Citations 36

Blast clearance dynamics and time to response across IDH1- and IDH2-mutated AML

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 7045-7045

10.1182/blood-2025-7045

Abstract Background: Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations are frequently implicated in the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In a recent study (Salman MY, Blood Adv 2025), it was reported that IDH2 mutation subtypes, R140 and R172, may respond differently to intensive chemotherapy. In this study, we evaluated mid-cycle and end-of-cycle bone marrow blast responses in AML patients with IDH2 R140, IDH2 R172, and IDH1 R132 mutations, aiming to determine whether these subtypes exhibit different response dynamics. Methods: We reviewed the charts of AML patients diagnosed at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, between the years 2016 - 2023 that had available next generation sequencing (NGS) data. Institutional review board approval was obtained. All data were recorded at the time of AML diagnosis. Patients without molecular data or not treated with intensive chemotherapy (7+3 or CPX-351) were excluded from this study. Bone marrow blast percentages were assessed at mid-induction (days 14-21) and end of cycle (counts recovery). Blast clearance dynamics and complete remission rates were compared across IDH mutation subgroups and correlated with outcomes. GraphPad Prism 10.0.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Out of 381 AML patients, 31 had IDH2 mutations (23 with R140 and 8 with R172), and 8 had IDH1 mutations (all R132). Among patients with IDH2 mutations, those with R172 had numerically higher median mid-cycle bone marrow blast percentage compared to R140 (10% vs. 4%, p = 0.37). There was no significant difference in mid-cycle blast percentages between patients with IDH1 and IDH2 mutations (4.5% vs. 4%, p = 0.8). At mid-cycle, 68% of patients with IDH2 R140 had blast counts <5%, compared to 38% of those with IDH2 R172, suggesting a trend for faster mid-cycle clearance in the R140 group, though not statistically significant (OR 3.57, p = 0.2). In a broader comparison, 60% of IDH2-mutated patients and 50% of IDH1-mutated patients achieved blast clearance (blasts <5%) at mid-cycle, though not statistically significant (p = 0.7). At the end of the induction, patients with IDH2 R140 had significantly lower median bone marrow blast percentages compared to those with R172mutations (2% vs. 4%, p = 0.01). Similarly, patients with IDH1 mutations showed low blast counts compared to the IDH2 group (1.5% vs. 3%, p = 0.1). A higher proportion of IDH2 R140 patients achieved blast clearance compared to those with R172 mutations (100% vs. 75%, p = 0.06), while proportion of patients who achieved blast clearance were similar between IDH1 and IDH2 patients (87.5% vs 93.1%, P = 0.5). Analysis of overall complete remission rates (including both complete remission [CR] and CR with incomplete hematologic recovery [CRi]) within the IDH2-mutated group showed a higher rate in patients with the R140 mutation compared to those with R172 (87% vs. 75%), though the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.5). When comparing IDH1- and IDH2-mutated patients, overall complete remission rates were 75% and 84%, respectively, with no significant difference observed (p = 0.6). Kaplan–Meier analysis of time to end-of-induction blast clearance revealed no statistically significant difference between IDH2 R140 and R172 patients (median time to clearance: 31 vs. 37 days, p = 0.3). Similarly, no difference was observed between IDH1 and IDH2-mutated patients (33 vs. 31 days, p = 0.9). Overall survival analyses showed no significant difference between IDH2 R140 and R172 groups (median 66.8 months vs not reached, P = 0.4). Likewise, no difference was observed between IDH1 and IDH2 patients (44.4 months vs not reached, P = 0.7), indicating similar overall survival across mutation subtypes. Conclusion: IDH2-R140 was associated with more effective blast cytoreduction following intensive induction compared to IDH2-R172. Although not statistically significant, IDH2 R172consistently showed trends toward higher blast percentages, delayed response, and lower overall complete remission rates. These findings align with the recent study reporting significantly slower blast reduction and delayed response in R172-mutated AML. Also, no significant differences were found between IDH1- and IDH2-mutated patients in terms of response kinetics or overall survival. Together, these findings highlight potential biological differences among IDH mutation subtypes that may impact treatment response and require further investigation in larger prospective cohorts.
Molecular association with elevated LDH levels in patients with AML

