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Fernández, Hugo F.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7322-0392

Mayo Clinic

Memorial Healthcare System

Citations 42

High Dose Daunorubicin Improves Survival in AML up to Age 60, Across All Cytogenetic Risk Groups Including Patients with Unfavorable Cytogenetic Risk, and FLT3-ITD Mutant AML: Updated Analyses from Eastern Cooperative Oncology Trial E1900
Lee, Ju‐Whei , Fernández, Hugo F. , Rowe, Jacob M. , Tallman, Martin S. , Paietta, Elisabeth , Litzow, Mark, Patel, Jay P., Sun, Zhuoxin , Luger, Selina M. , Luskin, Marlise R , Lazarus, Hillard M. , Abdel‐Wahab, Omar , Levine, Ross L.

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 124 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 373-373

10.1182/blood.v124.21.373.373 Get It

Abstract Background: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group trial E1900 (E1900) showed that induction therapy with a high daily dose of daunorubicin (90 mg/m2) (DNR 90) improves survival in younger patients (pts) (<50 yrs) and intermediate (int) cytogenetic risk AML, but at 2 years of follow-up no benefit was seen in older pts (50-60 yrs), or in those with unfavorable cytogenetic risk or FLT3-ITD mutant AML (Fernandez et al. N Engl J Med 2009). Here we update results of E1900 with longer follow-up, focusing on the benefit of DNR 90 in cytogenetic and common molecular subgroups. Methods: Overall survival (OS) was measured from randomization for induction therapy to death from any cause (censored at last contact). Hazard ratios (HR) for death were computed using univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models; multivariable Cox models were adjusted for sex, age, hemoglobin level, leukocyte count, platelet count, and cytogenetic profile. All conclusions regarding the impact of DNR 90, unless noted, are similar based on univariate and multivariable analysis. Results: Overall, 657 pts were enrolled with a median follow-up of 80.1 months. The HR for death in the DNR 90 group as compared with the standard-dose daunorubicin (45 mg/m2) (DNR 45) group was 0.74 (p=0.001). Pts <50 yrs benefited from DNR 90 (p = 0.002) while those >=50 yrs were not proven to benefit (p = 0.12). Pts with favorable (fav) and int. cytogenetic risk benefited from DNR 90 (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively). A benefit for pts with unfavorable cytogenetic risk was seen on multivariable analysis (p = 0.04). Impact of DNR 90 by mutation status: The 3 most common mutations were FLT3-ITD (24%), NPM1 (26%), and DNMT3A (24%). AML pts with any of these 3 mutations benefited from DNR 90 (p = 0.009, p = 0.002, and p = 0.02, respectively). FLT3-ITD pts who received DNR 90 had a 4-yr OS of 31%. Benefit was seen in pts age 50-60 with FLT3-ITD or NPM1 mutation (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04, respectively). No benefit of DNR 90 was seen in a small cohort of pts with MLL-PTD (p = 0.06). Benefit of DNR 90 in FLT3-ITD, NPM1, and DNMT3A mutant AML was confirmed in the int. cytogenetic risk group. Impact of DNR 90 on prognostic impact of NPM1: The presence of an NPM1 mutation conferred an improvement in OS in the DNR 90 group which was not seen in the DNR 45 group (p = 0.01 vs p = 0.3). This finding was confirmed in the int. cytogenetic risk group. Conclusion: With median follow-up of over 6 years on E1900, we confirm that DNR 90 improves outcome in pts with fav/int cytogenetic risk, DNMT3A or NPM1 mutant AML, or age < 50 (Patel et al. N Engl J Med 2012). Additionally, we now demonstrate that DNR 90 additionally benefits pts with FLT3-ITD AML, and pts with unfavorable cytogenetic risk, regardless of age. Moreover, we show that the favorable prognostic impact of the NPM1 mutation is only present when pts receive DNR 90. Given the benefit of DNR 90 across all cytogenetic risk groups as well as common molecularly defined subgroups of AML, DNR 90 should be the standard for all pts up to age 60 who are candidates for induction chemotherapy. Table HR for death by AML cohort. Subgroup N Univariate Model DNR 45 DNR 90 HR (DNR 90/DNR 45) & 95% CI Wald P All patients (n=657) Overall 330 327 0.74 (0.61, 0.89) 0.001 Age < 50 yrs³ 50 yrs 188 142 172 155 0.66 (0.50, 0.85) 0.81 (0.62, 1.06) 0.002 0.12 Cytogenetic Favorable Intermediate Unfavorable 38 232 59 51 212 63 0.51 (0.28, 0.93) 0.76 (0.61, 0.96) 0.79 (0.54, 1.16) 0.03 0.02 0.22 FLT3-ITD WT MUT 215 83 241 64 0.74 (0.59, 0.92) 0.61 (0.42, 0.89) 0.008 0.009 MLL-PTD WT MUT 290 16 296 15 0.70 (0.58, 0.86) 0.46 (0.21, 1.04) 0.0004 0.06 NPM1* WT MUT 180 65 192 65 0.70 (0.55, 0.89) 0.50 (0.32, 0.78) 0.003 0.002 DNMT3A WT MUT 177 61 194 58 0.66 (0.52, 0.85) 0.62 (0.41, 0.94) 0.001 0.02 * Statistically significant test of interaction (p<0.2) Figure 1A: Overall Survival by NPM1 Mutation Status and Treatment Arm Figure 1A:. Overall Survival by NPM1 Mutation Status and Treatment Arm Figure 1B: Overall Survival of FLT-ITD Mutant AML Patients by Treatment Arm Figure 1B:. Overall Survival of FLT-ITD Mutant AML Patients by Treatment Arm Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
High-Throughput Mutational Profiling In AML: Mutational Analysis of the ECOG E1900 Trial
Patel, Jay P., Gönen, Mithat , Fernández, Hugo F. , Sun, Zhuoxin , Racevskis, Janis, lierberghe, Pieter Van, Cheng, Janice, Viale, Agnès , Heguy, Adriana , Gallagher, Robert E. , Litzow, Mark R. , Rowe, Jacob M. , Ferrando, Adolfo A. , Paietta, Elisabeth , Tallman, Martin S. , Abdel‐Wahab, Omar , Figueroa, María E. , Dolgalev, Igor , Socci, Nicholas D. , Ketterling, Rhett P. , Melnick, Ari , Levine, Ross L.

