Treatment-free Remission Phase Research Articles

Full Treatment-Free Remission Outcome in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase Following One Year of Nilotinib De-Escalation: 96-Week Update of Dante Study

Introduction: Treatment-free remission (TFR) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is achievable and recommended for patients (pts) in sustained deep molecular response (DMR) who can discontinue tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment while maintaining responses. Studies investigating TKI de-escalation before TFR are mainly in imatinib-treated CML chronic phase (CP) pts and suggest that this stepwise approach is feasible. Although nilotinib (NIL) is the first and only TKI approved for stopping therapy, nilotinib-based TFR optimization strategy has not been formally studied. Our phase II, single-arm, prospective, multicenter DANTE study (NCT03874858) aims to shed light on frontline NIL de-escalation in terms of full treatment-free remission (FTFR) (primary endpoint) and TFR rate (secondary endpoint) 96 weeks after the start of consolidation in CML-CP Italian patients. Our previously analysis on 40 pts with sustained DMR who entered in the TFR phase showed that approximately 68% of pts remained disease-free 1 year after stopping NIL 1. Here we present the data of 89 patients who successfully completed NIL de-escalation and at least 1 year of TFR. Methods: Adults patients with CML-CP treated with NIL 300 mg twice daily (bid) in first line for ≥3 years who achieved sustained DMR for ≥1 year (≥MR 4.0; BCR-ABL level ≤0.01% IS) were enrolled in 27 centers. The study consisted of 4 phases: screening (week [wk] −4-0), consolidation (wk 0-48), TFR (wk 48-144), and follow-up (until wk 144). Ongoing treatment with ≥400 mg/day dose was allowed at study entry. During consolidation pts were treated with NIL 300 mg once daily (qd). At the end of consolidation phase, pts with sustained DMR entered TFR phase and NIL was discontinued. Patients with major molecular response (MMR [BCR-ABL ≤0.1% IS]) but without sustained DMR continued NIL 300 mg qd. At any time, pts with loss of MMR returned to NIL 300 mg bid. During TFR phase, BCR-ABL levels were monitored monthly from wk 52-96 and then every 3 months. Here we report updated results collected until the cut-off date of 8th February 2023, when all patients who entered the TFR phase had completed at least one year of TFR or switched to full-dose phase or entered in survival follow-up or discontinued the study. The primary endpoint of the study is FTFR, defined as the percentage of patients (in both TFR phase and NIL half-dose) in MMR or better at week 96. Results: Overall, 113 pts were screened and 107 entered in consolidation phase. The baseline characteristics and the clinical outcome of the 107 patients are shown in Tab 1. Specifically, 98/107 (92%) completed the consolidation phase, while 9 pts discontinued permanently (2 due to loss of MMR, 3 due to adverse events (AEs) and 4 due to patient decision). Noteworthy, 89/107 (83%) with sustained DMR entered in the TFR phase, while 9 pts maintained MMR but not sustained DMR (7 entered in NIL half dose follow-up period and were in FTFR at 96 weeks, while 2 discontinued the study before week 96). At 1 year cut-off data, 71/107 pts (66.4%) were in FTFR, meeting the primary endpoint of study. We observed 64/89 pts (72%) who entered in the TFR phase remained in MMR or better after a median duration of 20.4 months (interquartile range [IQR] 1.9-32.4), meeting the main secondary endpoint of the study. The median time to loss of MMR in TFR phase was not reached (Fig 1). The remaining 25/89 pts (28%) had discontinued the TFR phase (21 pts due to loss of MMR, 1 due to AEs and 3 pts for subject/guardian decision). The median time spent in TFR phase until loss of MMR was 3.6 months (IQR 2-19 months). At the cut-off data, 23/24 pts (96%) who restarted NIL after MMR loss regained MMR and MR4 after a median time of 2.7 months (IQR 1.0-5.6) and 4.1 months (IQR 1.2-10), respectively. Notably, 20/24 (83%) who restarted NIL after MMR loss achieved MR4.5 after a median time of 6.4 months (IQR 2.0-16.9). During the TFR phase, all-grade AEs were reported in 64/89 pts (72%). One pt (1.1%) had serious AE (pneumonia). No deaths and disease progressions were observed. Conclusions: Our findings show that 66.4% pts who entered in consolidation phase achieved FTFR 96 weeks after the start of the consolidation period, and approximately 72% of pts remained disease-free at 1 year after stopping NIL. Overall, our data suggest that de-escalation of NIL before TFR attempt in CML-CP pts with sustained DMR can be a successful dose-optimization strategy. 1Stagno F. et al., Blood (2022) 140 (Supplement 1): 9614-9616.

