Fathima, Saubia

Abstract Introduction Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a myeloid neoplasm with overlapping features of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Blast transformation (BT) is a frequent complication of CMML with a 3-year risk of approximately 31%. MPN driver mutations (i.e., JAK2, CALR, MPL) are known to occur in CMML but their impact on overall survival (OS) or BT remains uncertain. Methods The current study was conducted under institutional review board approved minimum risk protocols that allowed retrospective collection and analysis of patient data. Diagnostic criteria were according to the International Consensus Classification (Blood 2022; 140:1200). For survival analysis, patients were censored at the time of allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT). All statistical analyses were conducted using JMP Pro 17.0.0 software (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA) and Bluesky Statistics Software (Worldwide Headquarters, Chicago, IL, USA). Results A total of 612 CMML patients were considered (median age 71 years; 68% males). MPN driver mutations (MPNMUT) were detected in 56 (9%) patients, including 43 (77%) with JAK2, 10 (18%) MPL, and 3 (5%) CALR. The median variant allele frequencies were 44% for JAK2 (range, 0.3–100%), 49% for MPL (range, 0.3–97%), and 50% for CALR (range, 20–80%). Age and sex distributions and CMML-1 vs. CMML-2 representation were similar between CMML patients with and without MPNMUT. On the other hand, CMML patients with MPNMUT were more likely to display higher hemoglobin level (p <0.01), platelet count (p <0.01), absolute neutrophil count (p = 0.02) and leukocytosis (≥13 ×109/L; p <0.01); they were also less likely to be red blood transfusion dependent (p <0.01), display platelet counts of <100 ×109/L (p <0.01) or abnormal karyotype (p= 0.03), present with severe anemia (p= 0.03) or harbor NRAS mutation (p = 0.02). Higher Mutational frequencies of SRSF2 (median 53% vs. 41%; p = 0.01), TP53 (median 8% vs. 2%; p = 0.02) and IDH2 (median 13% vs. 4%; p = 0.01) were noted in CMML patients with MPNMUT. During a median follow-up of 23 months (inter-quantile range 11-51 months) for all 612 CMML patients, 402 (67%) deaths, 118 (19%) BT and 108 (18%) ASCT were documented. Of these, 36 (9%) deaths, 18 (15%) BT and 13 (12%) ASCT occurred in patients with MPNMUT. Median OS for the entire group (N=612) was 32 months with 1-, 2- and 3-year OS rates of 78%, 58% and 47%, respectively. There was no significant difference in OS between CMML patients with or without MPNMUT (median 41 vs 31 months; p = 0.27). Thrombotic events were reported in 53 (9%) patients after diagnosis of CMML, including 48 venous and 5 arterial events. There was no significant difference in arterial (p = 0.10) or venous (p = 0.76) thrombosis-free survival between CMML patients with or without MPNMUT. Among all 612 patients with CMML, followed for a median of 18 months for living patients, 118 (19%) experienced BT, with 1-, 3-, and 5-year BT rates of 10.8%, 23.1%, and 31%, respectively. Cumulative incidence analysis function (CIF) was calculated in order to assess the BT-free survival while accounting for death as a competing risk; 3-year CIF was 30% for CMML patients with vs. 18% for those without MPNMUT (Gray's test; p = 0.01). This observation was confirmed in univariate analysis of time to BT (HR 1.7; p=0.03) as well as the corresponding multivariable analysis involving other mutations and clinical risk factors: MPNMUT (HR 1.8; 0.036), ASXL1MUT (HR 2.3; p<0.01), DNMT3AMUT (HR 2.6; p<0.01), CMML-2 vs. CMML-1 (HR 3.4; p<0.01), and leukocyte count ≥13 ×109/L (HR 2.0; p<0.01). SRSF2, IDH2, and TP53 mutations did not impact BT. Notably, the aforementioned risk factors for BT, including ASXL1MUT and DNMT3AMUT, were no longer significant when analysis was restricted to patients with MPNMUT. Conclusions The current study suggests a higher risk of BT in CMML patients with MPNMUT, independent of other molecular or clinical risk factors for BT. On the other hand, overall and thrombosis-free survival did not appear to be similarly influenced. The differential impact of previously recognized risk factors for BT in CMML (e.g., ASXL1MUT, DNMT3AMUT, CMML-2, CMML-MP), in the presence (lost significance) vs. absence (remained significant) of MPNMUT was intriguingly noted.