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 7039-7039

10.1182/blood-2025-7039

Abstract Prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients is influenced by various factors, most importantly, patient clinical status and cytogenetic/molecular abnormalities. Within those factors, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is considered a poor prognostic indicator in AML patients. Our study aims at exploring the different factors associated with elevated LDH and their impact on overall survival (OS). After obtaining IRB approval, we reviewed the charts of 381 AML patients diagnosed at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, between the years of 2016 and 2023. All data was recorded at the time of AML diagnosis. Patients with no cytogenetic and molecular data were excluded from this study. LDH levels were recorded if measured within 10 days of diagnosis and treatment for AML was not yet given. Both risk stratification and response evaluation were done following the 2022 European LeukemiaNet (ELN) guidelines. OS was calculated from the date of AML diagnosis to the date of last follow-up or death. We used BlueSky Statistics V 10.3.4 for statistical analysis. We identified 299 patients (78.4%) who had elevated LDH levels (normal ≤ 222 U/L) at the time of diagnosis with a median of 417 U/L (range, 223-7989). The median age for those patients was 68 years (range, 18-94), with 78 (26.1%) of them having a prior myeloid disease (MDS, MPN, or MDS/MPN) before AML diagnosis. By risk stratification, more than half of the patients had an adverse risk profile (n=171, 57.2%), while 71 (23.7%) and 57 (19.1%) had an intermediate and favorable risk, respectively. Most of those patients had an abnormal karyotype (n=204, 68.7%), with complex karyotype (n=103, 34.7%) being the most common abnormality, followed by monosomy 7 (n=50, 16.8%) and trisomy 8 (n=46, 15.5%). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on 268 (89.6%) patients with elevated LDH, and the most common mutations were TP53 (n=60, 22.3%), FLT3-ITD (n=59, 21.1%), and NPM1 (n=51, 18.5%). TP53 mutations were more common in patients with normal/low white blood cell count (WBC) in contrast with FLT3 and NPM1, which were the most common mutations in patients with high WBC. After grouping the patients according to their LDH levels (group 1: 223-444 U/L, group 2: 444-666 U/L, group 3: > 666 U/L), we found that FLT3-ITD mutations were more likely to occur at higher LDH levels i.e. groups 2 and 3 (p= 0.002). The majority of patients with elevated LDH (n=262, 87.6%) received therapy following diagnosis, with the most common treatment regimens being a combination of a hypomethylating agent and venetoclax (HMA+VEN) (n=97, 37%) and a (7+3)-based induction therapy (n=77, 29.4%). When comparing patients with elevated LDH (n=299, 78.4%) to patients who had non-elevated LDH (n=82, 21.5%), no difference in both median age at diagnosis and risk stratification was found. We noticed an increase in WBC (median, 7.7 vs. 2.1) (p<0.001) along with an increase in peripheral blasts (median, 28% vs. 7%) (p<0.001) in elevated LDH patients. Among patients with non-elevated LDH, 21% (n=17) had a complex karyotype compared to 34.7% (n=103) in the elevated LDH group (p=0.022). The molecular profile was different between the 2 groups, where the most common mutations in patients with non-elevated LDH were IDH2 (n=19, 25.3%), RUNX1 (n=17, 23%), and DNMT3A (n=16, 21.6%). All patients (n=82, 100%) in the non-elevated LDH group received therapy after diagnosis. There was no difference in terms of treatment regimens used between the 2 groups. Moreover, no statistical difference in remission rates after one line of therapy was found between those groups where non-elevated LDH patients had a 65.9% remission rate compared to the 55.3% remission rate in patients with elevated LDH (p=0.098). Patients with elevated LDH had a shorter OS than patients with non-elevated LDH (9.5 vs. 26.4 months, p=0.0008). However, median OS was similar across the different groups of elevated LDH. Using univariate analysis in our cohort (n=381), age, HSCT, risk stratification, FLT3 mutation, and LDH elevation all had an impact on OS. However, when comparing those variables using multivariate analysis, age and FLT3 mutation lost their significance (p-value of 0.25 and 0.84, respectively).Complex karyotype and FLT3 mutations were more common in patients with elevated LDH. These patients tend to have higher WBC and peripheral blasts. Elevated LDH had a negative impact on patients' OS regardless of patients' risk classification.
Clinical and Prognostic Impact of Allelic Status in EZH2 ‐Mutated Myeloid Neoplasms

