Transplantation In First Remission Research Articles

Disparities in Somatic Mutations and Outcomes in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Comparing Patients of Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Ethnicity

Background: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is characterized by frequent MYD88 L265P activating mutations, biallelic CDKN2A loss, and mutations in CD79B, PIM1, and CARD11. However, the extent to which mutations vary by ethnicity is unknown. The purpose of this study is to describe differences in genetic mutations and survival between PCNSL patients of different ethnicities. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients ≥ 18 years with PCNSL diagnosed between January 2011- December 2020 and treated at UCSF-Fresno and University of Oklahoma. Next generation sequencing was performed on Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded tissue. We examined mutations in 434 genes by DNA analysis and 1408 genes by RNA analysis. Sequencing was performed using an Illumina NextSeq 550 system platform. The clinical data including age, sex, ethnicity, race, ECOG performance status, number and location of lesions, HIV status, LDH, protein in the CSF, and treatment regimens were reviewed. Treatment response was assessed by MRI using the international consensus group response criteria. Comparison of patient characteristics and rate of genetic alterations between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic patients was done using the Fisher exact test or Chi-square test. Time-to-event analyses were conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method and were compared by a log-rank test. Univariate analyses were performed via the Cox proportional hazards model. Analysis was performed with STATA version 16.0. Results: Among the 51 patients analyzed, the median age was 61. 54% were males and 43% were Hispanic. 13% had HIV, 27% had deep brain involvement, and 58% had non-germinal center (non-GC) type per Hans Criteria. 81% of Hispanic patients had non-GC vs 41% non-Hispanic (P=0.006). There was no statistically significant difference in age, performance status, HIV status, deep brain involvement, or CSF involvement between Hispanic non-Hispanic patients. 90% of patients received systemic chemotherapy for initial treatment, with 41% receiving high dose Methotrexate, Rituximab and Temozolomide. No patients received autologous stem cell transplant in first remission. 90% Hispanic Vs 89% Non-Hispanic received systemic chemotherapy (P=0.447). 29 patients (56%) achieved complete response (CR)/unconfirmed complete response (CRu). 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 67.4%, and 2-year overall survival (OS) was 55% for all patients. 177 genetic alterations were detected with the most common being MYD88, CD79B, TET2, PIM1, ETV6 and TP53 (table). Hispanic patients, compared with non-Hispanic patients, had a lower rate of MYD88 mutation (40.9% vs 72.4%, P=0.024) and TP53 mutation (0.0% vs 24.1%, P=0.001). 2-year PFS in Hispanics was 40% vs 30% in non-Hispanics (P=0.526) and 2-year OS in Hispanics was 0.63% vs 0.33% in non-Hispanics (P=0.05). In univariate analysis, age and genetic alterations (MYD88, CD79B, TET2, PIM1 and ETV6) were not associated with significant differences in 2-year PFS or OS. Performance status (ECOG ≤ 2), negative CSF cytology, and treatment with multi-agent chemotherapy rather than high dose Methotrexate alone were associated with better 2-yr OS. Conclusions: We identified highly recurrent genetic alterations in PCNSL. Our data suggest that some heterogeneity in the most frequent mutations in PCNSL may be related to ethnicity. Hispanic patients in our study have better 2-year OS; however, the data is limited by the retrospective analysis and the small patient number. Further studies on a larger patient population are warranted to evaluate genetic heterogeneity in different ethnic groups and effect of ethnicity and socio- economic status on outcomes in patients with PCNSL Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Intensified cytarabine dose during consolidation in adult AML patients under 65 years is not associated with survival benefit: real-world data from the German SAL-AML registry

PurposeHigher doses of cytarabine appear to improve long-term outcome in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), in particular for younger patients. To this end, the optimal dosage of single-agent cytarabine in consolidation therapy remains elusive. Here, we assessed the impact of different dosages of cytarabine consolidation after 7 + 3 induction on outcome in a large real-world data set from the German Study Alliance Leukemia-Acute Myeloid Leukemia (SAL-AML) registry.MethodsPatients between 18 and 64 years of age, registered between April 2005 and September 2020, who attained complete remission after intensive induction and received at least one consolidation cycle with intermediate (IDAC) or high-dose cytarabine (HiDAC) were selected. To account for differences in patient and disease characteristics between both groups, the average treatment effect was estimated by propensity score weighting.ResultsSix-hundred-forty-two patients received HiDAC consolidation with median dosage of 17.6 (IQR (interquartile range), 16.5–18.0) g/m2 for a median number of 3 cycles (IQR, 2–3), whereas 178 patients received IDAC consolidation with 5.9 (IQR, 5.7–8.6) g/m2 for a median of 2 cycles (IQR, 1–3). Both groups differed significantly in some important characteristics (age, sex, cytogenetic risk group, ECOG performance status, disease status, HCT-CI, number of induction cycles). After propensity score weighting for differences in patient and disease characteristics, relapse-free survival after 2 years was comparable between HiDAC-treated (55.3%) and IDAC-treated (55.6%) patients (HR = 0.935, p = 0.69). Moreover, no significant differences in overall survival were observed after 2 years (84.7 vs. 80.6%, HR = 1.101, p = 0.65). Notably, more patients treated with IDAC received allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in first remission (37.6 vs. 19.8%, p < 0.001). Censoring for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in first remission revealed no significant survival difference with regard to cytarabine dosage. Considering only of European LeukemiaNet (ELN) favorable-risk AML patients, there was no significant difference in outcome. Of note, significantly more patients treated with HiDAC suffered from ≥ 3 CTCAE infectious complications (56.7 [95%-CI 52.8–60.6%] vs. 44.1% [95%-CI 36.6–51.7%]; p = 0,004). The rate of other ≥ 3 CTCAE non-hematological toxicities and secondary malignancies was comparable in both treatment groups.ConclusionsThis retrospective analysis suggests no significant benefit of high-dose cytarabine compared to intermediate dosages in consolidation for AML patients under 65 years of age, independent of ELN risk group.Trial registrationNCT03188874.

Management of Peripheral T-cell Lymphomas and the Role of Transplant.

Here, we review the management of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, particularly focusing on the role of autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplant. Peripheral T-cell lymphomas are a rare subset of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas that are treated with curative intent. While therapy has been based on other aggressive lymphoid malignancies, outcomes are generally poorer than B-cell lymphomas with 5-year overall and progression-free survival of 30-40% and 20-30%, respectively. In effort to improve outcomes, transplant has been used in both the frontline and salvage settings. Although not studied in randomized studies, consolidation with autologous stem cell transplant in first remission has been associated with an approximate 5-year overall survival of 50-60% and 5-year progression-free survival of 40-45%. Unfortunately, most patients relapse, and, in this setting, allogeneic transplant remains the only curative option for those who are transplant-eligible. Multiple series have now shown that 3-year overall survival with allogeneic transplant is approximately 60%. However, outcomes with transplant are associated with disease control at the time of transplant. In contrast to B-cell malignancies, treatment decisions for peripheral T-cell lymphomas are supported mostly by phase II studies, retrospective series, and expert opinion. For patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma able to achieve sufficient disease control, autologous stem cell transplantation in first remission and allogeneic stem cell transplantation in relapsed disease offer modest benefit over chemotherapy alone.

