Wassie, Emnet A

Abstract Background : Approximately 25% of patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) harbor calreticulin (CALR) mutations, which have been associated with longer survival (Klampf et al. NEJM 2013). More than 80% of CALR mutated patients harbor one of two mutation variants: type 1, a 52-bp deletion (p.L367fs*46) or type 2, a 5-bp TTGTC insertion (p.K385fs*47). Recent studies have suggested phenotypic and prognostic differences between these two variants (Tefferi et al. Blood 2014, Leukemia 2014 and AJH 2014). Furthermore, data are emerging that suggest functionally-relevant structural differences between type 1 and type 2 CALR variants, including a higher alpha-helix content of the mutant C-terminus in type 2, compared to type 1 (Eder-Azanza et al. Leukemia 2014). Objectives : We used statistical models to calculate helix propensity for thirty-one unique amino acid sequences that were altered by CALR mutations and used the results to subclassify non-type 1/2 CALR mutations into “type 1-like” and “type 2-like” variants. Subsequently, we examined the prognostic relevance of these subgroups. Methods : Calculation of helix propensity, which is the percentage of residues that are predicted to be involved in the formation of an alpha-helix, was performed using AGADIR, which is a statistical approximation algorithm (Munoz et al. Biopolymers 1997). The helix tendency calculations were performed using conditions of pH 7.0, 5 and 25 °C, an ionic strength of 0.1 M and no N- or C-terminal protection. Results : 532 PMF patients were screened for JAK2, CALR and MPL mutations; the respective mutational frequencies were 58%, 24.6% and 7.3%. Among the 131 CALR-mutated cases, 98 (74.8%) harbored type 1, 15 (11.5%) type 2 and 18 (13.7%) other variants. Based on predicted helix propensity scale, the “other” CALR mutations were subclassified as type 1-like (n=12) or type 2-like (n=6) and respectively grouped with type 1 and type 2 variants, for purposes of phenotypic and prognostic comparisons. The AGADIR-derived predicted helix propensity scale was 29.69 for wild-type CALR and 8.6 or 34.17 for type 1 and type 2 mutant CALR, respectively; accordingly, CALR variants with values that are close to or above the value for wild-type CALR were classified as “type 2-like” (range 26.47-36.12) and those with values close to or below the value for type 1 as “type 1-like” (range 2.11-17.3). Comparison of “type 1/type 1-like” (n=110) and “type 2/type 2-like” (n=21) CALR mutations showed the latter to be associated with higher DIPSS-plus score (p=0.01), EZH2 mutations (p<0.01), leukocyte count >25 x 10(9)/L (p<0.01), higher circulating blast percentage (p=0.02) and palpable spleen size >10 cm (p<0.01). Comparison of “type 1/type 1-like” CALR and JAK2 mutations (n=309) showed the former to be associated with younger age, higher platelet count, lower transfusion need, higher hemoglobin level, lower leukocyte count and lower DIPSS-plus score (p<0.01 for all comparisons). None of these associations was evident during comparison of “type 2/type 2-like” CALR with JAK2 mutations. Survival was similar between patients with type 1 and “type 1-like” (p=0.8) and between type 2 and “type 2-like” (p=0.63) CALR mutations. In contrast, survival was significantly shorter in patients with type 2 (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2-4.8) and “type 2-like” (HR 3.2, 95% CI 1.0-10.6), when compared to those with type 1 CALR mutations. Survival was also significantly shorter with “type 2/type 2-like” vs “type 1/type 1-like” CALR mutations (p=0.003; HR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.5) and the difference remained significant when analysis was adjusted for age (p=0.047), ASXL1 (p=0.003) or EZH2 (p=0.001) mutations. Similarly, compared to JAK2-mutated cases (n=309), survival was longer in patients with “type 1/type 1-like” (HR 0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.5) but not in those with “type 2/type 2-like” (HR 0.9, 95% CI 0.5-1.6) CALR mutations; the difference in survival between JAK2 and “type 1/type 1-like” CALR mutated cases remained significant (P<0.01) when analysis was adjusted for age, ASXL1 or EZH2 mutations or DIPSS-plus score. Conclusions : CALR mutations in PMF might be subclassified into type 1-like and type 2-like variants, based on predicted helical propensity of their mutant C-terminus. The favorable impact of CALR mutations in PMF might be restricted to type 1 or “type 1-like” variants. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background: The prognostic significance of cytogenetic abnormalities in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) was recently revisited (AJH, 89; 813-818, 2014 and Blood April, 2013). Using a large Mayo Clinic-French Consortium database, we analyzed the molecular and prognostic correlates of cytogenetic abnormalities in CMML. Methods: CMML diagnosis was according to World Health Organization criteria. Cytogenetic analysis and reporting was done according to the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature. Statistical analyses considered clinical and laboratory parameters obtained at time of cytogenetic studies. Results: Spectrum and frequency of cytogenetic abnormalities: A total of 409 patients participated in this study