Hematological Oncology | October 23, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 6 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/hon.70148 | PMID 41128173

Risk of Relapse Post Reduced Intensity Conditioning Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant in Patients With High‐Risk Myeloid Neoplasms Based on GvHD Prophylaxis: PTCy

American Journal of Hematology | September 4, 2025 | Volume: 100 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 2134-2139

10.1002/ajh.70059 | PMID 40905640

Outcomes of Post‐Transplant Rh‐ GCSF and Decitabine Maintenance Therapy in Patients With High‐Risk Myeloid Neoplasm

American Journal of Hematology | July 29, 2025 | Volume: 100 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 1891-1894

10.1002/ajh.70018 | PMID 40728375

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia: analysis of post-transplant survival and risk factors in 138 Mayo Clinic patients

No container title available | June 9, 2025 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.21203/rs.3.rs-6753879/v1

Abstract Allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT) remains the only curative option in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). We retrospectively analyzed 138 CMML patients who underwent ASCT at the Mayo Clinic. Patients who transitioned to ASCT while in chronic phase (Group A) displayed superior post-transplant survival (PTS), compared to those in whom ASCT was performed after blast transformation (BT; Group B) (median 95 vs. 16 months; p=0.01). In Group A, PTS was superior in patients with <5% bone marrow (BM) blasts at time of ASCT (median 164 vs. 13.5 months; p=0.01). Other predictors of superior PTS included day-100 BM blast <5% or normal cytogenetics (median 164 vs 18 months; p=0.01) or presence of chronic graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD; median 164 vs. 26 months; p=0.01). Pre-ASCT hypomethylating agent exposure (HR=2.03; p=0.03), and receiving more than one line of pre-ASCT chemotherapy (p=0.01) predicted inferior PTS. In multivariable analysis, predictors of superior GVHD-free and relapse-free survival (GRFS) included the use myeloablative conditioning and the absence of morphologically or cytogenetically apparent disease at day-100. The use of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) was associated with higher cumulative incidence of relapse (p=0.02) and numerically inferior PTS (p=0.1). Group B patients also appeared to benefit from achieving BM blast <5% at time of ASCT (p=0.4) as well as at day-100 (p=0.01), in terms of PTS, while full chimerism and normal cytogenetics at day-100 were associated with superior GRFS. These observations support the value of ASCT in CMML, especially if performed prior to BT and in the presence of <5% BM blasts at time of ASCT. Additionally, the observed detrimental impact of PTCy requires additional studies to confirm and investigate the underlying mechanisms.
Predictors of post-transplant survival in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia receiving frontline venetoclax and hypomethylating agents.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.e18523

