Barraco, Daniela

Abstract Background : The 2016 revision to the World Health Organization classification of myeloid neoplasms has recommended distinction between "proliferative" (WBC ≥ 13 x 10(9)/L) and "dysplastic" (WBC < 13 X 10(9)/L) subtypes of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). In addition, CMML is characterized by a spectrum of cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities (Patnaik Leukemia 2014). In the current study, we looked for correlations between gene expression profiles (GEP) and morphologic or molecular categories of previously untreated patients with CMML. Methods : 35 patients with CMML were included in the study. Targeted capture assays were carried out on BM DNA specimens obtained at diagnosis for 28 myeloid-relevant genes (Patnaik Blood C. J.). RNA sequencing (Stranded Total RNA- Illumina, San Diego, CA), was performed on 9 normal BM controls, and 35 CMML samples (25 peripheral blood (PB) and 10 BM). The RNA-Seq data was analyzed using MAPRSeq v.2.0. Normalization and differential expression analysis was performed using edgeR 2.6.2. We selected genes that were differentially expressed with a False Discovery Rate (FDR) <0.1 and a fold change bigger than 2. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Results: Among the 35 study patients, 75% were males and median age was 71 years (range, 55-87). 21 (60%), 9 (25%) and 5 (15%) patients were classified as CMML-0, 1 and 2, respectively. 16 (45%) had a dysplastic while 19 (55%) had a proliferative phenotype. At a median follow-up of 16 months, 5 (14%) deaths and 4 (14%) leukemic transformations were documented. Mutational frequencies included; TET2 45%, ASXL1 45%, SRSF2 40%, NRAS 14%, SETBP1 13%, CBL 10%, JAK2 7%, RUNX1 6%, DNMT3A 6%, U2AF1 6%, SF3B1 5%, ZRSR2 4%, Tp53 4%, and IDH2 4%. Abnormal cytogenetics (n=9, 35%) included; -Y 8%, trisomy 8 6%, monosomy 7 3%, del(13q) 3% and monosomal karyotype 3%. i) Differential GEP in PB samples: 25 PB CMML samples were analyzed. Unsupervised GEP demonstrated two unique clusters (figure one); cluster one was enriched with dysplastic CMML (90%) and cluster two with proliferative CMML (64%). Consistent with the difference in the distribution of morphologic categories, in comparison to cluster one, patients in cluster two had a higher white blood count (p=0.003), higher monocyte count (p=0.02) and higher risk prognostication by the Mayo Model (p=0.016); there was no significant difference between the two clusters in terms of age and gender distribution, hemoglobin level, neutrophil and platelet counts, PB or BM blast content, cytogenetic risk stratification, ASXL1, TET2, RAS, CBL and SETBP1 mutational status. Genes significantly upregulated (FDR<1e-5 and fold change ≥ 16x); in cluster two (proliferative CMML) in comparison to cluster one included; PRG2, CTSG, BEX1, CD34, CRISP2, while those significantly down-regulated included (FDR<1e-15 and fold change ≥ 5x); IL2RB, PRF1, GNLY, PDGFRB. IPA analysis identified the following pathways preferentially expressed in cluster two (proliferative CMML) 1) mitotic roles of polo-like kinase (KIF23, WEE-1, PLK1, PLK4), 2) Cell cycle: G2/M checkpoint regulation (CDC25C, WEE-1, AURKA, CDK1), 3) Cell cycle: chromosomal replication (CDC45, RPA3, MCM2, CDC7), and 4) BRCA1 in DNA damage response (BARD1, RBBP8, PLK1, RAD51). Whereas in the cluster one (dysplastic CMML), preferentially expressed pathways included; 1) T-cell receptor signalling (CD247 PRKCQ, CD4, PLCG1, CD28) and 2) STAT3 signalling (SOCS3, MAP3K9). ii) Differential GEP in BM samples: 10 BM CMML samples were analyzed along with 10 normal controls. Samples and controls clustered separately and within the CMML samples two clusters were identified (figure two). These clusters had equal representations of dysplastic (n=5) and proliferative (n=5) CMML sub-types. Additional samples are being processed. Conclusions: Differential gene expression profiling in patients with CMML identifies two unique clusters, clinically demarcated, at least in PB samples, by "proliferative" and "dysplastic" CMML subtypes. The proliferative cluster is enriched in genes involved in cell cycle regulation and DNA damage response; whereas the dysplastic cluster is enriched in T-cell receptor and STAT3 signalling. The prognostic and therapeutic impact of these gene clusters remains to be assessed in a larger group of informative patients. Figure 1. Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 2. Disclosures Al-Kali: Novartis: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding.

