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Al‐Kali, Aref

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0824-3715

Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic

Citations 400

The impact of cytotoxic therapy on the risk of progression and death in clonal cytopenia(s) of undetermined significance
Li, Marissa , Baranwal, Anmol , Gurney, Mark E. , Shah, Syed Nasir Ali, Al‐Kali, Aref , Foran, James M. , Yi, Cecilia Arana , Ongie, Laura , Mangaonkar, Abhishek A. , Tefferi, Ayalew , Lasho, Terra, Finke, Christy M. , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Gurney, Mark , Shah, Syed N, Arana Yi, Cecilia , McCullough, Kristen B , Patnaik, Mrinal , Shah, Mithun V , Baranwal, Anmol , Li, Marissa M , Alkhateeb, Hassan B. , Chen, Dong , McCullough, Kristen , Lasho, Terra, Shah, Meera

Blood Advances | April 2, 2024 | Volume: 8 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 3130-3139

10.1182/bloodadvances.2023012357 Get It

Abstract Clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS) is defined by a myeloid driver mutation in the context of otherwise unexplained cytopenia. CCUS has an inherent risk of progressing to myeloid neoplasm. However, it is unknown how exposure to previous cytotoxic therapy may impact the risk of progression and survival. We stratified patients with CCUS by prior exposure to DNA-damaging therapy. Of 151 patients, 46 (30%) had received cytotoxic therapy and were classified as therapy-related CCUS (t-CCUS), whereas 105 (70%) had de novo CCUS. A lower proportion of t-CCUS had hypercellular marrows (17.8% vs 44.8%, P = .002) but had higher median bone marrow blast percentages. After a median follow-up of 2.2 years, t-CCUS had significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS, 1.8 vs 6.3 years; hazard ratio [HR], 2.1; P = .007) and median overall survival (OS; 3.6 years vs not reached; HR, 2.3; P = .007) compared with CCUS. Univariable and multivariable time-to-event analyses showed that exposure to cytotoxic therapy independently accounted for inferior PFS and OS. Despite the similarities in clinical presentation between CCUS and t-CCUS, we show that exposure to prior cytotoxic therapies was an independent risk factor for inferior outcomes. This suggests that t-CCUS represents a unique clinical entity that needs more stringent monitoring or earlier intervention strategies.
Cardiac events in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia during treatment with venetoclax + hypomethylating agents
Johnson, Isla McKerrow , Karrar, Omer , Rana, Masooma , Iftikhar, Moazah, Chen, Sunny , Saliba, Antoine N. , Al‐Kali, Aref , Begna, Kebede H. , Litzow, Mark R. , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Pardanani, Animesh , Hermann, Joerg, Tefferi, Ayalew , Gangat, Naseema , Saliba, Antoine N. , Johnson, Isla M, Saliba, Antoine N , Al-Kali, Aref , Alkhateeb, Hassan B , Shah, Mithun V , Pardanani, Animesh , Tefferi, Ayalew , Gangat, Naseema , Saliba, Antoine N , McCullough, Kristen , Alkhateeb, Hassan B. , Hogan, William J. , Shah, Meera

British Journal of Haematology | February 5, 2024 | Volume: 204 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 1232-1237

10.1111/bjh.19325 Get It

SummaryAmong 301 newly diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukaemia receiving venetoclax and a hypomethylating agent, 23 (7.6%) experienced major cardiac complications: 15 cardiomyopathy, 5 non‐ST elevation myocardial infarction and/or 7 pericarditis/effusions. Four patients had more than one cardiac complication. Baseline characteristics included median age ± interquartile range; 73 ± 5 years; 87% males; 96% with cardiovascular risk factors; and 90% with preserved baseline ejection fraction. In multivariate analysis, males were more likely (p = 0.02) and DNMT3A‐mutated cases less likely (p < 0.01) to be affected. Treatment‐emergent cardiac events were associated with a trend towards lower composite remission rates (43% vs. 62%; p = 0.09) and shorter survival (median 7.7 vs. 13.2 months; p < 0.01). These observations were retrospectively retrieved and warrant further prospective examination.
Abstract A037: Investigating the role of the somatic DDX41 variant in the context of DDX41 hereditary myeloid malignancy syndromes (HMMS)
Marando, Ludovica , Kusne, Yael , Morris, Audrey, Mangaonkar, Abhishek A. , Finke, Christy M. , Crawley, Carles, Foran, James M. , Al‐Kali, Aref , Gangat, Naseema , He, Rong , Viswanatha, David S., Basheer, Faisal, Litzow, Mark R. , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Badar, Talha , Lasho, Terra L. , King, Andrew Peter , Alkhateeb, Hassan B. , Wong, Chi, Ferrer, Alejandro , Vassiliou, George S.