Nelarabine-induced rhabdomyolysis in a patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a case report

BackgroundNelarabine is an antineoplastic purine analog used for the treatment of refractory or relapsed T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). The most prominent side effect of nelarabine are neurotoxicity and hematologic disorder, which are considered dose-limiting factors. Although clinical studies have reported myopathy due to nelarabine, actual detailed outcomes were not well-known initial approval. The incidence of nelarabine induced rhabdomyolysis has been reported at 2% in study in children. Cases of rhabdomyolysis have been reported in adults from medical facilities in the United Sates with renal dysfunction or severe muscle symptoms after administration of multiple courses of nelarabine. In this report, we discuss a case of rhabdomyolysis diagnosed after a single course of nelarabine. In this case, creatine kinase (CK) level was elevated in grade 4, without renal dysfunction and severe muscle symptoms.Case presentationA 46-year-old man from Japan was diagnosed with T-ALL and received a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in first remission. However, the disease relapsed 6 months after transplantation. Nelarabine was selected as the next-line chemotherapeutic agent. The patient received 1500 mg/m2 of nelarabine on day 1 followed by a dose on days 3 and 5. CK levels, which were baseline before treatment, increased to grade 4 (18,620 IU/L) on the 8th day of treatment. He was diagnosed as rhabdomyolysis due to nelarabine with little possibility of other factors. He complained only of mild pain in his upper extremities and no other symptoms were noticed. The patient was managed with hydration. The pain lasted approximately 7 days, but there were no sequelae secondary to the rhabdomyolysis. Because of the elevation of CK in grade 4, we avoided re-administration.ConclusionIn the patient administrated nelarabine, CK level was elevated in grade 4, without other symptoms of rhabdomyolysis. The results suggest that CK may be elevated at the onset of rhabdomyolysis caused by nelarabine, even in the absence of other symptoms. Therefore, it was suggested that monitoring CK during nelarabine administration is important for detecting rhabdomyolysis before it becomes severe. We consider that CK should be monitored even in absence of symptoms.

A phase II study of hyper-CVAD with sequential blinatumomab (Blina), with or without inotuzumab ozogamicin (INO), in adults with newly diagnosed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

7034 Background: Blina and INO are highly effective in relapsed/refractory B-cell ALL and are associated with high rates of measurable residual disease (MRD) clearance. Use of these agents in the frontline setting may improve outcomes. Methods: Patients (pts) 14-59 years of age with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative B-cell ALL, including pts who had received no more than 1 prior cycle of chemotherapy, were eligible. Pts received hyper-CVAD alternating with high-dose MTX/Ara-C for up to 4 cycles, followed by 4 cycles of Blina. Pts with CD20+ disease received 8 doses of an anti-CD20 antibody. Eight doses of IT chemotherapy were given. Maintenance was with alternating blocks of POMP (maintenance cycles 1-3, 5-7, 9-11, and 13-15) and Blina (maintenance cycles 4, 8, and 12). Beginning with pt #39, INO at a dose of 0.3 mg/m2 on day 1 and 8 was added to the 2 cycles of MTX/Ara-C and to 2 cycles of Blina (4 total cycles with INO). Results: Characteristics of the 58 treated pts (38 without INO and 20 with INO) are summarized in Table. Among 45 pts with active disease at study entry, 100% achieved CR. Overall, 76% achieved MRD negativity by flow cytometry after induction and 95% at any time over the course of therapy. The median follow-up of the entire cohort is 26 months (range, 3-61+ months). Overall, 5 pts (9%) relapsed, 18 (31%) underwent transplant in first remission (including an additional 2 pts who relapsed post-transplant), 2 (3%) died in CR, and 33 (57%) remain in continuous remission without transplant. All relapses occurred in pts with established poor-risk features and no relapses have occurred beyond 2 years. For the entire cohort, the estimated 3-year OS is 85% and the 3-year continuous remission duration is 84%. No relapses or deaths have occurred in the INO group, and the estimated 1-year OS is 100%. Treatment was overall well-tolerated. One patient discontinued Blina due to recurrent grade 2 neurotoxicity. No pts have discontinued INO due to toxicity and no cases of veno-occlusive disease have been observed. Conclusions: Hyper-CVAD with sequential Blina is highly effective as frontline treatment of Ph-negative B-cell ALL. The addition of INO to this regimen was safe and early results are encouraging, with no relapses observed to date. Clinical trial information: NCT01371630. [Table: see text]

Prediction of survival with intensive chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia.

Progress with intensive chemotherapy and supportive care measures has improved survival in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Predicting outcome helps in treatment decision making. We analyzed survival as the treatment endpoint in 3728 patients with newly diagnosed AML treated with intensive chemotherapy from 1980 to 2021. We divided the total study group (3:1 basis) into a training (n=2790) and a validation group (n=938). The associations between survival and 27 characteristics were investigated. In the training cohort, the multivariate analysis identified 12 consistent adverse prognostic variables independently associated with worse survival: older age, therapy-related myeloid neoplasm, worse performance status, cardiac comorbidity, leukocytosis, anemia, thrombocytopenia, elevated creatinine and lactate dehydrogenase, cytogenetic abnormalities, and the presence of infection at diagnosis except fever of unknown origin. We categorized patients into four prognostic groups, favorable (7%), intermediate (43%), poor (39%), and very poor (11%) with estimated 5-year survival rates of 69%, 36%, 13%, and 3% respectively (p < .001). The predictive model was validated in an independent cohort. In a subset of patients with molecular mutation profiles, adding the mutation profiles after accounting for the effects of previous factors identified NPM1 (favorable), PTPN11, and TP53 (both unfavorable) mutations as molecular prognostic factors. The new proposed predictive model for survival with intensive chemotherapy in patients with AML is robust and can be used to advise patients regarding their prognosis, to modify therapy in remission (e.g., proposing allogeneic stem cell transplantation in first remission), and to compare outcome and benefits on future investigational therapies.

