Results Of a Phase 1 Study Of Quizartinib (AC220, ASP2689) In Combination With Induction and Consolidation Chemotherapy In Younger Patients With Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Abstract FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tandem duplications (FLT3-ITD) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are associated with early relapse after standard chemotherapy and poor survival. Quizartinib (AC220) is an oral FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has shown the highest level of single agent activity seen with a FLT3 targeted agent in FLT3+ relapsed AML to date. This Phase 1 dose escalation study is the first study to report data with quizartinib in combination with standard induction and consolidation chemotherapy in patients aged 18-60 years with newly diagnosed AML, regardless of FLT3-ITD status. The dose escalation was conducted using a modified 3+3 design, where 6 pts were enrolled at each dose level. The pts were given cytarabine 200 mg/m2 x 7 days and daunorubicin 60 mg/m2 x 3 days (7+3) for induction and high dose cytarabine 3 g/m2(HiDAC) q12hours on days 1, 3, and 5 for consolidation. Quizartinib was administered daily for either 7 or 14 days, starting at Day 4 of induction and/or consolidation chemotherapy. Patients were allowed to proceed directly to a stem cell transplant after achieving a response or receive further quizartinib as maintenance therapy after consolidation if they were not transplant eligible. Three dose levels were tested; dose level 1 (DL1) at 60 mg for 7 days, dose level 2 (DL2) 60 mg for 14 days, and dose level -1 (DL-1), 40 mg for 14 days. Through May 31, 2013 18 pts were enrolled in the study, and the safety information at all 3 dose levels are presented. The median age of pts was 43 years (range 22 to 60). Of the 18 patients, 16 had the FLT-ITD mutation. At DL1, one of the 6 patients had a DLT (grade 3 hyponatremia). At DL2, two of the 6 patients had a DLT (grade 3 QTc prolongation and grade 4 pericarditis) which exceeded the pre-specified criteria so DL-1 was then explored. At DL-1, one of the 6 patients had a DLT (grade 3 constrictive pericarditis). The most common (20%) treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were nausea (42%), diarrhea (32%), anemia (26%), febrile neutropenia (26%), neutropenia (21%), fatigue (21%), pyrexia (21%) and thrombocytopenia (21%). The most common (10%) Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related AEs were febrile neutropenia (26%), thrombocytopenia (21%) anemia (21%)), neutropenia (21%), leucopenia (16%), and nausea (11%). The data from this Phase 1 study demonstrates for the first time that quizartinib can be safely administered with induction and/or consolidation chemotherapy in newly diagnosed younger patients with AML. The MTD was identified as 40 mg for 14 days or 60 mg for 7 days. The efficacy results from this Phase 1 study will be available at the time of presentation. Based on these findings, multiple Phase 3 studies in newly diagnosed AML patients are planned. Disclosures: Altman: Novartis: Consultancy; Araid: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Teva: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy. Foran:Astellas: Research Funding. Trone:Ambit: Employment. Gammon:Ambit: Employment. Cortes:Ambit: Research Funding.
Phase II Randomized Trial of Gilteritinib Vs Midostaurin in Newly Diagnosed FLT3 Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Background: The use of midostaurin in combination with standard induction chemotherapy has been shown to improve the outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed FLT3 mutated (FLT3m) AML (Stone et al) and allogeneic transplant is often recommended in first remission. While likely to achieve remission with standard induction, the majority of these patients will relapse and die of their disease. Gilteritinib, a potent FLT3 inhibitor, has been approved for use in patients with relapsed or refractory FLT3 mutated AML. In Phase I/II studies, when used as part of induction therapy, gilteritinib has shown promising CR rates. We have designed a trial comparing the outcomes of induction therapy with gilteritinib to those with midostaurin. The hypothesis is that gilteritinib, when added to induction chemotherapy, will produce more FLT3m negative composite complete remission (CRc). The Ratify trial combined midostaurin with daunorubicin 60 mg/m2/d X 3 days and cytarabine X 7 days Daunorubicin 90 mg/m2/d has however been shown to be superior during induction in patients with newly diagnosed FLT3 ITD mutated AML (Luskin et al, Burnett et al) While improved survival is the ultimate goal of any leukemia regimen, it is known that AML patients who proceed to allogeneic transplant with measurable residual disease (MRD) positive disease fare worse than those with MRD negative disease. As such, our goal is to increase the likelihood of an MRD negative state after induction. Study Design This is a randomized, open-label, multicenter phase II study comparing gilteritinib to midostaurin in combination with cytarabine 100 mg/m2 and daunorubicin 90 mg/m2 in newly diagnosed FLT3 mutated AML patients ages 18-65. Central confirmation of FLT3 mutation and other pretreatment studies are required. In order to identify patients without delay, all patients with suspected AML will be able to be prescreened without enrollment to the randomized treatment trial. Patients will be stratified according to TKD vs. ITD FLT3 mutation. Patients with FLT3-ITD mutation will undergo further stratification with NPM1 mutation status (positive vs. negative) and FLT3 ITD to FLT3 wild type signal ratio (high [≥ 0.5] vs. low [<0.5]). Patients will be randomized to receive standard induction treatment (cytarabine and daunorubicin) with either gilteritinib or midostaurin. Mandatory bone marrow samples are required after Induction and Consolidation. Patients who achieve CR or complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) will be assessed for MRD and be eligible at count recovery to go on to receive standard consolidation treatment of high-dose cytarabine with the study drug received during induction (gilteritinib