Jelinek, Diane F.

Abstract Serum BLyS levels have been found to be elevated in a number of immune disease models and there is increasing evidence that this may correlate with pathogenesis of various B cell related disorders including B cell malignancies. While it is clear that BLyS expression is required for normal B cell development and homeostasis, the exact source of BLyS in these scenarios and definition of the mechanisms that control BLyS expression remain to be fully elucidated. Serum BLyS levels are elevated in a number of B cell malignancies known to have a familial incidence. Therefore, we sought to determine if there was any correlation between serum BLyS levels and family history of B cell cancers. In our initial studies we examined the serum BLyS levels in patients with sporadic vs. familial B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL; near relative with B-CLL, multiple myeloma, or non-Hodgkin lymphoma), and normal age-matched controls. In the normal controls (n=50), the mean serum BLyS level was 12.7 ng/ml, and we found that 4/50 (8%) had BLyS levels exceeding 20 ng/ml. In the sporadic CLL cohort (n=52), the mean serum BLyS level was 18.3 ng/ml, and we found that 5/52 (10%) had BLyS levels exceeding 20 ng/ml. In striking contrast, in the familial CLL cohort (n=24), the mean serum BLyS levels was 33.4 ng/ml, and we found that 11/24 (46%) had BLyS levels exceeding 20 ng/ml. The percentage of patients with elevated BLyS levels, as well as the mean BLyS levels in the familial CLL cohort compared to the normal controls, was significantly higher (mean, p=0.002) and suggests that elevated BLyS levels may correlate with familial CLL. Because of the correlation between BLyS levels and family history B cell malignancies, we next wanted to determine if there was a common underlying genetic event influencing BLyS expression in this group of patients. We began by sequencing the BLyS promoter in 19 patients with B-CLL and 11 normal controls. We identified 2 sites that were polymorphic, −661 A/G and −871 C/T. The −871 T/T genotype has been previously reported to be expressed at increased frequency in SLE patients and is associated with elevated BLyS mRNA levels. Using RFLP analysis we examined the presence of the two polymorphisms in our control, sporadic, and familial CLL cohorts. In the control group (n=50) we found that at −871, C/C (wildtype) was expressed in 24%, C/T in 54%, and T/T in 22% of patients. Similarily, in the sporadic CLL group (n=35) we found that at −871, C/C was expressed in 29%, C/T in 57%, and T/T in 14%. In the familial group (n=24) we found that at −871, C/C was expressed in only 8%, C/T in 67%, and T/T in 25%. These data suggest a decreased representation of −871 C/C in the familial group. No significant changes were observed between the three groups at the −661 A/G locus. Additionally, we found that none of the patients with BLyS levels exceeding 20 ng/ml expresses C/C at −871. In summary, our data suggest that BLyS levels are elevated in patients with familial CLL relative to both normal controls and individuals with sporadic CLL and that elevated BLyS levels may correlate with the presence of a T at −871 in the BLyS promoter.

Abstract Background: Patients with CLL have a variable clinical course. Current novel prognostic indicators (ZAP-70, CD38, IgVH gene mutation status, FISH) are able to identify early-stage CLL patients at high risk of rapid disease progression. These prognostic factors focus on characteristics of the malignant B cell clone and are not currently changeable factors. Identification of modifiable characteristics of the host unrelated to the leukemic B-cell but that relate to CLL-specific survival may provide opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Since the immune system is likely to modulate disease progression in CLL patients, we evaluated critical features of that system in relation to the size of the circulating clonal B-cell population in a CLL cohort. Methods: 186 consecutive patients with CLL who were evaluated at Mayo Clinic within 2 months of diagnosis between 2000 and 2002 were identified. The primary end-point of the study was to assess if host immunity affected time to treatment (TTT). Baseline flow cytometry analysis was available for 166 patients (88%) and was used to calculate the absolute number of T-cell and natural kill (NK)-cells present at diagnosis. The size of the T-cell/NK-cell compartment relative to the size of the malignant monoclonal B-cell (MBC) compartment was then evaluated by calculating the NK:MBC ratio and T:MBC ratio. Relationships with other prognostic parameters and with TTT were evaluated. Results: Patients exhibited substantial variation in the absolute number of T-cells and NK cells as well as T:MBC and NK:MBC ratios at the time of diagnosis. Higher T:MBC and NK:MBC ratios were observed among patients with early Rai stage and mutated IgVH genes (all P≤0.0002). As continuous variables, both the T:MBC ratio (p value=0.03) and NK:MBC ratio (p value=0.02) were associated with TTT. Since they correlated with TTT as continuous variables, thresholds to classify MBC, T:MBC ratio, and NK:MBC were identified using the method of Contal and O’Quigly. On multivariate Cox modeling including stage, CD38, absolute MBC count, T:MB ratio, and NK:MB ratio, the independent predictors of TTT were disease stage, T:MB ratio, and NK:MB ratio (Table 1). Conclusion: Measurable characteristics of the host immune system appear to relate to the rate of disease progression in patients with newly diagnosed CLL. These characteristics can be modified and continued evaluation of immunomodulatory drugs, vaccination strategies, and cellular therapies to delay/prevent disease progression are warranted. Additional studies exploring how interactions between the host immune system and the leukemic clone influence clinical outcomes are needed.