Abstract Background Blast transformation (BT) occurs in approximately 15-30% of patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and remains a leading cause of death. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is currently the only treatment modality with the potential to cure the disease or prolong survival. Optimal timing of ASCT is critical for maximizing benefit while minimizing risks. To that end, contemporary risk models have focused on the prognostic relevance of individual, as opposed to concurrent mutations. In the current study, we looked into the possibility of prognostic prominence from concurrent mutations in predicting BT in CMML. Methods CMML diagnostic criteria were according to the International Consensus Classification (Arber et al. Blood 2022; 140:1200). A machine-learning hierarchical clustering algorithm was developed and tailored for patient stratification using survival outcomes and co-expression of genomic alterations. To reduce complexity and improve interpretability, we generalized each cluster using existing rule induction algorithms, including the in Trees framework and JRip. The final output was a set of mutation-based cluster definitions, each representing a distinct patient subgroup with similar survival trajectories. Competing risk analysis and cumulative incidence functions were used in downstream evaluation to validate the clinical distinctiveness of the clusters. For all survival analysis, patients were censored at the time of ASCT. Time-to-BT was calculated from the date of diagnosis to the date of BT or ASCT or last contact. BT-free-survival was calculated from the date of diagnosis to the date of BT, ASCT, death, or last contact. Results The core study cohort included 605 patients from the Mayo Clinic, USA, and the external validation cohort 501 patients from Humanitas Cancer Center, Milan, Italy. Using the patient cohort from the Mayo Clinic, machine-learning algorithms identified five molecular clusters with 3-year blast transformation (BT) rates ranging from 0% to 100% (AUC at 3 years 0.78): the order of molecular signature assignment (probability of BT/death from another cause) was i) PHF6MUT/ASXL1WT (0%/17% at 3 years; N=32), ii) NPM1MUT OR BCORMUT/ASXL1MUT OR SETBP1MUT/NRASMUT (48%/30% at 1 year; N=24), iii) RUNX1MUT/ASXL1MUT OR SRSF2MUT/NRASMUT OR EZH2MUT/ASXL1MUT OR SETBP1MUT OR BCORMUT (31%/55% at 3 years; N=132), iv) ASXL1MUT/TET2MUT OR DNMT3AMUT OR JAK2MUT (24%/28% at 3 years; N=123), and v) all other permutations (10%/40% at 3 years; N=294) [Figure 1]. Additional analysis confirmed significant differences in survival between RUNX1MUT/ASXL1MUT vs. RUNX1MUT/ASXL1WT (p<0.01) OR RUNX1WT/ASXL1WT (p<0.01) OR RUNX1WT/ASXL1MUT (p=0.038) [Figure 2]. Similar patterns of differences in survival were also documented for NRAS/SETBP1, ASXL1/EZH2, and NRAS/SRSF2 mutation combinations (Figure 2). A subsequent Cox regression analysis confirmed independent prognostic contributions from “PHF6MUT/ASXL1WT” (HR 5.43e-10; p<0.01), NPM1MUT (HR 26.7; p<0.01), “SETBP1MUT/NRASMUT” (HR 12.7; p<0.01), BCORMUT(HR 5.8; p<0.01), “RUNX1MUT/ASXL1MUT” (HR 2.3, p<0.01), JAK2MUT (HR 2.1; p<0.01), and “ASXL1MUT/TET2MUT” (HR 1.7; p=0.02). The prognostic relevance of “SETBP1MUT/NRASMUT”, “RUNX1MUT/ASXL1MUT”, NPM1MUT, and BCORMUT was validated in the external cohort from Italy (N=501). In the Mayo Clinic cohort, presence of any of the latter mutations was associated with 1-, 3-, and 5-year BT (death from other cause) rates of 27% (21%), 44% (49%), and 44% (51%), respectively (Figure 3). The corresponding values in the absence of high risk mutations were 7% (15%), 15% (37%), and 18% (52%) [Gray's p value <0.01 for both BT and death from another cause; Figure 3]. Similarly, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year BT (death from another cause) rates in the Italian cohort were 21% (19%), 37% (47%), and 42% (54%) in the presence and 8% (14%), 20% (35%), and 24% (45%) in the absence of high-risk mutations (Gray's p value <0.01 for BT and 0.18 for death from another cause; Figure 4). Conclusions In the current study, machine-learning algorithms enabled the discovery of concurrent mutations in CMML that were shown to be prognostically more significant than their individual constituents. Such prognostic interaction might have contributed to some of the discrepancies noted in current literature regarding the prognostic relevance of certain mutations in CMML and should be accounted for in the development of future risk models.