Efficacy of Consolidation Therapy with Ponatinib 15mg on Treatment-Free Remission Rate in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Results of the Ponazero Trial

Introduction: Discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has become part of routine clinical practice in recent years, thanks to growing evidence on their feasibility and safety. However, and despite adequate patient selection based on current recommendations, loss of response is observed in approximately 50% of patients. In this scenario, efforts are focused on finding strategies to increase the rate of successful discontinuations. Ponatinib has shown to induce deeper molecular responses compared with imatinib, but its risk of arterial occlusive events (AOE) limits its use in first line at its standard dose of 45mg. The risk of AOEs appears to be dose-related and following the results of the OPTIC study, dose reduction to 15mg in patients with good response is an increasingly popular strategy. Under these premises it has been postulated that a consolidation with ponatinib 15mg may increase the proportion of patients who could discontinue treatment successfully. Our aim is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of one year of consolidation therapy with ponatinib 15mg on treatment-free remission (TFR) rate in patients with CML who have achieved a deep molecular response with imatinib. Material and Methods: A multicenter open-label, single-arm, phase II, exploratory, prospective clinical trial (NCT 04043676) was conducted including patients with philadelphia-positive CML who met discontinuation criteria according to European LeukemiaNet recommendations, had received 4 years or more of imatinib therapy, with a documented grade 4 molecular response (MR4) at least 12 months prior to study entry. Uncontrolled arterial hypertension, active cardiovascular disease, or concomitant medication with potential for QTc prolongation were exclusion criteria. The study has two main phases: ponatinib consolidation (48 weeks), and ponatinib TFR phase (48 weeks); where patients remain without treatment. During the TFR phase, patients with a confirmed loss of MR4 or a single value above major molecular response (MMR) were scheduled to restart treatment with a TKI at investigator's discretion. The present abstract reports the results of the primary endpoint of the study; the proportion of patients with no loss of MR4 at the end of the TFR phase. Results: A total of 23 patients started treatment with ponatinib 15mg. One patient subsequently failed screening due to a major protocol deviation. Baseline patient characteristics were as follows: median age was 51.8 years (range 26-74), 65.2% were male. Ninety-five percent were Caucasian and 5% were Hispanic, ECOG was 0 in 83% and 1 in 17%, Sokal was low in 69.5%, intermediate in 17.5% and unknown in 13%. Eighteen patients were receiving imatinib 400mg daily (82%) at study entry, 2 patients 800mg and two 200mg. Median time on prior imatinib was 10 years (range 4-17), with a median time on MR4 of 3.6 years (range 1.9-13.3). Prior to initiation 13 patients (56.5%) had a grade 5 molecular response, 4 had a 4.5 molecular response (26%) and the remainder had a MR4. The adverse events (AEs) reported with ponatinib are summarized in Table 1, the most frequent being constipation (30%), asthenia (26%), myalgias and arthralgias (26% respectively) and skin rash (17%). A high rate of SARS-CoV2 infections was reported during the treatment period (26%), which should be interpreted considering that the study took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three patients out of 22 (13.6%) had serious AEs with ponatinib leading to treatment discontinuation; thrombophlebitis, erectile dysfunction, and intermittent claudication. Of the patients who entered the TFR phase, 14/19 (74%) continue with MMR without requiring treatment after a median follow-up of 12 months (68% with MR4) (table 1). Six patients (31%) lost MR4, five of them required reintroduction of an TKI (4 imatinib, 1 dasatinib; median time to reintroduction 5.4 months). All patients with MR4 loss were receiving the 400 mg dose of imatinib at study entry. All patients who restarted treatment recovered MMR. The sixth patient lost MR4 while maintaining an MMR without requiring treatment reinduction to date. Conclusions: Consolidation with 12 months of ponatinib 15mg in this study shows a high discontinuation success rate with an adequate safety profile, although not free of AEs. The results make this approach attractive for the design of further randomized clinical trials.