Cancer Research | February 1, 2024 | Volume: 84 | Issue: 3_Supplement_2 | Pages: A037-A037

10.1158/1538-7445.canevol23-a037 Get It

Abstract Heterozygous germline variants in DDX41 are identified in ~5% of patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) or Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Recognition of the hereditary nature of such cancers and a better understanding of the factors that affect progression to malignancy has deep implications for health surveillance of patients and relatives that share a pathogenic DNA variant. DDX41 has a role in ribosome biogenesis and in opposing R-loop accumulation at promoters, but the mechanisms through which DDX41 loss drives cancer development are poorly understood. In a collaboration between Cambridge, UK and Mayo Clinic, USA we identified 85 patients with germline DDX41 variants [73/85 with germline pathogenic variants (GPV) and 12 with variants of uncertain significance (VUS)]. The majority were identified through targeted myeloid NGS upon presentation with AML (30/85) or MDS (44/85). Average age at diagnosis was 65 (35-93) with male predominance (57/85). The most common GPV was the NM_016222.4(DDX41):c.415_418dup; p.D140Gfs*2 (15/85). The majority (53.4% 39/73), also acquired a somatic variants in the other DDX41 allele (referred to as GPV+Som). The most common somatic variant (82% 32/39) was the R525H, a variant predicted to reduce the ATPase function of the helicase domain. We hypothesise that the markedly reduced DDX41 activity in cells with biallelic variants, is a key cause of progression to overt malignancy. In our cohort, we observed that somatic variants occurred at a similar frequency in association with start loss, truncating, splice, in-frame deletion, and missense GPV. However, whereas MDS was the predominant diagnosis within GPV (67.6% 23/34, AML 26.4% 9/34), AML was the most frequent diagnosis within GPV+Som (AML 51%.2 20/39, MDS 38.4% 15/39). Overall, there was a significantly higher likelihood of AML in the presence of a somatic variant (p&lt;0.05), suggesting that there might be a dosage effect on the phenotype. This pattern was observed across all the GPV, with the exception of missense, suggesting that many might be benign polymorphysms. In addition, although somatic variants are typically subclonal (overall mean variant allele fraction VAF=9.87%, 3-27.8%), we observed a higher somatic VAF in AML over MDS cases (12.4% vs 7.7% respectively p&lt;0.05). A lower bone marrow cellularity was also characteristic of GPV+Som vs GPV alone (mean observed/expected cellularity for age 0.9 vs 1.32 respectively p&lt;0.05). In two cases, serial bone marrow morphology and NGS data were available, and we observed marked reduction in bone marrow cellularity upon acquisition of the R525H clone. The mechanisms of AML evolution appear different in DDX41 HMMS compared to sporadic cases. Interestingly, over half of our patients (21/34 GPV and 23/39 GPV+Som) did not exhibit additional somatic drivers. Our work suggests that acquisition of a somatic variant is a critical event in disease progression. Furthermore, the near universally subclonal nature of somatic variants suggest that they may affect disease phenotype through non-cell autonomous mechanisms. Citation Format: Ludovica Marando, Talha Badar, Yael Kusne, Audrey Morris, Terra Lasho, Abhishek Mangaonkar, Christy Finke, Carles Crawley, James M. Foran, Aref Al-Kali, Andrew King, Hassan Alkhateeb, Naseema Gangat, Chi Wong, Rong He, David Viswanatha, Faisal Basheer, Mark Litzow, Alejandro Ferrer, George Vassiliou, Mrinal Patnaik. Investigating the role of the somatic DDX41 variant in the context of DDX41 hereditary myeloid malignancy syndromes (HMMS) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Translating Cancer Evolution and Data Science: The Next Frontier; 2023 Dec 3-6; Boston, Massachusetts. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(3 Suppl_2):Abstract nr A037.
TP53 variant allele frequency and therapy‐related setting independently predict survival in myelodysplastic syndromes with del(5q)
Tefferi, Ayalew , Fleti, Farah, Ali, Najla H. Al, Al‐Kali, Aref , Begna, Kebede H. , Foran, James M. , Badar, Talha , Khera, Nandita , Shah, Meera , Hiwase, Devendra , Padron, Eric , Sallman, David A. , Pardanani, Animesh , Reichard, Kaaren K. , He, Rong , Gangat, Naseema , Chan, Onyee , Al-Kali, Aref , Foran, James M , Badar, Talha , Shah, Mithun V , Hiwase, Devendra , Sallman, David A , Pardanani, Animesh , Arber, Daniel A , He, Rong , Gangat, Naseema , Komrokji, Rami S , Arber, Daniel A. , Orazi, Attilio , Ketterling, Rhett P. , Komrokji, Rami S.