including, 268 (66%) from the Mayo Clinic and 141 (34%) from the French CMML consortium. Of these, 396 (97%) had ≥20 metaphases and 13 (3%) had ten to 19, analyzed. One hundred and fifteen (30%) patients displayed an abnormal karyotype, including 82 (71%) sole, 20 (17%) two and 13 (11%) complex abnormalities. The most common abnormalities were; +8 (23%), -Y (20%), -7/7q- (14%), 20q- (8%), +21 (8%) and der (3q) (8%). Other cytogenetic abnormalities included 5q-, 12p-, 13q- and i(17q), present at a much lower frequency (0.9-4%). Phenotypic correlates: Abnormal vs normal karyotype was associated with older age (p=0.03), hemoglobin<10 g/dL (p=0.0009), white blood cell count (WBC) >15 x 109/L (p=0.02), absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >10 x 109/L (p=0.03), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) >2.5 x109/L ( p=0.04), peripheral blood (PB) blast ≥1% (p<0.0001), bone marrow (BM) blast ≥10% (p<0.0001) and circulating immature myeloid cells (IMC) (p=0.0003). +8 (p=0.01), +21 (p=0.03) and der (3q) (p=0.03) were associated with hemoglobin <10 g/dL. -Y was associated with older age (p=0.04), lower PB (p=0.04) and BM (p=0.02) blasts. -7/7q was associated with leukocytosis (p=0.005), neutrophilia (p=0.04), and higher PB blasts (p=0.004). 20q- was associated with thrombocytopenia (p=0.04). Molecular correlates: ASXL1 mutations were associated with abnormal karyotype (p=0.04) and SRSF2 with normal karyotype (p=0.02). In comparison to other abnormal karyotypes, the incidence of ASXL1 mutations was lower in –Y (P=0.04) and der(3q) (p=0.03). U2AF1 mutations were associated with monosomal karyotype (p=0.03) and SF3B1 with der (3q) (p<0.0001). Prognostic relevance : Median follow-up was 1.8 years with 244 (60%) deaths and 79 leukemic transformations (19%). A step-wise survival analysis resulted in three distinct cytogenetic risk categories (Figure 1): high (complex and monosomal karyotype), intermediate (all abnormalities not in high or low risk) and low (normal, sole -Y and sole der (3q)); the corresponding median survivals were 0.2 (HR 8.1, 95% CI 4.6-14.2), 1.7 (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.3). In multivariable analysis, the particular cytogenetic risk stratification remained significant in the context of Mayo molecular model (p<0.0001), MDAPS (p<0.0001), and the GFM risk model (P<0.0001). The Mayo-French cytogenetic risk model was also effective in predicting leukemic transformation with HR of 10.9 (95% CI 4.2-27.8) for high and 2.2 (95% CI 1.3-3.7) for intermediate risk groups. Conclusion: Cytogenetic abnormalities are seen in approximately 30% of patients with CMML and display significant associations with certain molecular and phenotypic characteristics. We describe a novel cytogenetic prognostic model for both over-all and leukemia free survival in CMML. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background : Recent studies have suggested significant associations between karyotype and certain molecular or phenotypic features in primary myelofibrosis (PMF). In the current study of 835 consecutive patients, we examined the spectrum and prevalence of cytogenetic abnormalities in PMF and their molecular and phenotypic correlates. Methods : PMF diagnosis was according to World Health Organization criteria. Cytogenetic analysis and reporting was done according to the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature. Statistical analyses considered clinical and laboratory parameters obtained at time of cytogenetic studies. Spectrum and frequency of cytogenetic abnormalities : Analyzable metaphases were obtained in 826 (99%) of 835 patients studied; 681(82%) had ≥20 metaphases analyzed. 352 (42.6%) patients had abnormal karyotype, including 240 (68.2%) sole, 64 (18.2%) two and 48 (13.6%) complex; comparison of these groups revealed lower platelet count (p<0.01), higher DIPSS-plus score (p=0.03) and higher percentage of younger patients (p=0.04) with complex abnormalities. Monosomal karyotype was noted in 20 (5.7%) patients. Approximately 150 individual abnormalities were identified; most frequent were 20q- (23.3%), 13q- (18.2%), +8 (11.1%), +9 (9.9%), duplication of chromosome 1q (9.7%) and -7/7q- (7.1%). Other notable abnormalities including i(17q) (1.4%), 12p- (1.1%) and inv(3) (0.6%) were much less frequent. Trisomy 8 was the most frequent in the context of complex abnormality (25%). Among the 500 patients seen within one year of initial diagnosis, 179 (35.8%) had abnormal karyotype, which included 121 (67.6%) sole, 31 (17.3%) two and 27 (15.1%) complex abnormalities; the most common abnormalities were 20q- (24.6%), 13q- (15.1%), +8 (14%) and +9 (10%) whereas 11q- (1.7%), i(17q) (1.1%), inv(3) (0.6%), and 12p- (0.6%) were infrequent. Molecular correlates : 476 patients were annotated for JAK2, CALR and MPL mutations; abnormal karyotype frequencies were 43% in JAK2, 42% CALR, 33% MPL mutated and 34% triple-negative cases (p=0.3). 