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Weinberg, Rona Singer

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4503-1295

Mayo Clinic

New York Blood Center

Citations 19

A Phase Ib Trial of AVID200, a TGFβ 1/3 Trap, in Patients with Myelofibrosis
Mascarenhas, John , Migliaccio, Anna Ritá , Kosiorek, Heidi , Bhave, Rupali , Palmer, Jeanne , Mesa, Ruben A. , Rampal, Raajit K. , Gerds, Aaron T. , Yacoub, Abdulraheem , Pettit, Kristen , Kremyanskaya, Marina , Gonzalez, Agapito , Fabris, Frank , Johnson, Kathryn , Dougherty, Mikaela , Domenico, Dylan , Farnoud, Noushin , Weinberg, Rona Singer , Kong, Amy , Najfeld, Vesna , Arciprete, Francesca , Falchi, Mario , Salama, Mohamed E. , Mead‐Harvey, Carolyn , Dueck, Amylou C. , Varricchio, Lilian , Dueck, A. C. , Kuykendall, Andrew , Mesa, Ruben , Rampal, Raajit K , Gerds, Aaron T , Yacoub, Abdulraheem , Pettit, Kristen , Talpaz, Moshe , Komrokji, Rami S , Kremyanskaya, Marina , Gonzalez, Agapito , Fabris, Frank , Johnson, Kathryn , Dougherty, Mikaela , McGovern, Erin , Arango Ossa, Juan E , Domenico, Dylan , Farnoud, Noushin , Weinberg, Rona Singer , Kong, Amy , Najfeld, Vesna , Vannucchi, Alessandro M , Arciprete, Francesca , Zingariello, Maria , Falchi, Mario , Salama, Mohamed E , Mead-Harvey, Carolyn , Varricchio, Lilian , Hoffman, Ronald , Mascarenhas, John , Kosiorek, Heidi E , Talpaz, Moshe , Komrokji, Rami S. , McGovern, Erin , Ossa, Juan Arango , Vannucchi, Alessandro M.

Clinical Cancer Research | July 13, 2023 | Volume: 29 | Issue: 18 | Pages: 3622-3632

10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-0276 Get It

Abstract Purpose: Myelofibrosis (MF) is a clonal myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by systemic symptoms, cytopenias, organomegaly, and bone marrow fibrosis. JAK2 inhibitors afford symptom and spleen burden reduction but do not alter the disease course and frequently lead to thrombocytopenia. TGFβ, a pleiotropic cytokine elaborated by the MF clone, negatively regulates normal hematopoiesis, downregulates antitumor immunity, and promotes bone marrow fibrosis. Our group previously showed that AVID200, a potent and selective TGFβ 1/3 trap, reduced TGFβ1-induced proliferation of human mesenchymal stromal cells, phosphorylation of SMAD2, and collagen expression. Moreover, treatment of MF mononuclear cells with AVID200 led to increased numbers of progenitor cells (PC) with wild-type JAK2 rather than JAK2V617F. Patients and Methods: We conducted an investigator-initiated, multicenter, phase Ib trial of AVID200 monotherapy in 21 patients with advanced MF. Results: No dose-limiting toxicity was identified at the three dose levels tested, and grade 3/4 anemia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 28.6% and 19.0% of treated patients, respectively. After six cycles of therapy, two patients attained a clinical benefit by IWG-MRT criteria. Spleen and symptom benefits were observed across treatment cycles. Unlike other MF-directed therapies, increases in platelet counts were noted in 81% of treated patients with three patients achieving normalization. Treatment with AVID200 resulted in potent suppression of plasma TGFβ1 levels and pSMAD2 in MF cells. Conclusions: AVID200 is a well-tolerated, rational, therapeutic agent for the treatment of patients with MF and should be evaluated further in patients with thrombocytopenic MF in combination with agents that target aberrant MF intracellular signaling pathways.
A randomized phase 3 trial of interferon-α vs hydroxyurea in polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia
Mascarenhas, John , Kosiorek, Heidi E., Prchal, Josef T. , Rambaldi, Alessandro, Berenzon, Dmitriy, Yacoub, Abdulraheem , Harrison, Claire N., McMullin, Mary Frances , Vannucchi, Alessandro M. , Ewing, Joanne, O'Connell, Casey L., Mead, Adam J. , Winton, Elliott F., Leibowitz, D , Arcasoy, Murat O., Kessler, Craig M., Catchatourian, Rosalind, Rondelli, Damiano, Silver, Richard T., Bacigalupo, Andrea, Nagler, Arnon, Kremyanskaya, Marina, Sandy, Lonette, Salama, Mohamad E., Najfeld, Vesna, Tripodi, Joseph , Farnoud, Noushin , Penson, Alexander , Weinberg, Rona Singer , Barbui, Tiziano , Marchioli, Roberto, Tognoni, Gianni, Rampal, Raajit K., Mesa, Ruben A., Dueck, Amylou C. , Hoffman, Ronald, Rambaldi, Alessandro , Najfeld, Vesna , Kiladjian, Jean-Jacques , Mead, Adam J , Leibowitz, David S , De Stefano, Valerio , Levine, Max F , Arango Ossa, Juan E , McGovern, Erin , Tripodi, Joseph , Farnoud, Noushin , Penson, Alexander V , Weinberg, Rona Singer , Price, Leah , Goldberg, Judith D , Barbui, Tiziano , Dueck, A. C. , Vannucchi, Alessandro M , Mascarenhas, John , Rambaldi, Alessandro , McMullin, Mary Frances , Najfeld, Vesna , Kosiorek, Heidi E., Prchal, Josef T. , Berenzon, Dmitriy, Yacoub, Abdulraheem , Harrison, Claire N., Ewing, Joanne, O'Connell, Casey L., Winton, Elliott F., Arcasoy, Murat O., Kessler, Craig M., Catchatourian, Rosalind, Rondelli, Damiano, Silver, Richard T., Bacigalupo, Andrea, Nagler, Arnon, Kremyanskaya, Marina, Sandy, Lonette, Salama, Mohamad E., Marchioli, Roberto, Tognoni, Gianni, Rampal, Raajit K., Mesa, Ruben A., Hoffman, Ronald