International, Prospective Study Comparing Nilotinib Versus Imatinib with Early Switch to Nilotinib to Obtain Sustained Treatment-Free Remission in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (SUSTRENIM trial): Analysis of the Eligibility to Treatment Discontinuation

Background. Treatment free remission (TFR) is one of the most important aims of CML treatment but, so far, the best treatment strategy to obtain a durable deep molecular response (DMR) and the overall rate of patients able to achieve a successful TKI discontinuation based on intention-to-treat principle from CML diagnosis are still debated. In November 2016 we launched an international, prospective, randomized, two arms study to evaluate both the depth of the molecular response and the rate of TFR in newly diagnosed CP-CML patients treated with a second generation TKI (Nilotinib, NIL) or with imatinib (IM) followed by switching to NIL in absence of optimal response (Clinical Trial number 02602314). Patients were randomized 1:1 between NIL and IM, stratifying on the Sokal score. All the patients achieving a MR4.0 or better by three years and maintaining this level of response up to the end of the fourth year of therapy were qualified for the discontinuation phase. We recently reported that patients enrolled in the NIL arm had a rate of MR4.5 at two years (primary co-endpoint of the study), significantly higher than those in the IM arm (32 vs 22%, p = 0.023 Pane F. et al, EHA 2022). The aim of the present analysis is to assess, in both arms of the trial, the percentage of patients achieving the eligibility to treatment discontinuation, defined as a MR4 maintained in 4 consecutive MRD analysis within the fourth year of therapy. Methods. In this pilot analysis, we first examined the rate of patients eligible to discontinuation and their baseline features (i.e. age, gender, ELTS and Sokal risk, BCR::ABL1 isoform) compared to patients without sustained MR4, using Fisher's exact test or Wilcoxon according to variable type. In patients discontinuing TKIs at 48 months, the successful TFR probability at 12 months after TKI withdrawal was computed with the Kaplan Meier method. Molecular relapse, defined as the loss of MMR or confirmed loss of MR3.0, progression, or death were considering as event in the event-free survival curve. Results. Of the 448 randomized patients, 289 had at least 48-month observation at the time of the present analysis and were evaluated for TFR eligibility, 141 in the IM arm and 148 in the NIL arm, respectively. Ninety-three patients (32%) showed a sustained MR4 in the fourth year and were deemed eligible for treatment discontinuation, 45 in the IM arm (32%) and 48 in the NIL arm (32%). Of the remaining 196 patients, 59 did not have the criteria to discontinue treatment and 137 previously went off study for failure, progression, toxicity, death, or other causes (66 in the IM arm and 71 in the NIL arm, respectively). We found that sustained MR4 achievement was significantly associated with low disease risk, according to both ELTS (81.7% vs 47.2% p<0.0001) and Sokal scores (50.5% vs 34.2%, p=0.008). There is a weak correlation to the age, being those eligible younger (median 52.5 vs 55 years, p=0.037), while no differences in gender and BCR::ABL1 isoform distributions were observed. Within the IM arm, patients who switched to NIL were 60/141 (43%), 44 within the first 12 months and 16 after the first year; those patients had a lower probability of starting the TFR phase compared to patients continuing IM (22% vs 40%, p=0.025). The median follow-up of the 93 patients who attempted treatment discontinuation at 48 months is 9.9 months (IQR: 5.3-12.1). The percentages of those patients in TFR were 82.9% (95% CI:74.8-91.8) at 6 months and 74.3% (95% CI:63.9-86.4) at 12 months. The analysis per random was considered premature given the short follow-up and the proportion of patients not yet evaluable for the discontinuation. Conclusions Although the results are still preliminary to draw definitive conclusions on the rate of sustained DMR and stable TFR , our data indicates that despite higher 24-month rates of MR4.5 in the NIL arm, the probability of reaching criteria for TFR attempt may be not different in the two study arms: one third of patients attempted discontinuation and the majority of them appear to be free of relapse after a median of 10 months from the therapy discontinuation. Among patients of the IM arm, patients switching to NIL due to absence of optimal response had a lower probability to attempt discontinuation. Noteworthy, as for the MR4.5 rate at 24 mo. of therapy, patients at low ELTS risk score are those with the highest probability to achieve sustained MR4 and being eligible for the treatment discontinuation.

