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Rampal, Raajit K.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0355-6368

Mayo Clinic

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Citations 64

Efficacy of Combined Ruxolitinib and Decitabine in Patients with Accelerated and Blast-Phase Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: Results of a Phase II Study (MPN-RC 109 trial)
Rampal, Raajit K. , Bhave, Rupali , Heaney, Mark , Abboud, Camille N. , Kremyanskaya, Marina , Berenzon, Dmitriy, Odenike, Olatoyosi , Virtgaym, Elizabeth, Sandy, Lonette, Weinberg, Rona Singer , Salama, Mohamed E. , Mascarenhas, John , Kosiorek, Heidi , Hexner, Elizabeth O. , Wang, Eunice S. , Gerds, Aaron T. , Najfeld, Vesna , Levine, Ross L. , Mesa, Ruben A. , Dueck, Amylou C. , Hoffman, Ronald

Blood | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 132 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3027-3027

10.1182/blood-2018-99-111935 Get It

Abstract Background: The Philadelphia chromosome negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), including polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF), carry a propensity to evolve into an accelerated phase (MPN-AP, 10-19% blasts in the blood or marrow) and blast phase (MPN-BP, ≥20% in the blood or marrow). Such disease evolution carries a dismal prognosis with a median survival of 3-5 months, and thus the development of innovative treatment strategies represents an urgent unmet clinical need. Responses in patients with MPN-AP/BP to both hypomethylating agents and single-agent ruxolitinib (RUX) have been reported. In vitro, the combination of RUX and decitabine (DEC) are synergistically active in cells derived from patients with MPN-BP and from a murine model of MPN-BP. These observations led us to explore the safety of the combination in MPN-AP/BP in a phase I study. An MTD for RUX in combination with DEC 20mg/m2/d x 5 days was not reached in this study and the recommended Phase II dose of RUX was selected as 25mg BID for the first cycle of therapy followed by 10mg BID in subsequent cycles with a goal to minimize myelosuppression and maintain ambulatory administration (Rampal et al ASH 2016). Here we report the final results of the phase 2 combination of RUX + DEC in patients with MPN-AP/BP (NCT02076191). Methods: We conducted a multicenter, open label, phase II trial in patients with MPN-AP/BP, following a previous diagnosis of ET, PV or PMF. Patients enrolled were treated with the RPTD dose of RUX + DEC on a 28-day cycle until progression of disease, unacceptable toxicity or patient/physician withdrawal. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed using the NCI CTCAE v4.0. The primary endpoint was response rate by cycle 6 using modified Cheson criteria: CR required 0% peripheral blood blasts, ANC >1000/uL, hemoglobin ≥10g/L, and platelets ≥100x109/L; CRi required 0% peripheral blood blasts with incomplete count recovery; and PR required ≥50% decrease in peripheral blood blasts regardless of blood counts. Results: A total of 25 patients were accrued to study. The median age was 71 years (46.7-85.6). 10 patients (40%) had MPN-AP and 15 patients (60%) had MPN-BP. 6 patients (24%) had been previously been treated with single-agent RUX, and 2 patients (8%) had been treated with single-agent DEC. Median palpable spleen size was 7cm (range 0 - 20cm). The median number of cycles of treatment received on study was 4 (range 1 - 20). The most common grade 3/4 non-hematologic AEs observed were pneumonia (16%), febrile neutropenia (16%) and infection (8%). The most common grade 3/4 hematologic AEs were anemia (16%), neutropenia (12%) and leukopenia (8%). The most common reasons for study discontinuation were AEs in 9 patients (36%), disease progression in 5 (20%) patients and hematopoietic cell transplantation in 2 (8%) patients. Eighteen (72%) patients were evaluable for response. The overall response rate (CR+CRi+PR) was 61% (11/18 patients). CRi was observed in 2 patients (11%), PR in 9 patients (50%) and no response in 7 patients (39%). The median time to CR/PR was 3.4 mos (95% CI: 2.1 - not estimated). The median peripheral blood blast count reduction was 80.1% (range 71.4-100%) (Figure 1A). The median reduction in spleen size by palpation was 70.5% (range 0-100%) (Figure 1B). Median overall survival for all patients was 7.6 months (95% CI: 4.3 - Not estimated); 9.7 months (95% CI: 4.3 - Not estimated) for MPN-BP and 5.8 months (95% CI: 3.6 - Not estimated) for MPN-AP (Figure 2). Three patients (17%) were able to proceed to HCT. The results of ongoing genomic, histopathologic and cytokine profiling studies will be available for presentation at the meeting. Conclusions: The combination of RUX+DEC has activity in patients with MPN-AP/BP. The drug combination is generally well tolerated and can be administered as an outpatient, a distinct advantage over intensive induction therapies that have not shown significant benefit in these patients. Additional work is ongoing to assess the genomic and clinical variables predictive of response with this combination therapy approach. Given the tolerability and efficacy, this regimen may be of particular benefit to patients who are not candidates for intensive therapies. Disclosures Rampal: Constellation: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; Stemline: Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding; Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria. Mascarenhas:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Merck: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding. Wang:Jazz: Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Jazz: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau. Gerds:Celgene: Consultancy; Apexx Oncology: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; CTI Biopharma: Consultancy. Heaney:Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Blueprint: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Decipheral: Research Funding. Abboud:Agios: Honoraria; Jazz: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Kremyanskaya:Incyte: Research Funding. Odenike:ABBVIE: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CTI/Baxalta: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Dava Oncology: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncotherapy Science: Research Funding; Agios: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Astex: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Levine:Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; C4 Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria; Epizyme: Patents & Royalties; Prelude: Research Funding; Qiagen: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Loxo: Consultancy, Equity Ownership; Imago: Equity Ownership; Novartis: Consultancy; Isoplexis: Equity Ownership. Mesa:Novartis: Consultancy; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; UT Health San Antonio - Mays Cancer Center: Employment; CTI Biopharma: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Incyte Corporation: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding. Dueck:Phytogine: Employment; Bayer: Employment; Pfizer: Honoraria. Hoffman:Incyte: Research Funding; Formation Biologics: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Merus: Research Funding; Summer Road: Research Funding.
Results of the Myeloproliferative Neoplasms - Research Consortium (MPN-RC) 112 Randomized Trial of Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2a (PEG) Versus Hydroxyurea (HU) Therapy for the Treatment of High Risk Polycythemia Vera (PV) and High Risk Essential Thrombocythe
Rambaldi, Alessandro , Berenzon, Dmitriy, Yacoub, Abdulraheem , Harrison, Claire , Ewing, Joanne, Winton, Elliott F., Leibowitz, D , Arcasoy, Murat O. , Catchatourian, Rosalind, Rondelli, Damiano , Silver, Richard T. , Bacigalupo, Andrea , Nagler, Arnon , Kremyanskaya, Marina , Sandy, Lonette, Salama, Mohamed E. , Weinberg, Rona Singer , Rampal, Raajit K. , Rambaldi, Alessandro , Mascarenhas, John , Kosiorek, Heidi , Prchal, Josef T. , McMullin, Mary Frances , Vannucchi, Alessandro M. , O'Connell, Casey Lee , Kiladjian, Jean‐Jacques , Mead, Adam J. , Stefano, Valerio De , Kessler, Craig M. , Najfeld, Vesna , Tripodi, Joseph , Price, Leah , Goldberg, Judith D. , Mesa, Ruben A. , Dueck, Amylou C. , Hoffman, Ronald

