Altman, Jessica K.

Abstract FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tandem duplications (FLT3-ITD) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are associated with early relapse after standard chemotherapy and poor survival. Quizartinib (AC220) is an oral FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has shown the highest level of single agent activity seen with a FLT3 targeted agent in FLT3+ relapsed AML to date. This Phase 1 dose escalation study is the first study to report data with quizartinib in combination with standard induction and consolidation chemotherapy in patients aged 18-60 years with newly diagnosed AML, regardless of FLT3-ITD status. The dose escalation was conducted using a modified 3+3 design, where 6 pts were enrolled at each dose level. The pts were given cytarabine 200 mg/m2 x 7 days and daunorubicin 60 mg/m2 x 3 days (7+3) for induction and high dose cytarabine 3 g/m2(HiDAC) q12hours on days 1, 3, and 5 for consolidation. Quizartinib was administered daily for either 7 or 14 days, starting at Day 4 of induction and/or consolidation chemotherapy. Patients were allowed to proceed directly to a stem cell transplant after achieving a response or receive further quizartinib as maintenance therapy after consolidation if they were not transplant eligible. Three dose levels were tested; dose level 1 (DL1) at 60 mg for 7 days, dose level 2 (DL2) 60 mg for 14 days, and dose level -1 (DL-1), 40 mg for 14 days. Through May 31, 2013 18 pts were enrolled in the study, and the safety information at all 3 dose levels are presented. The median age of pts was 43 years (range 22 to 60). Of the 18 patients, 16 had the FLT-ITD mutation. At DL1, one of the 6 patients had a DLT (grade 3 hyponatremia). At DL2, two of the 6 patients had a DLT (grade 3 QTc prolongation and grade 4 pericarditis) which exceeded the pre-specified criteria so DL-1 was then explored. At DL-1, one of the 6 patients had a DLT (grade 3 constrictive pericarditis). The most common (20%) treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were nausea (42%), diarrhea (32%), anemia (26%), febrile neutropenia (26%), neutropenia (21%), fatigue (21%), pyrexia (21%) and thrombocytopenia (21%). The most common (10%) Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related AEs were febrile neutropenia (26%), thrombocytopenia (21%) anemia (21%)), neutropenia (21%), leucopenia (16%), and nausea (11%). The data from this Phase 1 study demonstrates for the first time that quizartinib can be safely administered with induction and/or consolidation chemotherapy in newly diagnosed younger patients with AML. The MTD was identified as 40 mg for 14 days or 60 mg for 7 days. The efficacy results from this Phase 1 study will be available at the time of presentation. Based on these findings, multiple Phase 3 studies in newly diagnosed AML patients are planned. Disclosures: Altman: Novartis: Consultancy; Araid: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Teva: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy. Foran:Astellas: Research Funding. Trone:Ambit: Employment. Gammon:Ambit: Employment. Cortes:Ambit: Research Funding.

AbstractBackgroundPatients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are surviving longer. There are no data on changes in myocardial mechanics from standard of care low‐dose anthracycline‐based induction chemotherapy in older patients with AML. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the potential utility of strain imaging in detecting early changes in left ventricular function in this patient population after induction chemotherapy.MethodsThirty two patients enrolled in the ECOG‐ACRIN E2906 study (cytarabine and daunorubicin vs clofarabine [Genzyme/Sanofi]) from 2011 to 2014 were evaluated retrospectively. Two‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) imaging with Doppler and two‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) using EchoInsight software (Epsilon imaging) were performed before and after induction chemotherapy.ResultsEighteen patients received cytarabine and daunorubicin (7 + 3) and 14 received clofarabine. The clofarabine group was older than the 7 + 3 cohort (67.8 ± 4.0 vs 63.7 ± 3.8, P = .007). There were no other significant differences in cardiac risk factors between groups. The 7 + 3 group had a decrease in average peak systolic global longitudinal (−19.1 ± 2.8 to −17.2 ± 3.0, P = .01) and circumferential strain (−29.4 ± 6.3 to −23.9 ± 4.3, P = .011). These changes were not demonstrated in the clofarabine group and were not associated with a decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).ConclusionsIn older AML patients, standard cytarabine and daunorubicin chemotherapy causes early changes in global longitudinal and circumferential strain not seen with clofarabine therapy. These findings demonstrate subclinical left ventricular dysfunction after exposure to low cumulative doses of anthracycline‐based induction chemotherapy and may help us better identify those patients at risk for adverse long‐term cardiovascular outcomes.

