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Background. Study of myeloid neoplasms (MN) has been rapidly transformed by genome characterization. Gene mutations have been reported to influence disease phenotype and risk of disease progression, and the evaluation of mutational status can provide valuable insights to improve the decision-making process. In this international study, we evaluated the clinical impact of mutational screening in patients with CMML, which is characterized by significant clinical and genomic heterogeneity, including a substantial proportion of patients with poor outcomes and unmet needs. Currently, only limited molecular information has been incorporated into CMML classification and prognostication. Methods. We retrospectively collected 3182 CMML patients. We used MOSAIC, an AI-based framework for multimodal analysis in rare cancers (PMID: 38875514) to develop innovative, molecular-based tools for classification and prognostication. An independent validation of the results on 516 prospectively collected patients was performed. Results. Bayesian Networs and Hierarchical Dirichlet Processes were used to identify genomic associations and define a CMML molecular classification. We identified 11 clusters with distinct clinical and genomic features, including splicing machinery, signal transduction and tyrosine kinase pathways aberrations, and high-risk molecular signatures (i.e., AML-like and TP53 mutations). Up to 15% of patients showed clear genomic overlap with other MN. Importantly, extensive multi-color flow cytometry on T lymphocytes, NK and myeloid cells (BD FACSymphony A5 Cell Analyzer) revealed specific immunologic and inflammation signatures associated with molecular subgroups. We then integrated molecular and clinical information to build an international CMML Prognostic Scoring System (iCPSS). We assessed the performance of different statistical and AI-based methods; L1-penalized Cox Model resulted as the best performing method. Selected features included hematological parameters (WBC, Hb, PLT and marrow blasts), cytogenetic abnormalities, and mutations in 10 genes (ASXL1, DNMT3A, EZH2, NRAS, RUNX1, SETBP1, STAG2, TET2, TP53, U2AF1). By Bayesian thresholds optimization, we identified 5 risk classes (i.e., very-low, low, intermediate, high and very-high) with median overall survival (OS) ranging from 99 to 9 months (P<.001), and median leukemia-free survival (LFS) ranging from 210 to 18 months (P<.001). iCPSS provided better patient discrimination across all clinical endpoints compared to currently available prognostic tools, with a Concordance Index (CI) for OS of 0.75 versus 0.62-0.64, respectively. Notably, compared to available scoring systems, up to 40% of patients were reassigned to higher or lower risk classes by the iCPSS. External validation on an independent prospective cohort confirmed that the performance of iCPSS is superior to existing prognostic models (CI for OS 0.71 vs 0.54-0.61, respectively) To demonstrate the clinical utility of iCPSS, we focused on 753 patients who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In multivariable analysis, iCPSS stratified the probability of OS post-HSCT (P<.001) and identified groups of patients with different probabilities of disease relapse, ranging from 9% to 62% (P<.001). We employed a clinical- and genomic-based decision support system (PMID: 38723212) to determine the optimal timing of HSCT. Preliminary analyses indicated that higher-risk patients according to iCPSS (i.e., intermediate, high, and very high) benefit from an immediate HSCT strategy. Lower-risk patients (i.e., very low and low) had life expectancy maximized with delayed HSCT. Modeling decision analysis using iCPSS compared to conventional scores, resulted in a change in transplantation policy for a significant proportion of patients (up to 25%). Conclusion. Molecular information significantly improves the classification of CMML patients, providing a basis for refining diagnostic boundaries with other MN and for a more rational inclusion of patients in clinical trials. The iCPSS demonstrated superior performance over currently available scoring systems and improved HSCT decision making process.

