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Effectiveness of Lenalidomide in Patients with Mantle Cell Lymphoma Who Relapsed/Progressed after or Were Refractory/Intolerant to Ibrutinib: The MCL-004 Study
Wang, Michael , Martin, Peter , Lossos, Izidore S. , Rule, Simon , Reeder, Craig B. , Barnett, Evelyn, Bravo, Marie‐Laure Casadebaig, Phillips, Tycel , Goy, Andre Henri , Hamadani, Mehdi , Ghosh, Nilanjan , Schuster, Stephen J.

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 1786-1786

10.1182/blood.v128.22.1786.1786 Get It

Abstract Background: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) remains challenging particularly in the relapsed/refractory setting, where patients often show chemoresistance. Novel molecular-based therapies have shown impressive and durable activity in that setting, although primary and acquired resistance remains problematic. A recent retrospective series of 114 patients who had failed ibrutinib (median of 4.7 month exposure) showed very short median overall survival of 2.9 months after ibrutinib cessation (Martin et al. Blood 2015). Here we report the results from the observationalMCL-004 study investigating outcomes of patients treated with lenalidomide (an IMiD® immunomodulatory agent) after failing ibrutinib; patients were either relapsed, progressed, refractory, or intolerant to ibrutinib. The objective here is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of lenalidomide monotherapy or a lenalidomide-containing regimen in relapsed/refractory MCL after ibrutinib failure or intolerance. Methods: MCL-004 is a multicenter study in patients with MCL who relapsed/progressed after or were refractory/intolerant to ibrutinib, and were subsequently treated with lenalidomide. With patient informed consent, data were collected retrospectively from patients who, after their disease failed to respond to ibrutinib, received lenalidomide-based therapy from March 1, 2009 to June 9, 2015. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed overall response rate (ORR) based on 2007 International Working Group criteria, with required patient monitoring and routine imaging. Results: Thirty patients were enrolled at 7 US sites and 1 EU site, including patients receiving lenalidomide monotherapy (n=8), lenalidomide + rituximab (n=8), and lenalidomide + other treatment (n=14). Lenalidomide + other treatment included combination with rituximab, carfilzomib, and dexamethasone (n=3); other combinations were given in ≤2 patients. Patients had a median age of 69 years (range, 50-84), and median time from last dose of ibrutinib to first dose of lenalidomide was 1.3 weeks (range, 0.1-21.7). All patients received ≥2 prior lines of therapy, and 83% received ≥3 prior therapies (median prior therapies, 3.5; range, 2-8). With prior ibrutinib, the best responses achieved were 10% complete response (CR), 43% partial response (PR), 3% stable disease, 40% relapse/progressive disease (PD), and 3% unknown. Primary reasons for ibrutinib discontinuation were 50% relapse/PD, 40% refractory, and 10% intolerance. Patients received a median of 2 cycles (range, 1-11) of lenalidomide-based treatment. Eight patients' disease responded (4 CR, 4 PR), resulting in an ORR of 27% (95% CI, 12%-46%). Five of 8 maintained their response at data cut-off (3 CR, 2 PR). ORR was similar for patients with relapse/PD vs. those refractory to ibrutinib (29% vs. 33%, respectively). Median duration of response (DOR) was 18 weeks (95% CI, 2.9-25+) for all patients. Median DOR was not reached in patients who previously relapsed/progressed with ibrutinib compared with a median of 11 weeks for those whose disease was refractory to ibrutinib. Most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were 33% fatigue; 27% nausea; and 23% each dyspnea, neutropenia, dizziness, or rash. In general, TEAEs were less common with lenalidomide monotherapy. The most frequently reported serious AEs were pneumonia, dyspnea, deep vein thrombosis, hypotension, and acute kidney injury (7% each). At data cutoff, 15 patients (50%) had died, mostly due to MCL and none due to second primary malignancy. Conclusions: Most patients received ≥3 prior lines of treatment, and median time from last dose of ibrutinib to first dose of lenalidomide was short. Lenalidomide-based treatment showed clinical activity in this difficult-to-treat patient population, including 27% ORR and 13% CR. No new safety signals for lenalidomide were identified. Overall, our results show that lenalidomide is active in a selected group of patients with relapsed/refractory MCL that previously failed ibrutinib. Disclosures Wang: BeiGene: Research Funding; Asana BioSciences: Research Funding; Acerta Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Research Funding; Juno Therapeutics: Research Funding; Onyx: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Martin:Acerta: Consultancy; Teva: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel, accommodations, expenses; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Other: travel, accommodations, expenses. Goy:Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Writing support, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Johnson & Johnson: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; infinity: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech: Research Funding; Acerta: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hamadani:Takeda: Research Funding. Ghosh:Gilead: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; SGN: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Research Funding. Reeder:Millennium: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Barnett:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Casadebaig Bravo:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Schuster:Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Janssen Research & Development: Research Funding; Nordic Nanovector: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy; Hoffman-LaRoche: Research Funding.
Concomitant Analysis of EZH2 and ASXL1 Mutations In Myelofibrosis, Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia and Blast-Phase Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
Pardanani, Animesh , Patel, Jay , Heguy, Adriana , Tefferi, Ayalew , Socci, Nicholas D. , Socci, Nicholas , Abdel‐Wahab, Omar , Lasho, Terra L. , Levine, Ross L.