Abstract Background: The persistence of detectable MRD in complete remission (CR/CRi - CR with incomplete CBC recovery) has been reported to contribute to inferior outcome in younger AML patients (pts) in retrospective studies, however MRD has not been studied prospectively in older adults (age ≥60 yrs) receiving intensive therapy with curative intent. We performed a planned prospective study of MRD status after AML induction therapy in older adults, integrated into the large multicenter ECOG-ACRIN (E-A) E2906 Phase III trial. Methods Eligible patients age ≥60 yrs with AML were randomized 1:1 to receive either 'Standard' 7&3 (Dauno 60mg/m2) induction, with 2 cycles of intermediate dose Ara-C (1.5g/m2 x 12 doses; 6 doses if age ≥70) consolidation (Arm A); or single agent clofarabine (CLO) induction and consolidation (2 cycles) (Arm B). The design and primary clinical results for E2906 (n=727) have been reported previously (Foran et al, ASH #217a, 2015), demonstrating superior overall survival (OS) with standard therapy despite similar CR/CRi rates using stringent criteria, and similar 30-day induction mortality rates. Submission of diagnostic & remission bone marrow or peripheral blood samples was protocol mandated for prospective MRD assessment, and analysis was performed in the central E-A Leukemia Translational Research Lab (LTL) using 6-color multiparameter flow cytometry. MRD-positive (MRD+) was defined as ≥0.1%. LTL flow cytometric analysis was done blinded to treatment arm and outcome of patients. Only pt samples collected within +/-6 days of CR/CRi confirmation were included in this analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using X2 (categories) and Wilcoxon rank sum (continuous) tests to compare baseline patient and disease characteristics. Log-rank tests and multivariate Cox models stratified by treatment arm and adjusted for patient and disease variable (including WBC, cytogenetics, sex, performance status, secondary AML) were used to examine the MRD effect on OS and disease-free survival (DFS, relapse or death). Results The median follow-up is 47.8 months, and 297 of 685 evaluable patients (43.4%) achieved CR/CRi (Standard 44.6%; CLO 42.0%, p=ns). Remission MRD samples were only available for 147 CR/CRi patients (49.5%), owing to variability in sample viability and AML involvement, collection practices and timing of sample collection at individual sites, and patient/physician decision. 58/147 evaluable CR/CRi patients achieved MRD-negative (MRD-) status (Standard 40.7%, CLO 47.9%, p=0.74). Women (56.9% vs. men 43.1%, p=0.003) were more likely to be MRD-, but there was no other significant difference in MRD status stratified by clinical or disease features. MRD+ status at CR/CRi was associated with significantly inferior OS (p=0.031, Figure 1) and also inferior overall DFS (p=0.02); this was most pronounced for DFS after CLO (Arm B, Figure 2) (p=0.005), but not Standard (Arm A) therapy (p=0.41). The impact of MRD+ was confirmed on multivariate analysis using Cox Model Fitting, for OS: OS for All MRD+ pts, HR 1.64 (95% CI 1.00-2.68) (p=0.05); OS for Standard (Arm A) MRD+ pts, HR 1.06 (95% CI 0.51-2.21) (p=0.87); and OS for CLO (Arm B) MRD+ pts, HR 2.30 (95% CI 1.05-5.06) (p=0.04). There was a similar impact for DFS on multivariate analysis using Cox Model Fitting: DFS for All MRD+ pts, HR 1.86 (95% CI 1.16-2.98) (p=0.01); DFS for Standard (Arm A) MRD+ pts, HR 1.15 (95% CI 0.60-2.19) (p=0.67); and DFS for CLO (Arm B) MRD+ pts, HR 3.45 (95% CI 1.47-8.09) (p=0.004). Post-remission therapy was not stratified by MRD in E2906, and 33% of MRD-evaluable pts underwent allogeneic transplantation (no difference in transplant rate for MRD+ vs. MRD-). Conclusions MRD+ ≥0.1% is common (60.5%) after induction therapy in older adults & is significantly associated with inferior OS and DFS in 1st CR/CRi. However we observed excellent outcomes for MRD- pts in first CR/CRi regardless of induction regimen or post-remission therapy used. MRD+ pts in CR/CRi who went on to receive CLO consolidation had significantly poorer outcomes than those who went on to receive intermediate dose Ara-C consolidation. This observation differs strikingly from younger AML, and suggests that intensified Ara-C may abrogate the adverse impact of MRD in older pts in CR. These results strongly support incorporation of centralized MRD at the time of remission into future studies to guide optimal post-remission strategies in older pts with AML. Disclosures Foran: Agios: Research Funding; Xencor, Inc.: Research Funding. Lazarus:Pluristem Ltd.: Consultancy. Altman:Bayer: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Pfizer: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Boeringer Ingelheim: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Epizyme: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Immune Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cyclacel: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Incyte: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; GSK: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Agios: Other: Payment to the institution to conduct the trial ; Astellas Pharma: Other; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Syros: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Ariad: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; FujiFilm: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Genetech: Other: Payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Celator: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work. Al-Kali:Novartis: Research Funding. Pratz:Millenium/Takeda: Research Funding; Agios: Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy, Research Funding; Boston Scientific: Consultancy. Powell:Rafael Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Tallman:ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; BioSight: Other: Advisory board; Daiichi-Sankyo: Other: Advisory board; Orsenix: Other: Advisory board; AROG: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Cellerant: Research Funding.