Background New therapies for myelofibrosis (MF) are being developed but how these compare with current therapies is limited to analyzing single outcome measures such as spleen volume reduction or quality-of-life (QoL). However, these outcome trajectories might diverge and some endpoints may not be clinically relevant. To remedy this an ELN (European LeukemiaNet) taskforce developed a composite endpoint using the Desirability-Of-Outcome-Ranking (DOOR) method which allows multiple outcomes to be simultaneously considered and therapies achieving diverging endpoints compared. Methods An Expert Panel used DOOR to divide outcome relevancy into 8 dimensions: clinical meaningfulness, modifiability, reliability, feasibility, decisional value, acceptability, frequency, and cost. Next, a weight was assigned to each dimension using the mean Likert score assigned by the panelists. Next, the panel validated which dimensions were met by each of 30 outcomes most frequently listed by clinical trials. A weighted score (WS) for each outcome was calculated based on weights assigned to a dimension and accomplishment rates assigned to outcomes. Outcomes were then distributed into quartiles. Next, operational definitions of outcomes were tested in Delphi consensus method requiring > 75% agreement. Last, a literature review indicated correlations of the outcomes ranked in the 1st 2 quartiles with survival. Results Three composite endpoints were developed and named DEMYOs (DEsirability-of-MYelofibrosis-Outcomes). DEMYO-1, the proportion of people alive and free of severe vascular events, blast transformation, severe anaemia and thrombocytopenia and very-severe symptom burden, encompassed outcomes in the 1st quartile (WS > 29.5) and is the proposed composite endpoint for trials of people with advanced JAK-inhibitor refractory MF. DEMYO-2, defined as the proportion of people alive and free of accelerated or blast phase, severe or worsening anaemia, severe and major vascular events, severe or symptomatic splenomegaly, severe or worsening symptoms and any emergent adverse genetic abnormality, included the outcomes ranked in the 1st 2 quartiles (WS > 26.5) and is proposed for trials of people with a sub-optimal response to JAK-inhibitors. DEMYO-3, defined as the proportion of people alive and free of blast transformation, vascular events, severe, symptomatic or worsening clinical features and of worsening prognostic co-variates, included outcomes in the 1st 3 quartiles (WS > 23.5) and is proposed for trials of people not yet receiving JAK-inhibitors. Interpretation DEMYO composite endpoints capture relevant clinical features of MF and represent endpoints important to patients, physicians and other stakeholders. DEMYO validation is feasible by available trial data and, once validated, the composite endpoints can be endorsed by medicines regulatory agencies. DOOR proved feasible and robust in this 1st-in-haematology application and we encourage further use. No funding

Background: Proven salvage therapies for pts with triple-class refractory MM who progress on BCMA-targeted therapies are lacking.Fc receptor-homolog 5 (FcRH5) is a type I membrane protein that is expressed exclusively in the B-cell lineage. Cevostamab is a FcRH5xCD3 BsAb that facilitates T cell-mediated killing of MM cells. In an initial Phase I study (GO39775), cevostamab monotherapy was clinically active and had manageable toxicity in pts with heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory MM (Trudel et al. ASH 2021). In Cohort A1 of the subsequent Phase I/II CAMMA 2 study (CO43476; NCT05535244), cevostamab was highly active and had manageable safety at the 160mg target-dose (TD) level in pts with triple-class refractory MM who had received a prior