Begna, Kebede H.

e18600 Background: Recent studies have suggested that basophilia in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), in general, and in primary myelofibrosis (PMF), in particular, might be associated with poor prognosis. In the current study, we examined for clinical and genotype correlates as well as the prognostic impact of absolute eosinophil (AEC) and basophil (ABC) counts in essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV). Methods: Diagnostic criteria were according to the International Consensus Classification. Study patients were selected based on the availability of information on AEC and ABC. Institutional reference range for AEC was 0.03 to 0.48 x 10 9 /L and for ABC 0.01 to 0.08 x 10 9 /L. "Eosinophilia" was defined as an AEC of ≥0.5 x 10 9 /L. "Basophilia" was evaluated both at an ABC of ≥0.1 x 10 9 /L and ABC of ≥0.3 x 10 9 /L, the latter representing 3 x the upper limit of the normal reference range. Results: Essential thrombocythemia 660 patients were considered. Median (range) values for AEC and ABC were 0.2 x 10 9 /L (0-2.8) and 0.07 x 10 9 /L (0-1.7), respectively. On univariate analysis, AEC and ABC, as continuous variables, were predictive of inferior overall (OS; p<0.01 for both) but not leukemia-free (LFS), myelofibrosis-free (MFFS), venous thrombosis-free (VTFS), or arterial thrombosis-free (ATFS) survival. In univariable analysis, AEC ≥0.5 x 10⁹/L and ABC ≥0.1 x 10⁹/L negatively impacted OS (p<0.01 for both); significance was sustained during multivariate analysis that included IPSET risk variables: AEC ≥0.5 x 10⁹/L (p<0.01; HR 1.9) and ABC ≥0.1 x 10 9 /L (p<0.01; HR 1.7). Polycythemia vera 478 patients were considered. Median (range) values for AEC and ABC were 0.27 x 10 9 /L (0-6.5) and 0.12 x 10 9 /L (0-3.2), respectively. In univariable analysis, neither AEC nor ABC, as continuous variables were predictive of OS, LFS, MFFS, VTFS, or ATFS. AEC ≥0.5 x 10⁹/L also did not have any impact on disease progression or thromboses. However, ABC ≥0.1 x 10 9 /L was associated with a lower risk of post-diagnosis arterial thrombosis (p=0.03; HR 0.6), and ABC ≥0.3 x 10 9 /L was predictive of inferior LFS (p<0.01; HR 6.5) and MFFS (p<0.01; HR 2.5). ABC ≥0.3 x 10 9 /L sustained prognostic relevance in LFS (p<0.01; HR 7.6) during multivariable analysis that included leukocytosis, platelet count, basophil percentage, age, and palpable splenomegaly. Similar findings were noted with regards to MFFS for ABC ≥0.3 x 10 9 /L (p=0.01; HR 2.3) when compared against palpable splenomegaly and age. Conclusions: The current study suggests that AEC ≥0.5 x 10 9 /L and ABC ≥0.1 x 10 9 /L in ET are independently associated with shortened overall survival, while basophilia (ABC ≥0.3 x 10 9 /L) in PV is an independent predictor of leukemic and myelofibrotic disease progression.