Treatment-Free Remission Outcome in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase Following One Year of Nilotinib De-Escalation: 96-Week Update of Dante Study

Introduction: Treatment-free remission (TFR) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is demonstrated to be achievable and recommended for patients (pts) in sustained deep molecular response (sDMR) who can discontinue tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment while maintaining responses. Studies investigating TKI de-escalation before TFR, mainly in CML chronic phase (CP) imatinib-treated pts, suggested that this stepwise approach is feasible. Despite nilotinib (NIL) is the first and only TKI approved for stopping therapy, nilotinib-based TFR optimization strategy has not been formally studied. Our phase II, prospective, multicenter DANTE study (NCT03874858) aims to shed light on frontline NIL de-escalation and successful TFR in Italian CML-CP patients. Our previously interim analysis showed that 1 year of NIL de-escalation before TFR in patients with sDMR is safe and effective. Here we present 1 year follow up results of those 40 patients who successfully completed NIL de-escalation and entered in TFR. Methods: Adults patients with CML-CP treated with NIL 300 mg twice daily (bid) in first-line for ≥3 years who achieved sDMR for ≥1 year (≥MR 4.0; BCR-ABL level ≤0.01% IS) were enrolled in 27 centers. The study consisted of 4 phases: screening (week [wk] −4-0), consolidation (wk 0-48), TFR (wk 48-144), and follow-up (until wk 144). Ongoing treatment with ≥400 mg/day dose was allowed at study entry. During consolidation pts were treated with NIL 300 mg once daily (qd). At the end of consolidation phase, pts with sDMR entered TFR phase and NIL was discontinued. Patients with at least major molecular response (MMR; BCR-ABL ≤0.1% IS), but without sDMR, continued NIL 300 mg qd. At any time, pts with loss of MMR returned to NIL 300 mg bid. During TFR phase, BCR-ABL levels were monitored monthly from wk 52-96, and then every 3 months. Here we report updated results collected until the cut-off date of 8th February 2022, at which time all patients who entered the TFR phase had completed at least one year of TFR, or switched to full-dose phase, or entered in survival follow-up or discontinued the study. Results: Overall, 113 pts were screened and 107 entered in consolidation phase. The baseline characteristics and the clinical outcome of the 52 patients that reached the end of consolidation phase by the first data cut-off period (February 8, 2021) have been previously reported (Breccia et al., 2021). Specifically, 47 out of 52 pts completed the consolidation phase and 40 (76.9%) of them, with sDMR, entered in the TFR phase. At 1-year data cut off, with a median duration of 12.7 months (range 1.9 - 20.6), 27 out of 40 pts (67.5 %) who entered in the TFR phase remained in MMR or better while 13 pts (32.5%) had discontinued the TFR phase (11 pts due to loss of MMR and 2 pts for subject/guardian decision). The median time spent in TFR phase until loss of MMR was 3.6 months (range 2-7 months). The median time to loss of MMR in TFR phase was not reached (Fig 1). At the data cut off, all patients except one (10/11, 90%) who lost MMR, regained MMR after NIL resumption. Overall, among the 13 patients who restarted NIL after MMR loss (2 pts from consolidation phase and 11 from TFR phase), 12 of them (92.3%) regained MMR and MR4 after a median time of 2.6 months (range 0.9 - 5.2) and 4.2 months (range 2.7- 8.0), respectively. Notably, 22/52 (42%) pts remained in DMR from consolidation phase until week 96. During the TFR phase, all grade AEs were reported in 26/40 (65%) pts. One pt (2.5%) had serious AE (pneumonia). No deaths and disease progressions were observed. Conclusions: Our finding show that approximately 68% of pts remained disease-free at 1 year after stopping NIL, indicating that de-escalation of NIL before TFR attempt in CML-CP pts with sDMR can be a successful dose optimization strategy. Reference: Breccia et al., Blood (2021) 138 (Supplement 1): 1474. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2021-145411 Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Observation in a treatment-free remission in chronic myeloid leukemia patients with a stable deep molecular response in the Russian portion of the international multicenter population based study EUTOS PBS