e18523 Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHCT) remains the only curative option for genetically high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Venetoclax plus hypomethylating agents (Ven+HMA) is approved as frontline treatment in elderly patients with AML ( NEJM 2020; 383); however, less is known on the post-transplant outcomes following such therapy. Methods: Newly diagnosed (ND) AML patients who received Ven+HMA and underwent AHCT at Mayo Clinic from 2019 to 2024 were retrospectively recruited. Patients who required salvage therapy following Ven+HMA were excluded. Post-transplant survival (PTS) and relapse incidence were computed. Results: 55 ND-AML patients (60% male, 49% de novo , median age 69 [38-77]) received Ven+HMA (median cycles 3 [2-11]). ELN 2022 cytogenetic risk at time of diagnosis was non-adverse in 67% of patients, while 33% had adverse karyotype. Common mutations at diagnosis included: K/NRAS (88%), TP53 (26%), RUNX1 (23%), ASXL1 (16%), and IDH1/2 (17%). At the time of AHCT, 98% ( n=54 ) were in CR/CRi or MLFS; ELN cytogenetic risk was non-adverse in 91%, and adverse in 5 (9%) patients. Common mutations included: TP53 (16%), TET2 (18%), SRSF2 (15%), ASXL1 (13%), RUNX1 (18%), and DNMT3A (9%). Donor types included HLA-matched unrelated (75%), haplo-identical (11%), matched related (7%), mismatched unrelated (7%). 58% received fludarabine/melphalan conditioning and 54% GVHD prophylaxis with cyclophosphamide. At a median follow up of 25 months (0.7-68 mo), 20 patients (36%) have died, due to relapse in 10 (18%) cases. 3-year cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 17%. Median PTS was not reached (1/2/3-year survival 74%/66%/62%). Univariate analysis identified Karnofsky Performance Score <70% (3 vs. 21 months, p<0.01 ), TP53 (14 vs. 21 months p=0.02 ) and TET2 mutation at time of transplant (11 vs. 21 months , p=0.02 ) as risk factors. Multivariable analysis confirmed the prognostic impact of TP53 (HR 2.8) and TET2 mutations (HR 2.9). Age, adverse karyotype at transplant, and donor type did not impact PTS (p>0.1). 13 patients (24%) experienced post-transplant relapse; 1/2/3-year cumulative incidence of relapse was 10%, 21% and 25%, respectively. ELN-defined adverse karyotype at transplant increased risk of relapse (3 year cumulative incidence 80% vs. 17% for non-adverse , p<0.01 ). Overall, 51% of patients developed GVHD; 54%, 39% and 7% were acute, chronic GVHD and both, respectively. GVHD was protective against relapse (3 year incidence 15% vs. 36% in absence of GVHD [p=0.04]). Conclusions: Ven+HMA frontline treatment is associated with favorable post-transplant outcome in elderly ND-AML (3 year PTS 62%/cumulative incidence of relapse 25%/NRM 17%). TP53 mutation and ELN 2022-defined adverse karyotype at the time of transplant independently predicted PTS and relapse incidence, respectively.
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN): Prognostic factors and outcomes in 68 Mayo Clinic patients.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.e18508

e18508 Background: BPDCN is a rare and aggressive hematologic malignancy. Despite the advent of targeted therapies, median overall survival (mOS) remains <1 year (y) in the absence of stem cell transplant (SCT). This study evaluates clinical and molecular predictors of outcomes in a large cohort of BPDCN patients at a tertiary center. Methods: BPDCN patients seen at Mayo Clinic (AZ, FL, MN) between 2000-2024 were identified retrospectively. Analyses considered parameters at diagnosis. Next generation sequencing (NGS) was performed using a 47-gene assay. Standard statistical methods were used; calculations used R. Results: Among 69 patients, the median age was 70y (range 19-94) with male predominance (83%). At presentation, skin (80%), bone marrow (73%), lymph nodes (52%), spleen (27%), and CNS (12%) were involved; 26% had a concurrent hematologic malignancy. Among 20 cases with NGS, the median number of mutations was 3 (range 0-5), most frequently TET2 (n=16), ASXL1 (n=13), SRSF2 (n=7), and NRAS (n=5). Frontline therapy (Table) yielded a complete response (CR) rate of 63% and overall response rate of 76%. CR rates were similar among regimens, but patients who received an ALL (hyper-CVAD based) regimen (8/13) or tagraxofusp (6/9) were more likely to be bridged to SCT (6/29, p<0.01). After median follow up of 38 months (mo), mOS for all was 15 (95% CI 12-21) mo; 44 (64%) were deceased at last follow up. Among 62 evaluable patients, 20 (32%, median age 60 vs 74y, p<0.01) underwent SCT which improved survival (mOS 51 vs 10 mo, 3y OS 52% vs 5%, p<0.01); mOS was not different between allogeneic (n=17) and autologous (n=3) SCT (54 vs 38 mo, p=0.45). When censored for SCT, the 1y OS for patients receiving an ALL regimen, tagraxofusp, or other regimen was 82%, 67%, and 47%, respectively (p=0.15). In univariate analysis, age ≥50y, lymph node involvement, bone marrow involvement, hemoglobin <10 g/dL, leukocytes (WBC) >11 x10 9 /L, abnormal karyotype, and HCT were significantly associated with OS. In multivariate analysis, WBC >11 x10 9 /L (HR 3.7, p<0.03), abnormal karyotype (HR 5.4, p<0.01), and SCT (HR 0.23, p<0.01) remained significant. Separately, SRSF2 mutation was associated with inferior OS (15 vs 51 mo, p=0.02), but significance was lost when adjusted for age, abnormal karyotype, and SCT. Conclusions: Newly-diagnosed BPDCN patients treated with an ALL regimen or tagraxofusp followed by SCT had longer OS compared to those treated with all other regimens. WBC >11 x10 9 /L and abnormal karyotype were independent predictors of inferior survival whereas SCT was beneficial. Regimen N Age (y) ANNOVA CR Chi Sq HCT Chi Sq 1y OS mOS (mo) Log-rank Tagraxofusp 9 68 (40-70) <0.001 7 (78%) 0.548 6 (67%) 0.018 88% 20.8 0.121 ALL 13 43 (20-72) 8 (67%) 8 (62%) 74% 50.7 Hyper-CVAD 11 43 (20-72) 6 (60%) 6 (60%) 67% 35.8 AML 18 70 (48-80) 13 (76%) 5 (28%) 58% 14.2 Intensive 8 66 (48-77) 7 (88%) 3 (38%) 57% 12.4 HMA+Venetoclax 8 69 (65-80) 6 (75%) 2 (25%) 50% 14.0 Lymphoma 8 74 (49-85) 3 (43%) 1 (13%) 50% 14.0 CHOP 6 74 (49-85) 3 (50%) 1 (17%) 50% 17.7 Other 3 66 (63-73) 1 (33%) 0 (0%) 33% 12.0
RAS mutation identifies a poor prognostic molecular subtype of therapy-related myeloid neoplasm