or midostaurin). Patients may proceed to allogeneic transplant after induction or after 0-4 cycles of chemotherapy consolidation and may participate in BMT CTN 1506. Key Eligibility: Newly diagnosed FLT3m AML Primary Objective To evaluate the FLT3m negative (evaluated by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and capillary electrophoresis) composite complete response (CRc) (includes CR or CRi)rate of patients with FLT3 mutated AML who receive gilteritinib compared to those who receive midostaurin in addition to standard therapy with cytarabine and daunorubicin during induction. Sample Size and Statistical design The accrual goal of this study will be 179 patients. Patients who achieve remission will be followed for survival and relapse. With an allocation ratio of 1:1 to the two arms, the study will have 80% power to detect an improvement of 20% in the FLT3 mutation negative CRc rate in the gilteritinib arm (i.e. from 40% to 60%) at the one-sided significance level of 0.05 based on Fisher's exact test. This study is conducted through PrECOG and is funded by Astellas Pharma. The study is slated to open in the summer of 2019 at 30 US sites. References: Stone R.M., Mandrekar S.J., Sanford B.L., et al. N Engl J Med 2017; 377:454-464 Luskin MR, Lee JW, Fernandez HF et al. Blood 2016 :blood-2015-07-657403; doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2015-07-657403 Burnett AK, Russell NH, Hills RK et al. Blood 2016; Blood 2016 128:449-452; doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2016-04-712091 Figure Disclosures Luger: Genetech: Research Funding; Jazz: Honoraria; Celgene: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria; Kura: Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; Agios: Honoraria; Ariad: Research Funding; Biosight: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Cyslacel: Research Funding; Daichi Sankyo: Honoraria. Loghavi:MDACC: Employment; GLG Consultants: Consultancy; AlphaSights: Consultancy. Lazarus:Genentech: Speakers Bureau; Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy, Honoraria; CSL Behring: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Actinium Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Biosight: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Teva Pharmaceuticals: Speakers Bureau. Rowe:BioSight: Consultancy. Tallman:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Rigel: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Biosight: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; KAHR: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Nohla: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncolyze: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BioLineRx: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi-Sankyo: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Delta Fly Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Orsenix: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Cellerant: Research Funding; Tetraphase: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; UpToDate: Patents & Royalties. Pratz:Astellas Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millenium/Takeda: Research Funding; Boston Biomedical: Consultancy. OffLabel Disclosure: In this study gilteritinib is being studies in newly diagnosed AML.
Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) at Time of Complete Remission Is Commonly Detected in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Patients Age ≥60 Years and Significantly Impacts Outcome Based on Post-Remission Treatment Strategies: Prospective Analysis of ECOG-ACRIN (E-A
Abstract Background: The persistence of detectable MRD in complete remission (CR/CRi - CR with incomplete CBC recovery) has been reported to contribute to inferior outcome in younger AML patients (pts) in retrospective studies, however MRD has not been studied prospectively in older adults (age ≥60 yrs) receiving intensive therapy with curative intent. We performed a planned prospective study of MRD status after AML induction therapy in older adults, integrated into the large multicenter ECOG-ACRIN (E-A) E2906 Phase III trial. Methods Eligible patients age ≥60 yrs with AML were randomized 1:1 to receive either 'Standard' 7&3 (Dauno 60mg/m2) induction, with 2 cycles of intermediate dose Ara-C (1.5g/m2 x 12 doses; 6 doses if age ≥70) consolidation (Arm A); or single agent clofarabine (CLO) induction and consolidation (2 cycles) (Arm B). The design and primary clinical results for E2906 (n=727) have been reported previously (Foran et al, ASH #217a, 2015), demonstrating superior overall survival (OS) with standard therapy despite similar CR/CRi rates using stringent criteria, and similar 30-day induction mortality rates. Submission of diagnostic & remission bone marrow or peripheral blood samples was protocol mandated for prospective MRD assessment, and analysis was performed in the central E-A Leukemia Translational Research Lab (LTL) using 6-color multiparameter flow cytometry. MRD-positive (MRD+) was defined as ≥0.1%. LTL flow cytometric analysis was done blinded to treatment arm and outcome of patients. Only pt samples collected within +/-6 days of CR/CRi confirmation were included in this analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using X2 (categories) and Wilcoxon rank sum (continuous) tests to compare baseline patient and disease characteristics. Log-rank tests and multivariate Cox models stratified by treatment arm and adjusted for patient and disease variable (including WBC, cytogenetics, sex, performance status, secondary AML) were used to examine the MRD effect on OS and disease-free survival (DFS, relapse or death). Results The median follow-up is 47.8 months, and 297 of 685 evaluable patients (43.4%) achieved CR/CRi (Standard 44.6%; CLO 42.0%, p=ns). Remission MRD samples were only available for 147 CR/CRi patients (49.5%), owing to variability in sample viability and AML involvement, collection practices and timing of sample collection at individual sites, and patient/physician decision. 