Blood | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 132 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 577-577

10.1182/blood-2018-99-111946 Get It

Abstract Introduction HU is the treatment of choice for patients (pts) with high risk ET/PV, however, PEG has been proposed as an alternative option due to its proposed potential to modify disease course. An interim analysis of MPN-RC 112 (Blood 2016 128:479;) did not reveal a difference in PR/CR rates between HU and PEG therapy after 12 months in the first evaluable 75 pts treated. Here we present the results and long-term follow-up of all pts participating in this pivotal study [NCT01259856]. Methods MPN-RC 112 was a randomized, open label, phase 3 clinical trial comparing HU and PEG in pts with high risk ET/PV. Pts were treated for up to 12 months to achieve PR or CR (ELN/IWG-MRT response criteria). Pts who achieved a PR/CR continued therapy for up to a maximum of 6 years. Minimum follow up was 1 year from the time the last pt was randomized. The primary objective was to compare the CR rate following HU vs. PEG at 12 months with 3 month confirmation. Secondary objectives included a comparison of toxicity and tolerability; PR rates; incidence of specific pre-defined toxicities and tolerance to therapy; impact of therapy on key biomarkers; survival and incidence of myelodysplastic syndrome, myelofibrosis, or leukemic transformation; and incidence of major cardiovascular events. Bone marrow pathologic responses were evaluated by central blinded expert review at baseline, 12, 24 months and end of study. Results The study accrued 168 pts; 86 were randomized to HU and 82 to PEG. A summary of pt baseline characteristics by treatment arm is shown in Table 1 and were well balanced between the treatment arms except for median age which was higher in the HU arm (p=0.02). Median duration of follow up was 89.9 weeks (range, 0 to 292.3) and the median treatment duration was 86.0 weeks (range, 0 to 287.3). At 12 months, the overall response rate (ORR= PR+CR) was 69.8% and 78% for HU and PEG, respectively (p=0.22). Figure 1 shows the distribution of responses stratified by disease type. At 24 months, 59 pts were on treatment with an ORR of 22/25 (88%) for HU and 31/34 (91%) for PEG. When considering all 106 pts who were eligible to receive treatment for 24 months (due to study closure), the ORR was 22/54 (40.7%, PR: 11 (20.4%), CR: 11 (20.4%)) for HU and 31/52 (59.6%, (PR: 15 (28.9%), CR: 16 (30.8%)) for PEG, p=0.04. Best ORR at any time on study was seen in 70.9% and 81.7% of HU and PEG treated pts, respectively, p=0.10. The median maximum change from baseline spleen volume was -6% (-100.0 - +53.8) in 112 evaluable pts and was similar between arms, p=0.99. Bone marrow morphologic responses are shown in Table 2 and the best response (CR) seen at any time on study for ET treated with HU was 52% (12/23) vs PEG 32% (8/25) and for PV treated with HU 19% (6/31) vs PEG 6% (2/34). Cytogenetic analyses at diagnosis were available in 86% (144/168). An abnormal karyotype was seen in 15% (22/144). Five PV and one ET pt lost their chromosomal abnormalities: 3 after one year (HU=1, PEG=2) and three after two years of therapy (HU=2, PEG=1). AE information is available for 162 pts (HU: 80; PEG: 82) (Table 3). Six pts randomized to HU never received treatment due to study withdrawal prior to initiation of treatment. Sixty pts had a grade 3 or higher event [HU: 22 (27.5%) and PEG: 38 (46.3%)]. 28 PV pts had a grade 3/4 [HU: 10 (24.4%) and PEG: 18 (41.9%)]. Four pts had a grade 4/5 event [HU: 3 (7.3%) and PEG: 1 (2.3%)]. 32 ET pts had a grade 3/4 [HU:12 (30.8%) and PEG:20 (51.3%)]. Two pts had a grade 4/5 event [HU:1 (2.6%), PEG:1 (2.6%)]. Additional outcomes of interest on study include one death attributed to new diagnosis of lung cancer (HU:1), progression to myelofibrosis (HU:1), vertebral artery occlusion (HU:1), and cerebral vascular accident (PEG:1). Reasons for study discontinuation are shown in Table 4. The effect of therapy on symptom burden and quality of life will be presented in a companion abstract (Mesa et al). The impact of mutation status on therapeutic outcome as well as the molecular responses will be presented at the meeting. Conclusion The final analysis of MPN-RC 112 revealed that the CR rates in pts with high risk ET/PV treated with PEG and HU at 12 and 24 months were similar. PEG was associated with a higher rate of grade 3/4 toxicity. Each drug appeared equally capable of modifying the natural history of high risk ET/PV based upon their effects on spleen size, karyotypic abnormalities, histopathological parameters and the low incidence of thrombotic complications and disease evolution in both arms. Disclosures Mascarenhas: Novartis: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Rambaldi:Amgen Inc.: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Italfarmaco: Consultancy; Omeros: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy. Harrison:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; CTI BioPharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Kiladjian:AOP Orphan: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Mead:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Elstar: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; ARIAD: Consultancy; Evotek: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Cell Therapeutics: Consultancy. Kessler:Genentech: Research Funding; Sangamo: Research Funding; Bayer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Biomarin: Research Funding; Octapharma: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; DSMB: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novo Nordisk: Honoraria, Research Funding; Dimension Advisory boards: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kremyanskaya:Incyte: Research Funding. Rampal:Stemline: Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding; Constellation: Research Funding; Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Mesa:CTI Biopharma: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Genentech: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; UT Health San Antonio - Mays Cancer Center: Employment; Pfizer: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Incyte Corporation: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding. Dueck:Pfizer: Honoraria; Bayer: Employment; Phytogine: Employment. Hoffman:Incyte: Research Funding; Formation Biologics: Research Funding; Merus: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Summer Road: Research Funding.
A New Clinically-Based Subclassification Proposal in CMML with Significant Prognostic Implications to Overcome the MDS/MPN Categorizing Dilemma
Iacobelli, Simona , Garcia‐Manero, Guillermo , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Nazha, Aziz , Rampal, Raajit K. , Sanchez, Matias , Ali, Najla H. Al, Thompson, Zachary , Fenaux, Pierre , Killick, Sally , Mikkael, Sekeres A, Tefferi, Ayalew , Padron, Eric , Onida, Francesco , Itzykson, Raphaël , Lasho, Terra L. , Jabbour, Elias , Colla, Simona , Kantarjian, Hagop M. , List, Alan F. , Komrokji, Rami S. , Solary, Éric