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 116 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 851-851

10.1182/blood.v116.21.851.851 Get It

Abstract Abstract 851 Clinical studies have demonstrated that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is heterogeneous with respect to presentation and to clinical outcome, and many studies have shown that cytogenetics can be used to improve prognostication. More recently, it has been shown that FLT3, NPM1, and CEBPA mutations can be used to further risk stratify AML patients. Although recent studies have identified novel, recurrent somatic mutations in AML in genes including TET2, ASXL1, IDH1, IDH2, and PHF6, their prognostic value has not yet been evaluated among patients treated on a large phase III clinical trial. Here we report full-length DNA resequencing of FLT3, NPM1, CEBPA, H/K/NRAS, KIT, WT1, TET2, ASXL1, IDH1/2, TP53, RUNX1, PTEN, and PHF6 in pre-treatment genomic DNA from 398 patients with de novo AML younger than 60 years of age enrolled in the ECOG E1900 protocol. We could identify a clonal alteration, defined as a somatic mutation or cytogenetic abnormality, in 91.2% of all patients; 42% had 1 somatic alteration, 36.4% had 2 alterations, 11.3% had 3 alterations and 1.5% had 4 or more somatic alterations. Mutational Analysis: We identified somatic mutations in FLT3 (37% total; 30% ITD, 7% TKD), NPM1 (14%), CEBPA (10%), TET2 (10%), NRAS (10%), WT1 (10%), KIT (9%), IDH2 (8%), IDH1 (6%), RUNX1 (6%), ASXL1 (4%), PHF6 (3%), KRAS (2.5%), TP53 (2%), and PTEN (1.5%) (Figure 1A). We then performed correlation analysis to determine the frequency of different mutational combinations in AML patients. In addition to previously identified mutational correlations (FLT3 and NPM1, KIT and core binding factor leukemia), we found that FLT3 and ASXL1 mutations were mutually exclusive in this large cohort (p =0.0008). In addition, we found that IDH1/IDH2 mutations were mutually exclusive of both TET2 (p=0.02), and WT1 (p=0.01) mutations consistent with overlapping roles in AML pathogenesis (Figure 1B). Integration of mutational data with response data and outcome: Mutations in ASXL1 (CR rate 33.3% versus 66.5% for ASXL1-WT patients; p= 0.009) were enriched in patients who did not respond to induction chemotherapy. We found that mutations in FLT3 (p=0.0005), ASXL1 (p=0.005; Figure 1C), and PHF6 (p=0.02) were associated with reduced OS. Notably, the adverse effects of ASXL1 and PHF6 mutations on outcome were restricted to patients treated with standard dose daunorubicin (p<0.01 for each mutational cohort); ASXL1 and PHF6 mutational status did not affect outcome in patients treated with high-dose daunorubicin, demonstrating that increased intensity induction chemotherapy can improve outcomes in genetically defined poor risk AML subsets. We also found that mutations in CEBPA (p= 0.04) and in IDH2 (p=0.003) were associated with improved OS; the favorable impact of IDH2 mutations on outcome was exclusive to patients with IDH2 R140Q mutations (Figure 1D). Within the subset of patients with cytogenetically defined intermediate risk AML, we found, as expected, that FLT3-ITD mutations were associated with reduced OS and CEBPA mutations were associated with improved OS. Importantly, we found that IDH2 R140Q mutations were associated with improved OS (p=0.003) in patients with intermediate risk AML regardless of FLT3 mutational status. In contrast, TET2 mutations (P=0.0002) and PHF6 (p<0.0001) were associated with reduced OS in intermediate risk, FLT3-WT, AML. Summary: These data provide important clinical implications of genetic alterations in AML and provides insight into the multistep pathogenesis of adult AML. We identified novel mutations that impact response to induction chemotherapy and predict overall outcome, including ASXL1, PHF6, TET2 and IDH2, suggesting these mutations can be used to improve AML risk stratification and therapeutic decisions in AML patients 18–60 years of age. Most importantly, we identify TET2, IDH1/2, and WT1 mutations as mutually exclusive somatic alterations that form a novel mutational complementation group that contributes to AML pathogenesis. Figure 1. A) Circos diagram depicting relative frequency and pairwise co-occurrence of mutations in de novo AML patients enrolled in the ECOG protocol E1900. B) Circos diagram showing mutational events in IDH1/2, TET2, and WT1 mutant AML patient. C) Overall survival in AML patients with and without ASXL1 mutations (p=0.005). D) Overall survival in AML patients with and without IDH2 R172 and R140 mutations (p=0.003). Figure 1. A) Circos diagram depicting relative frequency and pairwise co-occurrence of mutations in de novo AML patients enrolled in the ECOG protocol E1900. B) Circos diagram showing mutational events in IDH1/2, TET2, and WT1 mutant AML patient. C) Overall survival in AML patients with and without ASXL1 mutations (p=0.005). D) Overall survival in AML patients with and without IDH2 R172 and R140 mutations (p=0.003). Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Young Adults Presenting with Extramedullary Acute Myeloid Leukemia Have A Unique Sensitivity to High Doses of Anthracyclines: Subset Analysis of ECOG 1900,
Fernández, Hugo F. , Sun, Zhuoxin , Litzow, Mark R. , Luger, Selina M. , Paietta, Elisabeth , Racevskis, Janis, Dewald, Gordon W., Bennett, John M. , Rowe, Jacob M. , Tallman, Martin S. , Ketterling, Rhett P. , Lazarus, Hillard M.