58/147 evaluable CR/CRi patients achieved MRD-negative (MRD-) status (Standard 40.7%, CLO 47.9%, p=0.74). Women (56.9% vs. men 43.1%, p=0.003) were more likely to be MRD-, but there was no other significant difference in MRD status stratified by clinical or disease features. MRD+ status at CR/CRi was associated with significantly inferior OS (p=0.031, Figure 1) and also inferior overall DFS (p=0.02); this was most pronounced for DFS after CLO (Arm B, Figure 2) (p=0.005), but not Standard (Arm A) therapy (p=0.41). The impact of MRD+ was confirmed on multivariate analysis using Cox Model Fitting, for OS: OS for All MRD+ pts, HR 1.64 (95% CI 1.00-2.68) (p=0.05); OS for Standard (Arm A) MRD+ pts, HR 1.06 (95% CI 0.51-2.21) (p=0.87); and OS for CLO (Arm B) MRD+ pts, HR 2.30 (95% CI 1.05-5.06) (p=0.04). There was a similar impact for DFS on multivariate analysis using Cox Model Fitting: DFS for All MRD+ pts, HR 1.86 (95% CI 1.16-2.98) (p=0.01); DFS for Standard (Arm A) MRD+ pts, HR 1.15 (95% CI 0.60-2.19) (p=0.67); and DFS for CLO (Arm B) MRD+ pts, HR 3.45 (95% CI 1.47-8.09) (p=0.004). Post-remission therapy was not stratified by MRD in E2906, and 33% of MRD-evaluable pts underwent allogeneic transplantation (no difference in transplant rate for MRD+ vs. MRD-). Conclusions MRD+ ≥0.1% is common (60.5%) after induction therapy in older adults & is significantly associated with inferior OS and DFS in 1st CR/CRi. However we observed excellent outcomes for MRD- pts in first CR/CRi regardless of induction regimen or post-remission therapy used. MRD+ pts in CR/CRi who went on to receive CLO consolidation had significantly poorer outcomes than those who went on to receive intermediate dose Ara-C consolidation. This observation differs strikingly from younger AML, and suggests that intensified Ara-C may abrogate the adverse impact of MRD in older pts in CR. These results strongly support incorporation of centralized MRD at the time of remission into future studies to guide optimal post-remission strategies in older pts with AML. Disclosures Foran: Agios: Research Funding; Xencor, Inc.: Research Funding. Lazarus:Pluristem Ltd.: Consultancy. Altman:Bayer: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Pfizer: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Boeringer Ingelheim: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Epizyme: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Immune Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cyclacel: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Incyte: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; GSK: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Agios: Other: Payment to the institution to conduct the trial ; Astellas Pharma: Other; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Syros: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Ariad: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; FujiFilm: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Genetech: Other: Payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Celator: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work. Al-Kali:Novartis: Research Funding. Pratz:Millenium/Takeda: Research Funding; Agios: Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy, Research Funding; Boston Scientific: Consultancy. Powell:Rafael Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Tallman:ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; BioSight: Other: Advisory board; Daiichi-Sankyo: Other: Advisory board; Orsenix: Other: Advisory board; AROG: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Cellerant: Research Funding.
Topoisomerase I-DNA Covalent Complexes in Myeloid Malignancies: A Potential Biomarker for Topoisomerase I Inhibitor Sensitivity
Abstract Introduction: Topoisomerase I is a nuclear enzyme that relaxes torsional strain in DNA by nicking one DNA strand, allowing rotation, then resealing the DNA backbone. This is an important enzyme in replication and transcription, and therefore has been targeted by anti-cancer agents such as camptothecins. These agents intercalate into DNA at the topoisomerase I active site and inhibit the religation step catalyzed by the enzyme, causing increased topoisomerase I-DNA complexes that impede advancing replication forks or transcription complexes, leading to DNA damage and cell death. Platinating agents also stabilize topoisomerase I-DNA covalent complexes. The topotecan/carboplatin combination has recently shown promise in combination with the PARP inhibitor veliparib in aggressive and transformed myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (K Pratz et al., Clin Cancer Res. 23:899, 2017). Given that both classes of agents have a narrow therapeutic window, it is important to try to predict the sensitivity/resistance of these agents in malignancies such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and transformed MPNs. Some of mechanisms of drug resistance that have been described are decreased numbers of drug-stabilized topoisomerase I-DNA complexes due to drug efflux, diminished topoisomerase I expression or topoisomerase I mutation. Thus, being able to detect and quantify these DNA-protein complexes may provide insight into drug sensitivity. Methods: Using a unique monoclonal antibody that detects topoisomerase I-DNA covalent complexes (A. Patel et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 44:2816, 2016), immunofluorescence techniques were used to quantify these topoisomerase I-DNA complexes in AML cell lines (SET2, HEL, K562, U937, ML2, MV-4-11, THP1, HL60, ML1, and Molm13) and clinical AML samples. To verify the fidelity of the anti-topoisomerase I-DNA covalent complex antibody (TopIcc), siRNA knockdown methods were utilized with confirmatory immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Slot blots were additionally used to assess the presence of these complexes in AML cell lines. Western blots were performed to assess topoisomerase I levels in AML cell lines. Topotecan drug sensitivity analysis was performed by using an MTS assay. Results: With treatment of the topoisomerase I inhibitor, topotecan, there was an increase in the percentage of leukemia cells positive for the topoisomerase I-DNA covalent complexes. The degree of increase in complexes varied across cell lines and patient samples. To ensure we were detecting