Blood | January 10, 2022 | Volume: 139 | Issue: 19 | Pages: 2931-2941

10.1182/blood.2021012743 Get It

Abstract The goal of therapy for patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV) is to reduce thrombotic events by normalizing blood counts. Hydroxyurea (HU) and interferon-α (IFN-α) are the most frequently used cytoreductive options for patients with ET and PV at high risk for vascular complications. Myeloproliferative Disorders Research Consortium 112 was an investigator-initiated, phase 3 trial comparing HU to pegylated IFN-α (PEG) in treatment-naïve, high-risk patients with ET/PV. The primary endpoint was complete response (CR) rate at 12 months. A total of 168 patients were treated for a median of 81.0 weeks. CR for HU was 37% and 35% for PEG (P = .80) at 12 months. At 24 to 36 months, CR was 20% to 17% for HU and 29% to 33% for PEG. PEG led to a greater reduction in JAK2V617F at 24 months, but histopathologic responses were more frequent with HU. Thrombotic events and disease progression were infrequent in both arms, whereas grade 3/4 adverse events were more frequent with PEG (46% vs 28%). At 12 months of treatment, there was no significant difference in CR rates between HU and PEG. This study indicates that PEG and HU are both effective treatments for PV and ET. With longer treatment, PEG was more effective in normalizing blood counts and reducing driver mutation burden, whereas HU produced more histopathologic responses. Despite these differences, both agents did not differ in limiting thrombotic events and disease progression in high-risk patients with ET/PV. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01259856.
Treatment of Myelofibrosis Patients with the TGF-β 1/3 Inhibitor AVID200 (MPN-RC 118) Induces a Profound Effect on Platelet Production
Bhave, Rupali , Palmer, Jeanne , Rampal, Raajit K. , Yacoub, Abdulraheem , Pettit, Kristen , Kremyanskaya, Marina , Gonzalez, Agapito , Fabris, Frank , Sandy, Lonette, Johnson, Kathryn, Doughtery, Mikaela, Domenico, Dylan , Farnoud, Noushin , Salama, Mohamed E. , Weinberg, Rona Singer , Kong, Amy , Mead‐Harvey, Carolyn , Varricchio, Lilian , Pettit, Kristen , Mascarenhas, John , Kosiorek, Heidi , Kuykendall, Andrew , Mesa, Ruben A. , Gerds, Aaron T. , Talpaz, Moshe , Komrokji, Rami S. , McGovern, Erin , Ossa, Juan Arango , Migliaccio, Anna Ritá , Najfeld, Vesna , Dueck, Amylou C. , Hoffman, Ronald

Blood | November 24, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 142-142

10.1182/blood-2021-148995 Get It

Abstract TGFβ plays a pivotal role in the pathobiology of myelofibrosis (MF) by not only promoting bone marrow fibrosis (BMF) but also by enhancing the dormancy of normal but not MF hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). TGFβ has also previously been reported to inhibit normal megakaryocyte (MK) production (Bruno et al Blood 1998). TGFβ1 promotes the synthesis of collagen by normal human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Treatment of MSCs with AVID200, a potent TGFβ1/3 protein trap, significantly decreased MSC proliferation, phosphorylation of SMAD2, and collagen expression. Robust expression of pSMAD2 was observed in the absence of exogenous TGFβ in normal donor or MF-MKs, Addition of AVID200 to MKs decreased pSMAD2 without affecting total SMAD2/3 and led to increased numbers of MKs. Treatment of MF MNCs with AVID200 also led to increased numbers of progenitor cells with wild type JAK2 and a reduction of mutated colonies. A phase 1b trial of AVID200 (NCT03895112) was performed and completed in INT-2/high risk MF patients resistant/intolerant to ruxolitinib (rux); baseline platelet count of ≥ 25 x 10 9/L, and grade 2/3 BMF. Subjects received AVID200 intravenously on Day 1 of a 21 day cycle. Response was assessed by IWG/ELN criteria after 6 cycles of AVID200. Subjects attaining at least a CI or SD with a decrease in BMF by ≥1 grade, continued AVID200. We previously presented the results of the dose escalation study (Mascarenhas ASH 2020) demonstrating that AVID200 was well tolerated without dose limiting toxicities at 3 tested dose levels (Lots A and B) in dose cohorts of 180 mg (A), 550 mg (A)/70 mg (B), and 180 mg (B). Here we report updated safety and efficacy results of the phase 1b dose expansion stage at the two highest doses tested (70 mg (B) and 180 mg (B). Twenty-two subjects were enrolled (1 withdrew before receiving treatment) and 9 were treated with AVID200 in the dose escalation phase and 12 in the dose expansion phase [Table1]. Median time after rux discontinuation was 7.4 months (0.5-59.9). The most common mutations observed at baseline in this cohort included JAK2V617F (71%), TET2 (29%) ASXL1 (24%) and CALR (19%). (Fig 1) No DLTs were observed and Grade 3/4 AEs were observed in 16 (76.2%) subjects. Grade 3/4 non-hematologic AEs were observed in 8 (38.1%) subjects and included one subject in each case (epistaxis, mucositis, extraocular muscle paresis, fatigue, rash, duodenal hemorrhage, gastric hemorrhage, urinary tract infection, and syncope). Grade 3/4 hematologic AEs were anemia (6; 28.3%) and thrombocytopenia (2; 14.3%) [Table 2]. No fatal events were observed. The median number of cycles received was 5 (range 2 - 13) and 7 (33%) patients received more than 6 cycles. For dose levels 2-3 at cycle 7, a CI was attained in one subject at dose level 2 [anemia, spleen and TSS], 5 subjects had SD, 3 subjects had PD and two subjects with 10% and 15% blasts at screening developed MPN-BP while on study based on central review. Reasons for discontinuation by local PI included PD (n=8), lack of response (n=5), study completed (n=2), other (n=2), patient decision (n=1). Median % change in palpable spleen length was +10% (range -70% to +150%) and TSS change was -50% (-100% to +185.7%) The median platelet count at baseline was 114 x 10 9/L (range: 28-695) and 215 x 10 9/L (range: 66-263) after cycle 6 in 7 evaluable subjects (Fig 2A). Notably, 17 subjects had an increase in platelets from baseline during treatment and two subjects normalized their platelet counts. Maximum changes in platelets from baseline across all cycles was +63.8% [range -15.7%, +505.5%] (Fig 2B). Paired bone marrow biopsy pathology samples for 12 subjects were available for central review and showed no significant changes in BMF score or MK histo topography at end of treatment compared to baseline. All patients had elevated plasma levels of TGF β1, but not TGFβ2/β3 levels as detected by ELISA, which were dramatically reduced 21 days after the last dose of AVID200. AVID200 a TGFβ1/3 protein trap is well tolerated and clinical responses at cycle 7 of therapy in this advanced MF patient population were limited as judged by IWG/MRT response criteria. However, AVID200 therapy resulted in significant reduction in serum TGFβ levels and improvements in platelet counts indicating that TGF β1 plays a pivotal role in MF leading to thrombocytopenia which can be reversed with AVID200 therapy. We conclude that AVID200 may best be employed in combination therapy approaches in thrombocytopenic MF patients. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Mascarenhas: Constellation: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Promedior: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Geron: Consultancy, Research Funding; Forbius: Research Funding; Genentech/Roche: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sierra Oncology: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene/BMS: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; PharmaEssentia: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Galecto: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Prelude: Consultancy; Kartos: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; CTI Biopharm: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Geron: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Merus: Research Funding. Palmer: PharmaEssentia: Research Funding; Sierra Oncology: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; CTI BioPharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Protagonist: Consultancy, Research Funding. Kuykendall: Celgene/BMS: Honoraria; Pharmaessentia: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Protagonist: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy; Abbvie: Honoraria; Blueprint: Honoraria. Mesa: Genentech: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Samus: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; CTI: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Sierra Oncology: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Pharma: Consultancy; CTI: Research Funding; Constellation Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; AOP: Consultancy; La Jolla Pharma: Consultancy; Incyte Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding. Rampal: Stemline: Consultancy, Research Funding; Memorial Sloan Kettering: Current Employment; BMS/Celgene: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; CTI: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Disc Medicine: Consultancy; Blueprint: Consultancy; Pharmaessentia: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Constellation: Research Funding; Kartos: Consultancy; Sierra Oncology: Consultancy. Gerds: PharmaEssentia Corporation: Consultancy; Sierra Oncology: Consultancy; CTI BioPharma: Research Funding; Constellation: Consultancy; Celgene/Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. Yacoub: Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; CTI Biopharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; ACCELERON PHARMA: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Dynavex: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Cara: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Ardelyx: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Hylapharm: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Talpaz: Imago: Consultancy; Constellation: 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: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Other: Grant/research support ; Celgene: Consultancy. Komrokji: Acceleron: Consultancy; Taiho Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Consultancy; BMSCelgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; PharmaEssentia: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Geron: Consultancy; Jazz: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Kremyanskaya: Astellas: Research Funding; Astex: Research Funding; Chimerix: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Constellation: Research Funding; Protagonist Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. Salama: Mayo Clinic: Current Employment, Other: Mayo Clinic had the contractual work for the central pathology review for this study and I was one of the reviewing pathologists; Constellation Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hoffman: Kartos Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding; Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.: Consultancy; Novartis: Other: Data Safety Monitoring Board, Research Funding; AbbVie Inc.: Other: Data Safety Monitoring Board, Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: AVID200 is a TGFb trap and is in clinical testing for fibrotic diseases. It does not have an approved indication at this time.
Single-Cell Multi-Omics Reveals That Pegylated Interferon-Alfa Treatment Differentially Redirects Mutated and Wildtype Hematopoietic Cell Differentiation Trajectories in CALR-mutated Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) Patients
Rosenberg, Shira , Kubas-Meyer, Andrea, Parghi, Neelang , Omans, Nathaniel D. , Chamely, Paulina, Mimitou, Eleni P. , Weinberg, Rona Singer , Landau, Dan A. , Dusaj, Neville N. , Dueck, Amylou C. , Kosiorek, Heidi , Smibert, Peter , Chaligne, Ronan , Hoffman, Ronald , Nam, Anna S.

