Citations

Abstract Introduction: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is the only curative therapy for myelofibrosis (MF). Consideration of HCT is recommended by international working groups and national guidelines for MF patients (pts) age <70 with intermediate-1 with adverse indicators, intermediate-2 or high-risk disease by the Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS) for MF- a recommendation made in the absence of clear data indicating the optimal timing of HCT for MF. In this large multicenter retrospective study, we analyze overall survival in MF pts treated with and without HCT. Methods: Disease characteristics, treatments, and outcome data from MF pts receiving non-transplant therapy at 14 US academic medical centers between 2000-2014 were retrospectively collected. MF pts who underwent HCT were identified from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR). The Cox proportional hazards model was used. The reference time point (time zero) was time of referral for the non-transplant (non-HCT) arm and the time of transplant for the HCT arm. The main effect variable (HCT vs. non-HCT) violated the proportionality assumption where comparing to non-HCT, mortality was higher with HCT in early time period from time zero but then was lower in late time period; therefore, the comparison is presented as early time period and late time period. The Cox model identified 14 months from time zero as the ideal cut point to define early and late time periods. The proportionality assumption is satisfied within each of these two periods. Results: A total of 1377 and 551 pts were included in the non-HCT and HCT arms, respectively (Table 1). In the overall cohort, survival was higher with non-HCT vs. HCT in early time period (relative risk [RR]: 0.34, P< .0001, Figure 1D), but in late time period survival was lower with non-HCT vs. HCT (RR: 2.37, P< 0.001) (Table 2). In the DIPSS low-risk MF group, while survival was higher with non-HCT vs. HCT in the early time period (RR: 0.19, P=0.007, Figure 1A), survival was lower with non-HCT in the late time period, but the latter did not reach statistical significance (RR: 1.45, P=0.39). In the DIPSS intermediate-1 risk group, a survival advantage was present with non-HCT treatments vs. HCT in the early time period (RR: 0.27, P < .0001, Figure 1B), however survival was lower with non-HCT in the late time period (RR: 3.13, P < .0001). Similarly, in those with DIPSS intermediate-2 and high-risk MF, survival advantage was observed with non-HCT in the early time period (RR: 0.41, P< .0001, Figure IC), but survival was lower with non-HCT in the late time period (RR: 2.82, P < .0001). Conclusion: A long-term survival advantage with transplant was observed for pts with intermediate-1 or higher risk MF, but at the cost of potential early mortality. The magnitude of benefit increased as DIPSS risk score increased. Although this retrospective study has limitations, the results have an impact on clinical practice by suggesting that transplantation could be considered earlier in the disease course and supports the recommendation for consideration of HCT in the setting of intermediate-1 risk MF. Disclosures Gowin: Incyte: Consultancy, Other: Scientific Advisory Board, Speakers Bureau. Verstovsek:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy; Italfarmaco: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ali:Incyte Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Gupta:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. Gerds:Celgene: Consultancy; Apexx Oncology: Consultancy; CTI Biopharma: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy.

Abstract Introduction: Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) have shown activity in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (MM). Elotuzumab is an anti-SLAMF7 MoAb that synergizes with immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs) and is approved for treatment of relapsed and refractory MM. Anti-CD38 MoAbs (daratumumab, FDA approved and isatuximab, in clinical trials) have also entered the therapeutic MM landscape but little is known about how to best sequence MoAbs and the existence of cross resistance between different classes of MoAbs. We analyzed outcomes of patients who become refractory to elotuzumab with emphasis on the activity of anti-CD38 MoAbs in the post-elotuzumab setting. Methods: We identified patients from 14 academic institutions within the US who were refractory to elotuzumab administered alone or in combination with other agents. Patients were considered refractory to elotuzumab if treated with at least 4 weeks of therapy and had evidence of progressive disease (PD) within 60 days of last dose. Time zero (T0) was defined as point when myeloma became refractory to elotuzumab-containing regimen. Data were collected with an electronic platform and submitted to peer-based quality check for completeness and internal consistency. We analyzed demographics, characteristics of their myeloma and prior therapy including number and type of therapy prior to elotuzumab, duration of elotuzumab therapy, and outcome after becoming refractory to elotuzumab. We performed a multi-variable analysis of these factors to determine significant factors associated with survival post T0. We subsequently identified a subset of patients who received an anti-CD38 MoAb alone or in combination as next or subsequent line of therapy after T0 and report their outcomes. Results: Eighty-nine patients were evaluated. Eighty-six (96.6%) had progression on elotuzumab in combination with IMiD (N=82) or another agent (N=4). Median age at T0 was 65 years (range 28-90), 51% of patients were males, 65% were White, 54% had IgG subtype, 27% had ISS stage III at diagnosis, and 27% had high-risk cytogenetics. Patients received a median of 4 prior lines of treatment (range 1-11) prior to elotuzumab-containing regimen, including 66% who underwent autologous transplant. Sixty-one patients (69%) were refractory to at least one IMiD and one proteasome inhibitor (PI) at T0, classified as double-refractory. Twenty-one (23.6%) were quad-refractory, i.e. refractory to 2 IMiDs and 2 PIs. Twenty-eight patients (31.5%) were refractory to prior anti-CD38 MoAb. The median time from diagnosis to T0 was 59.5 months and duration of elotuzumab therapy was 3 months (range 0.4 - 59.5). Median OS from T0 for the entire cohort was 15.1 months (95% C.I. 9.3-20.9). In multivariate analysis, the only factors affecting OS after T0 were high-risk cytogenetics (HR 3.31, 95% C.I. 1.74-6.27, P<0.001) and refractoriness to prior anti-CD38 MoAb (HR 4.22, 95% C.I. 2.22-8.01, P<0.001). Interestingly, median OS for patients not refractory to anti-CD38 MoAb was 33.1 months vs. 4.5 months for anti-CD38 MoAb-refractory patients (Figure 1). After T0, 45 patients (50.6%) received an anti-CD38 MoAb in the next (N=28, 62.5%) or subsequent regimens (N=17, 37.8%). Median time between T0 and initiation of anti-CD38 MoAb was 1.2 months (0-15.0). Anti-CD38 MoAbs employed were: isatuximab in 4 (8.9%) and daratumumab in 41 