TopIcc by immunofluorescence, we performed a topoisomerase-I siRNA knockdown to confirm the specificity of the antibody for TopIcc's. Slot blots on multiple AML cell lines confirmed the presence of topoisomerase-DNA covalent complexes. The Western blot of all the AML cell lines, ordered from low to high TopIcc revealed increasing amounts of topoisomerase I. The MTS assay revealed lower topotecan IC50 values in three of the cell lines with higher complex formation, including Molm13, ML1 and ML2 (IC50 6-8 nM compared to 13-46 nM in the other cell lines). Conclusions: Based on recent clinical results, there has been renewed interested in topoisomerase I inhibitors, especially for aggressive and transformed MPNs. Topoisomerase I-DNA complex repair/downregulation has been a hallmark of drug resistance to topoisomerase I inhibitors. Therefore, detecting and quantifying these complexes in treated samples has been hypothesized to provide insight into the drug sensitivity, which is particularly important in camptothecins and platinating agents given their narrow therapeutic windows. Immunodetection techniques using an anti-TopIcc antibody may help predict sensitivity of AML to topoisomerase I inhibitors and will be used as a correlative biomarker study in an upcoming phase II randomized study of topotecan/carboplatin with or without veliparib or placebo in advanced myeloproliferative disorders and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03289910). Disclosures Pratz: AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Agios: Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy, Research Funding; Boston Scientific: Consultancy; Millenium/Takeda: Research Funding. Kaufmann:Mayo Clinic: Patents & Royalties: Co-inventor on a patent held by Mayo Clinic for the use of the anti-TOP1cc antibody as a diagnostic reagent.
FLT3-ITD Mutations Are Prevalent and Significantly Impact Outcome after Intensive Therapy in Elderly Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Analysis of the North American Intergroup E2906 Phase III Trial in Patients Age ≥60 Years
Abstract Background Activating mutations in FLT3 - and in particular FLT3-ITD (internal tandem duplication) - are common in younger patients with AML, and are associated with relapse and with inferior overall survival (OS), however their prevalence and impact in older adults remains uncertain. We performed an analysis of FLT3-ITD mutations in patients age ≥60 yrs in the large prospective multicenter ECOG-ACRIN (E-A) E2906 Phase III trial. Methods Eligible patients (pts) age ≥60 yrs (n=727) were randomized to 'Standard' therapy with 7&3 (Dauno 60mg/m2) induction, and 2 cycles of intermediate dose Ara-C (1.5g/m2 x 12 doses; 6 doses if age ≥70yrs) consolidation (Arm A); or single agent clofarabine (CLO) induction and consolidation (2 cycles) (Arm B). As previously reported (Foran et al, ASH #217a, 2015), there was superior overall survival (OS) with standard therapy. AML diagnostic samples collected prospectively in the central E-A Leukemia Translational Research Lab (LTL) were used to detect mutations in the FLT3 gene by PCR using cDNA from total RNA. LTL investigators were blinded to treatment assignment. Patients with no RNA available or blast count <10% (threshold of sensitivity for the PCR assay) on the submitted sample were excluded. Statistical analysis was performed using X2 (categories) and Wilcoxon rank sum (continuous) tests to compare baseline patient and disease characteristics. Log-rank tests and multivariate Cox models stratified by treatment arm and adjusted for patient and disease variable (including WBC, cytogenetics, sex, performance status, secondary AML) were used to examine FLT3-ITD effect on OS and disease-free survival [DFS; relapse or death after complete remission (CR)/CRi (CR with incomplete CBC recovery)]. Results In the first 231 pts tested, FLT3-ITD mutations were identified in 43 (18.6%) pts, and the remainder were FLT3-ITD-negative (i.e. non-ITD). The proportion with FLT3-ITD was the same for patients age 60-69 yrs (18.8%) vs. ≥70 yrs (18.3%). In comparison to non-ITD, FLT3-ITD+ pts had significantly higher WBC (median 18.1 vs. 6.3, p=0.002) and BM blasts (80% vs. 51.5%, p=0.0004) at AML diagnosis, and were more likely to have intermediate risk (79.1% vs. 59%) vs. unfavorable risk (7.0 % vs. 31.4%) cytogenetics (p=0.002). There was no difference in CR/CRi rate overall (p=0.40), however standard (Arm A) pts with FLT3-ITD had a significantly higher CR/CRi rate (78.9% vs. non-ITD 51.5%, p=0.04). With median follow-up 53.5 months, FLT3-ITD patients tended to have worse OS (HR 1.24, 95%CI 0.85-1.81) but this was not statistically significant (Figure 1, p=0.26), and results were similar for both Arms A/B. DFS similarly tended to be worse overall for FLT3-ITD (HR 1.44, 95%CI 0.65-2.43) (p=0.17), and DFS was significantly worse for FLT3-ITD+ Arm A/Standard pts (Figure 2, p=0.033), while Arm B/CLO pts had a worse DFS regardless of FLT3 mutation status (Arm B, FLT3-ITD vs. non-ITD, p=0.93). More patients with FLT3-ITD underwent allogeneic transplantation (25.6% vs. non-ITD 19.7%), although this was not significant (p=0.41). Conclusions FLT3-ITD mutations are prevalent in older and elderly (age ≥70 yrs) patients with AML, and while they occur at somewhat lower rates than reported for younger adults, FLT3-ITD+ AML in this population has a leukemia phenotype similar to that reported in younger patients. Despite significantly higher CR/CRi rates with Standard therapy, older pts with FLT3-ITD also have significantly worse DFS following intensified Ara-C consolidation therapy than non-ITD pts. These results support routine assessment of FLT3-ITD status in older AML patients, and the incorporation of novel post-remission treatment strategies to improve outcome in FLT3-ITD+ pts ≥60 yrs. Disclosures Foran: Agios: Research Funding; Xencor, Inc.: Research Funding. Lazarus:Pluristem Ltd.: Consultancy. Tallman:BioSight: Other: Advisory board; AbbVie: Research Funding; Daiichi-Sankyo: Other: Advisory board; Cellerant: Research Funding; Orsenix: Other: Advisory board; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; AROG: Research Funding.