Introduction. Given the possibility of preserving molecular remission in 40–60 % of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with a stable deep molecular response (MR) after discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), it is important to determine the number of candidates for observation in a treatment-free remission (TFR) and terms of treatment cancellation.Aim — to evaluate the probability of stable deep MR and the rate of patients who meet the criteria for TFR observation in the Russian part of the international multicenter prospective population study EUTOS PBS (European Treatment and Outcome Study — Population-Based Study).Materials and methods. Registration of all CML cases in the EUTOS PBS was conducted in 6 regions of Russia from September 2009 to December 2012. The main inclusion criterion was the diagnosis of CML confirmed by cytogenetic or molecular study in patients aged over 18 years. In total, 197 CML patients were included: 181 (92 %) with chronic phase (CP) CML, 14 (7 %) with accelerated phase (AP) and 2 (1 %) with blast crisis (BC) at diagnosis. Data on therapy and results was updated annually.Results. Deep MR (at least MR4 or BCR::ABL1 level less than 0.01 % IS) was achieved in 104 (54 %) of 192 patients receiving TKI therapy, with a median observation period of 7 years (range from 3 months to 10 years). The probability of a deep MR after 5 years of treatment was 48 % (95 % confidence interval (95% CI): 40–55 %) in patients with CP. The cumulative incidence of a stable deep MR with duration of more than 2 years in CML CP patients was 16 % (95% CI: 11–22 %) after 5 years of therapy, 29 % (95% CI: 22–37 %) after 7 years of therapy and 50 % (95% CI: 38–60 %) after 9 years of therapy. The cumulative incidence of a stable deep MR was significantly higher in those patients who had achieved a deep MR at 36 months of therapy compared to patients with only MMR: 40 % (95% CI: 28–53 %) vs. 3 % (95% CI: 0–13 %) at 5 year of therapy; 66 % (95% CI: 52–77 %) vs. 15 % (95% CI: 5–30 %) at 7 year and 89 % (95% CI: 64–97 %) vs. 48 % (95% CI: 25–67 %) at 9 year (p < 0.0001) in patients without MMR by 36 months. No patients without MMR at 36 months of therapy subsequently gained a stable deep MR. Fifty four patients met the TKI discontinuation criteria for transition into TFR phase: CP CML with a typical BCR::ABL1 p210 transcript, TKI therapy for more than 3 years and a stable deep MR for over 2 years. The rate of possible candidates for cancellation of therapy was 28 % of all 192 patients who received TKI in the study or 31 % in terms of patients with CP CML. Predominantly, patients with low-risk by Sokal or ELTS score were among the potential TFR candidates 26 (48 %) and 33 (61 %), respectively. No patients with long-term resistance to therapy were the TFR candidates.Conclusion. In the Russian portion of the prospective observational multicenter study EUTOS PBS, it was found that with a median duration of TKI therapy of 7 years, about a third of patients with CP CML may be candidates for the controlled therapy discontinuation. If half of these patients remain in molecular remission, up to 15 % of the initial number of patients will be able to continue observation in the TFR. Achievement of MMR and deep MR at 36 months of therapy is associated with a significantly greater likelihood of meeting the criteria for follow-up in the TFR phase in the future.

Regulatory T Cell as a Biomarker of Treatment-Free Remission in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