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 4320-4320

10.1182/blood.v128.22.4320.4320 Get It

Abstract Introduction: CMML is a clinically heterogeneous myeloid neoplasm hallmarked by the coexistence of dysplastic and proliferative patho-clinical features, which can include cytopenias, constitutional symptoms, splenomegaly, and leukocytosis. However, according to the FAB classification schema, CMML may be differentiated in dysplastic and proliferative subgroups only by the presence of leukocytosis in the latter (WBC ≥13 x 109/L). We hypothesize that incorporation of other clinically discriminating features may yield a more informative CMML stratification system. To address this, we propose three distinct CMML categories and explore their clinical relevance leveraging our existing international CMML database (Padron E et al. Blood Cancer J. 20151). Method: 1622 WHO-defined CMML cases diagnosed between 1973 and 2014 were collected from eight large cancer centres that include up to 80 discrete data elements as previously described1. Cases were placed into three clinically distinct groups and the Pearson Chi-Square test and the Kruskal-Wallis test were applied respectively to compare categorical and continuous characteristics. The Kaplan-Meier (KM) method was used to estimate median OS and the log rank test was used to compare survival curves.Cox models whereapplied to obtain univariate and adjusted hazard ratios. Identification of optimal cut-off values for continuous variable was supported by graphical inspection of martingale residuals from the null Cox model. Statistical analyses were done in SPSS v23 and R v.3.3.0. Results: We propose three categories to delineate clinically distinct CMML subtypes: (1) Myelodysplastic (MD)-CMML: WBC≤10 x 109/L, PB-immature myeloid cells (IMC) = 0%, no splenomegaly (2) MD/MP-CMML: WBC 10-20 x 109/L or WBC ≤10 x 109/L but PB-IMC>0% and/or splenomegaly (3) Myeloproliferative (MP)-CMML: WBC >20 x 109/L. A recursive partitioning approach was used to identify the WBC cut points, with splenomegaly and IMC added to more accurately depict the MPN aspect of CMML. Numbers of patients included in the MD-, MD/MP-, and MP-CMML subcategories were 319 (19.7%), 789 (48.6%) and 514 (31.7%), respectively (Table 1). According to the FAB criteria, the MD/MP group included 521 (66%) MD- (WBC ≤13 x 109/L) and 268 (34%) MP-CMML (WBC>13 x 109/L) patients suggesting that the proposed classification clinically reclassifies FAB-defined CMML. Within the MD/MP group, 344 patients (21.2%) had a WBC <10 x 109/L but with IMC>0% and/or splenomegaly. Comparison of overall survival (OS) among proposed groups demonstrated that this classification schema was capable of discriminating the CMML natural history (Figure 1). In comparison to MD/MP-CMML, the unadjusted OS Hazard Ratio (HR) was 0.60 (95% CI 0.49-0.73) for MD-CMML and 1.57 (95% CI 1.36-1.81) for MP-CMML (p<0.001 for both). This difference was retained after adjusting for BM-Blasts (< vs ≥5%), IPSS or CPSS cytogenetics (High-risk vsInterm/low-risk), and elevated levels of LDH (HR was 0.73 with 95% CI 0.57-0.93, p=0.011 for MD-CMML, and 1.33 with 95% CI 1.12-1.58, p=0.001 for MP-CMML, respectively). We next explored whether each proposed group may have distinct variables that uniquely govern its prognosis. Peripheral blood blasts >5%, RBC- and PLT-transfusion-dependence predicted poor OS only in the MD and MD/MP-subcategories (p<0.005), but had no impact in the MP-CMML. Male gender and elevated LDH were only significantly associated with prognosis in the MD/MP group (p<0.05 and p<0.005, respectively) while absolute lymphocyte count >2.5 x 109/L and absolute monocyte count >10 x109/L were uniquely predictive for shorter survival in the MP-CMML subcategory (p<0.005). Notably, we additionally identified gene mutations that uniquely predicted prognosis in each proposed group (Table 2). Conclusions: We demonstrate that our proposed 3-group clinical classification schema is capable of independently stratifying prognosis. Further, our analysis identified clinical and genetic variables that uniquely govern each group's prognosis, suggesting independent clinical behaviour. Further investigations are warranted to validate these groups. Disclosures Jabbour: ARIAD: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy. Fenaux:Celgene, Janssen,Novartis, Astex, Teva: Honoraria, Research Funding. Kantarjian:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; ARIAD: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Pfizer Inc: Research Funding; Delta-Fly Pharma: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Komrokji:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau.
Impact of Genomic Alterations on Outcomes in Myelofibrosis Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Rampal, Raajit K. , Tamari, Roni , Zhang, Nan , McNamara, Caroline, Litvin, Rivka, Castro‐Malaspina, Hugo , Weinberg, Rona Singer , Rondelli, Damiano , Rapaport, Franck T , Maloy, Molly , Giralt, Sergio , Mascarenhas, John , Mesa, Ruben A. , Dueck, Amylou C. , Levine, Ross L. , Gupta, Vikas , Hoffman, Ronald