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 57-57

10.1182/blood-2021-150745 Get It

Abstract Interferon-alpha (IFN), the first approved immunotherapy for cancer, remains an effective therapy for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). The mechanisms of action of IFN on MPN cells are poorly understood, particularly in patients with CALR mutated (MUT) MPNs, who often exhibit clinical but not molecular responses. Previously, by developing Genotyping of Transcriptomes (GoT) that captures mutation status and single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) in high-throughput, we observed that CALR mutations led to cell identity-dependent effects on CD34 + cells, including a strong megakaryocytic progenitor (MkP) differentiation bias and fitness. We hypothesized that the IFN effects may be cell identity and mutation status dependent; thus we applied GoT to serial bone marrow aspirates (BM) from 5 patients with CALRmutated ET treated with pegylated-IFN-alfa2a who participated in MPD-RC-111/112 clinical trials. To capture the transcriptional impact of IFN, we removed experimental batch effects with Cell Hashing, in which CD34 + cells from serial BM were uniquely labeled and combined for the same GoT experiment (Fig. 1A). Cell clustering based on transcriptomic data alone revealed that the cells on active treatment clustered based on cell identity and IFN effects (Fig. 1B). When off therapy for 3 weeks, the strong transcriptional effects of IFN were largely lost (Fig. 1B). Next, we batch corrected and integrated across time points for each BM sample (Fig. 1C). We observed that IFN caused large shifts in the composition of wildtype (WT) and MUT cell subsets (Fig. 1D). IFN resulted in a dramatic expansion of WT lymphoid progenitors with a corresponding diminution of other progenitors (Fig. 1E). MUT cells at baseline were enriched for MkPs, compared to WT cells; after treatment, we observed an expansion of the immature myeloid (IMP) and neutrophil progenitors, with a less striking expansion of lymphoid progenitors (Fig. 1E). As IFN has been reported to induce cell cycling of murine hematopoietic progenitor cells, we examined whether a differential increase in proliferation by IFN underlies the differentiation shifts in WT and MUT cells. Cell cycle gene expression of ProB cells increased after treatment similarly in MUT and WT cells, while cell cycle expression of IMPs was increased to a greater extent in MUT cells (Fig. 1F), consistent with the differential shifts in populations. Next, we performed differential expression analysis between baseline and treated WT and MUT cells, respectively. We observed enrichment of the IFN pathways post-therapy, whereas TNF-a signaling was downregulated (Fig. 1G). Uniquely in the MUT cells, TGF-b signaling was downregulated, which may underlie improvements in marrow fibrosis following IFN therapy (Fig. 1G). Finally, as the differentiation biases of IFN persisted after discontinuation, we hypothesized that IFN results in chromatin remodeling of the earliest hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs), with respect to transcription factor (TF) accessibility. We leveraged single nuclei chromatin accessibility (snATAC-seq) as a powerful measure of TF regulatory activities. We developed GoT-ATAC, an adaptation of the Multiome platform (10x Genomics), to capture snRNA-seq, snATAC-seq and somatic genotyping within the same cells in high-throughput (Fig. 1H). We applied GoT-ATAC to CD34 + cells from the same clinical trial cohorts (Fig. 1I, n = 3 patients: 3 baseline, 2 treated) and identified the expected enrichment of IRFs and STAT2 in treated HSPCs (Fig. 1J). Accessibility of BCL11A, critical for early lymphoid development, was increased in treated MUT and WT HSPCs. We also identified enhanced motif accessibility of PU.1 which can associate with IRF and is essential for myeloid and lymphoid differentiation. Uniquely within the treated MUT cells, we observed enhanced CEBPA motif enrichment, which regulates myeloid differentiation, together with PU.1. In conclusion, GoT revealed that IFN reshapes the differentiation landscape by promoting early lymphoid development and, uniquely in MUT cells, myeloid differentiation, providing a novel mechanism of actions underlying the effects of IFN in MPN patients. Downregulations of TNF-a and TGF-b signaling were other key molecular consequences of IFN. Lastly, GoT-ATAC demonstrated that IFN governs master regulators of hematopoietic differentiation as a function of the underlying mutational status. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Mimitou: Immunai: Current Employment. Smibert: Immunai: Current Employment. Hoffman: AbbVie Inc.: Other: Data Safety Monitoring Board, Research Funding; Novartis: Other: Data Safety Monitoring Board, Research Funding; Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.: Consultancy; Kartos Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding.
Rationale for and Results of a Phase I Study of the TGF-β 1/3 Inhibitor AVID200 in Subjects with Myelofibrosis: MPN-RC 118 Trial
Varricchio, Lilian , Bhave, Rupali , Palmer, Jeanne , Gabler, Amelia, Sandy, Lonette, Salama, Mohamed E. , Weinberg, Rona Singer , O'Connor‐McCourt, Maureen D., Tremblay, Gilles, Nadler, Paul I., Mascarenhas, John , Kosiorek, Heidi , Kuykendall, Andrew , Komrokji, Rami S. , Gerds, Aaron T. , Migliaccio, Anna Ritá , Dueck, Amylou C. , Mesa, Ruben A. , Hoffman, Ronald