Abstract B cell-activating factor (BAFF) is known to regulate normal B cell development and homeostasis primarily by signaling through the high affinity receptor, BAFF-R, one of three BAFF binding receptors (BBRs). BAFF also binds two other receptors, BCMA and TACI with lesser affinity. We have recently shown that normal peripheral blood (PB) B cells express high levels of prebound soluble BAFF, which is lost upon B cell activation. Because of BAFF’s activity on normal B cells, we have been interested in the roles of BAFF and BBRs in B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). We and others have demonstrated that BAFF promotes primary CLL B cell survival and that serum BAFF levels are elevated in some patients. Although CLL B cells are known to express BBRs, a comprehensive and quantitative analysis of BBR levels and CLL B cell capacity to bind BAFF has not yet been done. We began this study by characterizing the level of soluble BAFF bound to freshly isolated CLL B cells, measured by both western blot analysis and flow cytometry. To assess receptor occupancy, cells were incubated with or without exogenous BAFF before assessing anti-BAFF reactivity and changes in median fluorescence intensity (ΔMFI; defined by dividing the MFI of the anti-BAFF antibody by the MFI of the isotype matched control antibody) were calculated. Normal B cells have higher detectable levels of bound BAFF with a ΔMFI ranging from 16 to 35 (mean=22.2). Upon addition of exogenous BAFF, the ΔMFI range increased to 27–96.6 (mean=49.1; n=8). Thus, despite evidence of prebound BAFF, clearly not all BBRs were occupied on normal PB B cells. By contrast, the levels of prebound BAFF on CLL B cells were significantly lower with a ΔMFI ranging from 1 to 13.1 (mean=2.7; n=36). Of note, 10/36 patients did not exhibit increased anti-BAFF reactivity upon incubation with exogenous BAFF (mean fold induction=0.8) whereas 26/36 patients displayed a mean fold induction of anti-BAFF reactivity of 3.5. These observations prompted us to next quantitate CLL B cell BBR expression. All patient CLL B cells expressed BAFF-R but at significantly lower levels than observed in normal B cells (p=0.0009). When CLL patients were categorized into IGHV mutated (M; n=22) and unmutated (UM; n=24), UM patients were observed to express higher levels of BAFF-R (ΔMFI =8.9) than M patients (ΔMFI =5.24). Regarding TACI, we previously demonstrated that normal memory B cells uniformly express TACI (ΔMFI =12.7; n=10) and there is a small population of activated naïve B cells that express TACI at lower levels (ΔMFI =8.3; n=10). In our CLL cohort, 14/22 M patients were TACI+ (ΔMFI =7.0) and 19/24 UM patients were TACI+ (ΔMFI =4.7). Finally, whereas normal PB B cells completely lack BCMA expression, 7/22 M and 4/22 UM patients expressed BCMA. Thus, using the BBR profile and analysis of expression levels relative to normal PB B cells, the following subgroups of B-CLL can be defined: BAFF-R+; BAFF-R/TACI+; BAFF-R/BCMA+; BAFF-R/TACI/BCMA+. It remains to be determined if these BBR profiles correlate with aspects of clinical disease. In addition, given the putative importance of BAFF in this disease, it is interesting to note that in general, CLL B cells display overall lower levels of prebound BAFF. Current studies are focused on determining whether this reflects CLL B cell activation status, increased competition for BAFF, and/or reduced levels of BBR expression.