A Randomized Phase II Trial of Three Novel Regimens for Relapsed/ Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Demonstrates Encouraging Results with a Flavopiridol-Based Regimen: Results of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Trial E1906
Abstract Introduction: The therapy of relapsed/refractory AML remains poor and new treatment options are sorely needed. The Leukemia Committee of ECOG devised a randomized phase II trial of 3 novel regimens to determine overall response rates could be improved. Methods: Patients between the ages of 18 and 70 years with a prior diagnosis of AML who relapsed <1 year after initial achievement of complete remission (CR) or who were refractory to initial induction therapy (<2 courses) or to first reinduction after a relapse (<1 course) were eligible for this trial. Eligible patients were randomized equally to one of three regimens described in Table 1 below. The primary endpoint was achievement of a morphologic complete remission (CR) or a CR with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi). A 2 stage statistical design was planned with 18 patients (assuming 16 eligible) to be accrued in the first stage. If at least 3 CR+CRi were seen among the 16 eligible patients, an additional 19 patients (assuming 17 eligible) would be entered in the second stage. If 8 or more CR+CRi were seen in the 33 eligible patients, this would be considered evidence of a promising response rate. Results: This study activated October 16, 2008 and closed August 2, 2013 with a total of 92 patients accrued (91 eligible). The eligibility criteria were amended during the study to lower the upper age limit from 70 to 65 years because 6 treatment related deaths occurred in the initial 27 patients accrued to the FLAM regimen. All of these patients died of septic shock or multi-organ failure and 5 of the 6 died within 1 month of the start of therapy. Most of these patients were over age 65 ( 53, 62, 67, 68, 69 and 69 years). At the first stage analysis, of the first 16 eligible patients accrued to each arm there were 2 CR and 2 CRi in the CT arm, 2 CR and 2 CRi in the FLAM arm and 2 CR in the sirolimus-MEC arm. Thus, the sirolimus-MEC arm was closed to accrual with a total of 20 eligible patients and second stage accrual continued for the CT and FLAM arms. Among the 35, 36 and 20 eligible patients accrued to arms A, B and C, respectively, there were 2 CR and 3 CRi in the CT arm, 6 CR and 4 CRi in the FLAM arm, and 2 CR and 1 CRi in the sirolimus-MEC arm. All 10 CR or CRi of the FLAM arm were among the first 33 eligible patients, therefore FLAM was the only regimen to achieve our target. The overall response rates for arms A, B and C were 14% (90% CI 7.1% - 34.7%), 28% (90% CI 16.1% - 43.0%) and 15% (90% CI 4.2% - 34.4%), respectively. Among the 92 patients accrued, there were 5, 10 and 2 grade 5 events within 30 days of the end of therapy in arms A, B and C, respectively. The vast majority of these deaths were attributed to infection and multi-organ failure except two which were secondary to disease. Conclusion: In this high risk group of AML patients the FLAM regimen showed an encouraging response rate. A randomized phase II trial has also recently been completed exploring its use in the front-line setting with newly diagnosed high-risk AML. While the FLAM regimen was excessively toxic in elderly patients with relapsed or refractory disease, it is a suitable option for younger patients in this setting. Arm A: CT Carboplatin 150 mg/m2/day over 24 hours by continuous infusion IV for 5 days (days 1-5) Topotecan 1.6 mg/m2/day over 24 hours by continuous infusion IV for 5 days (days 1-5) Arm B: FLAM Flavopiridol 30 mg/m2 for ½ hour followed by 60 mg/m2 over 4 hours IV per day for 3 days Cytarabine 667 mg/m2 over 24 hours by continuous infusion IV for 3 days (days 6-8) Mitoxantrone 40 mg/m2 IV over 1-2 hours (day 9) Arm C: Sirolimus-MEC Sirolimus 12 mg by mouth on day 1, followed by 4 mg by mouth daily for 8 days (days 2-9) Mitoxantrone 8 mg/m2/day over 15 minutes IV for 5 days (days 4-8) Etoposide 100 mg/m2/day over 1 hour IV for 5 days (days 4-8) Cytarabine 1000 mg/m2/day over 3 hours IV for 5 days (days 4-8) Table 2. Responses Table 1. Chemotherapy Regimens Regimen n Median age (range), years Responses (%) Deaths (first 30 days) (%) CT 35 55 (23-67) 5 (14%) 5 (14%) FLAM 36 62 (19-69) 10 (28%) 10 (28%) Sirolimus-MEC 20 52 (22-68) 3 (15%) 2 (10%) Disclosures Off Label Use: Sirolimus-potentiate chemotherapy Carboplatin-chemotherapy for AML treatment Topotecan-chemotherapy for AML treatment.
