Citations 86

Patterns of Care for Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): The Connect® CLL Disease Registry

Blood | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 118 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 2864-2864

10.1182/blood.v118.21.2864.2864

Abstract Abstract 2864 Introduction: Clinical trials have illuminated a number of unique treatment strategies for patients with CLL. The impact of these strategies on routine practice remains unknown as trial participants may not reflect the same population encountered outside of a clinical trial setting. Many questions remain regarding the sequencing of therapies based on age and performance status. By characterizing current patterns of care; patients, treating physicians, and regulatory agencies will be able to understand the current landscape of CLL treatment. The Connect® CLL registry was designed to report the natural history and real world management of patients receiving therapy for CLL. In this first report, we characterize the therapeutic approaches used for the treatment of patients with CLL of different age groups (i.e. < 65 years, 65–75 years, and ≥ 75 years) and with an ECOG PS status score of 0 compared to 1 or greater. Methods: Connect® CLL is a prospective, longitudinal, observational, multi-center registry conducted in community and academic research centers in the United States. At present, 237 sites are actively participating with a projected study enrollment of 1500 patients. Eligible patients are to be enrolled within 2 months of being initiated on any line of therapy; whether initial therapy or salvage therapy. Each patient will be followed for up to 60 months. Clinical data, physician choices, patient-reported health-related quality of life, response and survival are to be collected approximately every 3 months during participation. Results: A total of 607 patients have been enrolled (4% from academic sites) with a median age of 70 years. 198 were < 65 years old (age group 1), 187 were between 65–75 years old (age group 2), and 222 were ≥ 75 years old (age group 3). ECOG status varied across the three age groups, with an ECOG status score of ≥ 1 for 39%, 52%, and 70% of patients respectively. Treatment patterns varied across the age groups and by ECOG status in the 496 patients reporting therapies. The most commonly recorded first-line regimens independent of age included fludarabine (F) cyclophosphamide (C) and rituximab (R) (33%), bendamustine (B) +/− R (19%), F +/− R (15%), or investigational therapy (15%). For second-line regimens and beyond, the most frequently recorded regimen was B +/− R (30%), FCR (23%), other F-based regimens (13%), or investigational therapy (8%). The use of FCR for first-line treatment decreased significantly with increasing age group, (45%, 32%, 20%, for age group 1, 2, 3 respectively, p=0.04, spearman correlation) while use of F +/− R remained level across the age groups (14%, 15%, 15%, respectively). Compared to age group 1, first-line therapy with B +/− R in age groups 2 and 3 (15%, 22%, 21%, respectively) was higher but did not achieve statistical significance. B +/− R represented the most common treatment for all age groups (37%, 26%, 29%, respectively) as second line therapy but did not vary by age (P=0.35). The use of chlorambucil was infrequent in all age groups, but was more common in age group 3 patients compared to the others (P=0.01), in both first-line (2%, 4%, 12%, respectively) and subsequent lines of therapy (0%, 1%, 8%, respectively). Treatment assignments did not vary by ECOG PS score for patients in age group 1. First-line therapy for patients with an ECOG PS score of 0 in age groups 2 and 3 consisted of FCR (32% and 15%, respectively), F +/− R (19% and 15%, respectively), B +/− R (16% and 15%, respectively), and alkylating agents (3% and 23%, respectively). Patients in age groups 2 and 3 with ECOG PS score ≥ 1 received B +/− R regimen (33% and 22%, respectively), FCR (23% and 21%, respectively), F +/− R (14% and 10%, respectively) and alkylating agents (7% and 9%, respectively) as first-line therapy. Further description and clarification on the various treatment regimens based on the three age groups and by ECOG PS score will be presented at the meeting. Conclusion: The Connect® CLL Registry is the largest prospective, multicenter registry in the United States evaluating management for patients with CLL. With the currently available data, we characterize the extent to which age and performance status are associated with treatment selection in both first-line and subsequent lines of therapy in routine practice. As enrollment increases and additional follow-up is completed, the data will provide more extensive and real world overview of the current treatment strategies used in CLL patients. Disclosures: Sharman: Celgene - consulting: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria; Calistoga: Honoraria; Portola pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Flowers:Consultancy: Celgene, Prescription Solutions, Spectrum (future), Seattle Genetics, Millennium (future), Genentech (unpaid): Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Weiss:Celgene: Consultancy. Grinblatt:Celgene: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Kay:Genenetech, Celgene, Hospira,: Research Funding. Kipps:Igenica: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbot Industries: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech: Research Funding; GSK: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding. Lamanna:Celgene Corporation: Advisory board. Pashos:United BioSource Corporation: Research Funding. Flinn:Celgene: Research Funding. Kozloff:Celgene: Consultancy. Lerner:Celgene Connect: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Swern:Celgene: Employment. Sullivan:Celgene: Employment. Street:Celgene: Employment. Keating:Celgene Connect: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Yttrium 90 (90Y) Ibritumomab Tiuxetan (Zevalin®) Induces Long-Term Responses in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma (FL).