Blood | November 4, 2020 | Volume: 136 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 6-8

10.1182/blood-2020-140830 Get It

Preclinical Rationale: Myelofibrosis (MF) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm for which there are limited therapies. TGFβ plays a pivotal role in the pathobiology of MF by not only promoting bone marrow fibrosis (BMF) and collagen deposition, but also by enhancing the dormancy of normal but not MF hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). TGFβ has also previously been reported to inhibit normal megakaryocyte (MK) production (Bruno et al Blood 1998). TGFβ1 promotes the synthesis of collagen by normal human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and activates the TGFβ receptor I/SMAD pathway as well as non-canonical TGFβ pathways. We generated MKs from MF subject mononuclear cells (MNCs) and showed that they elaborated significantly greater levels of TGFβ1 than TGFβ2/3 TGFβ1 treatment reduced the numbers of hematopoietic colonies generated by normal but not MF MNCs. Treatment of MSCs with AVID200, a potent TGFβ1/3 protein trap, significantly decreased MSC proliferation, phosphorylation of SMAD2, and collagen expression. Robust expression of pSMAD2 was observed in the absence of exogenous TGFβ in normal donor or MF-MKs, Addition of AVID200 to -MKs decreased pSMAD2 without affecting total SMAD2/3, indicating that AVID200 blocks the effects of autocrine TGFβ produced by MKs and led to increased numbers of MKs. Moreover, treatment of primary MF MNCs with AVID200 led to increased numbers of progenitor cells with wild type JAK2 and a reduction of mutated colonies. AVID200 blocked TGFβ1-induced p57Kip2 expression and SMAD2 activation by MF MNCs allowing the normal progenitor cells to preferentially cycle, proliferate, and form hematopoietic colonies. Clinical Trial Design: Based on these findings, a phase 1 trial of AVID200 is ongoing in INT-2/high risk MF subjects resistant or intolerant to ruxolitinib; baseline platelet count of ≥ 25 x 109/L, and grade 2/3 BMF. Subjects received intravenous AVID200 (Lots A and B) in dose cohorts of 180 mg/m2 (A), 550 mg/m2 (A), 180 mg/m2 (B) on Day 1 of a 21 day cycle. Cohorts of 3 subjects with a target toxicity rate of 30% were enrolled to estimate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). A modified toxicity probability interval design was used. Response was assessed by IWG/ELN criteria after 6 cycles of AVID200. Subjects attaining at least a CI or SD with a decrease in BMF by ≥1 grade, continued AVID200. Clinical Trial Results: 10 subjects were enrolled (1 withdrew before receiving treatment) and 9 were treated with AVID200 and were evaluable for DLT assessment [Table1]. Median time after ruxolitinib discontinuation was 3.5 months (0.5-12.2). No DLTs were observed. Grade 3/4 AEs (regardless of attribution) were observed in 6 (66.7%) subjects. Grade 3/4 non-hematologic AEs observed were epistaxis (1, 11.1%), extraocular muscle paresis (1, 11.1%), fatigue (1, 11.1%) and rash (1, 11.1%). Grade 3/4 hematologic AEs were anemia (3, 33.3%) and thrombocytopenia (2, 22.2%) [Table 2]. The median number of cycles received was 5.7 (range 0 - 12). 5 subjects received 6+ cycles and were evaluable. CI occurred in 2 subjects [anemia, spleen and TSS (n=1); TSS (n=1)] 1 of which is still being treated, 2 subjects had SD, 1 subject with 21% blasts prior to study treatment had progressive MPN-BP. 4 subjects failed to reach response evaluation after 6 cycles, 2 had PD due to increasing splenomegaly, 1 subject received an allogeneic transplant and 1 is still being treated [Cycle 2]. The median platelet count at baseline was 114 (range: 42-290) and 159 after cycle 6 [Figure 1]. Maximum changes in platelets from baseline was +64% [range -73%, 169%] in all subjects. 7 subjects had an increase in platelets from baseline during treatment. 2 subjects normalized their platelet count from thrombocytopenic levels. The effect of AVID200 on BMF is currently being examined. 2 subjects remain on treatment. Conclusions: AVID200 a TGFβ1/3 protein trap is well tolerated in advanced MF subjects. Clinical responses were observed at the 550 mg dose and the expansion efficacy cohorts at doses 2 and 3 are enrolling 12 additional subjects. Furthermore, AVID200 therapy improved thrombocytopenia in MF subjects which may be due to AVID200 inhibiting the effects of TGFβ1 on normal MKpoiesis. Updated subject safety and efficacy data along with correlative data will be presented. Disclosures Mascarenhas: Celgene, Prelude, Galecto, Promedior, Geron, Constellation, and Incyte: Consultancy; Incyte, Kartos, Roche, Promedior, Merck, Merus, Arog, CTI Biopharma, Janssen, and PharmaEssentia: Other: Research funding (institution). Kuykendall:Blueprint Medicines: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Komrokji:Jazz: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Honoraria; Agios: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Geron: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria; Acceleron: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Gerds:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; Imago Biosciences: Research Funding; Sierra Oncology: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Roche/Genentech: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Apexx Oncology: Consultancy; AstraZeneca/MedImmune: Consultancy; Pfizer: Research Funding; Incyte Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding. Migliaccio:Novartis: Research Funding. O'Connor-McCourt:Forbius: Current Employment. Tremblay:Forius: Current Employment. Nadler:Forbius: Consultancy; Nadler Pharma Associates: Current Employment; Symphogen: Consultancy; Iksuda Therapeutics: Consultancy; Tessa Therapeutics: Consultancy. Mesa:Celgene: Research Funding; Genetech: Research Funding; Samus: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; CTI: Research Funding; LaJolla Pharma: Consultancy; Incyte: Research Funding; Sierra Onc: Consultancy; Abbvie: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy. Hoffman:Forbius: Consultancy; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Dompe: Research Funding; Protagonist: Consultancy.
Phase 2 study of ruxolitinib and decitabine in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm in accelerated and blast phase
Mascarenhas, John , Rampal, Raajit K. , Bhave, Rupali , Hexner, Elizabeth O. , Wang, Eunice S. , Gerds, Aaron T. , Abboud, Camille N. , Kremyanskaya, Marina , Berenzon, Dimitry, Odenike, Olatoyosi , Farnoud, Noushin , Krishnan, Aishwarya , Weinberg, Rona Singer , Salama, Mohamed E. , Najfeld, Vesna , Medina-Martínez, Juan S. , Zhou, Yangyu, Sandy, Lonette, Heaney, Mark , Levine, Ross L. , Dueck, Amylou C. , Dueck, A. C. , Wang, Eunice S. , Gerds, Aaron T , Mascarenhas, John , Hexner, Elizabeth , Najfeld, Vesna , Kosiorek, Heidi , McGovern, Erin , Ossa, Juan Arango , Levine, Max F. , Mesa, Ruben A. , Hoffman, Ronald