Abstract Background: Momelotinib is a JAK 1/2 inhibitor that is active in the treatment of myelofibrosis (MF); a previous phase 1/2 study included 100 consecutive patients from the Mayo Clinic (Leukemia. 2015;29:741). In the current long-term study of these 100 patients, we provide a cumulative account of short and long term efficacy and toxicity data, as well as survival analysis. Methods: The current study represents sponsor-independent analysis. The study patients are part of a larger (n=166) phase-1/2 momelotinib study (NCT00935987), which was conducted in two dose-escalation (100 mg-400 mg daily doses) and dose-confirmation (300 mg daily dose) phases. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (Version 4.03) and responses by the International Working Group criteria (Blood. 2013;122:1395). All statistical analyses considered clinical and laboratory parameters obtained at the time of entry to study. Results: Baseline data: 100 patients with MF (median age 66 years; 58% males) were treated between 11/20/09 and 11/10/10; 64 patients had primary MF, 22 post-polycythemia vera MF and 14 post-essential thrombocythemia MF. 73 (73%) patients harbored JAK2 mutations, 16 (16%) CALR, 7 MPL and 4 were "triple-negative"; among the 16 CALR-mutated cases, 13 were classified as "type 1/type 1-like". DIPSS-plus risk distribution (JCO 2011;29:392) was 63% high, 36% intermediate-2 and 1% intermediate-1; 49% displayed red cell transfusion-dependency, 58% constitutional symptoms, 87% palpable splenomegaly >5 cm and 50% abnormal karyotype. 94 patients were screened for ASXL1 mutations with 41 (44%) mutated and 78 for SRSF2 mutations with 14 (18%) mutated. 21 (21%) patients were previously treated with another JAK inhibitor. Current disposition: All information was updated in July 2016. To-date, after a median follow-up of 3.2 years, 88 drug discontinuations, 70 deaths and 14 leukemic transformations have been documented; median follow-up for living patients was 5.7 years (range 5.1-6.4). Among the 30 patients who are currently alive, 12 remain on study and another 5 have received stem cell transplant. Toxicity data: After a median treatment duration of 1.7 years, "momelotinib related" grade 3 or 4 AEs included thrombocytopenia (34%), neutropenia (9%), anemia (5%), increased lipase (7%), increased ALT (4%), increased AST (2%), increased ALP (2%) and headaches (2%). In addition, noteworthy grade 1 or 2 AEs included peripheral neuropathy (PN) 47%, increased lipase (14%), increased amylase (17%), increased bilirubin (13%), increased AST (21%), increased ALT (19%), increased APTT (17%), headaches (13%), dizziness (22%), nausea (23%) and diarrhea (20%). Most of the AEs, except PN, were reversible. Efficacy data and predictors of response and relapse-free survival: Clinical improvement (CI) was documented in 57% of patients, anemia response in 44%, and spleen response in 43%. 51% of transfusion-dependent patients became transfusion independent. The majority of patients also had marked improvement in their symptoms. 46 (81%) of the 57 responding patients discontinued treatment after a median treatment duration of 2.3 years. ASXL1 mutations predicted inferior CI (p=0.03) whereas relapse-free survival was adversely affected by absence of type 1/type 1-like CALR (p=0.03) or presence of unfavorable karyotype (p=0.002); among the 11 responding patients currently still receiving the drug, all had favorable karyotype and 5 had type 1/type 1-like CALR mutations. Survival analysis and risk factors : Median survival, calculated from the time of study entry, was 3.2 years with 5-year survival rate of 32%. In multivariable analysis of genetic markers, absence of type 1/type 1-like CALR (HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.1-7.2) or presence of SRSF2 (2.9, 1.5-5.4) or ASXL1 (1.8, 1.1-3.2) mutations were independently predictive of shortened survival (Figure). Conclusions: Momelotinib therapy in MF provides effective palliation in terms of anemia, splenomegaly and constitutional symptoms. However, less than 20% of treated patients enjoy durable long-term benefit and almost half experience drug-related and mostly irreversible peripheral neuropathy. Long-term survival and durability of response were superior in patients with type 1/type 1-like CALR mutations and inferior in those with ASXL1/SRSF2 mutations or unfavorable karyotype. Figure Figure. Disclosures Al-Kali: Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding.

Abstract Background U2AF1 mutations occur in approximately 16% of patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and were significantly associated with anemia, thrombocytopenia, older age, JAK2V617F, ASXL1 mutations and normal karyotype (Leukemia 2014;28:431); furthermore, U2AF1 mutations were associated with inferior survival in univariate but not multivariable analysis. In the current study, we looked for the possibility of a differential effect from U2AF1 mutation variants on these observations in PMF. Methods Study patients fulfilled the 2016 WHO criteria for the diagnosis of PMF (Blood. 