Abstract Background: The selective AURKA inhibitor alisertib (MLN8237) exhibits disease modifying activity in murine models of myelofibrosis by eradicating atypical megakaryocytes resulting in reduction of marrow fibrosis (Nat Med 2015). Here, we present long term follow-up results from the investigator initiated pilot study of alisertib in patients with myelofibrosis (clinical trials.gov Identifier NCT 02530619). Methods: 24 patients with DIPSS intermediate 1, intermediate-2, or high risk myelofibrosis who were in need of therapy, refractory/intolerant or unlikely to respond to JAK inhibitors with neutrophil count ≥ 1 x109/L, and platelet count ≥ 50 x109/L, received alisertib (provided by Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc) at a dose of 50 mg twice daily for one week every 21 days. Toxicity assessment was performed by the standard common terminology criteria (Version 4.0). Response was assessed by the international working group for myelofibrosis research and treatment (IWGMRT) criteria. Correlative studies included assessments of JAK2V617F, CALR, and MPL mutant allele burden, degree of fibrosis and GATA1 expression in bone marrow samples obtained pre and post therapy. Results: We enrolled 17 patients with primary myelofibrosis, 4 with post essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis and 3 with post polycythemia vera myelofibrosis. Median age was 72 years with 66% males. 79% of patients were DIPSS intermediate risk, and the remainder were high risk with 15 patients (62.5%) having received prior JAK inhibitor therapy. Driver mutational status was as follows; 58% JAK2V617F, 29% CALR, and 13% MPL mutated. At study entry, 54% of patients demonstrated palpable splenomegaly ≥ 5 cm below the left costal margin, 54% were transfusion dependent with all patients experiencing constitutional symptoms. At the time of data cut-off, patients received a median of 7.5 cycles (range; 1-29 cycles) of therapy. The 7 patients presently on study have received a median of 23 cycles (range; 8-29 cycles). Reasons for treatment discontinuation included progressive disease/lack of response in 11 (65%) patients, toxicity in 4 (24%) patients and refusal of further therapy in 2 (11%) patients.Safety and Efficacy assessments The most common treatment-emergent grade 3/4 adverse events included neutropenia (42%), thrombocytopenia (29%) and anemia (21%), with 4% each experiencing neutropenic fever, diarrhea, vertigo, elevated creatinine and elevated alanine aminotransferase. 22 patients were considered for response evaluation with 4 of 14 patients (29%) with palpable splenomegaly ≥ 5 cm achieving a spleen response, 1 of 13 patients (8%) becoming transfusion independent, and 5 of 22 patients (23%) experiencing symptom response with ≥ 50% reduction in the MPN-SAF total symptom score. However, when response assessment was restricted to 13 patients who had received a minimum of 5 cycles of therapy, spleen responses were observed in 4 of 7 (57%) patients, 1 of 5 (20%) achieved transfusion independence and 5 of 13 (38%) achieved symptom response. All patients presenting with leukocytosis (n=4) and thrombocytosis (n=2) had resolution with therapy. Of the 7 patients presently on study, four patients continue to demonstrate symptom response, two patients with both spleen and symptom response, and another patient with sustained anemia response. Correlative assessments We compared the intensity of staining of GATA1, a factor that is required for maturation, in sequential bone marrow biopsies from six patients at baseline and after a minimum of five cycles and observed a striking increase in the numbers of GATA1-positive megakaryocytes in five of six cases (Figure 1a). In addition, we observed a one grade reduction in marrow fibrosis in 4 of 6 paired samples (Figure 1b). This reduction in fibrosis was accompanied by sustained responses to the drug. Finally, we compared JAK2, MPL or CALR mutant allele burden in eight paired baseline and cycle 5 or 6 samples and observed decreases in 4 of 8 patients (Figure 1c). Conclusions: Alisertib is safe and well tolerated in patients with myelofibrosis with prolonged administration up to 1.7 years. In addition to providing clinical benefit, alisertib restored normal morphology and GATA1 expression in atypical megakaryocytes and reduced marrow fibrosis and mutant allele burdens. These findings demonstrate that AURKA inhibition should be further explored as a therapeutic option in myelofibrosis. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Swords: AbbVie: Employment. Watts:Jazz Pharma: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Research Funding. Frankfurt:Celgene, Jazz, Agios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Altman:Cyclacel: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Epizyme: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Ariad: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Bayer: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Celator: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; FujiFilm: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Agios: Other: Payment to the institution to conduct the trial ; Astellas Pharma: Other; Genetech: Other: Payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Syros: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; GSK: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Immune Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Boeringer Ingelheim: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Other: payment to the institution to conduct clinical trial work. Rampal:Celgene: Honoraria; Stemline: Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding; Constellation: Research Funding; Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria. Giles:Actuate Therapeutics Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Crispino:Forma Therapeutics: Research Funding; Scholar Rock: Research Funding.