Intensified Cytarabine Dose during Consolidation Therapy in AML Patients Under 65 Years Is Not Associated with Survival Benefit

▪Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by a high relapse rate, indicating insufficient clearance of leukemia-initiating cells. Depending on genetic risk stratification, consolidating chemotherapy proves to significantly reduce the risk of relapse. In particular, in younger AML patients higher dosage of cytarabine appears to improve long-term outcome, while there is no apparent benefit of multiagent combination, compared to cytarabine monotherapy. However, to this end the optimal dosage of single agent cytarabine in consolidation therapy after 7+3 remission induction remains elusive.Methods: Here, we retrospectively assessed the impact of different dosages of cytarabine consolidation on outcome in a large real-world data set from the German Study Alliance Leukemia-Acute Myeloid Leukemia (SAL-AML) registry. Patients below 65 years of age, registered between April 2005 and September 2020 with non-acute promyelocytic leukemia, who attained complete remission after intensive induction and received at least one consolidation cycle with intermediate (IDAC) or high dose cytarabine (HiDAC) were selected. To account for differences in patient and disease characteristics between both groups, the average treatment effect was estimated by propensity score weighting.Results: 642 patients received HiDAC consolidation with a median dosage of 5794.88 (IQR, 4745.48-5971.56) mg/m 2/d with a median number of 3 cycles (IQR, 2-3), whereas 178 patients received IDAC consolidation with 1946.16 (IQR, 1869.51-2469.15) mg/m 2/d with a median of 2 cycles (IQR, 1-3). IDAC-treated patients showed in average a higher age (median (IQR) 58.5 (49-62) years vs. 50 (41-56) years) and more comorbidities with 43.8% having an HCT-CI score of 2-4, compared to 22.3% among HiDAC-treated patients. Alongside, significantly more secondary (5.1% vs. 3.1%) and therapy-related (12.4% vs. 4.1%) AML as well as more adverse (14.5% vs. 6.5%) and less favorable (40.6% vs. 56%) genetic risk features according to ELN 2017 risk classification were found among IDAC-treated patients. After propensity score weighting for differences in patient and disease characteristics, overall survival after 5 years was comparable between HiDAC-treated (71.1 %) and IDAC-treated (67.7%) patients. Moreover, no significant differences in relapse-free survival were observed after 5 years (47.4 vs. 45.2%). Notably, more patients treated with IDAC received allogeneic stem cell transplantation in first remission (37.6 vs. 19.8%) while significantly more HiDAC-treated patients underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation in relapse (30.8 vs. 20.2%). Censoring for allogeneic stem cell transplantation in first remission revealed no significant survival difference with regard to cytarabine dosage. Considering only ELN favorable risk AML patients, there was no difference in 5-years overall (80.5% vs. 83.9%) nor relapse-free (57.7% vs. 56.8%) survival. Of note, significantly more patients treated with HiDAC suffered from ≥3 CTCAE infectious complications (56.7 vs. 44.1%), which was more striking in patients above 50 years of age. The rate of other ≥3 CTCAE non-hematological toxicities and secondary malignancies was comparable in both treatment groups.Conclusion: This retrospective analysis suggests no significant benefit of high dose cytarabine compared to intermediate dosages in consolidation for AML patients under 65 years of age, independent of ELN risk group. DisclosuresKrause: Siemens: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; art-tempi: Honoraria; Kosmas: Honoraria; Gilead: Other: travel support; Abbvie: Other: travel support. Schliemann: Philogen S.p.A.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Other: travel grants; Astellas: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Boehringer-Ingelheim: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Other: travel grants; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy. Haenel: Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria; GSK: Consultancy; Bayer Vital: Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria. Brummendorf: Takepart Media: Honoraria; Repeat Diagnostics: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; Bristol Myers: Research Funding. Fransecky: Abbvie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Medac: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Einsele: Janssen, Celgene/BMS, Amgen, GSK, Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Held: MSD: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Acortech Biopharma: Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Platzbecker: Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene/BMS: Honoraria; AbbVie: Honoraria; Geron: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Baldus: Amgen: Honoraria; Celgene/BMS: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Jazz: Honoraria. Mueller-Tidow: Janssen Cilag: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bioline: Consultancy, Research Funding.

Nonmyeloablative Allogeneic Transplantation in First Remission for Philadelphia Chromosome-Negative B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with Post-Transplantation Cyclophosphamide: Outcomes By Receipt of Pre-Transplant Blinatumomab

Nonmyeloablative Allogeneic Transplantation in First Remission for Philadelphia Chromosome-Negative B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with Post-Transplantation Cyclophosphamide: Outcomes By Receipt of Pre-Transplant Blinatumomab

Machine Learning of Genomic Factors in 1,961 Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Identifies Patients with Very Good or Very Poor Prognosis Who Do Not Benefit from Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant in First Remission