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 116 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 3070-3070

10.1182/blood.v116.21.3070.3070 Get It

Abstract Abstract 3070 Background: EZH2 and ASXL1 mutations were recently described in a spectrum of myeloid malignancies; mutational analysis of small patient cohorts has suggested the highest mutational frequency in myelofibrosis (MF) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). The current study seeks to determine i) EZH2 and ASXL1 mutational frequencies in WHO-defined subcategories of MF, CMML and blast-phase myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), ii) if these mutations are mutually exclusive of TET2, IDH, JAK2 and MPL mutations and iii) clinical correlates of ASXL1 and EZH2 mutations in primary MF (PMF) and CMML. Methods: The study population included 94 patients: 46 PMF, 22 post-polycythemia vera/essential thrombocythemia MF (post-PV/ET MF), 11 blast-phase MPN and 15 CMML (10 CMML-1 and 5 CMML-2). High throughput DNA resequencing was used to screen archived bone marrow for EZH2, ASXL1, TET2, IDH, JAK2 and MPL mutations. Results: ASXL1 mutations were identified in all disease categories, including PMF (13%), post-PV/ET MF (23%), blast phase MPN (18%), and CMML (20%). We identified somatic mutations in TET2 in 15%, 14%, 18%, and 13% of PMF, post-PV/ET MF, blast phase MPN, and CMML, respectively. By contrast, mutations in EZH2 and IDH1/2 were less frequent. EZH2 mutations were seen in 3 out of 46 PMF patients (7%) and were not observed in patients with post-PV/ET MF or blast phase MPN. Mutations in IDH1/2 were restricted to blast-phase MPN (36%) and PMF (7%). No mutations in EZH2 or IDH1/2 were seen in CMML. Although we identified frequent TET2 and ASXL1 mutations, we only identified one patient with concurrent mutations in both genes. Three ASXL1 mutation-positive patients also had mutations in EZH2 or IDH and one patient had concurrent ASXL1, TET2 and IDH mutations. In addition, 7 ASXL1, 7 TET2, and 1 IDH mutated patients were JAK2V617F-positive. MPL mutations were also documented in all three mutation categories. All EZH2- and ASXL1-mutated PMF patients displayed normal karyotype and none underwent leukemic transformation during follow-up. Furthermore, mutated versus unmutated patients, in both instances, were not significantly different in age and sex distribution or clinical characteristics. The 3 EZH2-mutated PMF patients died after 29, 48 and 67 months from the time of mutation analysis. In univariate analysis, the presence of mutant ASXL1 in PMF was associated with worse survival (p=0.06) but the borderline significance was lost during multivariable analysis that included risk stratification according to DIPSS (Passamonti et al. Blood 2010; 115: 1703–1708). The 3 ASXL1 mutated CMML cases were alive after 40, 34 and 12 months from time of mutation analysis and none of them had progressed to acute leukemia; karyotype was normal in two of the patients and showed isolated trisomy 8 in one. Conclusions: ASXL1 mutations are as frequent as TET2 mutations in MF and CMML. In contrast, EZH2 mutations are infrequent and cluster with PMF. ASXL1 and EZH2 mutations are not mutually exclusive events, seem to be associated with normal karyotype and do not appear to be leukemogenic or prognostically detrimental in PMF or CMML. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Aurora A Kinase Is a Novel Therapeutic Target In The Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
Wen, Qiang , Stein, Brady L. , Breyfogle, Lawrence J., Schultz, Rachael, Yang, Qiong , gilles-Gendre, Laure, Koppikar, Priya , Pardanani, Animesh , Tefferi, Ayalew , Wen, Qiang Jeremy, Goldenson, Benjamin H. , Malinge, Sébastien , Lasho, Terra L. , Abdel‐Wahab, Omar , Ebert, Benjamin L. , Gurbuxani, Sandeep K. , Levine, Ross L. , Mullally, Ann , Crispino, John D.

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 122 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 109-109