Abstract Background: CXCR4 is a chemokine receptor over-expressed on > 75% of cancers, including myeloid leukemia blasts. Ulocuplumab (BMS- 936564) is a first in class, fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody which inhibits the binding of CXCR4 to CXCL12, resulting in the mobilization of leukocytes from the bone marrow to the peripheral blood. Ulocuplumab also induces apoptosis of CXCR4+ cells in clinicial samples (i.e., leukemia blasts) and in in vitro experiments (e.g. in Tregs). It is thus hypothesized that Ulocuplumab may induce the mobilization and apoptosis of myeloid blasts & immunosuppressive cells which could improve the overall response rate to chemotherapy Objective: To conduct a first-in-man phase I dose escalation/ expansion trial to determine the safety, pharmacology, and clinical benefit of Ulocuplumab in relapsed/refractory AML Results: Seventy three subjects (median age, 58 yrs; range, 21-79 y) with relapsed/refractory AML were treated with Ulocuplumab and MEC [mitoxantrone, 8 mg/m2; etoposide , 100 mg/m2; and cytarabine, 1 g/ m2; i.v. d 1-5]. Thirty subjects in escalation received a single infusion of Ulocuplumab (doses of 0.3, 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg) one week prior to starting MEC and 3 additional weekly doses per MEC cycle thereafter (starting on Day 1). Ulocuplumab was escalated to a maximum of 10 mg/kg without any dose-limiting toxicity during monotherapy or in combination with MEC in the 1st cycle. In expansion phase, 43 patients were similarly treated with10 mg/kg Ulocuplumab and MEC. The overall complete remission and complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery rate (CR/CRi) was 51%. Subjects with first CR > 6 months had better ORR (16/23, 70%) than those with CR1 ≤6 months or primary induction failure (6/20, 30%). Of note, four subjects had CR/CRi after a single dose of Ulocuplumab monotherapy. Transient, mild/moderate thrombocytopenia was the only treatment-related AE documented with Ulocuplumab monotherapy. Only one subject presented a mild infusion reaction on Cycle 1 Day 1. The safety profile in combination with MEC was similar to MEC alone as was the 60 day all-cause mortality (16.3%). A median 2- and 5-fold mobilization of leukocytes and leukemic blasts into the peripheral circulation was reported at day 8, respectively. There was a trend demonstrating that higher CXCR4 expression on AML blasts correlated with a positive clinical response. Reversible and manageable hyperleukoctosis occurred in one subject. Conclusions: This study shows that the blockade of the CXCR4-CXCL12 axis with Ulocuplumab has antileukemic activity and safely improves the historic response rate achieved with MEC alone (i.e.,24-28%). Disclosures Becker: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding. Off Label Use: Etoposide is indicated in the management of refractory testicular tumors and small cell lung cancer. . Foran:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding. Altman:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding. Yacoub:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding. Castro:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding. Sabbatini:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment. Dilea:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment. Wade:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment. Xing:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment. Gutierrez:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment. Cohen:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment. Smith:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding.

Abstract Introduction: The therapy of relapsed/refractory AML remains poor and new treatment options are sorely needed. The Leukemia Committee of ECOG devised a randomized phase II trial of 3 novel regimens to determine overall response rates could be improved. Methods: Patients between the ages of 18 and 70 years with a prior diagnosis of AML who relapsed <1 year after initial achievement of complete remission (CR) or who were refractory to initial induction therapy (<2 courses) or to first reinduction after a relapse (<1 course) were eligible for this trial. Eligible patients were randomized equally to one of three regimens described in Table 1 below. The primary endpoint was achievement of a morphologic complete remission (CR) or a CR with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi). A 2 stage statistical design was planned with 18 patients (assuming 16 eligible) to be accrued in the first stage. If at least 3 CR+CRi were seen among the 16 eligible patients, an additional 19 patients (assuming 17 eligible) would be entered in the second stage. If 8 or more CR+CRi were seen in the 33 eligible patients, this would be considered evidence of a promising response rate. Results: This study activated October 16, 2008 and closed August 2, 2013 with a total of 92 patients accrued (91 eligible). The eligibility criteria were amended during the study to lower the upper age limit from 70 to 65 years because 6 treatment related deaths occurred in the initial 27 patients accrued to the FLAM regimen. All of these patients died of septic shock or multi-organ failure and 5 of the 6 died within 1 month of the start of therapy. Most of these patients were over age 65 ( 53, 62, 67, 68, 69 and 69 years). At the first stage analysis, of the first 16 eligible patients accrued to each arm there were 2 CR and 2 CRi in the CT arm, 2 CR and 2 CRi in the FLAM arm and 2 CR in the sirolimus-MEC arm. Thus, the sirolimus-MEC arm was closed to accrual with a total of 20 eligible patients and second stage accrual continued for the CT and FLAM arms. Among the 35, 36 and 20 eligible patients accrued to arms A, B and C, respectively, there were 2 CR and 3 CRi in the CT arm, 6 CR and 4 CRi in the FLAM arm, and 2 CR and 1 CRi in the sirolimus-MEC arm. All 10 CR or CRi of the FLAM arm were among the first 33 eligible patients, therefore FLAM was the only regimen to achieve our target. The overall response rates for arms A, B and C were 14% (90% CI 7.1% - 34.7%), 28% (90% CI 16.1% - 43.0%) and 15% (90% CI 4.2% - 34.4%), respectively. Among the 92 patients accrued, there were 5, 10 and 2 grade 5 events within 30 days of the end of therapy in arms A, B and C, respectively. The vast majority of these deaths were attributed to infection and multi-organ failure except two which were secondary to disease. Conclusion: In this high risk group of AML patients the FLAM regimen showed an encouraging response rate. A randomized phase II trial has also recently been completed exploring its use in the front-line setting with newly diagnosed high-risk AML. While the FLAM regimen was excessively toxic in elderly patients with relapsed or refractory disease, it is a suitable option for younger patients in this setting. Arm A: CT Carboplatin 150 mg/m2/day over 24 hours by continuous infusion IV for 5 days (days 1-5) Topotecan 1.6 mg/m2/day over 24 hours by continuous infusion IV for 5 days (days 1-5) Arm B: FLAM Flavopiridol 30 mg/m2 for ½ hour followed by 60 mg/m2 over 4 hours IV per day for 3 days Cytarabine 667 mg/m2 over 24 hours by continuous infusion IV for 3 days (days 6-8) Mitoxantrone 40 mg/m2 IV over 1-2 hours (day 9) Arm C: Sirolimus-MEC Sirolimus 12 mg by mouth on day 1, followed by 4 mg by mouth daily for 8 days (days 2-9) Mitoxantrone 8 mg/m2/day over 15 minutes IV for 5 days (days 4-8) Etoposide 100 mg/m2/day over 1 hour IV for 5 days (days 4-8) Cytarabine 1000 mg/m2/day over 3 hours IV for 5 days (days 4-8) Table 2. Responses Table 1. Chemotherapy Regimens Regimen n Median age (range), years Responses (%) Deaths (first 30 days) (%) CT 35 55 (23-67) 5 (14%) 5 (14%) FLAM 36 62 (19-69) 10 (28%) 10 (28%) Sirolimus-MEC 20 52 (22-68) 3 (15%) 2 (10%) Disclosures Off Label Use: Sirolimus-potentiate chemotherapy Carboplatin-chemotherapy for AML treatment Topotecan-chemotherapy for AML treatment.