2016;127:2391). Additional selection criteria included the availability of U2AF1 mutational status. Previously published methods (Leukemia 2014;28:431), including targeted next generation sequencing (Blood 2015 126:354), were used to screen for U2AF1 and other prognostically-relevant mutations. Statistical analyses considered clinical and laboratory parameters obtained at time of initial referral to the Mayo Clinic. Results Patient characteristics: U2AF1 mutational status was available for 457 patients and 72 (16%) harbored one of several mutation variants: these mutations affected residue Q157 in 44 (10%) patients, S34 in 24 (5%) and the remaining 1% displayed other variants. The 44 patients with U2AF1Q157 mutations included 23 with Q157P, 18 with Q157R and 3 with Q157-Y158insYE. The 24 patients with U2AF1S34 included 16 with S34F and 8 with S34Y. Only one patient harbored both Q157 and S34 mutations (Q157R, S34Y). Among all 457 study patients, median age was 63 years, 64% were males, dynamic international prognostic scoring system (DIPSS)-plus (JCO 2011;29:392) risk distributions were 13% low, 18% intermediate-1, 38% intermediate-2 and 32% high and driver mutation distributions were 54% JAK2, 22% CALR type 1/ type1-like, 4% CALR type 2/type 2-like, 7% MPL and 13% triple-negative. Cytogenetic studies were available in 449 patients: 39% abnormal and 10% unfavorable. All 457 patients were screened for ASXL1 mutations with 37% mutated, 450 for SRSF2 mutations with 15% mutated, 403 for SF3B1 with 8% mutated, 366 for IDH1/2 with 5% mutated and 369 for EZH2 with 4% mutated. Median follow-up was 4.4 years and during this period, 318 (70%) deaths and 53 (12%) leukemic transformations were documented. Phenotypic correlates of U2AF1 mutation variants: Because of the relatively small number of informative cases with specific mutations, we classified all patients into Q157 (n=44) and S34 (n=24) mutation variants and compared them with the 385 U2AF1 un-mutated cases. First, we confirmed our previous observations regarding the association between U2AF1 mutations in general and older age (p=0.0003), JAK2V617F (p<0.0001), ASXL1 mutations (p=0.0002), normal karyotype (p=0.03), hemoglobin <10 g/dL (p<0.0001) and platelet count <100 x 10(9)/L (p<0.0001); when the two U2AF1 mutation categories were analyzed separately, the corresponding p values for Q157 were 0.0005, 0.001, <0.0001, 0.04, <0.0001 and <0.0001 and for S34 were 0.12, 0.001, 0.41, 0.41, <0.0001 and 0.67. Phenotypic correlates of U2AF1 mutation variants: In univariate analysis, survival was adversely affected by U2AF1Q157 (p<0.0001; HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.6-3.1) but not by U2AF1S34 (p=0.8; HR 1.1, 95% CI 0.6-1.8) mutations (Figure 1a). Furthermore, the negative survival effect of U2AF1Q157 mutations was independent of anemia, thrombocytopenia, ASXL1, SRSF2, IDH1/2 and EZH2 mutations, as well as driver mutational status; multivariable analysis that included all molecular alterations identified U2AF1Q157 (HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.3), ASXL1 (HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.8-3.5), SRSF2 (HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.2) and absence of CALR type-1/like (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.8-3.5) mutations as independent risk factors for survival. Finally, the survival effect of U2AF1Q157 mutations was independent of DIPSS-plus in patients with hemoglobin ≥10 g/dL (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3-5.3; p=0.007) (Figure 1c) but not in those with hemoglobin <10 g/dL (p=0.98) (Figure 1b). Conclusion Both U2AF1Q157 and U2AF1S34 mutation variants in PMF are associated with JAK2V617F and severe anemia whereas only the former is associated with ASXL1 mutations and thrombocytopenia. More importantly, U2AF1Q157, but not U2AF1S34, mutation variants in PMF are predictive of inferior survival, independent of other adverse mutations, and, in the absence of severe anemia, independent of DIPSS-plus. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background The Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS)-plus currently provides the most comprehensive prognostic model for primary myelofibrosis (PMF) (JCO 2011;29:392). DIPSS-pluse uses eight independent predictors of inferior survival: age >65 years, hemoglobin <10 g/dL, leukocyte count >25 x 109/L, circulating blasts ³1%, constitutional symptoms, unfavorable karyotype, red cell transfusion need and platelet count <100 x 109/L. More recently, type 1/type 1-like CALR driver mutational status and ASXL1 andSRSF2 mutations were identified as additional DIPSS-plus-independent risk factors for survival in PMF (JAMAOncol. 2015;1:97). Based on our earlier preliminary observation (Leuk Res. 2007;31:1503), we conducted the current study to fully examine the additional prognostic relevance of monocytosis (absolute monocyte count ≥1 x 10(9)/L) in PMF. Methods Study patients fulfilled the 2016 WHO criteria for the diagnosis of PMF, including both pre-PMF and overt PMF (Blood. 2016;127:2391). Additional selection criteria included the availability of absolute monocyte count (AMC) and percentage at time of referral. Targeted next generation sequencing was used to screen for prognostically-relevant mutations (Blood 2015 126:354). Statistical analyses considered clinical and laboratory parameters obtained at time of initial referral to the Mayo Clinic. Results Patient characteristics: The study population included 454 patients (median age 64 years; 62% males); 293 (64%) patients harbored JAK2 mutations, 74 (16%) type 1/like CALR, 16 (3%) type 2/like CALR, 24 (5%) MPL and 47 (10%) were "triple-negative". DIPSS-plus risk distribution was 29% high, 38% intermediate-2, 17% intermediate-1 and 15% low; 27% displayed red cell transfusion-dependency, 29% constitutional symptoms, 70% palpable splenomegaly and 36% abnormal karyotype, including 13% with unfavorable karyotype. 