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 104 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 2629-2629

10.1182/blood.v104.11.2629.2629

Abstract Background: Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is an emerging clinical treatment option for patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Yttrium 90 (90Y) ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin®) RIT was approved by the FDA in February 2002 for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade, follicular, or transformed B-cell NHL, including patients with rituximab-refractory follicular NHL. In 4 registrational trials of 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan conducted between 1996 and 1999, 211 patients with B-cell NHL were treated. Of these 211 patients, 153 patients (73%) had follicular lymphoma (FL). With ongoing follow-up, long-term durable responses have been observed, but until now have not been more fully characterized. Methods: Responding patients with time to progression (TTP) of ≥12 months were identified and characterized as long-term responding (LTR) patients. Results: In the 4 registrational trials, 78 of the 211 patients (37%) were identified as LTR patients. Characteristics of these LTR patients were as follows: median age 58 years (range, 24 to 80), 44% >60 years old, 55% male, 76% with follicular lymphoma, and 41% with lymphomatous marrow involvement. LTR patients had a median of 2 prior regimens (range, 1–9): 59% had ≥2 prior therapies, 33% had ≥3 prior therapies, and 37% had no response to their last prior therapy. Thirty percent of LTR patients had bulky disease (tumor size >5 cm) and 83% had stage III/IV disease. At the time of this analysis, the median duration of response (DR) and TTP for LTR patients were 28 months (range 11–80) and 29 months (range 12–82), respectively, with a median follow-up of 50 months (range 13–82). The median DR to the last prior therapy for LTR patients was 12 months. The complete response rate (confirmed [CR] and unconfirmed [CRu]) among LTR patients was 65%, and the median DR and TTP were 29 and 31 months, respectively, for CR/CRu patients. In ongoing responders the median DR is 52 months (range 48–80). Among the 153 patients with FL, 59 (39%) were identified as LTR patients. Compared to the overall LTR patients, LTR patients with FL had similar disease characteristics, DR, TTP, and CR/CRu rates. Conclusions: Ongoing follow-up indicates that 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan frequently produces durable long-term responses (TTP ≥12 months) in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell NHL. Failure to respond to the therapy immediately prior to treatment with 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan does not appear to affect the ability to achieve long-term responses with 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan. Durable long-term responses were achieved in 37% of all patients and 39% of patients with FL treated in 4 registrational trials of 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan at 30 centers in the US. Of these LTR patients, a high proportion were >60 years old and had received ≥3 prior therapies.
Critical Molecular Studies to Strategically Plan Therapy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Correlating Cellular Proteins with Defined Prognostic Patient Subsets and Their Response to Treatment.

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 104 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 956-956

10.1182/blood.v104.11.956.956

The critical importance of specific proteins including Bcl-2, Mcl-1, XIAP, Bax, Caspase-3, Traf-1, and ZAP70 in predicting disease progression, prognosis, and response to therapy in CLL have been extensively studied through in vitro experiments. We now report molecular data obtained from a large prospective clinical trial involving 278 previously untreated patients with CLL. This ECOG-led intergroup trial involved participation from CALGB and SWOG, and currently provides quantitative information regarding protein levels on 217 cases assessed immediately prior to treatment. NCI criteria for therapy in CLL were met before patients were randomized to receive either Fludarabine or Fludarabine plus Cytoxan. On-study analyses included: interphase cytogenetics by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH), p53 mutational analysis, immunoglobulin variable heavy chain (IgVH) gene rearrangement, and quantitative analysis of the aforementioned specific proteins. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from each patient at registration before starting therapy. Lysates were prepared from the patient cells and separated by SDS-PAGE. Proteins were detected by immunoblot analysis using the multiple antigen detection method previously developed by our group. Detection was performed by an enhanced chemiluminescence method and quantified by densitometry. Expression levels were calculated relative to expression in the Jurkat T cell line (for ZAP70) or the RS11846 lymphoblastoid cell line (for apoptosis-related proteins). Using a two-sided Wilcoxon rank sum test, molecular data were compared with FISH and IgVH mutational status. Patients with either p53 mutations or del(17p) had significantly lower levels of XIAP (p=0.022). Patients with del(11q) had significantly higher Bcl-2/Bax ratios (p=0.052). Patients with trisomy 12 had lower levels of Bcl-2 (p=0.066); higher Mcl-1 (p=0.026); higher Bax (p=0.09); and higher Caspase-3 (p=0.019) levels. Interestingly, these specimens also had lower ratios of Bcl-2/Bax (p=0.0016). Patients with del(13q) had significantly higher levels of Bcl-2 (p=0.0059) lower levels of Caspase-3 (p=0.047), and higher Bcl-2/Bax ratios (p=0.0569). IgVH mutated patients had significantly lower levels of Caspase-3 using either a 98% cut-off (p=0.0008) or the 97% cut-off (p<0.0001). Finally, patients with higher ZAP70 protein expression had significantly higher levels of Caspase-3 (p=0.0099) and Traf-1 (p=0.016). In 163 patients evaluable for both response and the molecular studies, either elevation of Bcl-2 protein (p= 0.01) or an abnormality of p53 (either del 17p or a p53 mutation) (p=0.08) correlated significantly with attainment of a complete remission. Potential opportunities to predict response to therapy in CLL will hopefully identify those patients likely to benefit from therapy. Based upon our previous work, these molecular parameters can be modulated both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, understanding the relationship of these important proteins to therapeutic response can facilitate strategic plans to circumvent drug resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy in CLL.
Outcome of Treatment with Fludarabine Versus Fludarabine and Cyclophosphamide in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Is Adversely Impacted by High Risk Genetic Features: Results from ECOG 2997.