Blood Advances | October 26, 2020 | Volume: 4 | Issue: 20 | Pages: 5246-5256

10.1182/bloodadvances.2020002119 Get It

Abstract Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) that have evolved into accelerated or blast phase disease (MPN-AP/BP) have poor outcomes with limited treatment options and therefore represent an urgent unmet need. We have previously demonstrated in a multicenter, phase 1 trial conducted through the Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Research Consortium that the combination of ruxolitinib and decitabine is safe and tolerable and is associated with a favorable overall survival (OS). In this phase 2 trial, 25 patients with MPN-AP/BP were treated at the recommended phase 2 dose of ruxolitinib 25 mg twice daily for the induction cycle followed by 10 mg twice daily for subsequent cycles in combination with decitabine 20 mg/m2 for 5 consecutive days in a 28-day cycle. Nineteen patients died during the study follow-up. The median OS for all patients on study was 9.5 months (95% confidence interval, 4.3-12.0). Overall response rate (complete remission + incomplete platelet recovery + partial remission) was 11/25 (44%) and response was not associated with improved survival. We conclude that the combination of decitabine and ruxolitinib was well tolerated, demonstrated favorable OS, and represents a therapeutic option for this high-risk patient population. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02076191.
Exploring the Potential of JAK1/2 Inhibitor Ruxolitinib with Reduced Intensity Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT) for Myelofibrosis: Stage I Results of a Prospective Trial Conducted through the Myeloproliferative Disorders - Research Consortium (MPD-
Klisovic, Rebecca B. , Berenzon, Dmitriy, Yacoub, Abdulraheem , Tognoni, Gianni , Prosperini, Giuseppe, Lelio, Alessandra Di, Serone, Eliseo , Marfisi, Lorenzo, Orellano, Alicia, Potiphar, Lee, Salama, Mohamed E. , Weinberg, Rona Singer , Gupta, Vikas , Kosiorek, Heidi , Galvin, John Patrick , Mesa, Ruben A. , Orellano, Alicia, Dueck, Amylou C. , Mead, Adam J. , Mascarenhas, John , Hoffman, Ronald

Blood | November 17, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 1126-1126

10.1182/blood.v128.22.1126.1126 Get It

Abstract We conducted a two-stage Simon phase II, multi-center study in two groups: related and unrelated donor transplants. Based on the results of a previously conducted prospective study (MPD-RC 101, Rondelli et al, Blood, 2014) demonstrating relatively poor outcome in the unrelated donor arm due to high non-relapse mortality and graft failure (GF), we sought to improve this noted disparate outcome. The hypothesis driving this trial was that pre-transplant JAK1/2 inhibition would result in an increase in performance status, reduction in splenomegaly and inflammatory cytokine expression leading to improved HCT outcome. In the unrelated arm in the first 11 patients, the trial was to be terminated if 6 or more failures (GF or death due to any cause by 100 days post-transplant) were observed. In the related arm in the first 11 patients, the trial was to be terminated if 3 or more failures were observed. Key eligibility criteria included diagnosis of primary MF or post-PV MF or post-ET MF, age 18-70 years, and DIPSS int-2/high risk disease or int-1 risk disease with at least one additional risk factor. Patients could have received up to 6 months of ruxolitinib prior to enrollment provided that there was no evidence of loss of response to ruxolitinib during this period. Ruxolitinib was given for 56 days followed by a 4-day taper ending day -6. The conditioning regimen utilized was IV fludarabine 40 mg/m2 IV and IV busulfan 2.0 mg/KBW IV once daily for 4 days from days -5 to -2. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine or tacrolimus and methotrexate. Patients undergoing unrelated donor HCT also received low dose thymoglobulin (0.5 mg/KBW on day -3/2.0 mg/KBW on day -2 & day -1). The study has enrolled 21 patients (related, 7; unrelated, 14) with a median age of 59 years (range 39-70). 17 (81%) patients had palpable splenomegaly with median spleen size of 11 cm, and 16 patients had int-2/high risk disease. Of the 21 patients, 19 patients received transplantation (related 5/7 [71%], unrelated 14/14 [100%] underwent transplant). Two patients in the related arm did not proceed with transplantation as one progressed to acute myeloid leukemia (baseline blast count 14%) and another experienced sudden death of unknown cause the day after starting ruxolitinib. In addition, there was one GF in the related arm. Due to these 3 failures in the related arm, further enrollment was stopped in this arm per protocol criteria. In the unrelated arm, there were 4 failures (Table 1), and the study met the protocol criteria for further enrollment. Mean percent reduction from baseline to day -9 in palpable spleen length below the left costal margin was 30% (p=0.04) in 12 patients with palpable spleen. 5/12 (42%) had any reduction, and 4/12 (33%) had ≥50% reduction. From baseline to best score on day -9 or day -5, 11/19 (58%) patients with data had any improvement in MPN-SAF Total Symptom Score, and 7/19 (37%) had ≥50% reduction. Of the 19 patients undergoing transplant, ruxolitinib was tapered off successfully in all patients with no significant withdrawal syndrome or delay in transplant noted. In the pre-transplant phase, most common Grade 3 or higher toxicity considered to be related to ruxolitinib was anemia (6/21, 29%), and one patient had legionella pneumonia deemed not related to ruxolitinib. Median time to neutrophil recovery (> 0.5 x 109/L) and platelet recovery (>20 x 109/L) was 19 and 19.5 days. By day 100, 7/19 (37%) experienced Grade 2-4 acute GVHD (G2 in 5, G3 in 2). In the first 30 days post HCT, most common Grade 3 or higher toxicity was febrile neutropenia seen in 5/19 (26%) patients. In all 21 patients from time of registration with median follow-up of 5.8 months, 6-mo overall survival was 75% (95% CI 44-90%). For the 19 transplant recipients, 6-mo OS was 83% (95% CI 55-94%) from date of transplant. Conclusions: Stage 1 trial results highlight important observations. First, ruxolitinib may not be suitable for all myelofibrosis patients pre-transplant, eg, alternative approaches might be more appropriate in the context of accelerating disease. Second, we demonstrated a safe approach for tapering ruxolitinib prior to transplant which allowed patients to commence conditioning with reduced spleen size and symptoms. Third, pre-transplant ruxolitinib does not appear to have any adverse impact on early post-HCT outcomes following unrelated donor transplant, although Stage 2 enrollment will be required to better assess the potential benefits of this approach. Disclosures Gupta: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding. Yacoub:Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Alexion: Honoraria. Mesa:Promedior: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; CTI: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Galena: Consultancy; Ariad: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. Mead:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Mascarenhas:Novartis: Other: DSMB , Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Research Funding; Incyte: Other: Clinical Trial Steereing Committee, Research Funding.
Final Results of Prospective Treatment with Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2a for Patients with Polycythemia Vera and Essential Thrombocythemia in First and Second-Line Settings
Yacoub, Abdulraheem , Rampal, Raajit K. , Silver, Richard T. , Salama, Mohamed E. , Siwoski, Olivia, Sandy, Lonette, Ewing, Joanne, Weinberg, Rona Singer , Baer, Maria R. , Winton, Elliott F., Kremyanskaya, Marina , Vadakara, Joseph , Rondelli, Damiano , Arcasoy, Murat O. , Rambaldi, Alessandro , Ritchie, Ellen K. , Barbui, Tiziano , Harrison, Claire , Rambaldi, Alessandro , Mascarenhas, John , Mesa, Ruben A. , Kosiorek, Heidi , Dueck, Amylou C. , McMullin, Mary Frances , O'Connell, Casey Lee , Mead, Adam J. , Stefano, Valerio De , Kessler, Craig M. , Vannucchi, Alessandro M. , Rosti, Vittorio , Hexner, Elizabeth O. , Kiladjian, Jean‐Jacques , Prchal, Josef T. , Hoffman, Ronald

