Citations 336

SF3B1 Mutations Are Prevalent in Myelodysplastic Syndromes with Ring Sideroblasts but Do Not Hold Independent Prognostic Value

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 118 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 460-460

10.1182/blood.v118.21.460.460

Abstract Abstract 460 Background: SF3B1 mutations were recently reported to occur in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), especially in the presence of ring sideroblasts (RS) (Papaemmanuil et al. Leukemia Research 2011, Volume 35, Supplement 1, page S18). We sought to accurately define the interaction between SF3B1 mutations, bone marrow morphology, karyotype and prognosis in MDS with ≥15% RS (MDS-RS). Methods: Mayo Clinic databases and cell banks were queried to identify patients with MDS and ≥15% RS (MDS-RS). All study patients were required to have undergone bone marrow examination and cytogenetic evaluation at diagnosis. Pathology slides, including iron stains, were centrally re-reviewed to accurately quantify bone marrow RS percentage and confirm World Health Organization (WHO) morphologic categories. Detailed analysis of clinical and cytogenetic parameters was performed to risk stratify patients according to the revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) (Greenberg et al. Leukemia Research 2011, Volume 35, Supplement 1, page S6). All patients were annotated for their mutational status involving JAK2, MPL and IDH. PCR sequencing was used to identify SF3B1 mutations. Results I: Baseline patient information: The study is currently ongoing; to date, results are availab1e in 88 patients (median age 72 years, 69% males) including 36 (41%) patients with refractory anemia with RS (RARS), 36 (41%) with refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia and ≥15% RS (RCMD-RS), 11 (12%) with refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB)-1 and ≥15% RS (RAEB1-RS) and 5 (6%) with RAEB2-RS. Median (range) values were 9.1 g/dL (5.8–15.7) for hemoglobin, 4.1 × 109/L (1.2–35.2) for leukocytes and 164 × 109/L (6–585) for platelets. IPSS-R risk categories were 20% very good, 49% good, 11% intermediate, 3% poor and 16% very poor. Karyotype was normal in 60%, other very good/good risk 16%, intermediate-risk 2%, and poor/very poor in 22%; 14% had monosomal karyotype (MK). Six (7%), four (5%) and zero (0%) patients displayed IDH, JAK2 or MPL mutations. Red cell transfusion need was documented in 27 (31%) patients. Results II: Prevalence and distribution of SF3B1 mutations and clinical correlates: SF3B1 mutations (all heterozygous) were detected in 40 (∼46%) of all 88 study patients: 25 (63%) K700E, 6 (15%) K666N/Q/R, 3 (8%) E622D, 2 (5%) H662D/Q, 2 (5%) Y623C, 1 (3%) R625C, and 1 (3%) T663I. One patient each displayed both SF3B1K700E and IDH2R140Q or SF3B1K700E and JAK2V617F. SF3B1 mutational frequencies were 69% for RARS, 36% for RCMD-RS, 18% for RAEB1-RS and 0% for RAEB2-RS (p=0.0007). SF3B1 mutations clustered with normal (59%) and other very good/good risk (57%) karyotype and were infrequent in poor/very poor karyotype (5%; p=0.0004). Additional significant correlations were noted between SF3B1 mutations and lower IPSS-R risk category (p=0.0004), advanced age (p=0.006), higher platelet count (p=0.0003). Results II: SF3B1 mutations and prognostic relevance in MDS-RS: To date, 68 (∼77%) deaths and 10 (∼11%) leukemic transformations have been documented. Median follow-up for living patients was 82 months. Univariate survival analysis considering all 88 study patients identified the following as strongly significant risk factors: IPSS-R (p<0.0001), WHO morphologic categories (p<0.0001), cytogenetic risk categories (p<0.0001), and transfusion need (p=0.0003). In multivariable analysis, only IPSS-R and transfusion need remained significant. In univariate analysis, the presence of SF3B1 mutations was significantly associated with better overall (p=0.04) and leukemia-free (p=0.03) survival; however, in both instances, significance was completely accounted for by WHO morphologic risk categorization and the morphology-adjusted p values were 0.6 and 0.2, respectively. In other words, when RARS and RCMD were analyzed separately, there was no additional prognostic value from the presence or absence of SF3B1 mutations (Figures 1 and 2; p=0.67 and 0.44, respectively). Conclusions: SF3B1 mutations are prevalent in RARS and RCMD-RS but do not provide additional, WHO morphology-independent or IPSS-R-independent, prognostic information. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
’Idiopathic’ Eosinophilia with an Occult T-Cell Clone: Prevalence, FIP1L1-PDGFRA Status, and Clinical Course.