patients (91.1%). In most cases, the anti-CD38 MoAb was administered in combination with IMiD (N=30, 66.6%) or bortezomib (N=7, 15.6%). The overall response rate (ORR) for anti-CD38 MoAb regimens was 35.6%; responses to specific combinations are outlined in the Table. Median PFS for elotuzumab-refractory patients receiving therapy with anti-CD38 MoAbs was 4.6 months (95% C.I. 1.6-7.6), while median OS was 15.3 months (95% C.I. 8.2-22.4) (Figure 2). Conclusion: Patient who become refractory to elotuzumab have guarded prognosis, particularly dismal among patients also refractory to anti-CD38 MoAb, defining a population with great need for novel therapies. Failure of elotuzumab-based therapy does not preclude disease control with anti-CD38 MoAb, particularly in combination. Disclosures Paul: Bristol Myer Squibb: Other: Stock and pension plan (past employee). Amarendra:Amgen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy. Liedtke:Caelum: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; celgene: Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Genentech/Roche: Research Funding; BlueBirdBio: Research Funding; Prothena: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen/Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Hari:Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen Inc.: Research Funding; Spectrum: Consultancy, Research Funding. Vij:Karyopharm: Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol Myer Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Usmani:Abbvie, Amgen, Celgene, Genmab, Merck, MundiPharma, Janssen, Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Amgen, BMS, Celgene, Janssen, Merck, Pharmacyclics,Sanofi, Seattle Genetics, Takeda: Research Funding. Kumar:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; KITE: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Costa:Karyopharm: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria; Janssen: Research Funding.

Abstract Background: Patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) have historically had poor outcomes, with overall response rates (ORR) of ~16% for hypomethylating agents (HMA) in first-line registration studies with a median overall survival (OS) of ~4-7 months in the relapsed/refractory (R/R) setting. Allogeneic stem cell transplant is not an option for the majority, due to older age at diagnosis and comorbidities. Tagraxofusp (Elzonris™, SL-401) is a novel targeted therapy directed to the interleukin-3 receptor-α (CD123), a target expressed on a variety of malignancies. In CMML, CD123 is expressed on malignant progenitor cells as well as microenvironmental plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) infiltrates, now shown to be part of the malignant clone (Solary, EHA 2018). We thus hypothesized that therapeutic targeting of CD123-expressing malignant cells and infiltrating clonal pDCs may offer a novel therapeutic approach. Tagraxofusp has already demonstrated high levels of clinical activity against blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), a CD123+ malignancy derived from pDCs. Methods: This multicenter, two-stage Phase 1/2 trial is enrolling patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) CMML or other myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Primary objectives include assessment of safety, determining optimal dose/regimen, and evaluating efficacy outcomes in patients with r/r CMML. In the Stage 1 dose escalation cohort (completed), tagraxofusp was administered as a daily IV infusion at 7, 9, and 12 mcg/kg/day, on days 1-3 every 21 days (cycle 1-4), every 28 days (cycles 5-7), and every 42 days (cycles 8+). In Stage 2 (ongoing), patients received the optimal dose determined in Stage 1 (12 mcg/kg; no MTD reached). Results: As of July 2018, 18 patients with CMML (CMML-1 [n=10]; CMML-2 [n=8]) received tagraxofusp. 13 patients were treated in second-line setting and 5 patients were treated in third-line and beyond, with HMAs being the most commonly administered prior therapy. Median age was 70 years (range 42-80); 78% patients were male. 53% (9/17) of patients had baseline splenomegaly (range: 2 to 22 cm palpable below left costal margin (BCM) by physical exam). Most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were hypoalbuminemia and nausea (each 38%), vomiting (31%), fatigue, edema, and thrombocytopenia (each 25%). Most common ≥grade 3 TRAEs were thrombocytopenia (13%) and nausea (6%). Capillary leak syndrome was reported in 3 patients (19%; all grade 2). 100% (8/8) of patients with baseline splenomegaly had a spleen response, including 75% (6/8) who had reduction in splenomegaly of 50% or more. 60% (3/5) of patients with baseline spleen size ≥5cm had reduction in splenomegaly of 50% or more. Two patients treated with tagraxofusp achieved bone marrow CRs. 43% (6/14) of evaluable patients had a treatment duration of 6 months or more, including one at 8+ and one at 14+ months. Conclusions: Tagraxofusp monotherapy resulted in significant reductions in spleen sizes along with bone marrow morphological responses in relapsed/refractory patients with CMML, with a manageable safety profile. Given CD123 expression on both neoplastic myeloid cells and pDCs infiltrates, tagraxofusp may offer a novel targeted approach for patients with CMML, an area of unmet medical need. Enrollment continues, and updated safety and efficacy data will be presented. A registrational trial in this patient population is planned. Clinical trial information: NCT02268253. Disclosures Ali: Incyte Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Gupta:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. Schiller:Celator/Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding. Lee:AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Clinipace: Consultancy; Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc: Consultancy; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy. Yacoub:Cara Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; Ardelyx, INC.: Equity Ownership; Dynavax: Equity Ownership; Inycte: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Sardone:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Wysowskyj:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Shemesh:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Chen:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Olguin:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Brooks:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Dunn:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Verstovsek:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy; Italfarmaco: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Khoury:Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding. Pemmaraju:celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; novartis: Research Funding; Affymetrix: Research Funding; samus: Research Funding; cellectis: Research Funding; daiichi sankyo: Research Funding; stemline: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; plexxikon: Research Funding; abbvie: Research Funding; SagerStrong Foundation: Research Funding.