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 118 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 3619-3619

10.1182/blood.v118.21.3619.3619 Get It

Abstract Abstract 3619 Extramedullary (EM) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is generally associated with a poor prognosis. We evaluated the baseline characteristics, response and survival characteristics in a subset of patients age ≤ 60 years with de novo AML and EM manifestations at presentation, treated on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group E1900 protocol: daunorubicin 45 or 90 mg /m2 x3 days in conjunction with cytarabine 100 mg/m2 × 7 days followed by risk-stratified consolidation. (Fernandez et al New Engl J Med 2009) Methods: Patient baseline characteristics were compared using Fisher's exact test if they were categories and Wilcoxon rank sum tests if they were continuous. Logistic regression models were used for complete remission (CR) rates and Cox regression models were used for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). The univariate models included indication of whether patient had extramedullary disease involvement, adjusted by induction treatment. The multivariate models were further adjusted for age, gender, cytogenetic risk, ECOG PS, WBC, platelets, marrow blast, hemoglobin, peripheral blasts, and secondary AML. All P values were based on 2-sided tests. Results: 58 (8.9%) of 651 patients in the study presented with evidence of EM at diagnosis. Patients with EM disease were younger and presented with higher peripheral WBC counts and circulating blasts than those without. Immunophenotyping did not demonstrate a difference in baseline CD56 expression (p=0.77). Sites of EM involvement included gingival hypertrophy (n= 33), skin (n= 7), central nervous system (n= 6), lymphadenopathy (n=6), mediastinum (n=2) and other (n=6). 3 patients had multiple sites. Cytogenetic risk in the EM subgroup was favorable (8.6%), indeterminate (inadequate/missing) (34.5%), intermediate (37.9%) and unfavorable (19%) and did not differ statistically from those without EM disease. The complete remission (CR) rates were similar for patients with EM disease compared to those patient's without, regardless of the anthracycline dose (univariate model p= 0.93; multivariate model p=0.88. DFS (patients in CR) and OS of patients with EM disease was not significantly different in the univariate (p= 0.99, p=0.49) or multivariate models (p= 0.92, p=0.37), respectively. On multivariate modeling patients with EM AML who received the standard-dose of daunorubicin had a shorter OS (HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.91, p=0.006). OS was not improved in EM patients treated with high-dose daunorubicin (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.14, p=0.12) (Table). There was a significant difference in OS for patients with EM treated with the 90 mg/m2 dose of daunorubicin compared to patients with EM treated with the 45 mg/m2 dose (multivariate model: HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.76, p=0.01). Conclusion: Younger patients with de novo EM AML are sensitive to higher doses of anthracycline in induction therapy and should be treated in a similar fashion as patients without EM involvement. For both groups the higher doses of anthracycline are recommended as CR rates, DFS and OS are improved. Further evaluation of immunophenotypic and molecular/ genetic characteristics should be undertaken in this subset of patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
A Clinical Measure of DNA Methylation Predicts Outcome in De Novo AML
Gimotty, Phyllis A. , Smith, Catherine , Loren, Alison W. , Harrison, Jenna , Sun, Zhuoxin , Tallman, Martin S. , Paietta, Elisabeth , Litzow, Mark R. , Fernández, Hugo F. , Luger, Selina M. , Wertheim, Gerald , Luskin, Marlise R , Figueroa, María E. , Levine, Ross L. , Carroll, Martin P , Master, Stephen R.