Genomic profiling contributes to assessment of suitability for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT) in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). The ELN 2017 AML risk classification identifies patients with favorable, intermediate and adverse risk (Döhner 2017). We have used supervised machine learning (ML) to prognostically risk stratify patients with AML and explore whether prognostic groups benefit from alloHCT in first complete remission (CR1) based on pre-treatment stratification.1961 patients were identified across the German Acute Myeloid Leukemia Study Group (AMLSG, n=1315) and National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH, n=646) who had sufficient cytogenetic and genomic information available including the ELN 2017 cytogenetic and genomic abnormalities, spliceosome, cohesin complex and the fifteen most common genomic alterations from the Cancer Genome Atlas dataset (Ley 2013). A supervised machine learning model within R (version 4.1.0) employed a combination of random forest analysis (utilising the RandomForestSRC module version 2.11.0) and recursive partitioning (utilising the Rpart module version 4.1-15) to identify prognostic groups categorised into quintiles based upon 4-year overall survival (OS) into very poor, poor, intermediate, good and very good prognostic groups (A). Outcome according to alloHCT in CR1 was then determined by a time-dependent analysis comparing patients who in CR1 who did/or did not receive an alloHCT and were alive at 147 days (median time to transplant in the cohort). The prognostic groups were then validated against a separate AML cohort (Montreal Leucegene cohort)Patients defined by ML classification (figure 1A) to have very poor risk included patients with complex karyotype and either -7, del(7q), -17, del(17p), abn(17p) or TP53 mutations; EVI1 abnormalities (inv(3)/t(3;3)) and combined spliceosome and ASXL1 mutations. These patients had a very poor outcome irrespective of alloHCT in CR1 with a 4yr OS of 13% vs 15% (p=0.24) (alloHCT vs no-alloHCT). Patients with the combination of bi-allelic CEBPA and NRAS mutations, or the combination of NPM1, NRAS and Cohesin mutations had very good prognosis and failed to derive survival benefit from alloHCT in CR1 (4yr OS 80% vs 96% (p<0.05)) (figure 1B). Patients with either good, intermediate and poor prognosis all demonstrated improvement in OS with alloHCT in CR1 (good prognosis 90% vs 74% (p<0.05), intermediate 65% vs 50%mo (p<0.05) and poor 50% vs 31% (p<0.05)(figure 1B).ML AML classification defines two groups of patients who may not benefit from an alloHCT in CR1. Patients with very good prognosis may avoid the toxicity associated with transplantation with expectation of equivalent outcomes to those in receipt of alloHCT. Patients with very poor prognosis also fail to derive survival benefit from transplantation and represent candidates for novel post-remission strategies to improve the natural history of their disease. As this data predates the usage of FLT3 inhibitors and other novel therapies such as liposomal cytarabine/daunorubicin the impact of these therapies on patient outcome will warrant future consideration. [Display omitted] DisclosuresFleming: Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Servier: Honoraria. Döhner: AstraZeneca: Honoraria; GEMoaB: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Helsinn: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria; Agios: Honoraria, Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Berlin-Chemie: Honoraria; Astex Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Astellas: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Research Funding; Oxford Biomedica: Honoraria; Pfizer: Research Funding. Döhner: Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Jazz Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Advisory Board; Astellas: Research Funding; Agios and Astex: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria, Other: Advisory Board; Celgene/BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Papaemmanuil: Isabl Technologies: Divested equity in a private or publicly-traded company in the past 24 months; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma: Consultancy. Tien: AbbVie: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria. Reynolds: Abbvie: Research Funding; Alcon: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Novartis AG: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Wei: Abbvie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Celgene/BMS, Novartis, Servier and F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Research Funding; Abbvie, Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Celgene/BMS, Genentech, Janssen, MacroGenics, Novartis, Pfizer, and Servier: Honoraria; Former employee of Walter and Eliza Hall Institute: Patents & Royalties: Prof. Andrew Wei is a former employee of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and is eligible for a fraction of the royalty stream related to Venetoclax; Novartis, Abbvie, Celgene/BMS: Speakers Bureau; Abbvie, Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Celgene/BMS, Genentech, Janssen, MacroGenics, Novartis, Pfizer, and Servier: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Servier: Consultancy.

Clofarabine-Based Chemotherapy for KMT2Ar Infantile Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Rearrangements in KMT2A (KMT2Ar) are associated with pediatric, adult and therapy-induced acute leukemias. Infants with KMT2Ar acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have a poor prognosis, with an event-free-survival (EFS) of 33.6-36.9%. In the context of the remarkable improvements in the treatment of childhood ALL, the dismal outcome of infantile KMT2Ar ALL and the lack of any significant progress for more than two decades are striking . The St. Jude Total Therapy 16 study (the most recently reported study of a program for childhood ALL that begun in 1962) yielded a 5-year EFS of 88.2% overall. Total 16 enrolled all subtypes of newly diagnosed pediatric ALL patients including infants, with intensity of treatment adapted to presenting clinical and genomic features, and early treatment response as determined by minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD). KMT2Ar infants were treated on an intensified high-risk arm and received clofarabine in combination with cyclophosphamide and etoposide (CCE) at two points during treatment: Induction days 22-25 and Reinduction I. Infants who lacked KMT2Ar and KMT2Ar patients who were one year of age or older received the same risk-directed treatment plan given to all other patients enrolled on study. A total of 28 patients with KMT2Ar were enrolled on Total 16; the 19 patients > 1 year of age received standard-risk therapy, and the 9 patients < 1 year of age received high-risk therapy on the infant arm with CCE. The probabilities of 5-year EFS and overall survival in KMT2Ar patients > 1 year of age and those < 1 year of age were 73.3% vs. 44.4% (p=0.071) and 84.2% vs. 55.6% (p=0.060), respectively. Six of the nine infants were MRD-positive on Induction day 15 prior to CCE (MRD-positive range, 0.012% to 13.7%; median, 2.13%) with MRD negative status (<0.01%) achieved post CCE in six of the eight patients with data (MRD was 0.011% and 0.07% in the remaining two patients). The trend towards superior outcomes in older KMT2Ar patients was not due to a lower incidence of relapse, as the 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse was 26.7% in patients > 1 year of age and 12.5% for those < 1 year of age (p=0.454). Five infants remain alive (four in CR1, one in CR2), while four expired in CR1. Three deaths were secondary to infection, including a multi-drug resistant soft tissue bacterial infection during Induction days 1-21, a respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia during Reinduction II, and a chronic parainfluenza 3 infection during Continuation weeks 70-101 that led to chronic pneumonitis and interstitial fibrosis. The fourth patient developed grade 5 pulmonary hypertension following induction, a complication potentially compounded by their presenting WBC count of 905 x 10 9/L and pulmonary leukostasis. A comparison of 3-year cumulative risk of selected major toxic effects of treatment revealed that high-risk infants had a lower incidence of asparaginase allergic reactions, osteonecrosis, hyperglycemia, and pancreatitis; in contrast, the incidence of fever and neutropenia, hepatic toxicity and seizures, was similar in high-risk patients regardless of age. Infants had a higher risk of thrombosis (46.7% vs. 23.1%, p<0.001) and of severe infection (70% vs. 19.7%, p<0.001). To further study the contribution of clofarabine to severe infections, we looked at the incidence in high-risk patients > 1 year of age that received one or more clofarabine-containing Reintensification chemotherapy cycles prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplant in first remission (CR1). This revealed a higher frequency of infections in infants, suggesting a greater susceptibility to this complication independent from clofarabine exposure (mean number of episodes, 2.39 vs. 1, p<0.001, Poisson regression modeling). In conclusion, treatment of infants with KMT2Ar ALL with chemotherapy including high-intensity clofarabine leads to a lower cumulative incidence of relapse but a higher risk of treatment-related mortality. Severe infections were a major cause of morbidity and mortality. DisclosuresGruber: Kura Oncology: Consultancy. Coustan-Smith: Juno Therapeutics: Patents & Royalties; Nkarta Therapeutics: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company; Medisix Therapeutics: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Campana: Nkarta Therapeutics: Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company; Medisix Therapeutics: Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company; Juno: Other: patent licensing payments; Juno Therapeutics (a Bristol-Myers Squibb company),: Other: patents on methods for minimal residual disease detection.. Evans: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Emeritus Member (began Jan 2021): Ended employment in the past 24 months; BioSkryb, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Scientific Advisory Board, Chair: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Pui: Adaptive Biotechnologies: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Other: Data Monitoring Committee.