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 2301-2301

10.1182/blood.v128.22.2301.2301 Get It

Abstract Introduction: The impact of genomic alterations, such as mutations in ASXL1, on the risk of disease progression and leukemic transformation in patients with myelofibrosis (MF) is well established. Further, emerging data suggests that the number and type of mutations may impact response to therapies such as ruxolitinib or imetelstat. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) remains the only potentially curative treatment for MF patients. However, the impact of somatic mutations on overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) is poorly understood. Using next-generation sequencing of pre-transplant blood and bone marrow samples from a well clinically-annotated cohort of MF patients who underwent allo-HSCT, we sought to determine the impact of mutational burden on outcomes. Methods: A multicenter retrospective analysis of a cohort of 84 patients was carried out. This included 52 patients treated on the MPD-RC 101 prospective study (NCT00572897), 18 patients treated at Prince Margaret Hospital, and 14 patients treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Patient and transplant characteristics are displayed in Table 1. DNA was extracted from pre-transplant bone marrow aspirate samples or peripheral blood samples. High-throughput sequencing of a panel of genes was performed. Average coverage of 829x (standard deviation of ±130) was obtained. Mutect was utilized to call single point variants (comparing our samples to a pool of normal samples) and PINDEL was used to call short insertions and deletions. We excluded all mutations present in at least one database of known non-somatic variants (DBSNP and 1000 genomes) and absent from COSMIC. Univariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier graphics were used to investigate the association of patient, transplant, and disease characteristics with OS and RFS. Results: JAK2V617F was the most frequent mutation detected in 41(48.8%) patients (Table 2). Eighteen patients (21.4%) had triple negative disease (negative for JAK2, MPL, and CALR mutations). Univariate analysis included the following: patient characteristics (age, gender), transplant characteristics (related vs. unrelated donor, matched vs. mismatched donor and myeloablative vs. reduced intensity conditioning) and disease characteristics (DIPSS and presence of mutations). Decreased OS was associated with unrelated donor status (HR 2.09, 95% CI: 1.03-4.23, p=0.04), reduced intensity conditioning (HR 4.21, 95% CI: 1.01-17.59, p=0.049), triple negative disease (HR 2.09, 95% CI: 1.02-4.30, p=0.04), and presence of U2AF1 (HR 2.53, 95% CI: 1.10-5.81, p=0.03) or SUZ12 mutations (HR 3.92, 95% CI: 1.19-12.21, p=0.02). Decreased RFS was associated with unrelated donor status (HR 2.27, 95% CI: 1.16-4.45, p=0.02), and the presence of SUZ12 mutation (HR 6.97, 95% CI: 2.37-20.49, p<0.001). A descriptive decrease in RFS in patients with U2AF1 (HR 2.15, 95% CI: 0.94-4.88, p=0.07) was observed but did not reach statistical significance. Importantly, mutations previously reported to be associated with reduced OS and RFS in the non-transplant setting, such as ASXL1, EZH2, IDH1/2, and SRSF2, were not associated with poorer outcomes in this analysis in transplanted patients. In an exploratory multivariate analysis including donor type (related vs. unrelated) and presence of U2AF1 and SUZ12 mutations, there was a significantly reduced OS and RFS in patients who harbor these mutations regardless of donor type (OS: HR 5.30, 95% CI: 2.08-13.47, p<0.001; RFS: HR 5.49, 95% CI: 2.27-13.30, p<0.001). In patients without the above mutations, having an unrelated donor was associated with worse OS (HR 2.55, 95% CI: 1.09-5.96, p=0.03) and RFS (HR 2.61, 95% CI: 1.17-5.83, p=0.02, Figure 1). Conclusions: Our analysis demonstrates that mutations previously associated with poor prognosis in MF, such as ASXL1, do not appear to confer a worsened prognosis in patients undergoing allo-HSCT, suggesting transplant may be able to overcome the impact of these mutations. However, mutations in SUZ12 and U2AF1 are associated with reduced OS in univariate and multivariate analysis (together with donor type). Further studies with larger cohorts of patients are indicated to validate these findings, and to elucidate the impact of these mutations on disease biology. Disclosures Rampal: Incye and CTI: Consultancy. Mascarenhas:Janssen: Research Funding; CTi Biopharma: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Merk: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. Mesa:Galena: Consultancy; Gilead: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Ariad: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. Gupta:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding.
Frequent Clinical Overlap of Histiocytic Neoplasms and WHO-Classified Myeloid Malignancies Leads to Functional Insights into the Cell-of-Origin of Histiocytoses
Özkaya, Neval , Ganzel, Chezi , Hyman, David M. , Rampal, Raajit K. , Lemoine, François M., Amoura, Zahir , Haroche, Julien , Durham, Benjamin H. , Yoshimi, Akihide , Papo, Matthias , Chung, Young Rock , Doǧan, Ahmet , Park, Christopher Y. , Roos-Weil, Damien , Bernard, Olivier , Diamond, Eli L. , Emile, Jean‐François , Abdel‐Wahab, Omar