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 2591-2591

10.1182/blood.v126.23.2591.2591 Get It

Abstract Background: Despite advances, the majority of patients (pts) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) will die of their disease. Current genetics-based risk classification schemes inadequately predict outcome. We sought to determine if a novel methylation-based biomarker could enhance risk stratification in AML. Methods: Using a novel methylation assay (xMELP) validated for the clinical laboratory, we performed DNA methylation assessment at 17 previously identified prognostic loci to calculate a summary methylation statistic (M-score, Wertheim et al. Clin Chem 2015) for 166 pts with de novo AML treated at the University of Pennsylvania (UPENN). Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of 33 hematologic malignancy-associated genes was performed for a 136 pt subset. The association of M-score with other prognostic variables and outcome [complete remission (CR) and overall survival (OS)] was evaluated. Median follow-up was 68.1 mos (range 1.4-150.2) among 38 survivors and 10.5 mos (range 0.1-95.2) among those (n=128) deceased. The optimal M-score for identifying groups with differing OS in the total UPENN cohort defined a binary classifier. The classifier was validated in UPENN subgroups and in a separate ECOG ACRIN E1900 trial cohort. Results: The mean and median M-score for the UPENN cohort was 92.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 87.4-97.2) and 91.4 (range, 30.8-97.3), respectively; the M-score was not significantly associated with age, gender, specimen type, blast percent, NPM1, or FLT3-ITD. Patients with favorable cytogenetics had a lower mean M-score than those with non-favorable cytogenetics; there was no difference between intermediate and unfavorable cytogenetic groups. Univariate analyses demonstrated that a 10-unit increase in M-score was associated with a 10% increase in the hazard of death (HR 1.1; P<.0001) and a 20% increase in the odds of failing to achieve CR (OR 1.2, P<.0001). In multivariable Cox analysis, higher M-score (HR 1.1, P=.011) and older age (P=.001) were significantly associated with increased hazard of death, while NPM1+/FLT3-ITD-status (P=.031) was associated with decreased hazard of death. In a multivariable logistic analysis, higher M-score (HR, 1.1, P=.034) and older age (P=.007) were associated with increased odds of failing to achieve CR, while favorable cytogenetics (P=.030) was associated with achievement of CR. Based on the maximization of the log-rank statistic, the optimal M-score cutpoint was 86, which defined a binary risk classifier (hazard of death for high vs low M-score: unadjusted HR 2.5, P<.0001; adjusted HR 1.9, P=.003). Median OS was 26.6 vs. 10.6 mos for low and high M-score groups (Figure). The CR rates for low and high M-score groups were 84% and 61%, respectively. The performance of the M-score classifier was confirmed in pts ≤ 60 yrs with intermediate cytogenetics (log-rank P=.001, OS in high vs low M-score groups: 36.4 vs 14.0 mos) and among pts who achieved CR with initial therapy (log-rank P<.00001, OS 43.9 vs 17.2 mos). The M-score classifier identified groups with different outcome regardless of allogeneic transplant. The M-score classifier was validated in the E1900 cohort (n=383). The mean and median M-scores were similar to the UPENN cohort and M-score was significantly associated with OS on multivariable analysis (P<0.0001). The M-score classifier identified E1900 subgroups with different OS (log-rank P<.00001; OS 29.5 vs 12.6 mos), a finding confirmed in the intermediate cytogenetics group, in those aged <50 and ≥50 yrs, and among pts assigned to both standard and high dose daunorubicin. Notably, high dose daunorubicin benefited patients with high M-scores (P=.001), but not those with low M-scores (P=.328). We also evaluated the prognostic value of the M-score in the context of an extended molecular profile. Random forest analysis of the UPENN cohort showed that M-score and age are the most robust predictors of OS, while a subset of recurrent mutations (FLT3-ITD, NPM1, IDH2, TET2, TP53, NRAS, CEBPA) also contribute to prognosis, but to a lesser degree. Conclusion: The M-score and associated classifier represent promising tools for clinical decision-making in AML and deserve further investigation. The prognostic value of the M-score may be superior to mutational analysis. Optimal methods for integration of M-score, clinical and genetic information are being defined. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Loren: Merck: Research Funding. Levine:Foundation Medicine: Consultancy; CTI BioPharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Loxo Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation as Consolidation for Younger Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in First Complete Remission: Follow-up of E1900.
Fernández, Hugo F. , Sun, Zhuoxin , Litzow, Mark R. , Luger, Selina M. , Paietta, Elisabeth , Dewald, Gordon W., Bennett, John M. , Rowe, Jacob M. , Tallman, Martin S. , Ketterling, Rhett P. , Lazarus, Hillard M.

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 114 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 3405-3405

10.1182/blood.v114.22.3405.3405 Get It

Abstract Abstract 3405 Poster Board III-293 Background: Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AutoHCT) as consolidation has been an alternative to standard intensive chemotherapy and/or allogeneic HCT for younger patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first complete remission (CR). However concerns about toxicity and true benefits in long-term outcome have hampered its use. Methods: We present the follow-up of younger patients with de novo AML treated on ECOG study E1900, on an intention-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analysis. DFS and OS were measured from the time of registration to consolidation therapy. Results: 657 patients younger than 61 years were initially randomized to standard-dose cytarabine and either standard- or high-dose daunorubicin in a 7+3 approach. Of the 352 patients who entered consolidation phase, 307 patients, 68 with favorable-risk cytogenetics (FRC), 128 with intermediate-risk cytogenetics (IRC), 90 with indeterminate cytogenetics (IDT) and 21 with unfavorable-risk cytogenetics (URC), were allocated to AutoHCT. Patients in these cohorts were treated with high-dose cytarabine 3g/m2 x 6 doses in 5 days, for two cycles. Peripheral blood cells were collected after the second cycle. Initially patients were randomized to receive gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) or not; however, no benefit was derived from GO therapy and the randomization was closed. 156 patients did not receive the planned AutoHCT due to disease progression, alternative therapy, failure to collect, insurance denial, toxicity and other reasons. 151 patients (33 FRC, 64 IRC, 47 IDT and 7 URC) were conditioned with IV busulfan 0.8 mg/kg daily x 16 doses (without dose adjustment) and cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kg x 2 days. Autologous cells were infused on day 0 and patients were supported with sargramostim until ANC recovery > 500/μL. Veno-occlusive disease occurred in three patients. Treatment-related mortality (TRM) of AutoHCT was 1.3% (2/151) at 30 days. Median follow-up was 31.8 months. In the ITT analysis, median disease-free survival (DFS) was 21.1 months and overall survival (OS) was 31.8 months. For patients treated PP, median DFS and OS were 29.8 months and 39.7 months, respectively. Median DFS by cytogenetics was, 20.5 months for IRC and 22.4 months for IDT; not reached for the FRC group (p=0.10) and median OS was 32.8 months for IRC and 34.4 months for IDT; not reached for the FRC group (p=0.06). For FRC patients treated with high dose daunorubicin induction and AutoHCT the DFS and OS was ≥ 80% at 4 years based on K-M estimates. Patients who were FLT3-positive (n=27) demonstrated a trend towards worse DFS (16.2 vs. 30.3 months) and OS (20.0 vs.39.7 months) than those who were FLT3-negative (n=113) (p=0.12 and 0.10, respectively). Conclusions: Auto HCT is a safe consolidation approach with a low TRM in younger patients with de novo AML in first remission. Results are excellent in respect to DFS and OS particularly for the FRC patients on the high-dose daunorubicin arm. Due to small numbers, we could not demonstrate a negative outcome in FLT3-positive patients receiving AutoHCT. Further study, however, with a larger number of patients is warranted. Disclosures: Fernandez: Otsuka: Honoraria. Off Label Use: IV busulfan in the treatment of acute myeliod leukemia .
Very Poor Long-Term Survival, Also in Contemporary Studies, of Patients with AML Who Relapse after Achieving a First Complete Remission: The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group Experience
Ganzel, Chezi , Cripe, Larry D., Sun, Zhouxin, Fernández, Hugo F. , Cassileth, Peter A., Douer, Dan , Rowe, Jacob M. , Paietta, Elisabeth , Wiernik, Peter H. , Bennett, John M. , Litzow, Mark R. , Luger, Selina M. , Tallman, Martin S. , Sun, Zhouxin, O’Connell, Michael J. , Lazarus, Hillard M.