Abstract Background Although myeloproliferative neoplasm-unclassifiable (MPN-U) stands as a distinct entity in the International Consensus Classification (ICC) for myeloproliferative neoplasms, its diagnosis and management remain challenging due to the overlapping clinico-pathological characteristics with other MPNs. In the current study, we describe a well-defined cohort of patients with MPN-U and compare their presentation and outcome with those of a separate cohort with essential thrombocythemia (ET). Methods Diagnostic criteria were according to the ICC (Blood 2022; 140:1200). Non-driver mutations were screened by next-generation sequencing (NGS) and were available for subsets of patients with MPN-U or ET. Conventional statistical methods were employed, using JMP Pro 18.0.0 software SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA. Results Thirty Mayo Clinic patients who met the ICC criteria for MPN-U (median age 64 years; range 33-94; 60% males) and 658 with ET (median age 60 years; range 18-90; 36% males) were included in the current study. Table 1 outlines a comparative list of presenting characteristics (including mutations), clinical outcomes, and treatment details between patients with MPN-U vs. ET. JAK2 mutations were significantly more prevalent in MPN-U cohort (87% vs. 63% in ET; p<0.01) and CALR mutations less common (3% vs. 25%; p<0.01). Other somatic mutations, including ASXL1, SRSF2, and EZH2 were more frequently observed in the MPN-U group (p<0.05 in all). Abnormal karyotype was reported in 14% of patients with MPN-U vs. 8% with ET (p=0.3). Compared to patients with ET, those with MPN-U were more likely to be males (60% vs. 36%; p<0.01) and, as expected from disease presentation and indications for diagnostic work up of suspected cases, present with venous thrombosis (43% vs. 10%; p<0.01) and palpable splenomegaly (40% vs. 8.5%; p<0.01). Similarly, they were less likely to display thrombocytosis or leukocytosis (p<0.01 for both). Portal, superior mesenteric, and hepatic vein thromboses constituted 77% (vs. 27% in ET; p<0.01) of the venous events in MPN-U; in contrast, the incidences of pre-diagnosis arterial events were similar between the two groups (10% vs. 12%; p=0.7). At a median follow-up of 2.8 years in the MPN-U cohort, 6 (20%) deaths and 1 (3%) leukemic transformation were documented while 3 (10%) patients progressed to meet the diagnostic criteria for polycythemia vera. Four (13%) patients with MPN-U experienced venous thrombo-embolic events (VTEs) including 2 with recurrent VTEs, despite active therapy with systemic anticoagulation and aspirin. The ET cohort was followed for a median of 7.3 years with 161 (24%) deaths, 23 (3%) leukemic transformations, and 66 (10%) VTEs. Among the latter, 27 (41%) had recurrent episodes despite treatment with systemic anticoagulation, aspirin, and/or cytoreductive drugs. Notably, patients with MPN-U were less likely to receive aspirin and cytoreductive therapy during the clinical course (77% vs. 91% and 37% vs. 79%; p<0.01 for both, respectively). Long-term survival rates were similar between MPN-U and ET (15-year survival 70% vs. 65%; p=0.1). Consistent with previous