301 patients were screened for ASXL1 mutations with 39% mutated, 297 for SRSF2 mutations with 15% mutated, 286 for U2AF1 with 18% mutated, 253 for SF3B1 with 6% mutated, 229 for EZH2 with 5% mutated and 110 for IDH1/2 with 7% mutated. Clinical, cytogenetic and molecular comparisons between PMF patients with and without monocytosis: Among all study patients, 376 (83%) displayed AMC <1 x 10(9)/L; the remaining had either moderate (AMC between 1 and 3 x 10(9)/L; n=65) or marked (AMC >3 x 10(9)/L; n=13) monocytosis. Comparison of these three groups revealed that monocytosis was significantly associated with older age (p=0.0001), higher leukocyte count (p<0.0001), lower platelet count (p=0.01), higher circulating blast percentage (p=0.0002) and higher DIPSS-plus risk distribution (p=0.01). There were no significant differences in the distribution of driver mutations, ASXL1, SRSF2, U2AF, SF3B1, EZH2 or IDH1/2 mutations or incidence of unfavorable karyotype. Survival analysis: After a median follow up of 3.2 years, 265 (58%) deaths and 38 (8%) leukemic transformations were documented. In univariate analysis, all 8 variables included in DIPSS-plus were significantly associated with shortened survival (p<0.001 in all instances). Significant risk factors in univariate analysis also included AMC >3 x 10(9)/L (p<0.0001; HR 5.6, 95% CI 3.1-10.0), AMC 1 to 3 x 10(9)/L (p<0.0001; HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.5-2.9), absence of CALR type 1/type 1-like (p<0.0001) and presence of ASXL1 (p<0.0001) or SRSF2 (p<0.0001) mutations. The significant difference in survival between the three AMC categories (i.e. <1, 1-3 and >3 x 10(9)L) was independent of each one of the eight DIPSS-plus variables, DIPSS-plus, driver mutational status, ASXL1 and SRSF2 mutations (p<0.0001 in all instances). The survival difference between patients with and without monocytosis was evident in both high/intermediate-2 and low/intermediate-1 DIPSS-plus risk groups (Figure). Patients with monocytosis were also more likely to undergo leukemic transformation (HR 3.0, 95% CI 1.4-6.5) and this effect was also independent of karyotype, driver mutational status, ASXL1 or SRSF2 mutations. Conclusion The current study identifies monocytosis as a powerful risk factor for both overall and leukemia-free survival in PMF and the effect was independent of currently established prognostic models and genetic risk factors. It was particularly noteworthy to document similar distribution of driver mutations among the three monocyte categories. Figure Figure. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background Polycythemia Vera (PV) constitutes one of the three BCR-ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms and is characterized by clonal erythrocytosis and the almost invariable presence of JAK2 mutation. An absolute monocyte count (AMC) of ≥1 x 10(9)/L defines chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) but can also be seen in other myeloid disorders including myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). The presence or development of monocytosis has previously been shown to confer poor prognosis in both primary myelofibrosis (PMF), which is one of the three BCR-ABL1-negative MPN (Leukemia Research 2007;31:1503, Mod Pathol. 2013 Feb;26(2):204) and MDS (Haematologica. 1997;82:25). In the current study, we examined the clinical, prognostic and molecular correlates of monocytosis in PV. Methods Study patients were selected from our institutional database of MPN and fulfilled the 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for the diagnosis of PV (Blood. 2009;114:937). Cytogenetic and mutational analyses were performed according to conventional methods (Leukemia. 2014;28:2206) any assignment as unfavorable karyotype was per PMF criteria (Leukemia. 2011;25:82). Mutation screening included TET2, ASXL1 and SRSF2 because of their known association with CMML (Leukemia. 2014;28:2206) Statistical analyses considered clinical and laboratory parameters obtained at time of diagnosis. Results Patient characteristics: Analysis was conducted on 587 patients (median age 60 years; 48% males) who met WHO criteria for diagnosis of PV. Amongst them, accurate documentation of AMC was available in 237 patients, cytogenetic information in 239, and ASXL1, TET2 and SRSF2 mutational status in 133 patients. Median (range) values were for AMC 0.6 x 10(9)/L (0-4.7) and leukocytes 11.6 x 10(9)/L (3.8-171.6). 31% of 506 informative patients had palpable splenomegaly, 34% of 551 had microcirculatory symptoms, 30% of 566 had pruritus, 8% of 504 had erythromelalgia, 42% of 581 had hypertension, 9% of 584 had diabetes and 11% of 575 were active tobacco users. 