Simple SummaryTyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have dramatically improved the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Recently, TKIs were discontinued in patients with CML with deep molecular remission, and some patients have been reported to be able to maintain long-term treatment-free remission (TFR). However, there is no certainty regarding which patients can maintain TFR. We focused on immunity in the TFR phase and investigated the immunological mechanism of continuous TFR or recurrence. Our results suggest that the group that maintains the TFR is immunologically activated. In addition, regulatory T cells can be used as a biomarker. These results may have important implications for future strategies for maintaining TFR in CML treatment. Treatment-free remission (TFR) has become a therapeutic goal in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and approximately half of the patients with chronic phase-CML (CML-CP) with deep molecular remission (DMR) by tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have achieved TFR. However, the mechanism of continuous TFR is still unclear, as there are “fluctuate” patients who have BCR–ABL-positive leukemia cells but do not observe obvious relapse. We focused on the immune response and conducted an immune analysis using clinical samples from the imatinib discontinuation study, JALSG-STIM213. The results showed that, in the group that maintained TFR for 3 years, changes in regulatory T (Treg) cells were observed early after stopping imatinib treatment. The effector Treg (eTreg) cells increased transiently at 1 month after stopping imatinib and then returned to baseline at 3 months after stopping imatinib treatment. There was no difference in the Treg phenotype, and CD8+ T cells in the TFR group were relatively activated. High concentrations of imatinib before stopping were negatively correlated with eTreg cells after stopping imatinib. These data suggest immunological involvement in the maintenance of the TFR, and that Treg cells after stopping imatinib might be a biomarker for TFR. Furthermore, high imatinib exposure may have a negative immunological impact on the continuous TFR.

Second Treatment Free Remission after Combination Therapy with Ruxolitinib Plus Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Chronic Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)

Second Treatment Free Remission after Combination Therapy with Ruxolitinib Plus Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Chronic Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)

First Interim Analysis of the Italian Dante Study: De-Escalation before Treatment-Free Remission in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treated with First-Line Nilotinib

First Interim Analysis of the Italian Dante Study: De-Escalation before Treatment-Free Remission in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treated with First-Line Nilotinib

Nilotinib and Dasatinib Evoked Distinct Immune Effects during Tfr Phase of Each Discontinuation Trial

Nilotinib and Dasatinib Evoked Distinct Immune Effects during Tfr Phase of Each Discontinuation Trial

Treatment-Free Remissions in Newly Diagnosed CP CML Patients Treated with the Combination of Nilotinib + Pegylated Interferon Alpha 2a Versus Nilotinib Alone in the National Phase III Petals Trial

Treatment-Free Remissions in Newly Diagnosed CP CML Patients Treated with the Combination of Nilotinib + Pegylated Interferon Alpha 2a Versus Nilotinib Alone in the National Phase III Petals Trial

Treatment-Free Remission (TFR) after Two Different Durations of Nilotinib Consolidation in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Previously Treated with Imatinib: Enestpath Study Results

Treatment-Free Remission (TFR) after Two Different Durations of Nilotinib Consolidation in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Previously Treated with Imatinib: Enestpath Study Results

Results from Enestgoal: A Phase 2 Study of Treatment-Free Remission (TFR) in Patients (pts) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase (CML-CP) Who Switched from Imatinib to Nilotinib

Results from Enestgoal: A Phase 2 Study of Treatment-Free Remission (TFR) in Patients (pts) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase (CML-CP) Who Switched from Imatinib to Nilotinib

Treatment-Free Remission (TFR) Among Patients (pts) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase (CML-CP) Not Initially Eligible for Treatment Discontinuation Due to Unstable Deep Molecular Response (DMR): Enestfreedom and Enestop

Treatment-Free Remission (TFR) Among Patients (pts) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase (CML-CP) Not Initially Eligible for Treatment Discontinuation Due to Unstable Deep Molecular Response (DMR): Enestfreedom and Enestop

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients' Voice: Preliminary Results from the Italian Substudy of Enestpath (CAMN107AIC05), Exploring the Emotional Experience of Patients in the Context of Treatment-Free Remission