Abstract Introduction Development of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody therapies (MoABs), including daratumumab and isatuximab, have drastically changed the therapeutic landscape for management of relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). However, there is a paucity of information regarding response to treatment after progression on CD38 MoABs. This collaborative research study (MAMMOTH: Monoclonal Antibodies in Multiple Myeloma: Outcomes after Therapy Failure) investigates the therapeutic choices and outcomes of subsequent treatments after refractoriness to MoABs. Methods Patients from 14 US academic institutions with diagnosis of MM and refractory to daratumumab or isatuximab, administered alone or in combination, were evaluated. Patients were considered refractory to a CD38 MoAB if treated with at least 4 weeks of therapy and had evidence of progressive disease (PD) while on therapy or within 60 days after last dose. Time of progression was defined as time zero (T0). Data was collected by electronic platform and submitted to peer-based quality check for completeness and internal consistency. Results Two hundred and seventy-five patients with MM refractory to CD38 MoAB were evaluated; 249 (90.5%) of those patients who received at least one subsequent line of therapy were included in this analysis. The median age at T0 was 65 years (range 27-90) and 54% were male. At the time of diagnosis, 28% had ISS stage III disease and 29% had high-risk cytogenetics. Patients were heavily pre-treated at T0 with a median of 5 lines of therapy (range 2-17); most (74%) underwent a prior autologous stem cell transplant. The majority of patients were refractory to other anti-myeloma therapies including lenalidomide (78%), pomalidomide (65%), bortezomib (69%) and carfilzomib (45%). In total, 97.1% of patients were exposed to at least one immunomodulatory agent (IMiD) and one proteasome inhibitor (PI), 79.3% were ≥ triple-refractory (refractory to 1 IMiD, 1 PI and 1 CD38 MoAB), while 25.3% were penta-refractory (refractory to 2 IMiDs, 2 PIs and 1 CD38 MoAB). Responses to the next subsequent line of therapy after progression with CD38 MoAB are shown (Table). The overall response rate (ORR; ≥PR) of first regimen post-T0 was 31% with a median progression free survival (PFS) of 3.4 mo and median overall survival (OS) of 9.3 mo. Carfilzomib-based therapy resulted in an ORR of 32% with median PFS 4.2 mo and overall OS of 10.9 mo. The addition of an IMiD to daratumumab yielded an ORR of 37% with median PFS 4.5 mo and OS 12.6 mo. The addition of a PI to daratumumab yielded no responses. Elotuzumab-based therapy had an ORR of 21% with median PFS 2.6 mo and OS 8.3 mo. By multivariate analysis, alkylator-based therapies were found to have the highest ORR (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.8-5.7, p<0.001), however, resulted in median PFS of only 3 mo and OS of 7.7 mo. Multivariate analysis evaluating for PFS and adjusting for refractoriness to prior therapies found lower risk of progression with carfilzomib-based therapy (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.42-0.85, p=0.004, Figure 1) and with the addition of an IMiD to daratumumab (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.43-0.94, p=0.02). The benefit of IMiD + daratumumab was essentially restricted to patients previously refractory to CD38 MoAB as monotherapy. These patients demonstrated improved PFS with subsequent daratumumab-combination therapy at time of progression compared with patients refractory to CD38 MoAB combination therapy (log-rank p=0.02, Figure 2). No particular regimen was associated with improved OS compared with the rest. Conclusions After progression on CD38 MoAB, treatment with carfilzomib-based regimens and the addition of an IMiD to daratumumab-monotherapy resulted in a higher ORR and PFS compared with other regimens. Alkylating agents resulted in the highest ORR but relatively short PFS and OS. The use of elotuzumab and the addition of a PI to daratumumab monotherapy resulted in relatively low response rates. Overall, progression after CD38 MoAB therapy is associated with a poor prognosis and innovative therapeutic strategies are needed. Disclosures Malek: Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Paul:Bristol Myer Squibb: Other: Stock and pension plan (past employee). Neppalli:Celgene: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy. Liedtke:Amgen/Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Caelum: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech/Roche: Research Funding; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Prothena: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; celgene: Research Funding; BlueBirdBio: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Hari:Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Spectrum: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen Inc.: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria. Vij:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Jansson: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharma: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Usmani:Amgen, BMS, Celgene, Janssen, Merck, Pharmacyclics,Sanofi, Seattle Genetics, Takeda: Research Funding; Abbvie, Amgen, Celgene, Genmab, Merck, MundiPharma, Janssen, Seattle Genetics: Consultancy. Costa:Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria. Kumar:Roche: Research Funding; KITE: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Merck: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncopeptides: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; KITE: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