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 108 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 2701-2701

10.1182/blood.v108.11.2701.2701

Abstract Background: Blood eosinophilia results either from autonomous expansion of a myeloid stem/progenitor cell, or as a response to cytokines that promote growth and differentiation of eosinophil progenitors. A subset of patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome/idiopathic eosinophilia (HES/IE) display abnormal T-cell immunophenotype and/or clonal rearrangements of the T-cell receptor (TCR), operationally assigned the term “lymphocyte variant” HES/IE. Information on the prevalence, FIP1L1-PDGFRA status, and clinical course of such patients is limited. Methods: Consecutive patients with eosinophilia were identified by querying our institutional electronic database from 1995 to 2004. Clonal rearrangements of the γchain of the TCR were identified by polymerase chain reaction followed by gel electrophoresis in all cases, and confirmed by Southern Blot analysis of the gene coding for the β chain of the TCR, using standard methods. FIP1L1-PDGFRA was screened by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Results: We studied a total of 205 consecutive patients with eosinophilia defined as an absolute eosinophil count (AEC) of > 600/μL, who also had a bone marrow study performed. Of these, TCR gene rearrangements studies were performed in 99 patients (AEC range of 650 to 38,000/μL) including 3 children and 96 adults (age range 18 to 88 years; 58 males). Among these 99 patients, 14 (~14%) had a demonstrable T-cell clone in peripheral blood, bone marrow aspirate, lymph node, and/or skin. Six of the 14 patients with a demonstrable T-cell clone were found to have a concurrent T-cell malignancy at the time of evaluation including T-cell large granular lymphocytic (T-LGL) leukemia - 1 case and peripheral T-cell lymphoma - 5 cases. The other 8 (~8%) patients otherwise fulfilled the working diagnosis of “lymphocyte variant” HES/IE (median AEC=2045/μL, range 720/μL to 9600/μL). The median duration of eosinophilic prodrome, prior to identification of the occult T-cell clone was 5 years (range 3 months to 11 years), and virtually all had dominant skin involvement presenting as dermatitis (5 cases) or episodic angioedema with eosinophilia (EAE) (2 cases). Five of 7 patients tested had an elevated serum IgE level, and a similar proportion displayed an abnormal T-cell immunophenotype (most commonly, aberrant CD5 and/or CD7 expression). Six of the 8 patients with an occult T-cell clone were evaluated for FIP1L1-PDGFRA and tested negative. Two patients were effectively treated with low-dose oral cyclophosphamide or methotrexate (follow-up duration of 3+ and 6+ years, respectively) whereas imatinib treatment was ineffective in another 2 patients. Two patients (25%) transformed into cutaneous T-cell lymphoma after 3 to 8 years of eosinophilic prodrome. Conclusion: The current study suggests that the presence of a T-cell clone in idiopathic eosinophilia is a marker/harbinger of a primarily skin-based peripheral T-cell lymphoma that responds to T cell-directed therapy but not imatinib therapy, which is consistent with the absence of FIP1L1-PDGFRA in such cases.
Clinical Outcome of Therapy-Related Acute Myeloid Leukemia Is Strongly Related to Cytogenetic Analysis