associations seen in ET, patients with JAK2-mutated MPN-U were more likely to be males (58% vs. 30%; p<0.01, Table 2), and display a lower platelet and leukocyte count at the time of diagnosis (p<0.01 for both). These patients were also more likely to present with venous thrombosis (50% vs. 12% in JAK2 wild-type cases; p<0.01) and palpable splenomegaly (46% vs. 9%; p<0.01). Of note, the incidences of pre- and post-diagnosis arterial and post-diagnosis venous events were similar between JAK2-mutated MPN-U vs. JAK2-mutated ET patients (12% vs. 14%; p=0.7, 4% vs. 12.5%; p=0.1, and 15% vs. 12%, p=0.6, respectively). Similarly, long-term outcomes including deaths (15% vs. 26%; p=0.2), leukemic transformations (4% vs. 4%; p=0.9), and 15-year survival rates (78% vs. 60%; p=0.9) were also comparable between the two groups. Conclusion The findings from the current study were not unexpected and underline the ongoing challenges that face formal classification systems in formulating accurate diagnostic criteria for patients with MPN-U whose clinical presentation is biased by disease definitions. Regardless, it is comforting to document a favorable long-term outcome that appeared to be similar to that of ET while venous thrombosis remains a treatment challenge in both groups.

Abstract Allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT) remains the only curative option in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). We retrospectively analyzed 138 CMML patients who underwent ASCT at the Mayo Clinic. Patients who transitioned to ASCT while in chronic phase (Group A) displayed superior post-transplant survival (PTS), compared to those in whom ASCT was performed after blast transformation (BT; Group B) (median 95 vs. 16 months; p=0.01). In Group A, PTS was superior in patients with <5% bone marrow (BM) blasts at time of ASCT (median 164 vs. 13.5 months; p=0.01). Other predictors of superior PTS included day-100 BM blast <5% or normal cytogenetics (median 164 vs 18 months; p=0.01) or presence of chronic graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD; median 164 vs. 26 months; p=0.01). Pre-ASCT hypomethylating agent exposure (HR=2.03; p=0.03), and receiving more than one line of pre-ASCT chemotherapy (p=0.01) predicted inferior PTS. In multivariable analysis, predictors of superior GVHD-free and relapse-free survival (GRFS) included the use myeloablative conditioning and the absence of morphologically or cytogenetically apparent disease at day-100. The use of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) was associated with higher cumulative incidence of relapse (p=0.02) and numerically inferior PTS (p=0.1). Group B patients also appeared to benefit from achieving BM blast <5% at time of ASCT (p=0.4) as well as at day-100 (p=0.01), in terms of PTS, while full chimerism and normal cytogenetics at day-100 were associated with superior GRFS. These observations support the value of ASCT in CMML, especially if performed prior to BT and in the presence of <5% BM blasts at time of ASCT. Additionally, the observed detrimental impact of PTCy requires additional studies to confirm and investigate the underlying mechanisms.