10.1182/blood.v122.21.109.109 Get It

Abstract We recently reported that the induction of polyploidization of malignant megakaryocytes shows great promise as a new therapy for acute leukemia. Polyploidization inducers such as dimethylfasudil (diMF) and MLN8237, both of which target Aurora A kinase (AURKA), induce proliferation arrest, polyploidization, expression of megakaryocyte differentiation markers and apoptosis of leukemic megakaryocytes in vitro and in vivo. Since megakaryocytes in primary myelofibrosis (PMF) show impaired polyploidization and maturation, and likely directly contribute to the disease, we predicted that polyploidization inducers would provide a new therapeutic strategy. To determine the effect of these compounds on the growth of MPN cells, we first treated the JAK2 V617F mutant megakaryocytic SET2 cell line with varying doses of MLN8237 and diMF. Both compounds effectively and dose dependently inhibited proliferation, induced polyploidization and upregulation of lineage specific markers CD41 and CD42, and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, MLN8237 synergized with ruxolitinib to induce apoptosis of the SET2 cells and also potently induced growth arrest of JAK2 inhibitor persistent SET2 cells. We observed a similar polyploidization and differentiating activity of MLN8237 and diMF on megakaryocytes derived from primary human PMF progenitors. The ability of these agents to induce polyploidization was specific, as the non-megakaryocyte fractions of the cultures were not affected. Next, we assayed the activity of polyploidization inducers on progression of MPNs in two mouse models: JAK2V617F conditional knockin mice and mice engrafted with MPLW515L expressing bone marrow progenitors. Of note, spleens from both mouse models displayed a robust increase in both total and phosphorylated forms of AURKA relative to control animals, further suggesting that AURKA is a rational target in this disease. We first assayed the activities of MLN8237 and diMF in the MPLW515L bone marrow transplantation model. Recipient mice develop a rapid MPN characterized by leukocytosis, thrombocytosis and bone marrow fibrosis. Both MLN8237 and diMF reduced the disease burden, as evidenced by significant reductions in the liver and spleen weights, white cell counts and platelet counts. Both compounds also led to a significant decrease of fibrosis in the bone marrow, diminished infiltration of megakaryocytes and granulocytes in the liver, and a profound reduction in the numbers of megakaryocytes within the spleen. Moreover, plasma levels of TGF-β a known myelofibrogenic cytokine, were decreased by more than 3-fold by the drug treatment. Both diMF and MLN8237 led to selective polyploidization of megakaryocytes in the spleen as well as marked reductions in the levels of p-AURKA. Of note, neither agent affected the extent of phosphorylation of STAT3 or STAT5. Therefore, we tested whether the combined use of a JAK inhibitor and a polyploidy inducer would show enhanced activity in vivo. Indeed, the combination of MLN8237 and ruxolitinib led to greater reductions in tumor burden in the MPLW515L mouse model than either agent alone. Similar results were obtained using the JAK2V617F knock-in model. To further validate our conclusion that AURKA is a target in PMF, we infected Aurkafl/fl floxed bone marrow progenitors with MPLW515L and transplanted the cells to irradiated recipients. Excision of both alleles of Aurka by Cre mediated recombination completely resolved the disease, while heterozygous deletion of Aurka significantly reduced the disease burden, in a manner similar to treatment with MLN8237. Given that heterozygous deletion of Aurka does not alter normal hematopoiesis in mice, the fact that a 50% reduction in kinase expression was associated with a significant decrease in disease burden suggests that there is an effective therapeutic window in which AURKA inhibitors will be effective against MPN while sparing normal hematopoiesis. Although JAK inhibitors provide symptomatic relief, it is becoming clear that they are not curative. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new agents to use in combination with JAK inhibitors. Our data reveal that inducing polyploidization and differentiation of dysplastic megakaryocytes in PMF ameliorates features of the disease both in vitro and in vivo. These results support the initiation of clinical studies that combine a JAK inhibitor with an AURKA inhibitor. Disclosures: Crispino: Sanofi: Research Funding.
North American Leukemia, Intergroup Phase III Randomized Trial of Single Agent Clofarabine As Induction and Post-Remission Therapy, and Decitabine As Maintenance Therapy in Newly-Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Older Adults (Age ≥60 Years): A Trial of
Foran, James M. , Sun, Zhuoxin , Thomas, Mary , Paietta, Elisabeth , Rowe, Jacob M. , Altman, Jessica K. , Luger, Selina M. , Al‐Kali, Aref , Zheng, Hong , Pratz, Keith W. , Broun, E. Randolph, Powell, Bayard L., O’Dwyer, Kristen M. , Litzow, Mark R. , Tallman, Martin S. , Claxton, David F. , Lazarus, Hillard M. , Melnick, Ari , Levine, Ross L. , Arber, Daniel A. , Zhang, Yangming , Godwin, John E. , O'Dwyer, Kristin