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 1401-1401

10.1182/blood.v126.23.1401.1401

Abstract Background: Treatment-related AML (t-AML) accounts for 10 to 20% of all AML cases and carries an especially poor prognosis (Kayser et al. 2011, Godley et al. 2008). Patients diagnosed with t-AML are likely to have abnormal cytogenetic profiles with chromosome changes that are predictive of an aggressive malignancy, poor response to therapy, and decreased overall survival(Smith et al. 2003). The simultaneous use of multiple chemotherapeutic agents of different classes makes it increasingly difficult to predict risk for developing t-AML and determining disease course. An updated analysis of predictive factors for t-AML is needed so clinicians can more accurately inform patients of their prognosis. The aim of this study was to classify t-AML according to primary malignancy, previous chemotherapy exposure, and cytogenetic profile. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients that were diagnosed with AML at Mayo Clinic from 7/1/1990 to 5/13/2015 was performed following IRB approval. AML patients found to have a previous malignancy treated with chemotherapy were classified as t-AML. Chemotherapeutics were classified as alkylating agents, antimetabolites, anti-tubulin agents, and topoisomerase II inhibitors. Patients diagnosed with a myelodysplastic or myeloproliferative disorder prior to development of AML were excluded from this study. Previous chemotherapy exposures, duration of chemotherapy exposure, complete blood count, chromosome abnormalities, and survival data were collected for t-AML cases. Cytogenetic changes were classified as favorable, intermediate, and adverse according to the system used by Kayser et al. 2011. JMP 10.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Out of 584 patients, 64 patients (11%) had a primary malignancy that was treated with chemotherapy prior to being diagnosed with AML. The most common primary malignancies were breast cancer (31%), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (27%), colorectal cancer (8%), and Hodgkin lymphoma (8%). Laboratory findings showed median hemoglobin 9.6 g/dL (4.7-13.8), median white blood cells 3.2 x109 (0.6-126), median platelets 50x109 (3-320), median peripheral blood blasts of 8% (0-91), and median bone marrow blasts 38% (1-94). 95% of patients diagnosed with t-AML had been previously treated with an alkylating agent. Additional exposure to an anti-metabolite trended towards a more adverse cytogenetic profile (χ2=5.0, p=0.08) but there was not a statistically significant decrease in overall survival (KM analysis, p=0.31). The median overall survival for patients diagnosed with t-AML was 10.2 months compared to 19.2 months for patients with de-novo AML (KM analysis, p=0.04). Adverse cytogenetic profiles were associated with decreased survival (KM analysis, p <0.0001). However, there was no difference in overall survival between patients with t-AML that had intermediate cytogenetics and those with de-novo AML (KM analysis, p=0.36). None of the chemotherapy classes other than antimetabolites were associated with poor cytogenetics or survival when combined with an alkylating agent. Conclusion: Over half of all patients classified as having t-AML in this study received prior chemotherapy for breast cancer or non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Cytogenetic classification of t-AML into favorable, intermediate and adverse groups is useful in predicting disease course. Interestingly, t-AML patients with intermediate risk cytogenetics had similar overall survival to patients with de-novo AML. This suggests that the poor outcomes observed in patients with t-AML is predominantly due to the subset with adverse cytogenetics. Thus, cytogenetic analysis remains the best indicator of overall survival regardless of chemotherapy exposure. Additional work is needed to delineate the risk associated with the aforementioned chemotherapy classes. Disclosures Al-Kali: Celgene: Research Funding.
Tipifarnib As Maintenance Therapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Improves Survival in a Subgroup of Patients with High Risk Disease. Results of the Phase III Intergroup Trial E2902