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 951-951

10.1182/blood.v128.22.951.951 Get It

Abstract The identification of mutations in BRAFV600E and other kinases in systemic histiocytoses changed our understanding of the pathophysiology of these disorders from inflammatory non-malignant conditions to clonal disorders driven by altered MAP kinase signaling. In addition, BRAFV600E mutations have recently been noted in bone marrow (BM) CD34+ cells of patients with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH), suggesting that LCH represents a clonal disorder arising from hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). However, it is unknown if HSPCs from LCH or other histiocytoses patients can functionally give rise to these disorders. Moreover, whether or not patients with histiocytosis have additional hematological disorders related to the presence of HSPC-based mutations is unclear. Here we attempted to understand the spectrum of hematological disorders in patients with histiocytoses and the cell-of-origin of histiocytic neoplasms by functionally analyzing HSPCs from histiocytoses patients. We first analyzed a multicenter cohort of 190 adult histiocytoses patients. This unexpectedly identified a high frequency of patients with a co-existing myeloid malignancy. Of the 190 patients, 9.5% (18/190) were diagnosed with Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD) and/or LCH concomitantly with a classic MPN (3.7%; 7/190), MPN/MDS overlap (4.7%; 9/190), or MDS (1.1%; 2/190) (Figure). This clinical observation was confirmed by detection of co-existing histiocytoses-associated kinase mutations (including BRAF, MAP2K1, NRAS, or KRAS mutations) with JAK2 or CALR mutations, as well as other mutations recurrently found in myeloid malignancies (such as IDH1/2, ASXL1, and TET2 mutations (Figure)). These data therefore reveal a heretofore-unrecognized clinical overlap of adult-onset systemic histiocytoses and WHO-classified myeloid malignancies while further highlighting the possibility of an aberrant HSPC origin for histiocytic neoplasms. In most cases, the BRAF/MAP2K1/RAS mutation predominated in the histiocytic lesion while the JAK2/CALR mutation predominated in the BM/peripheral blood suggesting likely distinct clones driving each clinical condition. Next, to test the self-renewal and differentiation capacity of HSPCs from histiocytoses patients, CD34+ cells were purified from 8 patients including 6 with ECD or LCH plus a concomitant myeloid neoplasm, and 2 with ECD alone. 0.1-0.8x106 CD34+ cells from each patient were transplanted by intrafemoral injection into sublethally irradiated NOD/SCID IL2Rγ transgenic human GM-CSF, IL-3, and SCF expressing (NSG-SGM3) mice. Human engraftment was monitored by monthly flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood until mice became moribund. Thereafter, animals were sacrificed and tissues were analyzed using flow cytometry, histology, immunohistochemistry, and sequencing analyses to detect driver mutations identified in the histiocytosis/co-occurring myeloid neoplasm. Successful engraftment of human myeloid cells was verified in grafts generated from 2/8 patients after a mean of 90 days (range: 60-120 days). This included lethal engraftment of KRAS-mutated ECD patient cells at 90 days manifested by infiltration of human hCD45+ cells co-expressing human myeloid and monocyte lineage markers hCD33 and hCD14 in the bone marrow, spleen, liver, lung, and kidney (Figure). Immunostains revealed that tissues were infiltrated by an hCD45+hCD163+hCD68+ population of foamy histiocytes, characteristic of ECD (Figure). Furthermore, genomic analysis of DNA from the engrafted animals BM and spleen revealed the same KRASG12S mutation found in the donor patients ECD lesion. Engraftment of a patient diagnosed with concomitant BRAFV600E-mutant ECD and ASXL1/TET2-mutant CMML was seen at 60 days. In this case, however, only engraftment of human CMML was detected without evidence of the BRAFV600E-mutant ECD component. This study suggests that adult histiocytic neoplasms frequently co-occur with other myeloid neoplasms. Moreover, histiocytosis disease-driver mutations are present in the CD34+ HSPCs, which we show for the first time can initiate disease that resembles human histiocytosis in a patient-derived xenograft. Importantly, however, even though the CD34+ compartment gives rise to both the histiocytic and myeloid neoplasm disease component, each disease is likely initiated by distinct precursors. Figure. Figure. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Diverse and Targetable Kinase Alterations Drive Histiocytic Neoplasms
Haroche, Julien , Yao, Zhan, Ma, Jing , Cohen‐Aubart, Fleur , Micol, Jean‐Baptiste , Walsh, Michael P. , Sylvester, Brooke E., Aminova, Olga, Heguy, Adriana , Zappile, Paul, Dalton, James , Ellison, David W. , Estrada‐Veras, Juvianee , Gahl, William A. , Stephens, Phil , Miller, Vincent A. , Ross, Jeffrey , Ali, Siraj , Hyman, David M. , Baselga, José, Jankú, Filip , Taylor, Barry S. , Amoura, Zahir , Rampal, Raajit K. , Rosen, Neal , Durham, Benjamin H. , Diamond, Eli L. , Parikh, Sameer A. , Choi, John , Kim, Eun Hee , Lee, Stanley Chun-Wei , Gao, Yijun , Campbell, Patrick , Dolgalev, Igor , Nakitandwe, Joy , Lacouture, Mario E. , Ross, Jeffrey, Héritier, Sébastien , Donadieu, Jean , Solit, David B. , Park, Christopher Y. , Doǧan, Ahmet , Emile, Jean‐François , Gruber, Tanja Andrea , Abdel‐Wahab, Omar