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 217-217

10.1182/blood.v126.23.217.217 Get It

Abstract Background: Induction therapy with daunorubicin (Dauno) & cytarabine (Ara-C) [DA] has been the standard of care for eligible older adults (age ≥ 60 years) with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) for over 2 decades. Single agent Clofarabine (CLO) induction & consolidation (Consol.) therapy has demonstrated important clinical activity in this age group in large phase II studies. Lower induction mortality (IM) & similar reported complete remission rate (CR) & overall survival (OS), as well as notable activity in those with higher risk disease features [including unfavorable cytogenetics, therapy-related AML (t-AML) & prior antecedent hematologic disorder (AHD)] raises the possibility that a non-Ara-C-based regimen could achieve similar or superior OS with lower toxicity. Methods: We performed a randomized United States Intergroup Phase III trial of single agent CLO [30mg/m2 x 5 days induction; 20 mg/m2 re-induction (if indicated) & 2 cycles Consol.] vs. standard DA therapy [Dauno 60mg/m2 D1-3 & Ara-C 100mg/m2 D1-7 induction x 1-2 cycles; 2 cycles Consol. with Ara-C (1.5g/m2 Q12hrs D1-6 age 60-69; once daily if age 70+)] in patients (pts) age ≥ 60 yrs with newly diagnosed AML. Patients with serum creatinine >1.0 (or GFR <60 mL/min) and those with AML-M3 and ECOG performance status >3 (PS>2 if age 70+ yrs) were excluded. Randomization was stratified by age (60-69 vs. 70+), t-AML, & AHD. Pts with HLA-matched donor were eligible for allogeneic transplantation (AlloHCT) after induction, and those completing Consol. were eligible for randomization #2 (R#2) to maintenance decitabine [20mg/m2 x 3D, monthly x 1 year] versus observation. With a target accrual of 747, E2906 was powered to determine non-inferiority [and possible superiority] of CLO vs. standard DA, and primary endpoint was OS. A weighted statistical analysis was performed to account for confounding impact of R#2. AlloHCT patients were censored at transplant in this analysis. Responses & cytogenetics were confirmed centrally and OS & CR rates were monitored by an independent Data Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC) at pre-specified time points. Results: As of Feb 23, 2015, 727 pts were randomized. Median age was 68 years (range 60-86); 57% were male, and 38% were age ≥70 yrs. Treatment arms are well balanced for all baselineclinical & AML characteristics, & 30% had unfavorable cytogenetics. Of 659 with complete treatment information reported, 30.4% on DA vs. 40.1% on CLO received 2 cycles of induction (p=0.006). Median follow-up of surviving patients is 7.6 months. Table 1. shows early treatment results (CR, toxicity) for the 686 pts randomized as of Dec 23, 2014 (2 months prior to study end, & excluding 90 with ongoing response evaluation). DA CLO p-value CR/CRi 43.8% 42.8% p=0.87 30-day mortality 8.5% 7.9% p=0.89 60-day mortality 14.9% 13.1% p=0.58 Gr 4-5 Non-Heme Tox.Induction 27% 19% p=0.02 Gr 4-5 Non-Heme Tox.Consol. 20% 7% p=0.001 374 pts have died (174, DA; 200, CLO) & significantly inferior OS was observed for CLO vs. DA [Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.41 (95% CI 1.12-1.78)] (Fig. 1). Planned subgroup analyses were performed (Table 2) demonstrating significant differences in OS after CLO for patients age 60-69 yrs, without AHD, & with intermediate risk cytogenetics; but not for those with Unfav. Cytogen. (Fig. 2) or t-AML. Based on the primary weighted analysis, DSMC recommended suspension of new accrual to E2906 on Feb 23, 2015 & all active patients on CLO were transitioned to DA Arm. Table 2.NHR CLO/Standard (95% CI)*Weighted OS7271.41 (1.12-1.78)Unweighted OS7271.23 (1.00-1.50)Age 60-694491.48 (1.10-1.99)Age 70+2781.34 (0.93-1.93)Intermed. Risk Cytogen.3781.77 (1.27-2.47)Unfav. Risk Cytogen.2160.96 (0.65-1.43)No AHD6041.46 (1.13-1.89)AHD1231.22 (0.74-2.00)De novo AML6271.52 (1.18-1.96)Therapy-related AML1000.94 (0.54-1.61) Conclusions: Despite similar CR & IM, OS after single agent CLO is inferior to standard DA therapy for pts age ≥60 years with newly diagnosed AML who are fit for intensive therapy, and DA remains the standard of care. However no difference in OS was observed after CLO in some pre-specified high risk AML subgroups. R#2 & AlloHCT arms continue in E2906 for pts already enrolled. Embedded prospective minimal residual disease study at CR is being performed to identify pts at higher risk after CLO & DA. Figure 1. Weighted Kaplan-Meier Curves for OS Figure 1. Weighted Kaplan-Meier Curves for OS Figure 2. Unfavorable Cytogenetics OS by Therapy Figure 2. Unfavorable Cytogenetics OS by Therapy Disclosures Off Label Use: Use of clofarabine in AML, and maintenance therapy with decitabine in AML. Claxton:Medimmune: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy; Astellas: Research Funding; Cyclacel: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Ambit: Research Funding. Levine:Loxo Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CTI BioPharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Foundation Medicine: Consultancy. Altman:Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Spectrum: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy; Ariad: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. Al-Kali:Novartis: Research Funding.
Integrated DNA/RNA Profiling for Somatic Alterations in Adult B-Cell ALL
Patel, Jay , He, Jie , Brennan, Timothy, Nahas, Michelle, Balassubramanian, Sohail, Otto, Geoff, Lipson, Doron , Stephens, Phil , Miller, Vincent A. , Racevskis, Janis, Litzow, Mark R. , Wiernik, Peter H. , Goldstone, Anthony H., Luger, Selina M. , Viale, Agnès , Rowe, Jacob M. , Tallman, Martin S. , Paietta, Elisabeth , Gönen, Mithat , Rapaport, Franck, van den Brink, Marcel R M , Melnick, Ari , Levine, Ross L.