6579 Background: Treatment strategies in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) are not standardized and include hydroxyurea (HU) and hypomethylating agents (HMA). In a phase 3 study comparing HU and decitabine, in proliferative CMML, response rates were higher for decitabine (56% vs 31%; p<0.01) but overall survival was similar (p=0.67) between the two groups (Itzykson, R. JCO, 2023. 41:1888). In the current retrospective study, we examined the survival impact of different treatment strategies among 457 Mayo Clinic patients with CMML. Methods: The current study was conducted under institutional review board approved minimum risk protocols allowing retrospective patient data collection and analysis. Diagnostic criteria were according to the International Consensus Classification (Arber et al. Blood 2022. 140:1200). All statistical analyses were conducted using JMP 17 software. For survival analysis, patients were censored at time of allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT). Results: A total of 457 patients were considered (median age 72 years; 68% males). 209 patients received CMML-directed therapy: HU (N=102), HMA (N=78; azacitidine 32 and decitabine 46). Responses were adjudicated separately for leukocytosis and anemia; normalization of leukocyte count was achieved in 21% vs. 16 % (p<0.01) for HU vs. HMA and overall response in anemia in 1% vs. 9% (p=0.02), respectively. Overall survival did not appear to be impacted by different treatment strategies at any stage of CMML; (i) treated vs. untreated (p=0.3), (ii) HU vs. HMA for first-line therapy (p=0.3), and (iii) HU/HMAs vs. other drugs as first-line therapy (p=0.1). Blast transformation-free survival (BTFS) was also similar between HU vs. HMA as well as HU/HMA vs. other drugs. In univariate analysis, BTFS was inferior in patients receiving CMML-directed therapy (p<0.01); the particular association (HR 2; 95% CI 1.2-3.3) retained its significance in multivariable analysis that also included other risk factors for BTFS: bone marrow blast ≥10% (HR 4.3), circulating blast ≥2% (HR 2.7), WBC ≥13 x 10 9 /L (HR 1.8), and ASXL1 mutation (HR 1.7). Conclusions: In the current retrospective study that included a large number of patients with CMML, chemotherapy with HU or HMA did not appear to affect overall survival but might have increased the risk of blast transformation. The study also suggests superiority of HU for the treatment of leukocytosis and HMA for anemia. Predictors of blast transformation-free survival (BTFS) in 457 patients diagnosed with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). BTFS Univariable analysis p-value (HR) Multivariable analysis p-value (HR) CMML-directed therapy <0.01 (2.9; 1.8-4.7) <0.01 (2; 1.2-3.3) Bone marrow blasts ≥10% <0.01 (12.4) 0.01 (4.3) Circulating blasts ≥2% <0.01 (5.2) <0.01 (2.7) WBC ≥13 x 10 9 /L <0.01 (2.9) 0.02 (1.8) ASXL1 mut <0.01 (2.1) 0.02 (1.7)

6558 Background: Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is currently the only curative therapy in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Methods: A Mayo Clinic enterprise-wide database search identified 138 CMML cases who underwent ASCT. Conventional statistical methods were used for analyses. Results: 138 CMML patients (transplanted between 1995-2024) were included (median age 63 years; males 62%);104 (group A) received ASCT before and 34 (group B) after blast transformation (BT). At initial diagnosis, CMML-1/CMML-2 and dysplastic/proliferative representations were 78%/22% and 54%/46%; 31% displayed abnormal karyotype and most frequent mutations were ASXL1 (56%), TET2 (44%) and SRSF2 (38%). At time of initial diagnosis, CPSS-Mol risk categories were low (17%), intermediate-1 (11%), intermediate-2 (40%), and high (32%). Median time from diagnosis to ASCT was 11 months (range 0-201). Median overall survival (OS) from the time of initial diagnosis was 67 months (range 4-239) and from the time of ASCT 54 (range 0-212) months. Occurrence of BT before ASCT was associated lower post-transplant survival (PTS; 16 vs 95 months, P=0.01, HR 1.9, 95%CI 1.2-3.2). Bone marrow (BM) blasts, at the time of ASCT, <5%, 5-9%, and 10-19% correlated with median OS of 171, 81, and 18 months in group A (p=0.01) and 50, 25, and 13 months in group B (P=0.07), respectively. Pre-ASCT hypomethylating agent exposure was associated with lower PTS in group A (P=0.02). PTS was also adversely affected by DNMT3A and SETBP1 mutations. In group A, PTS was the longest with myeloablative busulfan-based (median not reached) and the shortest (median 22 months) with Cy-TBI-based conditioning (p=0.1). Donor type did not impact PTS: matched unrelated (63%), matched sibling (23%), mismatched unrelated (7%), or haplo-identical (7%). Post-transplant cyclophosphamide was associated with a numerically lower median PTS (22 months), compared to other forms of GVHD prophylaxis (107 months; p=0.1) and significantly higher non-relapse mortality (p=0.02). Documentation of morphologic CR at day 100 was associated with significantly longer PTS in both groups A (92%,164 vs. 18 months; p=0.01) and B (84%, 42 vs. 11 months; p=0.01). The presence of abnormal karyotype at day 100 was associated with shorter PTS in group A (p=0.01). Grade ≥3 acute and moderate to severe chronic GVHD occurred in 20% and 34%, respectively, in group A patients and in 26% and 44% in group B. GRFS at 1/3 years were 42/21% in group A and 31/16% in group B. At last follow up, 44% in group A and 65% in group B were dead. Causes of death were relapse/non-relapse related in 36/64% in group A and 39/61% in group B. Conclusions: ASCT is effective in securing long-term survival in CMML, especially when the procedure is performed prior to BT and in the setting of <5% BM blasts/promonocytes. Response assessment at day 100 was highly informative of outcome.