Frontline Venetoclax (ven) Based Combination Therapy in Older Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treated in the Real-World Setting; A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Study

Introduction: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a disease of the older population, with a median age at diagnosis of 68 years. Outcomes remain poor for patients (pts) older than 60 years of age who are unfit to receive intensive chemotherapy. Ven based combination therapy has become the standard of care based on the results of the Viale-A and Viale-C in combination with hypomethylating agents (HMA) or low dose cytarabine (LDAC), respectively. This combination therapy is myelosuppressive leading to multiple dose adjustments in the real-world setting, which may impact the validity of the trial responses and overall survival (OS) in a community-based practice. We therefore sought to investigate the outcomes of pts treated with ven based combination therapy in the real-world setting to better understand efficacy and patterns of adverse events.Methods: Pts 65 years of age or older, diagnosed with AML on or after January 1, 2019, and who received frontline ven based combination therapy with azacitidine (aza), decitabine (dac) or LDAC were identified in the COTA real-world database. The COTA database is a USA-based dataset comprised of longitudinal, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant data on the diagnosis, clinical management, and outcomes of pts with cancer. Clinical outcomes, including real-world overall response rate (rwORR), OS and adverse events were calculated by treatment group. Responses were defined per treating physician as complete response (CR) or partial (PR) or progressive disease (PD). Categorical variables and rwORR were compared using Fisher's exact test. Survival outcomes were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared amongst groups using log-rank test.Results: A cohort of 112 pts were treated with ven based combination: ven/aza (n=54), ven/dac (n=52) and ven/LDAC (n=6). Across all treatment groups, the majority (91.1%) of pts were treated in the community setting. The median age at diagnosis was 77 yrs (IQR: 71-81 yrs). Per ELN risk, 6.2% had favorable, 19.6% had intermediate and 62.5% had high-risk AML. Five of the 6 pts receiving ven/LDAC had secondary AML (Table 1). The most common molecular abnormalities across the cohort were TP53 (38.4%), TET2 (26.8%), ASXL1 (27.7%), and DNMT3A (20.5%). The rwORR by treatment was 57.7% for ven/dac, 55.6% for ven/aza and 33.3% for ven/LDAC (ven/dac vs. ven/aza, p=0.85). Median OS (mOS) was similar for ven/dac with a longest mOS of 13.9 mo, followed by ven/aza with a mOS of 11.3 mo, and ven/LDAC mOS of 6.5 mo (ven/dac vs. ven/aza, p=0.77). The most common reasons for treatment discontinuation were toxicity (32.1%) followed by progression/inadequate response (10.7%). The most common toxicities were related to myelosuppression/cytopenias (Table 3). In this cohort, only 6 pts underwent an allogeneic stem cell transplant in first remission and no pts underwent an allogeneic transplant in second remission.Conclusions: To our knowledge, this dataset represents the largest cohort of pts treated with ven based combination therapy in the real world setting across multiple community practices. As less intense regimens are used to treat AML, more pts are receiving induction in the community setting, making these findings relevant in clinical practice. Although ven/dac combination had the longest OS, this was not significantly different from ven/aza. The ven/HMA response rates were lower and survival outcomes were shorter than those reported in the Viale-A trial, which raises concerns about early discontinuation of therapy in the real world setting due to myelosuppression. Ven/LDAC combination had the shortest OS, though most of these patients had sAML. Despite this enriched population for targeted therapies, the outcomes remained poor overall.There are drawbacks to interpreting retrospective outcomes data. First, there were no treatment related AML cases in this dataset, which would be highly unusual in an elderly population of 112 cases of AML. It is more plausible that the diagnosis of treatment related AML was not utilized in the patient's chart. Other data points that were not adequately captured were cause of death and International Working Group response criteria. Mutational panel testing remains underutilized for AML patients in a community-based practice setting. However, this dataset highlights the need for larger datasets to compare the outcomes of AML therapy by practice setting. [Display omitted] DisclosuresMadanat: Blue Print Pharmaceutical: Honoraria; Stem line pharmaceutical: Honoraria; Onc Live: Honoraria; Geron Pharmaceutical: Consultancy. Belli: COTA, Inc.: Current Employment, Other: Equity ownership. Hansen: COTA, Inc.: Current Employment. Foss: COTA, Inc.: Current Employment. Schulte: COTA, Inc.: Current Employment. Wang: COTA, Inc.: Current Employment, Other: Equity ownership.

TP53 and KRAS Variants at Initial Diagnosis Identify an Ultra-High Risk Group of Pediatric T-Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL)

IntroductionPatients who suffer a relapse of pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) face a dismal prognosis. Prognostic molecular biomarkers that reliably predict the risk of relapse at the time of first diagnosis are not available. Inactivating mutations in TP53 were previously detected in approximately 10% of relapsed patients (Hof et al. J Clin Oncol. 2011) and are invariably associated with fatal outcome (Richter-Pechanska et al. Blood Cancer J. 2017). Mutations in other genes were identified to be either specific for relapse (NT5C2 and CCDC88A) or to be associated with a poor prognosis in relapse (IL7R, KRAS, NRAS, USP7, CNOT3 and MSH6) (Meyer et al. Nat Genet. 2013; Richter-Pechanska et al. Blood Cancer J. 2017). We hypothesized that subclones bearing such mutations can give rise to relapse and analyzed these 9 genes at initial diagnosis of T-ALL with targeted ultra-deep sequencing.MethodsLeukemia samples collected at initial diagnosis of 81 children with T-ALL who later relapsed were analyzed. As a control group, we selected 79 children with T-ALL who remained in first remission for at least three years and were matched with regard to treatment response, treatment, age and sex. Targeted deep sequencing was performed by using the Agilent Haloplex High Sensitivity kit with unique molecular identifiers for reliable detection of mutations with very low allele frequencies (average read depth: 1,012x).ResultsOverall, we detected 75 mutations among 7 targeted genes in 33 / 81 relapsing and 21 / 79 non-relapsing patients. The average allele frequency (AF) of the identified mutations was 25% (0.8% - 83%; SD ± 18%). More than half of the variants (43/75) showed AFs below 30% and were thus classified as subclonal. Interestingly, 7 pathogenic TP53 mutations (subclonal: n=5, clonal: n=2) with AFs of 4.4% - 49.4% were exclusively discovered in 6 patients who experienced a relapse. While 2 of these patients received an allogeneic stem cell transplantation in first remission because of poor treatment response, the remaining 4 patients were treated by chemotherapy in the high-risk (n=1) or medium-risk (n=3) arm. None of the 79 non-relapsing control patients carried TP53 mutations. Consistent with the hypothesis of clonal evolution as a mechanism of relapse in T-ALL, Sanger Sequencing of the relapse sample of one TP53-positive patient confirmed that the subclone harboring the TP53 mutation A159D at initial diagnosis (AF 5.4%) expanded to a major clone (AF 42%) in relapse. The presence of TP53 mutations in two further TP53-positive patients in at least one available post-remission sample is also compatible with clonal selection. However, in a fourth patient the low allele frequency of the TP53 mutation at relapse indicates that the TP53 subclone persisted but did not expand during the development of relapse. In addition to TP53, we identified pathogenic KRAS mutations to be significantly enriched in relapsing patients (9 / 81) compared to non-relapsing patients (2 / 79) at the time of initial diagnosis (chi-squared test, p= 0.032; Table 1).ConclusionSubclonal and clonal mutations in TP53 and KRAS at initial diagnosis were enriched in T-ALL patients who later relapsed and identified approximately 17% of patients suffering a relapse. We thus propose that (subclonal) mutations of TP53 and KRAS may define a subgroup of high-risk T-ALL patients already at the time of first diagnosis. The identification of such mutations may complement the current risk stratification which depends on treatment response and may determine a new molecularly defined subgroup of T-ALLs that may benefit from intensified treatment strategies. [Display omitted] DisclosuresSchrappe: SigmaTau: Other: research support; Amgen: Other: research support; Servier: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; JazzPharma: Honoraria; Servier: Honoraria, Other: research support; JazzPharma: Honoraria, Other: research support; SHIRE: Other: research support; Novartis: Honoraria, Other: research support. Cario: Novartis: Other: Lecture Fee. Muckenthaler: Silence Therapeutics: Research Funding. Kulozik: Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; BioMedX: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; bluebird bio, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria.