Abstract Introduction: PRM-151, a recombinant human pentraxin-2 molecule, has been shown to prevent and reverse fibrosis in animal models of myelofibrosis (MF) by postulated targeting differentiation of fibrocytes (essential cells in fibrotic process) from monocytes. In the first stage of a two-stage trial, 27 patients (pts) with primary myelofibrosis (PMF), post-essential thrombocythemia/polycythemia vera (post-ET/PV) MF, and Grade 2 or 3 bone marrow fibrosis (BMF) received PRM-151 10 mg/kg IV ± ruxolitinib (RUX) for 6 cycles (24 weeks). A reduction in BMF, decrease in symptoms (MPN-SAF Total Symptom Score [TSS]), and a reduction of palpable splenomegaly were observed, along with a favorable safety profile. Pts experiencing clinical benefit were allowed to continue beyond 24 weeks in an open label extension (OLE) study. Here, we report interim efficacy and safety data for 18 pts enrolled in the OLE, who had been treated for up to 35 cycles (140 weeks). Methods: All pts in the OLE received a monthly infusion of PRM-151 10 mg/kg IV. Pts receiving PRM-151 alone or in combination with RUX in the main study continued with their respective drugs. Safety and hematology parameters were assessed monthly, and MPN-SAF TSS Q3 months. BM biopsies were obtained at baseline, end of main study, and at physician discretion in the OLE. These were evaluated centrally by two independent, blinded hematopathologists for the degree of reticulin and collagen fibrosis. Immunostaining for fibrocytes was performed on available biopsies. The primary objective of the OLE was to assess safety and efficacy of long-term administration of PRM-151. Results: Of the 18 pts enrolled in the OLE, 9 received PRM-151 as single agent, and 9 in conjunction with RUX. Baseline characteristics included median age of 66 years (51-78); 8 pts were DIPSS Int-1, 9 Int-2, and 1 high-risk; 6 (33%) had Hgb < 100 g/L, 12 (67%) had PLT < 100 x 109/L; 7 (39%) had PLT <50 x 109/L; 8 pts had PMF, 10 had post-ET/PV MF; 13 pts (72%) had a palpable spleen, and 9 (50%) had Grade 3 BMF. Median time on study for these 18 pts was 30.9 months (15.9-47.2 months). All pts experienced at least 1 adverse event (AE), with 8 pts (44%) reporting a possible study drug-related AE. No unexpected AEs were observed, and no deaths were reported during the study period. The mean best percent change (by palpation) in spleen size from baseline was −37%, with a median percent reduction of −26.1% (Figure). The mean best percent improvement in MPN-SAF TSS was −54%, with a median percent reduction of TSS of −64%. Pts in the PRM-151 monotherapy group showed similar improvements in MPN-SAF TSS and splenomegaly as those receiving PRM-151 + RUX (Figure). Complete data on hematology parameters will be available at the time of presentation. Improvement in BM reticulin grade was observed in 5 of 7 pts (71%) with Grade 2 BMF at baseline, and in 4 of 9 pts (44%) with Grade 3 BMF at baseline. Of the pts with Grade 3 BMF at baseline, 2 of 9 pts (22%) had a 2-grade reduction (Table). In addition, 5 of 6 pts (83%) with Grade 2 collagen fibrosis at baseline had a 1-grade reduction, with 2 of 6 pts (33%) improving to Grade 0. Also, 2 of 7 pts (28%) with Grade 3 collagen fibrosis had a reduction of 1-grade with 1 of 7 (14%) improving to Grade 0 (Table). Eight of 18 pts had BM fibrocyte immunostaining done: mean fibrocyte count in the hematopoietic BM decreased from 378.0 ± 255.3 per mm2 (11.2 ± 7.7% of total cells) at study baseline to 81.3 ± 86.5 per mm2 (2.0 ± 2.1% of total cells; 7 of 8 pts evaluable) at cycle 25, with continuous reduction in fibrocyte numbers observed at interim. Over the same period, improvement in BM reticulin grade was detected in 4 of 7 pts (57%), and collagen fibrosis grade was decreased in 3 of 7 pts (43%). Conclusions: This long-term follow-up study of 18 pts with MF who received PRM-151 for a median of 31 months showed the drug to be well tolerated. An overall improvement in BM reticulin and collagen fibrosis grade, as well as reductions in MPN-SAF TSS and splenomegaly were observed. In a subset of pts for whom bone marrow fibrocyte immunostaining data were available, a mean reduction in fibrocyte counts was observed, as well as improved bone marrow reticulin and collagen fibrosis grade. These data warrant confirmation in a larger controlled study. Figure. Figure. Disclosures Verstovsek: Incyte: Consultancy; Italfarmaco: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Pozdnyakova:Promedior, Inc.: Consultancy. Mesa:Promedior: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Ariad: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; Galena: Consultancy; Gilead: Research Funding; CTI: Research Funding. Foltz:Incyte: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Mascarenhas:Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Merck: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding. Ritchie:Astellas Pharma: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; ARIAD Pharmaceuticals: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Palmer:Novartis: Research Funding. Kremyanskaya:Incyte: Research Funding. van den Blink:Promedior, Inc.: Employment. Gupta:Promedior, Inc.: Employment. Gotlib:Deciphera: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Kartos: Consultancy; Promedior: Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Blueprint Medicines: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