British Journal of Haematology | December 12, 2023 | Volume: 204 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 1243-1248

10.1111/bjh.19247 Get It

SummaryAmong 210 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) with del(5q), molecular information was available at diagnosis or at least 3 months before leukaemic transformation in 146 cases. Multivariate analysis identified therapy‐related setting (p = 0.02; HR 2.3) and TP53 variant allele frequency (VAF) ≥22% (p < 0.01; HR 2.8), but not SF3B1 mutation (p = 0.65), as independent risk factors for survival. Median survival was 11.7 versus 4 years (5/10‐year survival 73%/52% vs. 42%/14%) in the absence (N = 112) versus presence (N = 34) of ≥1 risk factors; leukaemia‐free survival was affected by TP53 VAF ≥22% (p < 0.01). Such information might inform treatment decision‐making in MDS‐del(5q) regarding allogeneic stem cell transplant.
Venetoclax and hypomethylating agent combination therapy in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia: Genotype signatures for response and survival among 301 consecutive patients
Gangat, Naseema , Karrar, Omer , Iftikhar, Moazah, McCullough, Kristen , Johnson, Isla McKerrow , Abdelmagid, Maymona, Abdallah, Mostafa, Al‐Kali, Aref , Begna, Kebede H. , Mangaonkar, Abhishek A. , Saliba, Antoine N. , Litzow, Mark R. , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Pardanani, Animesh , Badar, Talha , Foran, James M. , Palmer, Jeanne , Sproat, Lisa, Khera, Nandita , Yi, Cecilia Y. Arana , Tefferi, Ayalew , Saliba, Antoine N. , Johnson, Isla M, Begna, Kebede , Mangaonkar, Abhishek A. , Saliba, Antoine N , Hefazi, Mehrdad , Litzow, Mark R. , Shah, Mithun V , Patnaik, Mrinal , Pardanani, Animesh , Badar, Talha , Murthy, Hemant S , Arana Yi, Cecilia Y , Tefferi, Ayalew , McCullough, Kristen B , Saliba, Antoine N , Alkhateeb, Hassan B. , Hefazi, Mehrdad , Hogan, William J. , Shah, Meera , Murthy, Hemant S. , Yi, Cecilia Arana

American Journal of Hematology | December 10, 2023 | Volume: 99 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 193-202

10.1002/ajh.27138 Get It

Abstract Venetoclax + hypomethylating agent (Ven‐HMA) is currently the standard frontline therapy for older/unfit patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (ND‐AML). Our objective in the current retrospective study of 301 adult patients (median age 73 years; 62% de novo) with ND‐AML was to identify molecular predictors of treatment response to Ven‐HMA and survival; European LeukemiaNet (ELN) genetic risk assignment was favorable 15%, intermediate 16%, and adverse 69%. Complete remission, with (CR) or without (CRi), count recovery, was documented in 182 (60%) patients. In multivariable analysis, inclusive of mutations only, “favorable” predictors of CR/CRi were NPM1 (86% vs. 56%), IDH2 (80% vs. 58%), and DDX41 (100% vs. 58%) and “unfavorable” TP53 (40% vs. 67%), FLT3‐ ITD (36% vs. 63%), and RUNX1 (44% vs. 64%) mutations; significance was sustained for each mutation after adjustment for age, karyotype, and therapy‐related qualification. CR/CRi rates ranged from 36%, in the presence of unfavorable and absence of favorable mutation, to 91%, in the presence of favorable and absence of unfavorable mutation. At median follow‐up of 8.5 months, 174 deaths and 41 allogeneic stem cell transplants (ASCT) were recorded. In multivariable analysis, risk factors for inferior survival included failure to achieve CR/CRi (HR 3.4, 95% CI 2.5–4.8), adverse karyotype (1.6, 1.1–2.6), TP53 mutation (1.6, 1.0–2.4), and absence of IDH2 mutation (2.2, 1.0–4.7); these risk factors were subsequently applied to construct an HR‐weighted risk model that performed better than the ELN genetic risk model (AIC 1661 vs. 1750): low ( n = 130; median survival 28.9 months), intermediate ( n = 105; median 9.6 months), and high ( n = 66; median 3.1 months; p < .001); survival in each risk category was significantly upgraded by ASCT. The current study identifies genotype signatures for predicting response and proposes a 3‐tiered, CR/CRi‐based, and genetics‐enhanced survival model for AML patients receiving upfront therapy with Ven‐HMA.
ELN 2022 Favorable Genetic Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treated with Venetoclax Plus Hypomethylating Agent: Predictors of Response and Survival
Karrar, Omer , Iftikhar, Moazah, Abdelmagid, Maymona, Al‐Kali, Aref , Begna, Kebede H. , Mangaonkar, Abhishek A. , Litzow, Mark R. , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Pardanani, Animesh , Tefferi, Ayalew , Gangat, Naseema , McCullough, Kristen , Alkhateeb, Hassan B. , Saliba, Antoine N. , Hefazi, Mehrdad , Hogan, William J. , Shah, Meera