25% of the patients presented with history of thrombosis and 22% developed thrombosis after diagnosis. Cytogenetic findings were abnormal in 19%, of whom 20% were unfavorable. TET2, ASXL1 and SRSF2 mutations were documented in 18%, 11% and 3%, respectively. During follow-up, 224 (38%) patients died and median follow-up for living patients was 109 months. Median survival was 16 years and leukemic or fibrotic transformations were documented in 4% and 14%, respectively. Comparison of patients with and without monocytosis: Among 237 informative patients, 32 (14%) displayed monocytosis (AMC ≥1 x 10(9)/L) at time of diagnosis. PV patients with monocytosis were older (p=0.006) and displayed higher leukocyte count (p<0.0001) and higher incidences of leukocytosis (p=0.024) and unfavorable cytogenetic abnormalities (p=0.02). There was no association between monocytosis and mutations for TET2 (p=0.1), ASXL1 (p=0.7) and SRSF2 (p=0.3) or thrombosis before (p=0.9) or after (p=0.5) diagnosis (p=0.5), palpable splenomegaly (p=0.6), pruritus (p=0.7) or microcirculatory symptoms (p=0.1). Among the 237 PV patients in whom information regarding AMC was available, 70 (30%) died during follow-up and 49 (21%), 23 (10%), 9 (4%) developed thrombosis, leukemic transformation or fibrotic progression, respectively. In univariate analysis, overall (p=0.009; HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.4) but not leukemia-free (p=0.79), myelofibrosis-free (p=0.13) or thrombosis-free (p=0.48) survivals were different between patients with or without monocytosis. Furthermore, the significant difference in survival was no longer apparent when analysis was adjusted for age (p=0.13), unfavorable karyotype (0.17) or leukocytosis (p=0.06). Conclusions Monocytosis (AMC ≥1 x 10(9)/L) is not infrequent in PV (14%). However, the presence of monocytosis does not appear to represent a significantly different phenotype in terms of molecular characteristics although it is associated with older age, leukocytosis and unfavorable karyotype. The latter associations account for the inferior survival seen in patients with monocytosis. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background : Anemia is one of the most prominent symptoms in primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and is often associated with inferior quality of life and survival. Current drugs, including JAK inhibitors, are suboptimal in the treatment of PMF-associated anemia and better information on its pathogenesis is critical for the development of more effective drugs. In the current study of JAK2/CALR/MPL annotated patients with PMF, we examined its correlation with both "driver" and "non-driver mutations", as well as cytogenetic abnormalities, in order to gain better insight into its pathogenesis. Methods: Study patients were selected based on availability of "driver" mutation information. PMF diagnosis was according to World Health Organization criteria (Blood. 2009;114:937). Previously published methods were used for CALR, JAK2 and MPL mutation analyses and determination of CALR variants (Blood. 2014;124:2465). Considering their relatively high mutational frequency in PMF, subsets of patients were also screened for ASXL1, spliceosome component (SF3B1, U2AF1, SRSF2, ZRSR2) and TET2 mutations. 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 first referral at the Mayo Clinic. Results : Analysis was conducted on 722 patients (median age 64 years; 64% males). DIPSS-plus risk distribution was 14% low, 17% intermediate-1, 37% intermediate-2 and 33% high. All patients were annotated for JAK2/CALR/MPL mutations as well as CALR variants; 477 harbored JAK2, 139 CALR and 41 MPL mutations; 65 patients were triple-negative. The 139 CALR -mutated patients included type 1/type 1-like (n =115) and type 2/type 2-like (n =24). Non-driver mutations screened included ASXL1 (n =480; mutated 38%), SRSF2 (n =474; mutated 14%), U2AF1 (n =457; mutated 16%), SF3B1 (n =328; mutated 8%), ZRSR2 (n =180; mutated 11%) and TET2 (n =180; mutated 18%). Karyotype was normal in 60%, favorable in 28% and unfavorable in 12%. Anemia was defined as being absent (normal sex-adjusted hemoglobin level; n =110; 15%), mild (hemoglobin level of ≥10 g/dL but below sex-adjusted normal value; n =263; 36%), moderate (hemoglobin level below 10 g/dL but not transfusion-dependent; n =108; 15%) and severe (transfusion-dependent anemia; n =241; 33%). Presence of at least mild anemia was associated with abnormal karyotype (p=0.006) with no difference between favorable and unfavorable abnormalities, U2AF1 (p=0.002), TET2 (p=0.02) and ASXL1 (p=0.04) mutations; other significant associations included male sex and older age. Presence of moderate to severe anemia was associated with U2AF1 (p<0.0001), SRSF2 (p=0.007) and driver mutations other than CALR type 1/type 1-like (p<0.0001). Presence of severe anemia was associated with U2AF1 (p<0.0001), SRSF2 (p=0.003) and non-CALR driver mutations (17% incidence in both types of CALR variants vs 51% in triple negative, 35% JAK2, 39% MPL mutated cases; p<0.0001). An association with older age but not gender was also noted for both moderate to severe and severe anemia (p<0.0001). During multivariable analysis, independent associations with moderate to severe anemia were confirmed for U2AF1 (p<0.0001), SRSF2 (p=0.007) and age (p=0.0001), but not driver mutation profile (p=0.30). A similar analysis for severe anemia also identified U2AF1, SRSF2 and age as being significantly relevant. Conclusions : The current study identifies older age and the spliceosomal mutations U2AF1 and SRSF2 as having strong and independent association with moderate to severe anemia in PMF. Targeting the spliceosome machinery or its mutant components offers a potential approach in the treatment of PMF-associated anemia. Disclosures Pardanani: Stemline: Research Funding.