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 1308-1308

10.1182/blood.v126.23.1308.1308

Abstract The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group Led Trial, E2902, was a randomized phase III North American Leukemia Intergroup trial of the Farnesyl Transferase Inhibitor , R115777(Tipifarnib), as maintenance therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients (pts) with AML in remission after requiring salvage therapy (primary induction failure or second or subsequent remission) or over the age of 60 in first remission were eligible. Pts were eligible if they were in a complete remission (CR) or complete remission without platelet recovery (CRp) as confirmed by bone marrow examination within 2 weeks prior to randomization. Consolidation or post remission therapy prior to enrollment was allowed but not required. Pts who had received an allogeneic transplant in this remission were ineligible. Adequate blood counts (absolute neutrophil count >= 1000/mm3 and platelet count >=50,000/mm3), and normal renal, and hepatic function were required within 2 weeks of randomization. Pts were randomized to either receive tipifarnib twice daily (BID) or to observation. Pts were stratified by remission ( CR1 vs > CR1) and whether or not they received consolidation therapy in the current remission. The main objective of this study was to compare disease free survival(DFS) in the two groups. Between August 2004 and December 2009, 144 pts were accrued to the study. The median age of the pts was 69 (range 28-86). Seventy-three pts (51%) were male and 135 pts (94%) were white. The majority of pts enrolled on the study (70%) were in first CR, and had post remission chemotherapy (56%) prior to randomization. Seventy-three pts were enrolled onto the treatment arm (Arm A) and 71 pts were enrolled onto the observation arm (Arm B). When the study was initially opened, pts on Arm A were treated with tipifarnib at a dose of 400 mg BID with dose reductions and interruptions defined per protocol for toxicity. After the first planned interim analysis, based on toxicity data, the ECOG Data Monitoring Committee recommended that the starting dose be decreased to 300 mg BID. While non-hematologic toxicity was acceptable, significant hematologic toxicity was seen in pts treated at an initial dose of either 400 mg or 300 mg BID. Of note, hematologic toxicity was also seen on the observation arm although less frequently than with both treatment doses. The primary endpoint of the study was analysis of DFS on an intent to treat basis. The median DFS for arms A and B are 8.87 months and 5.26 months respectively ( p=0.058, HR 0.760). When restricted to eligible patients only(n=134 ), the DFS for arms A and B are 10.81 vs 5.26 months, respectively ( p=0.019, HR 0.690). An unplanned subgroup analysis was performed by gender. The median DFS for male pts (n=73) is 5.36 vs 5.91 months for arms A and B respectively (p=0.868, HR 1.320) and 12.09 vs 3.91 months for female pts (n=71)(p=0.0002, HR=0.408) In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model to adjust for baseline clinical variables, there is a significant interaction between treatment and gender. (Table 1) Similar results were noted for OS (Figure 1). ECOG ACRIN Trial E2902 evaluated the potential role of Tipifarnib ( R115777) in patients with AML in remission with a high risk of relapse. While the primary endpoint for improved DFS was not reached when evaluating all randomized pts, when restricted to eligible patients only, there is a statistically significant improvement in DFS seen. Moreover, an unplanned subgroup analysis by gender demonstrates an improvement in DFS and OS for females who were enrolled on the study which persists on multivariate analysis. Possible explanations include the use of flat dosing rather than BSA based dosing on this study. However futher evaluation of patient and disease characteristics, dosing and toxicity profiles of responders and nonresponders is needed. Given what appears to be a potentially clinically relevant benefit, further evaluation of this agent is warranted. Table 1. Multivariate Cox Proportional Hazards Model for DFS: All Randomized Patients Hazard Ratio (95% CI) P value Arm B vs A 2.559(1.547,4.236) 0.00025 Male vs Female 2.005(1.228,3.274) 0.00544 CR1 vs >CR1 0.447 (0.305,0.656) 0.00004 Figure 1. (A) DFS (B) OS in Female Patients Figure 1. (A) DFS (B) OS in Female Patients Disclosures Rowe: BioSight Ltd.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy; BioLineRx Ltd.: Consultancy. Larson:Astellas: Consultancy, Research Funding.
Natural History, Genetic Aberrations and Survival Distinguish Primary Plasma Cell Leukemia from Multiple Myeloma with Leukemic Transformation.

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 108 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 3587-3587

10.1182/blood.v108.11.3587.3587

Abstract Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is an aggressive and rare hematological malignancy that can originate either as primary disease (pPCL) or as a leukemic transformation of multiple myeloma (MMLT). We report here on the clinical characteristics, survival and genetic studies of 80 patients with PCL treated at a single institution (including 41 with pPCL and 39 with MMLT) and make comparisons with 439 newly diagnosed cases of multiple myeloma (MM). From our results pPCL presents a decade earlier than MMLT (54.7 vs 65.3 years) and despite substantially poorer clinical and laboratory parameters at presentation (hepatomegaly 32% vs 11%, leukocytes 31.6 vs 20.9, β2M 8.5 vs 4.3) pPCL appears more responsive to conventional combination chemotherapy (VAD, VBMVP or VBAP) than MMLT and is associated with significantly longer survival (median 18.4 vs 3 months). Comparison of pPCL groups treated with combination chemotherapy (n=21) or with other regimens (40% MP, 10% Thal/Dex, 20% other, 30% none)(n=20) identifies no substantial pre-treatment differences between the groups although a higher proportion of patients who received combination chemotherapy subsequently proceeded to stem cell transplantation (30 vs 10%). Importantly, survival of pPCL patients treated initially with combination chemotherapy (median 13.9, mean 27.3 months) was significantly longer compared with patients who did not receive combination chemotherapy (median 5.2, mean 9.9 months)(p=0.035) with 2 long term survivors (> 7 years) in the chemotherapy group. By comparison, patients with MMLT received less active therapy for their leukemic disease than did patients with pPCL (21% VAD, VBMVP or VBAP; 18% MP). Treated MMLT patients showed selection bias for younger age (60.9 vs 66.4 years) and lack of bone disease (0 vs 65%)(p<0.01); however despite this, median survival was disappointingly short for MMLT patients in the treatment group and was not significantly improved compared with non-treated patients (2.3 vs 0.8 months)(p=0.34). Assessment of novel therapies in PCL is therefore urgently required. Karyotype analysis and targeted genetic studies demonstrate that IgH translocations are present with high frequency in both pPCL and MMLT (71 vs 86%) compared with MM (~50%). Notably, IgH translocation in pPCL is almost exclusively targeted at chromosome 11 (cyclin D1) belying its importance in establishing the phenotype. IgH translocation in MMLT is primarily to chromosome 11 [71%], but also targets chromosomes 4 (FGFR3/MMSET) [13%] and 16 (cMaf) [20%], recapitulating MM. Abnormalities of chromosomes 3,5,7,9,11,13,15 and 19 are present equally in all 3 disorders. Deletion of 17p13 (p53) shows strong selection pressure in the leukemias (pPCL 53.8%, MMLT 48.8%, MM 10.7%) and is complemented by p53 mutation (23%). Notably, pPCL tumors show lower rates of Ras mutation (12 vs 40%) and p14 (0 vs 31%) or p16 (25 vs 40%) promoter methylation than MMLT. Together these results therefore indicate that pPCL and MMLT are fundamentally different plasma cell disorders with distinctive biology, genetic abnormalities and treatment responses.
Spliceosome Mutations Involving SRSF2, SF3B1 and U2AF35 in World Health Organization Defined Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia; Prevalence, Clinical Correlates and Prognosis