e18590 Background: TP53 mutations ( TP53 MUT ) are known to be associated with adverse prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and multihit TP53 MUT in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The prognostic relevance of multihit TP53 MUT in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) was recently highlighted. The current study illustrates survival comparisons in multihit TP53- mutated MPN vs. AML and analysis of associated risk factors. Methods: A Mayo Clinic enterprise-wide database search identified 61 MPN and 81 AML cases with multihit TP53 MUT . Conventional statistical methods were used for analyses. Results: 142 patients with multihit TP53 MUT were included: i) chronic phase MPN (MPN-CP; N=19), ii) accelerated phase MPN (MPN-AP; N=14), iii) blast phase MPN (MPN-BP; N=28) and iv) AML, not including MPN-BP (N=81). Concomitant ASXL1 MUT , EZH2 MUT , IDH1 MUT and IDH2 MUT were more common in MPN-BP, compared to AML. At a median follow up of 0.6 years, 124 (87%) deaths and 19 (13%) allogeneic stem cell transplantations (ASCT) were documented. Overall survival (OS), calculated from time of TP53 MUT detection was similar between MPN-BP (median 4.6 months) and MPN-AP (5.6 months; p=0.5). OS in MPN-BP/AP (median 4.8 months) was inferior to that of AML (median 7.4 months; p=0.04) while that of MPN-CP (median 11.6 months) was similar to AML (0.07) but superior to that of MPN-BP/AP (p<0.01). Age-adjusted multivariable analysis (MVA) confirmed the independent prognostic significance of undergoing ASCT (HR 0.4, p=0.03), MPN-CP or achieving response to pre-transplant therapy (HR 0.2, p<0.01), and concurrent TET2 MUT or DNMT3A MUT (HR 2.7, p<0.01) on OS. Based on these risk factors, a 3-tiered risk model was constructed: low (no risk factors; N=18; median OS 23.8 months); intermediate (1 risk factor; N=44; median 11.1 months); and high (2 or more risk factors; N=80; median 4 months; p<0.01). Comparative analysis of risk factors among distinct diseases confirmed the prognostic significance of ASCT (HR 0.3, p=0.03), achieving response to pre-transplant therapy (0.4, p<0.01) and concurrent TET2 MUT or DNMT3A MUT (HR 5.0, p<0.01) in AML. In MPN AP/BP, OS was influenced by having received chemotherapy vs. supportive care (HR 0.1; p<0.01) and achieving response to pre-transplant therapy (0.2, p<0.01). No significant risk factors for OS were identified in MPN-CP. In MVA, ASCT did not appear to influence OS in MPN AP/BP (p=0.7) and MPN-CP (p=0.4) but the number of informative cases was too low to make definitive conclusions. Conclusions: The current study highlights the equally detrimental impact of multihit TP53 MUT in securing long-term survival in MPN and AML. Short-term survival was positively influenced by ASCT, at least in AML, and disease stage or remission status at time of mutation detection and ASCT, respectively.