Blood Advances | May 22, 2025 | Volume: 9 | Issue: 15 | Pages: 3814-3818

10.1182/bloodadvances.2025016374 | PMID 40402688

Clinical Outcomes and Treatment Strategies of Adult Transplant‐Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy: External Validation of Harmonizing Definitions and High‐Risk Criteria

American Journal of Hematology | March 11, 2025 | Volume: 100 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 830-839

10.1002/ajh.27651 | PMID 40047384

ABSTRACTTransplant‐associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA‐TMA) is an endothelial dysfunction syndrome observed after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT). Our aim was to externally validate the impact of high‐risk features on the clinical outcomes of adult patients meeting the updated TA‐TMA harmonizing criteria. Between 2005 and 2022, 99 patients were diagnosed with TA‐TMA at Mayo Clinic Rochester (incidence 6.2%) after a median of 137 days post alloHCT (IQR: 34–283 days). The development of TA‐TMA was associated with an inferior overall survival posttransplant (HR: 3.8, 95% CI: 2.97–4.72). High‐risk features, including concomitant infection, acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), and organ dysfunction, were associated with poor survival, while LDH elevation was not associated with inferior outcomes. The most common treatment strategy for TA‐TMA was discontinuation of calcineurin or mTOR inhibitors in 80 (81%) patients. Thirty (37.5%) patients experienced worsening of GVHD with this strategy, of which 26 (86.7%) patients had died at last follow‐up. The most common cause of death among these patients was worsening GVHD (69%; n = 18), followed by infection (11%; n = 3), disease relapse (8%; n = 2), other/unknown causes (8%; n = 2), or TA‐TMA (4%; n = 1). Objective response rate (ORR) to initial treatment for the cohort was 56.6%. Eculizumab was used in 11 patients with an observed ORR of 70%, including 5 complete responses. In conclusion, TA‐TMA remains a significant contributor to non‐relapse mortality and is associated with worse survival following alloHCT. Not all high‐risk features, particularly LDH elevation, have consistently demonstrated a negative impact in adult cohorts. Patients with TA‐TMA may benefit from immune suppression dose adjustment, rather than a discontinuation, and the addition of complement‐directed therapy, particularly among high‐risk patients.