BCMA-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC; overall response rate [ORR]: 60%, 6/10 pts) or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy (ORR: 73%, 8/11 pts) but had not received a prior BCMA-targeted BsAb (Kumar et al. EHA 2024). We present initial results from Cohort A2, which enrolled pts with triple-class refractory MM who had received prior BCMA-targeted therapies, including ≥1 BCMA-targeted BsAb. An exploratory analysis of baseline patient and tumor-related factors is also presented. Methods: Cevostamab was initiated with step dosing (Cycle [C] 1 Day [D] 1: 0.3mg; C1D2, D3, or D4 depending on the emergence of cytokine release syndrome [CRS] after the initial administration: 3.3mg) and continued at the 160mg TD on C1D8 and on D1 of each subsequent 21-day cycle until disease progression (PD) or unacceptable toxicity. Cytokine, tumor antigen, T-cell function/activation, and inhibitory immune checkpoint expression were assessed in blood and tumor samples collected at baseline and during treatment. Results: As of February 23, 2024, 21 pts (median age: 64 years, range: 46-84) had been enrolled into Cohort A2. Seven pts (33%) had extramedullary disease and 5/12 pts (42%) with a conclusive assay result had high-risk cytogenetics (t(4;14), t(14;16), or del(17p)). All pts were heavily pretreated (median prior lines of therapy: 8, range: 5-14); 62% had received ≥2 prior BCMA-targeted therapies (median time since last: 122 days, range: 68-558) and 33% had received ≥2 prior BsAbs (median time since last: 139 days, range: 68-782). Most pts (86%) were refractory to their last line of therapy; 62% were penta-drug refractory. Median follow-up was 173 days (range: 20-360). Grade (Gr) 3-4 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 71% of pts (15/21). Gr 3-4 AEs in >3 pts were neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia (38% each), and infections (29%). CRS occurred in 76% of pts (16/21) and was mainly Gr 1 (43%) or Gr 2 (29%); 1 patient had Gr 3 CRS. One treatment-related Gr 5 (fatal) AE of pneumonia was reported in the context of PD. No treatment-related AEs leading to cevostamab discontinuation occurred. Objective responses (partial response [PR] or better) were observed in 2/21 pts (ORR: 10%). Both pts achieved a very good PR and had ongoing responses at cut-off. Stable disease was observed in 10 pts (48%). Pts in the prior BsAb group had received more prior lines of therapy than those in the prior ADC and CAR-T groups (median 8 vs 5 and 6, respectively) and more prior BCMA-targeted therapies (median 2 vs 1 and 1). The percentage of pts with low levels (<4.5 ng/mL) of soluble BCMA in plasma was also higher in the prior BsAb group (47% vs 0% and 18%). At baseline, inhibitory immune checkpoint expression across T-cell subsets was more common in the prior BsAb group. Notably, the median frequency of PD1+CD8+Tnaive and TIGIT+CD8+Tnaive cells in blood was higher in the prior BsAb group (21% and 29%, respectively) than in the prior ADC (3% and 6%) and CAR-T groups (4% each). Peak median IL-6 and IFN-γ levels were delayed until the first TD in the prior BsAb group, suggesting a different pharmacodynamic profile. Conclusions: Cevostamab has manageable safety in pts with triple-class refractory MM who have received prior BCMA-targeted therapies, including ≥1 BCMA-targeted BsAb. Clinical responses were less frequent in the prior BsAb group than in the prior ADC and CAR-T groups, which could be explained by the higher number of prior lines of therapy and T-cell exhaustion due to multiple prior exposures to BsAbs. Notably, the high frequency of CD8+ T-cell subsets expressing inhibitory immune checkpoints in the prior BsAb group suggests a level of T-cell dysfunction that could prevent effective T-cell activation.