13q- was associated with mutant CALR (p=0.03) and +9 with mutant JAK2 (p=0.02). Subsets of patients were also screened for ASXL1, EZH2, IDH, SRSF2, U2AF1, and SF3B1 mutations; in all instances, mutational frequencies were higher in patients with normal karyotype, reaching significance with ASXL1 (p=0.02) and U2AF1 (p=0.01). Mutant SRSF2 was associated with 20q- (p=0.02). Phenotypic correlates : Phenotypic correlates included abnormal karyotype with anemia (p=0.02), leukopenia (p<0.01) and thrombocytopenia (p<0.01); complex karyotype with younger age (p=0.04) and thrombocytopenia (p<0.01); leukopenia with 20q-, +8 and -7/7q-; and thrombocytopenia with 20q- and -7/7q-. Cytopenias were less likely to occur with 13q- (p<0.01), which was instead associated with thrombocytosis (p<0.01). 20q- was associated with lower incidence of marked leukocytosis (p=0.02). Trisomy 8 was associated with lower incidences of constitutional symptoms (p<0.01) and marked splenomegaly (p<0.01). Conclusions : The association of 13q- with CALR mutations in PMF might underlie its association with both thrombocytosis and favorable prognosis. The association of +9 with JAK2 mutations might reflect selective clonal advantage through JAK2V617F dosage enhancement or mutation-induced chromosomal instability. The association of 20q- with mutant SRSF2 and thrombocytopenia warrant further clarification of its reported association with favorable prognosis. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background: KIT D816V is considered the driver mutation in systemic mastocytosis (SM) however this mutation alone does not explain the diverse clinical manifestations of SM. While mutations in other myeloid-relevant genes have been reported in SM, their pattern(s) of co-segregation and prognostic value, independent of age and SM subtype, have not been fully defined in a mature dataset. Objectives: In this pilot study of advanced SM patients, we sequenced a panel of myeloid-relevant genes for known pathogenic mutations, to ascertain: (i) the frequency of individual mutations; (ii) the pattern(s) of mutation co-segregation; and (iii) the prognostic value of mutations, both individually and in combination, on overall- (OS) and leukemia-free survival (LFS). Methods: The current study was approved by the Mayo Clinic institutional review board. SM was classified as per World Health Organization criteria. DNA was isolated from archived bone marrow (BM) cell pellets. Next-generation deep sequencing by HiSeq SBS chemistry (Illumina) was performed to investigate the coding regions of 22 genes: KIT, JAK2, CALR, SRSF2, U2AF1, SF3B1, ASXL1, TET2, EZH2, SETBP1, DNMT3A, IDH-1/2, SUZ12, CBL, NRAS, FLT3, PTPN11, RUNX1, CEBPA, TP53 and NPM1. Results: We studied 19 patients with advanced SM; 6 had aggressive SM (ASM) and 13 had SM with an associated hematological disease (SM-AHD). Of the latter, 5 patients (38%) had myeloproliferative neoplasm-unclassified (MPN-u), 3 (23%) chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), 2 (15%) acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and 1 (8%) each polycythemia vera, myelodysplastic syndrome, and multiple myeloma. The median follow up from diagnosis was 20 months (range 2 to 84). Over this period, 5 patients (26%) developed leukemic transformation and 12 patients (63%) have died. KIT D816V was identified in 9 (47%) patients; 9 of 10 patients who tested negative by deep sequencing were screened by allele-specific PCR (sensitivity ~0.01%), with 8 additional patients testing positive. Thus, overall KIT D816V frequency was 89%. Fourteen (74%) patients harbored at least one additional non-KIT mutation; of these 7 patients had one additional mutation (ASXL1/TET2/SF3B1 = 2 each and JAK2 =1), 3 patients each had two and three additional mutations, and 1 patient had 4 additional mutations. The most frequently mutated genes (other than KIT) were ASXL1/TET2 (5 patients each, 26%), CBL (4 patients, 21%), SETBP1/SF3B1/DNMT3A (2 patients each, 11%) and JAK2/CALR/FLT3/IDH-1/RUNX1/TP53 (1 patient each, 5%). There was no overlap between patients harboring TET2 and ASXL1 mutations however 2 and 1 CBL-mutated patients concurrently harbored TET2 and ASXL1 mutations, respectively. SETBP1 and SF3B1 but not DNMT3A mutations occurred independently of TET2 and ASXL1 mutations. The distribution of mutations was similar between ASM and SM-AHD subgroups. When considered individually, the following non-KIT mutated genes (present in at least 2 patients) were associated with significantly inferior OS: ASXL1, CBL and SETBP1 (p<0.05). When the 3 mutated genes were considered together, only ASXL1 and CBL maintained their significance, independent of age and SM subtype, for inferior OS (Hazard ratio (95% confidence interval)=34.8 (3.1-393.9) and 59.7 (4.1-861.5), respectively). Patients harboring ASXL1 and/or CBL mutations (n=8, 8 deaths, median OS=11 months) had a significantly worse OS as compared to those without either mutation (n=11, 4 deaths, median OS=84 months) (p=0.0002) (Fig 1). When considering the number of non-KIT mutations (zero, one, two, three and four mutations in 5, 7, 3, 3 and 1 patients, respectively), the group with ≥3 mutations (n=4, 4 deaths, median OS=7 months) had a significantly inferior OS as compared to those with <3 mutations (n=15, 8 deaths, median OS=48 months) (p=0.01) (Fig 2). Presence of mutations was not correlated with LFS in this analysis. Conclusions: In this cohort of advanced SM patients, non-KIT mutations were frequent (prevalence 74%). TET2, ASXL1, SETBP1 and SF3B1, but not CBL or DNMT3A, mutations were mutually exclusive. Presence of ASXL1 and CBL mutations was associated with significantly inferior OS (HR=35 and 60, respectively), independent of known prognostic factors. An increasing number of non-KIT mutations (≥3, HR=5.9) was also associated with a significantly worse survival outcome. Sequencing results from a larger cohort will be presented at the meeting. Figure 1. Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 2. Disclosures Pardanani: Stemline: Research Funding.