Phase I Trial of the Oral Poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase (PARP) Inhibitor Veliparib (ABT-888, V) Combined Wtih Topoecan (T) and Carboplatin (C) for Adults with Relapsed and Refractory Acute Leukemias,
Abstract Abstract 3634 PARP is activated in response to DNA single strand (SS) breaks and is pivotal to the base excisional repair pathway for chemotherapy-damaged DNA. The orally bioavailable PARP inhibitor V delays DNA repair and potentiates the cytotoxicity of multiple classes of chemotherapy drugs including topoisomerase I inhibitors and platinating agents in leukemia cell lines. A previous clinical trial of T+C yielded promising results in adults with refractory acute leukemia at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of T 1.6 mg/m2/d + C 150 mg/m2/d by intravenous continuous infusion (IVCI) × 120 hrs. We are conducting a Phase I dose-escalation trial of V given orally twice daily Days 1–8 with T+C given by 120 hr IVCI Days 3–7. Deaths due to myocardial infarct and splenic infarcts with ascites occurred in one pt each when C 150 mg/m2 was added to V 10 mg BID and T 1.3 mg/m2, resulting in adjustment of the dose escalation schema for C and T.Dose levelVeliparib Oral Daily Days 1–8Topotecan Continuous IV Days 3–7Carboplatin Continuous IV Days 3–7Clinical Responses/#Pts1A10 mg p.o. BID1.0 mg/m2/day—1/3(CRi)1B10 mg p.o. BID1.3 mg/m2/day—1/3(CR)2A10 mg p.o. BID1.3 mg/m2/day150 mg/m2 IV0/42C10 mg p.o. BID1.0 mg/m2 IV120 mg/m2 IV2/6(CRi, PR)2D10 mg p.o BID1.2 mg/m2 IV120 mg/m2 IV1/6(PR)2E10 mg p.o. BID1.2 mg/m2 IV150 mg/m2 IV2/6(CR, CRi)3C20 mg p.o. BID1.0 mg/m2 IV120 mg/m2 IV0/63D20 mg p.o BID1.2 mg/m2 IV120 mg/m2 IV2/6(CR, PR)3E20 mg p.o. BID1.2 mg/m2 IV150 mg/m2 IV2/6(CR, CR)440 mg p.o. BID1.2 mg/m2 IV150 mg/m2 IV2/6(CR, CR)5§80 mg p.o. BID1.2 mg/m2 IV150 mg/m2 IV2/4(CR, CRi) Of 56 pts treated at doses of V 10–80 mg orally BID Days1–8 and T 1.0–1.2 mg/m2/d + C 120–150 mg/m2/d for 120 hrs IVCI Days 3–7, 25 (45%) have experienced > grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity, 6(11%) have had grade 4 toxicity and 1 (4%) died from sepsis with multi-organ failure. Overall response rate is 27% (8CR, 4 CRi, 3 PR), with 7 in relapsed AML, 7 in refractory AML and 1 refractory ALL. Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in pt plasma, marrow supernatant, and marrow blasts demonstrated that V is detectable in marrow supernatant and cells, does not accumulate with multiple dose administrations in plasma but does in marrow, and is not altered by T or C administration. Nuclear staining for phosphorylated histone H2AX (γH2AX) demonstrated that V 10 mg BID increased DNA damage by > 2-fold in 11/22 (50%) on Day 1 and 13/18 (72 %) on Day 4 after 24 hrs of T+C. A PAR ELISA demonstrated that V suppresses PAR levels to <50% of pretreatment values in 30/41 (73%) blood and 3/4 patients at V 40mg per day dose level had greater than 80% suppression of PAR. The MTD has not been reached and dose escalation is ongoing. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Phase I Dose-Escalation Study of SCH 900776 in Combination with Cytarabine (Ara-C) in Patients with Acute Leukemia
Abstract Abstract 1531 Checkpoint kinase (Chk1) is a serine-threonine kinase that is activated via phosphorylation in response to DNA damage and is critical to the regulation of cell cycle progression. Ara-C triggers sequential activation of ATR kinase and Chk1 ex vivo to induce the S phase slowing that accompanies Ara-C treatment. Inhibition of Chk1 may abrogate S phase slowing, thereby preventing repair of Ara-C-induced DNA damage and potentiating the antitumor activity of Ara-C. The Hsp90 inhibitor tanespimycin (17-AAG) has been shown to enhance the cytotoxicity of Ara-C in part through Chk1 downregulation (RA Mesa et al., Blood 2005). While a phase I trial of Ara-C plus 17-AAG resulted in decreased blast cell Chk1 phosphorylation, drug toxicities precluded the clinical use of tanespimycin (SH Kaufmann et al., Haematologica, in press 2011). We have now tested the selective Chk1 inhibitor SCH 900776 (SCH 776) in combination with Ara-C in a Phase I dose-escalation trial in 24 adult patients with relapsed and refractory acute leukemias. AML (21) ALL (2) CML-BC (1) Male/Female 9/12 1/1 1/0 Age (range) 57 (23–73) 30, 63 36 Previous Ara-C 19 0 1 Relapsed 8 1 0 No. Prior CRs 2 (1–3) 2 0 Prior Stem Cell Transplant 6 0 0 Refractory 13 1 1 No. Prior Regimens 2 (1–4) 3 3 Prior Stem Cell Transplant 1 0 0 Secondary AML 8 0 0 MDS/MPD 6 0 0 Treatment-Related 2 0 0 Adverse Genetics 13 1 1 Single cytogenetics 3 1 0 Complex cytogenetics 11 0 1 Patients received Ara-C 667 mg/m2 