Abstract Purine nucleoside combination therapy, with and without immunotherapy has become the standard treatment approach to CLL. Past approaches, other than stem cell transplantation, have not been successful in curing the disease. Inherent resistance of CLL precursors, impaired immune surveillance (T-cells, NK cells) and microenvironmental abnormalities may all play a role in the ability to effectively eradicate leukemia. PCR has been successfully employed for previously treated (Lamanna 2006) and previously untreated (Kay 2007) patients with CLL. In addition, CA has been added to FCR (Wierda 2006) to treat relapsed/refractory CLL disease. We designed a study to evaluate PCR followed by CA for relapsed/refractory CLL. This ECOG study includes, in addition to response criteria, molecular correlates (FISH anomalies and CpG karyotype), risk parameters analysis, including CD38, ZAP-70 and IgVH mutational status. We assessed the baseline and sequential changes in the angiogenic status of patients by measuring plasma VEGF, bFGF, thrombospondin and their immune status via T-cell repertoire. From September 2004 to September 2006, 32 patients with relapsed/refractory CLL were enrolled in the protocol. The protocol combined 2 regimens (PCR and CA). Step 1, PCR, was planned for 6 monthly cycles. Steps 2 and 3 consisted of short term CA (4 weeks) or standard CA (18 weeks) depending upon Step 1 response. There were 3 ineligible, 1 not evaluated, and 28 evaluable patients. FISH anomalies revealed that 8 patients had a homozygous or heterozygous 13q-defect, 9 had complex FISH defects (more than one FISH anomaly), 5 patients had FISH anomalies that included del(17p13.1), 4 patients had FISH anomalies that included 6q-and 3 had FISH anomalies that included 11q-. CD38 was positive in 10 patients, 11 were ZAP-70 positive and 12 of 19 patients tested had unmutated type clones. The planned 6 cycles of Step 1 (PCR) was administered to 14/32 patients (44%), the others receiving 0–5 cycles. All responses were considered partial responses (11/29; 37.9%), with 2 patients (6.9%) demonstrating progressive disease. However, patients receiving the planned 6 cycles of PCR, achieved a partial response of 71% (10/14) with 2 cases of tumor lysis syndrome. Toxicity (Step 1-PCR) was predominately myelosuppressive (Grade 1–4). A case of chronic idiopathic polyneuropathy and a case of “paraneoplastic pemphigus” were reported. There were 4 deaths. CMV reactivation was diagnosed in 2 patients, neither of which was fatal. During Step 2 (CA), short-term administration in one patient led to grade 3 skin toxicity, which limited administration. During long-term administration of CA (PR, PD, SD) (n=7), infectious complications occurred in 6 patients all of whom developed grade 4 lymphopenia. The median survival for the entire group was 15 months. In conclusion, a significant number of heavily pre-treated and poor prognosis patients with CLL will respond to PCR. Further analysis will determine whether a significant number of patients will achieve a higher level of response and longer survival after CA administration. Studies of association of outcome with the risk parameters are ongoing and will be presented with the clinical response data.

Abstract Abstract 924 Background: Therapy-related myeloid neoplasia (t-MN), including myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia, has been reported at a higher frequency with chlorambucil + fludarabine as compared to fludarabine alone, but has not been rigorously studied in the context of cyclophosphamide as an alkylator agent. The intergroup prospective randomized Phase 3 trial, E2997, compared FC with F alone as initial therapy for patients (pt) with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). FC therapy led to higher complete and overall response rates and longer progression-free survival at the initial analysis (Flinn et al JCO 2007). One rationale for combining F with C is that F can inhibit repair of DNA damage induced by C. FC did cause more myelosuppression that could lead to more long-term effects on myeloid hematopoietic function, including t-MN. Methods: E2997 enrolled 278 pts, 141 on FC and 137 on F. These cases were assessed for t-MN by required reporting of these events. Baseline genetic and molecular features of CLL were available through a companion lab correlative trial for 235 pts, 122 on FC and 113 on F. Results: With median follow-up of 6.4 yrs, there have been 13 (4.7%) reported cases of t-MN, 9 after FC and 4 after F. By cumulative incidence methodology, adjusting for the competing risk of death, the rates of t-MN at 7 yr are 8.2% after FC and 4.6% after F (p=0.18 by the Gray test). Median age at study entry of the t-MN pts was 60 (range 45–80) yrs vs 61 (range 33–86) yrs among those not reported to have t-MN. Median time from initial therapy to diagnosis of t-MN was 5 (range 0.7–8) yrs and did not differ between FC and F. Ten of 13 affected pts received 6 chemotherapy cycles. Additional therapy prior to occurrence of t-MN was given to only 2 of 9 FC pts, in contrast to 3 of 4 F pts. Thus, t-MN occurred in only 1 pt treated with F and no further therapy vs 7 who received FC and no further therapy. Ten of 12 pts with available cytogenetics at diagnosis of t-MN had an abnormality of chromosome 5 and/or 7, common to alkylating agent-induced t-MN, usually (n=8) with complex karyotype. Of the 9 pts with t-MN after FC, all 7 with available CLL data had lower risk IgVH mutated disease, in contrast to 1 of 4 with t-MN after F and 44% in the entire cohort. Conclusion: Our analysis suggests that a higher incidence of t-MN has occurred after FC than after F. t-MN after FC occurred most often without additional therapy and in IgVH mutated CLL which is associated with more favorable outcome. The increased incidence of t-MN after FC in this study, usually in the absence of additional treatment, suggests that FC is more leukemogenic than F. This finding emphasizes a need for longer follow-up of toxicity and survival before concluding that FC is preferable to F as the chemotherapy backbone for initial therapy of both low and high risk CLL. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Abstract 3898 Background: Although chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) has substantially improved response rates, treatment free survival, and overall survival in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), only 4050 of patients achieve a complete remission and the majority have residual disease when evaluated using sensitive assays. There remains interest in identifying new approaches to improve the effectiveness of CIT. Ofatumumab is a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that is approved for patients with relapsed CLL refractory to fludarabine and alemtuzumab. The single agent activity of ofatumumab in patients with refractory CLL suggests it may have greater efficacy than rituximab in patients with CLL. To explore the efficacy of ofatumumab based CIT, we initiated a clinical trial studying the effect of ofatumumab in combination with pentostatin and cyclophosphamide (PCO) for patients with previously untreated CLL. METHODS: Eligible patients were previously untreated and had CLL in need of treatment according to the NCI-WG criteria (Blood 111:5446). The treatment schema included 6 cycles of ofatumuamb (300 mg on day 1 of cycle 1;1000 mg on day 2 of cycle 1 and day 1 of cycles 26) followed by pentostatin (2 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2) administered every 21 days. All patients underwent complete response evaluation including evaluation for MRD using sensitive flow cytometry (Leukemia 21:956) at the completion of treatment. RESULTS: 33 patients were enrolled at Mayo Clinic and Duke University between 3/2010 and 9/2010. All patients were eligible for treatment and have completed active treatment. Clinical characteristics included: 76 male, median age 63 (range: 5083); intermediate Rai risk 27; and high Rai risk 73. On prognostic testing 33 were CD38, 48 Zap-70 , 58 IGHV unmutated, and 6 had high risk FISH (del 17p13; del 11q22). 26 of 33 eligible patients (79) completed all 6 cycles of PCO induction. Seven patients went off treatment early (toxicity: n5; refusal: n1; progression: n1). Adverse events deemed at least possibly related to PCO induction included 8 (24) patients with grade 3 hematologic toxicity and 5 (15) with grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity. The overall response rate to PCO induction was 94 (31/33) with 15 (45) CR/CRi, 5 (15) CCR, 9 (27) nPR, and 2 (6) PR. 2/10 (20) patients with CR's tested for MRD were also MRD negative by 6 color flow cytometry analysis. Finally, we compared this cohort of patients treated with ofatumuamb-based CIT to our prior 108 patient cohort of patients treated with rituximab-based CIT both of which used an identical chemotherapy backbone (pentostatin and cyclophosphamide). Although the age, gender, ALC, and prognostic profile (CD38, ZAP-70, and IGHV mutation status) of treated patients were similar (all p0.3), the ofatumumab cohort included more advanced stage patients (Rai stage III/IV: 73 vs. 41 p0.002). Ofatumumab-based CIT appeared to be better tolerated than our previous experience with rituximab-based CIT (grade 3 hematologic toxicity ofatumumab-CIT 24 \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \({\scriptstyle \raisebox{1ex}{8$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$33$}\right.}\]\) \end{document} vs. rituximab-CIT51 \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \({\scriptstyle \raisebox{1ex}{55$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$108$}\right.}\]\) \end{document}, p0.009; grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity ofatumumab-CIT 15 \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \({\scriptstyle \raisebox{1ex}{5$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$33$}\right.}\]\) \end{document} vs. rituximab-CIT 24 \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \({\scriptstyle \raisebox{1ex}{26$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$108$}\right.}\]\) \end{document}, p0.34). Despite a higher proportion of Rai Stage III/IV patients in the ofatumumab cohort, the efficacy of ofatumumab-based CIT also compared favorably to our previous experience with rituximab based CIT (Table). CONCLUSION: Front-line ofatumumab-based CIT appears to be well-tolerated in patients with CLL. Compared to our historic experience with rituximab based CIT, ofatumumab-based CIT appeared to have less hematologic toxicity and improved efficacy. This trial has been expanded to provide a larger experience with ofatumumab-based CIT. Disclosures: Shanafelt: Hospira: Research Funding; Glaxo-Smith-Kine: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding. Off Label Use: Off label use of pentostatin and Ofatumumab. Lanasa:GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Zent:GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Genzyme: Research Funding. Tun:Celgene: Research Funding. Kay:Biothera: Research Funding; Clegene: Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Glaxo Smith Kline: Research Funding; Hospira: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Supergen: Research Funding; Calistoga: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Emergent Biosolutions (Formerly Trubion): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Abstract Abstract 700 Studies conducted over the last 10 years suggest that 3–5% of the general population over age 40 harbor a clonal population of lymphocytes of CLL phenotype when evaluated using sensitive flow cytometry assays (Rawstron Blood 100:635, 2002; Ghia Blood 103:2337, 2003). This discovery led to creation of the new diagnostic entity, monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL; Marti BJH 130:325, 2005), which is considered the precursor state to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (Landgren NEJM 360:659, 2009). The current diagnostic criteria for CLL-like MBL specify patients have a clonal B-cell population with appropriate phenotype, an absolute B-cell count <5 × 10^9/L, and no characteristics of a lymphoproliferative disorder (e.g. lymphadenopathy, organomegaly, B-symptoms) while individuals with a clone of CLL phenotype and B-cell count >5 × 10^9/L or who have lymphadenopathy are classified as having CLL (Hallek Blood 111:5446, 2008). The natural history of MBL appears to differ based on the absolute B-cell count. From an epidemiologic perspective, the majority of individuals with MBL have very small clonal lymphocyte populations, B-cell counts within the normal range, and appear to be at low likelihood of developing CLL (Rawstron ASH 2009). Such individuals with “low count” MBL do not appear to be at increased risk of death (Rawstron ASH 2009). From a clinical perspective, most patients with MBL are identified due to lymphocytosis and have B-cell counts between 3–5 × 10^9/L. While such individuals with “high count” MBL progress to require treatment for CLL at a rate of ~1.5% per year (Shanafelt JCO 27:3959, 2009), whether their survival differs from that of age- and sex-matched individuals is unknown. Conceptually, patients with the precursor state to malignancy should have a risk of death similar to those without the precursor state unless they progress to develop malignancy. To determine the impact of clinically “high count” MBL on survival, we compared the survival of 300 patients with clinically recognized MBL to the age- and sex-matched population. In addition, to explore whether the current B-cell threshold used to segregate MBL from CLL optimally classifies risk, we also evaluated the survival of 94 patients with newly diagnosed Rai 0 CLL and a B-cell count between 5–10 × 10^9/L and 218 newly diagnosed Rai 0 CLL patients with an ALC > 10 × 10^9/L to the age- and sex-matched population. Although it appeared slightly lower, the survival of patients with clinical recognized MBL (n=300, median age 68.6) was not statistically different than age- and sex-matched individuals (p=0.14; Figure 1A). In contrast, the survival of patients with newly diagnosed Rai 0 CLL and a B-cell count between 5–10 × 10^9/L (p=0.03) and newly diagnosed Rai 0 CLL patients with an ALC > 10 × 10^9/L (p=0.00018) were both significantly shorter than expected for the age- and sex-matched population. While these data are consistent with the designation of clinically recognized MBL as a premalignant condition, a more nuanced story emerged when the individuals with clinically recognized MBL were stratified by the CD38 status of the B-cell clone. Although the survival of individuals with a CD38- clone (n=213; 78%) was not different than age- and sex-matched individuals (p=0.14), the survival for those with a CD38+ clone (n=59; 22%) was substantially shorter than the age- and sex-matched population (p=0.0002; Figure 1B). Collectively, these data provide additional clinical evidence in support of the 5 × 10^9/L B-cell threshold to distinguish between MBL and CLL as patients with a B-cell count between 5–10 × 10^9/L or higher are at increased risk of death compared to the age- and sex-matched population. However they also suggest that, in addition to absolute B-cell count, biologic characteristics of the B-cell clone influence survival in patients with clinically recognized MBL. Additional studies are needed to determine whether such characteristics should be considered when classifying individuals with B-cell clones <5 × 10^9/L as having a premalignant or malignant condition. Figure 1A: Survival of patients with clinically recognized MBL (n=300) compared to the age- and sex-matched general population Figure 1A:. Survival of patients with clinically recognized MBL (n=300) compared to the age- and sex-matched general population Figure 1B: Survival of patients with clinically recognized MBL by CD38 status compared to the age- and sex-matched general population. CD38- p=0.14, CD38+ p=0.0002 Figure 1B:. Survival of patients with clinically recognized MBL by CD38 status compared to the age- and sex-matched general population. CD38- p=0.14, CD38+ p=0.0002 Disclosures: Shanafelt: Celgene: Research Funding; Hospira: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding. Off Label Use: Lenalidomide. Kay:Celgene: Research Funding; Hospira: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding. Zent:Genzyme: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; G.S.K.: Research Funding.