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 2943-2943

10.1182/blood-2019-124865 Get It

Background Interferons are recognized as active agents in the treatment of patients with high risk essential thrombocythemia (ET) or polycythemia vera (PV), both in the upfront setting as well as beyond. Several trials have shown high rates of hematologic and molecular responses with the use of interferons, however, data on direct comparison of interferon activity in patients with early disease in comparison to patients refractory or resistant to prior therapies, such as hydroxyurea (HU) are lacking. We conducted a controlled analysis of the activity of pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEG) in two prospective parallel clinical trials conducted in these two unique patient populations. Methods The MPD-RC 111 (NCT01259817) was an international, multicenter, phase 2 open-label clinical trial that evaluated PEG therapy in patients with high risk PV and high-risk ET who were either refractory or intolerant (R/I) to HU by modified ELN criteria. The MPD-RC 112 trial (NCT01258856) enrolled patients with high risk ET/PV who were treatment-naïve (TN) (HU <3 months) and randomized them (1:1) to PEG or HU. All patients randomized to PEG were included in this analysis. Both protocols were conducted concurrently at the MPD-RC member institutions and utilized a similar primary endpoint of overall response rate (complete and partial response rates) by ELN Criteria at 12 months confirmed by the same blinded central review committee. Both studies utilized the same PEG starting dose of 45 mcg weekly and was titrated for response to a maximum of 180 mcg weekly. Secondary endpoints included safety information, impact on disease biomarkers, bone marrow (BM) response, and quality of life data. Results Patients ET: 39 TN and 65 R/I ET patients were available for this analysis. Median disease duration was 2.9 months in TN and 37.3 months in R/I patients. Baseline characteristics and demographics were similar in the two cohorts except lower baseline hemoglobin level in RI patients. (Table1A) PV: 43 TN and 50 R/I PV patients were included. Median disease duration was 2.5 months in TN and 54.8 months in R/I patients. Baseline characteristics only differed by lower frequency of phlebotomy rate in R/I patients. (Table1B) Baseline symptoms scores and quality of life were similar in TN and RI groups (Table 2) Response ET: CR/PR/ORR at 12 months were observed in 43.1%/26.2%/69.2% in R/I ET patients and in 43.6%/25.6%/69.2% in TN ET patients (p=0.99 for ORR). (Table 3, Figure 1) PV: CR/PR/ORR at 12 months were observed in 22%/38%/60% in R/I PV patients, and in 27.9%/58.1%/86% in TN PV patients (p=0.005 for ORR). (Table 3, Figure 1) Safety PEG was equally well tolerated throughout both treatment groups with treatment discontinuation due to adverse events occurring in 14.6% in TN patients and 13.9% in R/I patients. The mean (SD) dose of PEG was 102.7 (52.3) mcg in R/I ET patients and 128.7mcg (46.4) in R/I PV patients. For TN patients, mean dose was 85.7mcg (59.7) in ET and 93.5 mcg (44.0) in PV. Adverse events were consistent with historic reports of PEG use and the distribution of events was similar in R/I and TN patients. (Table 4) Conclusion This intention to treat response analysis included TN and R/I ET and PV patients with balanced baseline characteristics who received prospective therapy with PEG. Patients with ET had a higher overall response rate at 12 months that was equivalent in patients who were treatment-naïve and in patients who were intolerant or refractory to HU. By contrast, patients with PV who were treatment-naïve had a higher ORR than patients those intolerant or refractory to HU. We conclude that treatment with PEG is an effective therapeutic option both treatment naïve PV and ET as well as those previously treated with HU, however PEG as a second line agent is especially effective in ET patients. Disclosures Yacoub: Hylapharm: Equity Ownership; Agios: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Ardelyx: Equity Ownership; Cara: Equity Ownership; Dynavax: Equity Ownership. Mascarenhas:Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Pharmaessentia: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CTI Biopharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Merus: Research Funding. Mesa:AbbVie: Research Funding; Samus: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Sierra Onc: Consultancy; Genotech: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Research Funding; La Jolla Pharma: Consultancy. Rampal:Agios, Apexx, Blueprint Medicines, Celgene, Constellation, and Jazz: Consultancy; Constellation, Incyte, and Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding. Silver:PharmEssentia: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. McMullin:Daiko Sanyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Italopharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ewing:Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Meeting attendance sponsorship ; Bristol Myers-Squibb: Other: Meeting attendance sponsorship . O'Connell:Astex: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Shionogi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Mead:Bristol Myers-Squibb: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel/accommodation expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; CTI: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy. De Stefano:Alexion: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Baer:Astellas: Research Funding; Al Therapeutics: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Forma: Research Funding; Kite: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding. Vannucchi:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Italfarmaco: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CTI BioPharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Kremyanskaya:La Jolla: Consultancy; Incyte, Celgene, Constellation, Protagonist.: Research Funding. Hexner:novartis: Research Funding. Rambaldi:Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel support, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Italfarmaco: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel support, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Omeros: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel support, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel support, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel support, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel support, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Jazz: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau, travel support. Ritchie:Genentech: Other: Advisory board; Tolero: Other: Advisory board; agios: Other: Advisory board; Pfizer: Other: Advisory board, travel support; Celgene: Other: Advisory board; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Celgene, Novartis: Other: travel support; AStella, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, NS Pharma, Pfizer: Research Funding; Ariad, Celgene, Incyte, Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Celgene, Incyte, Novartis, Pfizer: Consultancy. Kiladjian:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; AOP Orphan: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy. Harrison:Promedior: Honoraria; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Sierra Oncology: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Speakers Bureau; CTI: Speakers Bureau; AOP: Honoraria; Shire: Speakers Bureau; Roche: Honoraria; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Hoffman:Merus: Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2a for in Patients with Polycythemia Vera or Essential Thrombocythemia
Identifying Cytokine Biomarkers of Response to Pegylated-Interferon Therapy in Polycythemia Vera and Essential Thrombocythemia: Correlative Analysis from the MPN-RC 111/112 Trials
Dunbar, Andrew , Patel, Minal, Weinberg, Rona Singer , Yacoub, Abdulraheem , Rampal, Raajit K. , Kosiorek, Heidi , Krishnan, Aishwarya , McGovern, Erin , Park, Young Joo , Dueck, Amylou C. , Mascarenhas, John , Levine, Ross L. , Hoffman, Ronald