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 104 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 3487-3487

10.1182/blood.v104.11.3487.3487

Several prognostic factors including un-mutated VH mutational status, select interphase cytogenetic abnormalities [del(11q22.3), del(17p13.1)] and p53 mutations have been associated with shorter interval time from diagnosis to symptomatic disease requiring treatment, shortened progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Limited prospective data exists relative to the relevance of these biologic markers on PFS following treatment with modern therapies for CLL. E2997 is a randomized phase III trial of 278 previously untreated, symptomatic CLL patients who received fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC) versus fludarabine (F). We analyzed the response rates and PFS of the patients for whom interphase cytogenetics, VH mutational status, and p53 mutational status studies have been completed. FC therapy had a higher complete response (CR) (23% versus 5%, p<0.002), overall response [OR] (73% versus 50%, p<0.002), and median PFS (33.5 months versus 15 months, p<.0001) as compared to F. The CR and OR was not different based upon interphase cytogenetics or VH mutational status for the entire group of patients or when analyzed by arm of treatment. However, the OR for pts with del(17) or p53 mutations was lower in both the FC arm (69%, versus 76% in patients with normal p53) and F arm (27%, versus 54% in normal p53). Using the Dohner hierarchical classification [del(17p)>del(11q)>del(6q)>tri12>normal> del(13q14)], the relationship of interphase cytogenetics, VH mutational status and p53 mutational status with PFS is summarized below: Median PFS on FC (months) Median PFS on F (months) NR = median not reached; p53 mut+ = mutation present del(17p) 11.9 8.2 del(11q) 30.6 12.8 del(6q) 26.9 26.7 tri 12 NR 20.3 normal NR 11.2 del(13q) NR 21.2 del(17p)/p53 mut+ 11.9 8.9 no del(17p)/p53 mut+ NR 17.8 VH<98% NR 21.2 VH>98% 21.4 13.4 Using the interphase cytogenetic groups, there was a significant difference in PFS for both the FC (p=0.04) and F (p=0.01) treatment arms. Similarly, the presence of a p53 mutation or deletion [del(17p)] predicted for shorter PFS for both FC (p=0.005) and F (p=0.02) therapies. PFS did not statistically differ among VH mutational groups for either arm. We next investigated a Cox proportional hazards analysis to assess the impact of multiple molecular features and treatment arm on PFS. Treatment with F (hazard ratio 3.14, p<0.0001), presence of del(17p) or p53 mutation (hazard ratio 3.13, p=0.0001), and presence of del(11q) (hazard ratio 2.067, p=0.019) were highly significant in the model. Finally, VH unmutated status and del(11q) were highly associated. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that high risk genomic features including p53 mutations, del(17p), and del(11q) are highly predictive of shortened PFS. Our data provide support for a risk-stratified therapy approach for the treatment of CLL.
Clinical, Laboratory, and Treatment Outcome Characteristics of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Patients with p53 Mutations or del(17p) Enrolled on a Prospective Phase III Clinical Trial: Short Progression Free Survival, Irrespective of Fludarabine-Based

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 104 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 949-949