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 1315-1315

10.1182/blood.v126.23.1315.1315 Get It

Abstract This study was coordinated by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (Robert L. Comis, MD and Mitchell D. Schnall, MD, PhD, Group Co-Chairs) and supported in part by Public Health Service Grants CA180794, CA180820, CA180795, CA180791, CA189859, CA180790, CA180853, and from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services. Its content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute. Background: Relapse after achieving a complete remission (CR) in AML portends for a poor prognosis and allogeneic transplant after achieving a second remission is the only chance for cure. Patients who undergo a transplant have a 30-40% chance of long term survival. This is a follow-up of a report published 10 years ago (Rowe JM, ASH 2005, abstract 546) and includes contemporary studies and longer follow-up. The study examines the long term overall survival (OS) of AML patients who relapsed after achieving first CR in 9 successive ECOG-ACRIN trials for newly-diagnosed AML patients (E3483, E3489, PC486, E3993, E4995, E1490, E3997, E1900 and E3999) from March 1984 to November 2008. Methods: OS was defined as time from first relapse to death from any cause. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to estimate the event-time distributions for OS. Multivariate model stratified on protocol and treatment were used to examine whether the following factors are prognostic for OS from relapse: age, gender, cytogenetic risk, ECOG performance status, WBC, platelets, hemoglobin, marrow blasts, peripheral blasts, and duration of CR. All P values were based on 2-sided tests. Results: A total of 3160 patients were enrolled in the 9 studies. The median follow-up on patients still alive was 10.0 years. Among those 3160 patients enrolled, 1864 (58.9%) achieved first CR of which 1086 (58.2%) had documented relapse. The median age at diagnosis of the relapsed patients was 50 (range: 16-84) and 50.6% were males. Fifty percent of the patients had reliable cytogenetic results. Of those, 13.5% had favorable cytogenetics, 55.8% - intermediate and 30.6% had unfavorable baseline results. The median OS from relapse was 0.5 years. The 2- and 5-year OS were 16(±1)% and 10(±1)%, respectively. This is true in even the most contemporary studies (E1900 and E3999) with median OS of 0.6 and 0.4 years, respectively. By age stratification (< or ≥ 55), 5-year OS was 13(±1)% and 5(±1)%, respectively (figure 1). Among patients<55, those with unfavorable cytogenetics had the poorest prognosis (median OS of 0.4 years and 5-year OS of 6(±3)%. Those with favorable and intermediate cytogenetics had similar OS with 0.7 and 0.6 years median OS and 5-year OS of 16(±5)% and 17(±3)%, respectively (figure 2). Multivariate analysis was perfomed on 517 patients who had enough baseline information, including cytogenetics. Factors that were significantly associated with OS from relapse included: age (p<0.001), ECOG performance status (p=0.04), hemoglobin (p=0.03), cytogenetics (p=0.045) at baseline and duration of CR (p<0.001). Conclusions: The short- and long-term OS of AML patients post-relapse is dismal (<10%). Although age<55 and favorable cytogenetics at diagnosis are relatively good prognostic factors, the general survival of even these patients is very poor. Disappointingly, these data are also applicable to the most contemporary studies. Long-term survival was possible only in the minority of patients who survived the relapse, achieved a second CR and then successfully underwent an allogeneic transplant. These data are crucial when considering post-remission strategy, and suggest that offering a therapy most likely to lead to cure in CR1 is the preferred option. Figure 1. Probability of OS from relapse by age group Figure 1. Probability of OS from relapse by age group Figure 2. Probability of OS from relapse by cytogenetic risk for patients age <55 Figure 2. Probability of OS from relapse by cytogenetic risk for patients age <55 Disclosures Douer: Gilead: Consultancy. Rowe:BioSight Ltd.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BioLineRx Ltd.: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy.
Radius: A Phase 2, Randomized Trial of Standard of Care (SOC) with or without Midostaurin to Prevent Relapse Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (alloHSCT) in Patients (pts) with FLT3-Itd-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Scott, Bart L. , Deol, Abhinav , Haines, Kelly, Bonifacio, Gaetano, Rine, Patrice, Fernández, Hugo F. , Maziarz, Richard Thomas , Mohan, Sanjay , Rowley, Scott D , Kim, Dennis Dong Hwan