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 481-481

10.1182/blood.v126.23.481.481 Get It

Abstract Histiocytic neoplasms are clonal, hematopoietic disorders characterized by an accumulation of abnormal monocyte-derived dendritic cells or macrophages in Langerhans Cell (LCH) and non-Langerhans (non-LCH) histiocytoses, respectively. The discovery of the BRAF V600E mutation in ~50% of patients with LCH and the non-LCH Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD) provided the first molecular target in these patients and novel insights into the pathogenesis of these disorders. However, recurrent mutations in the majority of the ~50% of BRAF V600E-wild type patients with non-LCH are unknown. Moreover, recurrent mutations outside of the MAP kinase pathway are undefined throughout histiocytic neoplasms. To address these issues, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) of frozen biopsies from 24 patients with LCH (n=10) or ECD (n=14) paired with peripheral blood mononuclear cells. 13/24 patients also underwent RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). All mutations in activating kinases were validated by droplet-digital PCR, while targeted-capture next-generation sequencing validated all others. Both adult (n=18; n=2 with LCH) and pediatric cases (n=9; n=8 with LCH) were included. Using combined WES/RNA-seq, activating kinase alterations were identified in 100% of patients. In LCH, 60% and 40% had BRAF V600E and MAP2K1 mutations, respectively. In non-LCH 51%, 14%, 14%, and 7% were BRAFV600E, ARAF, MAP2K1, and NRAS mutant (Fig1A). Overall, a mean of 7 non-synonymous mutations per adult patient was identified (range 1-22) compared with 5 mutations per pediatric patient (range 4-9; p =ns). Mutations affecting diverse cellular processes were found to co-exist with kinase mutations including mutations in epigenetic modifiers and the p38/MAPK pathway. In addition to kinase point mutations, RNA-seq identified recurrent, in-frame kinase fusions-a first for these disorders. All identified fusions were validated using FISH and RT-PCR. This includes novel fusions in BRAF (RNF11-BRAF and CLIP2-BRAF), as well as therapeutically important fusions in ALK (2 separate KIF5B-ALK fusions) and NTRK1 (LMNA-NTRK1;Fig1B). Expression of each fusion in Ba/F3 cells conferred cytokine-independent growth. Importantly, the BRAF fusions were found to be sensitive to MEK inhibition but resistant to vemurafenib while the ALK fusions conferred sensitivity to the ALK inhibitors crizotinib or alectinib. We next interrogated a validation cohort of 37 BRAF V600E-wild type, non-LCH, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples using targeted mutational profiling for MAP2K1, ARAF, NRAS, KRAS, and PIK3CA. This revealed activating mutations in MAP2K1 (32%; n=12), NRAS (16%; n=6), KRAS (11%; n=4), PIK3CA (8%; n=3), and ARAF (3%; n=1). Three of the investigated non-LCH patients with refractory disease and progressive organ dysfunction were treated with targeted therapies based on the discovery of novel kinase alterations described above. Treatment of 2 refractory MAP2K1- mutant, non-LCH patients with MEK inhibitors (trametinib or cobimetinib) resulted in dramatic clinical improvement (Fig1C). Both patients have been maintained on MEK inhibitor single-agent therapy with a sustained clinical response for >100 days. Further evidence of effective targeted inhibition was found in a refractory ECD patient carrying an ARAF S214A mutation. This patient failed to respond to 3 lines of prior therapies and suffered near blindness due to disease infiltration in the retina and optic nerves. Given a recent report of complete response to sorafenib in a lung cancer patient with an ARAF S214C mutation, we initiated sorafenib. Within 12 weeks, there was improvement in the patientÕs eyesight and decreased infiltrative disease, coinciding with >50% decrease in mutant ARAF DNA in plasma cell-free DNA. Whole exome and transcriptome sequencing identified activating kinase mutations or translocations in all patients with the common downstream effect of activating the MAPK pathway. The preliminary, dramatic, clinical efficacy observed with use of MEK and RAF inhibitors in MAP2K1 - and ARAF-mutated, non-LCH patients further supports the central role of targeting the MAPK pathway in these tumors. The discovery of the discussed mutations and fusions in diverse kinases provides critical new insights into the genetic events central to a spectrum of adult and pediatric histiocytic neoplasms. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Off Label Use: This abstract describes use of MEK inhibitors (both tremetinib and cobimetinib) as well as sorafenib for MEK1 and ARAF mutant histiocytosis. . Stephens:Foundation Medicine, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Miller:Foundation Medicine, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Ross:Foundation Medicine Inc.: Employment. Ali:Foundation Medicine Inc.: Employment. Hyman:Chugai Pharma: Consultancy; Biotherapeutics: Consultancy; Atara: Consultancy, Honoraria.
An International Data Set for the Study of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML) Validates Modern Prognostic Scoring Systems and Demonstrates a Critical Need for Novel Prognostication Strategies
Padron, Eric , Garcia‐Manero, Guillermo , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Lasho, Terra, Nazha, Aziz , Rampal, Raajit K. , Sanchez, Matias , Ali, Najla H. Al, Thompson, Zachary , Fenaux, Pierre , Killick, Sally , Tefferi, Ayalew , Itzykson, Raphaël , Lasho, Terra, Jabbour, Elias , Lee, Ji‐Hyun , Colla, Simona , Kantarjian, Hagop M. , Sekeres, Mikkael A. , List, Alan F. , Onida, Francesco , Komrokji, Rami S. , Solary, Éric

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 124 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 530-530