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 1711-1711

10.1182/blood.v120.21.1711.1711

Abstract Abstract 1711 Background: Mutations in genes of the splicing machinery, such as SF3B1, SRSF2 and U2AF35 are common in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes [MDS] (Nature 2011;478:64) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia [CMML] (Haematologica 2012;Epub). In MDS, SRSF2 gene mutations are an independent risk factor for shortened over-all (OS) and leukemia-free survival (LFS) (Blood 2012;119:3578). In MDS with ring sideroblasts (RS), SF3B1 mutations have a high prevalence (∼50%), but do not influence either, the OS or the LFS (Blood 2012;119:569). We carried out this study to evaluate the prevalence, clinical correlates and prognosis of the aforementioned spliceosome mutations in CMML. Methods: The study included 227 patients with WHO defined CMML who were seen at the Mayo Clinic from 1997 through 2007. All patients underwent bone marrow (BM) examination and cytogenetic evaluation at diagnosis. DNA was interrogated in the three most frequent spliceosome genes with somatic mutations; SRSF2, SF3B1 and U2AF35. Results I: Prevalence and clinical correlates Among the 227 study patients, 153 (67%) were male, median age was 71 years (range, 17–90 years) and 192 (85%) met the WHO criteria for CMML-1. Ninety (40%) patients had SRSF2 mutations (86% CMML-1), 13 (6%) had SF3B1 mutations (75% CMML-1) and 20 (9%) had U2AF35 mutations (95% CMML-1). One-hundred and twenty three (54%) patients had at least one of three spliceosome mutations (86% CMML-1). Mutational hot spots were P95 for SRSF2 (P95L-n=36/H-n=32/R-n=13/A-n=1), K700E (n=7) and H662Q (n=2) for SF3B1, and Q157 (Q157R-n=5/P-n=5/G-n=1) and S34F (n=7) for U2AF35. Seven patients (54%) with SF3B1 mutations had ≥1% RS, with 5 (38%) showing ≥15% RS. Mutations involving all three spliceosome genes were mutually exclusive. The cytogenetic distribution based on the Spanish risk stratification system (Haematologica 2011;96:375) was; SRSF2 mutations: 69 (77%) low risk, 11 (12%) intermediate risk, and 10 (11%) high risk (+8-n=3, del/monosomy 7-n=2, monosomal karyotype-n=5); SF3B1 mutations: 8 (62%) low risk and 5 (38%) intermediate risk; U2AF35 mutations: 15 (75%) low risk, 3 (15%) intermediate risk and 2 (10%) high risk (p=0.89). The distribution of mutations according to the MD Anderson prognostic scoring system [MDAPS] (Blood 2002;99:840) was; SRSF2 - low-n=41, intermediate-1-n=26, intermediate-2-n=18, high-n=5, SF3B1- low-n=7, intermediate-1-n=3, intermediate-2-n=2, high-n=1, and U2AF35- low-n=11, intermediate-1-n=5, intermediate-2-n=3, high-n=1 (p=0.73). There was no statistically significant difference, among the three mutation groups, in prognostically relevant parameters, including gender distribution, median age, hemoglobin values, platelet counts, peripheral blood (PB) and BM blast counts, absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) and absolute monocyte counts (AMC). The only notable difference was that patients with the SF3B1 mutation had a lower median white blood cell count (p=0.04) and a lower absolute lymphocyte count (p=0.045). Results II: Prognostic impact of spliceosome mutations At a median follow-up of 15 months, 166 (73%) deaths and 33 (14.5%) leukemic transformations were documented. Median survivals for patients with mutations involving SRSF2, SF3B1 and U2AF35 were 24, 17 and 12 months, respectively. In univariate analysis, the presence of SRSF2 (p=0.67), SF3B1 (p=0.96) or U2AF35 (p=0.49) mutations had no prognostic impact on OS. Similarly, none of the three spliceosome mutations affected LFS; corresponding p values were 0.55 for SRSF2, 0.9 for SF3B1 and 0.38 for U2AF35 mutations respectively. We then examined possible prognostic value of having none of these mutations (n=104) vs otherwise (n=123) and the results were once again negative (p=0.87). Conclusions: SRSF2 is the most frequently mutated spliceosome gene in CMML, but neither it nor SF3B1 or U2AF35 mutations affect overall or leukemia-free survival in CMML. Furthermore, the current study suggests limited genotype-phenotype association, save for the already established association between SF3B1 mutations and RS. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The Effect of Number of Metaphases Studied and Abnormal Metaphase Percentage On Cytogenetic Risk Stratification in Primary Myelofibrosis

