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Khoury, Joseph D.

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2621-3584

Mayo Clinic

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Citations 16

Results from a Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial of Tagraxofusp (SL-401) in Patients with Intermediate, or High Risk, Relapsed/Refractory Myelofibrosis
Pemmaraju, Naveen , Ali, Haris , Yacoub, Abdulraheem , Lee, Sangmin , Schiller, Gary J. , Sardone, Megan, Wysowskyj, Halyna, Chen, Janice , Poradosu, Enrique, Rupprecht, Nicole, Pardanani, Animesh , Tefferi, Ayalew , Khoury, Joseph D. , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Gupta, Vikas , Wang, Eunice S. , Brooks, Christopher , McDonald, Peter, Talpaz, Moshe , Taparia, Minakshi , Verstovšek, Srđan

Blood | February 14, 2020 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 558-558

10.1182/blood-2019-131217 Get It

Background Patients with myelofibrosis (MF) who fail or are intolerant to JAK inhibitors (JAKi) have limited treatment options. Tagraxofusp is a targeted therapy directed to CD123 that was approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). CD123 is expressed on a variety of malignancies including BPDCN, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and certain myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), including MF. High-expressing CD123+ plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), the cell of origin of BPDCN, have been detected in the microenvironment of certain myeloid neoplasms, including MF, where they may play a tumor-promoting role. Notably, pDCs share a common precursor cell with monocytes, and monocytosis has been reported as a poor prognostic factor in patients with MF, associated with shortened overall survival. We hypothesized that tagraxofusp may offer a novel and rational therapeutic approach in patients with relapsed/refractory MF, and in particular in patients with monocytosis. Aims To assess safety and evaluate efficacy of tagraxofusp in patients with MF who were relapsed, refractory, or unable to tolerate JAKi. Methods This multicenter, open-label Phase 1/2 trial is enrolling patients with MF. In the Stage 1 (dose escalation), tagraxofusp was administered as a daily IV infusion at 7, 9, or 12 mcg/kg on days 1-3 every 21 days (cycle 1-4), 28 days (cycles 5-7), and 42 days (cycles 8+). In Stage 2 (expansion), patients are receiving the recommended Phase 2 dose (12 mcg/kg). Results 27 patients with MF have been treated, including 14 patients who had previously received ≥ 3 lines of therapy. Median age was 69 years (range 54-81), 52% were female, and 26% had baseline monocytosis (≥ 1x109/L). Baseline risk assessment based on the DIPSS Plus risk group assessment showed 1 patient (4%) with intermediate-1, 16 patients (59%) with intermediate-2, and 9 patients (33%) with high-risk. At study entry, median platelet count was 59 K/uL; 67% of patients had baseline platelets <100 K/uL, of which 10 patients had platelets <50 K/uL. 74% of patients had baseline splenomegaly (spleen palpable ≥ 5 cm below the left costal margin). In terms of molecular mutations: JAK2 (n=18); CALR (n=3); and MPL (n=1), and additional molecular analysis showed ASXL1 (n=5). In terms of cytogenetics, 30% (8/27) of patients had an abnormal karyotype, mainly 20q- (n=3), -5/5q-, -7/7q-, and 12p- (each n=2). Most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs, incidence ≥ 15%) include headache, hypoalbuminemia, increased levels of alanine aminotransferase, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. Most common ≥ grade 3 TRAE's were thrombocytopenia (8%) and anemia (15%). Capillary leak syndrome was reported in 1 patient (grade 3). Among the 17 evaluable patients with baseline splenomegaly, 53% had spleen size reductions, of which 4 patients had reductions of > 45%. In 5 patients with baseline splenomegaly and monocytosis (>1x109/L monocytes), 80% (4/5) had spleen size reductions, of which 2 had reductions of >45%. Five patients had treatment duration of 12 months or more, with two of those patients ongoing (13+,and 24+ months, respectively). Six patients with platelets <100 K/uL had treatment duration of 6 months or more, including 3 patients with baseline monocytosis who had treatment duration of 12 months or more. 7 patients had objective responses (IWG-MRT 2013 responses), including Clinical improvement (CI) (n=5) and CI (Symptom) (n=2). 