Abstract Introduction: Rearrangements of the MLL (mixed lineage leukemia) gene on chromosome 11q23 are present in 5-10% of either acute myeloid (AML) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and are associated with a poor prognosis. Fusion proteins involving the MLL histone methyltransferase (HMT) result in recruitment of another HMT, DOT1L, to a multi-protein complex leading to aberrant methylation of Histone H3 lysine 79 (H3K79) at MLL target genes and enhanced expression of leukemogenic genes such as HOXA9 and MEIS1. EPZ-5676 is a small molecule inhibitor of DOT1L with sub-nanomolar affinity and >37,000 fold selectivity against additional HMTs. EPZ-5676 treatment of cultured cells reduced histone H3K79 methylation, decreased MLL target gene expression and resulted in selective killing of MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) leukemia cells by inducing apoptosis and differentiation. EPZ-5676 administration led to tumor regression in an MLL-r leukemia xenograft model. We report preliminary results of an ongoing Phase 1 trial of EPZ-5676 in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies, including acute leukemia with MLL-r. Methods: This is a 2-part phase 1 open label dose escalation study investigating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD) and anti-leukemic activity of EPZ-5676 in adult patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory leukemia (CT.gov: NCT01684150). In the dose-escalation phase, patients with AML, ALL, acute mixed lineage leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative neoplasia (MPN) or chronic myeloid leukemia were eligible. Eligibility in the expansion phase of the study was restricted to pts with MLL-r or partial tandem duplication of MLL (MLL-PTD). EPZ-5676 was administered via continuous intravenous infusion (CIV) for 21 days of a 28 day cycle in the dose escalation phase and CIV for all 28 days of a 28 day cycle in the expansion phase, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results: Between October 2012 and July 2014, 37 pts have enrolled; 36 are evaluable for safety (received at least 1 dose of EPZ-5676) and 28 pts (19 MLL-r, 4 MLL-PTD) are evaluable for anti-leukemia activity (completed at least one post baseline marrow evaluation). The median age at time of enrollment was 53 years (range: 20 to 81 years); the median number of prior systemic therapies was 2 (range: 1 to 6) and 14 pts had a prior allogeneic stem cell transplant. Of the treated pts, disease characteristics were: 31 pts with AML (21 MLL-r, 5 MLL-PTD), 4 pts with ALL (3 MLL-r) and 1 pt with MPN (MLL-r). Table 1: Number of evaluable pts per cohort Dose (mg/m2/day) 12 24 36 54 80 90 21 day CIV 1 5 4 6 3 - 28 day CIV - - - - - 17 The median time on study was 29 days (range: 5-196 days). Adverse events (AEs) reported in >15% of pts were: anemia, fever/neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, chills, fatigue, mucosal inflammation, peripheral edema, hypomagnesemia, dyspnea and sepsis; of which leukocytosis, nausea and hypomagnesemia were assessed by the investigator as drug related. Grade I PR interval prolongation, without associated QTc changes, was observed in 2 pts. There were no deaths attributed to study drug treatment, and there were 2 pts with treatment discontinuation for potentially drug-related AEs. Dose proportional PK was observed with rapid attainment of steady-state plasma concentrations on Day 1 of treatment. Preliminary PD data demonstrated inhibition of H3K79 methylation from baseline in marrow (median: 52%, range 0-81%) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (median: 43%, range 25-67%) at doses above 36 mg/m2/day. PD effects were observed by day 8. The 21 day CIV pts recovered H3K79 methylation towards baseline by day 28, and the 28 day CIV pts maintained methyl-mark inhibition throughout cycle 1. To date, best responses for pts with MLL-r are morphologic CR (1 pt.), cytogenetic CR (1 pt), and resolution of leukemia cutis (2 pts). In addition, a treatment-related increase in neutrophils (PMN) and/or monocytes was observed in 6 pts with a median day of onset of 15 days (range 8-28 days). The identification of the MLL-r by split signal FISH in mature PMN suggests a differentiation effect on the leukemic clone. Conclusions: EPZ-5676 is well tolerated and exhibits anti-leukemic activity in MLL-rearranged acute leukemia. These data provide rationale for continued clinical investigation of potential utility of EPZ-5676 in patients with rearrangements of the MLL gene. Disclosures Stein: Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Garcia-Manero:Epizyme, Inc: Research Funding. Rizzieri:Novartis, Inc: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Ariad, Inc: Speakers Bureau. Savona:Karyopharm: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Altman:Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Ariad: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Spectrum: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Foundation Medicine: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Armstrong:Epizyme, Inc: Consultancy. Pollock:Epizyme: Employment, Equity Ownership. Waters:Epizyme, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Legler:Epizyme, Inc: Employment. Thomson:Epizyme, Inc: Employment. Daigle:Epizyme, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. McDonald:Epizyme, Inc: Employment. Campbell:Epizyme, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Olhava:Epizyme, Inc: Employment. Hedrick:Epizyme, Inc: Employment; Pharmacyclics, Inc: Equity Ownership. Copeland:New Enterprise Associates: Ad hoc consultant, Ad hoc consultant Other; Mersana: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Epizyme, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership.

