Leblond, Véronique

Abstract The outcome of patients (pts) with WM, a rare B-cell malignancy, varies widely. The international community has convened a panel to develop a prognostically meaningful staging system for survival after treatment initiation. Toward establishing IPSS, we performed multivariate analyses with bootstrap validation in a series of 587 pts (median age 67, range: 28 to 95, M/F ratio: 1.7) diagnosed between September 1979 and December 2001. Diagnostic and treatment criteria fulfilled recommendations of the 2nd international WM workshop. Front-line treatment was initiated at diagnosis in 69% and 4 mo to 164 mo later in the remaining pts. Criteria for initiation of therapy included cytopenia, constitutional symptoms, organomegaly, hyperviscosity, IgM-related disorders, which pertained to 51%, 44%, 35%, 31% and 13%, respectively. Treatment regimens comprised alkylating agents, fludarabine and rituximab in 369, 195 and 23 subjects, respectively. Baseline parameters included age>65 yr in 57%, Hb≤11.5 g/dL in 65%, platelet count ≤100 x109/L in 9%, granulocyte count ≤1.5 x109/L in 9%, B2M >3 mg/L in 56%, albumin ≤3.5 g/dL in 36% and monoclonal protein >7.0 g/dL in 7%. With a median follow-up of 64 mo (range, 6 mo–182 mo), the median survival after treatment initiation was 87 mo (95%CI 79–103) regardless of the type of therapy applied (p=0.3). Using results of univariate survival analyses, recursive partitioning and martingale residuals analyses, 7 adverse characteristics for inclusion in multivariate analyses were identified during an expert meeting: age >65 yr, platelet count ≤ 100x109/L, B2M >3 mg/L, M-protein >7.0 g/dL, granulocytes ≤1.5 x109/L, Hb ≤11.5 g/dL and albumin ≤3.5 g/dL. The Cox proportional hazard model with stepwise selection selected the first 6 covariates. Bootstrap resampling (500 replicates) validated the selection of the first 4 covariates in at least 80% of the replicates. Selection of at least one of the last 2 covariates in more than 80% of the replicates indicated a correlation between these 2 covariates, and validated the inclusion of Hb only. Using the combination of age, Hb, platelet count, B2M and M-protein, low risk was defined by the presence of ≤1 adverse characteristic except age, high risk by the presence of >2 adverse characteristics; the remaining patients with 2 adverse characteristics or age >65yr had intermediate risk, comprising 27%, 38% and 35% of patients with 5-yr survival rates of 87%, 68% and 36% (p<0.0001), independent of treatment and age. IPSS split each subgroup identified by previous scoring systems (Morel, Merlini, Dhodapkar). Conversely, log-rank test was significant only when the latter prognostic system was assessed in low IPSS-risk pts. Thus the combination of age, B2M, M-protein and blood counts provides simple prognostic model for survival in WM, hopefully serving as an objective basis for initiation of therapy and comparison of treatment results.