on days 1–3 and 10–12 via 72-hour IV infusion along with SCH 776 on days 2, 3, 11, and 12 over 15 min IV starting at 10 mg/m2 (n=3) escalated to 20 mg/m2 (n=3), 40 mg/m2 (n=6), 56 mg/m2 (n=6), and flat dose of 140 mg (n=6) administered over 30 min IV. Maximal administered dose was achieved at 140 mg due to grade 3 prolonged QTc interval (n=1) and grade 3 hand-foot skin reaction (n=1). None of the expected mucosal or marrow toxicities of timed sequential Ara-C were exacerbated by SCH 776. Complete tumor clearance from day 14 bone marrow was detected in 13/24 (54%). CR plus CRi occurred in 7 patients (29%), with 6 of those CRs occurring at 40 mg/m2 or higher (response rate 40% for ≥ dose level 3). Examination of sequential samples of marrow blasts harvested pretreatment (day 0), 24 hours after initial Ara-C infusion prior to SCH 776 (day 2), and 2 hours after the second SCH 776 administration (day 3) demonstrated increased phosphorylation of Chk1 at Ser317 or Ser345 beginning at 40 mg/m2 consistent with the presence of unrepaired damage and further ATR activation. Pharmacokinetic (PK) data in each cohort showed lack of significant accumulation of SCH 776 in plasma. We plan for a randomized Phase II trial with 100 mg flat dose (or equivalent of 56 mg/m2) of SCH 900776 to assess any contributions to net Ara-C cytotoxicity and efficacy in relapsed and refractory acute leukemias. Disclosures: Gore: Celgene: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Research Funding. Loechner:Merck Research Laboratories: Employment. Horowitz:Merck Research Labs: Employment, stock. Karp:Schering Merck: Research Funding.
Genetic and Epigenetic Defects in DNA Repair Lead to Synthetic Lethality of Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase (PARP) Inhibitors in Aggressive Myeloproliferative Disorders
Abstract Abstract 400FN2 Patients with primary and secondary myelofibrosis (MF) have a worse prognosis than those with essential thrombocytosis (ET) or polycythemia vera (PV). MF and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) share chromosomal and genetic lesions such as ASXL1 and JAK2 mutations, but effective treatments are lacking. The aim of the study was to identify perturbed pathways in MPN and CMML that were amenable to targeted molecular therapies. In a large genomic analysis of MPN cases, we identified recurrent deletions of multiple DNA repair genes, including BRCA2 and Fanconi anemia (FANC) proteins, which have been associated with poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor sensitivity. Neoplastic cells from these patients are hypersensitive to PARP inhibitors in vitro and may provide a therapeutic strategy to improve treatment response for patients with advanced MPNs. Genomic screens utilizing SNP-A karyotyping were performed on primary cells from 144 patients with either ET, PV, or MF (90 were previously reported, McDevitt et al., ASH 2009). We focused on the potential functional relevance of recurrent genomic deletions, including BRCA2, by performing a GO analysis using the EASE software application (Hosack et al. 2003). This revealed statistically significant (p≤0.05) enrichment of 13 biological pathways. Notably, genes involved in cell cycle regulation and DNA repair (DR) were enriched in MF loss regions (p=0.007) as compared to regions lost in ET and PV. Several genes directly involved in DR including BRCA2, XRCC2, and several members of the FANC pathway, also critical for DNA crosslink repair, were deleted or present in copy neutral LOH regions. DNA methyltransferase inhibitors are being tested clinically in MF patients, and both cell cycle and DNA repair genes have been identified as epigenetically silenced in hematological malignancies. We therefore screened for BRCA1, BRCA2, FANC-C, L, and N promoter CpG island methylation in a series of 48 MPN samples. No methylation was identified in BRCA2 and FANC members, suggesting a potential haploinsufficiency mechanism. Methylation of BRCA1 was identified in a small number of cases and is under further study in a larger cohort to investigate the effects on BRCA1 expression, DR and sensitivity to PARP inhibitors. Based on these genetic and epigenetic findings, we then focused on a functional analysis of the homologous recombination (HR) pathway. Leukocytes from normal controls and MPN patients were exposed to ionizing radiation (IR) and stained for Rad51 foci, a marker of HR activity. Six of 15 MPN/CMML samples (40%), but none of the controls failed to form IR-induced Rad51 foci, suggesting impaired HR. Of the samples that demonstrated defects in HR [MPN-U, MF, CMML (2), MDS/MPN-U, and CML], there was