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 1422-1422

10.1182/blood.v126.23.1422.1422 Get It

Abstract Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy observed in the pediatric population. Recent genomic studies have made considerable strides in improving our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of pediatric B-cell ALL. This includes the discovery of recurrent somatic alterations targeting B-cell transcription factors, mutations in epigenetic regulators, and oncogenic mutations which activate signaling effectors, including in Ph-like B-ALL. However, the molecular pathogenesis of adult B-cell ALL has been less well studied, and there is a need to identify novel therapeutic targets in adult B-ALL. We therefore performed detailed genomic profiling in adults with B-cell ALL. We performed targeted DNA/RNA capture and sequencing of 189 patients with B-cell ALL enrolled on the ECOG E2993 clinical trial. All samples were taken at the time of diagnosis before patients were treated with multi-agent chemotherapy and followed for clinical outcomes including overall survival and remission/relapse duration and kinetics. We used the FoundationOne® Heme assay for our genomics study. This platform allows us to identify short events (point substitutions, short insertions/deletions) copy number and fusion events present in DNA and/or RNA. Of the 203 samples profiled, 189 had sufficient quality genomic data with a median coverage of 435 on DNA sequencing and 7.85 million on target distinct reads per case on RNA sequencing. In all, we identified cancer-related mutations in 108 genes, 55 of these genes being mutated in more than one sample. We identified a median of 2.98 genomic alterations per sample (standard deviation of 1.78) in the target gene set, which included all genes known to be altered in B-ALL and in other hematologic malignancies. The most common genomic events were the BCR-ABL1 fusion (69 samples, 36.5%), followed by CDKN2A loss (57 samples, 30%), CDKN2B loss (35 samples, 18%), NRAS and KRAS point mutations (32 samples, 16.9%), and MLL fusion genes with a spectrum of partners (25 samples, 13.2%). Notably, we found that BCR-ABL1 fusion are mutually exclusive with both RAS mutations (p<10^-7) and MLL mutations (p<5*10^-4). We next investigated the spectrum and frequency of alterations observed in different classes of oncogenes/tumor suppressors. We identified mutations which result in activation of oncogenic signaling pathways in 130 cases or 68.7% of our cohort. This included known mutations/fusions, such as BCR-ABL, RAS-MAPK pathway mutations, and JAK-STAT pathway alterations, and included missense alleles, insertion/deletion events, and fusion genes targeting a spectrum of genes including ABL, PDGFRB, and CRLF2. In aggregate, 33.8% of the cohort had mutations which activate signaling exclusive of BCR-ABL, demonstrating the high prevalence of the Ph-like B-ALL subtype in adult B-ALL. We identified mutations affecting key transcription factors, including PAX5 and IKZF1, in 31.2% of our cohort including missense, nonsense and deletion events. To confirm our ability to detect small deletions of PAX5 and IKZF1, we performed array CGH of 50 cases and compared copy number calls using high-throughput sequencing and CGH. Of note, all deletions targeting PAX5 and IKZF1 identified by NGS were confirmed by CGH. We also identified mutations in epigenetic regulators in 30.6% of cases, including MLL fusions, mutations in the DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation the pathway (DNMT3A, TET1, TET2), and mutations targeted chromatin modulators. Detailed analyses of the mutational spectra and their relationship to clinical outcome will be presented at the meeting. Taken together, these data show we can use a clinically validated sequencing assay to identify known and novel somatic mutations in adult B-ALL, including sequence alterations, rearrangements and copy number aberrations. These data demonstrate the feasibility of combined DNA and RNA study to identify a complex landscape of fusions and short mutations with prognostic and therapeutic relevance, and inform the use of genomic profiling in B-ALL in the clinical context. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures He: Foundation Medicine, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Brennan:Foundation Medicine, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Nahas:Foundation Medicine, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Balassubramanian:Foundation Medicine, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Otto:Foundation Medicine, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Lipson:Foundation Medicine, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Stephens:Foundation Medicine, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Miller:Foundation Medicine, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. van den Brink:Boehringer Ingelheim: Consultancy, Other: Advisory board attendee; Merck: Honoraria; Regeneron: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Tobira Therapeutics: Other: Advisory board attendee. Rowe:Amgen: Consultancy; BioSight Ltd.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BioLineRx Ltd.: Consultancy. Levine:Foundation Medicine: Consultancy; CTI BioPharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Loxo Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Correlation of Symptom Assessment with Genotyping Analysis of Saliva Samples in a Large Cohort of Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Patients
Nguyen, Huong , Barnholt, Kimberly E., Kiefer, Amy K. , Do, Chuong B., Eriksson, Nicholas , Mountain, Joanna L. , Francke, Uta, Tung, Joyce A., Hinds, David A. , Do, Chuong B., Levine, Ross L. , Zehnder, James L. , Gotlib, Jason , Mesa, Ruben A.

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 1732-1732

10.1182/blood.v120.21.1732.1732 Get It

Abstract Abstract 1732 Background: In addition to chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), the classic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) include polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The JAK2 V617F mutation (V617F) can be detected through genomic analysis of peripheral blood in 95% of PV and 50–60% of ET and MF patients (pts). These MPNs are often associated with debilitating symptoms and decreased quality of life (QOL). Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is an uncommon MPN in which proliferation of mast cells can result in mediator symptoms, as well as organ damage in advanced disease. We sought to compare the symptom burden of individuals with CML and SM to pts with classic MPNs in a more quantitative manner using a web-based recruitment design. Methods: Individuals with MPN were recruited through a web-based outreach effort. Participants gave IRB-approved consent, and completed on-line surveys of demographic information and questions based on the validated MPN-symptom assessment form (MPN-SAF). In addition, pts submitted saliva samples which were genotyped with SNP arrays based on the Illumina OmniExpress BeadChip, including probes for V617F. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between symptom responses and genotype data for 495 pts (118 PV, 121 ET, 97 MF, 85 SM, and 74 CML). For each MPN diagnosis, mean scores were calculated based on six fatigue-focused questions (Fatigue-6) and for six other symptoms (Symptom-6): early satiety, abdominal pain/discomfort, inactivity, night sweats, pruritis, and bone pain (ranked from 0–10; 10 = worst). ET pts' scores were used as the reference in the regression analysis based on prior data showing that ET pts have the lowest symptom burden among the classic MPNs. Individual symptoms, Fatigue-6, Symptom-6, and QOL (ranked 0–10; 10=worst) were analyzed using regression analysis against age, gender, diagnosis and V617F status. Results: Median age was 56 years (7–87), with 70% women. V617F was detected in 63% of classic MPN pts (87% PV, 46% ET, 56% MF). Analysis of Fatigue-6 scores revealed that age in years was negatively correlated with reported fatigue (β=-0.007 per year, P=0.032), while female gender and SM diagnosis were positively correlated with fatigue (female: β=0.33, P=2.4×10−4; SM: β=0.46, P=7.6×10−4). This trend was also seen for the Symptom-6: age (β=-0.025, P=5.8×10−4), female gender (β=0.73, P=1.4×10−4), and SM (β=1.8, P=5.0×10−10). Both Fatigue-6 and Symptom-6 were positively correlated with QOL, but Fatigue-6 had a much stronger association with QOL than did Symptom-6 (β=1.3, P=1.5×10−28 vs. β=0.36, P=1.2×10−11). When analyzed individually, abdominal pain/discomfort, pruritis, and bone pain were significantly correlated with V617F (β=0.676, P=0.0371; β=0.768, P=0.0241; β=0.791, P=0.0341, respectively), though these associations were not significant when all six symptoms were evaluated together (Symptom-6: β=0.315, P=0.171). There was no statistically significant correlation between V617F and Symptom-6. In addition, there was no correlation between any symptom and a germline variant in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) rs2853677, identified as a novel predisposition allele for MPNs using a genome-wide association study of this cohort. Conclusion: Using a novel, web-based recruitment design combining MPN symptom assessment and genotyping of saliva samples, we identified significant correlations between 3 specific symptoms (pruritis, abdominal pain/discomfort, and bone pain) with V617F. Fatigue was also more strongly associated than other symptoms with QOL. There was no association between symptoms and TERT. This design is a powerful tool for future studies seeking to correlate symptoms with genotyping analysis. Disclosures: Hinds: 23andMe: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Barnholt:23andMe, Inc.: Employment. Kiefer:23andMe, Inc.: Employment. Do:23andMe, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Eriksson:23andMe, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Mountain:23andMe, Inc.: Consultancy, Employment, Honoraria, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding. Francke:23andMe, Inc.: Employment, Honoraria, Research Funding; Locus Development: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Tung:23andMe, Inc.: Employment. Zehnder:23andMe, Inc.: Unpaid advisor and collaborator Other. Gotlib:23andMe, Inc.: Unpaid advisor and collaborator Other. Mesa:23andMe, Inc: Unpaid advisor and collaborator Other.
Estimation of JAK2 V617F Prevalence by Detection of the Mutation in Saliva Samples From Online MPN and General Population Cohorts
Barnholt, Kimberly E., Kiefer, Amy K. , Do, Chuong B., Eriksson, Nicholas , Mountain, Joanna L. , Francke, Uta, Tung, Joyce A., Nguyen, Huong , Hinds, David A. , Do, Chuong B., Levine, Ross L. , Mesa, Ruben A. , Gotlib, Jason , Zehnder, James L.

