Higgins, Rodney R.

Abstract Background: Cytogenetic risk categories based on conventional chromosome studies are widely used in clinical practice to make treatment decisions for AML. We evaluated the efficacy of interphase FISH to detect chromosome anomalies in the workup of young (<60 years) patients with AML. Methods: Study subjects were enrolled in E1900, a front-line Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) clinical trial for AML. This is an on-going Phase III clinical trial with Daunorubicin dose-intensification ± Gemtuzumab-Ozogamicin consolidation therapy prior to stem cell transplant. This trial opened December 2002; as of February 2005, 223 patients were enrolled. The protocol was designed to collect bone marrow for both cytogenetic and FISH studies at study entry (diagnosis). Cytogenetic studies were done by local laboratories with results reviewed centrally by the ECOG Cytogenetics Committee. Each case was classified as acceptable or unacceptable based on predefined ECOG cytogenetic criteria. FISH for each patient was performed in the ECOG FISH laboratory at Mayo Clinic and utilized eight probe sets to detect t(8;21), t(9;22), t(11;var), t(15;17), inv(16), +8, −5/5q, and −7/7q (Vysis, Downer Grove, IL). Results: 64 (29%) of 223 specimens had incomplete cytogenetic and/or FISH results. We analyzed the remaining 159 (71%) specimens with complete cytogenetic and FISH results. Results for each specimen were classified by probe set into one of the following categories: Normal cytogenetics and normal FISH; Abnormal cytogenetics and abnormal FISH for the anomaly the probe was designed to detect; Abnormal cytogenetics and abnormal FISH for an anomaly the probe was not primarily designed to detect; Normal cytogenetics and abnormal FISH; Abnormal cytogenetics and normal FISH; or Abnormal cytogenetics and abnormal FISH that further defined the karyotype. Figure 1: Results for 159 patients by category and FISH probe set: *t(8;21); t(9;22); t(11;var); t(15;17); inv(16); cen(8); del(5/5q); de(7/7q). Figure 1:. Results for 159 patients by category and FISH probe set: *t(8;21); t(9;22); t(11;var); t(15;17); inv(16); cen(8); del(5/5q); de(7/7q). The concordance rate between cytogenetic and FISH results ranged from 97 to 100% for all probe sets and kappa analysis for concordance had a p value of <0.0001. Of the total 159 cases, discrepancies between FISH and cytogenetic results occurred in only 4 cases; two with normal cytogenetics and abnormal FISH and two with abnormal cytogenetics and normal FISH results. Conclusions: The high level of agreement between cytogenetics and FISH demonstrates the accuracy of a panel of 8 FISH probe sets for the detection of significant abnormalities in AML. The data from this investigation support the use of FISH as an adjunct in cases of failed cytogenetic analyses to increase the yield of useful cytogenetic results in large cooperative trials. Furthermore, because of the strong correlation between cytogenetics and FISH, our results demonstrate the potential of FISH as a follow-up study of minimal residual disease in ECOG trials.