Abstract Background The 2016 revised World Health Organization (WHO) classification system distinguishes prefibrotic (pre-PMF) from overtly fibrotic (overt PMF) primary myelofibrosis, based on the respective absence or presence of grade ≥2 bone marrow (BM) reticulin fibrosis (Blood. 2016;127:2391). The main objective of the current study was to determine the prognostic relevance of this distinction and compare clinical and genetic features between the two entities. Methods Study patients fulfilled the 2016 WHO criteria for the diagnosis of pre-PMF or overt PMF (Blood. 2016;127:2391). The degree of BM reticulin fibrosis was based on "real life" BM reports from Mayo Clinic hematopathologists and often in accordance with the European consensus scoring system (Haematologica 2005;90:1128). Targeted next generation sequencing was used to screen for prognostically-relevant mutations (Blood 2015 126:354). Statistical analyses considered clinical and laboratory parameters obtained at time of BM examination that was graded for reticulin fibrosis. Results Patient characteristics: Analysis was conducted on 467 patients (median age 64 years; 62% males), including 63 with pre-PMF and 404 with overt PMF. 302 (65%) patients harbored JAK2 mutations, 90 (19%) CALR, 24 (5%) MPL and 51 (11%) were "triple-negative"; among the 90 CALR-mutated cases, 74 (82%) were classified as "type 1/type 1-like". Dynamic international prognostic scoring system (DIPSS)-plus risk distribution (JCO 2011;29:392) was 30% high, 38% intermediate-2, 16% intermediate-1 and 15% low; 29% displayed red cell transfusion-dependency, 29% constitutional symptoms, 70% palpable splenomegaly and 37% abnormal karyotype, including 13% with unfavorable karyotype. 308 patients were screened for ASXL1 mutations with 39% mutated, 305 for SRSF2 mutations with 16% mutated, 291 for U2AF1 with 18% mutated, 264 for SF3B1 with 6% mutated, 240 for EZH2 with 5% mutated and 118 for IDH1/2 with 7% mutated. BM reticulin fibrosis was reported as grade '0' in 5 (1%) patients, grade '1' in 58 (12%), grade '2' in 169 (36%) and grade '3' in 235 (50%). After a median follow up of 3 years, 273 (59%) deaths and 42 (9%) leukemic transformations were documented. Clinical, cytogenetic and molecular comparisons between pre-PMF vs overt PMF: Significant differences included higher hemoglobin level (p<0.0001), higher platelet count (p<0.0001), higher incidence of thrombocytosis (p<0.0001), lower circulating blast percentage (p=0.0002), lower incidence of constitutional symptoms (p=0.003), lower incidence of palpable splenomegaly and lower DIPSS-plus risk distribution (p=0.0004), in pre-PMF, compared to overt PMF. There were significantly more triple-negative patients with pre-PMF (22% vs 9% for overt PMF; p=0.02) but otherwise no significant difference in the distribution of ASXL1, SRSF2, U2AF1, SF3B1, EZH2 or IDH1/2 mutations or incidence of unfavorable karyotype. Survival analysis: In univariate analysis, all 8 variables included in DIPSS-plus were significantly associated with shortened survival (p<0.001 in all instances). Significant risk factors in univariate analysis also included overt PMF vs pre-PMF (p=0.002; HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.1), absence of CALR type 1/type 1-like (p<0.0001) and presence of ASXL1 (p<0.0001) or SRSF2 (p<0.0001) mutations. The significant difference in survival between pre-PMF and overt PMF was independent of DIPSS-plus (p=0.03), driver mutational status (p=0.001), ASXL1 (p=0.008) and SRSF2 (p=0.02) mutations; no significant difference in leukemia-free survival was noted (p=0.25). The survival difference between pre-PMF and overt PMF was most evident in high/intermediate-2 DIPSS-plus risk groups (Figure). Of note, we found no difference in survival when patients with grade '0' were compared to those with grade '1' reticulin fibrosis (p=0.96) and when those with grade '2' were compared with grade '3' (p=0.08). Conclusion The current study demonstrates the risk-adjusted prognostic relevance of the WHO distinction between pre-PMF and overt PMF. The two clinic-pathologic entities were otherwise similar in their spectrum of prognostically-relevant mutations or cytogenetic abnormalities, although pre-PMF clustered with thrombocythemic and triple-negative phenotype and overt PMF with adverse clinical features. Figure Figure. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background Increased bone marrow (BM) reticulin fibrosis in polycythemia vera (PV) has been reported in 20% (Ann Hematol. 1999;78:495) to 51% (Eur J Haematol. 2011;86:148) of patients at diagnosis. In a previous report by the international working group for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) research and treatment (IWG-MRT), the presence of BM fibrosis (≥ grade 1) at diagnosis was associated with a lower incidence of thrombosis during the clinical course and a higher risk of fibrotic progression while it did not affect overall (OS) or leukemia-free (LFS) survival (Blood. 2012;119:2239). The objectives for the current single center study of 262 PV patients were to validate the observations from the IWG-MRT and also identify other risk factors for myelofibrosis-free survival (MFFS) in PV. Methods Study patients were selected from our institutional database of MPN and fulfilled the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for the diagnosis of PV (Blood. 