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 1737-1737

10.1182/blood.v120.21.1737.1737 Get It

Abstract Abstract 1737 Background: The somatic JAK2 V617F (V617F) mutation is found in approximately 95% of polycythemia vera (PV) and 50–60% of essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) patients. Detection of this mutation occurs primarily through genomic analysis of peripheral blood samples of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) patients. This study demonstrates a novel broad screening mechanism for detection of V617F from myeloid cells in saliva samples from an online cohort of MPN patients and from a broader database of genotyped individuals. Methods: MPN patients were recruited primarily through social media and patient-mediated outreach efforts. Patients gave IRB-approved consent and completed surveys through an online 23andMe account. Participation in the MPN research initiative was free. In collaboration with an uncompensated panel of academic experts, online surveys were developed to collect patient-reported data on diagnosis and results of genetic testing for the V617F mutation. Participants were genotyped on SNP arrays based on the Illumina Omni Express, with additional custom content, including four probes for the V617F mutation. We estimated V617F mutation burden as the median across the four probes of B/(A+B) where A and B were normalized intensities for the reference and mutated alleles, respectively. We estimated sensitivity and specificity of our estimated V617F allele ratio, using the self-reported V617F-positive individuals to approximate the distribution of true positives, and 23andMe members from the broad database (outside of the MPN research cohort) and younger than 40 as likely true negatives. Results: Web-based recruitment efforts led to the accrual of over 900 MPN patients of different subtypes over 12 months. Of these participants, 745 patients have been genotyped and provided MPN-related health history and outcomes through online surveys. The cohort is disproportionately female (71%), with an average age of 53.1 ± 14.9 years. More than 57% of patients indicated a classic MPN diagnosis (PV, ET, PMF, or post PV/ET MF), 19.2% reported an atypical MPN diagnosis (systemic mastocytosis or hypereosinophilic syndrome), 14.5% indicated chronic myelogenous leukemia, and 9.3% of the cohort reported other diagnoses. From this MPN cohort, a total of 345 participants reported mutation test results. Consistent with expectations, the V617F variant was reported by patients in nearly all PV cases (105 of 110 patients with a self-reported diagnosis of PV), and at a lower rate in ET and MF cases (59 of 95 patients and 48 of 61 patients, respectively). In addition to self-reported data, we were specifically able to detect the V617F mutation using SNP array data. We determined a detection threshold for the V617F variant at which 86% of self-reported V617F carriers were scored as positive (i.e. test sensitivity), and 99.975% of young 23andMe customers were scored as negative (i.e. test specificity). Participants with a classic diagnosis in the MPN cohort who carry the V617F variant tended to be older (mean age=59.5 versus 54.6 years) and were less likely to be female (62.5% versus 72.0%) than non-carriers. At this threshold, we detected 133 individuals who likely carry the V617F mutation among a broader set of 23andMe participants (n= 99,700) who were not specifically recruited for the MPN study, corresponding to a prevalence of 0.14%. We estimated the positive predictive value of the test in this cohort, or the expected proportion of positive test results that are true, as 81%. Within the general 23andMe cohort, the frequency of the V617F variant increases with participant age, from a rate of 0.017% for age 20 to 30, to 1.1% for age 80 to 90. We also observed that patients with a high allele burden of V617F frequently had acquired uniparental disomy of chromosome 9p, as determined from calculated heterozygosity scores and no-call rates for this chromosomal arm. Conclusion: We can detect V617F with high specificity and sensitivity from myeloid cells in saliva. This non-invasive source for DNA extraction offers new possibilities for detecting genomic alterations and for finding novel genetic associations in MPN patients as well as the general population. This study demonstrates the feasibility of online technology to significantly accelerate recruitment and research progress in MPNs and other rare diseases. Disclosures: Barnholt: 23andMe, Inc.: Employment. Hinds:23andMe: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Kiefer:23andMe, Inc.: Employment. Do:23andMe, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Eriksson:23andMe, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Mountain:23andMe, Inc.: Consultancy, Employment, Honoraria, Patents & Royalties. Francke:23andMe, Inc.: Employment, Honoraria, Research Funding; Locus Development: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Tung:23andMe, Inc.: Employment. Mesa:23andMe, Inc.: Unpaid advisor and collaborator Other. Gotlib:23andMe, Inc.: Unpaid advisor and collaborator Other. Zehnder:23andMe, Inc.: Unpaid advisor and collaborator Other.
Examining the Clinical Features and Underlying Cardiovascular Risk Among Patients with Polycythemia Vera in the REVEAL Study
Stein, Brady L. , Naim, Ahmad, Moliterno, Alison R. , Paranagama, Dilan , Cordaro, Joseph A., Parasuraman, Shreekant , Boccia, Ralph V., Grunwald, Michael R. , Oh, Stephen T. , Sun, Haowei , Mesa, Ruben A.