10.1182/blood.v104.11.949.949

Abstract Deletions or mutations of the tumor suppressor p53 have been associated with more aggressive disease in many types of cancer including CLL, and are more commonly found in relapsed or refractory patients. We studied symptomatic patients (pts) enrolled on ECOG 2997, a randomized phase III trial of fludarabine monotherapy (F) versus fludarabine plus cyclophosphamide (CF) for previously untreated CLL. A total of 235 pretreatment samples were analyzed for p53 mutations in exons 5–9 using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), followed by confirmation of mutations using automated sequencing. Cytogenetic analysis was also performed on 243 patient samples by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) using a probe to detect deletions in 17p13.1, the chromosomal location of the p53 gene. In the analysis by DGGE, a total of 25 pts (10.6%) were found to have p53 mutations. In 22 cases there was a single mutation, and in three cases there were two mutations. Mutations in exon 6 were the most common, and in each of the cases with two mutations, one of these was in exon 6. Results by exon are as follows: Exon 5 (1 pt, 0.4%), Exon 6 (15 pts, 6.4%), Exon 7 (5 pts, 2.1%), Exon 8 (3 pts, 1.3%), Exon 9 (4 pts, 1.7%). The interphase cytogenetic analysis included 24 of the 25 pts with a p53 mutation by DGGE. Of the 19 (7.8%) pts with del(17p13.1) as the leading cytogenetic anomaly, seven were cases that also had mutations in p53 by DGGE. The remaining 17 pts with mutations in p53 by DGGE had as leading cytogenetic anomaly: del(11q) (2 pts); trisomy 12 (3 pts), normal cytogenetics (2 pts), and del(13q) (10 pts). Results from both the DGGE and FISH analyses were combined to identify a group of 37 pts with either del(17p) or p53 mutation. This constituted 16% of the 230 pts in which either FISH or p53 mutational analysis was performed. Immunocytochemistry staining for p53 was performed on all pts, and no correlation was found between over-expression of p53 protein with mutation and/or deletion of this gene. The pts were then assessed by treatment arm for response and progression-free survival (PFS), relative to patients without p53 abnormality either by DGGE or FISH analysis. In the FC group: 13 pts had either a p53 mutation or del(17p), nine (69%) of whom achieved a CR or a PR, versus 56/74 (76%) of those with normal p53 (p=0.73). In the F group: 15 pts had either a p53 mutation or del(17p), of whom four (27%) achieved a CR or a PR, versus 38/70 (54%) of those with normal p53 (p=0.09). Pts with a detectable abnormality in p53 had a significantly reduced PFS, regardless of whether they received fludarabine alone (p=0.02) or fludarabine plus cyclophosphamide (p=0.005). This study suggests that routine immunocytochemistry staining should not be substituted for p53 mutational studies. While some short responses were observed in patients with p53 mutation and/or deletion receiving fludarabine and/or fludarabine cyclophosphamide, the time to progression was significantly shorter, emphasizing the prognostic significance of p53 abnormalities for this disease.
Safety and Efficacy of Novel Combination Therapy with Bortezomib, Dexamethasone, Cyclophosphamide, and Lenalidomide in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Initial Results from the Phase I/II Multi-Center EVOLUTION Study

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 112 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 93-93