2016;127:2391). Cytogenetic analysis and reporting was done according to the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature (Cytogenetic and Genome Research 2013;141:1-6). The degree of BM reticulin fibrosis was based on "real life" BM reports from Mayo Clinic hematopathologists and often in accordance with the European consensus scoring system (Haematologica 2005;90:1128). Statistical analyses considered clinical and laboratory parameters obtained at time of diagnosis. Results Patient characteristics: Analysis was conducted on 262 patients (median age 62 years; 50% males) who met 2016 WHO criteria for diagnosis of PV. Median (range) values were: hemoglobin 18 g/dl (14.8-24), leukocyte count 11.7 x109/L (4.3-59.3) and platelet count 454 x109/L (44-2747). Among informative cases, palpable splenomegaly was present in 27%, pruritus in 33% and erythromelalgia in 6%. Thrombosis history at diagnosis was documented in 28% of the patients and 23% experienced thrombotic events after diagnosis. Information on cytogenetics was available in 142 patients and karyotype was abnormal in 19%. BM reticulin fibrosis was reported to be absent in 135 patients (MF-0, 52%), grade 1 (MF-1) in 101 (39%), grade 2 (MF-2) in 22 (8%) and grade 3 (MF-3) in 4 (2%) patients. After a median follow up of 85 months, 107(41%) deaths, 30 (11%) fibrotic progression and 5 (2%) leukemic transformations were documented. Comparison of patients with and without bone marrow fibrosis A number of clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated for possible association with the presence of ≥ grade 1 BM reticulin fibrosis and none, including age, sex, complete blood count, palpable splenomegaly, pruritus or erythromelalgia displayed a significant association. In univariate analysis, the presence of BM fibrosis (MF-0 versus MF-1 or greater) did not affect OS (p=0.5), LFS (p=0.2) or thrombosis-free survival (p=0.97) whereas a significant association was noted for MFFS (p=0.009; HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3-6.7). Others risk factors for MFFS, in a univariate analysis, were leukocytosis ≥15 x 109/L (p=0.02; HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.17-6.48), presence of splenomegaly (p=0.02; HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.16-6) and abnormal karyotype (p=0.0005; HR 4.6, 95% CI 1.9-11). During multivariable analysis, not including karyotype, leukocytosis ≥15 x 109/L (p=0.04), presence of splenomegaly (p=0.04) and presence of BM reticulin fibrosis (p=0.01) remained significant; however, this significance for leukocytosis ≥15 x 109/L, presence of splenomegaly and BM reticulin fibrosis was lost when abnormal karyotype was added as covariate to each risk factor individually (p=0.4, p=0.1 and p=0.9, respectively). Conclusion We report a not infrequent (48% incidence) occurrence of ≥ grade 1 BM reticulin fibrosis at time of initial diagnosis of PV. In the current study, we did not find a prognostic impact for the presence of BM reticulin fibrosis, in terms of OS, LFS or thrombosis-free survival; however, a significant association was confirmed for MFFS that was independent of other non-genetic risk factors. The preliminary observation on the adverse prognostic impact of abnormal karyotype on MFFS requires additional studies. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background A recent study from the International Working Group on Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Research and Treatment (IWG-MRT) identified prior arterial events and hypertension as risk factors for subsequent arterial thrombosis and prior venous events and age 65 years or older as risk factors for venous thrombosis in polycythemia vera (PV) (Blood 2014;124:3021). In the current single center study, we sought to validate the aforementioned findings from the IWG-MRT and look into further details regarding arterial versus venous thrombosis in PV. Methods Study patients were selected from our institutional database of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and fulfilled the 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for the diagnosis of PV (Blood. 2009;114:937). Screening for the two most frequent mutations other than JAK2 (TET2 and ASXL1) were performed according to conventional methods (Leukemia. 2014;28:2206). Statistical analyses considered clinical and laboratory parameters obtained at time of diagnosis. Results Patient characteristics: Analysis was conducted on 587 patients (median age 60 years; 48% males). ASXL1 and TET2 mutational status was available in 133 patients. Among informative cases, 31% had palpable splenomegaly, 34% microcirculatory symptoms, 30% pruritus, 8% erythromelalgia, 42% hypertension, 9% diabetes and 11% were active tobacco users. TET2 and ASXL1 mutations were documented in 18% and 11%, respectively. During follow-up, 224 (38%) patients died and median follow-up for living patients was 109 months. Median survival was 16 years and leukemic or fibrotic transformations were documented in 4% and 14%, respectively. Thrombotic events: A total of 235 (40%) patients experienced at least one thrombotic event before or after diagnosis and included 153 (26%) arterial and 104 (18%) venous events. Thrombotic events were recorded before or at time of diagnosis in 146 (25%) patients and included 97 (17%) arterial and 55 (9%) venous events. Thrombotic events after diagnosis were recorded in 128 (22%) patients and included 82 (14%) arterial and 57 (10%) venous events. Associations for arterial, venous or all thrombotic events occurring at any time before or after time of diagnosis: The occurrence of any thrombotic event before or after diagnosis correlated with active tobacco use (p=0.04), diabetes history (p=0.03), hyperlipidemia (p=0.04) and major hemorrhage (p=0.03). The occurrence of any arterial event before or after diagnosis correlated with advanced age (p=0.006), diabetes history (p=0.005), hypertension history (p=0.004) and hyperlipidemia (p<0.0001). The occurrence of any venous event before or after diagnosis correlated with female sex (p=0.008), younger age (p<0.0001), lower platelet count (p=0.0014) and palpable splenomegaly (p=0.006). TET2 or ASXL1 mutations did not correlate with overall, arterial or venous thrombosis. Risk factors for arterial versus venous events after time of diagnosis: In univariate/multivariable analysis, thrombosis-free