Abstract Abstract 579 Background: In AML, age and cytogenetics remain among the major prognostic factors. Age above 55 years and a complex karyotype (CK; ≥ 3 abnormal clones) or the presence of monosomy 7 (M7) are universally associated with unfavorable prognosis. Recent data from HOVON-SAKK (J Clin Onc 26: 4791) suggest that in patients under the age of 60 years, subgroups with poor risk versus very poor risk can be delineated based on the presence of a MK. MK was defined as either the presence of at least two autosomal monosomies or one monosomy plus at least one structural abnormality. Limited data exists regarding the impact of MK in AML patients over the age of 55 years. Methods: Data from 935 AML patients above age 55 enrolled on three prospective ECOG therapeutic clinical trials (E1490, E3993, E3999) between 1990 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed to identify those with MK with single and/or multiple monosomies, MK in the presence or absence of a CK, CK with/without MK, MK with/without M7, and normal karyotype (CN). CK was defined as ≥ 3 clonal abnormalities for the purposes of this study. Complete remission (CR), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed. Results: The median age of evaluable patients was 68 years (range 56 – 93) with a male/female ratio of 391/299. Cytogenetic data were evaluable in 690 (74%) subjects. Clonal cytogenetic abnormalities occurred in 399 (58%). Core-binding factor (CBF) abnormalities accounted for 16/399 (4%) whereas CK was detected in 181/399 (45%). MK was present in 172 (25%) evaluable cases, predominantly in the setting of CK (140/172, 81%). Overall CR was 44%. CR was achieved in 49% MK−, 29% MK+, 31% CK+, and 49% of CK−. Data for the combinations of MK and CK are presented in Table 1. Median follow-up for survivors was 5.0 years. OS at 4-years was 9% for all evaluable patients and 4y-DFS was 12% in those achieving CR. Median OS of MK+/CK+ (0.3y) was significantly worse (p<0.001) than MK+/CK−(0.6y), MK−/CK+ (0.8y), and MK−/CK−(0.9y). Median DFS of MK+/CK+ (0.3y) was also significantly poorer (p<0.001) than MK+/CK− (0.9y), MK−/CK+ (0.8y), and MK−/CK− (0.9y). M7 was present in 82 (13%) enrolled patients with 98% (80/82) of M7 occurring within a MK. CR was achieved in 31% of MK+/M7+ and 27% of MK+/M7−. Neither median OS nor DFS were significantly impacted by M7 status as noted in Table 2. Conclusions: AML patients above the age of 55 years have an unfavorable prognosis with the majority of patients harboring adverse clonal cytogenetic abnormalities and failing to achieve a CR. Fewer than 10% survive 4-years from diagnosis. Results from the ECOG experience demonstrate the prognostic predictive value of MK in older AML patients. In contrast to the data presented by the HOVAN-SAKK group, the prognostic value of MK in patients over 55 years is limited to those with MK in combination with CK. These results also demonstrate the failure of monosomy 7 to provide prognostic value in the setting of MK. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background: Little is known about the causes of adult leukemia. A few small studies have reported a reduced risk associated with regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Methods: In a population-based case–control study, we evaluated analgesic use among 670 newly diagnosed myeloid leukemia cases [including 420 acute myeloid leukemias (AML) and 186 chronic myeloid leukemias (CML)] and 701 controls aged 20 to 79 years. Prior use of aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, other NSAIDs, and COX-2 inhibitors was assessed and included frequency, duration, and quantity. ORs and 95% CIs were calculated using unconditional logistic regression adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Regular/extra strength aspirin use was inversely associated with myeloid leukemia in women (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.37–0.93) but not in men (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.58–1.24). In contrast, acetaminophen use was associated with an increased risk of myeloid leukemia in women only (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.04–2.47). These relationships were stronger with increasing dose and duration. When stratified by leukemia type, aspirin use was inversely associated with AML and CML in women. No significant overall associations were found with ibuprofen or COX-2 inhibitors for either sex; however, a decreased risk was observed with other anti-inflammatory analgesic use for women with AML or CML (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.22–0.99; OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.10–0.92, respectively). Conclusions: Our results provide additional support for the chemopreventive benefits of NSAIDs, at least in women. Because leukemia ranks fifth in person-years of life lost due to malignancy, further investigation is warranted. Impact: NSAIDs may reduce, whereas acetaminophen may increase, myeloid leukemia risk in women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(8); 1741–50. ©2011 AACR.

Abstract Pretreatment cytogenetics is a known predictor of outcome in hematologic malignancies. However, its usefulness in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is generally limited to the presence of the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome because of the low incidence of other recurrent abnormalities. We present centrally reviewed cytogenetic data from 1522 adult patients enrolled on the Medical Research Council (MRC) UKALLXII/Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 2993 trial. The incidence and clinical associations for more than 20 specific chromosomal abnormalities are presented. Patients with a Ph chromosome, t(4;11)(q21;q23), t(8;14)(q24.1;q32), complex karyotype (5 or more chromosomal abnormalities), or low hypodiploidy/near triploidy (Ho-Tr) all had inferior rates of event-free and overall survival when compared with other patients. In contrast, patients with high hyperdiploidy or a del(9p) had a significantly improved outcome. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the prognostic relevance of t(8;14), complex karyotype, and Ho-Tr was independent of sex, age, white cell count, and T-cell status among Ph-negative patients. The observation that Ho-Tr and, for the first time, karyotype complexity confer an increased risk of treatment failure demonstrates that cytogenetic subgroups other than the Ph chromosome can and should be used to risk stratify adults with ALL in future trials.