Hammond, William A.

Abstract Introduction Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired disorder characterized by immune-mediated platelet destruction along with decreased platelet production. Adults with ITP are treated initially with glucocorticoids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and/or anti-D, but as many as 80% of patients (pts) will eventually relapse and become steroid-refractory. There is no universally agreed upon 2nd line therapy for ITP and consensus guidelines recommend either rituximab (R) or splenectomy (S) as acceptable, potentially curative options. Long-term responses to 2nd line S have been reported around 60%, and around 25% for R. It is unknown whether long-term outcome in the 3rd line setting is influenced by sequence of therapy. We evaluated the impact of sequence of 2nd and 3rdline therapy with R and/or S. Methods We identified all pts with ITP treated from 1990 through 2015 at the three Mayo Clinic (Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota) sites that were treated with R and/or S. Patients were excluded who were <18 years of age at the time of second-line treatment. Those with secondary ITP that received specific treatment for an infectious, autoimmune, or malignant condition causing thrombocytopenia were excluded. Patients with Evan's syndrome were included if the treatment was for thrombocytopenia, and not primarily for hemolytic anemia. For this analysis, secondary ITP was defined as ITP associated with hematologic malignancy. Hematologic malignancies did not require specific therapy at the time of treatment for ITP. Patients with uncontrolled infections or uncontrolled autoimmune disorders were excluded from analysis. We collected data from medical records regarding demographics, medical history, treatment history, response to treatment, and relapse. Medical history was captured for all concurrent diagnoses that could be considered associated with ITP including infectious and autoimmune conditions. Primary end-points were freedom from relapse after 2nd and 3rd line treatment with R or S. We used Kaplan-Meier method to estimate freedom from relapse after 2nd and 3rd line treatments. We also evaluated response to treatment, as defined by a platelet count >30,000/mm3 according to consensus guidelines. We performed three separate analyses for the entire cohort, primary ITP, and secondary ITP (separating out those with a concurrent diagnosis of malignancy). Results We identified 222 patients with a diagnosis of ITP, of which 191 had primary and 31 had secondary ITP. Treatment characteristics were similar in all groups except that pts treated initially with S were younger at diagnosis than pts treated with R (49 vs 60 years, P=0.003) and at time of 2ndline treatment (51.5 vs 61 years, P=0.018). For the overall cohort, patients treated with S as second-line therapy were more likely to achieve CR (86.6% vs 44%, P<0.0001), and had a significantly higher freedom from relapse at 5y (53.57% v. 14.96%, P<0.0001). Patients treated with S followed by R (S to R) had a trend towards higher 2y freedom from relapse than those treated with R followed by S (R to S) (69.48% v. 58.43%, P=0.3264). These data remained similar when primary ITP and secondary ITP were separated (data not shown). Conclusions These data support that S provides superior FFR at 5 years compared to R as second line treatment and suggests that, when needed, splenectomy followed by rituximab as opposed to rituximab followed by splenectomy might have a slight advantage. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening systemic inflammatory condition. Due to rarity of the cases, it presents difficulties in diagnosis and management. Survival remains poor despite aggressive chemotherapy. Objective Patient outcomes varied markedly despite standardize therapy. Reliable prognostic disease markers may help to tailor intensity of therapy and predict long term outcomes. We attempt to look for variables associated with difference in mortality within 30 days of diagnosis. Methods We performed a retrospective search on mayo clinic patient database for the patients with the diagnosis of HLH from 2005 to 2015. HLH-04 criteria were used to select the study population. Patients were divided in two groups based on survival after the diagnosis. We analyzed different clinical and laboratory parameters to detect difference between the patients expired within 30 days of diagnosis and who survived longer than 30 days. Baseline Characteristics: Demographics: 40 patients were included in the analysis who met HLH- 04 criteria. Mean age was 49 years, 40% (16/40) were female and 60% (24/40) were male. Underlying HLH etiology was malignancy 37% (15/40), infection 20% (8/40), rheumatological 17% (7/40), idiopathic 20% (8/40). Two patients were peripartum and one with Kikuchi syndrome. EBV DNA PCR were positive in 32% (13/40) of patients. Table 1 show clinical and laboratory characteristics according to HLH-04 criteria. Treatment: Steroids were used in 92% (37/40), etoposide was used in 55% (22/40), and HLH 04 protocol (Etoposide/dexamethasone/cyclosporine) was used in 40% (16/40) of the patients. IVIG was used in 13% with underlying rheumatological process. Mean follow up was 57 weeks (0.1 to 336 weeks) for the whole group. Total 40% (16/40) died within 30 days of diagnosis. Results Risk of 30-days mortality was significantly higher in the patients with ferritin >5000 mcg/L at the time of diagnosis and age > 55 years. Out of total 40 patients, 54% (12/22) died in ferritin >5000mcg/L group and 22% (4/18) died in ferritin < 5000 mcg/L group within 30 days. (p-0.03) Death rate within 30 days was 65% (11/17) with age > 55 years and 22% (5/23) with age < 55 years at the time of diagnosis of HLH. (p-0.05) No difference between the groups in terms of gender, EBV positivity, underlying etiology and etoposide use was found in 30 days mortality. Table 2 summarizes the findings. Discussion HLH is a complex disorder with significant heterogeneity in terms of underlying etiology and response to treatments. Diagnosis is based on a set of clinical and investigational parameters. Most commonly used criteria are HLH-04. Treatment involves rapid immunosuppression with steroids, chemotherapy and calcineurin inhibitors. Previous retrospective studies have pointed out different risk factors associated with poor survival, which are malignancy, hypoalbuminemia, elevated creatinine and bilirubin. Ours is a relatively small retrospective analysis, but it shows significant prognostic value to elevated ferritin (>5000 mcg/L) at the time of diagnosis and age > 55 years. Survival remains poor in high risk patients despite aggressive therapy. Biological agents (IL1 and IL6 blockage) may provide new realm of therapy with tolerable toxicity profile. Conclusion Elevated ferritin at the time of diagnosis and older age are associated with significant risk of 30 day mortality in HLH. These factors can be incorporated in future clinical trials to choose different treatment pathways. Table. Clinical and laboratory characteristics according to HLH- 04 criteria Clinical/laboratory manifestation Presence of HLH 04 criteria (%) Fever > 38.5C 36/40 90 Splenomegaly 30/40 75 Hemoglobin < 9g/dl 22/40 55 ANC < 1000/microL 14/40 35 Platelets < 100, 000/microL 31/40 77 Triglyceride > 265 mg/dl 22/40 55 Ferritin > 500 mcg/L 36/40 90 Fibrinogen <150 mg/dl 12/38 31 sIL2- R > 1000u/ml 13/14 92 Low NK - cell activity 13/15 86 Presence of hemophagocytosis 33/39 84 Table 2. Difference in clinical variables based on survival after the diagnosis of HLH Survival < 30 days Survival > 30 days P value Age (years) 62 40 0.0004 Median time to start treatment (weeks) 40.7 8.6 0.23 Baseline ferritin (mcg/L) 32866 10667 0.01 Peak ferritin (mcg/L) 45870 29894 0.26 Albumin (g/dL) 2.3 2.6 0.41 LDH (U/L) 1271 720 0.51 Bilirubin (mg/dL) 8.9 4.5 0.14 Triglyceride (mg/dl) 260 276 0.70 Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Updated WHO criteria define mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL) with more stringent diagnostic criteria than the formerly described entity biphenotypic acute leukemia (BAL). The changes in diagnostic criteria influence management by assigning weight to aberrantly expressed markers and minimizing expression of myeloid markers other than myeloperoxidase (MPO), potentially foregoing consolidative allogeneic transplant for an otherwise “favorable” lymphoid phenotypic leukemia. We present a case of MPO-negative, myeloid antigen-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia who progressed with refractory phenotypic acute myeloid leukemia while receiving lymphoid-directed therapy and discuss concerns raised by the adoption of the new, more stringent diagnostic criteria for BAL.