no significant correlation between the MPN subtype, the JAK2 mutation status, or the specific metaphase karyotype, but the most sensitive case in our series exhibited a deletion of Ch13q that spanned the BRCA2 gene. We then examined sensitivity of MPN vs. normal myeloid progenitors to the PARP inhibitors veliparib and/or olaparib in methylcellulose (MC)-based colony forming assays. Failure to form Rad51 foci with irradiation was statistically correlated with PARP inhibitor sensitivity (p = 0.021). When an expanded series of cases were then analyzed for PARP inhibitor sensitivity using the MC colony assay, lower IC50s for both veliparib and olaparib were observed in MPN cases (N= 25, IC50S=2.69uM vs. 11.2uM, N=15 IC50S=.64uM vs. 1.27uM, respectively) relative to normal controls (p =.0003, p =.05, via Wilconon rank-sum test respectively). Two cases in this series were treated on a clinical trial combining the ABT-888 PARP inhibitor with salvage chemotherapy consisting of carboplatin and topotecan (Karp et al., ASH 2010). Both patients, one with sAML evolving out of PPV-MF, and a second with accelerating MPN-U, had failed four prior therapies but achieved complete clearance of bone marrow blasts at day 14. Interestingly, cells from this MPN-U patient (13q-) were the most sensitive to PARP inhibition in vitro. Additional accrual and correlative evaluations are underway and will be updated at the meeting. Collectively, these results demonstrate that a subset of MPN and CMML patients have intrinsic genetic and epigenetic defects affecting the FANC and HR pathways, providing pre-clinical rationale for the use of PARP inhibitors in the treatment of aggressive MPN and CMML. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Phase I Trial of the Oral Poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase (PARP) Inhibitor Veliparib (ABT-888, V) Combined Wtih Topoecan (T) and Carboplatin (C) for Adults with Relapsed and Refractory Acute Leukemias
Abstract Abstract 3276 PARP is activated in response to DNA single strand (SS) breaks and is pivotal to the base excisional repair pathway for chemotherapy-damaged DNA. The orally bioavailable PARP inhibitor V delays DNA repair and potentiates the cytotoxicity of multiple classes of chemotherapy drugs including topoisomerase I inhibitors and platinating agents in leukemia cell lines. A previous clinical trial of T+C yielded promising results in adults with refractory acute leukemia at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of T 1.6 mg/m2/d + C 150 mg/m2/d by intravenous continuous infusion (IVCI) × 120 hrs. We are conducting a Phase I dose-escalation trial of V given orally twice daily Days 1–8 with T+C given by 120 hr IVCI Days 3–7. Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML, 33 patients) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL, 4 patients) Median Age (range) 570 (40-75) 55 (42-62) Relapsed 8 No. Prior CRs 2 (1-3) Prior Stem Cell Transplant 2 0 Refractory 25 4 No. Primary Refractory 10 1 No. Prior Regimens 3 (1-4) 3 (1-4) Prior Stem Cell Tranpslant 3 1 Secondary AML 12 Anecedent Hematologic Dx 6 Treatment-Related 6 Cytogenetics Intermediate 10 2 Adverse: Single/Complex 7/16 2 Ph+ (1 with complex) BRCA-1/BRCA-2 1 (mutation)/ 1 (13q14 deletion) 0 Deaths due to myocardial infarct and splenic infarcts with ascites occurred in one pt each when C 150 mg/m2 was added to V 10 mg BID and T 1.3 mg/m2, resulting in adjustment of the dose escalation schema for C and T. Of 27 pts treated at doses of V 10–20 mg orally BID Days1-8 and T 1.0–1.2 mg/m2/d + C 120–150 mg/m2/d for 120 hrs IVCI Days 3–7, 8 (30%) have experienced > grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity, 4 (15%) have had grade 4 toxicity and 1 (4%) died from sepsis with multi-organ failure. Overall response rate is 22% (2 CR, 1 CRi, 3 PR), with 4 in relapsed AML, 1 each in refractory AML and refractory ALL. Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in pt plasma, marrow supernatant, and marrow blasts demonstrated that V does not accumulate with multiple dose administrations in plasma but does in marrow, is not altered by T or C administration, and is detectable in marrow supernatant and cells. Nuclear staining for phosphorylated histone H2AX (γH2AX) demonstrated that V 10 mg BID increased DNA damage by > 2-fold in 11/22 (50%) on Day 1 and 13/18 (72 %) on Day 4 after 24 hrs of T+C. A PAR ELISA demonstrated that V suppresses PAR levels to <50% of pretreatment values in 21/29 (72%) blood and 9/13 (69%) marrow samples. The MTD has not been reached and dose escalation is ongoing. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.