Abstract Introduction Proteasome inhibitors (PIs) and immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) have significantly improved survival in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Refractoriness to PIs and IMiDs results in poor outcomes with a median survival of about 13 months.Daratumumab and isatuximab are CD38-targeting monoclonal antibodies (MoABs) with remarkable activity in relapsed and refractory MM. The outcome of MM patients in US clinical practice who becomes refractory to CD38 MoABs is unknown. The aim of this multicenter, retrospective study is to investigate the natural history of patients with MM who become refractory to CD38 MoABs (Monoclonal Antibodies in Multiple Myeloma: Outcomes after Therapy Failure: MAMMOTH study). Methods We identified patients from 14 academic institutions in the US with diagnosis of active MM and refractory to daratumumab or isatuximab, administered alone or in combination. Patients were considered refractory to CD38 MoAB if treated with at least 4 weeks of therapy and had evidence of progressive disease (PD) while on therapy or within 60 days after last dose. The time when patients met the above criteria of progression was defined as time zero (T0). Data including patient-disease characteristics and all therapies administered before and after T0 were collected with an electronic platform and submitted to peer-based quality check for completeness and internal consistency. For survival outcome analysis, patients were classified into three groups: "Penta-refractory" (refractory to 1 CD38 MoAB + 2 PIs + 2 IMiDs), "Triple-refractory and quad-refractory" (refractory to 1 CD38 MoAB + 1 PI + 1/2 IMiDs, or 1 CD38 MoAB + 1/2 PIs + 1 IMiD), and "Not triple-refractory" (refractory to 1 CD38 MoAB, and not both of a PI and an IMiD). Responses were evaluated using the IMWG criteria. Results Two hundred and seventy-five patients were included in this study; median age at T0 was 65 years (range 27-90). Fifty five percent of patients were males, 52% had IgG isotype, 29% had ISS stage III disease, and 29% had high-risk cytogenetics at diagnosis. Median interval from diagnosis of MM to T0 was 50.1 months (mo) (range 2.5-230.1). Patients received a median of 4 lines of treatment (1-16) prior to the CD38 MoAB-containing regimen; 72% underwent prior autologous transplant. Daratumumab-refractory patients formed a majority (256, 93.1%) of this cohort. Most of the patients were refractory to lenalidomide (77%), pomalidomide (65%), bortezomib (68%), and carfilzomib (47%). Seventy patients (25.5%) were "penta-refractory" and 148 (53.8%) were "triple-refractory and quad-refractory". Median follow-up from T0 for survivors was 10.6 mo (range 1.9-42.3 mo). The median overall survival (OS) from T0 for the entire cohort was 8.6 mo (95% C.I. 7.2-9.9); OS for the groups based on refractoriness to prior treatments are shown (Figure). Two hundred and forty-nine patients (90.5%) received at least one line of treatment after T0, (median 2, range 1-10). The response rates and depth of responses to each line of treatment post T0 are shown (Table). Among patients who received ≥ 1 subsequent treatment, the median PFS and OS from T0 were 3.4 (95% C.I. 2.8-4.0) mo and 9.3 (95% C.I. 8.1-10.6) mo, respectively; the median OS for the 26 patients who received no further treatment was only 1.3 (95% C.I. 0.6-1.9) mo. By multivariate analysis, penta-refractoriness (HR 2.4, p <0.001), high-risk cytogenetics (HR 1.5, p=0.01), elevated LDH (HR 2, p<0.001) and creatinine > 2 (HR 2.4, p=0.01) at the onset of CD38-based therapy predicted inferior OS. Conclusions Patients with MM who become refractory to CD38 MoAB are increasingly less responsive to subsequent therapies. While survival is particularly dismal for penta-refractory patients, the outcomes are poor even for patients who are not refractory to other mainstream MM agents. The MAMMOTH study defines a MM population in urgent need for new therapies, and provides benchmark OS, PFS and response data for subsequent investigational therapies in this setting. Disclosures Malek: Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Paul:Bristol Myer Squibb: Other: Stock and pension plan (past employee). Neppalli:Amgen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy. Liedtke:Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Prothena: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen/Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BlueBirdBio: Research Funding; celgene: Research Funding; Takeda: 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; Genentech/Roche: Research Funding; Caelum: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hari:Amgen Inc.: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Spectrum: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Vij:Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Karyopharma: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jansson: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Usmani:Abbvie, Amgen, Celgene, Genmab, Merck, MundiPharma, Janssen, Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Amgen, BMS, Celgene, Janssen, Merck, Pharmacyclics,Sanofi, Seattle Genetics, Takeda: Research Funding. Kumar:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; KITE: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Costa:Karyopharm: Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria; Janssen: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding.