20 patients were evaluable for symptomatic assessment (MPN-SAF TSS). Symptom response rate was 45% (defined as ³50% reduction in TSS score). Reductions in both symptom score and spleen size was noted in 6/6 patients who had splenomegaly at baseline. Conclusions Tagraxofusp demonstrated single agent clinical activity, with a predictable and manageable safety profile, in patients with relapsed/refractory MF, including in patients with monocytosis, a poor prognostic factor and unmet medical need. Tagraxofusp may offer MF patients, and MF patients with monocytosis in particular, a novel treatment option. Enrollment continues, and updated trial data will be presented. This clinical trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02268253. Disclosures Pemmaraju: affymetrix: Research Funding; sagerstrong: Research Funding; Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding; plexxikon: Research Funding; novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Stemline Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; cellectis: Research Funding; celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; samus: Research Funding; mustangbio: Consultancy, Research Funding; abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding. Gupta:Sierra Oncology: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding. Yacoub:Dynavax: Equity Ownership; Cara: Equity Ownership; Ardelyx: Equity Ownership; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Agios: Speakers Bureau; Hylapharm: Equity Ownership. Wang:Agios: Other: Advisory role; Amgen: Other: Advisory role; Daiichi: Other: Advisory role; Stemline: Other: Advisory role, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Other: Advisory role, Speakers Bureau; celyad: Other: Advisory role; Abbvie: Other: Advisory role; Kite: Other: Advisory role; Jazz: Other: Advisory role; Astellas: Other: Advisory role, Speakers Bureau. Lee:AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Ai Therapeutics: Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy; Roche Molecular Systems: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Consultancy; Helsinn: Consultancy. Schiller:Agios: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Pfizer Pharmaceuticals: Equity Ownership, Research Funding; Sangamo Therapeutics: Research Funding; Amgen: Other, Research Funding; Astellas: Research Funding; Biomed Valley Discoveries: Research Funding; Bristol Myer Squibb: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Constellation Pharmaceutical: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Eli Lilly and Company: Research Funding; FujiFilm: Research Funding; Genzyme: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; J&J: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Research Funding. Sardone:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Wysowskyj:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Chen:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Brooks:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Poradosu:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. McDonald:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Rupprecht:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Talpaz:Imago BioSciences: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; CTI BioPharma: Research Funding; Constellation: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Samus Therapeutics: Research Funding. Taparia:Novartis: Consultancy. Verstovsek:Protaganist Therapeutics: Research Funding; Ital Pharma: Research Funding; Astrazeneca: Research Funding; Pharma Essentia: Research Funding; Sierra Oncology: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Blueprint Medicines Corp: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; CTI BioPharma Corp: Research Funding; Genetech: Research Funding; Constellation: Consultancy; Pragmatist: Consultancy. Khoury:Kiromic: Research Funding; Angle: Research Funding; Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding. Patnaik:Stem Line Pharmaceuticals.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Coactivation of NF-κB and Notch signaling is sufficient to induce B-cell transformation and enables B-myeloid conversion
Xiu, Yan , Dong, Qianze , Fu, Lin , Bossler, Aaron , Tang, Xiaobing , Borcherding, Nicholas , Leidinger, Mariah , Sardina, José Luis , Li, Qingchang , Aifantis, Iannis , Boccalatte, Francesco , Wang, Lili , Jin, Meiling , Khoury, Joseph D. , Wang, Wei , Hu, Shimin , Yuan, Youzhong , Wang, Endi , Ji, Yuan , Janz, Siegfried , Colgan, John , Habelhah, Hasem , Waldschmidt, Thomas J. , Müschen, Markus , Bagg, Adam , Feldman, Andrew, Hu, Shimin , Borcherding, Nicholas , Janz, Siegfried , Yuan, Ji , Boyce, Brendan F. , Xue, Hai‐Hui , Feldman, Andrew L. , Darbro, Benjamin W. , Zhao, Chen

Blood | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 135 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 108-120