Abstract Introduction: Aberrant fusion proteins involving the MLL histone methyltransferase (HMT) result in recruitment of another HMT, DOT1L, to a multi-protein complex. This leads to abnormal methylation of Histone H3 lysine 79 (H3K79) at MLL target genes and enhanced expression of leukemogenic genes such as HOXA9 and MEIS1 ( Krivstov, 2007). Pinometostat is a small molecule inhibitor of DOT1L with sub-nanomolar affinity and >37,000 fold selectivity against non-MLL HMTs. Pinometostat treatment of MLL-rearranged cells and xenografts reduced histone H3K79 methylation, decreased MLL target gene expression, and induced selective leukemia cell kill (Daigle, 2013). We report the safety, activity, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) in the phase 1 trial of pinometostat in adult patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory (R/R) leukemia. Methods: This open label dose escalation/expansion study of pinometostat enrolled pts >18 years (yrs) with R/R leukemia (NCT01684150). In the dose-escalation phase, pts with AML, ALL, mixed lineage leukemia (MLL), myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative neoplasm or chronic myeloid leukemia were eligible. Eligibility in the two expansion cohorts: 90 mg/m2 (n = 17) and 54 mg/m2 (n = 6), was restricted to pts with MLL-r or MLL-partial tandem duplication (MLL-PTD). Pinometostat was given via continuous intravenous infusion (CIV) for 21 of 28 day cycles in the dose escalation phase and CIV for 28 of 28 day cycles in the expansion phases, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. All pts underwent serial collection of PK and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) for PD. Leukemic blasts were isolated from PBMCs using flow cytometry and quantified for dimethylation of H3K79 (H3K79-me2) by ChIP-Seq. Results: As of 28-June-2015, 49 pts have enrolled in the dose escalation and expansion phases. Pts receiving 21/28 day infusions: 12 (n=1), 24 (n=5), 36 (n=4), 54 (n=6) and 80 mg/m2/day (n=3). Pts receiving 28/28 day infusions: 54 (n=6) and 90 mg/m2/day (n=24). Table 1. Patient Characteristics n (%) Median age, yrs (range) 51 (19 - 81) Sex (M / F) 27/22 Diagnosis MLL-r* 29 (59) AML MLL-PTD** 5 (9) MLL-wt 7 (14) ALL MLL-r* 5 (10) MLL-wt 1 (2) MLL MLL-r 1 (2) CMML MLL-r 1 (2) # of prior therapeutic regimens 1 - 2 29 (59) 3 - 4 18 (36) >4 2 (4) Prior allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant 20 (41) * centrally confirmed by karyotype/FISH ** centrally confirmed by NGS (next generation sequencing) Adverse events (AEs) reported in >15% of pts regardless of attribution were: nausea, constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, fatigue, fever, peripheral edema, mucositis, febrile neutropenia, leukocytosis, anemia, cough, dyspnea, and pneumonia. Grade ≥3 non-hematologic related toxicities include: hypophosphatemia (n=1), decreased ejection fraction (n=3), or elevated transaminases (n=1). Nine patients had leukocytosis (absolute monocyte and neutrophil 50% above baseline and above upper limit of normal) or differentiation. The median days of pinometostat treatment was 35 days (range 3-189 days). To date, objective responses observed are morphologic CR (1 pt), cytogenetic CR (MLL negative by FISH) (1 pt), PR (1 pt) and resolution of leukemia cutis (3 pts). Dose proportional PK was observed with rapid attainment of steady-state plasma concentrations (Css) on Day 1 of treatment. Plasma Css correlated with inhibition of global H3K79-me2 in PBMCs. H3K79-me2 ChIP-Seq demonstrated pinometostat induced reductions in methylation at MLL -r target genes HOXA9 and MEIS1 (median inhibition = 61%: range = 13-91%) in all 9 pts analyzed to date from the 90 mg/m2 expansion cohort. Inhibition of H3K79-me2 in leukemic blasts is consistent with DOT1L suppression. PK-PD relationships in both expansion cohorts using both free and total plasma Css are being explored. Conclusions: Pinometostat administered as a CIV to adults with R/R leukemia has an acceptable safety profile. Clinical activity as demonstrated by both marrow responses and resolution of leukemia cutis were observed. In addition, analysis of H3K79-me2 by ChIP-Seq demonstrated PD reductions in the methylation of MLL-r target genes following pinometostat exposure, as expected from DOT1L inhibition. Relationships between PK exposure, reductions in pinometostat induced H3K79-me2 levels and clinical response are being interrogated. Disclosures Stein: Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Agios Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Rizzieri:Teva: Other: ad board, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Other: ad board, Speakers Bureau. Berdeja:Novartis: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Curis: Research Funding; MEI: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Onyx: Research Funding; Array: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Acetylon: Research Funding. Altman:Novartis: Other: Advisory board; Spectrum: Other: Advisory board; Ariad: Other: Advisory board; Seattle Genetics: Other: Advisory board; BMS: Other: Advisory board; Astellas: Other: Participation in an advisory board December 2013. Thomson:Epizyme, Inc: Employment. Blakemore:Epizyme: Employment. Daigle:Epizyme, Inc: Employment. Fine:Epizyme: Employment. Waters:Epizyme, Inc: Employment. Armstrong:Epizyme, Inc: Consultancy. Ho:Epizyme, Inc: Employment.