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 1742-1742

10.1182/blood.v120.21.1742.1742

Abstract Abstract 1742 Background Karyotype is one of the most potent and reproducible risk factors for both overall (OS) and leukemia-free (LFS) survival in primary myelofibrosis (PMF) (Blood 2011;118:4595). It is currently not clear if the number of metaphases studied or the abnormal metaphase percentage alters this prognostic impact. Methods: An updated Mayo Clinic database of karyotypically- and DIPSS-plus-annotated patients with PMF was used to identify a consecutive series of patients and their cytogenetic information obtained at time of referral was centrally re-reviewed. Cytogenetic results were interpreted and reported according to the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature; abnormal karyotype was defined by the presence of at least 2 metaphases with structural abnormalities or monosomy or 3 metaphases with polysomy, regardless of number of metaphases examined. For this particular study, the presence of less than 20 evaluable metaphases did not disqualify patients. “Very high risk” karyotype included monosomal karyotype, inv(3) or i(17q) abnormalities (Blood 2011;118:4595). “unfavorable” karyotype included complex or any sole or two abnormalities that included +8, −7/7q-, -5/5q-, inv(3), i(17q), 12p-, or 11q23 rearrangement (Blood 2011;118:4595). All other cytogenetic abnormalities were considered “favorable” Results: A total of 590 patients (median age 65 years; range 19–89 years) including 424 (72%) males. The DIPSS-plus (JCO 2011;29:392) risk distribution was 40% high, 39% intermediate-2, 12% intermediate-1 and 9% low. Cytogenetic findings included 17 (3%) very high risk, 69 (12%) unfavorable, 165 (28%) favorable and 339 (57%) normal karyotypes. The number of bone marrow metaphases studied to report these cytogenetic findings were ≥20 in 468 (79%) patients, 11 to 19 in 71 (12%) patients and ≤10 in 51 (9%) patients; the proportion of cases studied with ≥20 metaphases were 53% for very high risk, 74% for unfavorable, 83% for favorable and 80% for normal karyotype (p=0.006). Among patients with abnormal karyotype, the abnormal metaphase percentage was ≥75% in 148 (59%) patients, 50 to 74% in 36 (15%) patients, 26 to 49% in 27 (11%) patients and ≤25% in 38 (15%) patients; the proportion of patients with ≥75% was 59% for very high risk, 67% for unfavorable and 56% for favorable karyotypes (p=0.70). As expected, OS was significantly different among very high risk, unfavorable, favorable and normal karyotype patients with respective median survivals of 8, 23, 41 and 57 months (p<0.0001). The number of metaphases studied (p=0.62) or the abnormal metaphase percentage (p=0.12), by themselves, did not affect survival. Similarly, the survival difference among the aforementioned cytogenetic risk groups was equally apparent when patients with ≥20 metaphases studied (n=468; P<0.0001) and those with <20 metaphases studied (n=122; p<0.0001) were separately analyzed. Analysis of patients with very high risk or unfavorable karyotype (n=86) revealed no significant effect of abnormal metaphase percentage on survival (Figure; p=0.80). A similar scenario was demonstrated for patients with favorable karyotype (Figure; p=0.24). Conclusions: Neither the number of metaphases examined nor the abnormal metaphase percentage appear to influence the currently recognized cytogenetic risk stratification in PMF. The current study has implications for both clinical practice and clinical research involving cytogenetic prognostication in hematological malignancies. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Decreased Levels of Total or HDL Cholesterol in Primary Myelofibrosis Are Associated with Shortened Survival: DIPSS-Plus Independent Prognostic Value.

