Loughran, Thomas P.

Abstract Tγδ large granular lymphocyte leukemia (LGLL) is a rare variant of T-cell LGLL (T-LGLL) that has been less investigated as compared with the more frequent Tαβ LGLL, particularly in terms of frequency of STAT3 and STAT5b mutations. In this study, we characterized the clinical and biological features of 137 patients affected by Tγδ LGLL; data were retrospectively collected from 1997 to 2020 at 8 referral centers. Neutropenia and anemia were the most relevant clinical features, being present in 54.2% and 49.6% of cases, respectively, including severe neutropenia and anemia in ∼20% of cases each. Among the various treatments, cyclosporine A was shown to provide the best response rates. DNA samples of 97 and 94 cases were available for STAT3 and STAT5b mutation analysis, with 38.1% and 4.2% of cases being mutated, respectively. Clinical and biological features of our series of Tγδ cases were also compared with a recently published Tαβ cohort including 129 cases. Though no differences in STAT3 and STAT5b mutational frequency were found, Tγδ cases more frequently presented with neutropenia (P = .0161), anemia (P < .0001), severe anemia (P = .0065), and thrombocytopenia (P = .0187). Moreover, Vδ2− cases displayed higher frequency of symptomatic disease. Overall, Tγδ cases displayed reduced survival with respect to Tαβ cases (P = .0017). Although there was no difference in STAT3 mutation frequency, our results showed that Tγδ LGLL represents a subset of T-LGLL characterized by more frequent symptoms and reduced survival as compared with Tαβ LGLL.

Abstract Abstract 702 Background: Large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia is characterized by clonal expansion of cytotoxic T cells. Prominent clinical features include neutropenia, anemia, and rheumatoid arthritis. The terminal effector memory phenotype (CD3+/CD8+/CD57+/CD45RA+/CD62L-) of leukemic LGL suggest a pivotal chronic antigen driven immune response. LGL survival is then promoted by PDGF and IL-15 (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 105:16308, 2008), resulting in global dysregulation of apoptosis and resistance to normal pathways of activation-induced death (Blood 112:770, 2008). These pathogenic features explain why treatment of LGL leukemia is based on immunosuppression therapy. However, no standard therapy has been established due to the absence of large prospective trials. Methods: Eligibility criteria included increased number of LGL (CD3+CD57+ cells > 400/ul or CD8+ cells >650/ul) plus evidence of clonal rearrangement of T cell receptor gene. Treatment indications included the following categories: a) severe neutropenia (ANC < 500/ul); b) neutropenia associated with recurrent infections; c) symptomatic anemia; and, d) transfusion-dependent anemia. Initial Treatment: (Step 1) consisted of methotrexate (MTX) at 10 mg/m2 po in divided doses once weekly. Prednisone was given at 1 mg/kg po × 30 days and then tapered off in the subsequent 24 days. Patients not responding to MTX received cyclophosphamide (CY) at 100 mg po daily with the same prednisone schedule (Step 2). Treatment response was assessed after four months of therapy as: complete remission (CR): normal CBC (ANC ≥ 1,500/ul, lymphocyte count <4,000/ul, hemoglobin ≥ 11 g/dl, and platelet count > 100,000/ul. In addition, LGL counts needed to be within normal range. Partial response (PR) was defined as improvement in hematologic parameters in the absence of CR: 1) ANC > 500, as long as this represented 50% increase (category a); 2) improvement in ANC ≥ 50% over baseline (category b); 3) increase in hemoglobin by ≥ 1 g/dl for at least four months duration (category c); and, 4) decrease in monthly transfusion requirement of > 50% for at least four months (category d). Progressive disease (PD) was defined as worsening of hematologic parameters in patients previously achieving PR/CR. No response (NR) was defined as lack of CR/PR. Results: Response data are shown for Step 1 (Table 1) and for Step 2 (Table 2). Overall response rate (CR/PR) for MTX was 37%. In patients failing MTX, the overall response to CY was 64%. There were two infectious deaths during Step 1 therapy. Conclusion: Data documenting efficacy of immunosuppressive therapies commonly utilized in LGL leukemia (MTX, CY, Cyclosporine) are limited to 300 patients published primarily as small retrospective studies. Such data show an overall response rate to MTX of 58% (56/96 patients). Here in the only large prospective trial we observed an overall response rate of 37%. Overall response rate of 64% for CY was not statistically different than MTX. However, given that CY response rate was observed in MTX failures, future studies should consider evaluation of CY as initial therapy. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Immunosuppressive therapies for LGL leukemia including Methotrexate and Cyclophosphamide.

Epigenetic drugs can overcome resistance to monoclonal antibodies in T-PLL and activate therapeutic targets for antibody-drug conjugates.