10.1182/blood.v112.11.93.93

Abstract Background: Combination regimens incorporating bortezomib (VELCADE®, Vc), lenalidomide (REVLIMID®, Rev), dexamethasone (Dex) and cyclophosphamide (Cy) (Vc–Dex, Rev–Dex, Vc–Dex–Rev [VDR], and Vc–Dex–Cy [VDC]), have all shown substantial activity in previously untreated multiple myeloma (MM). A combination of all four agents (VDCR) may result in even greater activity. This randomized multi-center 3-arm phase I/II EVOLUTION study is investigating the efficacy and safety of VDR, VDC, and VDCR as initial therapy in previously untreated MM patients (pts). We now report safety and efficacy results from the phase l dose-escalation portion of the study, which sought to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the VDCR regimen. These results represent the first clinical data with this novel 4-drug combination that includes bortezomib, lenalidomide, an alkylator, and a corticosteroid. Methods: Pts received Vc 1.3 mg/m2 IV (d 1, 4, 8, 11), Dex 40 mg PO (d 1, 8, 15), Rev 15 mg PO (d 1–14), plus Cy 100, 200, 300, 400, or 500 mg/m2 PO (d 1, 8) for up to eight 21-d cycles, followed by Vc 1.3 mg/m2 (d 1, 8, 15, 22) for four 42-d maintenance cycles. Pts received prophylactic antibiotics, acyclovir, transfusion support and concomitant anticoagulants as required. Eligible pts wishing to receive autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) could undergo stem cell mobilization any time after cycle 2, and discontinue therapy for ASCT any time after cycle 4. The MTD was defined as the highest dose of Cy in combination with VDR resulting in ≤1 dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) in 6 pts. A DLT was defined as: platelet count <25,000/mm3 lasting >7 days or any platelet count <10,000/mm3; grade 4 neutropenia lasting >7 days; any ≥grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity considered to be related to Cy except for inadequately treated nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, or any toxicity resulting in a >2 week treatment delay. Results: Twenty-six pts were enrolled; 1 pt was not dosed due to a heart problem and was excluded (dose level 4) and 4 pts were not evaluable for DLT. In the 25 treated pts, median age was 61 years (range 49–79); 52% were male; 48% had ISS Stage lI and 4% Stage III disease, and 44% had KPS ≤80%. At data cut-off, 11 pts remain on treatment and 9 have undergone successful ASCT. To date, median treatment duration is 4 cycles (range 2–11). Two pts experienced DLT: 1 grade 4 febrile neutropenia at dose level 4 (Cy 400 mg/m2), and 1 grade 3 herpes zoster virus reactivation despite antiviral prophylaxis at dose level 5 (Cy 500 mg/m2). The recommended phase II dose of Cy in the VDCR regimen was the highest planned dose of 500 mg/m2. The most common treatment-emergent AEs were constipation (64%), fatigue (60%), and nausea (52%). Hematologic toxicities were acceptable, with grade 3 neutropenia in 16% of patients, grade 4 in 4%, and grade 4 thrombocytopenia in 4%. Peripheral neuropathy (56%), included 8% grade 3 but no grade 4; no deep-vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism events were reported. Overall rate of serious AEs was 40%; the only SAE reported in >1 pt was febrile neutropenia (2 pts). Best responses to date by International Uniform Response Criteria are shown in the table. Preliminary response rates are: 100% ≥PR, 68% ≥VGPR, 32% CR/nCR, 28% CR/stringent CR and 20% sCR. Ten pts have undergone stem cell mobilization with median CD34+ yield of 4.95×106/kg. Conclusions: VDCR was well tolerated and hematologic toxicities were manageable. The current study shows that the VDCR regimen is feasible and highly active in newly diagnosed myeloma and merits further testing in clinical trials. Enrollment to the 3 arms (VDR, VDC and VDCR) of the phase ll portion of the study and testing for minimal residual disease by flow cytometry are ongoing. Best unconfirmed response to date with VDCR Dose level 1 2 3 4 5 Cyclophosphamide dose, mg/m2 100 200 300 400 500 Enrolled 3 4 4 8 7 Treated 3 4 4 7 7 Still on treatment – 1 1 2 7 Best unconfirmed response to date CR (sCR) 2 (2) 1 (1) 1 (1) 2 1 (1) VGPR (nCR) 1 – 3 (1) 4 2 PR – 3 – 1 4
Increased Incidence of Therapy Related Myeloid Neoplasia (t-MN) After Initial Therapy for CLL with Fludarabine-Cyclophosphamide (FC) Vs Fludarabine (F): Long-Term Follow-up of US Intergroup Study E2997

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 116 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 924-924

10.1182/blood.v116.21.924.924

Abstract Abstract 924 Background: Therapy-related myeloid neoplasia (t-MN), including myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia, has been reported at a higher frequency with chlorambucil + fludarabine as compared to fludarabine alone, but has not been rigorously studied in the context of cyclophosphamide as an alkylator agent. The intergroup prospective randomized Phase 3 trial, E2997, compared FC with F alone as initial therapy for patients (pt) with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). FC therapy led to higher complete and overall response rates and longer progression-free survival at the initial analysis (Flinn et al JCO 2007). One rationale for combining F with C is that F can inhibit repair of DNA damage induced by C. FC did cause more myelosuppression that could lead to more long-term effects on myeloid hematopoietic function, including t-MN. Methods: E2997 enrolled 278 pts, 141 on FC and 137 on F. These cases were assessed for t-MN by required reporting of these events. Baseline genetic and molecular features of CLL were available through a companion lab correlative trial for 235 pts, 122 on FC and 113 on F. Results: With median follow-up of 6.4 yrs, there have been 13 (4.7%) reported cases of t-MN, 9 after FC and 4 after F. By cumulative incidence methodology, adjusting for the competing risk of death, the rates of t-MN at 7 yr are 8.2% after FC and 4.6% after F (p=0.18 by the Gray test). Median age at study entry of the t-MN pts was 60 (range 45–80) yrs vs 61 (range 33–86) yrs among those not reported to have t-MN. Median time from initial therapy to diagnosis of t-MN was 5 (range 0.7–8) yrs and did not differ between FC and F. Ten of 13 affected pts received 6 chemotherapy cycles. Additional therapy prior to occurrence of t-MN was given to only 2 of 9 FC pts, in contrast to 3 of 4 F pts. Thus, t-MN occurred in only 1 pt treated with F and no further therapy vs 7 who received FC and no further therapy. Ten of 12 pts with available cytogenetics at diagnosis of t-MN had an abnormality of chromosome 5 and/or 7, common to alkylating agent-induced t-MN, usually (n=8) with complex karyotype. Of the 9 pts with t-MN after FC, all 7 with available CLL data had lower risk IgVH mutated disease, in contrast to 1 of 4 with t-MN after F and 44% in the entire cohort. Conclusion: Our analysis suggests that a higher incidence of t-MN has occurred after FC than after F. t-MN after FC occurred most often without additional therapy and in IgVH mutated CLL which is associated with more favorable outcome. The increased incidence of t-MN after FC in this study, usually in the absence of additional treatment, suggests that FC is more leukemogenic than F. This finding emphasizes a need for longer follow-up of toxicity and survival before concluding that FC is preferable to F as the chemotherapy backbone for initial therapy of both low and high risk CLL. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Variation in Health-Related Quality of Life by Age Among Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 118 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 2085-2085