Abstract Background: Persistence of minimal residual disease (MRD) after induction, consolidation and salvage therapies is an independent poor prognostic marker in AML. The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment is a protective niche that promotes chemotherapy resistance of leukemia cells. This residual subset of chemotherapy-resistant cells present during remission eventually contributes to the leukemia relapse/persistence. Adhesion of AML cells to BM stroma is dependent on the CXCR4 receptor binding to its ligand CXCL12. High levels of CXCR4 expression correlate with poor survival in AML. It is postulated that blocking the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis will dislodge AML cells from the protective microenvironment and, when combined with chemotherapy, may improve the response to therapy. BL-8040 (BKT140) is a short peptide which inhibits the binding of CXCR4 to CXCL12, resulting in mobilization of leukemic blasts from the BM to the peripheral blood (PB). BL-8040 has strong affinity for the CXCR4 receptor with long receptor occupancy and as a single agent induces differentiation and apoptosis of leukemia cells in preclinical models. A clinical trial assessing the safety and efficacy of BL-8040 in combination with cytarabine (Ara-C) for the treatment of relapsed/refractory AML patients was recently completed (NCT01838395). Here we report results from correlative studies done on samples from patients who participated in this trial. Objective: To assess BL-8040 single agent anti leukemia effects in relapsed/refractory AML. Method: Patients received a once daily SC dose of BL-8040 monotherapy on days 1-2 followed by the same dose of BL-8040 plus Ara-C (1.5g/m2 for patients ≥60; 3g/m2 for patients <60) per day on days 3-7. Six dose levels of BL-8040 (0.5 - 2.0 mg/kg) were tested. PD parameters such as mobilization of leukemic blasts and induction of differentiation and apoptosis were assessed after monotherapy with BL-8040 using frequent PB sampling and BM aspirates at baseline and on day 3 prior to Ara-C administration. Results: 45 patients (including 3 receiving compassionate use BL-8040) with a median age of 61 yrs were treated. The majority of patients had poor risk disease with 24% secondary AML and 17% with prior allogeneic stem-cell transplantation. Most patients were heavily pretreated with 19% relapsing after a short first remission (CR1 ≤12 months), 17% had ≥2 relapses and 45% refractory to 1-2 inductions. The CR+CRi rate was 38% in subjects receiving BL-8040 dose ≥1.0 mg/kg (n=39). Ongoing follow-up (FU) of responding patients (expansion phase; N=19) shows median EFS of 9.3 months (range 4.3-12.8 months). At the time of this analysis 10/19 patients are alive with a FU range of 0.96 - 12.8 months. FACS analysis revealed that BL-8040 monotherapy triggered an average 4.3-fold increase of immature AML blasts (CD45+Low/CD34+/CD117+/HLA-DR+) in PB (i.e., mobilization). Response to treatment was associated with more robust mobilization of AML blasts following BL-8040 monotherapy (responders 9.5 vs non-responders 1.7 fold median). Preferential mobilization of AML blasts over normal cells (4.7 fold vs. 1.4 fold, respectively) was confirmed by FISH analysis in a subset of patients with informative cytogenetic abnormalities. Induction of granulocytic differentiation of immature leukemia progenitors (2.5 fold) in the BM following BL-8040 monotherapy was noted. Finally, induction of AML blasts apoptosis (40% increase) by BL-8040 alone was evident by FACS in day 3 (pre-araC) bone marrow biopsies. Conclusions: The data demonstrate that sustained blockade of the CXCR4-CXCL12 axis with BL-8040 is safe and well tolerated and when given in combination with Ara-C improves the response rate achieved historically with Ara-C alone. In addition, treatment with BL-8040 as a single agent rapidly and efficiently induces mobilization, differentiation and cell death of AML blasts. This selective effect on chemotherapy-resistant cells may be translated into reduction of residual disease arguing for incorporation into front-line trials and such studies are ongoing. Disclosures Foran: Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding; medscape: Honoraria; karyopharm: Honoraria; pfizer: Honoraria; novartis: Honoraria; boehringer ingelheim: Research Funding; agios: Research Funding; Cellerant: Research Funding. DiPersio:Incyte Corporation: Research Funding. Peled:Biokine Therapeutics: Employment. Abraham:Biokine Therapeutics Ltd: Employment. Pereg:BioLineRx Ltd: Employment. Vainstein:BioLineRx Ltd.: Employment. Oberkovitz:BioLineRx Ltd.: Employment. Aharon:BioLineRx Ltd.: Employment. Cortes:ARIAD: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Teva: Research Funding.