Abstract This retrospective analysis aimed to provide evidence-based risk stratification of TP53-mutated (TP53mut) myeloid neoplasms (MNs). Of 580 MNs harboring TP53mut with variant allele frequency (VAF) ≥2%, 219 (37.8%), 194 (33.4%), 92 (15.9%), and 75 (12.9%) were classified as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with low blasts (MDS-LB), MDS with excess blasts (MDS-EB)-2, and -EB1 according to the revised fourth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification, respectively. Hierarchical analysis identified the following 4 risk groups with distinct survival: (1) MDS-LB, (2) MDS-EB1/EB2/AML VAF &lt;10%, (3) MDS-EB1/EB2 VAF ≥10%, and (4) AML VAF ≥10%. We next evaluated the impact of allelic status, VAF, and complex karyotype (CK). In our cohort, the significance of biallelic status was limited to MDS with &lt;5% blasts and not for blasts 5% to 9%, as proposed by the International Consensus Classification (ICC), or 5% to 19%, as proposed by the fifth edition of the WHO (WHO-5). MDS-EB1 and -EB2 with VAF ≥10% had comparable survival (9.6 vs 7.2 months; P = .12), regardless of allelic status. Contrary to the ICC proposal, MDS-EB1/EB2 with VAF &lt;10% and CK had poor survival compared with those without CK, comparable to MDS-EB1/EB2 with VAF ≥10% (5.6 vs 26.2 vs 6.3 months; P = .003). Survival of TP53mut AML was poor (median 3.9 months) regardless of allelic/CK status. Thus, using ICC or WHO-5 may underestimate prognosis of MDS with blasts 5% to 19% and 5% to 9%, respectively. Collectively, the hierarchical model acknowledges poor survival of 91.9% TP53mut MDS and AML compared with 36.5% and 80.7% by WHO-5 and ICC, respectively.

ABSTRACTA total of 142 patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) associated with multihit TP53 mutations (mTP53 MUT) were accessed from the Mayo Clinic database and included (i) chronic phase MPN (MPN‐CP; N = 19), (ii) accelerated phase MPN (MPN‐AP; N = 14), (iii) blast phase MPN (MPN‐BP; N = 28), and (iv) AML (N = 81). Concurrent ASXL1 MUT, EZH2 MUT, IDH1,MUT and IDH2 MUT were more common in MPN‐MUTBP‐mTP53 compared to AML‐mTP53 MUT. At median of 11.6 months follow‐up, 124 (87%) deaths and 19 (13%) allogeneic stem cell transplantations (ASCT) were documented. Overall survival (OS), calculated from the time of mTP53 MUT detection, was similar between MPN‐BP‐mTP53 MUT (median 4.6 months) and MPN‐AP‐mTP53 MUT (5.6 months; p = 0.5) but both were inferior to MPN‐CP‐mTP53 MUT (11.6 months, p < 0.01). OS in MPN‐CP‐mTP53 MUT was similar to that of AML‐mTP53 MUT (median 7.4 months, p = 0.07). In multivariable analysis, OS was favorably affected by ASCT (HR 0.4, p = 0.03) and disease stage (i.e., chronic phase disease) or achieving response to pre‐transplant chemotherapy (HR 0.2, p < 0.01) and unfavorably by the presence of concurrent TET2 MUT or DNMT3A MUT (HR 2.7, p < 0.01). Based on these risk factors, a 3‐tiered risk model was constructed: low (no risk factors; N = 18; median OS 23.8 months); intermediate (one risk factor; N = 44; 11.1 months); and high (two or more risk factors; N = 80; 4 months; p < 0.01). The current study highlights the equally detrimental impact of mTP53 MUT on long‐term survival in MPN and AML and identifies predictors of short‐term survival.

ImportanceAcute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is an acute illness that presents with cytopenia, infections, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Achieving remission has been shown to make a major difference in patient outcomes; however, early death rates in the first month have been as high as 30% due to acute presentation, comorbidities, the rarity of APL, and clinician inexperience.ObjectiveTo develop treatment strategies that would decrease estimated 1-month mortality from 30% to below 15%.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn this nonrandomized clinical trial, a treatment algorithm that focused on supportive care was used to prevent early death in patients with APL treated at academic and community health centers between August 2017 and July 2021. Because of the rarity of the disease, expert support was available 24/7 from 7 designated APL experts at 6 participating academic lead centers, and included an additional 293 community centers. When a patient presented with APL, an expert was contacted and a consensus treatment plan was developed using the algorithm and expert suggestions. There were no exclusion criteria and all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of APL regardless of age or comorbid conditions were enrolled. Expert support was provided throughout induction. Initial data analysis was conducted May 2023.Main Outcomes and MeasuresOne-month mortality; additional objectives were to compare outcomes in academic and community centers and assess 1-year and overall survival.ResultsA total of 201 patients were enrolled from 43 centers; 62 at lead centers and 139 from 37 community centers. The median age was 53 years (range, 18-91 years), with 72 patients (35.8%) who were aged 60 years or older; 105 patients (52.2%) were male. Fifty-two patients (26.4%) were diagnosed with high-risk APL. The 1-month mortality rate was 6 deaths of 201 patients (3.0%; 95% CI, 1.1%-6.4%) after adjusting for 1 interim analysis. In a secondary analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method, the 1-month overall survival (OS) rate was 97.0% (95% CI, 93.5%-98.6%) and the 1-year OS rate was 94.5% (95% CI, 90.3%-96.9%).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this nonrandomized clinical trial, use of an algorithm combined with expert support resulted in a dramatic decrease in early death in academic and community centers. Population-wide survival improved in this highly curable disease, which suggests that implementing an accessible support system with APL experts for comanagement is the most logical next step.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03253848