10.1182/blood.v118.21.2085.2085

Abstract Abstract 2085 Introduction. Although advanced patient age is commonly used as a factor in selecting therapy for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), based on presumed associations with functional status, limited data exist regarding the relationships between age and physical, emotional, social, and functional well being. We examined the relationships between age and these domains of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for CLL patients treated in US community practices. Methods. Baseline data were collected as part of Connect CLL®, a prospective observational registry initiated in March 2010 involving centers in the US. Data on patient demographics and clinical characteristics were provided by clinicians. HRQOL was self-reported by patients in the clinic at enrollment. Patients completed 3 psychometrically validated instruments: the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), EQ-5D, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Leukemia (FACT-Leu). Standard analyses were conducted of each instrument given clinical characteristics at that time. Reported mean BFI, EQ-5D and FACT-Leu scores were analyzed by age group (<65, 65–74, >74). Statistical significance of score differences among sub-cohorts was ascertained by ANOVA using SAS 9.1. Results. Baseline HRQOL data were reported by 604 patients, enrolled from 161 centers. Patients were predominantly male (62%) and white (90%) with mean age at 69.9 (standard deviation [SD] 11.2) yrs. HRQOL scores by age group are presented: There were no significant differences between the age groups in fatigue as measured by the BFI, or differences in overall HRQOL as measured by the EQ-5D Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) or the FACT-G. Anxiety/depression and self care are EQ-5D domains that also did not vary by age. Although mobility was most impaired in the oldest age group compared to the two younger groups, usual activities and pain/discomfort were worse in both the younger and older cohorts compared to those 65–74 years of age. FACT-Leu results indicated that the social/family domain scores did not vary by age, but that physical, emotional, and functional domains did vary statistically with the oldest typically doing better than the 65–74 year olds, but not necessarily better than those <65. Conclusions. Initial results from the Connect CLL® Registry indicate that HRQOL does not worsen monotonically with older age. In this cohort, both the youngest and oldest age groups had worse HRQOL in certain domains, presenting an inverted v-shaped relationship. Future analyses should be conducted on: (1) how HRQOL may be affected over time with changes in disease; and, (2) how HRQOL may be influenced by alternative therapies. Results reported here should serve as a useful baseline reference. Disclosures: Pashos: Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Flowers:Genentech/Roche (unpaid): Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Millennium/Takeda: Research Funding; Wyeth: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Weiss:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lamanna:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Farber:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kipps:Igenica: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbot Industries: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech: Research Funding; GSK: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding. Lerner:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kay:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sharman:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Grinblatt:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Flinn:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kozloff:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Swern:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Kahn:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Street:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Sullivan:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Keating:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Novel Three- and Four-Drug Combination Regimens of Bortezomib, Dexamethasone, Cyclophosphamide, and Lenalidomide, for Previously Untreated Multiple Myeloma: Results From the Multi-Center, Randomized, Phase 2 EVOLUTION Study

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 116 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 621-621