Abstract Background: The bone marrow (BM) niche protects acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells from chemotherapy. BM homing of AML cells is dependent on CXCR4 and its ligand CXCL12; high levels of CXCR4 expression correlate with poor survival in AML. It is postulated that blocking the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis with a potent CXCR4 antagonist will disrupt the interaction of the leukemic blasts with the BM and augment the anti-leukemic effect of chemotherapy. BL-8040 (BKT140) is a short synthetic peptide which inhibits the binding of CXCR4 to CXCL12, resulting in the mobilization of leukemic blasts from the bone marrow to the peripheral blood. BL-8040 also inhibits CXCR4/CXCL12 mediated pro-survival ERK/Akt signaling and alters balance of pro/anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. BL-8040 has strong affinity for the CXCR4 receptor with long receptor occupancy, and, in contrast to other CXCR4 inhibitors, as a single agent induces apoptosis of leukemia cells ex-vivo in clinical samples. A clinical trial assessing the safety and efficacy of BL-8040 in combination with cytarabine (Ara-C) for the treatment of adult relapsed/refractory AML patients is currently ongoing (NCT01838395). Objective: To assess the safety, efficacy and pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetic parameters of BL-8040 in combination with Ara-C in first or second relapse and refractory AML patients. Method: The study includes a dose escalation phase (3+3 design) followed by an expansion phase. Each patient receives a once daily SC dose of BL-8040 monotherapy on days 1-2 followed by the same dose of BL-8040 plus Ara-C (1.5 g/m2 for patients ≥60; 3 g/m2 for patients <60) on days 3-7. Five dose levels of BL-8040 (0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25 and 1.5 mg/kg) have been tested. Extensive pharmacodynamic parameters such as CXCR4 expression on the leukemic cells, receptor occupancy, mobilization of leukemic cells and induction of apoptosis are being assessed after monotherapy with BL-8040 using peripheral blood sampling (PB) and BM aspirates at baseline and on day 3 prior to Ara-C administration. Clinical response to treatment is evaluated by BM biopsy on day 30 (-/+ 2). Results: Twenty two patients (median age, 61 y; range, 43-74 y) with relapsed/refractory AML were treated during the escalation phase. BL-8040 was escalated up to 1.5 mg/kg (recommended phase 2 dose) without reaching the MTD. Combination of BL-8040 with Ara-C was safe and well tolerated at all doses tested. Only one SAE (Sweet Syndrome) was reported as possibly related to study drug. The primary treatment related AEs were transient injection site and systemic reactions. The composite complete remission including complete remission (CR) and complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) rate was 38% in subjects receiving BL-8040 doses of 1 mg/kg and higher (n=16). Two days of BL-8040 monotherapy triggered an average 40.2-fold (range 1.0-350.9) mobilization of immature AML progenitors (CD45+Low/CD34+/CD117+/HLA-DR+) from the BM to the PB. Moreover, a significant apoptotic effect on the immature leukemia progenitors in the BM following 2 days of BL-8040 monotherapy was noted. Flow cytometric evidence of apoptosis by BL-8040 was corroborated by an increase in cleaved caspase 3 positive blasts in day 3 bone marrow biopsies. In addition, BL-8040 treatment resulted in a median decrease of 57.7% (range, -10.4% to -96.2%) in the number of BM Leukemia progenitor cells (CD45+Low/CD34+/CD117+/HLA-DR+ out of total CD45+/CD34+ normal/progenitor cells) compared with the baseline biopsy. This decrease was accompanied with a 3.1 fold increase in granulocytes in the day 3 BM biopsy supporting differentiation effect. Finally, long receptor occupancy (up to 24 hours post dosing) was confirmed by FACS analysis measuring surface CXCR4 staining. Pharmacokinetics analysis confirmed dose incremental BL-8040 exposure with a short plasma half-life. Conclusions: The current data demonstrate that sustained blockade of the CXCR4-CXCL12 axis with BL-8040 has potent anti leukemic activity and in combination with Ara-C may improve the response typically achieved in this advanced AML population. Mechanistically, BL-8040 was able to induce apoptosis of leukemic progenitor cells, overcoming the stroma protection, inducing mobilization and differentiation. Disclosures Rowe: BioLineRx Ltd.: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; BioSight Ltd.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Uy:Novartis: Research Funding. Altman:Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Spectrum: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy; Ariad: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy. Peled:Biokine Ltd.: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; BiolineRX: Consultancy, Research Funding. Pereg:BioLineRx: Employment. Vainstein:BioLineRx: Employment. Aharon:BioLineRx: Employment. Pemmaraju:Stemline: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; LFB: Consultancy, Honoraria. Cortes:Teva: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; BerGenBio AS: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Ariad: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy, Research Funding; Ambit: Consultancy, Research Funding; Arog: Research Funding; Celator: Research Funding; Jenssen: Consultancy.