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 2248-2248

10.1182/blood.v128.22.2248.2248 Get It

Abstract Introduction Midostaurin is an orally available multikinase inhibitor that blocks FLT3 kinase activity. FLT3 mutations are associated with more frequent and earlier relapses and worse survival. The phase 3 RATIFY trial showed that midostaurin compared with placebo improved overall and event-free survival in newly diagnosed pts with FLT3-mutated AML when administered in combination with standard chemotherapy and as single-agent maintenance (Stone et al, ASH 2015). The ongoing RADIUS trial (NCT01883362) is investigating whether adding midostaurin to SOC after alloHSCT reduces the risk of relapse in pts with FLT3-ITD-mutated AML. Here we report safety data from the first 56 enrolled pts. Methods RADIUS is a randomized, open-label, phase 2 study comparing SOC vs midostaurin + SOC after alloHSCT in adult pts with AML with FLT3-ITD mutations (planned enrollment, N = 60). Study treatment started 28-60 days after alloHSCT. SOC was dictated by the treating physician. Pts were randomized to either SOC or midostaurin 50 mg twice daily + SOC (hereafter called the midostaurin arm) continuously for ≤ 12 months and will be followed up for ≥ 24 months. The study was designed to look for any safety or efficacy signals and not powered to find differences between study treatments. The primary endpoint is relapse-free survival at 18 months after alloHSCT. Adverse events (AEs) were followed up for 30 days after treatment. Key inclusion criteria are documented FLT3-ITD mutation, age 18-70 years, and first complete remission status. Pts could enroll after the date of engraftment and hematologic recovery to an absolute neutrophil count > 1000/μL and platelet count ≥ 20,000/μL without requiring transfusion. Results Pts were randomized from Feb 5, 2014, to Jun 13, 2016. The 2 arms (n = 28 each) were balanced regarding age, sex, and race. Most pts (93%) had de novo AML. At data cutoff (Jun 3, 2016), data were not mature enough to evaluate efficacy. Median (range) follow-up in the SOC and midostaurin arms was 240 (3-786) and 234 (3-656) days, respectively. Overall, 18 pts (64%) in the SOC arm and 19 pts (68%) in the midostaurin arm stopped treatment. Of these, 10 (36%) and 8 (29%) in the SOC and midostaurin arms, respectively, completed 12 months of treatment. Other reasons for stopping treatment were relapse (2 [7%] and 2 [7%]), death (2 [7%] and 0 [0%]), administrative problems (2 [7%] and 1 [4%]), withdrawn consent (1 [4%] and 3 [11%]), abnormal test results (1 [4%] and 0 [0%]), and AEs (0 [0%] and 4 [14%]). In the 24 pts who received ≥ 1 dose in the midostaurin arm, the median midostaurin dose was 76.2 (range, 25-100) mg daily. In the 15 pts (54%) who required a dose change, the reasons for dose changes were AEs (13 [46%]), dosing error (3 [11%]), re-escalation (3 [11%]), abnormal test results (2 [7%]), per protocol (2 [7%]), use of concomitant strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (1 [4%]), and other reasons (4 [14%]). The most common any-grade (Gr) AEs were fatigue (29%) and AST, headache, nausea and vomiting (all 25%) in the SOC arm and nausea and vomiting (both 64%) and diarrhea (43%) in the midostaurin arm (Figure 1). The most common Gr 3/4 AEs were nausea and hypertension in the SOC arm (all 3 [11%] each) and diarrhea, increased ALT, neutrophil count decreased (all 3 [11%] each) and platelet count decreased (5 [18%]) in the midostaurin arm. No on-treatment deaths occurred in the midostaurin arm. AEs led to discontinuation of midostaurin in 4 pts and included Gr 1 nausea, Gr 2 nausea and vomiting, Gr 3 lung infection, and Gr 2 elevated liver enzymes (n = 1 each). All of these except the lung infection were considered related to midostaurin. Graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) occurred in 16 pts (57%) in the SOC arm and 18 pts (64%) in the midostaurin arm (Figure 2). No stage ≥ 3 organ involvement occurred. Most cases of GVHD (11 [39%] in the SOC arm and 17 [61%] in the midostaurin arm) were acute. The most commonly affected organ was the skin (11 [39%] and 13 [46%], respectively, of which 5 [18%] and 4 [14%], respectively, were stage 2). Conclusions The preliminary safety data in the post-alloHSCT setting was consistent with data from other studies. Rates of Gr 1/2 nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea were higher in the midostaurin arm. Midostaurin did not change rates of GVHD. Because of the limited duration of follow-up, effects on chronic GVHD are unknown. Follow-up is ongoing, with efficacy data anticipated in 2017. Disclosures Maziarz: Athersys: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Scott:Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Alexion: Speakers Bureau; Agios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Deol:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Haines:Novartis: Employment. Bonifacio:Novartis: Employment. Rine:Novartis: Employment. Fernandez:Fate Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Chimerix: Honoraria; Sanofi: Speakers Bureau.
Practically All Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in Continuous Complete Remission for 3 Years or More Are Cured of Their Disease: The ECOG Experience
Watts, Justin M. , Zickl, Lynette, Litzow, Mark R. , Luger, Selina M. , Cassileth, Peter A., Fernández, Hugo F. , Douer, Dan , Paietta, Elisabeth , Rowe, Jacob M. , Tallman, Martin S. , Lazarus, Hillard M.