10.1182/blood.v116.21.621.621

Abstract Abstract 621 Background: Two- and three-drug regimens incorporating bortezomib (Velcade®, V), lenalidomide (Revlimid®, R), dexamethasone (D), or cyclophosphamide (C) have been shown to be effective and well tolerated in previously untreated multiple myeloma (MM). Combining all four drugs in a single regimen (VDCR) may further enhance efficacy. Published results from the phase 1 dose-escalation portion of the non-comparative, multi-center EVOLUTION study showed that the VDCR regimen was highly active and generally well tolerated (Kumar et al Leukemia 2010). Here we present updated results from the phase 2 portion of the trial, focusing on efficacy and safety of the VDCR, VDR, and VDC regimens. Methods: Previously untreated patients with measurable disease were randomized to one of four treatment groups receiving up to eight 21-d cycles of VDCR (V 1.3 mg/m2 d 1, 4, 8, 11; D 40 mg d 1, 8, 15; R 15 mg d 1–14; C 500 mg/m2 d 1, 8), VDR (VD as in VDCR but with R 25 mg d 1–14), VDC (VDC as in VDCR), or VDC-mod (as for VDC but with an additional dose of C on d 15) as induction therapy, followed by four 42-d maintenance cycles of V 1.3 mg/m2 (d 1, 8, 15, 22) (all treatment arms). Patients eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (SCT) could undergo stem cell mobilization any time after cycle 2 and SCT any time after cycle 4. The primary endpoint was the combined complete response (CR) + very good partial response (VGPR) rate; secondary endpoints included safety/tolerability, time to response, duration of response, progression-free survival, and rate of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity. Responses were assessed according to International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) uniform criteria using an automated computer algorithm. Adverse events (AEs) were graded using the CTCAE v3.0. Results: Patient characteristics were similar among the groups with respect to age, performance status, ISS stage, and proportion of patients with high-risk cytogenetic features. Patients received a median of 5, 6, 6, and 6 treatment cycles in the VDCR, VDR, VDC, and VDC-mod arms, respectively; 65%, 60%, 52%, and 47% of patients had dose reductions of any drug. In the VDCR, VDR, VDC, and VDC-mod arms, respectively, 52%, 62%, 58%, and 65% of patients completed treatment; 31%, 43%, 24%, and 41%, respectively, underwent SCT. In the phase 2 response-evaluable patients (n=132), all treatment regimens showed substantial efficacy, with CR+VGPR rates of 59% (VDCR), 50% (VDR), 41% (VDC), and 59% (VDC-mod) (Table) (includes pre-transplant responses only in SCT patients). Of MRD-assessed patients, 46% (21/46) of those who achieved CR (including sCR) or nCR were MRD-negative; 48% (10/21), 75% (9/12), 0% (0/7) and 33% (2/6) in the VDCR, VDR, VDC and VDC-mod arms, respectively. Median time to first response was similar across arms (range 1.6–1.8 months); median time to best response of CR+VGPR was 4.0 months (VDCR), 3.4 months (VDR), 5.1 months (VDC), and 3.1 months (VDC-mod). Median duration of response has not been reached in any arm to date. All treatment regimens were generally well tolerated. In the VDCR, VDR, VDC, and VDC-mod arms, at least one grade ≥3 AE was observed in 81%, 76%, 79%, and 88% of enrolled patients, respectively; serious AEs were experienced by 42%, 40%, 21%, and 41% of patients, and AEs resulting in study discontinuation were reported for 19%, 17%, 12%, and 6% of patients. The five most common all-grade AEs across all treatment groups were fatigue (range 47–67%), nausea (36–67%), constipation (40–62%), diarrhea NOS (42–65%), and neutropenia (19–52%). The incidence of grade ≥3 (grade ≥2) peripheral neuropathy (PN) was 13% (40%) in the VDCR arm, 14% (45%) VDR, 9% (48%) VDC, and 18% (41%) VDC-mod; there was no grade 4 PN. Rates of grade ≥3 neutropenia/thrombocytopenia were 42%/10% for VDCR, 7%/7% VDR, 36%/12% VDC, and 65%/18% VDC-mod. Conclusions: All regimens appear highly active and generally well tolerated in previously untreated MM patients. The four-drug combination did not result in a substantial increase in response rate and was associated with a modest increase in the incidence of hematologic toxicities. Continuous weekly C in the VDC regimen was associated with high response rates and rapid responses, comparable to the VDR and VDCR arms. Outcome data will be presented following longer follow-up. Disclosures: Kumar: Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Genzyme: Consultancy, Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding. Off Label Use: Lenalidomide for treatment of newly diagnosed myeloma. Flinn:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Richardson:Celgene, Millennium, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hari:Celgene: Research Funding. Callander:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Noga:Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Ortho-Centicor: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Cephalon: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Stewart:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria. Rifkin:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Speakers Bureau; Cephalon: Speakers Bureau; Dendreon: Speakers Bureau. Wolf:Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Genentech and Multiple Myeloma Research: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; OrthoBiotech: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Estevam:Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Mulligan:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Shi:Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Webb:Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Employment.
A Phase 1 Study of TTI-621, a Novel Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Targeting CD47, in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Hematologic Malignancies