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a low grade B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder that typically presents with splenomegaly, cytopenias, and diffuse bone marrow infiltration. There have been few cases in the literature of HCL presenting as lymphomas in extra-nodal locations, such as soft tissues and bones without circulating leukemic cells, splenomegaly, or iliac crest bone marrow involvement. We present an additional case presenting as a thoracic mass, and discuss potential diagnostic pitfalls and management of these rare cases.

232 Background: Screening for distress in cancer patients (pts) is recommended by several national guidelines. High distress scores are associated with increased depression. We established universal depression screening and investigated its impact on cancer patient management. Methods: Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9) was administered to newly diagnosed cancer patients prior to receiving their first non-oral antineoplastic agent. Patient demographics, disease characteristics, chronic medication load, antidepressant use, treatment interruptions, weight change, referral and adherence to psychiatry were recorded. Pts with high (> 9) and low (< 4) PHQ9 scores were compared using Chi-square and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results: Screening was performed in 1,190 consecutive pts over an 18 month period at Mayo Clinic. Responses were received from 1055 (89%) pts, of which 144 had high score (PHQ-H). These were compared with 99 randomly selected low score (PHQ-L) pts. The 243 pts (median age 65; range 18-92 years) in the final analysis included: 53.5% females, 90% Caucasians, 74% married and 77% living with others. Diagnosis was solid organ cancer in 81% and metastatic disease in 54% patients, and 13% were on antidepressants for preexisting depression. PHQ-H were more likely to be on antidepressants than PHQ-L (19% vs. 3%; p = 0.0002), be referred to psychiatry (69% vs. 12%; p < 0.0001), attend psychiatry appointment (45% vs. 12%; p < 0.0001) and require behavioral therapy (50% vs 8%; p = 0.0065). PHQ-H did not have a significantly increased antidepressant use, treatment interruptions (p = 0.5) or weight change (p = 0.4). Race, gender, chronic medication load, marital status, living situation, metastatic disease and type of cancer were not significantly different between PHQ-H and PHQ-L. Conclusions: We implemented a universal depression screening and management plan for cancer pts and noted that previously being on antidepressants was associated with higher patient distress. Higher score led to more frequent behavioral therapy, possibly preventing non-compliance or need for increased psychotropic medications. Our model identifies cancer pts with depression and implements an effective management plan for their care.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) persists as one of the most prevalent and deadly tumor types in both men and women worldwide. This is in spite of widespread, effective measures of preventive screening, and also major advances in treatment options. Despite advances in cytotoxic and targeted therapy, resistance to chemotherapy remains one of the greatest challenges in long-term management of incurable metastatic disease and eventually contributes to death as tumors accumulate means of evading treatment. We performed a comprehensive literature search on the data available through PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and the ASCO Annual Symposium abstracts through June 2015 for the purpose of this review. We discuss the current state of knowledge of clinically relevant mechanisms of resistance to cytotoxic and targeted therapies now in use for the treatment of CRC.