Abstract Background: Patients with myelofibrosis (MF) that have failed or are intolerant to JAK inhibitors (JAKi) have no standard treatment options. Tagraxofusp (Elzonris™; SL-401) is a novel targeted therapy directed to the interleukin-3 receptor-α (CD123), a target expressed on a variety of malignancies, including certain myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) such as MF. CD123 is also expressed on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), which reside in the tumor microenvironment and may play a role in promoting growth of MPNs and other malignancies. Therefore, targeting of CD123-expressing malignant cells and/or neighboring pDCs may offer a novel therapeutic approach. Tagraxofusp has demonstrated high levels of clinical activity against blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), a CD123+ malignancy derived from pDCs. Methods: This multicenter, two-stage Phase 1/2 trial is enrolling patients with MF that were relapsed, refractory, or unable to tolerate JAKi. Primary objectives include assessment of safety, determining optimal dose/regimen, and evaluating efficacy outcomes. In the Stage 1 dose escalation cohort (completed), tagraxofusp was dosed as a daily IV infusion at 7, 9, and 12 mcg/kg/day, on days 1-3 every 21 days (cycle 1-4), every 28 days (cycles 5-7), and every 42 days (cycles 8+). In Stage 2 (ongoing), patients received the optimal dose determined in Stage 1 (12 mcg/kg/day). Results: As of July 2018, 18 patients with MF received tagraxofusp. Five patients were treated in the second line setting and 12 patients were treated in third-line setting, and beyond. Median age was 69 years (range 55-81); 60% patients were female. Of the 18 patients with DIPSS Plus risk group assessment available, 3 patients (17%) were intermediate-1, 10 patients (55%) were intermediate-2, and 5 patients (28%) were high-risk. Median platelet count was 66 K/uL (range 15-579). 70% (14/20) of patients had baseline platelets <100K/uL, of which 6 patients had platelets <50K/uL at study entry. 89% (17/19) of patients had baseline splenomegaly defined as palpable spleen 5 cm or more below costal margin (BCM) by physical exam. Most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) include hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia (each 27%), and alanine aminotransferase increased, anemia, dizziness, fatigue, headache and nausea (each 20%). Most common ≥grade 3 TRAEs include anemia (20%) and thrombocytopenia and fatigue (each 7%). Capillary leak syndrome was reported in 1 patient (5%; grade 3). 50% (6/12) of evaluable patients, with baseline spleen size 5 cm or more BCM, had a spleen response, of which 33% (4/12) had splenomegaly reduction by 33% or more and 25% (3/12) had splenomegaly reduction by 35% or more. 50% (3/6) of patients with spleen response had treatment duration 8+ months, including 8+, 12+ and 14+ months (all 3 ongoing). Four patients with baseline thrombocytopenia had treatment durations 8+ months, 3 of which are ongoing. Conclusions: Tagraxofusp monotherapy demonstrated improvements in splenomegaly, with a manageable safety profile, in patients with relapsed/refractory MF, an area of unmet medical need. Given CD123 expression on myeloid neoplastic cells and pDCs in the tumor microenvironment, tagraxofusp may offer a novel targeted approach for MF patients. Enrollment continues, and updated safety and efficacy data will be presented. Registrational designs are being evaluated. Clinical trial information: NCT02268253. Disclosures Pemmaraju: celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; abbvie: Research Funding; cellectis: Research Funding; stemline: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; samus: Research Funding; novartis: Research Funding; Affymetrix: Research Funding; SagerStrong Foundation: Research Funding; plexxikon: Research Funding; daiichi sankyo: Research Funding. Gupta:Incyte: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Schiller:Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Celator/Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Lee:LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Clinipace: Consultancy; Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy. Yacoub:Ardelyx, INC.: Equity Ownership; Cara Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; Dynavax: Equity Ownership; Inycte: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Ali:Incyte Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sardone:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Wysowskyj:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Shemesh:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Chen:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Olguin:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Brooks:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Dunn:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Verstovsek:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Italfarmaco: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Consultancy; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Khoury:Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding.

Abstract Introduction Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a significant cause of mortality post allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). First line therapy is corticosteroid based for patients with aGVHD ≥grade (Gd) II. Steroid refractory (SR) aGVHD is associated with a dismal prognosis. Although experimental therapeutics is an unmet need, there is no recent prospective real world data to establish a benchmark for outcomes of best available therapy. We undertook a prospective observational multi-centre international clinical trial of outcomes of second line therapy of steroid refractory aGVHD. The aim was to measure recently defined endpoints including Day 28 (D28) overall response rate (ORR), and 6 month freedom from treatment failure (6mFFTF; defined as a patient (pt) being alive, without relapse of underlying disease or addition of new systemic therapy for aGVHD, prior to the development of chronic(c) GVHD. Methods Data was collected prospectively in a longitudinal observational study in patients starting second line therapy for SR aGVHD. Twelve UK and 2 US sites participated. Adult pts with Gd II-IV aGVHD refractory to corticosteroids were enrolled within 5 days of starting second line therapy. Modified Glucksberg criteria were used to grade aGVHD. Expert panel consensus recommendations (Martin et al 2009) were used for complete response (CR), very good partial response (VGPR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD). Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log rank tests for comparison were done on Prism7. Results Between 2014-2018, 64pts were enrolled; 4pts were excluded due to incomplete data. Baseline characteristics of the cohort are outlined in Table 1. GVHD prophylaxis varied according to centre. Forty-seven percent had T depletion; 32% ATG and 25% Alemtuzumab. GVHD was donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) induced in 7%. At start of second line therapy,5% had Gd I, 27% Gd II and 68% Gd III-IV aGVHD. All patients had received corticosteroids at a minimum dose of 1mg/kg. Second line therapies varied, 60% received ECP and 40% non-ECP therapy including anti-TNF-alpha antibodies (20%), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (8%), mesenchymal stem cells (4%) and 'other' (8%). The cumulative incidence of 6mFFTF was 32% (n=19), with 68% (n=41) failing to meet the 6mFFTF endpoint. The causes of failure were, addition of third line therapy in 40% (n=24), relapse 8%(n=5), cGVHD 7% (n=4) and death 13% (n=8). The 6m incidence of death was 45% (n=27); death due to GVHD 30%, infection 8% and relapse 7%. D28 responses were: 56% ORR (8% CR, 28% VGPR, 20% PR), 13% SD, 18% PD and 13% died before D28. Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, median OS was 7.3m with a median follow up of 1 year. The overall cumulative incidence of death was 63% (n=38); GVHD was the leading cause of death 40%, infection 8% and relapse 8%. D28 ORR was associated with a significantly improved median OS not reached versus (vs) 5.2m (p=0.03) in pts who had SD or PD at D28. In pts that achieved 6mFFTF, median survival beyond 6m was not yet reached vs median survival of 3.9m in those that did not achieve 6mFFTF (p=0.0004). The trend was for a longer median OS of 8.2m in the ECP arm vs 5.3m in non ECP (p=0.79). GVHD Gd at start of second line therapy was associated with a longer median survival, not reached in Gd II cohort vs 5.7m in Gd III-IV cohort (p=0.25). Discussion Our multi-centre prospective study illustrates 'real-life' data of clinical outcomes in pts starting second line therapy for SR aGVHD. Median survival from start of second line therapy was 7.3m with a high mortality rate of 63%. D28 ORR was 56% but only 32% met the composite 6mFFTF endpoint, although both outcomes predicted survival. The leading cause for failure of 6mFFTF was starting third line therapy which may be subject to clinician bias, however the 6m mortality was 45%, thus pts went on to die after failing for another cause. This data can be used as a contemporary data while planning studies of experimental intervention vs. best available therapy. Disclosures Radia: Mallinckrodt: Research Funding. Alfred:Mallinckrodt: Speakers Bureau. Dignan:Mallinckrodt: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Jagasia:Incyte Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Abstract Introduction: Patients develop anemia as a result of myelofibrosis (MF) or its treatment, including Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. However, momelotinib (MMB), a JAK1/2 and Activin A receptor type I (ACVR1) inhibitor with demonstrated clinical activity in MF, improved anemia in prior clinical trials. JAK1/2 and ACVR1 respond to inflammation and iron stores to control iron availability through hepcidin, the key regulator of the entry of iron into circulation. Like other inflammatory diseases, MF is characterized by high hepcidin. MMB inhibited ACVR1 to modulate hepcidin and ameliorate anemia in a rodent model (Asshoff, Blood 2017). The impact of MMB was investigated on blood hepcidin, along with markers of iron storage and availability, erythropoiesis, and inflammation to explore mechanisms of the favorable effects of MMB on MF-associated anemia. Methods: In a phase 2 open-label study, MMB 200 mg once daily was given for 24 weeks to transfusion-dependent (TD; ≥4 units red blood cells [RBC] transfusion in the 8 weeks prior to first dose of MMB) patients with primary or post-ET/PV MF (age ≥18 yrs, required MF therapy, CrCl ≥ 60 mL/min, platelets ≥50 K, and absence of Gr ≥2 peripheral neuropathy, baseline palpable spleen was not required, patients with prior splenectomy were excluded). Patients were evaluated for MMB efficacy and safety. Total symptom score (TSS) was based on a modified Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form. Transfusion-independent response/non-response (TI-R/NR) was defined as RBC transfusion-independence ≥12 weeks at any time on study. Serial blood samples were analyzed for a panel of biomarkers and liver iron content (LIC) was measured by MRI. Blood hepcidin was evaluated at every study visit in the morning (8-10am) pre-dose and 6 hours post-dose using a mass spectrometry assay and, prior to first dose, the normal daily increase of blood hepcidin was observed in half the population. Results: 41 patients (mean age 70, 63% male, 88% white) received MMB. By week 24, 14 (34.1%, 90% CI: 22.0-48.1%) patients had a TI-R and 39.0% had no RBC transfusion for ≥8 weeks at any time (90% CI: 26.2-53.1%). Six patients (15.8%, 90% CI: 7.1-28.8%) had a ≥50% reduction from baseline to week 24 in TSS and 5 patients (12.2%, 90% CI: 4.9-23.9%) had a ≥35% reduction in spleen volume; in those patients with week 24 data, the TSS and splenic response rates were 28.6% and 19.2% respectively. TSS and spleen volume assessments were not available for 17 (44.5%) and 15 (36.6%) patients, respectively, and these patients were considered non-responders. Adverse events were consistent with previous studies of MMB in MF, with cough, diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue as the most common. AEs ≥Gr 3 were experienced by 21 patients, most commonly anemia and neutropenia. At every study visit, median blood hepcidin decreased 6 hours after dosing with MMB (Fig. 1). Daily inhibition of hepcidin did not lead to an increase in serum iron for the entire population. However, serum iron, transferrin, hemoglobin, reticulocytes, and hematocrit increased at week 2 in patients with TI-R. Following this peak, serum iron decreased while hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet count increased through week 24. At baseline, TI-R was associated with lower hepcidin, LIC, serum iron, reduced inflammation (C-reactive