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 132-132

10.1182/blood.v120.21.132.132 Get It

Abstract Abstract 132 Late relapse in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been infrequently studied and variably defined in the literature. Two series have shown that late relapse of AML ≥5 years after first complete remission (CR1) is uncommon, with rates of 1.19–3% (Medeiros et al, Leuk Lymphoma 2007; Verma et al, Leuk Lymphoma 2010). We searched the long-term data available on 784 adults (<60 years-old) who were treated on 1 of 4 ECOG clinical trials (E3483, PC486, E3489, or E1900) and achieved CR1 for reports of late relapse (defined as recurrence of AML ≥3 years after CR1). Median follow-up for the 553 patients last known alive was 11.1 years. The longest median follow-up was 17.2 years on trial PC486. Outcomes We found that 11 patients (1.4%) relapsed late; of these, 2 were treated on E3483, 1 on PC486, 5 on E3489, and 3 on E1900. Seven patients with late relapse died from their disease and 4 were living at last known follow-up. Only 1 patient (0.13%) had recurrence of AML ≥5 years after achieving CR1. It is possible that more late relapses will occur on E1900 (a more recent study with ongoing follow-up). All of these trials except E3483 treated some patients with autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (autoHCT) as part of post remission therapy. On PC486, no post remission consolidation chemotherapy was administered before autoHCT. Ninety-eight total patients on E3489 and PC486 received autoHCT, and there were no late relapses; on E1900, 2 of the 141 patients treated with autoHCT developed late relapse. No patients who underwent allogeneic (allo) HCT in CR1 experienced late relapse on any of the 4 clinical trials. Nine of the 11 patients with late relapse did not undergo HCT; of these, 5 were consolidated with high-dose cytarabine, 2 received maintenance with low-dose cytarabine and 6-thioguanine, and 2 received unknown post remission therapy. Of the 3 patients with late relapse on E1900, 2 received standard-dose and 1 high-dose daunorubicin with induction. Conclusions Across all 4 trials, only 2 of the 239 patients (0.8%) treated with post remission autoHCT experienced late relapse of AML (≥3 years after CR1), which reinforces previously published data that late relapse after autoHCT is uncommon (Cassileth et al, J Clin Oncol 1993). Furthermore, of the 35 patients treated with autoHCT on PC486, 11 relapsed early and no patients relapsed late, suggesting that post remission chemotherapy may not be necessary before autoHCT. Based on this large AML cohort of nearly 800 patients with long-term follow-up, patients who remain in CCR for at least 3 years have a very low risk of relapse and can be considered cured of their disease. Moreover, given that recurrent AML was extremely rare after 5 years or more of CCR (<0.2%), the risk of therapy-related AML from contemporary induction and post remission strategies including HCT appears to be minimal. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
A Phase II Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Subcutaneous Plerixafor for the Mobilization and Transplantation of HLA-Matched Sibling Donor Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Recipients with Hematological Malignancies
Chen, Yi‐Bin , Kiefer, Deidre M., Litzow, Mark R. , Horwitz, Mitchell E. , McClune, Brian , Waller, Edmund K. , Fernández, Hugo F. , Duong, Hien K., Kobusingye, Hati, Proue, Mandi, Drexler, Rebecca, Horowitz, Mary M. , Waller, Edmund K , Le‐Rademacher, Jennifer , Hamadani, Mehdi , DiPersio, John F. , Craig, Michael , Artz, Andrew , Miller, J. Philip , Devine, Steven M.

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 389-389

10.1182/blood.v126.23.389.389 Get It

Abstract The optimal source of donor hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) is controversial. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilized peripheral blood (G-PB) has replaced bone marrow (BM) as the most common allograft source in adults but is associated with donor morbidity and higher rates of chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) compared to BM. The CXCR4 antagonist plerixafor (Px) mobilizes HSC into the PB (Px-PB) faster than G-CSF and preliminary data suggest both quantitative and qualitative differences in allograft content that may impact clinical outcomes. We sought to assess the efficacy and safety of transplanted allografts collected following mobilization with Px alone in HLA-identical sibling transplantation. This was a Phase II, two-strata, multi-center prospective trial (NCT01696461) to evaluate Px-PB allografts prior to reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) and myeloablative conditioning (MAC) based hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Patients aged 18-65 years with an HLA-ID sibling donor and a hematological malignancy suitable for HCT were eligible. The primary objective was to determine the proportion of donors whose cells could be successfully mobilized and collected with a sufficient CD34+ cell dose using Px as the sole mobilizing agent. Px mobilization was considered successful if ≥ 2.0x10^6 CD34+ cells/kg recipient weight were collected in no more than two leukapheresis (LP) collections. All donors receiving Px were included in the analysis of the primary objective based on the intention-to-treat principle. Secondary objectives included the incidence of acute and chronic adverse events in donors, rates of hematopoietic engraftment, donor chimerism, rates of acute and chronic GVHD, non-relapse mortality (NRM), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for the recipients. From July 2013 to December 2014, 64 donor/recipient pairs were enrolled at 12 centers. Donors received Px at 240μg/kg subcutaneously 4 hours prior to LP. LP was performed processing at least 4X blood volume for up to two consecutive days (a third day was allowed for low CD34+ cell yields after 2 LP procedures) to achieve a target CD34+ cell dose of ≥ 4.0 x 10^6/kg recipient weight with a minimum goal of ≥ 2.0 x 10^6/kg. All allografts were cryopreserved. GVHD prophylaxis included cyclosporine or tacrolimus in combination with methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, or sirolimus. G-CSF was given routinely post HCT only to MAC recipients. Patient demographics are provided in Table 1. The median donor age was 56 years (18-65). 64% of the donors were male. Donors underwent one (23%), two (72%), or three (5%) LP procedures. 63 of 64 (98%) donors achieved the primary objective. The median total CD34+ cell dose/kg recipient weight collected within 2 days was 4.6 (0.9-9.6). Maximal donor toxicity following Px injection and LP was grades 0 (30%), 1 (52%), 2 (17%), and 3 (2%). Bloating, flatulence, abdominal pain, headache, paresthesisas, injection site reaction, and dizziness were the most commonly observed toxicities. Bone pain was not observed. The one grade 3 toxicity was a vasovagal episode felt related to LP and unlikely to Px. Toxicities typically resolved within a week of LP. The median follow up is 6.3 months. Median days to ANC (>0.5 x10^9/L) and Platelet count (>20 x 10^9/L) recovery were 13.5 (10-148) and 19 (1-76) after MAC and 14.5 (0-25) and 18 (0-141) after RIC, respectively. The cumulative incidence of acute GVHD grades 2-4 and 3-4 at day 100 were 47% (95% CI: 30-64) and 9% (95% CI: 2-22) after MAC and 19% (95% CI: 6-38) and 5% (95% CI: 0-18) after RIC. Probability of NRM at day 100 was 4% (95% CI: 0-13) and 0% after MAC and RIC, respectively. The probability of OS at day 100 was 97% (95% CI: 88-100) and 90% (95% CI: 78-98) after MAC and RIC, respectively. In conclusion, this is the first multi-center trial to demonstrate that as an alternative to G-CSF, Plerixafor rapidly, safely, and effectively mobilizes sufficient numbers of CD34+ cells from HLA-ID sibling donors for HCT following both RIC and MAC regimens. Engraftment was generally prompt and early results of secondary endpoints in recipients are encouraging. Longer follow-up and more extensive analysis of donor allografts and recipient outcomes will be presented at the time of the meeting. Research support was provided in part by Genzyme, a Sanofi Company. Table 1. Characteristics of recipients Table 1. Characteristics of recipients Disclosures Chen: Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Devine:Genzyme: Research Funding.
Extramedullary Disease Is Common In Newly Diagnosed AML But Has No Independent Prognostic Significance, Including CNS Involvement: Analysis Of 3,522 AML Patients Treated On Consecutive ECOG Trials 1980-2008
Ganzel, Chezi , Manola, Judith , Douer, Dan , Rowe, Jacob M. , Fernández, Hugo F. , Paietta, Elisabeth , Litzow, Mark R. , Lee, Ju‐Whei , Luger, Selina M. , Cripe, Larry D., Oken, Martin M., Cassileth, Peter A., Tallman, Martin S. , Lazarus, Hillard M.