Importance Typical cysteine-altering NOTCH3 ( NOTCH3 cys ) variants are highly prevalent (approximately 1 in 300 individuals) and are associated with a broad spectrum of small vessel disease (SVD), ranging from early-onset stroke and dementia (cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy [CADASIL]) to nonpenetrance. A staging system that captures the full NOTCH3 -SVD severity spectrum is needed and currently lacking. Objective To design a simple disease severity staging system that captures the broad clinicoradiological NOTCH3 -SVD severity spectrum. Design, Setting, and Participants A cohort study was performed in which the NOTCH3 -SVD severity staging system was developed using a discovery cohort (2019-2020) and validated in independent international CADASIL cohorts (1999-2023) and the UK Biobank. Clinical and imaging data were collected from participants originating from 23 international CADASIL cohorts and from the UK Biobank. Eligibility criteria were presence of a NOTCH3 cys variant, availability of brain magnetic resonance imaging, and modified Rankin Scale score. The discovery cohort consisted of 195 NOTCH3 cys -positive cases from families with CADASIL; the validation set included 1713 NOTCH3 cys -positive cases from 15 countries. The UK Biobank cohort consisted of 101 NOTCH3 cys -positive individuals. Data from 2-year (2019-2023) and 18-year (1999-2017) follow-up studies were also analyzed. Data analysis was performed from July 2023 to August 2024. Main Outcomes and Measures Percentage of cases following the sequence of events of the NOTCH3 -SVD stages, and the association between the stages and ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, global cognition, processing speed, brain volume, brain microstructural damage, and serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) level. Results The NOTCH3 -SVD staging system encompasses 9 disease stages or substages, ranging from stage 0 (premanifest stage) to stage 4B (end stage). Of all 1908 cases, which included 195 in the discovery cohort (mean [SD] age, 52.4 [12.2] years) and 1713 in the validation cohorts (mean [SD] age, 53.1 [13.0] years), 1789 (94%) followed the sequence of events defined by the NOTCH3 -SVD staging system. The NOTCH3 -SVD stages were associated with neuroimaging outcomes in the NOTCH3 cys -positive cases in the CADASIL cohorts and in the UK Biobank and with cognitive outcomes and serum NfL level in cases from the CADASIL cohorts. The NOTCH3 -SVD staging system captured disease progression and was associated with 18-year survival. Conclusions and Relevance The NOTCH3 -SVD staging system captures the full disease spectrum, from asymptomatic individuals with a NOTCH3 cys variant to patients with end-stage disease. The NOTCH3 -SVD staging system is a simple but effective tool for uniform disease staging in the clinic and in research.

Abstract Lymphopenia following chemoradiation for high grade gliomas (HGG) is common and is associated with decreased survival. NT-I7 (efineptakin alfa) is a long-acting analog of the lymphocyte pro-survival cytokine, interleukin-7. Our Phase I dose-escalation study of 19 patients with HGG demonstrated early elevations in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the first 4 weeks after administration of NT-I7. In this study, we explored the diversity and potential functionality of the NT-I7-expanded T cell population. A subset of 4 subjects with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treated at 720 µg/kg of NT-I7 during adjuvant temozolomide in our study (NCT03687957) underwent Cellular Indexing of Transcriptomes and Epitopes by Sequencing (CITE-seq) of peripheral blood. CITE-seq with TCR clonotype sequencing (10x Genomics 5’) permitted simultaneous tracking of the T cell phenotype at the protein level, individual T cell clones, and gene expression dynamics between 4 timepoints: pre-treatment, and post-treatment weeks 1, 2, and 13. Here, we report the results of differential expression analyses between timepoints and patient-specific differences in T cell clonotype expansions. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in our study patients had increased expression of T cell activation markers LTB, CISH, and CD74. CD8+ T cell subsets demonstrated additional elevations in genes important in cytotoxic function (granzymes (GZMA, GZMB) and perforin (PRF1)), MHC Class II expression (HLA-DRA, HLA-DRB1), and AP-1 transcription factor subunits (JUND, JUN, JUNB, FOS, FOSB). After excluding known viral antigen clonotypes, 2 of 4 patients demonstrated TCR clonotype expansion. Notably, nearly all the expanded TCR clonotypes were found within CD8+ T cells, but not CD4+ T cells. NT-I7 promotes activation, cytotoxic function, and selective clonotype expansion of CD8+ T cells in patients with HGG. This, combined with its role in increased CD4+ T cell counts, suggests NT-I7 may be a powerful tool to restore immune function after treatment-associated lymphopenia in HGG.