10.1182/blood.v124.21.530.530 Get It

Abstract Introduction: CMML is a heterogeneous malignancy characterized by peripheral monocytosis and a propensity for AML transformation. Given the low incidence of CMML and its broad range complexity, a large disease-specific data set is necessary to discern independent co-variates predictive of disease behavior. Several prognostic models derived from smaller data sets have been developed to stratify CMML patients into distinct groups that are predictive for OS. However, the validity of these models in a large international data set has never been investigated. Here, we present the largest International CMML data base established to date and report key baseline characteristics predictive for disease outcome. We externally validate and perform a detailed statistical comparison between the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS), Revised (R)-IPSS, Global MD Anderson Scoring System (MDASC), MD Anderson Prognostic Score (MDAPS), Dusseldorf Score (DS), Mayo, and Spanish Scoring Systems (CPSS). Methods: Data were abstracted by each contributing institution and deposited for central data review at the Moffitt Cancer Center. Manual review of cases was performed to ensure data quality prior to analysis. Only WHO defined CMML was included. The primary objective of this study was to establish an international CMML data set and validate the above models calculated at the time of presentation to each center. All prognostic models were calculated as previously described. The Kaplan–Meier (KM) method was used to estimate median OS and the log rank test was used to compare KM survival estimates with SPSS version 21.0. Random Forest Survival (RSF) and ROC analysis was done with R. Results: Between July 1981 and June 2014, 1832 CMML patients were captured in the International CMML database. Median age at diagnosis was 70 (16-93) years with a male (67%) predominance. By the WHO classification, the majority of patients had CMML-1 (79.9% vs. 20.1%) and most patients were evenly subcategorized as MPN-CMML (49.8%) versus MDS-CMML (50.2%) by FAB criteria. Splenomegaly was demonstrable in 25%. Most patients had favorable cytogenetics by both IPSS (70%) and CPSS (67.6%) classification schemas. Mean BM blast % was 5.6 and mean monocyte count was 4.85x103/dL. Median OS of the entire data set was 31.6 months. All tested prognostic models were valid and able to predict OS (p<0.0001). To compare relative model performance, 1013 complete cases with sufficient data to calculate all risk models were compared using time dependent receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves and their area under the curves (AUC). ROC curves were calculated for OS at 36 months. The R-IPSS model had the highest AUC (0.694) while the DS model had the lowest (0.635). The difference in AUC between the R-IPSS and DS models was statistically significant (p = 0.003) whereas there was no significant difference from other models tested. To determine which models were most vulnerable to reclassification from low-risk to higher risk, we calculated a vulnerability score defined by the number of models able to up-stage low-risk disease in more than 15% of cases. Using this metric, the Mayo and MDASC scores were least vulnerable to up-staging by other models. Lastly, we used an orthogonal method for determination of variable importance (RSF for OS at 36 months). RSF is an ensemble method of classification and regression tree methodology. Ranking of variables by their weighted importance determined by this procedure identified the top five variables were hemoglobin, circulating blasts, platelet count, number of cytopenias, and karyotype. A new risk model was developed using the results of the RSF with an AUC of 0.720, which was comparable but not significantly different than other modern scoring systems. Conclusions: This represents the largest international CMML-specific data set derived from eight unique centers of excellence. All modern prognostic models were valid and performed comparably. Despite novel strategies for variable importance discovery, an improved model could not be constructed. This data suggest that the power of clinical variables has reached an asymptote and highlights the need for incorporation of molecular and other novel biological features. This data set is currently being populated with molecular data and is being leveraged to test published CMML molecular prognostic models which will be disclosed at the time of presentation. Disclosures Garcia-Manero: Epizyme, Inc: Research Funding. Fenaux:Celgene, Janssenm, Novartis: Research Funding. Kantarjian:ARIAD, Pfizer, Amgen: Research Funding. Sekeres:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen Corp: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Boehringer-Ingelheim Corp: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Safety and Efficacy of Combined Ruxolitinib and Decitabine in Patients with Blast-Phase MPN and Post-MPN AML: Results of a Phase I Study (Myeloproliferative Disorders Research Consortium 109 trial)
Rampal, Raajit K. , Berenzon, Dmitriy, Abboud, Camille N. , Kremyanskaya, Marina , Weinberg, Rona Singer , Salama, Mohamed E. , Tognoni, Gianni, Prosperini, Giuseppe, Lelio, Alessandra Di, Serone, Eliseo , Marfisi, Lorenzo, Sandy, Lonette, Heaney, Mark , Mascarenhas, John , Kosiorek, Heidi , Hexner, Elizabeth O. , Levine, Ross L. , Mesa, Ruben A. , Dueck, Amylou C. , Hoffman, Ronald