survival (TFS) was adversely affected by prior vascular events (p=0.002/0.03 multivariable) and increased leukocyte count (p=0.03/0.03); arterial thrombosis-free survival was adversely affected by prior arterial events (p<0.0001/P<0.0001), hyperlipidemia (p=0.001/0.03), hypertension (p=0.02/NS) and advanced age (p=0.02/NS); venous thrombosis-free survival was adversely affected by prior venous events (p=0.04/0.05), increased leukocyte count (p=0.0009/0.002), and younger age (p=0.02/NS). In addition, major hemorrhage at diagnosis was associated subsequent venous thrombosis in both univariate and multivariable analysis. TET2 or ASXL1 mutations did not affect the risk of overall, arterial or venous thrombosis. Conclusions In contemporarily managed patients with PV, prior vascular events predict future events for both arterial and venous thrombosis; additional risk factors included hyperlipidemia for arterial and increased leukocyte count for venous thrombosis. The current study also identifies association of arterial thrombosis in general with older age and history of hypertension, diabetes or hyperlipidemia whereas venous thrombosis was associated with younger age, female sex and palpable splenomegaly. Additional findings included association of major hemorrhage with thrombosis and higher platelet count with lower risk of venous thrombosis. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background The International Working Group for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) Research and Treatment (IWG-MRT) previously published on 1104 patients with "essential thrombocythemia (ET)" and identified 180 (16%) misdiagnosed cases with early/prefibrotic primary myelofibrosis (PMF); the latter diagnosis was associated with inferior overall (OS), leukemia-free (LFS) and myelofibrosis-free (MFFS) survival (J Clin Oncol. 2011; 29:3179). Among the 891 patients with "true" World Health Organization (WHO)-defined ET, risk factors for OS included age ≥60 years, leukocyte count ≥11 x 10(9)/L and history of thrombosis (Blood2012120:1197). In the current study, we explored the possibility that increased serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level or mild grade-1 reticulin fibrosis might identify occult cases of early/prefibrotic PMF in otherwise WHO-defined ET and contribute to disease prognostication. Methods Study patients were selected from the Mayo Clinic institutional database of MPN based on their meeting the 2008 WHO criteria for diagnosis of ET (Blood. 2009;114:937). The degree of bone marrow (BM) reticulin fibrosis was based on "real life" BM reports from Mayo Clinic hematopathologists and often in accordance with the European consensus scoring system (Haematologica 2005;90:1128). Serum LDH levels were obtained at time of diagnosis or within 12 months of diagnosis, in the absence of any treatment. Information on the two most frequent non-driver mutations seen in ET (i.e. TET2 and ASXL1) was available in a subset of the patients (Blood 2015 126:354). Statistical analyses considered clinical and laboratory parameters obtained at time of diagnosis Results Patient characteristics: 183 patients (57% females) were evaluable for BM reticulin grading; median (range) levels were for age 59 years (15-88), hemoglobin 14 g/dL (9.1-17.1), platelets 812 x 10(9)/L (454-3300) and leukocyte count 8.5 x 10(9)/L (3.1-31.5). Palpable splenomegaly was reported in 27 (15%) patients and 12% displayed leukoerythroblastosis (LES). Driver mutational status was JAK2 in 72%, CALR 17%, MPL 2% and triple-negative in 9%. Thrombosis history at diagnosis was obtained from 13% of the patients and 12% experienced the same post diagnosis. Risk stratification according to the International Prognostic Scoring System for ET (IPSET) was 19% high, 43% intermediate and 38% low (Blood2012120:1197). BM reticulin fibrosis was graded "0" in 113 (62%) patients and "1" in 70 (38%). Serum LDH information was available in 110 patients (median194 U/L; range 135-669) and was increased in 31 (28%) patients. Mutational status for TET2 and ASXL1was available in 76 patients with mutational frequencies of 8% each. Clinical and laboratory correlates for mild reticulin fibrosis and serum LDH: We found no significant correlation between mild reticulin fibrosis (grade-1) and a number of clinical parameters, including age, sex, hemoglobin level, leukocyte count, platelet count, driver mutational status, LES, presence of palpable splenomegaly, thrombosis history or serum LDH (p=0.36). In contrast, increased serum LDH was associated with increased leukocyte count (p=0.002), increased platelet count (p<0.001), presence of palpable splenomegaly (p=0.03) and higher IPSET score (p=0.002); there were no significant correlations with age, sex, hemoglobin level, LES, thrombosis history, driver mutational status or TET2/ASXL1mutations. Survival analysis: After a median follow-up of 91 months, 42 (23%) deaths, 2 (1%) leukemic transformations, 7 (4%) fibrotic progressions and 22 (12%) thrombotic events were documented. In univariate analysis, risk factors for OS included age ≥60 years (p=0.002; HR 10.2, 95% CI 2.3-44.6), male sex (p=0.02; HR 3.2, 95% CI 1.2-8.2), leukocyte count ≥15 x 10(9)/L (p=0.007; HR 4.7, 95% CI 1.5-14.6), and increased serum LDH (p=0.004; HR 3.7, 95% CI 1.5-9.1), but not BM reticulin fibrosis (p=0.17). In multivariable analysis, age, sex and LDH remained significant; serum LDH also remained significant for OS, in the context of IPSET, whereas it did not appear to influence thrombosis-free survival (p=0.58), LFS (p=0.84) or MFFS (p=0.34). Conclusions The current study suggests that serum LDH might supersede leukocyte count as an independent risk factor for overall survival in ET; in contrast, mild reticulin fibrosis was irrelevant in terms of both prognostic value and disease phenotype. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.