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 1934-1934

10.1182/blood.v128.22.1934.1934 Get It

Abstract Background:Patients with polycythemia vera (PV) often present with a broad range of clinical characteristics that may contribute to increased risks of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality, including thrombotic events (TE). Limited contemporary real-world data have been reported about the clinical burden of PV and treatment patterns in the United States. The ongoing REVEAL study collects data on disease burden, clinical management, patient-reported outcomes, and healthcare resource utilization for patients with PV in the United States. This analysis reports clinical characteristics, including underlying CV risk factors, for patients enrolled in the REVEAL study as of April 28, 2016. Methods: REVEAL is a multicenter, nonrandomized, prospective, observational study enrolling patients ≥18 years of age with a PV diagnosis who are actively managed in an academic or community setting. For this analysis, data regarding PV disease and diagnosis, clinical characteristics, and treatment patterns were collected at enrollment during usual-care visits and were based on physician assessment, electronic medical records, and local laboratory values. Ten-year CV risk factors selected for this analysis were adapted from the Framingham Heart Study for CV diseases. Results: At data cutoff, 2307 patients were available for this analysis. Mean (SD) age was 66.3 (12.2) years, 54.4% were male, 89.9% were white, 62.7% had at least some college education, and 51.1% were retired. Approximately 6% of patients had a family history of PV, primarily in parents (35.1%) and siblings (33.8%). A history of second malignancies was reported for 344 patients (14.9%). The majority of patients (84.6%) were diagnosed with PV based on an abnormal blood test alone or in combination with a bone marrow test. Among patients who were diagnosed with a mutational test (n=1078), 95.2% were diagnosed via an abnormal JAK2V617F test result. Abnormal hemoglobin (57.3%), hematocrit (55.4%), or both (47.5%) were among the most common blood values assessed for PV diagnosis. At diagnosis, 58.5% of patients were classified with high-risk PV (age ≥60 years or history of a TE); this percentage increased to 77.3% at REVEAL enrollment. The average (SD) disease duration from diagnosis to enrollment was 5.8 (6.1) years. At enrollment, 91.5% of patients were under active management for PV (phlebotomy ± aspirin, 34.0%; hydroxyurea ± aspirin, 27.0%; and phlebotomy + hydroxyurea ± aspirin, 23.2%). Underlying CV risk factors that were either diagnosed or treated in 86.0% of enrolled patients included hypertension (66.5%), history of smoking (46.2%), current smoking at enrollment (10.9%), obesity (34.2%), hyperlipidemia (27.4%), and diabetes (14.8%). At enrollment, 431 (18.7%) patients reported having ≥1 TE, including 181 patients who had a TE between PV diagnosis and enrollment. Venous and arterial TEs were reported in 11.1% and 8.6% of patients, respectively. Most commonly reported venous TEs were deep vein thrombosis (5.9%) and pulmonary embolism (2.5%); most common arterial TEs were cerebrovascular arterial thrombosis including transient ischemic attack (5.1%) and acute myocardial infarction (1.7%). Increased rates of TEs were observed among patients with hyperlipidemia (23.6%) and hypertension (21.0%; Table 1), compared with patients who did not have any risk factors (10.5%). Conclusion: A large proportion of patients in the REVEAL study had 1 or more underlying CV risks, including age, hypertension, smoking, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes, which may contribute to the risk of thrombosis. Longitudinal data from REVEAL will provide a better understanding of how these factors affect CV outcomes over time. Disclosures Stein: Incyte Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Naim:Incyte Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Grunwald:Janssen: Research Funding; Forma Therapeutics: Research Funding; Medtronic: Equity Ownership; Alexion: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Ariad: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Research Funding; Incyte Corporation: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Oh:Incyte Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; CTI: Research Funding. Paranagama:Incyte Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Cordaro:Incyte Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Sun:Incyte Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Parasuraman:Incyte Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Boccia:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen/Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Eisai: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Mesa:Ariad: Consultancy; CTI: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Galena: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Promedior: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Incyte Corporation: Research Funding.
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.
Biomarkers Predict Graft-Vs-Host Disease Outcomes Better Than Clinical Response after One Week of Treatment
Major-Monfried, Hannah , Özbek, Umut , Renteria, Anne S. , Pawarode, Attaphol , Yanik, Gregory A. , Ayuk, Francis , Holler, Ernst , Efebera, Yvonne A. , Wölfl, Matthias , Ordemann, Rainer, Mielke, Stephan , Bunworasate, Udomsak , Chen, Yi‐Bin , Harris, Andrew C. , Jagasia, Madan , Litzow, Mark R. , Nakamura, Ryotaro , Roesler, Wolf, Weber, Daniela , Ferrara, James L.M. , Hartwell, Matthew J. , Hogan, William J. , Qayed, Muna , Hexner, Elizabeth O. , Wudhikarn, Kitsada , Mielke, Stephan , Devine, Steven M. , Kröger, Nicolaus , Malki, Monzr M. Al , Kitko, Carrie L. , Locatelli, Franco , Reddy, Pavan , Reshef, Ran , Levine, John E.