Abstract BACKGROUND Lymphopenia, a common finding in patients with high-grade gliomas (HGGs), is associated with poor outcomes including worse survival, fatigue, and in some cases, increased opportunistic infections. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a cytokine crucial for lymphocyte survival and proliferation. We previously demonstrated long-acting IL-7 (rhIL-7-hyFc, efineptakin alfa, NT-I7) increases absolute lymphocyte counts (ALCs) and extends survival in preclinical murine models of HGG. Here, we report results using rhIL-7-hyFc to effectively reduce lymphopenia in patients with HGG. METHODS We performed a phase II randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of rhIL-7-hyFc in patients with newly diagnosed HGGs (82% IDH-wildtype glioblastoma in both groups). Patients received rhIL-7-hyFc (720mcg/kg) or placebo one-week post-radiation and temozolomide, with subsequent doses at weeks 13, 25, and 37. The primary endpoint was ALC four weeks post-initial administration; exploratory endpoints included CD4 count, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS We enrolled 22 patients (median age 59.5 years, range 33-74; 40.9% female) with HGG. Both groups exhibited comparable demographics, including MGMT methylation status, and received a median of 2 doses of rhIL-7-hyFc or placebo. At 4 weeks, the pre-specified primary endpoint, ALC significantly increased relative to baseline in the treatment group, compared to placebo (median percent change=148% vs. 16.7%, p=0.007), as did CD4 count (121% vs. 10.5%, p=0.011). There were no treatment-related grade 4/5 adverse events. Exploratory endpoints of PFS and OS will be reported at time of conference. CONCLUSIONS rhIL-7-hyFc is safe and effective in improving ALC and CD4 count in patients with newly diagnosed HGG undergoing temozolomide and concurrent radiation therapy. This study was powered to meet the primary endpoint; larger trials will likely be required to demonstrate clinical efficacy. Nevertheless, these data support the continued exploration of rhIL-7-hyFc as an adjunct to standard therapy to mitigate lymphopenia and potentially extend survival for patients with HGG.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Immunotherapy has not improved survival in recurrent GBM (rGBM). Indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), highly expressed in ~90% of patients with malignant glioma, is a rate-limiting enzyme that catabolizes tryptophan (Trp) into kynurenine (Kyn) and enables immune escape. METHODS We hypothesized combining therapies targeting immunosuppressive pathways with cytotoxic and antiangiogenic therapies would overcome tumor-related immunosuppression. This was an open-label Phase II study of two regimens: Arm A consisted of retifanlimab (anti-PD1, 500mg IV Q4W) + bevacizumab (10mg/kg IV Q2W) + HFRT (3.5Gy/day x 10) in patients with IDH1/2-WT rGBM. Regimen B added the IDO inhibitor, epacadostat (400mg po BID), initiated prior to HFRT. Key inclusion criteria included dexamethasone ≤ 4 mg/day. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) at 9 months (OS-9). 24 evaluable patients were required to detect an OS-9 of 60% with 80% power, compared to 38% in historical controls (bevacizumab alone) by 1-sided 1-sample log rank test at alpha=0.1. RESULTS We previously reported Arm A. Here, we present results from Arm B. 25 of the 27 patients enrolled to regimen B were evaluable: median age 58years (23-71); 28% female; 23% MGMT promotor methylated; median KPS 90 (70 - 100); a median of 6 cycles of epacadostat as of May 2024 (1 - 13). 18 of 25 died with a median follow up 9.23 months. Median PFS was 7.52 months (95%CI: 5.52-9.43). Median OS was 9.5 months (95%CI 8.08-11.96). Regimen B met its primary endpoint with OS-9 of 61.07% (95%CI: 38.23-77.65%). There were 5 possible immune-related grade 3+ toxicities to date (2 ALT/AST increase; 3 rash). CONCLUSIONS Retifanlimab, epacadostat, HFRT, and bevacizumab in rGBM is well-tolerated, with encouraging OS and PFS at the time of submission. Arm B met its primary endpoint. Further studies are warranted to identify biomarkers to predict long-term responders.