Blood | December 1, 2023 | Volume: 142 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 5925-5925

10.1182/blood-2023-182326 Get It

Background: The 2022 European LeukemiaNet (ELN) genetic-risk stratification for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), assigns favorable prognosis to t(8;21)(q22;q22.1)/ RUNX1:: RUNX1T1, inv(16)(p13.1q22) or t(16;16)(p13.1;q22)/ CBFB:: MYH1, NPM1 mutations without FLT3-ITD or adverse karyotype, and bZIP in-frame CEBPA mutations (Döhner , Blood, 2022 ). This risk stratification was derived from intensively treated patients; accordingly, prognostication in ELN favorable genetic risk AML, following venetoclax and hypomethylating agent (VEN-HMA) therapy, remains unclear and was the subject of the current study. Methods: Under an institutional review board approved minimum risk protocol, the Mayo Clinic database was searched to identify AML patients with favorable genetic risk, who received treatment with VEN-HMA in the frontline setting. All patients received at least one cycle of either azacitidine 75 mg/m 2 days 1-7 or decitabine 20 mg/m 2 days 1-5 with VEN dose adjusted based on azole antifungal prophylaxis. Genetic risk stratification and treatment response were assessed according to the 2022 ELN criteria. Survival was estimated from the time of VEN-HMA treatment start to last follow-up or death. Results: Patient characteristics A total of 46 newly-diagnosed AML patients with ELN 2022 favorable genetic risk [ NPM1 mutation, n=36 (78%), CEPBA bZIP mutation, n=7 (15%) and t(8;21)(q22;q22.1)/ inv(16)(p13.1q22), n=4 (9%)] received a median of 4 cycles (range 1-32) of VEN-HMA. Median age was 71 years, with 63% males, and 87% de novo AML. Additional mutations frequently involved TET2 in 17/43 (40%), DNMT3A in 14/45 (31%), SRSF2 in 10/43 (23%), K/NRAS in 10/45 (22%), IDH1 in 8/46 (17%), FLT3-TKD in 7/46 (15%), ASXL1 in 6/43 (14%) and IDH2 in 6/46 (13%),of informative cases.Myelodysplasia (MDS)-related gene mutations ( ASXL1, RUNX1, BCOR, EZH2, SRSF2, U2AF1, SF3B1, STAG2, and/or ZRSR2) were present in 15 of 40 (38%) of patients (93% males). Predictors of response Of the 39 (85%) patients that achieved complete remission, with (CR) ( n=24; 52%), or without count recovery (CRi) ( n=15; 33%); CR/CRi rates were not significantly higher in patients with NPM1 mutations (89%), t(8;21)(q22;q22.1)/ inv(16)(p13.1q22) (75%), or CEPBA bZIP mutations (67%) ( p=0.37). Among patients achieving CR/CRi, measurable residual disease by multiparametric flow cytometry was negative in 15 of 16 (94%) of evaluable cases after cycles 1 or 2. In addition, NPM1 qPCR was negative in 15 of 24 (63%) informative patients. Median time to response was 1.2 months with median response duration of 9.4 months. CR/CRi rates were significantly higher in females vs males (100% vs 76%, p=0.01), and in the absence vs presence of MDS-related gene mutations (96% vs 60%, p=0.004). Multivariable analysis confirmed superior response in the absence of MDS-related gene mutations ( p=0.04). Predictors of survival At a median follow-up of 10.6 months (range; 1.1-51 months), 21 patients (46%) have died, 9 relapsed (23% of those achieving CR/CRi), and 6 (13%) underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Median overall survival was 21 months with 1/2/3-year survival rates of 65%/41%/41% (Figure 1a); median relapse-free survival (RFS) was not reached; 1/2/3-year RFS rates were 81%/66%/57% (Figure 1b). Overall survival was superior in patients achieving CR/CRi (23 months vs 5.6 months; p&lt;0.01), in females vs males (not reached vs 9.7 months; p&lt;0.01), and in the absence of MDS-related gene mutations (not reached vs 5.6 months; p=0.01) (Figure 1c). Subsequent multivariable analysis identified female gender ( p=0.01), and absence of MDS-related mutations ( p=0.17) as independent predictors of superior survival. Similar results were obtained when analysis was restricted to NPM1 mutated patients. Conclusions: In the current retrospective study, VEN-HMA therapy in elderly/unfit AML patients with ELN 2022 favorable genetic risk, resulted in response rates that were comparable to those previously appreciated from published reports of patients receiving intensive induction therapy; however, follow-up in the current study was too short to accurately assess long-term overall and relapse-free survival impact. Our study also highlights the adverse prognosis retained by MDS-related gene mutations.
Type 1/like Calr Mutation in Momelotinib-Treated Patients with Myelofibrosis Is the Most Prominent Predictor of Drug Survival and Longevity without Transplant
Tefferi, Ayalew , Pardanani, Animesh , Begna, Kebede, Al‐Kali, Aref , Litzow, Mark R. , Gangat, Naseema , Hogan, William J.