Adverse Outcomes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Are Associated with Tumor Cell-Mediated Immunosuppression

Background: A normal karyotype is the most common cytogenetic finding in acute myeloid leukemia cells (“NK-AML”) and has highly variable and difficult to predict outcomes at presentation. Refinements introduced with the ELN 2017 Criteria (presence or absence of mutations in NPM1, FLT3-ITD, and/or biallelic CEBPA mutations) have improved–but not completely solved–up-front risk classification. NK-AML patients with very long first remissions after chemotherapy only are rare, and their genetic and epigenetic characteristics have not yet been definitively evaluated, but could potentially provide clues regarding determinants that affect chemotherapy responses.Results: Using exome sequencing, RNA-sequencing, and functional studies, we performed an in-depth characterization of 28 de novo adult NK-AML patients with >5 year, Long First Remissions (LFR) after chemotherapy only (7+3 with HiDAC consolidation). As comparators, we studied a well-matched group of 31 NK-AML patients who relapsed within 2 years (Standard First Remissions, SFR). None of the patients in either group received an allogeneic transplant in first remission. Bulk RNA sequencing and targeted investigation of cell type proportions and pathways expected to be relevant for chemotherapy sensitivity (i.e. cell cycle, DNA repair, or AraC responsiveness) revealed no significant differences between LFR and SFR AML samples. However, single cell RNA sequencing (sc-RNAseq) analyses of genetically-defined AML cells from 8 LFR and 7 SFR cases showed that SFR AML cells expressed significantly higher levels of stem cell markers, and of several immunomodulatory genes (MHC class II, CD200, MRC1). Combined sc-RNAseq and flow cytometry analyses of the AML bone marrow samples from LFR patients revealed well-preserved CD4 and CD8 populations that responded robustly to TCR-mediated activation, achieved through CD3/28 bead stimulation. In contrast, SFR AML marrows had reduced numbers of immune cells (particularly of CD4 Th1 cells) and their residual T cells expressed an exhaustion signature. TCR-mediated T cell activation was blocked in the SFR samples by the presence of the AML cells in the bone marrow samples: removing the AML cells released this blockade. Evaluation of T cell immune checkpoints and their putative ligands revealed LAG3 to be a leading candidate for immune suppression, because of its high expression in SFR T cells, and because the genes encoding its major ligands (MHC Class II) were highly expressed in SFR AML cells. Indeed, blocking the inhibitory receptor LAG-3 was able to reverse the AML cell-mediated T cell suppression of most SFR cases. To validate and extend these findings, we performed the T cell activation assay in an independent cohort of 50 AML cases representing all ELN risk groups. The ability of marrow derived CD4+ T cells to activate correlated strongly with ELN groups. Importantly, for the ELN intermediate patients, the immune activation assay stratified these patients in 2 groups with very different relapse free survival (RFS): the T cell “activators” had an RFS of 1200 days, while the “non-activators” had RFS of 146 days (Mantel-Cox Log-rank = 0.02). A multivariate analysis of covariates at diagnosis, including sex, age, ELN risk category, WBC count, bone marrow blast count at presentation, and mutation status (for DNMT3A, NPM1, FLT3, NRAS, WT1, TET2, CEBPA, PTPN11, IDH1, IDH2, RUNX1, RAD21, SMC1A, and SRSF2) identified none that were predictive of CD4 T cell activation status at presentation.Conclusions: These data strongly suggest that most AML cases have an immunosuppressive phenotype at presentation, mediated by inhibitory T cell receptors (e.g. LAG3) via ligands that are expressed by AML cells (e.g. MHC Class II proteins). The absence of this immunosuppressive phenotype was strongly correlated with favorable clinical outcomes with standard chemotherapy. The ability of CD4 T cells to be activated via the TCR in the presence of AML cells at presentation (which indirectly measures AML cell-mediated immunosuppression) is a novel biomarker for risk assessment that is currently not captured by any other well-recognized covariate (especially for ELN intermediate risk cases), and should be further evaluated for its predictive potential in prospective clinical trials. DisclosuresEisfeld: Karyopharm (spouse): Current Employment. Retting: BioLineRx Ltd.: Research Funding. Uy: GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Macrogenics: Research Funding; Astellas: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Jazz: Consultancy. Spencer: Wugen, Inc.: Consultancy, Other: Stock options.