10.1182/blood.2019001438 Get It

AbstractNF-κB and Notch signaling can be simultaneously activated in a variety of B-cell lymphomas. Patients with B-cell lymphoma occasionally develop clonally related myeloid tumors with poor prognosis. Whether concurrent activation of both pathways is sufficient to induce B-cell transformation and whether the signaling initiates B-myeloid conversion in a pathological context are largely unknown. Here, we provide genetic evidence that concurrent activation of NF-κB and Notch signaling in committed B cells is sufficient to induce B-cell lymphomatous transformation and primes common progenitor cells to convert to myeloid lineage through dedifferentiation, not transdifferentiation. Intriguingly, the converted myeloid cells can further transform, albeit at low frequency, into myeloid leukemia. Mechanistically, coactivation of NF-κB and Notch signaling endows committed B cells with the ability to self renew. Downregulation of BACH2, a lymphoma and myeloid gene suppressor, but not upregulation of CEBPα and/or downregulation of B-cell transcription factors, is an early event in both B-cell transformation and myeloid conversion. Interestingly, a DNA hypomethylating drug not only effectively eliminated the converted myeloid leukemia cells, but also restored the expression of green fluorescent protein, which had been lost in converted myeloid leukemia cells. Collectively, our results suggest that targeting NF-κB and Notch signaling will not only improve lymphoma treatment, but also prevent the lymphoma-to-myeloid tumor conversion. Importantly, DNA hypomethylating drugs might efficiently treat these converted myeloid neoplasms.
Results from Ongoing Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial of Tagraxofusp (SL-401) in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)
Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Ali, Haris , Schiller, Gary J. , Lee, Sang‐Min , Yacoub, Abdulraheem , Sardone, Megan, Wysowskyj, Halyna, Shemesh, Shay , Chen, Janice , Olguin, Arturo, Dunn, Vanessa, Pardanani, Animesh , Tefferi, Ayalew , Khoury, Joseph D. , Pemmaraju, Naveen , Gupta, Vikas , Talpaz, Moshe , Brooks, Christopher , Verstovšek, Srđan

Blood | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 132 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 1821-1821

10.1182/blood-2018-99-119302 Get It

Abstract Background: Patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) have historically had poor outcomes, with overall response rates (ORR) of ~16% for hypomethylating agents (HMA) in first-line registration studies with a median overall survival (OS) of ~4-7 months in the relapsed/refractory (R/R) setting. Allogeneic stem cell transplant is not an option for the majority, due to older age at diagnosis and comorbidities. Tagraxofusp (Elzonris™, SL-401) is a novel targeted therapy directed to the interleukin-3 receptor-α (CD123), a target expressed on a variety of malignancies. In CMML, CD123 is expressed on malignant progenitor cells as well as microenvironmental plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) infiltrates, now shown to be part of the malignant clone (Solary, EHA 2018). We thus hypothesized that therapeutic targeting of CD123-expressing malignant cells and infiltrating clonal pDCs may offer a novel therapeutic approach. Tagraxofusp has already demonstrated high levels of clinical activity against blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), a CD123+ malignancy derived from pDCs. Methods: This multicenter, two-stage Phase 1/2 trial is enrolling patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) CMML or other myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Primary objectives include assessment of safety, determining optimal dose/regimen, and evaluating efficacy outcomes in patients with r/r CMML. In the Stage 1 dose escalation cohort (completed), tagraxofusp was administered as a daily IV infusion at 7, 9, and 12 mcg/kg/day, on days 1-3 every 21 days (cycle 1-4), every 28 days (cycles 5-7), and every 42 days (cycles 8+). In Stage 2 (ongoing), patients received the optimal dose determined in Stage 1 (12 mcg/kg; no MTD reached). Results: As of July 2018, 18 patients with CMML (CMML-1 [n=10]; CMML-2 [n=8]) received tagraxofusp. 13 patients were treated in second-line setting and 5 patients were treated in third-line and beyond, with HMAs being the most commonly administered prior therapy. Median age was 70 years (range 42-80); 78% patients were male. 53% (9/17) of patients had baseline splenomegaly (range: 2 to 22 cm palpable below left costal margin (BCM) by physical exam). Most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were hypoalbuminemia and nausea (each 38%), vomiting (31%), fatigue, edema, and thrombocytopenia (each 25%). Most common ≥grade 3 TRAEs were thrombocytopenia (13%) and nausea (6%). Capillary leak syndrome was reported in 3 patients (19%; all grade 2). 100% (8/8) of patients with baseline splenomegaly had a spleen response, including 75% (6/8) who had reduction in splenomegaly of 50% or more. 60% (3/5) of patients with baseline spleen size ≥5cm had reduction in splenomegaly of 50% or more. Two patients treated with tagraxofusp achieved bone marrow CRs. 43% (6/14) of evaluable patients had a treatment duration of 6 months or more, including one at 8+ and one at 14+ months. Conclusions: Tagraxofusp monotherapy resulted in significant reductions in spleen sizes along with bone marrow morphological responses in relapsed/refractory patients with CMML, with a manageable safety profile. Given CD123 expression on both neoplastic myeloid cells and pDCs infiltrates, tagraxofusp may offer a novel targeted approach for patients with CMML, an area of unmet medical need. Enrollment continues, and updated safety and efficacy data will be presented. A registrational trial in this patient population is planned. Clinical trial information: NCT02268253. Disclosures Ali: Incyte Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Gupta:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. Schiller:Celator/Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding. Lee:AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Clinipace: Consultancy; Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc: Consultancy; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy. Yacoub:Cara Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; Ardelyx, INC.: Equity Ownership; Dynavax: Equity Ownership; Inycte: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Sardone:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Wysowskyj:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Shemesh:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Chen:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Olguin:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Brooks:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Dunn:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Verstovsek:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy; Italfarmaco: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Khoury:Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding. Pemmaraju:celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; novartis: Research Funding; Affymetrix: Research Funding; samus: Research Funding; cellectis: Research Funding; daiichi sankyo: Research Funding; stemline: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; plexxikon: Research Funding; abbvie: Research Funding; SagerStrong Foundation: Research Funding.
Results from Ongoing Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial of Tagraxofusp (SL-401) in Patients with Intermediate or High Risk Relapsed/Refractory Myelofibrosis
Pemmaraju, Naveen , Schiller, Gary J. , Lee, Sang‐Min , Yacoub, Abdulraheem , Ali, Haris , Sardone, Megan, Wysowskyj, Halyna, Shemesh, Shay , Chen, Janice , Olguin, Arturo, Dunn, Vanessa, Pardanani, Animesh , Tefferi, Ayalew , Khoury, Joseph D. , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Gupta, Vikas , Talpaz, Moshe , Brooks, Christopher , Verstovšek, Srđan