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 510-510

10.1182/blood.v128.22.510.510 Get It

Abstract Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), the primary cause of non-relapse mortality (NRM) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, does not always respond to treatment with high dose systemic corticosteroids. We have recently shown that a combination of three biomarkers (TNFR1, ST2, and REG3α) measured at onset of GVHD can predict day 28 response to treatment and 6-month NRM (Levine, Lancet Haem, 2015). Our goal in the current study was to determine if the same biomarker-based Ann Arbor GVHD algorithm can alsopredict treatment response andmortality whenapplied after one week of systemic corticosteroid treatment. The study population consisted of 378 patients (pts) with acute GVHD from 11 centers in the Mount Sinai Acute GVHD International Consortium. All pts were treated with systemic steroids and provided a plasma or serum sample obtained after one week of treatment (±3 days). The median starting dose of systemic steroids for Grade II-IV GVHD was 2.0 mg/kg/day and for Grade I was 1.0 mg/kg/day, after which treatment varied. Patients were divided into test (n=236) and validation (n=142) cohorts. We applied the Ann Arbor GVHD algorithm to concentrations of TNFR1, ST2, and REG3α measured after one week of treatment to generate a predicted probability of 6-month NRM, which we term the treatment score (TS). We employed unsupervised k-medoidclustering to partition TS values from the test cohort into two groups (high and low). This unbiased approach identified a high score group made up of 25% of pts (n=58) in the test cohort. We observed that the day 28 response rate (complete, CR + partial, PR) was significantly lower in pts with high scores compared to low scores in the test cohort (24% vs 65%, p<0.0001) (Fig 1A). Analysis of the validation cohort using the same TS definitions showed similar differences in response rates (22% vs 61%, p<0.0001) (Fig 1B). Further, nearly four times as many pts with high scores in both cohorts died within 6 months from non-relapse causes compared to pts with low scores (test: 57% vs 17%, p<0.0001; validation: 57% vs 14%, p<0.0001) (Fig 1C/D). As expected, the majority of non-relapse deaths in pts treated for GVHD were directly attributable to GVHD (test: 95%; validation: 89%). Relapse rates for high and low score pts were similar (data not shown), and thus pts with a high TS experienced significantly worse overall survival in both cohorts (test: 37% vs 72%, p<0.0001; validation: 38% vs 79%, p<0.0001) (Fig 1E/F). Approximately half of the pts in each cohort (test: 48%; validation: 44%) responded (CR+PR) to the first week of steroids and these ptshad significantly lower 6-month NRM than non-responders (NR) (test: 17% vs 36%, p=0.0002; validation: 13% vs 36%, p=0.0014). Yet the TS continued to stratify mortality risk independently of clinical response. In the test cohort, pts with a high score comprised 16% of all early responders and experienced more than twice the NRM of early responders with a low score (33% vs 13%, p=0.022) (Fig 2A). Conversely, test cohort pts who did not respond by day 7, but had a low score, fared much better than non-responders with a high score (NRM 21% vs 68%, p<0.0001) (Fig 2B). Two thirds of early non-responders comprised this more favorable group. These highly significant results reproduced in the independent validation cohort in similar proportions (CR+PR: 45% vs 6%, p=0.0003; NR: 61% vs 22%, p=0.0001) (Fig 2C/D). Finally, a subset analysis revealed that pts classified as NR after one week of steroids due to isolated, yet persistent, grade I skin GVHD (24/378, 6%) overwhelmingly had low treatment scores (22/24, 92%) and experienced rates of NRM (9%) comparable to responders with low scores, thus forming a distinct, albeit small, subset of pts with non-responsive GVHD that fares particularly well (Fig 3). In conclusion, a treatment score based on three GVHD biomarkers measured after one week of steroids stratifies pts into two groups with distinct risks for treatment failure and 6-month NRM. It is particularly noteworthy that the TS identifies two subsets of pts with steroid refractory (SR) GVHD who have highly different outcomes (Fig 2B/D). The much larger group, approximately two thirds of all SR pts, may not need the same degree of treatment escalation as is traditional for clinical non-response, and thus overtreatment might be avoided. Because the TSis measured at a common decision making time point, it may prove useful to guide risk-adapted therapy. Disclosures Mielke: Novartis: Consultancy; MSD: Consultancy, Other: Travel grants; Celgene: Other: Travel grants, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Other: Travel grants; JAZZ Pharma: Speakers Bureau. Kroeger:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Chen:Incyte Corporation: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Jagasia:Therakos: Consultancy. Kitko:Therakos: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Ferrara:Viracor: Patents & Royalties: GVHD biomarker patent. Levine:Viracor: Patents & Royalties: GVHD biomarker patent.