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 1124-1124

10.1182/blood.v128.22.1124.1124 Get It

Abstract Background: The Philadelphia chromosome negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) includePolycythemia Vera (PV), Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) and Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF). These stem cell disorders carry a propensity to evolve into acute myeloid leukemia (MPN-blast phase [BP] or post-MPN AML) with a dismal prognosis not meaningfully improved by conventional anti-leukemia therapy. Thus, MPN-BP is an urgent unmet clinical need. Responses in patients with MPN-BP to hypomethylating agents and single agent ruxolitinib have been reported. More recently, combination of ruxolitnib and decitabine has demonstrated synergistic activity in vitro in cells derived from patients with MPN-BP and from a murine model of MPN-BP (Rampal et al PNAS 2014). These observations led us to explore the safety of combined decitabine and dose escalation of ruxolitinib in MPN-BP. Objective: To establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of ruxolitinib in combination with a fixed dose of decitabine (DEC-RUX). Methods: We conducted an open label Phase I trial in patients with MPN acceleration phase (AP) as defined by 10%-19% blasts in the peripheral blood or bone marrow or a diagnosis of MPN-BP as defined by ≥ 20% blasts in the blood or bone marrow, following a previous diagnosis of ET, PV or PMF. Patients were enrolled in a standard 3+3 phase I design with an MTD defined as a dose <33% DLT. Ruxolitinib was administered at doses of 10mg, 15mg, 25mg, or 50mg every 12 hours in combination with concurrent decitabine at a dose of 20mg/m2 daily intravenously over 5 days and repeated every 28 days. Adverse events were assessed using the NCI CTCAE v. 4.0. DLTs were defined as Grade 3 or higher non-hematologic toxicity events not clearly related to disease and grade 4 hematologic events with a bone marrow cellularity of ≤5% and no evidence of leukemia. Response assessment was carried out every cycle using modified Cheson criteria: CR required 0% peripheral blood blasts, WBC ≥4x109/L, hemoglobin ≥10g/L, and platelets ≥100x109/L; CRi required 0% peripheral blood blasts with incomplete count recovery; and PR required ≥50% decrease in peripheral blood blasts regardless of blood counts. Results: A total of 21 patients were accrued to study (Table 1). The median age was 63 years (range 48-88). 52% carried a diagnosis of MPN-AP, and 48% carried a diagnosis of MPN-BP. 29% of patients and 24% of patients had prior exposure to ruxolitinb and decitabine, respectively. The median number of cycles received varied from 10.5 cycles in the 10mg BID cohort to 2 and 2.5 cycles in the 25mg BID and 50mg BID cohorts, respectively (Table 2). The most common Grade 3/4 non-hematologic AEs observed were due to infection in all dosing cohorts. In terms of hematologic toxicity, treatment emergent Grade 3/4 anemia was observed in 1 patient in each of the 10mg BID, 15mg BID, and 50mg BID cohorts. Grade 3/4 leukopenia was observed in only 1 patient at the 50mg BID cohort, and Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia was observed in 2 patients in the 10mg BID cohort and 1 patient in the 15mg BID cohort. DLT rate was below 33% for all dose levels so the MTD was not reached. The most common reason for ending study treatment was toxicity/adverse events (33%) followed by disease progression (22%). 9 patients died during study or follow-up. Of those, 5 (56%, 2 in 10mg BID cohort, 1 in 15mg BID cohort, 2 in 50mg BID cohort) died of infection, 3 (33%, 1 in each of 10mg, 25mg, and 50mg BID cohorts) of progressive disease, and 1 (11%, 25mg BID cohort) of hemorrhage. The median overall survival for patients on study was 10.4 months (95% CI 3.3 mo - not reached). CR/CRi as best response was observed in 7/21 patients (33%, 95% CI 15-57%; 2 CR, 5 CRi; Table 2). Conclusions: DEC-RUX combination therapy was safely administered to patients with MPN-AP/BP and an MTD was not reached. Based on pre-clinical data, observed safety profile, duration of treatment, and clinical responses in this phase I trial, the Recommended Phase II Dose of RUX was selected as 25mg BID for an induction cycle followed by 10mg BID in all ensuing cycles. Molecular and bone marrow pathology responses will be presented at the meeting. Disclosures Mascarenhas: Promedior: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Research Funding; Novartis: Other: DSMB , Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Incyte: Other: Clinical Trial Steereing Committee, Research Funding. Hexner:Blueprint medicines: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding. Abboud:Alexion: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Novartis: Research Funding; Teva: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria; Baxalta: Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Gerson and Lehman Group: Consultancy; Cardinal: Honoraria. Levine:Novartis: Consultancy; Qiagen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Mesa:Promedior: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Incyte: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Galena: Consultancy; Ariad: Consultancy; Gilead: Research Funding; CTI: Research Funding.
Pegylated interferon alfa-2a for polycythemia vera or essential thrombocythemia resistant or intolerant to hydroxyurea
Yacoub, Abdulraheem , Mascarenhas, John , Prchal, Josef T. , Berenzon, Dmitry, Baer, Maria R. , Ritchie, Ellen K. , Silver, Richard T. , Winton, Elliott F., Finazzi, Maria Chiara , Rambaldi, Alessandro , Leibowitz, D , Rondelli, Damiano , Arcasoy, Murat O. , Catchatourian, Rosalind, Vadakara, Joseph , Kremyanskaya, Marina , Sandy, Lonette, Tripodi, Joseph , Najfeld, Vesna , Farnoud, Noushin , Papaemmanuil, Elli , Salama, Mohamed E. , Singer-Weinberg, Rona, Rampal, Raajit K. , Goldberg, Judith D. , Barbui, Tiziano , Dueck, Amylou C. , Salama, Mohamed , Dueck, A. C. , Tripodi, Joseph , Mascarenhas, John , Goldberg, Judith D , Rambaldi, Alessandro , Najfeld, Vesna , Kosiorek, Heidi , Kessler, Craig M. , Vannucchi, Alessandro M. , Rosti, Vittorio , Hexner, Elizabeth O. , Mesa, Ruben A. , Hoffman, Ronald , Prchal, Josef T.

Blood | September 13, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: 18 | Pages: 1498-1509

10.1182/blood.2019000428 Get It

Yacoub et al report excellent responses to pegylated interferon alfa-2a in patients with hydroxyurea-resistant/intolerant polycythemia vera or essential thrombocythemia.
Oral idasanutlin in patients with polycythemia vera
Mascarenhas, John , Lü, Min , Virtgaym, Elizabeth, Xia, Lijuan, Sandy, Lonette, Petersen, Bruce , Farnoud, Noushin , Najfeld, Vesna , Rampal, Raajit K. , Dueck, Amylou C. , Dueck, A. C. , Mascarenhas, John , Najfeld, Vesna , Kosiorek, Heidi , Mesa, Ruben A. , Hoffman, Ronald

Blood | June 5, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 525-533

10.1182/blood.2018893545 Get It

Abstract A limited number of drugs are available to treat patients with polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). We attempted to identify alternative agents that may target abnormalities within malignant hematopoietic stem (HSCs) and progenitor cells (HPCs). Previously, MDM2 protein levels were shown to be upregulated in PV/ET CD34+ cells, and exposure to a nutlin, an MDM2 antagonist, induced activation of the TP53 pathway and selective depletion of PV HPCs/HSCs. This anticlonal activity was mediated by upregulation of p53 and potentiated by the addition of interferon-α2a (IFN-α2a). Therefore, we performed an investigator-initiated phase 1 trial of the oral MDM2 antagonist idasanutlin (RG7388; Roche) in patients with high-risk PV/ET for whom at least 1 prior therapy had failed. Patients not attaining at least a partial response by European LeukemiaNet criteria after 6 cycles were then allowed to receive combination therapy with low-dose pegylated IFN-α2a. Thirteen patients with JAK2 V617F+ PV/ET were enrolled, and 12 (PV, n = 11; ET, n = 1) were treated with idasanutlin at 100 and 150 mg daily, respectively, for 5 consecutive days of a 28-day cycle. Idasanutlin was well tolerated; no dose-limiting toxicity was observed, but low-grade gastrointestinal toxicity was common. Overall response rate after 6 cycles was 58% (7 of 12) with idasanutlin monotherapy and 50% (2 of 4) with combination therapy. Median duration of response was 16.8 months (range, 3.5-26.7). Hematologic, symptomatic, pathologic, and molecular responses were observed. These data indicate that idasanutlin is a promising novel agent for PV; it is currently being evaluated in a global phase 2 trial. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02407080.