Blood | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 132 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 1773-1773

10.1182/blood-2018-99-119201 Get It

Abstract Background: Patients with myelofibrosis (MF) that have failed or are intolerant to JAK inhibitors (JAKi) have no standard treatment options. Tagraxofusp (Elzonris™; SL-401) is a novel targeted therapy directed to the interleukin-3 receptor-α (CD123), a target expressed on a variety of malignancies, including certain myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) such as MF. CD123 is also expressed on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), which reside in the tumor microenvironment and may play a role in promoting growth of MPNs and other malignancies. Therefore, targeting of CD123-expressing malignant cells and/or neighboring pDCs may offer a novel therapeutic approach. Tagraxofusp has demonstrated high levels of clinical activity against blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), a CD123+ malignancy derived from pDCs. Methods: This multicenter, two-stage Phase 1/2 trial is enrolling patients with MF that were relapsed, refractory, or unable to tolerate JAKi. Primary objectives include assessment of safety, determining optimal dose/regimen, and evaluating efficacy outcomes. In the Stage 1 dose escalation cohort (completed), tagraxofusp was dosed as a daily IV infusion at 7, 9, and 12 mcg/kg/day, on days 1-3 every 21 days (cycle 1-4), every 28 days (cycles 5-7), and every 42 days (cycles 8+). In Stage 2 (ongoing), patients received the optimal dose determined in Stage 1 (12 mcg/kg/day). Results: As of July 2018, 18 patients with MF received tagraxofusp. Five patients were treated in the second line setting and 12 patients were treated in third-line setting, and beyond. Median age was 69 years (range 55-81); 60% patients were female. Of the 18 patients with DIPSS Plus risk group assessment available, 3 patients (17%) were intermediate-1, 10 patients (55%) were intermediate-2, and 5 patients (28%) were high-risk. Median platelet count was 66 K/uL (range 15-579). 70% (14/20) of patients had baseline platelets <100K/uL, of which 6 patients had platelets <50K/uL at study entry. 89% (17/19) of patients had baseline splenomegaly defined as palpable spleen 5 cm or more below costal margin (BCM) by physical exam. Most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) include hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia (each 27%), and alanine aminotransferase increased, anemia, dizziness, fatigue, headache and nausea (each 20%). Most common ≥grade 3 TRAEs include anemia (20%) and thrombocytopenia and fatigue (each 7%). Capillary leak syndrome was reported in 1 patient (5%; grade 3). 50% (6/12) of evaluable patients, with baseline spleen size 5 cm or more BCM, had a spleen response, of which 33% (4/12) had splenomegaly reduction by 33% or more and 25% (3/12) had splenomegaly reduction by 35% or more. 50% (3/6) of patients with spleen response had treatment duration 8+ months, including 8+, 12+ and 14+ months (all 3 ongoing). Four patients with baseline thrombocytopenia had treatment durations 8+ months, 3 of which are ongoing. Conclusions: Tagraxofusp monotherapy demonstrated improvements in splenomegaly, with a manageable safety profile, in patients with relapsed/refractory MF, an area of unmet medical need. Given CD123 expression on myeloid neoplastic cells and pDCs in the tumor microenvironment, tagraxofusp may offer a novel targeted approach for MF patients. Enrollment continues, and updated safety and efficacy data will be presented. Registrational designs are being evaluated. Clinical trial information: NCT02268253. Disclosures Pemmaraju: celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; abbvie: Research Funding; cellectis: Research Funding; stemline: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; samus: Research Funding; novartis: Research Funding; Affymetrix: Research Funding; SagerStrong Foundation: Research Funding; plexxikon: Research Funding; daiichi sankyo: Research Funding. Gupta:Incyte: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Schiller:Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Celator/Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Lee:LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Clinipace: Consultancy; Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy. Yacoub:Ardelyx, INC.: Equity Ownership; Cara Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; Dynavax: Equity Ownership; Inycte: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Ali:Incyte Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sardone:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Wysowskyj:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Shemesh:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Chen:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Olguin:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Brooks:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Dunn:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Verstovsek:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Italfarmaco: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Consultancy; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Khoury:Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding.
Preanalytics and Precision Pathology: Pathology Practices to Ensure Molecular Integrity of Cancer Patient Biospecimens for Precision Medicine
Compton, Carolyn C. , Robb, James A., Anderson, Matthew W. , Berry, Anna B. , Birdsong, George , Bloom, Kenneth J., Branton, Philip A. , Crothers, Jessica W. , Cushman‐Vokoun, Allison M. , Hicks, David G., Khoury, Joseph D. , Laser, Jordan , Marshall, Carrie B. , Misialek, Michael J., Natale, Kristen E. , Nowak, Jan A. , Olson, Damon R. , Pfeifer, John D. , Schade, Andrew E., Vance, Gail H. , Walk, Eric , Yohe, Sophia , Birdsong, George G, Nowak, Jan Anthony, Olson, Damon, Schade, Andrew, Walk, Eric E, Yohe, Sophia Louise, Berry, Anna , Olson, Damon R

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine | July 22, 2019 | Volume: 143 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 1346-1363

10.5858/arpa.2019-0009-sa Get It

Biospecimens acquired during routine medical practice are the primary sources of molecular information about patients and their diseases that underlies precision medicine and translational research. In cancer care, molecular analysis of biospecimens is especially common because it often determines treatment choices and may be used to monitor therapy in real time. However, patient specimens are collected, handled, and processed according to routine clinical procedures during which they are subjected to factors that may alter their molecular quality and composition. Such artefactual alteration may skew data from molecular analyses, render analysis data uninterpretable, or even preclude analysis altogether if the integrity of a specimen is severely compromised. As a result, patient care and safety may be affected, and medical research dependent on patient samples may be compromised. Despite these issues, there is currently no requirement to control or record preanalytical variables in clinical practice with the single exception of breast cancer tissue handled according to the guideline jointly developed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology and College of American Pathologists (CAP) and enforced through the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program. Recognizing the importance of molecular data derived from patient specimens, the CAP Personalized Healthcare Committee established the Preanalytics for Precision Medicine Project Team to develop a basic set of evidence-based recommendations for key preanalytics for tissue and blood specimens. If used for biospecimens from patients, these preanalytical recommendations would ensure the fitness of those specimens for molecular analysis and help to assure the quality and reliability of the analysis data.
PF668 RESULTS FROM ONGOING PHASE 1/2 CLINICAL TRIAL OF TAGRAXOFUSP (SL‐401) IN PATIENTS WITH INTERMEDIATE, OR HIGH RISK, RELAPSED/REFRACTORY MYELOFIBROSIS
Pemmaraju, Naveen , Ali, Haris , Yacoub, Abdulraheem , Schiller, Gary J. , Lee, S. , Wang, E., Sardone, Megan, Wysowskyj, Halyna, Shemesh, Shay , Chen, J., Brooks, Cassandra, Poradosu, Enrique, Rupprecht, Nicole, Pardanani, Animesh , Tefferi, Ayalew , Khoury, Joseph D. , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Gupta, Vikas , Talpaz, Moshe , Taparia, Minakshi , McDonald, P., Verstovšek, Srđan