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 122 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 63-63

10.1182/blood.v122.21.63.63 Get It

Abstract Background Extramedullary disease (EMD) of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was described decades ago but the incidence of this phenomenon and its prognostic impact are not clear. It is also uncertain whether every site of EMD has the same significance. This study explored these questions using a large cohort of AML patients treated on consecutive Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) frontline clinical trials. Methods For AML patients enrolled into ECOG clinical trials, the presence of EMD was captured at baseline on case report forms. From patients with newly diagnosed AML, age 15 and above, who were treated on 11 consecutive different clinical trials, we identified those with or without EMD, defined by physical examination, laboratory findings and imaging, without necessarily a biopsy. We used descriptive statistics to summarize patient and disease characteristics. Univariate analyses of potential prognostic factors were done. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate median overall survival (OS) within each prognostic category and differences were explored using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the effect of one-unit increases in continuous variables on OS and for multivariable analyses. Multivariate models were built using backward selection. Factors (or groups of factors) significant at the 0.10 level in univariate analyses were tested for inclusion in the model, and retained if they were significant at the 0.05 level. Results Of the 3,522 patients enrolled in 11 different AML clinical trials, we excluded 281; for diagnosis of other types of leukemia (n=220), no EMD evaluation at baseline (n=41) or no survival data (n=20). The overall incidence of EMD was 23.8% (770 out of the remaining 3,241 patients). The sites involved were: lymph nodes 367 (11.3%) patients, spleen 234 (7.2%), liver 173 (5.3%), skin 146 (4.5%), gingiva 104 (3.2%), central nerve system (CNS) 32 (1%), peripheral nerve system (PNS) 8 (0.2%) and other sites 134 (4.1%). In 65 cases (8.4%) EMD was confirmed by biopsy. Most of the patients (64.4%) had only one site of EMD, 163 (21.2%) had 2 sites, 75 (9.7%) - 3 sites, 28 (3.6%) - 4 sites, and 4 patients (0.5%) each had 5 or 6 sites. EMD patients compared to those without EMD; tend to be younger (median age 45.7 vs 52.9 years); male (57.7% vs 52%); poorer ECOG performance status (76.4% with ECOG 0-1 vs 85.9%) and with higher white blood cell count (WBC) at diagnosis (median of 41.6/µl vs 10.2/µl). In univariate analysis, having EMD was associated with a shorter OS (P=0.006). Examination of individual EMD sites revealed that skin (P=0.002), spleen (P=0.0002) and liver (P=0.0007) but not CNS (P=0.35), PNS (P=0.53), nodal involvement (P=0.85) and gingival hypertrophy (P=0.14), were associated with poorer OS. Using proportional hazards models for continuous factors, each additional site of EMD conferred a 9.4% increase in the risk of death. In a multivariable model, after adjusting for known prognostic factors (such as: age, WBC count and cytogenetic risk group), the presence of EMD, number of EMD sites and any specific EMD site were not independently prognostic. Of 165 patients with known favorable cytogenetics EMD was present in only 22 patients (13%). This group appeared to have a worse prognosis, but the numbers are too small for a definitive assessment (figure 1). Conclusions Extramedullary disease is common in newly diagnosed AML with an incidence of almost 24%, but CNS involvement is very rare (0.95%). In contrast to published data, no site of EMD was found to have an independent prognostic impact in multivariate analysis. This large dataset emphasizes the importance of evaluating large number of patients and considering all known risk factors in the multivariate analysis. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.