Introduction:ENESTPath, an ongoing phase 3 study in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase, was designed to determine the optimal duration of consolidation treatment with nilotinib 300 mg twice daily required to remain in treatment-free remission (TFR) without molecular relapse, 12 months after entering TFR. With TFR as a new goal of therapy in clinical practice, there is a need for individual approaches and counselling for patients when preparing for a possible treatment discontinuation.An ongoing Italian substudy of ENESTPath assesses patients' emotional experience during and after stopping nilotinib therapy. To have a comprehensive evaluation of patients' psycho-emotional outcomes, both quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (expressive writing and interviews) methods are used. Here, we present preliminary qualitative data on the emotional experience of patients who were either ineligible for randomization or relapsed during TFR phase.Methods:Patients in stable MR4 for >12 months (≥MR4 in 4 of 5 PCR assessments, including the last assessment, in the last 12 months) in the consolidation phase were randomized to stop nilotinib and enter TFR phase immediately or to continue on nilotinib for another year and then enter TFR phase. Patients with unstable MR4 in the consolidation phase had to discontinue the trial early without attempting randomization. Patients who were ineligible for randomization or those who relapsed during TFR phase (loss of MMR, or the confirmed loss of MR4) had qualitative interviews.In-depth unstructured qualitative interviews were conducted according to interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore patients' emotional experience of “being ineligible for randomization” and “failing TFR.” Interviews were guided using open-ended questions and followed patients' narrative flow; the interviewer facilitated the narration. Patients were asked to describe the course of their disease and their involvement in the clinical trial, including the final moments before trial discontinuation. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed according to IPA.Results:Of the 30 patients included in this substudy so far, 10 (male, n=8; mean disease duration, 9.5 years) were interviewed, including 7 ineligible for randomization and 3 relapsing in TFR. As the study is still ongoing, these numbers are not representative of the total study population. The remaining 20 patients were either in TFR, year 2 of consolidation, or yet to be interviewed. Enrollment for qualitative research respects the criterion of the most possible variety (eg, socio-demographic characteristics, duration of the disease).In total, four themes that describe patients' experience were identified: experience of early trial discontinuation for unstable response, linked to the view on stopping treatment; experience of the illness particularly focused on diagnosis; impossibility to talk about death and view on the drug as lifesaver; and impact of the disease and treatment on future plans (Table).Patients' experience of not being able to continue the trial due to unstable response reflected a slightly negative emotional experience, and they saw the idea of stopping treatment as something useful but demanding. Patients remembered the communication of the diagnosis as an unthinkable drama that is difficult to express and a shock. They perceived the disease as invisible and had difficulties in thinking or talking about death; however, they referred to the drug therapy as essential for life and survival. Finally, the disease was also perceived as something that undermines future plans (Table).Conclusions:These preliminary findings described how patients perceived early trial discontinuation, and the way they give sense to it appears to have a relationship with individual disease experience. This qualitative analysis helps in understanding patients' perspective, both in terms of getting access to the inner subjective experience of having CML and its strict relationship with the involvement in a trial or its cessation. The insights provided show that patients' perception of their disease, on TFR, and on failure to stop the therapy needs further analysis. There is a need to develop strategies to cope with patients' emotional experience and guarantee their psychoemotional wellbeing beyond the clinical setting. [Display omitted] DisclosuresCastagnetti:Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria. Bonifacio:Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Cavazzini:Bristol-Meyers Squibb: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy. Galimberti:Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau. Orlandi:Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau. Galimberti:Novartis: Employment. Haenig:Novartis: Employment. Supekar:Novartis: Employment. Baccarani:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte ARIAD: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Vegni:Novartis: Research Funding.

Impact of Treatment Cessation on Overall Disease Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase (CML-CP) Attempting Treatment-Free Remission (TFR): Findings from Enestfreedom and Enestop

Impact of Treatment Cessation on Overall Disease Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase (CML-CP) Attempting Treatment-Free Remission (TFR): Findings from Enestfreedom and Enestop

Long-term treatment-free remission in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia after second-line nilotinib: ENESTop 5-year update.

The ENESTop study evaluated treatment-free remission (TFR) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase who had received ≥3 years of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy and achieved sustained deep molecular response only after switching from imatinib to nilotinib. After 1-year nilotinib consolidation, 126 patients attempted TFR. At 48 weeks (primary analysis), 57.9% (73/126) were in TFR. In the present analysis at 5 years, 42.9% (54/126) were in TFR. Since the 48-week analysis, among patients who left the TFR phase, 58% (11/19) did not have a loss of molecular response and discontinued for other reasons. Of the 59 patients who reinitiated nilotinib upon loss of major molecular response (MMR) or confirmed loss of MR4, 98.3% regained MMR, 94.9% regained MR4, and 93.2% regained MR4.5. Overall adverse event rates decreased over the 5 years of TFR. In patients reinitiating nilotinib, there was a cumulative increase in cardiovascular events with longer nilotinib exposure. No disease progression or CML-related deaths were reported. Overall, these results confirm the durability and safety of TFR for patients receiving second-line nilotinib. Cardiovascular risk should be carefully managed, particularly when reinitiating treatment after TFR.