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 1661-1661

10.1182/blood-2019-129571 Get It

Background: Pegylated Interferon-alpha (PEG-IFNa) improves hematologic parameters and reduces mutant allele fraction in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs); however, widespread clinical use is limited by frequent discontinuation due to side effects. Identifying biomarkers of response to PEG-IFNa therapy might identify patient subsets most likely to derive benefit from this therapy. Serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels are increased in MPN patients and associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The effect of PEG-IFNa therapy on cytokine levels in MPN patients and correlation with clinical response has not been elucidated. We hypothesized that identification of cytokine signatures could predict for clinical/molecular response to PEG-IFNa in MPNs. Methods: Pre- and post-treatment serum samples were collected from available patients enrolled on the Myeloproliferative Disorders Research Consortium (MPD-RC) 111/112 trials-multicenter studies assessing efficacy of PEG-IFNa in patients with high-risk polycythemia vera/essential thrombocythemia either up front or in the setting of hydroxyurea failure/intolerance. Serum was prepared using the Millipore MAP Human 41-Cytokine Magnet Bead System (Millipore; Cat:HCYTOMAG-60K) and run on the Luminex FLEXMAP 3D platform. Data was analyzed using Luminex xPonent 4.3 software. Correlative mutational data on 156 genes implicated in myeloid malignancies was also available for all patients. Age-matched serum from healthy individuals (N=6) was obtained from AllCellsTM for use as wild-type (WT) controls. Baseline cytokine samples were compared between groups of interest by use of Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Change from baseline in cytokines for each group were compared to the null hypothesis of zero change. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Pre- and post-treatment serum samples were available on 29 MPN patients from the MPN-RC 111/112 cohorts. 21 patients were classified as complete responders (CRs) vs. 8 non-responders (NRs) using European LeukemiaNet criteria. Baseline cytokine levels were generally increased in both CRs and NRs compared to WT, including significant increases in Eotaxin (p=0.023), IL3 (p=0.048), IP10 (p=0.04), and TNFa (p=0.006) (Table 1), as well as a non-significant trend increase in IL8 (p=0.076). Notably, other cytokines were decreased at baseline in comparison to WT, including EGF (p<0.001), as well as MDC (p=0.040) and PDGFaabb (p=0.02), in line with previous studies. Compared to CRs, NRs displayed significantly lower levels of GRO (p=0.020), MDC (p=0.003), and PDGFaabb (p=0.026) at baseline along with elevated levels of IP10 (p=0.028) suggesting pre-treatment levels of these cytokines might predict response to therapy. Comparison of pre- and post- treatment samples revealed a general increase in median cytokine levels in CRs, with significant changes in GM-CSF (p=0.012), IP10 (p<0.001), MCP1 (p=0.015) and IFNa itself (p=0.010). Notably, median cytokine levels in NRs post-treatment, including IFNa, were relatively unchanged from baseline despite on-going PEG-IFNa therapy. Additional pre-treatment serum samples, as well as correlative analysis of cytokine changes with JAK-STAT driver mutant allele fraction and mutational profiling are underway and will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest individual cytokines are affected by PEG-IFNa in MPNs. Furthermore, baseline levels of GRO, MDC, PDGFaabb, and IP10 correlate with response to PEG-IFNa. These data may identify MPN patients most likely to respond to PEG-IFNa therapy and those for whom this therapy may be most appropriate. Further analysis with a larger cohort of treatment-naïve patients is underway to validate these findings and identify additional molecular and cytokine signatures of response to PEG-IFNa therapy. Disclosures Yacoub: Agios: Speakers Bureau; Hylapharm: Equity Ownership; Dynavax: Equity Ownership; Cara: Equity Ownership; Ardelyx: Equity Ownership; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Mascarenhas:Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Merus: Research Funding; Pharmaessentia: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Levine:Lilly: Honoraria; Qiagen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Imago Biosciences: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Loxo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Prelude Therapeutics: Research Funding; Isoplexis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy; Amgen: Honoraria; C4 Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy. Hoffman:Merus: Research Funding. Rampal:Constellation, Incyte, and Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding; Agios, Apexx, Blueprint Medicines, Celgene, Constellation, and Jazz: Consultancy.
Impact on MPN Symptoms and Quality of Life of Front Line Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a Vs. Hydroxyurea in High Risk Polycythemia Vera and Essential Thrombocythemia: Results of Myeloproliferative Disorders Research Consortium (MPD-RC) 112 Global Phase III T
Rambaldi, Alessandro , Berenzon, Dmitriy, Yacoub, Abdulraheem , Harrison, Claire , Ewing, Joanne, Winton, Elliott F., Leibowitz, D , Arcasoy, Murat O. , Catchatourian, Rosalind, Rondelli, Damiano , Silver, Richard T. , Bacigalupo, Andrea , Nagler, Arnon , Kremyanskaya, Marina , Sandy, Lonette, Salama, Mohamed E. , Weinberg, Rona Singer , Rampal, Raajit K. , Rambaldi, Alessandro , Mesa, Ruben A. , Kosiorek, Heidi , Mascarenhas, John , Prchal, Josef T. , McMullin, Mary Frances , Vannucchi, Alessandro M. , O'Connell, Casey Lee , Kiladjian, Jean‐Jacques , Mead, Adam J. , Stefano, Valerio De , Kessler, Craig M. , Najfeld, Vesna , Tripodi, Joseph , Hoffman, Ronald, Dueck, Amylou C.