ABSTRACT The clinical relevance of TP53 mutations ( TP53 MUT ) in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and their prognostic interaction with MPN subtype designation has not been systematically studied. In the current study, 114 patients with MPN harboring TP53 MUT (VAF ≥ 2%) were evaluated for overall survival (OS), calculated from the time of TP53 MUT detection: chronic phase myelofibrosis (MF‐CP; N = 61); blast‐phase (MPN‐BP; N = 31) or accelerated‐phase (MPN‐AP; N = 16) MPN, and polycythemia vera/essential thrombocythemia (PV/ET; N = 6). Sixty‐five (57%) patients harbored International Consensus Classification (ICC)‐defined multihit TP53 MUT and 56 (49%) monosomal/complex karyotype (MK/CK). Majority of MPN‐BP (90%) and MPN‐AP (81%) while 39% of MF‐CP and none of PV/ET patients harbored multihit TP53 MUT . OS in MPN‐BP and MPN‐AP was equally dismal (median 6 vs. 4.5 months, respectively; p = 1.0), regardless of multihit configuration ( p = 0.44), while OS in TP53 MUT MPN‐BP/AP ( N = 47; median 4 months) was inferior to that of a separate cohort ( N = 49) with TP53 wild‐type MPN‐BP/AP (median 11 months; p < 0.01). OS in MF‐CP was significantly shorter with multihit versus non‐multihit TP53 MUT (median 10 vs. 35 months; HR 2.9; p < 0.01), independent of other MF‐relevant genetic risk factors, including ASXL1/SRSF2/U2AF1 mutations. Multihit TP53 MUT was also associated with inferior survival following allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT): median 9 months versus “not reached” in patients with ( N = 9) versus without ( N = 8) multihit TP53 MUT ( p < 0.01). The presence of multihit or non‐multihit TP53 MUT in MPN‐BP/AP or multihit TP53 MUT in MF‐CP is associated with exceptionally poor prognosis and justifies inclusion into the ICC category of “myeloid neoplasms with mutated TP53 .” By contrast, detection of non‐multihit TP53 MUT , by itself, might not endanger short‐term survival in MF‐CP, PV, or ET.

PURPOSE Management of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) includes neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) followed by total mesorectal excision. Recently, total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) has gained attention. In developing countries, patients with rectal cancer often present at advanced stages. This study assesses treatment patterns and outcomes in LARC at a largest referral center in Ethiopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 patients with LARC treated at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital from January 2020 to September 2022. RESULTS The median age at diagnosis was 45.5 years (range, 20-86), with 51% male. Of the patients, 81% had no previous oncologic treatment and 75.3% was discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor board. Up-front surgery was planned for 44.4% of patients, whereas 22.2% and 8.6% were assigned to TNT and NACRT, respectively. Among 81 treatment-naïve patients, 79 were triaged for surgery, but only 47 (59.5%) underwent surgery, achieving an 89.9% R0 resection rate. Of 36 up-front planned surgeries, 35 proceeded as planned, whereas only 12 of 43 (28%) planned after neoadjuvant treatment underwent surgery. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) was given to 37% of patients, with 16.7% (5 of 30) undergoing subsequent surgery. Radiotherapy was given to 24.2% of participants, with 56.25% undergoing surgery. Short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) was given to two patients. Only 14.8% completed all planned treatments, with radiation waiting time (median, 10 months) being the main impediment. CONCLUSION Timely administration of neoadjuvant treatment is not possible in most resource-limited settings. Because of better treatment completion, up-front surgery looks a more viable option than NACT in these situations. Extended waiting time for radiotherapy can be mitigated by opting for alternatives like SCRT in selected patients.

