2. Normal karyotype was noted in all but one IDH1-mutated cases and 13 IDH2-mutated cases. Multivariable analysis identified presence of mutant IDH1 (P=0.0004; hazard ration 4.0, 95% confidence interval 1.9-8.8), revised International Prognostic Scoring System risk category (P<0.0001), and red cell transfusion need (P=0.002) as independent predictors of inferior survival. In a similar multivariable analysis, mutant IDH1 was the only variable associated with shortened leukemia-free survival (P=0.001; hazard ration 7.0, 95% confidence interval 2.3-20.8). The presence of IDH2R140Q did not affect the overall (P=0.54) or leukemia-free (P=0.81) survival. The current study suggests a powerful adverse prognostic effect for mutant IDH1 in MDS.

A prospective multicenter observational study of decitabine treatment in Korean patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

Decitabine was evaluated for its efficacy and safety in Korean patients with myelodysplastic syndrome with IPSS score of 0.5 or over. Decitabine 20 mg/m(2)/day was given intravenously over one hour for five consecutive days every four weeks. The primary end point was overall response rate. A total of 101 patients were analyzed. The International Prognostic Scoring System risk category was Intermediate-2/High in 47.5%. A median of 5 courses (range 1-18) were delivered. The overall response rate was 55.4% (13 complete responses, one partial response, 23 marrow complete responses, and 19 hematologic improvements). Forty-eight patients (47.5%) showed some hematologic improvement. With a median follow-up duration of 478 days (range 69-595), median overall survival was 17.7 months. Patients who showed hematologic improvement had significantly longer overall survival than those who did not (19.2 vs. 15.9 months, P=0.006 by landmark analysis at six months). The difference in overall survival was evident in the Intermediate-2/High risk group but not in the Intermediate-1 risk group. The progression-free survival and acute myeloid leukemia-free survival were 61.9% and 77.9% at one year, respectively. Among 489 assessable treatment courses, there were 97 fever episodes requiring intravenous antimicrobials. Decitabine treatment was feasible and effective in Korean patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, and the overall survival was significantly longer in patients showing hematologic improvement.

Arsenic Trioxide in Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndromes: A Phase II Multicenter Study

Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of arsenic trioxide in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). MDS patients diagnosed according to standard French-American-British criteria received a loading dose of 0.3 mg/kg per day of arsenic trioxide for 5 days followed by a maintenance dose of 0.25 mg/kg arsenic trioxide twice weekly for 15 weeks. Patients were divided into two cohorts: lower-risk MDS (International Prognostic Scoring System risk category low or intermediate 1) and higher-risk MDS (International Prognostic Scoring System risk category intermediate 2 or high). Modified International Working Group criteria were used for response evaluation. Of 115 patients enrolled and treated in the study, 67% of patients were transfusion dependent at baseline; median age was 68 years. Most treatment-related adverse events were mild to moderate. The overall rate of hematologic improvement (intent-to-treat) was 24 (19%) of 115, including one complete and one partial response in the higher-risk cohort. The hematologic response rates were 13 (26%) of 50 and 11 (17%) of 64 in patients with lower-risk and higher-risk MDS, respectively. Major responses were observed in all three hematologic lineages; 16% of RBC transfusion-dependent patients and 29% of platelet transfusion-dependent patients became transfusion independent. At data cut off, the median response duration was 3.4 months, with responses ongoing in nine patients. Arsenic trioxide treatment consisting of an initial loading dose followed by maintenance therapy has moderate activity in MDS, inducing hematologic responses in both lower- and higher-risk patients. This activity combined with a manageable adverse effect profile warrants the additional study of arsenic trioxide, particularly in combination therapy, for the treatment of patients with MDS.

Phase II Multicenter Study of Arsenic Trioxide in Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndromes

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of arsenic trioxide monotherapy in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Patients received arsenic trioxide (0.25 mg/kg/d) on 5 consecutive days per week for 2 weeks, followed by 2 weeks' rest (one cycle). Two patient cohorts were established according to International Prognostic Scoring System risk category: lower-risk (low or intermediate-1) or higher-risk MDS (intermediate-2 or high). For lower-risk MDS, hematologic improvement (HI) was the primary response end point. For higher-risk MDS, additional end points included complete or partial remission. Based on the expected time to response, patients receiving two or more cycles were prospectively evaluated. Hematologic adverse events included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and febrile neutropenia. Two patients died during the study due to treatment-related toxicities. Most common grade 3/4 nonhematologic events were pneumonia, fatigue, hemorrhage, pain, and dyspnea. Among patients who received one or more doses (n = 70) or completed two or more cycles (n = 51), the HI rates were 34% and 39% in lower-risk patients, and 6% and 9% in higher-risk patients, respectively; the overall major HI rates were 20% and 22%. One higher-risk patient achieved a complete remission (3%). Major HIs were observed in all hematologic lineages; erythroid responses were the most common. Transfusion independence or reduction by > or = 50% occurred in 33% of patients dependent on RBC transfusions. The overall median duration of HI was 6.8 months (range, 2 to 40 months). Arsenic trioxide monotherapy has moderate activity against MDS, with a manageable adverse effect profile. The further study of arsenic trioxide in MDS, particularly in combination with other agents, is warranted.

High-dose chemotherapy in high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome: covariate-adjusted comparison of five regimens.

Antileukemic chemotherapy has been used for two decades to treat high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (refractory anemia with excess of blasts [RAEB] and RAEB in transformation into acute leukemia [RAEB-t]) patients. Because the results of standard regimens have been disappointing, high-dose chemotherapeutic regimens were investigated recently. In the absence of randomized trials, the relative merits of various treatment regimens are unknown. The authors analyzed the outcome for 394 newly diagnosed patients treated between 1991 and 1999 with five regimens consisting of intermediate- or high-dose cytosine arabinoside (A) in combination with idarubicin (I), and introduced cyclophosphamide (C) and the new agents fludarabine (F) and topotecan (T) into new combinations with A. In addition to defining the role of high-intensity chemotherapy in the overall outcome for patients with RAEB-t and RAEB, the authors determined the relative merits of the five regimens (IA, FA, FAI, TA, and CAT), accounting for the nonrandom distribution of the prognostic covariates. The overall complete response (CR) rate of 58% was significantly associated with karyotype, performance status (PS), treatment in the laminar air flow room, duration of antecedent hematologic disorder and age, but not French-American-British or International Prognostic Scoring System risk categories. Multivariate analysis did not identify statistically significant differences in CR rates obtained with each regimen. Induction death rates increased with age with all but the TA regimen; they were lowest with TA (5.4%) and highest with FAI (20.7%), and these differences were significant in patients older than 65 years. The trend for time to death was the same as for time to recurrence in all groups. Multivariate analysis of time to death identified treatment regimen (FA, FAI, and CAT), cytogenetic status (-5/-7), increasing age, and PS greater than 2 as significant independent unfavorable prognostic factors. After prognostic variables were accounted for, survival with IA treatment remained superior to that of FA and FAI but comparable to TA, and CR duration was only marginally shorter with FA. Landmark analysis showed the overall survival of responders to be superior to that of nonresponders, the difference remaining significant after adjustment for prognostic covariates. Although the newer regimens did not improve outcome, TA and CAT produced results comparable to those of IA and may be considered treatment alternatives. The TA regimen was particularly effective in RAEB patients and could be delivered safely, with low induction mortality. Our results indicated that although CR seemed associated with survival advantage, innovative post-remission managements represent a challenge because improvement in outcome is not likely to come from intensified therapy.