Abstract Background: CD123 is the α-subunit of the high-affinity receptor for interleukin-3; its expression in normal bone marrow (BM) is highly restricted, however CD123 is highly expressed in certain hematolymphoid malignancies. In a pilot study of 11 systemic mastocytosis (SM) patients (Lasho et al., Leukemia, 2015), we made the following novel observations (i) CD123 was aberrantly expressed on neoplastic mast cells (MC); and (ii) there was focal proliferation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC) around MC aggregates, suggesting a tumor promoting role for PDC. Objectives: To study MC CD123 expression by IHC in a larger cohort of SM patients to ascertain: (i) whether there is a significant difference in CD123 expression between SM subtypes; (ii) whether focal PDC proliferation around MC aggregates is correlated with CD123 expression; and (iii) whether CD123 expression has prognostic value for overall survival (OS). Methods: The current study was approved by the Mayo Clinic institutional review board. SM was classified as per standard criteria. Archived BM slides were stained for tryptase and CD123 as previously described (Lasho et al., Leukemia, 2015). Slides were reviewed independently by 2 hematopathologists who were blinded with regards to SM subgroups and scored on the following pre-defined parameters: (i) CD123 expression yes/no; (ii) CD123 expression strong/weak; (iii) focal PDC proliferation yes/no; and (iv) BM MC%. Results: We studied 58 SM patients and 3 controls. Of the former, 23 had indolent SM (ISM), 10 aggressive SM (ASM), 23 SM with associated hematological disease (SM-AHD), and 2 had mast cell leukemia (MCL). Of the SM-AHD patients, 10 (43%) had CMML, 5 (22%) myeloproliferative neoplasm-unclassified (MPN-u), 3 (13%) PV, 2 (9%) acute myeloid leukemia, and 1 each had lymphoma, myeloma and myelodysplastic syndrome. The median follow up from diagnosis was 32 months (range 0.1 to 162). Over this period, 3 patients (5%) had leukemic transformation and 30 patients (52%) died. Concordance rates between hematopathologists for CD123 positive/negative, CD123 strong/weak, focal PDC proliferation yes/no and MC% were 97%, 94%, 98% and 100%, respectively. MC CD123 expression was absent in control cases but demonstrable in 37 (64%) SM patients; expression rates were 100%, 61%, 57%, and 0% in ASM, ISM, SM-AHD and MCL, respectively (p=0.02). Similar to MCL, both cases with SM-AML showed absent MC CD123 expression. Strong MC CD123 expression (comparable to background interstitial PDC) was observed in 23 patients (62%), including 85% with SM-AHD, 60% with ASM, and 43% with ISM (p=0.08). Focal PDC proliferation around MC aggregates, regardless of CD123 expression status, was noted in 44 patients (76%), including 90% with ASM, 87% with ISM, 65% with SM-AHD and 0% with MCL (p=0.02). Focal PDC proliferation was significantly higher in CD123-positive versus -negative patients (87% versus 50%, p=0.005). OS was predicted by SM subtype; the median OS for ISM, ASM, SM-AHD and MCL patients was not reached, 30 months, 25 months and 3 months, respectively (p=0.005). CD123 expression status did not have prognostic value for OS overall, however, in SM-AHD patients, CD123 expression was associated with significantly inferior survival (p=0.04), independent of the associated disease (ie, CMML vs AML vs MPN vs other). Survival outcome of SM-CMML patients expressing MC CD123 (n=3, median OS=11 months) was significantly inferior as compared to patients who did not (n=7, median OS=44 months), independent of age and absolute monocyte count (p=0.01). CD123 staining intensity had borderline significance for OS in the overall cohort (p=0.08). When restricted to non-indolent SM cases, strong CD123 expression was associated with significantly worse overall survival (15 versus 88 months, p=0.04). Conclusions: In this cohort, aberrant MC CD123 expression was observed in the majority of SM patients with highest prevalence in ASM patients and uniformly absent expression in leukemic phase SM (MCL or SM-AML). Focal PDC proliferation around MC aggregates was significantly higher in CD123-positive cases, indicating a potential functional interaction. CD123 expression identified SM-AHD patients with inferior OS, especially those with SM-CMML. Strong CD123 staining intensity may be associated with inferior OS in non-indolent SM patients. CD123 expression on MC and PDC constitutes a novel therapeutic target in non-leukemic SM. Disclosures Pardanani: Stemline: Research Funding. Brooks:Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties.