Abstract Abstract 3899 BACKGROUND: Although chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) has substantially improved response rates, treatment free survival, and overall survival in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), only 40–50% of patients achieve a complete remission and the majority have residual disease when evaluated using sensitive assays for minimal residual disease (MRD). While these facts generated interest in consolidation strategies for patients with residual disease, previous trials of alemtuzumab-based consolidation found excess morbidity/mortality. In 2008 we began a trial of lenalidomide-based consolidation for patients with previously untreated CLL who had received 6 cycles of CIT induction. Preliminary analysis suggested that lenalidomide consolidation may improve the quality of response and prolong time to retreatment (Shanafelt; ASH 2010), although follow-up was short (median 16 months). METHODS: Eligible patients were previously untreated and had CLL in need of treatment according to the NCI-WG criteria (Blood 111:5446). Treatment schema consisted of 6 cycles of pentostatin (2 mg/m2), cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2) and rituximab (375 mg/m2) given every 21 days (Blood 109:405). All patients completing 6 cycles of PCR induction, underwent complete restaging including evaluation for MRD using sensitive flow cytometry. Patients subsequently received 6 months of lenalidomide consolidation by daily administration with a starting lenalidomide dose of 5 mg/day and escalation to 10 mg/day after the first cycle as tolerated. Patients again underwent complete restaging including MRD evaluation after 6 months of lenalidomide. At the time of restaging, MRD negative patients entered observation. Those with residual disease continued on lenalidomide and underwent repeat MRD assessment every 3 months until an MRD negative state was achieved. RESULTS: 45 patients were enrolled at Mayo Clinic between 3/2008 and 12/2009 of whom 44 were eligible. Median age was 65 (range: 44–78) and 71% of patients were male. 61% of patients had intermediate Rai risk and 39% high Rai risk. On prognostic testing 32% were CD38+, 52% Zap-70+, 52% IGHV unmutated, and 16% had high risk FISH (del 17p13; del 11q22). Of the 38 eligible patients who completed 6 cycles of PCR induction, 34 (89%) initiated lenalidomide consolidation. Thus by intent to treat analysis, 34/44 (77%) patients starting CIT with PCR were able to receive consolidation therapy. Among the 34 patients who initiated consolidation, the median number of cycles of lenalidomide received was 6 (range: 1–29). Nine of 34 (26%) patients had the lenalidomide dose increased to 10 mg daily while 18 (53%) required a reduction to 5 mg every other day. Five patients are still on lenalidomide at the time of this report. No cases of tumor lysis syndrome or tumor flare reaction were observed. Adverse events deemed at least possibly related to lenalidomide consolidation included 23 (68%) patients with grade 3+ hematologic toxicity and 5 (15%) with grade 3+ non-hematologic toxicity. Among the 34 patients who received at least 1 cycle of lendalidomide, 6 patients have improved the quality of their response including 3 patients who converted from having residual disease to a MRD- state. After a median follow-up of 29 months, 39/44 patients are alive and the median duration of response has not been reached. To date 8/44 (18%) patients have progressed to require additional treatment. Finally, since the eligibility criteria were nearly identical to our historic trial of PCR without lenalidomide consolidation, we conducted an intent to treat analysis that compared all 44 patients in the present trial (i.e. regardless of whether they received lenalidomide consolidation) to the 64 patients previously treated on our PCR trial (Blood 109:405). The demographic and prognostic characteristics of patients in the two studies were similar. With the caveat it represents a comparison across phase II trials, the proportion of patients free of retreatment at 30 months was 79% (95% CI:67–93) for PCR followed by lenalidomide consolidation vs 66% (95% CI: 54–80) for PCR alone (Figure 1). CONCLUSION: Lenalidomide-based consolidation for CLL patients receiving first-line CIT induction appears to improve the quality of response and prolong time to retreatment. Randomized clinical testing of lenalidomide-based consolidation appears warranted. Disclosures: Shanafelt: Celgene: Research Funding; Hospira: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding. Off Label Use: PCR-Lenalidomide (off label use of pentostatin and lenalidomide). Tun:Celgene: Research Funding. Kay:Biothera: Research Funding; Clegene: Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Glaxo Smith Kline: Research Funding; Hospira: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Supergen: Research