Blood | December 1, 2023 | Volume: 142 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 4555-4555

10.1182/blood-2023-178869 Get It

Background: Non-transplant treatment options in myelofibrosis MF are palliative in scope and include Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitors (JAKi). FDA-approved JAKi for the treatment of MF include ruxolitinib, fedratinib, and pacritinib. A fourth JAKi, momelotinib, is currently under review. We have previously reported long-term survival data on momelotinib and drug survival that was significantly longer, retrospectively compared to ruxolitinib ( AJH. 2022;97:E433). In the current study, we focused on molecular predictors of drug survival (i.e., drug retention) and longevity without allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant AHSCT (transplant-censored survival). Methods : The current study included data from Mayo Clinic patients who participated in a phase-1/2 core study of momelotinib (NCT00935987). Study design, drug doses and schedule, and additional details on treatment effect and side effects have previously been published. Drug survival was calculated from time of initiation of momelotinib to time of treatment discontinuation. Survival analysis required censoring of patients at time of AHSCT. Conventional statistical methods were applied using JMP Pro 16.0.0 software (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Results : 79 JAKi-naïve patients with MF were considered: median age 67 years; males 54%; PMF 65%, post-PV MF 20%, post-ET MF 15%; JAK2 71%, type 1/like CALR ( CALR-1) 14%, CALR-2 3%, MPL 8%, triple-negative 5%. Risk category according to DIPSS was high/intermediate in 80% of the patients and unfavorable karyotype in 29%. Non-driver mutation information was available in a subset of patients and included ASXL1 22% and SRSF2 18%. Median time from diagnosis to study entry was 25.2 months; patients were enrolled between November 2009 and March 2011 with follow-up information updated through July 2023; during this period, 68 (86%) deaths, 13 (16%) leukemic transformations, and 7 (9%) AHSCTs were recorded. Median follow-up for alive patients was 12.5 years (range 11.3-13.1). Anemia response rate was 48% and spleen 47%. Median treatment duration was 25 months (range 0.1-157); the proportion of patients remaining on active therapy was 68% at 1 year, 30% at 3 years, 16% at 5 years, and 7% at 10 years (Figure 1a). At the time of this writing, 5 (6.3%) patients were still receiving momelotinib therapy with treatment durations of 152 to 157 months. In univariate analysis, molecular predictors of drug survival included CALR-1 (p=0.006) but not ASXL1 (p=0.6) or SRSF2 (p=0.3) mutation, or unfavorable karyotype (p=0.08). The 3-, 5-, and 10-year drug survival rates for CALR-1-mutated patients were 64%, 40%, and 18%, respectively, and for CALR-1 wild-type 25%, 11%, and 4% (p=0.01, Figure 1b). CALR-1 independent association with longer drug survival was also appreciated for younger age (p&lt;0.01) and absence of baseline transfusion dependency at time of study entry (p=0.02); all three risk factors remained significant during multivariable analysis with HR (95% CI) rates of 0.4 (0.2-0.87) for CALR-1, 0.5 (0.3-0.89) for age &lt;63 years, and 0.6 (0.3-0.9) for absence of transfusion-dependency. Spleen response (p&lt;0.01) but not anemia response (p=0.23) was also associated with longer drug survival; in multivariable analysis all 4 risk factors retained significance. Multivariable analysis of genetic variables for transplant-censored survival identified absence of CALR-1 (HR 3.5, 95% CI 1.2-10.5; p=0.03) and presence of high molecular risk (HMR; ASXL1/ SRSF2) mutations (HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.6; p=02) to independently predict inferior survival. Among 11 patients with CALR-1 mutation, median transplant-censored survival was 125 months with 10-year survival rate of 60% (Figure 1c); by contrast, the corresponding figures were 37 months and 12%, in the 68 patients not harboring CALR-1 mutation (Figure 1c). In multivariable analysis, absence of CALR-1 (HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.02-8.1), age ≥63 years (HR 3.0, 95% CI 1.5-6.0), and absence of spleen response (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.5-4.5) were identified as being most significant in predicting inferior transplant-censored survival. Conclusions : CALR-1 mutation is the most important risk factor for both drug survival and longevity without AHSCT, in momelotinib-treated patients with MF. Such information might help identify MF patients who might benefit from treatment with momelotinib and in whom AHSCT might be deferred or not.
Venetoclax + Cladribine + Low-Dose Cytarabine in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Relapsed or Refractory to Venetoclax + Hypomethylating Agent
Al‐Kali, Aref , Begna, Kebede H. , Mangaonkar, Abhishek A. , Litzow, Mark R. , Pardanani, Animesh , Foran, James M. , Yi, Cecilia Y. Arana , Tefferi, Ayalew , Gangat, Naseema , Steinauer, Nickolas , McCullough, Kristen , Alkhateeb, Hassan B. , Saliba, Antoine N. , Hefazi, Mehrdad , Hogan, William J. , Shah, Meera , Badar, Talha , Murthy, Hemant S. , Yi, Cecilia Arana