Blood | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 132 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3032-3032

10.1182/blood-2018-99-111929 Get It

Abstract Background: Patients (pts) with polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) suffer from difficult MPN associated symptoms which impact quality of life (QoL). The impact of initial cytoreduction on ET/PV symptoms, resulting toxicity and QoL have not been prospectively studied. Methods: MPD-RC 112 trial (NCT01258856) randomized 168 therapy-naive (hydroxyurea [HU] <3 mo) high risk ET/PV pts (<5 years of disease) to response adjusted pegylated interferon alpha 2a (PEG) or HU. MPN symptoms, in depth toxicity assessment, and QoL were measured by two symptom instruments (MPN-SAF, EORTC QLQ-C30: baseline,3, 6, 9, and 12 mo) and toxicity questions. Blinded response review by European Leukemia Net (ELN) hematological responses (HR) was conducted at 12 months. Individual time point and longitudinal group comparisons were based on mixed models adjusting for age. Results: Patients: Of 168 randomized pts (86 HU, 82 PEG), 164 (98%) completed the survey package at baseline and 151 (HU 83%; PEG 98%) completed at least 1 survey during treatment. Median age was 61 (range 18-87) with 70 (42%) females; 81 (48%) / 87 (52%) with ET / PV; 46 (27%) had a history of a thrombosis. 119 (71%) received prior HU (up to 3 months). Baseline characteristics were balanced between arms with the exception of age (median HU 63 vs. PEG 60 yrs; p=0.02). Baseline Symptom Burden /QoL: Mean MPN-SAF Total Symptom Score (TSS), scale 0 [absent]-100 [worst imaginable] was 15.8 (SD 12.6; range 0-62.0) with means of 15.1 (SD 12.6) / 16.5 (SD 12.6) for ET / PV which were slightly lower than reported means of a previous cohort receiving any line of treatment (Scherber RM, JCO 2012). Median number of moderate (defined as score >=3) symptoms in ET patients was 3.0 and PV 4.0. Most common moderate symptoms were fatigue (65.9%), insomnia (37.2%), numbness (33.5%) , itching (29.9%), dizziness (27.4%), early satiety (26.8%) , headache (23.2%), sad mood (23.2%), inactivity (22%), concentration (20.7%). 50.6% of patients had one or more symptom with a score >=6. Mean QLQ-C30 global health status/QoL (GHS/QoL) was 70.8 (SD 21.9) - comparable to a general population (mean 71.2, SD 22.4) and better than a general cancer population (mean 61.3, SD 24.2; QLQ-C30 Reference Manual 2008). At baseline, TSS, symptoms, and QoL were similar between treatment arms. In patients with TSS >20 at baseline (highly symptomatic, n=50; ET:20, PV:30), median TSS was 28.0 (range 20.0 to 62.0); the highest scored symptom was fatigue (median=7.0), itching (median=4.5) and insomnia (median=4.0). Impact of Therapy on Symptom Burden/QoL: On HU, pts experienced worsening QoL (physical, cognitive functioning, HRQoL) and some persistent or transient worsened symptoms (inactivity, concentration (p<0.05) (Table 1)). On PEG, pts experienced worsening of fever, dyspnea, appetite loss and PEG-related symptoms including flu-like symptoms, injection site irritation, blurry vision, and visual changes (all p<0.05), but not sad mood (not corrected for antidepressants). In comparing arms, change in TSS significantly differed (p=0.01) between arms with increasing symptoms on HU vs PEG at 3 and 6 mo, but lower symptom burden at 9 and 12 mos (Figure 1). In highly symptomatic pts (with a baseline TSS > 20, n=50), improvements in weight loss, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, itching, fever, early satiety (12 m.) were observed in pts on HU. For PEG, in highly symptomatic pts, improvements were observed for overall TSS score, fatigue, inactivity, night sweats, and itching (with similar toxicities to all PEG patients). ELN Response and Symptom Burden/QoL: Among the 133 pts with 12-mo symptom data, complete hematologic response (CHR) rate was 43%. Inactivity and sad mood were worse in those patient achieving a CHR (inactivity: CHR worsening 0.68 vs PHR/NR better 0.26; p=0.03; sad mood: CHR worsening 0.67 vs PHR/NR better 0.67, p=0.002)). These latter changes were not related to higher doses utilized (in either arm), suggesting obtaining CHR may have negative effects on patient symptoms. Conclusions:In pts with a significant baseline MPN symptom burden, cytoreductive therapy has both a beneficial impact on baseline MPN symptom burden but also leads to therapy associated toxicity, although different patterns of efficacy and toxicity between HU and PEG. Achievement of a CHR in PV/ET may be associated with higher rates of drug related toxicities, and the value of achieving CHR may need further validation. Disclosures Mesa: Incyte Corporation: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; UT Health San Antonio - Mays Cancer Center: Employment; Genentech: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding. Mascarenhas:Merck: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding. Rambaldi:Omeros: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Italfarmaco: Consultancy; Amgen Inc.: Consultancy. Yacoub:Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Cara Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; Ardelyx, INC.: Equity Ownership; Inycte: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Dynavax: Equity Ownership. Harrison:Gilead: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; CTI BioPharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Kiladjian:AOP Orphan: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Mead:Elstar: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; ARIAD: Consultancy; Cell Therapeutics: Consultancy; Evotek: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy. Kessler:Sangamo: Research Funding; Octapharma: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novo Nordisk: Honoraria, Research Funding; Dimension Advisory boards: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; DSMB: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech: Research Funding; Biomarin: Research Funding. Kremyanskaya:Incyte: Research Funding. Rampal:Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding; Constellation: Research Funding; Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria; Stemline: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria. Hoffman:Incyte: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Merus: Research Funding; Formation Biologics: Research Funding; Summer Road: Research Funding. Dueck:Pfizer: Honoraria; Bayer: Employment; Phytogine: Employment.