Pardee, Timothy S.

Hematologic malignancies, including leukemias, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma, are diseases of older adults (age ≥ 60 years). Treatment decisions in older adults with cancer are heavily influenced by patient fitness: the ability of an individual patient to tolerate the off-target effects of anti-cancer therapy. Sarcopenia, defined as low muscle mass and strength, is increasingly recognized as an important marker of fitness. Furthermore, sarcopenia is known to be modifiable with nutrition and exercise interventions in older adults without cancer, but such evidence is limited for patients with cancer. Much of the literature on sarcopenia in older adults with cancer has focused on patients with solid tumors. However, there is an increasing body of literature on the impact of sarcopenia in older adults with hematologic malignancies. In this comprehensive review, we attempt to (i) describe the most up-to-date diagnostic criteria and diagnostic approach to sarcopenia, (ii) summarize the prognostic impact of sarcopenia among older adults with hematologic malignancies, (iii) discuss the proposed mechanisms of sarcopenia and its pathogenesis, (iv) review the evidence for interventions targeting sarcopenia, and (v) provide future directions for the advancement of sarcopenia management among older adults with hematologic malignancies.

TPS7051 Background: The prognosis for adults with relapsed or refractory BCP-ALL is poor. MRD+ is the strongest predictor of relapse. Blinatumomab, a CD3/CD19-directed BiTE® (bispecific T-cell engager) molecule, is an effective treatment for patients with MRD+.1 Blinatumomab is administered as a continuous intravenous infusion (cIV) 28 days per cycle. Severe adverse events (AEs) such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurologic toxicity (NT) may occur; thus, hospitalization is recommended for the first 3 days of cycle 1 and the first 2 days of cycle 2 for MRD+ patients. However, the incidence of severe AEs is low in MRD+ BCP-ALL patients (CRS: 2%, NT: 13%).1 We believe that with the use of effective digital monitoring devices, blinatumomab can be safely administered for the entire 28-day cIV cycle as an outpatient. Methods: Adult patients (n = 45) with BCP-ALL in complete remission and MRD+ (≥0.1% blasts) are being enrolled at 25 planned treatment sites, endpoint: grade ≥3 AE during monitoring (Amgen NCT04506086). Patient suitability for blinatumomab and outpatient monitoring is established. Patients will receive 2-4 cycles of blinatumomab. Cycles are initiated in the outpatient setting, digital monitoring devices activated and attached, and patients sent home. Once home, patients set up the home hub and real-time remote data transfer to the healthcare professional (HCP) begins. The devices are worn continuously, 24 hours a day for the first 3 days of cycle 1 and the first 2 days of cycle 2 only. Devices: Current Health’s Wearable Monitoring System (CHWMS) is an FDA-cleared platform for wireless and wearable health monitoring of patients at home. The CHWMS provides continuous oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and heart rate; an axillary temperature sensor is worn and provides continuous temperature. Patients manually measure blood pressure every 3-6 hours around the clock. Patients have an integrated mobile device (tablet) to initiate contact with the HCP if needed. HCP/designee has a mobile device (smart phone) and receives vital signs as a constant live feed transmitted from the CHWMS device. The CHWMS platform generates a loud audible alert based on pre-specified vital sign alarming thresholds or if there is an interruption in data transfer. HCP may initiate direct audio and video contact with the patient, assess the patient’s condition, and make an appropriate intervention. HCP may also initiate patient contact in the absence of an alert. Patients are required to have a caregiver present during the entire period of outpatient monitoring. Patients have a full set of replacement devices as well as a 24/7 hotline for device support. Trial enrollment is underway. This study may generate feasibility data on the effectiveness of home monitoring during blinatumomab infusion in patients with MRD+ BCP-ALL. 1Gökbuget, Blood, 2018. Clinical trial information: NCT04506086.