Abstract Background The Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System-plus (DIPSS-plus) uses eight adverse factors to predict survival in primary myelofibrosis (PMF): age >65 years, hemoglobin <10 g/dL, leukocytes >25 x 109/L, circulating blasts 31%, constitutional symptoms, red cell transfusion need, platelets <100 x 109/L and unfavorable karyotype (J Clin Oncol. 2011;29:392). The latter two also predicted leukemic transformation. Most recently, an international study of 879 PMF patients identified ASXL1, SRSF2, EZH2 and IDH1/2 mutations as inter-independent predictors of shortened overall or leukemia-free survival (Leukemia 2013Apr 26 doi: 101038/leu2013119. 2013). Molecular prognostication is now well established for acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype (NK). There is currently little information on clinical or molecular prognostication in NK-PMF. Methods Diagnosis of PMF was according to WHO criteria. The study population included all referrals to the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA or the University of Florence, Florence, Italy. Information on clinical and laboratory parameters and karyotype was available in all study patients, at time of referral, which coincided with time of sample collection for mutation screening. The current study considered only those patients with NK-PMF. ASXL1, EZH2, SRSF2, IDH1/2 and JAK2 mutations were performed on variable number of patients depending on bone marrow or granulocyte DNA availability. Clinical parameters examined for prognostic relevance included those listed for DIPSS-plus, less unfavorable karyotype. Results A total of 690 patients with NK-PMF patients were studied. Median age was 65 years (14-89). The percentage of patients with age >65 years was 48%, red cell transfusion dependent 35%, hemoglobin <10 g/dL 49%, platelets <100 x 10(9)/L 19%, leukocyte count >25 x 10(9)/L 15%, circulating blasts ≥1% 49% and constitutional symptoms 33%. At a median follow-up of 29 months, 351 (51%) deaths and 39 (6%) leukemic transformations were recorded. Mutational frequencies and clinical correlates The respective frequencies (mutated/number of patients studied) of JAK2V617F, ASXL1, EZH2, SRSF2 and IDH1/2 mutations were 60% (284/473), 34% (72/214), 8% (14/179), 15% (37/249) and 5% (14/262). There was no significant association between JAK2V617F and any one of the aforementioned mutations. Inter-mutation association was evident only between SRSF2 and IDH1/2 (p=0.0005). Each one of the DIPSS-plus risk parameters was examined for correlation with a specific mutation: ASXL1 was associated with leukocyte count >25 x 10(9)/L (p<0.0001) and circulating blasts ≥1% (p=0.0005); EZH2 with leukocyte count >25 x 10(9)/L (p=0.008); and SRSF2 with age >65 years (p=0.0007), transfusion need (p=0.04) and hemoglobin <10 g/dL (p=0.03). JAK2V617F was associated with age>65 years (p=0.003) and leukocyte count >25 x 10(9)/L (p=0.02). Predictors of overall and leukemia-free survival In univariate analysis, all 7 DIPSS-plus parameters, as well as ASXL1, EZH2, SRSF2 and IDH1/2 mutations showed significant association with shortened survival: When each of these analyses was adjusted for age, all except constitutional symptoms and SRSF2 mutations retained their significance. Multivariable analysis of the six age-independent DIPSS-plus variables identified all but transfusion-need as independent predictors of inferior survival. A similar analysis restricted to mutations identified ASXL1 and EZH2 as being independently adverse. When both mutations and DIPSS-plus variables were included in the multivariable model, only four parameters remained significant: age >65 years (HR 4.2; p<0.0001), platelets <100 x 10(9)/L (HR 3.4; p<0.0001), ASXL1 mutations (HR 2.2; p=0.0001) and EZH2 mutations (HR 2.7; p=0.001). A similar analysis identified SRSF2 mutations (HR 5.9; p=0.0003) and platelets <100 x 10(9)/L (HR 4.3; p=0.005) as the only predictors of leukemia-free survival. Conclusions In NK-PMF, molecular markers might be prognostically more useful than conventional models that rely on clinical features. In the current study, thrombocytopenia was the only clinical variable, other than age, with additional value to molecular prediction of survival and leukemic transformation. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background : Cytogenetic abnormalities in PMF have been broadly classified into “favorable” and “unfavorable” risk categories. The latter include +8, -7/7q-, i(17q), inv(3), -5/5q-, 12p-, 11q rearrangements and complex karyotype (Leukemia. 2011;25:82). In a more recent study, we had demonstrated an even worse prognosis for patients with monosomal karyotype (MK), inv(3) and i(17q) abnormalities (Blood. 2011;118:4595). In the current study, we revisited the topic using a larger database. Methods: PMF diagnosis was according to World Health Organization criteria (Blood. 2009;114:937). Cytogenetic analysis and reporting was done according to the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature (Cytogenetic and genome research. 2013. Prepublished on 2013/07/03 as DOI 10.1159/000353118). Assignment to “normal” karyotype required a minimum of 10 metaphases analyzed. A complex karyotype was defined as the presence of 3 or more distinct structural or numeric abnormalities. MK was defined as 2 or more distinct autosomal monosomies or single autosomal monosomy associated with at least one structural abnormality (JCO. 2008;26:4791). Results : A total of 903 patients (median age 65 years; range 19-92; 63% males) met the above stipulations for study eligibility. Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS)-plus risk distribution (JCO. 2011;29:392) was high in 344 (38%) patients, intermediate-2 in 334 (37%), intermediate-1 in 128 (14%) and low in 97 (11%). 472 patients were annotated for JAK2/CALR/MPL mutations; 276 (58%) harbored JAK2, 117 (25%) CALR and 33 (7%) MPL mutations. Abnormal karyotype was documented in 437 (48%) patients and included sole abnormalities of 20q- (n=71; 16%), 13q- (n=57; 13%), +8 (n=25; 5%), -7/7q- (n=17; 4%) and +9 (n=16; 3%). 22 (5%) patients displayed MK and 31 (7%) complex karyotype without MK. At a median follow-up time of 3 years, 634 (70%) deaths and 65 blast transformations (BT; 7%) were recorded. A step-wise survival analysis, using “normal karyotype” and “MK/inv(3)/i(17q)” as comparators for “low” and “very high risk” categories, respectively, resulted in four distinct cytogenetic risk designations: very high (MK, inv(3), i(17q), -7/7q-, 11q or 12p abnormalities; n=67), high (complex without MK, two abnormalities not included in very high risk category, 5q-, +8, other autosomal trisomies except +9, and other sole abnormalities not included in other risk categories; n=164), intermediate (sole abnormalities of 20q-, 1q duplication or any other translocation, and -Y or other sex chromosome abnormality; n=133) and low (normal or sole abnormalities of 13q- or +9; n=539); the corresponding median survivals were 0.9, 2.6, 3.8 and 4.6 years, with respective HR (95% CI) of 4.4 (3.3-5.8), 2.0 (1.6-2.4) and 1.3 (1.03-1.6). Very high (HR 6.1, 95% CI 2.9-13.2) and high (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.1) risk categories were also associated with higher risk of BT. There was no significant correlation between the revised cytogenetic risk stratification and JAK2/CALR/MPL mutational categories (p=0.22), but none of the triple-negative or MPL-mutated patients displayed “very high risk” karyotype. The revised cytogenetic model was also effective in risk-stratification of JAK2 or CALR mutated patients, when analyzed separately, and its prognostic relevance for survival was generally independent of JAK2/CALR/MPL mutational status (p<0.01), DIPSS (p<0.01) or DIPSS-plus (p<0.01). Comparison of the currently used “favorable” vs “unfavorable” with the revised cytogenetic risk model showed a significant number of patients with “favorable” karyotype (n=213 of total 753) being re-assigned to high (n=82) or intermediate (n=131) risk categories. Conclusions : The currently used cytogenetic risk stratification in PMF is too broad and underestimates prognosis in a significant number of patients with “favorable” karyotype. We have developed a revised four-tier risk model that is independent of conventional risk models and JAK2/CALR/MPL mutational status and is expected to facilitate the development of genetics-based prognostic scoring systems in PMF. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background: Most patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) are elderly and age >65 years is an adverse prognostic factor (JCO 2013;31:2428). Our objective in the current study was to examine risk factors for survival and treatment outcome in younger patients (age ≤65 years), with emphasis on molecular and cytogenetic markers. Methods: DNA analysis for SRSF2, SF3B1, U2AF1, ASXL1 and SETBP1 mutations was carried out on specimens obtained at time of diagnosis. We used both conventional and revised (see accompanying ASH 2014 abstract) cytogenetic risk models to query their application in the current study population. Treatment data included outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplant (HCT) and treatment with hypomethylating agents (HMA), including azacitidine (AZA) and decitabine (DAC). Results: Survival: 259 patients (median age 59 years, range 18-65; 75% males) with WHO-defined CMML and age≤ 65 years were included in the study: 108 from the French consortium, 81 Mayo Clinic, 47 Moffitt Cancer Center and 23 University of Milan; 217 (84%) patients had CMML-1 and the remainder CMML-2. At a median follow-up of 26 months, 124 (48%) deaths and 79 (31 %) leukemic transformations were documented. Mutational frequencies were 34% (61/178) for ASXL1, 45% (74/165) for SRSF2, and 4% (7/168) for SETBP1. Cytogenetic data was available in 248 of 259 study patients; 56 (23%) patients displayed abnormal karyotype and the revised cytogenetic risk designations included 196 (80%) low, 29 (12%) intermediate, and 23 (9%) high. In univariate analysis, lower hemoglobin (p<0.0001), higher WBC (p=0.005), higher monocyte count (AMC) (P=0.004), lower platelet count (p=0.004), presence of circulating immature myeloid cells (IMC) (p=0.004), presence of circulating blasts (p<0.0001), bone marrow (BM) blasts ≥10% (p=0.005), WHO morphological subtype (p=0.0003), Spanish cytogenetic risk stratification (p=0.0002), revised Mayo cytogenetic risk stratification (p<0.0001), SRSF2 (p=0.03) and ASXL1 (p=0.03) mutational status predicted shortened survival. In multivariable analysis, lower hemoglobin (p<0.0002), presence of circulating blasts (p<0.0001), SRSF2 (p=0.03) and ASXL1mutational status (p=0.04) retained their negative prognostic impact. A similar analysis identified circulating IMC (p<0.0001), presence of circulating blasts (p<0.0001), and BM blast % (p=0.0002) as predictors of blast transformation (BT). Response to hypomethylating agents: Seventy-two (28%) patients received HMA (AZA-46, DAC-26, both-6). In the AZA group, median number of cycles was 5 (range; 1-44), median duration of therapy 5 months (range;1-59) with 4 (6%) receiving DAC on progression and 26 (42%) proceeding with HCT. Over-all response rate (ORR) was 25% (6/24) and included complete response (CR) in 2 (8%) patients, partial response (PR) in 2 (8%) and hematological improvement in 2 (8%). In the DAC group, median number of cycles was 6 (2-25), median duration of therapy 5 months (range;1-49), with 2 (8%) receiving AZA on progression; ORR was 50% (7/14) and included CR in 4 (29%) patients, PR in 1 (7%) and HI in 2 (14%). ASXL1 (p=0.4), SRSF2 (p=0.7) mutational status or karyotype (p=0.5 for Spanish and 0.3 for revised Mayo) did not correlate with response to HMA. Allogeneic stem cell transplant: 50 patients underwent HCT. Conditioning regimen was reported in 41 patients and included myeloablative (MA) in 14 (34%) (median age 51 years, 27-62) and reduced intensity (RIC) in 27 (66%) (median age 48 years, 18-65). Donor source was documented in 40 patients and included matched related in 19 (48%), matched unrelated in 12 (30%), mismatched unrelated in 4, haploidentical in 2 and umbilical cord transplant in one. 27 (63%) patients had chronic GVHD (50% in MA group and 80% in the RIC group). Among 40 evaluable patients, 23 (57%) achieved CR, 8 (21%) relapsed and 8 (21%) died from transplant-related complications. ASXL1 (p=0.9), SRSF2 (p=0.5) mutational status or karyotype (p=0.2 for Spanish and 0.3 for revised Mayo) did not affect transplant outcome. Conclusions: Survival in young CMML patients is poor and even worse in the presence of SRSF2 or ASXL1 mutations, anemia or circulating blasts. Treatment outcome was more impressive with transplant than it was with HMA and neither was influenced by karyotype or ASXL1/SRSF2 mutational status. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background Spliceosome pathway gene mutations are recurrent in myeloid malignancies with the highest frequencies reported for myelodysplastic syndromes associated with ring sideroblasts (MDS-RS; 85%), MDS without RS (44%) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML; 55%) (Nature 2011;478:64). SF3B1 mutations were the most frequent (75%) in MDS-RS and SRSF2 mutations in CMML (28%); U2AF1 mutational frequencies were 12% in MDS without RS and 8% in CMML. We have previously described SRSF2 (Blood. 2012;120:4168) and SF3B1 (Leukemia. 2012;26:1135) mutations in 17% and 6.5% of patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF); prognostic relevance was shown for the former but not the latter. Objectives The objectives of the current study were to i) describe the incidence of U2AF1 mutations in PMF and their correlation with clinical features, karyotype and other mutations and ii) examine the prognostic significance of U2AF1 mutations in PMF, in the context of both conventional prognostic models and other prognostically-relevant mutations. Methods Information on clinical and laboratory parameters and karyotype was available in all study patients, at time of referral, which coincided with time of sample collection for mutation screening. Risk stratification was according to the Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS)-plus system. U2AF1 and other mutations were analyzed using standard PCR techniques and bidirectional sequencing; for U2AF1, two hot spots that included residues S34 and Q157 were amplified. Results A total of 251 PMF patients (median age 63 years; 160 males) were studied. DIPSS-plus risk distribution was high in 32%, intermediate-2 in 38%, intermediate-1 in 17% and low in 13% of the patients. The frequency of each DIPSS-plus adverse feature was as follows: age >65 years (42%), transfusion need (32%), hemoglobin <10 g/dL (47%), leukocyte count >25 x 10(9)/L, (16%), platelet count <100 x 10(9)/L (22%), ≥1% blasts (57%), constitutional symptoms (35%), and unfavorable karyotype (9%). Karyotype was normal in 156 (63%) patients. At a median follow-up of 48 months, 158 (63%) deaths and 27 (11%) leukemic transformations were recorded. Mutational frequencies Forty-one (16.3%) patients harbored U2AF1 mutations: 16 (39%) Q157P, 10 (24%) Q157R, 8 (20%) S34F, 4 (10%) S34Y and one each for Q157P/E159A, Q157R/S34Y and Q157-Y158insYE. Frequencies for other mutations were 11% for SRSF2, 7.3% for SF3B1, 31% for ASXL1, 5.5% for EZH2, 5% for IDH1/2 and 58% for JAK2V617F. U2AF1 mutations were usually, but not always, exclusive of other spliceosomal mutations: one patient expressed all three spliceosomal mutations. The frequency of any one of the three spliceosomal mutations was 34%. Clinical correlates U2AF1 mutations were significantly associated with older age (p=0.02), JAK2V617F (p=0.002), mutant ASXL1 (p=0.04), transfusion need (p<0.0001), hemoglobin <10 g/dL (p<0.0001), platelets <100 x 10(9)/L (p<0.0001) and normal karyotype (p=0.006). The associations with anemia, thrombocytopenia, JAK2V617F and normal karyotype were inter-independent; the frequency of U2AF1 mutations in the presence of anemia was 29%, transfusion need 36%, thrombocytopenia 35%, JAK2V617F 23% and normal karyotype 21%. Prognostic interactions