Abstract Abstract 879 Background: Several solid organ transplant (SOT) PTLD series have reported that PCNS disease is a poor prognostic factor (e.g., Leblond et al, JCO 2001; Maeker et al, JCO 2007; Knight et al JCO 2009; Evens et al, JCO 2010). However, these reports contained small PCNS PTLD numbers and most series studied patients (pts) in the pre-rituximab era. Methods: We performed an International retrospective analysis of PCNS SOT-related PTLD diagnosed from 1998 through 2010. Cases with secondary CNS localization were excluded. Detailed pt and disease characteristics, including frontline therapy, were evaluated. Fisher's exact test was used to compare PCNS PTLD vs non-PCNS PTLD cases. Further, univariate associations with survival were determined, while a multivariate Cox regression proportional hazards model was performed. Results: 71 PCNS PTLD cases were identified, of which 65 had complete data. There were 35 men and 30 women; the median age was 53 years (range, 20–77 years). The most common type of SOT was kidney in 72%, followed by lung 18% and 5% each pancreas and heart. The median time from SOT to PCNS PTLD was 46 months (range, 2 to 504 months). Further, only 18% occurred within 12 months of SOT, and 32% of PTLD diagnoses occurred > 10 years after SOT. 85% of pts had received prior mycophenolate, while 30% received tacrolimus prior to PCNS PTLD. According to WHO histology, 83% of PCNS PTLD cases were monomorphic subtype (all B-cell), while tumor was EBV+ in 93% despite EBV being detectable in the peripheral blood (by PCR) in only 38% of these cases. In addition, 49% of pts had poor performance status (i.e., 2–4), 48% had elevated LDH, and 48% were hypoalbuminemic at diagnosis. Interestingly, several of these characteristics were notably different when compared with a non-PCNS PTLD cohort (Table 1A). All pts here presented with CNS-related symptoms and 98% had abnormal findings on MRI showing a parenchymal brain lesion(s); 50% of pts had >1 CNS lesion and 40% had involvement of deep regions of the brain. Further, 12% had concomitant CSF involvement, while no pts had ocular involvement. In terms of therapy, 89% of pts had reduction in immunosuppression (RI). Additional frontline therapy consisted of high dose methotrexate (HD-MTX)-based therapy in 43% (46% of whom also received concurrent rituximab), whole-brain radiation in 20% (61% with rituxmab), high-dose cytarabine (HDAC)-based in 15% (30% with rituximab), while 11% received rituximab alone and 11% had no other therapy (i.e., RI alone). Altogether, 48% of pts received rituximab as part of initial therapy. The overall response rate (ORR) was 55% with 30% complete remission (CR) rate. With a median follow-up of 39 months (1–135), the 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for all pts were 31% and 32%, respectively (Figure 1). Pts who received rituximab vs not as a component of first line therapy had superior PFS (40% vs 22%, respectively, p=0.02) and borderline improved OS (43% vs 22%, respectively, p=0.06), while pts who did not receive rituximab nor HD-MTX-based therapy as frontline therapy did particularly poor (PFS and OS both 10%). Several pre-treatment and treatment-related factors predicted survival on univariate analysis (Table 1B). When analyzing only pre-treatment related factors in the Cox multivariate regression model, only increasing age remained significant (PFS: HR 1.04 [95%CI 1.00–1.07], p=0.031; and OS: HR 1.04 [95%CI 1.01–1.08], p=0.020). With treatment-related factors included in the model, response to frontline therapy (CR or partial remission) was the dominant predictive factor of survival on multivariate analysis (PFS: HR 0.136 [95%CI 0.047–0.390], p=0.0002; and OS: HR 0.130 [95%CI 0.045–0.381], p=0.0002). Conclusion: These data represent the largest report of PCNS PTLD to date. PCNS PTLD appears to represent a distinct biologic and clinical entity within the PTLD spectrum that retains EBV positivity, occurs late, and presents with additional high-risk features. Furthermore, outcome of PCNS PTLD remains overall modest. However, these data suggest that rituximab and HD-MTX appear to favorably impact survival. Continued study of this subset of pts is critically needed. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a distinct B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder for which clearly defined criteria for the diagnosis, initiation of therapy, and treatment strategy have been proposed as part of the consensus panels of the International Workshop on Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia (IWWM). At IWWM-8, a task force for treatment recommendations was impanelled to review recently published and ongoing clinical trial data as well as the impact of new mutations (MYD88 and CXCR4) on treatment decisions, indications for B-cell receptor and proteasome inhibitors, and future clinical trial initiatives for WM patients. The panel concluded that therapeutic strategies in WM should be based on individual patient and disease characteristics. Chemoimmunotherapy combinations with rituximab and cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone, bendamustine, or bortezomib-dexamethasone provide durable responses and are still indicated in most patients. Approval of the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib in the United States and Europe represents a novel and effective treatment option for both treatment-naive and relapsing patients. Other B-cell receptor inhibitors, second-generation proteasome inhibitors (eg, carfilzomib), and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors are promising and may increase future treatment options. Active enrollment in clinical trials whenever possible was endorsed by the panel for most patients with WM.

Abstract Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a distinct B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder for which clearly defined criteria for the diagnosis, initiation of therapy, and treatment strategy have been proposed as part of the consensus panels of International Workshops on WM (IWWM). As part of the IWWM-7 and based on recently published and ongoing clinical trials, the panels updated treatment recommendations. Therapeutic strategy in WM should be based on individual patient and disease characteristics (age, comorbidities, need for rapid disease control, candidacy for autologous transplantation, cytopenias, IgM-related complications, hyperviscosity, and neuropathy). Mature data show that rituximab combinations with cyclophosphamide/dexamethasone, bendamustine, or bortezomib/dexamethasone provided durable responses and are indicated for most patients. New monoclonal antibodies (ofatumumab), second-generation proteasome inhibitors (carfilzomib), mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, and Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors are promising and may expand future treatment options. A different regimen is typically recommended for relapsed or refractory disease. In selected patients with relapsed disease after long-lasting remission, reuse of a prior effective regimen may be appropriate. Autologous stem cell transplantation may be considered in young patients with chemosensitive disease and in newly diagnosed patients with very-high-risk features. Active enrollment of patients with WM in clinical trials is encouraged.

Abstract Recently, many new drugs have been developed for the treatment of Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). To optimize the treatment according to the prognosis and to facilitate the comparison of trials, we developed an International Prognostic Scoring System for WM in a series of 587 patients with clearly defined criteria for diagnosis and for initiation of treatment. The median survival after treatment initiation was 87 months. Five adverse covariates were identified: advanced age (>65 years), hemoglobin less than or equal to 11.5 g/dL, platelet count less than or equal to 100 × 109/L, β2-microglobulin more than 3 mg/L, and serum monoclonal protein concentration more than 7.0 g/dL. Low-risk patients (27%) presented with no or 1 of the adverse characteristics and advanced age, intermediate-risk patients (38%) with 2 adverse characteristics or only advanced age, and high-risk patients (35%) with more than 2 adverse characteristics. Five-year survival rates were 87%, 68%, and 36%, respectively (P < .001). The ISSWM retained its prognostic significance in subgroups defined by age, treatment with alkylating agent, and purine analog. Thus, the ISSWM may provide a means to design risk-adapted studies. However, independent validation and new biologic markers may enhance its significance.