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 1812-1812

10.1182/blood.v128.22.1812.1812

Abstract Introduction The phagocytic activity of macrophages is regulated by activating ("eat") and inhibitory ("do not eat") signals. Under normal physiologic conditions, the ubiquitously expressed cell surface antigen CD47 suppresses phagocytosis by binding to signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) on macrophages. It is hypothesized that overexpression of CD47 by cancer cells enables immune evasion. Blockade of CD47 results in phagocytosis of cells bearing "eat" signals and primes effective anti-tumor T cell responses. TTI-621(SIRPαFc)is a soluble recombinant fusion proteinconsisting of the CD47 binding domain of human SIRPα linked to the Fc region of human IgG1designed to both: 1) block the CD47 "do not eat" signal, and 2) engagemacrophage Fcγ receptors with IgG1 Fc to enhance phagocytosis and antitumor activity.In vitro, TTI-621 binds to normal human cells, platelets, a wide range of human primary tumor cells and cell lines, but only minimally to human erythrocytes. TTI-621 selectively promotes macrophage-mediated phagocytosis of hematologic and solid tumors over that observed with normal monocytes, and exhibits antitumor activity in xenograft mouse models. Methods A first-in-human, phase 1, open label, multicenter study (NCT02663518) is ongoing to evaluate the safety and tolerability, and to identify the maximum tolerated dose of TTI-621 in patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory lymphomas using a 3+3 dose-escalation design. Once the optimal dose has been determined in the dose-escalation phase, multiple expansion cohorts will be enrolled comprising pts with various relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies. Assessments include peripheral receptor occupancy, serum cytokine levels, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity. Eligible pts are adults with advanced, measurable, hematologic malignancies, who have progressed on standard anticancer therapy or for whom no other approved therapy exists. Pts are required to have baseline hemoglobin ≥10 g/dL, platelets ≥75 x 109/L, and be transfusion- and growth factor-independent. Pts with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, high-grade lymphoma, and acute promyelocytic leukemia are excluded. TTI-621 is administered IV once weekly at protocol-defined doses. Treatment may continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results Eleven pts (6M/5F, age 21-72 years) have been enrolled as of the data cut-off date of 28 July 2016. Lymphoma diagnoses included Hodgkin (N=4), diffuse large B cell (DLBCL) (N=4), follicular (N=2), and mantle cell (N=1). Treatment has been reasonably well tolerated by pts in the 0.05 mg/kg (N=3), 0.1 mg/kg (N=3), and 0.3 mg/kg (N=5) dose cohorts. The majority of pts experienced mild to moderate infusion-related events. Hemoglobin levels have remained stable or improved with treatment. Transient, dose-dependent decreases in platelets and leukocytes occurred in the hours following infusion in all pts without clinical sequelae. The 0.3 mg/kg dose was associated with reversible, dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) in 2 of 5 pts: one pt with G3 elevated ALT/AST and G4 platelet count, and a second pt with G4 platelet count who was transfused. Dosing at 0.2 mg/kg is now being explored. Aside from the DLTs and 2 non-DLT G3 platelet count (all in 0.3 mg/kg cohort), treatment-related adverse events have been ≤G2. CD47 receptor occupancy increased with each cohort, peaking at the end of infusion and remaining detectable 24 hrs after the 1st infusion in Cohort 3. Macrophage-associated cytokines, including MIP-1α and MIP-1β, increased during the 4 hrs after infusion. Six pts continue to receive weekly infusions of TTI-621; one pt with DLBCL and another with FL have experienced progression-free intervals of 161 and 70 days, respectively. Conclusions TTI-621 has been reasonably well tolerated. Pts retained stable hemoglobin levels consistent with minimal drug binding to erythrocytes. Manageable, dose-dependent thrombocytopenia was likely due to increased phagocytic clearance of platelets. TTI-621 binds to CD47+ cells in a dose-dependent manner, potently yielding increases in cytokines associated with augmented phagocytic activity. Enrollment continues at the 0.2 mg/kg dose level; updated data will be provided at the meeting. Figure 1 Figure 1. Figure 2 Figure 2. Disclosures Ansell: BMS, Seattle Genetics, Merck, Celldex and Affimed: Research Funding. Chen:Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Millenium: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding. Flinn:Janssen: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; ARIAD: Research Funding; RainTree Oncology Services: Equity Ownership. O'Connor:Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Spectrum: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Research Funding; Mundipharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Mundipharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Research Funding. Johnson:Trillium Therapeutics: Employment. Irwin:Hoffmann La Roche: Employment, Equity Ownership; Trillium Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Petrova:Trillium Therapeutics Inc: Employment, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties. Uger:Trillium Therapeutics: Employment, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties. Sievers:Seattle Genetics: Employment, Equity Ownership; Trillium Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership; MEI Pharma: Consultancy.