U2AF1 mutations were associated with inferior overall (p=0.004) but not leukemia-free (p=0.6) survival. However, the survival association was fully accounted for by the above-mentioned clustering of U2AF1 mutations with anemia and thrombocytopenia. Similarly, although multivariable analysis of U2AF1, SRSF2, ASXL1, EZH2 and IDH mutations identified the first three as being independently predictive of poor survival, only ASXL1 and SRSF2 remained significant when either anemia or thrombocytopenia was included as a co-variate. Conclusions U2AF1 mutations are the most frequent spliceosome pathway mutations in PMF, cluster with normal karyotype and JAK2V617F, and are strongly associated with anemia and thrombocytopenia; the latter suggests a pathogenetic contribution to ineffective hematopoiesis in PMF. The current study also suggests that more than one third of patients with PMF carry a spliceosome mutation. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background : Prognosis in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is dire and blast transformation (BT) is a main cause of death. Current risk factors and prognostic models are mostly designed to predict overall (OS) and not leukemia-free (LFS) survival. Established risk factors for OS in CMML include anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, monocytosis, presence of circulating immature myeloid cells (IMC), peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) blasts, lymphocytosis, ASXL1 mutations, high risk abnormal karyotype and advanced age. In the current study, we examined risk factors for BT in CMML and survival outcome after BT. Methods : All CMML patients seen at our institution and with complete presentation data were considered. Clinical and laboratory variables, including cytogenetic information, at time of CMML diagnosis and also at time of BT were collected. DNA analysis for SRSF2, SF3B1, U2AF1, ASXL1 and SETBP1 mutations was carried out on specimens obtained at time of CMML diagnosis. We used both conventional and revised (see accompanying ASH 2014 abstract) cytogenetic risk models to query their influence in the current study population. Results: Clinical and laboratory features at time of CMML diagnosis: 277 consecutive patients (median age 71 years, range 18-91; 67% males) with WHO-defined CMML were considered. 236 (85%) patients had CMML-1 and the remainder CMML-2. According to the molecular Mayo risk model, 86 (33%) were high, 77 (29%) were intermediate-2, 77 (29%) were intermediate-1 and 24 (9%) were low risk. Mutational frequencies were 40% for ASXL1 (n evaluable =264), 44% for SRSF2 (n evaluable =263), 5% for SETBP1 (n evaluable =263). According to the revised Mayo-French consortium cytogenetic risk model, karyotype was high risk in 5%, intermediate in 21% and low risk in 74%. Risk factors for blast transformation (BT) : At a median follow-up of 16.2 months for all 277 patients from time of CMML diagnosis, 204 (74%) deaths and 38 (14%) BTs were documented. Median time from CMML diagnosis to BT was 13.3 months. In univariate analysis, female sex, younger age, lower hemoglobin, higher leukocyte count, higher absolute monocyte count, higher lymphocyte count, presence of circulating immature myeloid cells (IMC), increased peripheral blood (PB) blast %, increased bone marrow (BM) blast %, BM blasts ≥10%, CMML-2, abnormal karyotype, high risk karyotype per the Spanish or Mayo-French consortium, and higher risk disease per Mayo, MDACC or Dusseldorf models were all associated with higher risk of BT. In contrast, ASXL1 (p=0.84), SRSF2 (p=0.28) or SETBP1 (p=0.97) mutations were not found to be significant. In multivariable analysis, only PB blast % (p<0.0001), presence of PB IMC (p=0.004) and younger age (p=0.03) remained significant. Outcome of blast transformation : At time of BT, karyotype was abnormal in 58% and clonal evolution from time of CMML diagnosis was documented in 13 (36%) of 36 evaluable patients. Among the 38 patients with BT, induction chemotherapy was documented in 12 patients and allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT) in 6. At a median follow-up of 4.2 months from time of BT, 34 (89%) of the 38 patients with BT had died. Among the four patients who were alive at the time of this writing, 3 had received induction chemotherapy and two ASCT. Median survival of patients with BT, from time of disease transformation, was 4.5 months with 1, 2 and 3 year survival rates of approximately 30%, 16% and 3%, respectively. In univariate analysis, higher leukocyte count (p=0.01) and not receiving induction chemotherapy (p=0.03) were associated with shortened survival. Neither ASXL1 nor SRSF2 mutations affected survival after BT. Conclusions : Blast transformation in CMML occurs in approximately 14% of patients followed for a median of less than 1.5 years. Presence of circulating immature cells and percentage of peripheral blood blasts are the major determinants of BT in CMML. Genetic risk factors for overall survival did not appear to influence leukemia-free survival. Prognosis of post-CMML BT is dismal with median survival of less than 6 months and a 3-year survival of less than 5%. Outcome was better in patients receiving induction chemotherapy followed by ASCT. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.