Treatment-free remission following frontline nilotinib in patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia: 5-year update of the ENESTfreedom trial

The ENESTfreedom trial assessed the feasibility of treatment-free remission (TFR) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) following frontline nilotinib treatment. Results for long-term outcomes after a 5-year follow-up are presented herein. Patients who had received ≥2 years of frontline nilotinib therapy and achieved MR4.5 underwent a 1-year nilotinib treatment consolidation phase before attempting TFR. At the 5-year data cut-off, 81/190 patients entering the TFR phase (42.6%) were still in TFR, with 76 (40.0%) in MR4.5. Patients who lost major molecular response (MMR) entered a treatment re-initiation phase; 90/91 patients entering this phase (98.9%) regained MMR and 84/91 patients (92.3%) regained MR4.5. The Kaplan–Meier estimated treatment-free survival rate at 5 years was 48.2%. No disease progression or CML-related deaths were reported. Whereas the incidence of adverse events (AEs) declined from 96 weeks following the start of TFR, an increase in AE frequency was observed for patients in the treatment re-initiation phase. Low Sokal risk score, BCR-ABL1IS levels at 48 weeks of TFR and stable MR4.5 response for the first year of TFR were associated with higher TFR rates. Overall, these results support the efficacy and safety of attempting TFR following upfront nilotinib therapy of >3 years in patients with CML-CP.

Efficacy and Safety of Front-Line Nilotinib Treatment and Discontinuation in Older Patients (≥65 years) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase Who Have Achieved MR4.5: Results from ENESTfreedom

Efficacy and Safety of Front-Line Nilotinib Treatment and Discontinuation in Older Patients (≥65 years) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase Who Have Achieved MR4.5: Results from ENESTfreedom

CML-110: Predictors of Durable Treatment-Free Remission After Frontline or Second-Line Nilotinib Treatment in Patients with Chronic Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Context While some patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase who maintain a deep molecular response (DMR) with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) can discontinue treatment and achieve treatment-free remission (TFR), variables that reliably predict TFR are unknown. Objective Identify clinical predictors of TFR using pooled data from long-term follow-up studies (ENESTfreedom and ENESTop) of TFR following front- or second-line nilotinib. Patients In ENESTfreedom, patients with MR4.5 and ≥2 years of frontline nilotinib were enrolled and entered a 1-year nilotinib consolidation phase, after which those who maintained DMR in 4 quarterly assessments could enter the TFR phase (n=190). In ENESTop, patients with >4 weeks of imatinib followed by ≥2 years of nilotinib (≥3 years of total TKI therapy) who achieved MR4.5 on nilotinib were enrolled; patients entered a 1-year nilotinib consolidation phase, and those with no loss of MR4.5 subsequently entered the TFR phase (n=126). Main outcome measures Data from all patients who entered the TFR phases of ENESTfreedom and ENESTop were pooled. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify predictors of durable TFR (i.e., remaining in the TFR phase with MR4.5 at 24 weeks). Variables assessed as predictors were age, sex, time since MR4.5 achievement until TFR phase entry, and duration of nilotinib prior to TFR. Results Among all patients who entered the TFR phases of ENESTfreedom and ENESTop, 180/316 achieved durable TFR at 24 weeks. In the univariate analysis, time since MR4.5 achievement until TFR phase entry (P=0.0025) and duration of nilotinib prior to TFR phase entry (P=0.0008) were significantly associated with durable TFR. Duration of nilotinib prior to TFR phase entry was the only significant predictor (P=0.0333) found in the multivariate analysis, with a 1-month increase in the duration of nilotinib treatment being associated with a 3.6% increase in the odds of durable TFR. Conclusions Pooled analyses suggest that durable TFR at 24 weeks was associated with duration of nilotinib prior to TFR. These data could help physicians with patients who are considering attempting TFR. Study sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. This abstract was accepted and previously published at the 61st ASH® Annual Meeting and Exposition.

Analyses of Predictors of Durable Treatment-Free Remission in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase Following Frontline or Second-Line Nilotinib

Analyses of Predictors of Durable Treatment-Free Remission in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase Following Frontline or Second-Line Nilotinib