Funding; Calistoga: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Emergent Biosolutions (Formerly Trubion): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Abstract Abstract 1814 Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematologic disorder characterized by the accumulation of plasma cells (PCs) in the bone marrow (BM). Like normal B cells and PCs, MM cells express a distinctive immunoglobulin (Ig) molecular fingerprint resulting from heavy and light chain gene rearrangements and unique mutations introduced by the somatic hypermutation (SHM) process. Detailed examination of the Ig molecule may offer insight into the etiology of B cell malignancies as well as the ontogeny of malignant transformation and ongoing genetic evolution. Because prior studies of the Ig fingerprint of MM cells have been limited in size and scope, our current understanding of MM Ig repertoire is minimal. We used massively parallel sequencing of normal and malignant PCs to interrogate: 1) DNA versus RNA (cDNA) as starting material for studies of Ig repertoire; 2) the Ig repertoire of normal and malignant PCs; and 3) intraclonal heterogeneity in MM. Bone marrow PCs (BMPCs) from an untreated MM patient and from a normal control subject were isolated by magnetic bead separation. DNA and RNA were isolated from purified cells and amplified in a multiplex PCR reaction with primers designed to capture the entire IGHV region including the heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (HCDR3) necessary for defining clonal cells. Using Roche 454 GS-FLX Titanium chemistry and a GS FLX Titanium Genome Sequencer, over 30,000 sequence reads were obtained from each sample. Following a detailed algorithm to minimize Taq and sequencing related errors and removal of non-Ig or non-productive Ig sequences, the resulting sequences were grouped based on HCDR3 amino acid identity. Each unique HCDR3 represented one member of the repertoire and all the sequences with the same HCDR3 defined the clone size. This measurement showed that there was nearly a five-fold higher level of unique HCDR3s in normal BMPCs when the starting PCR template was DNA vs. cDNA. Thus, DNA is clearly a better starting template for repertoire analysis using deep sequencing methods. Thorough analysis of the MM DNA sample identified PCs expressing 37 different IGHV genes, and predictably, the vast majority of sequence reads (83%) had exact nucleotide identity in the IGHV and HCDR3 region (IGHV3-74 with 18 mutations in the IGHV region) thereby defining the dominant MM clone. There were also ∼5000 additional sequences that either shared an identical HCDR3 region but varied within the IGHV3-74 gene sequence (n=3975) or were identical within the IGHV3-74 sequence yet varied within the HCDR3 (n=862). These sequences were further analyzed, with sequences not present 10 or more times or not found in both the 5' and 3' directions eliminated from further scrutiny. This process revealed a total of 64 putative subclones with single point mutations in the IGHV or HCDR3 region (10–56 copies of each unique sequence representing a total of 1583 clonally related sequences). When we used a more stringent subclone frequency of ≥0.1%, 22 subclones remained. Of note, conventional Ig repertoire analysis would require sequencing ≥1000 colonies to detect MM subclones present at this frequency. Finally, 11 subclones displayed a significant number of IGHV gene nucleotide differences from the dominant MM clone despite exhibiting an identical HCDR3 region. Notably, a number of these distinguishing IGHV gene mutations are silent and thus may preserve the antigenic specificity of these clonally related cells. These subclones failed our frequency criteria but the type and quality of deviations from the clonal sequence suggest that they are not artifact and warrant further investigation. Notably, all of the putative subclones were also found in the MM cDNA cohort providing further evidence as genuine subclones. The very large number of identical MM clonal sequences is consistent with the idea that MM is a post germinal center malignancy that can no longer undergo SHM. However, we present clear evidence of MM-related subclones albeit relatively small in number. The subclone sequence deviations discovered may reflect on-going genetic evolution independent of the formal SHM mechanism. Alternatively, these subclones may indeed reflect “sister” cells generated during the original germinal center reaction that resulted in the malignant clone. In summary, our studies demonstrate the extraordinary potential of this methodology to track clonal evolution in MM and its precursor conditions over time. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Abstract 3605 CLL is a malignant B-cell disorder characterized by the accumulation of small B lymphocytes with a mature appearance in blood, marrow and lymph nodes. Despite effective treatment options, all patients with CLL will eventually relapse after therapy. This could be due in part to the presence of subclones of the CLL cell population that harbor genetic abnormalities, which confer resistance to treatment. The aims of this study were to investigate the clonal evolution in longitudinal samples of CLL patients and to identify genetic alterations associated with disease progression and resistance to therapy. Sequential analyses were performed in 51 samples from 23 patients who were included in a previously reported clinical trial of pentostatin, cyclophosphamide and rituximab (PCR) given every 3 weeks for 6 cycles in previously untreated CLL (Blood 109:2007). In all cases the first sample analyzed was prior to therapy. In 5 of 23 patients, three time points were analyzed: >6 months prior to entry onto PCR trial (time point A), just before starting with the PCR regimen (time point B), and the time of relapse after PCR trial (time point C). Seven patients were analyzed at time points A and B; 9 at time points B and C and 2 at time points A and C. The median time between points A and B was 17.5 months (range 8–48 months) and between points B and C was 20.5 months (7–60 m). All samples were examined by array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) using the Agilent Sureprint G3 (1 million probe) array. aCGH findings were confirmed by interphase FISH using probes for D13S319 (MIR16–1/MIR15A), RB1, MDM2, CEP12, CEP6, MYB, TP53, NFKBIA, PERP and FGFR1 loci. Overall, we observed a small increase in the number of copy-number abnormalities (CNA) with disease progression. Twenty-two of the 23 patients with paired samples harbored at least one CNA that persisted in all samples, indicating clonal relationship between the sequential samples. In 15 of the 23 patients the tumor clone was stable and no CNA differences between time points were identified. Conversely, genomic evolution was found in 8 patients. In 3 cases the genetic differences were observed pre treatment (between time points A and B) and in the other 5 cases, the observed changes were found after therapy (between time points A and C or between B and C). One remarkable case with genome evolution exhibited two subclones sharing trisomies 12 and 19, but with several unique CNA confined to each subclone. The first subclone was characterized by deletions of 6q, RB1, MIR16-1/MIR15A and 3 other losses, while the second subclone showed homozygous deletion of MIR16–1/MIR15A and 5 other monoallelic deletions. The first subclone was predominant at time points A and B (60–70% of cells), but was present in only 10–20% of cells at time point C as confirmed by FISH. Conversely, the second subclone was observed in ~20% of cells at time points A and B and became predominant after therapy, found in ~80% of cells at time point C. Another case was characterized by deletion 11q32 (including ATM and others) as the sole abnormality at time point B. Significant genomic complexity was observed at time point C, including deletions of 11q32, 9p21 (CDKN2A), 9q12-q33, 14q13.2 (NFKBIA) and 17p (TP53), and gains of 2p16 (REL) and 9q34. Interestingly, the deletion 11q32 from both time points arose independently at each time point, as they exhibited different chromosomal breakpoints and copy number variants. Moreover, the other CNA found at relapse were not identified at diagnosis (confirmed by aCGH and FISH). For evolution of specific CNA, trisomy 12 was found in 5 cases at the first sample analyzed and was stable with no changes between time points. The frequency of deletions 13q14.3 (MIR16-1/MIR15A) and 17p increased at the later time points. Conversely, –6q decreased in frequency across time points (3 cases in time points A–B and 1 case in time point C). In summary, at least 35% of CLL patients exhibited clonal evolution and at least 9% showed evidence of multiple subclones. This subgroup of CLL patients provides an exceptional framework for comprehensive analysis of genome evolution during disease progression before and after therapy. Our observations also support the hypothesis of a common CLL progenitor cell can give rise to clonally related, but genetically evolving subpopulations of tumor cells. Finally, this study may bring novel information regarding the drug resistance pathways utilized by CLL B cell clones post therapy. Disclosures: Kipps: GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Research Funding; Genzyme: Research Funding; Memgen: Research Funding; Igenica: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi Aventis: Research Funding; Abbott Laboratories: Research Funding. Fonseca:Genzyme: Consultancy; Medtronic: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; AMGEN: Consultancy; Otsuka: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Intellikine: Consultancy; Cylene: Research Funding; Onyx: Research Funding; FISH probes prognostication in myeloma: Patents & Royalties.