Blood | December 1, 2023 | Volume: 142 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 2853-2853

10.1182/blood-2023-185185 Get It

Background Venetoclax (Ven) in combination with hypomethylating agent (HMA) is the standard treatment for newly diagnosed elderly/unfit patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Treatment options for patients with relapsed/refractory (RR) disease following Ven-HMA are limited in the absence of targetable mutations. In a recent phase 2 study, the addition of Ven to cladribine (CDA) plus low-dose cytarabine (LDAC), in newly-diagnosed elderly/unfit AML, resulted in complete remission with (CR) or without (CRi) count recovery rate of 93% ( J Clin Oncol 20;40(33)). In the current study, we share our experience with this regimen in patients relapsed or refractory to Ven-HMA, treated outside of clinical trials. Methods Under an institutional review board approved minimum risk protocol, the Mayo Clinic (MN, AZ, FL) database was searched to identify patients with AML who failed treatment with Ven-HMA and subsequently received at least one cycle of salvage therapy with Ven-CDA-LDAC: Ven 100-400 mg, dose adjusted, d1-21, CDA 5 mg/m 2 d1-5, LDAC 20 mg twice daily d1-10, outside of clinical trials. Cytogenetic and molecular studies were performed at the time of Ven-CDA-LDAC initiation in most cases, by conventional karyotype and next-generation sequencing, respectively. The 2022 European LeukemiaNet (ELN) criteria were applied to define risk and response. Survival was calculated from the time of Ven-CDA-LDAC treatment start to last follow-up or death. Results Patient characteristics A total of 39 RR AML patients (median age 65 years, 67% male, 64% de novo), with prior exposure to Ven-HMA, received Ven-CDA-LDAC (median 1 cycle; range 1-5). Study patients had received one ( n=16), two ( n=14), three ( n=5), four ( n=2), five ( n=1) or nine ( n=1) prior therapies, including Ven-HMA. Nine (23%) patients had relapsed following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT). ELN cytogenetic risk included intermediate (46%, n=18), and adverse (54%, n=21). Mutations involved TP53 in 9 patients (23%), K/ NRAS in 8 (21%), RUNX1 in 7 (18%), TET2 in 6 (15%), ASXL1 in 5 (13%), and STAG2 in 5 (13%). Response and toxicity Eleven (28%) patients achieved CR ( n=2; 5%) or CRi ( n=9; 23%); median time to response was 1 month and median response duration 3.4 months. In addition, 2 (5%) patients each experienced partial remission (PR) and bone marrow aplasia without