Incorporating Gemtuzumab into the Treatment of Core Binding Factor Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Single Center Experience

Background: Gemtuzumab (GO) is an antibody drug conjugate that links a CD33 antibody to calicheamicin, a potent DNA-damaging agent. GO has been studied in combination with standard chemotherapy in multiple randomized clinical trials, though the doses and schedules of GO in these studies varied significantly. In a meta-analysis, 1 the addition of GO was found to improve relapse-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS), particularly in patients with favorable cytogenetics. It is now approved for use in combination with 7+3 in newly diagnosed CD33-positive AML. The studies that supported its approval were heterogenous and, in clinical practice, the uptake and utilization patterns for GO have been wide-ranging. At Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, a single dose of GO at a dose of 3 mg/m2 has been incorporated into standard 7+3 induction for patients with core binding factor (CBF) AML since . Herein, we report the impact of this practice change on clinical outcomes for patients with CBF AML.Methods: 72 patients with newly-diagnosed, previously untreated CBF AML from 2008-2020 were identified. Electronic medical records were reviewed for initial CBF AML presentation, management, and outcomes. Patient, disease, and transplant characteristics were summarized by treatment groups using descriptive statistics. Group differences were tested via Wilcoxon rank-sum test, chi-square test of independence, and Fisher's exact disease. Kaplan-Meier estimates were reported for OS and RFS. Group differences were tested via log-rank test. All analyses were carried out with R version 4.0.2 using the “survival” and “cmprsk” packages (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria).Results: There were 28 (40%) patients who received GO and 43 (60%) who did not (non-GO) (Table 1). The percentage of patients in the GO group who had favorable ELN risk was similar to the non-GO group (p>0.9). The proportion of patients with inv(16) was lower in the GO group (p=0.018) while the proportion of patients with t(8;21) was greater in the GO group (p=0.018). At presentation, the GO group had a significantly lower mean WBC compared to the non-GO group (p = .007). The rates of complete response (CR) after induction were similar between the GO and non-GO groups (p = 0.6). The GO group took longer to achieve neutrophil count (0.5 K/cu mm) recovery (p=0.13) whereas the non-GO group took longer to achieve a platelet count of 100K/cu mm (p=0.005). The rates of post-induction measurable residual disease (MRD) by flow cytometry were similar between the GO and non-GO groups (p=0.6). 7 (24%) patients in the GO group and 13 (30%) of patients in the non-GO group underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplant in first remission. The only non-hematologic adverse effects noted in the GO group were rapid weight gain in 2 patients (7%) and grade I/II elevated liver enzymes in 5 patients (18%). No grade III-IV liver enzyme abnormalities. There were no therapy-related deaths in the GO group and no episodes of vaso-occlusive disease in those who went on to transplant. There was a trend towards improved RFS (p=0.05, Figure C-D) and significantly improved OS (p=0.04, Figure B) favoring patients who received a one-time dose of GO.Conclusions: Patients who received GO had a trend towards improved RFS and significantly improved OS compared to patients who did not. This real-world study suggests that there may be a benefit, with little detriment, to the addition of a single dose of GO. The study, however, is limited by differences between the two groups including WBC at presentation, distribution of inv(16) vs. t(8;21), the eras in which patients were diagnosed and treated, and shorter median follow-up time for the GO group. Our study was further limited by missing data for a significant proportion of patients with regards to C-KIT and rates of post-induction MRD by PCR. It is important to note that this study compared GO and any regimen (not limited to 7+3) to any regimen without GO. Treatment protocols evolved during GO utilization and these changes in practice patterns could have impacted clinical outcomes. Lastly, this study highlights the fact that patients with CBF AML can expect to have favorable outcomes.

Distinct clinico-biological features in AML patients with low allelic ratio FLT3-ITD: role of allogeneic stem cell transplantation in first remission.

The mutant burden of FLT3-ITD modulates its prognostic impact on patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, for patients with low allelic ratio(AR) FLT3-ITD (FLT3-ITDlow, AR < 0.5), clinical features, as well as genomic and transcriptomic profiles remain unclear, and evidence supporting allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in first complete remission (CR1) remains controversial. This study aimed to elucidate the genomic features, prognosis, and transplantation outcome of FLT3-ITDIow in AML patients with intermediate-risk cytogenetics. FLT3-ITDlow was associated with a negative enrichment of the leukemic stem cell signature, a marked enrichment of the RAS pathway, and with higher frequencies of RAS pathway mutations, different from those with FLT3-ITDhigh. Concurrent CEBPA double mutations were favorable prognostic factors, whereas MLL-PTD, and mutations in splicing factors were unfavorable prognostic factors in FLT3-ITDlow patients. Patients with FLT3-ITDlow hada shorter overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) than those with FLT3wt. Allo-HSCT in CR1 was associated with a significantly longer OS and EFS compared with postremission chemotherapy in patients with FLT3-ITDlow. In conclusion, FLT3-ITDlow is associated with different mutational and transcriptomic profiles compared with FLT3-ITDhigh. The presence of concomitant poor-risk mutations exert negative prognostic impacts in patients with FLT3-ITDlow, who markedly benefit from allo-HSCT in CR1.

Population-based cohort study of the efficacy of brentuximab vedotin in relapsed systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma using Public Health England data.

Systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (sALCL) is a rare T-cell lymphoma associated with poor prognosis after relapse. The immunoconjugate brentuximab vedotin (BV) first became available for relapsed sALCL in England in 2013, following the results of a pivotal phase II study. We present a population-based study describing outcomes of relapsed sALCL in England after BV, using Public Health England data. We obtained information on all relapsed/refractory (r/r) sALCL patients ≥18 years treated with BV monotherapy in England between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2019. The final cohort comprised 127 patients with a median age of 60 years (range 19-89). Eighteen (14·2%) had received stem cell transplant in first remission. Median two-year overall survival (OS) was 46·6%. The vast majority of deaths (59) occurred within 18 months, with very few events after this. Receipt of BV as second line compared to third or fourth line was associated with significantly improved survival (two-year OS 50·3% vs 29·7%, P = 0·03). There was no difference in OS for different subgroups, including anaplastic lymphoma kinase status, age, gender, or receipt of stem cell transplantation in first response. We report excellent survival following treatment with BV in a real-world setting, comparable with previous clinical trial data.

Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma and the trouble with TP53.

Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma and the trouble with TP53.

Long-term survival of patients with mantle cell lymphoma after autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in first remission: a post-hoc analysis of an open-label, multicentre, randomised, phase 3 trial

Autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) in first remission is the current standard treatment in fit patients with mantle cell lymphoma. In this long-term follow-up study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of autologous HSCT versus interferon alfa maintenance after chemotherapy without or with rituximab in patients with primary advanced-stage mantle cell lymphoma. We did a post-hoc, long-term analysis of an open-label, multicentre, randomised, phase 3 trial done in 121 participating hospitals or practices across six European countries. Patients who were aged 18-65 years with previously untreated stage III-IV mantle cell lymphoma and an ECOG performance score of 0-2 were eligible for participation. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either myeloablative radiochemotherapy (fractionated total body irradiation with 12 Gy/day 6-4 days before autologous HSCT and cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kg per day intravenously 3-2 days before autologous HSCT) followed by autologous HSCT (the autologous HSCT group) or interferon alfa maintenance (the interferon alfa maintenance group; 6 × 106 IU three times a week subcutaneously until progression) after completion of CHOP-like induction therapy (cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1, doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1, vincristine 1·4 mg/m2 [maximum 2 mg] intravenously on day 1, and prednisone 100 mg/m2 orally on days 1-5; repeated every 21 days for up to 6 cycles) without or with rituximab (375 mg/m2 intravenously on day 0 or 1 of each cycle; R-CHOP). The primary outcome was progression-free survival from end of induction until progression or death among patients who had a remission and the secondary outcome was overall survival from the end of induction until death from any cause. We did comparisons of progression-free survival and overall survival according to the intention-to-treat principle between both groups among responding patients and explored efficacy in subgroups according to induction treatment without or with rituximab. Hazard ratios (HRs) were adjusted for the mantle cell lymphoma international prognostic index (MIPI) numerical score, and in the total group also for rituximab use (adjusted HR [aHR]). This trial was started before preregistration was implemented and is therefore not registered, recruitment is closed, and this is the final evaluation. Between Sept 30, 1996, and July 1, 2004, 269 patients were randomly assigned to receive either autologous HSCT or interferon alfa maintenance therapy. The median follow-up was 14 years (IQR 10-16), with the intention-to-treat population consisting of 174 patients (93 [53%] in the autologous HSCT group and 81 [47%] in the interferon alfa maintenance group) who responded to induction therapy. The median age was 55 years (IQR 47-60), and R-CHOP was used in 68 (39%) of 174 patients. The median progression-free survival was 3·3 years (95% CI 2·5-4·3) in the autologous HSCT group versus 1·5 years (1·2-2·0) in the interferon alfa maintenance group (log-rank p<0·0001; aHR 0·50 [95% CI 0·36-0·69]). The median overall survival was 7·5 years (95% CI 5·7-12·0) in the autologous HSCT group versus 4·8 years (4·0-6·6) in the interferon alfa maintenance group (log-rank p=0·019; aHR 0·66 [95% CI 0·46-0·95]). For patients treated without rituximab, the progression-free survival adjusted HR for autologous HSCT versus interferon alfa was 0·40 (0·26-0·61), in comparison to 0·72 (0·42-1·24) for patients treated with rituximab. For overall survival, the adjusted hazard ratio for HSCT versus interferon alfa was 0·52 (0·33-0·82) without rituximab and 1·05 (0·55-1·99) for patients who received rituximab. Our results confirm the long-term efficacy of autologous HSCT to treat mantle cell lymphoma established in the pre-rituximab era. The suggested reduced efficacy after immunochemotherapy supports the need for its re-evaluation now that antibody maintenance, high-dose cytarabine, and targeted treatments have changed the standard of care for patients with mantle cell lymphoma. Deutsche Krebshilfe, the European Community, and the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Kompetenznetz Maligne Lymphome.

Collaboration between Colentina Clinical Hospital and the transplant centers: A chance for life

Background. Stem cell transplantation is an important therapeutic approach for patients with malignant hemopathies, whether we refer to autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Aims and methods. We present the characteristics of a group of 54 patients diagnosed with malignant haemopathy in the Department of Hematology of the Colentina Clinical Hospital, between 2004 and 2018, and who have benefited from stem cell transplantation both in the country and abroad. The data analyzed were: diagnosis of the disease, type of response to induction therapy, type and timing of transplantation, transplant in first remission or relapse, if there were patients who benefited from a second transplant, post-transplant survival, as well as demographics. The statistical analysis was performed using the system MedCalc Statistical Software Version 18.11.3. Results and conclusions. Survival analysis was applied separately for autotransplant patients and those who benefited from allotransplant (Kaplan Meier survival analyses). Significant differences were observed due to transplantation type and due to relapse after transplant, in our lot of patients. Post-transplant recurrence was an unfavorable prognostic factor for both autologous and allogeneic transplanted patients. Update. A new challenge: The COVID-19 pandemic threat. The SARS-CoV-2 infection is a threat for immunocompromised patients. From a group of 9 patients hospitalized in 2020 for COVID-19 in the Department of Hematology of the Colentina Clinical Hospital, and who have benefited in the past from stem cell transplantation (2 patients) or organ transplant (1 patient – lung, 3 patients – liver, 3 patients – kidney) in Romania, 4 of them have required hospitalization in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (authors's observational data). New data are needed to elucidate the prognostic factors to establish the outcome of transplant patients such as for all cancer patients or immunocompromised patients in the current COVID pandemic 19 era and the impact on public health.

Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplantation Attenuates the Prognostic Impact of FLT3-ITD in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

BackgroundAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients harboring the fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) mutation are considered a particularly high risk patient subset preferentially allocated for allogeneic stem cell transplantation in first remission. Whether FLT3-ITD retains a prognostic role in haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haplo-SCT) is currently unknown.Patients and methodsTo determine whether FLT3-ITD is prognostically significant in T-cell replete haplo-SCT transplanted AML patients, we performed a comparative analysis between FLT3wt and FLT3-ITD using the multicenter registry of the acute leukemia working party of the European society for blood and marrow transplantation. Patients included in this analysis were AML patients over the age of 18 who underwent a first T-cell replete haplo-SCT in first remission.ResultsWe evaluated 293 de-novo AML patients (202 FLT3wt and 91 FLT3-ITD) transplanted in first remission with T-cell replete haplo-SCT between 2005-2016. Both groups did not differ to a significant degree in terms of patient age, donor age, performance status, cytomegalovirus donor-recipient matching, and conditioning intensity. FLT3-ITD patients were more likely to be nucleophosmin1 (NPM1) mutated as well as be in the Medical Research Council (MRC) intermediate risk cytogenetic risk category. In multivariate analysis, patients with FLT3-ITD had comparable rates of relapse incidence [Hazard ratio (HR)=1.34, confidence interval (CI) 95%, 0.67-2.7; P=0.9] and leukemia-free survival (HR=0.99, CI 95%, 0.62-1.57; P=0.9) to those of FLT3wt patients. Survival was not significantly impacted by FLT3-ITD status (HR=0.96, CI 95%, 0.58-1.59; P=0.8), nor were the incidence of non-relapse mortality (HR=0.78, CI 95%, 0.41-1.46; P=0.44), and graft versus host disease-free/relapse-free survival (HR=0.84, CI 95%, 0.54-1.28; P=0.42). A separate analysis for patients treated either on anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) protocols or post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) did not significantly associate FLT3-ITD status with clinical outcome in either of these groups. Finally, a focused subset analysis of patients with MRC intermediate risk cytogenetics confirmed the absence of a prognostic impact of FLT3-ITD also for this group of patients.ConclusionsIn AML patients undergoing T-cell replete haplo-SCT, the FLT3-ITD mutation probably does not retain its prognostic significance, potentially indicative of haplo-SCT's capacity to overcome the negative prognostic consequences of FLT3-ITD in AML. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.