HemaSphere | June 17, 2019 | Volume: 3 | Issue: S1 | Pages: 286-287

10.1097/01.hs9.0000560956.60646.c2 Get It

Background:Patients with myelofibrosis (MF) who fail or are intolerant to JAK inhibitors (JAKi) have limited treatment options. Tagraxofusp is a targeted therapy directed to CD123 that was approved by the US FDA for the treatment of patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). CD123 is expressed on a variety of malignancies including BPDCN, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and certain myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), including MF. Moreover, CD123+ plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), the cell of origin of BPDCN, have been detected in the microenvironment of certain myeloid neoplasms, including MF, where they may play a tumor‐promoting role.1,2,3 Notably, pDCs share a common precursor cell with monocytes, and monocytosis has been reported as a poor prognostic factor, associated with rapid disease progression and shortened survival, suggesting an accelerated disease phase in MF.4 As such, tagraxofusp may offer a novel and rational therapeutic approach in patients with relapsed/refractory MF, including patients with monocytosis.Aims:Primary objectives include assessment of safety, determining the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) and schedule, and evaluating efficacy in patients with MF who were relapsed, refractory, or unable to tolerate JAKi.Methods:This multicenter, open‐label Phase 1/2 trial is enrolling patients with MF. In the Stage 1 (dose escalation), tagraxofusp was administered as a daily IV infusion at 7, 9, and 12 mcg/kg on days 1–3 every 21 days (cycle 1–4), 28 days (cycles 5–7), and 42 days (cycles 8+). In Stage 2 (expansion), patients are receiving the RP2D (12 mcg/kg).Results:23 patients with MF received tagraxofusp, including 12 patients who received ≥ 3 prior lines of therapy. Median age 69 years (range 55–81), 61% were female, and 30% had baseline monocytosis (≥ 1x109/L). Baseline risk assessment based on the DIPSS Plus risk group assessment showed 1 patient (4%) with intermediate‐1, 12 patients (52%) with intermediate‐2, and 10 patients (44%) with high‐risk. At study entry, the median platelet count was 59 K/uL with 71% of patients had baseline platelets <100 K/uL, of which 8 patients had platelets <50 K/uL. 87% of patients had baseline splenomegaly (spleen palpable ≥ 5 cm below the left costal margin [LCM]). Most common treatment‐related adverse events (TRAEs, incidence ≥ 15%) include headache, hypoalbuminemia, alanine aminotransferase increased and thrombocytopenia. The most common ≥ grade 3 TRAE was thrombocytopenia (8%). Capillary leak syndrome was reported in 1 patient (grade 3). Among the 14 evaluable patients with baseline splenomegaly, 57% had spleen size reductions: 43% (6/14) had reductions of > 25%, of which 3 patients had reductions of ≥ 45%. In 5 patients with baseline splenomegaly and monocytosis, 80% (4/5) had reductions of > 25%, of which 2 had reductions of ≥ 45%. Six patients, including 3 patients with monocytosis and 5 patients with platelets <100 K/uL, had treatment duration of 6 months or more.Summary/Conclusion:Tagraxofusp demonstrated single agent activity, with a predictable and manageable safety profile, in patients with relapsed/refractory MF, including in patients with monocytosis, a poor prognostic factor, both constituting potential areas of unmet medical need. Enrollment continues, and updated trial data will be presented. Registrational trial designs are being evaluated. Trial information: NCT02268253.