Abstract The antiapoptotic protein, myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1), contributes to the pathophysiology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and certain B-cell malignancies. Tumor dependence on Mcl-1 is associated with resistance to venetoclax. Voruciclib, an oral cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor targeting CDK9, indirectly decreases Mcl-1 protein expression and synergizes with venetoclax in preclinical models. This dose escalation study evaluated voruciclib in patients with previously treated hematologic malignancies. Initially, voruciclib was administered daily, continuously, on a 28-day cycle (group 1). After 2 patients with prior allogeneic stem cell transplantation had a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of interstitial pneumonitis at 100 mg, voruciclib administration was changed to days 1 to 14 of a 28-day cycle (group 2). Forty patients, 21 with AML and 19 with B-cell malignancies, were enrolled. Patients had a median of 3 prior lines of therapy (range, 1-8). Dose escalation in group 2 was stopped at 200 mg, a dose that achieved plasma concentrations sufficient for target inhibition, without DLTs observed. The most common adverse events were diarrhea (30%), nausea (25%), anemia (22%), fatigue (22%), constipation (17%), dizziness (15%), and dyspnea (15%). In AML, 1 patient achieved a morphologic leukemia-free state, and 2 had stable disease. Voruciclib treatment led to a decrease in MCL1 messenger RNA expression, downregulation of myelocytomatosis (MYC) and NF-κB transcriptional gene sets, and reduced phosphorylation of RNA polymerase 2. Voruciclib on intermittent dosing was well tolerated, with no DLTs, paving the way for evaluation of the combination of voruciclib with venetoclax for patients with previously treated AML. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03547115.

ABSTRACT Patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (ND‐AML) derive variable survival benefit from venetoclax + hypomethylating agent (Ven‐HMA) therapy. The primary objective in the current study was to develop genetic risk models that are predictive of survival and are applicable at the time of diagnosis and after establishing treatment response. Among 400 ND‐AML patients treated with Ven‐HMA at the Mayo Clinic, 247 (62%) achieved complete remission with (CR) or without (CRi) count recovery. Multivariable analysis–derived hazard ratios (HR), including 1.8 for European LeukemiaNet (ELN) adverse karyotype, 4.7 for KMT2Ar , 1.7 for TP53 MUT , 2.6 for KRAS MUT , and 2.1 for IDH2 WT were applied to develop an HR‐weighted risk model: low, intermediate, and high; respective median survival censored for allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT) (3‐year survival) were “not reached” (67%), 19.1 (33%), and 7.1 months (0%). In patients achieving CR/CRi, adverse karyotype, KMT2Ar , KRAS MUT , IDH2 WT predicted inferior survival, allowing for a complementary response‐stratified risk model. The model was externally validated and was shown to be superior to the ELN 2024 risk model (AIC 179 vs. 195 and AUC 0.77 vs. 0.69). Survival was inferior with failure to achieve CR/CRi or not receiving ASCT; 3‐year survival for high‐risk with or without ASCT was 42% versus 0% ( p < 0.01); intermediate 72% versus 43% ( p = 0.06); and low‐risk 88% versus 78% ( p = 0.53). The Mayo genetic risk models offer pre‐treatment and response‐based prognostic tools for ND‐AML treated with Ven‐HMA. The current study underscores the prognostically indispensable role of achieving CR/CRi and ASCT.