protein and ferritin), and higher hematocrit, erythrocytes, reticulocytes, platelets, and hemoglobin than TI-NR (Fig. 2). In multivariable analysis, TI-R was strongly associated with baseline hemoglobin ≥8g/dL (p=0.036) and lower morning hepcidin (p=0.013), weakly associated with younger age (p=0.070) and lower DIPSS score (p=0.075), but not with gender, type of MF (primary vs post-ET/PV), spleen volume, TSS, or JAK2V617F mutation. Conclusion: Safety findings and rate of TI-R were similar to TD MF patients in other MMB trials. Consistent with preclinical data, daily MMB treatment led to a transient decrease in blood hepcidin. In patients with TI-R, hepcidin suppression was associated with increased iron availability and markers of erythropoiesis. At baseline, TI-R associated with reduced inflammation, lower hepcidin, and increased markers of erythropoiesis and bone marrow function. Overall, the study suggests that transient modulation of hepcidin by MMB is sufficient to boost erythropoiesis in those transfusion-independent MF patients with lower baseline inflammation and greater erythropoietic potential. Disclosures Oh: Takeda: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Gerds:Celgene: Consultancy; Apexx Oncology: Consultancy; CTI Biopharma: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy. Gupta:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. Verstovsek:Italfarmaco: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Mesa:Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Incyte Corporation: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; UT Health San Antonio - Mays Cancer Center: Employment. Miller:Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Heaney:Decipheral: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Blueprint: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding. O'Connell:Incyte: Research Funding. Arcasoy:Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; CTI BioPharma: Research Funding; Samus Therapeutics: Research Funding. Zhang:Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Employment. Kawashima:Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Ganz:Intrinsic LifeScience: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Silarus Pharma: Consultancy, Equity Ownership; Keryx Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Akebia: Consultancy, Research Funding; Vifor: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Ablynx: Consultancy; La Jolla Pharma: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties: Patent licensed to La Jolla Pharma by UCLA. Baker Brachmann:Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership.

Abstract Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by rapid disease progression. Although the clinical outcome of MCL patients has improved in the recent years, relapses and progressive emergence of resistance to treatment are common. Therefore, alternative therapeutic strategies are in great need for the treatment of MCL patients. Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), the mammalian enzymatic complex plays crucial roles in regulation of normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2), the catalytic subunit of PRC2 complex is frequently amplified or overexpressed in most solid tumor types. However, EZH2 has been reported to harbor mutations of tyrosine 641 to asparagine (Y641N) in 22% of GCB diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and 7% of follicular lymphoma (FL), but not in MCL. In the current study, we sought to elucidate the role of PRC2 in MCL and its implications for epigenetic therapy. We first assessed the expression of PRC2 components EZH2, SUZ12 and EED in several MCL cell lines (Jeko, Mino, Granta, JVM2 and Z138) and normal B-cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated that SUZ12 and EED along with EZH2 are overexpressed in proliferating MCL cell lines but not in normal B-cells. Furthermore, aberrant expression of H3 trimethylation (H3K27me3), di-methylation (H3K27me2) and mono-methylation (H3K27me1) was observed in all five MCL cell lines tested as compared to normal B cells. In order to understand if MCL cells have stable and enzymatically active PRC2 methyltransferase complex, we performed co-immunoprecipitation assay using EZH2 antibody and IgG as control. Significant amount of EED and SUZ12 enrichment was observed in the EZH2 immunoprecipitates from Granta and Mino MCL cells. Collectively this data demonstrates that in the MCL cells, PRC2 complex is aberrantly active and is associated with EZH2 upregulation. To study the role of EZH2 and EED in MCL cells, we generated expression constructs of the full-length and deletion fragments EZH2-F (full length EGH2), EZH2-del (EZH2 with deletion of SET domain), EED-F (full length EED) and EED-del (EED with deletion of WD40 domain), respectively. Interestingly, overexpression of EEDWT and EZH2WT led to a significantly (p=0.05) increased cell proliferation resulted in increased H3K27 trimethylation as compared to cells transfected with empty vector. Co-transfection with EZH2-del (SET domain) with the EZH2-F attenuated EZH2-F induced H3K27me3 and cell proliferation, suggesting oncogenic role of EZH2 enzymatic activity. Interestingly, co-transfection of EED-del (deficient in WD40 domain) had no effect on EED-F induced H3K27Me3, and the proliferation was less pronounced as compared with EED-F alone. EZH2 gene inhibition with EZH2-shRNA inhibited the growth of the MCL cells. Pharmacological inhibition of global methyltransferase activity by DZNep or EZH2 specific inhibitor GSK343 greatly suppressed the H3K27me3 level with little effect on H3K27me1 in Granta cells. However, treatment with GSK343 (but not DZNep) inhibited interaction between EZH2 and EED. Furthermore, treatment with EZH2 inhibitor, GSK343, produced significant growth inhibition (more than 90%) at 20uM concentration in Mino, Granta and Z138 cells. Taken together, these results suggest wild-type EZH2 is an epigenetic target for MCL, and MCL cells are highly sensitive to the EZH2 inhibition regardless of EZH2 mutations. Our findings indicate the use of PRC2 and EZH2 epigenetic inhibitors for the treatment of MCL patients. Overall, this study implies that overexpression of wild-type EZH2 has an oncogenic role in MCL, and suggest that wild-type EZH2 may confers similar active PRC2 addiction as mutant-EZH2 does in DLBCLs, FLs and other malignancies. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.