Abstract ReNeu (NCT03962543) is a trial of the investigational, oral, selective MEK1/2 inhibitor (MEKi) mirdametinib in adults (≥18 years) and children (2-17 years) with NF1-PN. Skin adverse events (AEs) were common in ReNeu, and some discontinuations were noted with low-grade AEs. A multidisciplinary team retrospectively reviewed skincare practices at one high-enrolling site (n=12) with no discontinuations due to skin AEs; these were incorporated into ReNeu trial recommendations and recently updated. The purpose was to prevent/manage skin AEs and maintain protocol treatment adherence. MEKi skin AEs vary by pubertal status, therefore recommendations also vary by pubertal status. All patients were counseled to adopt hygienic skincare practices, including bathing daily, and using mild cleansers and hypoallergenic skin moisturizers (cream or ointment-based emollient; minimum BID) to prevent dry skin. Prepubescent patients were advised to incorporate diluted bleach baths (3-4 times/week) when initiating mirdametinib or after rash development. Treatments recommended for mild-to-severe dermatitis were hydrocortisone cream (2.5% BID) on face/skinfold areas and triamcinolone ointment (0.1% BID) on trunk/extremities. Treatments for mild acneiform eruptions included topical clindamycin lotion (1.0% BID) until resolution, with optional hydrocortisone cream (2.5% BID). For moderate-to-severe acneiform eruptions, cephalexin (20 mg/kg/day divided BID, max 500 mg, ≤6 weeks), amoxicillin (25 mg/kg/day divided BID, max 875 mg, ≤6 weeks), or oral fluconazole (20 mg/kg/day, max 100 mg, 5 days then once weekly for 3 months) were suggested. Postpubescent patients were advised to initiate topical 1.0% clindamycin lotion and oral doxycycline or minocycline (50-mg daily, 3 months) with mirdametinib initiation. Patients with subsequent mild-to-severe acneiform eruptions were advised to apply hydrocortisone cream (2.5% BID) or triamcinolone ointment (0.1% BID). Referral to a dermatologist was suggested for all patients with uncontrolled dermatitis, worsening acneiform eruptions, or infection. Proactive skincare practices appeared effective at this site, but prospective validation is necessary before making clinical recommendations.

PURPOSE The nodal burden of patients with residual isolated tumor cells (ITCs) in the sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) (ypN0i+) is unknown, and axillary management is not standardized. We investigated rates of additional positive lymph nodes (LNs) at axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and oncologic outcomes in patients with ypN0i+ treated with and without ALND. METHODS The Oncoplastic Breast Consortium-05/ICARO cohort study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06464341 ) retrospectively analyzed data from patients with stage I to III breast cancer with ITCs in SLNs after NAC from 62 centers in 18 countries. The primary end point was the 3-year rate of any axillary recurrence. The rate of any invasive recurrence was the secondary end point. RESULTS In total, 583 patients were included, of whom 182 (31%) had completion ALND and 401 (69%) did not. The median age was 48 years. Most patients (74%) were clinically node-positive at diagnosis and 41% had hormone receptor–positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative tumors. The mean number of SLNs with ITCs was 1.2. Patients treated with ALND were more likely to present with cN2/3 disease (17% v 7%, P < .001), have ITCs detected on frozen section (62% v 8%, P < .001), have lymphovascular invasion (38% v 24%, P < .001), and receive adjuvant chest wall (89% v 78%, P = .024) and nodal radiation (82% v 75%, P = .038). Additional positive nodes were found at ALND in 30% of patients, but only 5% had macrometastases. The 3-year rates of any axillary and any invasive recurrence were 2% (95% CI, 0.95 to 3.6) and 11% (95% CI, 8 to 14), respectively, with no statistical difference by type of axillary surgery. CONCLUSION The nodal burden in patients with ypN0(i+) was low, and axillary recurrence after ALND omission was rare in patients selected for this approach. These results do not support routine ALND in all patients with ypN0(i+).