fulfilling criteria for morphologic leukemia free state. Measurable residual disease (MRD) was negative by multiparametric flow cytometry in 2 of 7 (29%) informative CR/CRi cases. CR/CRi rates were higher in females (54% vs 15%; p=0.01), de novo vssecondary AML (40% vs 7%; p=0.02), and absence of adverse karyotype (50% vs 9%; p&lt;0.01), K/NRAS (35% vs 0%, p=0.01), ASXL1 (32% vs 0%, p=0.05), or STAG2 mutations (32% vs 0%, p=0.05) (Table 1). Multivariable analysis confirmed superior response in de novo AML (p&lt;0.01), absence of adverse karyotype, (p&lt;0.01), and absence of K/NRAS mutations (p=0.02). CR/CRi rates were not significantly affected by relapsed vs refractory setting ( p=0.95), number of prior therapies ( p=0.51), prior AHSCT ( p=0.64), or TP53 mutations ( p=0.64) (Table 1). Treatment-emergent toxicities included infections (49%, n=19), comprising bacteremia ( n=11), pneumonia ( n=10), peri-rectal abscess ( n=6), and laboratory evidence of tumor lysis syndrome (3%, n=1). Survival At a median follow-up of 3.9 months, from initiation of Ven-CDA-LDAC, 31 deaths (79%), 6 relapses (15%), and 7 AHSCT (18%; including 5 in CR/CRi, 1 in aplasia) were documented. Median survival following Ven-CDA-LDAC was 4.6 months, and superior in the presence vs absence of CR/CRi (8.1 vs 2.9 months; p=0.01), and in patients receiving AHSCT (10.5 vs 3.4 months; p=0.02). Absence of adverse karyotype was also associated with superior survival (6 vs 3.4 months; p=0.05). Multivariable analysis confirmed the favorable survival impact of CR/CRi ( p=0.03) and AHSCT ( p=0.05); survival impact was not apparent for secondary AML ( p=0.29) or K/NRAS ( p=0.70) or TP53 ( p=0.10) mutations. Conclusions The current study suggests transplant bridging value for Ven-CDA-LDAC in AML patients relapsed or refractory to Ven-HMA, especially in the absence of adverse karyotype or K/NRAS mutation. AHSCT and achievement of CR/CRi appear to be indispensable for favorable post-Ven-CDA-LDAC survival.
STAG2 and PHF6: Comparison of 2 X-Linked Gene Mutations in Myeloid Neoplasms
Katamesh, Bahga , Mittapalli, Amrutha, He, Rong , Viswanatha, David S., Mangaonkar, Abhishek A. , Begna, Kebede H. , Gangat, Naseema , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Tefferi, Ayalew , Litzow, Mark R. , Al‐Kali, Aref , Jevremović, Dragan , Hefazi, Mehrdad , Saliba, Antoine N. , Hogan, William J. , Shah, Meera , Alkhateeb, Hassan B.

Blood | December 1, 2023 | Volume: 142 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 4304-4304

10.1182/blood-2023-178244 Get It

INTRODUCTION: The Stromal Antigen 2 ( STAG2), on Xq25, is the most common cohesin complex gene mutated in myeloid neoplasms (MN) (5-10%). STAG2 mutations ( STAG2m) were incorporated in the ELN2022 as AML-MDS defining genetic mutations inferring poor prognosis and is a genetic marker in IPSS-M risk stratification. The PHD-finger protein 6 ( PHF6) gene, on Xq26.3, is a tumor suppressor gene, mutated in 3% of MN, and is more common in T-ALL. PHF6m is believed to be a late event in MN with little data on its prognostic implications in MN. Both STAG2m and PHF6m are more prevalent in males, but their implications on the clinical presentation of MN have not been compared prior. METHOD: Our study is a multicenter study at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Florida, Arizona). After IRB approval, we retrospectively analyzed charts of 7935 patients who had NGS between 2016-2022. STAG2m was found in 96 patients, and PHF6m in 116 (including 3 with concurrent STAG2m and PHF6m). We excluded 4 PHF6m patients who had T-ALL. Data was captured at time of NGS. MDS risk stratification was by IPSS-M and AML by ELN2022. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from date of NGS to date of last follow-up. BlueSky Software was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Characteristics: We compared 96 STAG2m vs 112 PHF6m MN patients. Of STAG2m cases, 78% were male vs 76% in PHF6m MN. Median age was 72 vs 73 years, respectively. Diagnoses included AML (29% of STAG2m vs 34% of PHF6m MN), MDS (54% vs 28%), MDS/MPN (10% vs 21%) and MPN (3% vs 9%). MDS was more common among STAG2m MN (p&lt;.001) while MDS/MPN was more common among PHF6m MN (=.05). MDS-IB was the most common subtype in both (69% vs 52% in STAG2m vs PHF6m MDS). MDS-LB and 5q subtypes were only found in PHF6m MDS, and there was more PHF6m MDS-RS (13% vs 2%). Median IPSS-M score was 0.9 vs 0.8 in STAG2m vs PHF6m MDS (both high-risk). Majority of STAG2m AML were adverse risk (96%) while PHF6m AML were intermediate (79%) (p&lt;.001). AML cases included 43% vs 30% secondary AML (sAML) in STAG2m vs PHF6m AML. Among STAG2m and PHF6m MN, 17% of each were tMN. Cytogenetic abnormalities were more common in PHF6m MN (50% vs 31%, p=.005). The median bone marrow (BM) blasts count among STAG2m MN was 7% vs 4% in PHF6m MN (p=.03). Genetic characteristics: STAG2m were nonsense, frameshift and splice site (54%, 36% and 11%). PHF6m were nonsense, frameshift, splice site, missense and start loss variant mutations (44%, 33%, 12%, 10% and 1%). The median variant allele frequency (VAF) of STAG2m MN was 50% compared to 32% in PHF6m MN (p=.008). Co-mutations: The median number of co-mutations was 3 in STAG2m and 4 in PHF6m MN (p=.04). The most common were TET2m (37% in STAG2m MN vs 45% in PHF6m MN), RUNX1m (31% in both), SRSF2m (39% vs 20%), ASXL1m (66% vs 38%), BCORm (19% vs 6%), U2AF1m (13% vs 14%) and IDH2m (18% vs 7%). ASXL1m, SRSF2m, BCORm, IDH2m and SF3B1m were more common among STAG2m MN (p=&lt;.001, .003, .006, .02, .09). JAK2m, IDH1m are more common among PHF6m MN (p=.02, .06). Survival: Of STAG2m and PHF6m MN, 70% and 72% of patients received treatment. HSCT was performed in 23 (24%) and 23 (21%) of STAG2m and PHF6m patients, including AML (n=9, n=10), MDS (n=12, n=8), MDS/MPN (n=2, n=2). OS among STAG2m and PHF6m MN was 20.5 and 22.1 months, respectively. OS among AML cases was 13.5 vs 21 months (p=.6) in STAG2m vs PHF6m, was NR vs 22 months (p=.4) in MDS, 11.7 vs 17.6 months in MDS/MPN (p=.4), and 10.4 vs 27.4 months (p=.5) in MPN. There was no difference between males and females in either STAG2m or PHF6m MN. HSCT led to longer OS among both STAG2m (NR vs 19.9 months, p=.01) and PHF6m MN patients (NR vs 17.6 months, p=.07). Among AML patients, HSCT did not significantly impact OS (18 vs 9.6 months, p=.3 and 25.1 vs 21 months, p=.2, in STAG2m and PHF6m). HSCT improved OS in STAG2m MDS (NR vs 20.5 months, p=.03). In PHF6m MDS, OS was 22.1 vs 13.1 months in HSCT vs non-HSCT (p=.3). CONCLUSION: STAG2m and PHF6m are 2 X-linked mutations that occur in MN. Both commonly occur in elderly males. MDS was the most common diagnosis in STAG2m MN. STAG2m co-occurred particularly with SRSF2m ASXL1m and BCORm, which are associated with poor prognosis. In our cohort, STAG2m AML carried a poorer prognosis than PHF6m AML. Our study confirms the ELN2022 AML risk stratification. MDS risk classification and OS did not differ between STAG2m and PHF6m in our cohort. A larger cohort is required to confirm our findings and may provide stronger validation.