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 2851-2851

10.1182/blood.v120.21.2851.2851

Abstract Abstract 2851 Background: It is widely appreciated that total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels are decreased in patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF). However, a systematic study looking into the serum lipid profile in PMF and its phenotypic and prognostic relevance is lacking. Methods: An updated Mayo Clinic database of 1008 karyotypically- and DIPSS-plus-annotated patients with PMF was used to identify study patients in whom serum lipid and lipoprotein levels were available at time of referral. Overall (OS) and leukemia-free (LFS) survivals were calculated from the time of referral, which was also the time of serum lipid analysis. Results: A total of 207 patients met the above stipulated criteria and had measurement of TC (n=207), TG (n=204), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) (n=187), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) (n=176) and non-HDL cholesterol (N-HDL-C) (n=184). The corresponding median (range) values (mg/dL) were 132 (57–296), 147 (42–742), 31 (8–96), 67 (11–186) and 104 (7–249). TC was significantly (P<0.05) lower in the presence of male sex, older age, red cell transfusion need, hemoglobin <10 g/dL, marked splenomegaly, circulating blasts, constitutional symptoms, JAK2 V617F, and ASXL1 mutations. TG was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the presence of JAK2 V617F, red cell transfusion need, hemoglobin <10 g/dL and thrombocytosis. DIPSS-plus risk categories showed significant differences in their TC (p<0.0001), HDL-C (p=0.004), LDL-C (p=0.004), and N-HDL-C (p=0.009) profiles with higher levels seen in lower risk patients; there were no correlations with TG levels. In univariate analysis, lower levels of TC, HDL-C, LDL-C and N-HDL-C were all associated with shortened survival (P<0.01 for each association) whereas survival was not affected by TG level (p=0.42). Multivariable analysis in the context of DIPSS-plus confirmed the independent prognostic relevance of both TC (p=0.05) and HDL-C (p=0.02) for OS. A similar analysis disclosed no correlation with LFS. Exclusion of patients receiving statin or other anti-lipid treatment did not affect the overall results. Patients in the lower quartiles for either TC (approximately <100 mg/dL) or HDL-C (approximately <25 mg/L) compared to those with higher levels displayed significantly shorter survival (Figure; RR 2.4, 95% CI 1.6–3.7; p<0.0001) that was not accounted for by DIPSS-plus (RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.5; p=0.03). Conclusions: Decreased levels of total or HDL cholesterol in PMF cluster with adverse disease features and carry a DIPSS-plus independent adverse prognostic value. Measurement of TC and HDL-C in PMF might be useful in monitoring disease progression and treatment response. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Prognostic Impact of Bone Marrow Fibrosis in Polycythemia Vera: Validation of the IWG-MRT Study and Additional Observations

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 3129-3129

10.1182/blood.v128.22.3129.3129

Abstract Background Increased bone marrow (BM) reticulin fibrosis in polycythemia vera (PV) has been reported in 20% (Ann Hematol. 1999;78:495) to 51% (Eur J Haematol. 2011;86:148) of patients at diagnosis. In a previous report by the international working group for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) research and treatment (IWG-MRT), the presence of BM fibrosis (≥ grade 1) at diagnosis was associated with a lower incidence of thrombosis during the clinical course and a higher risk of fibrotic progression while it did not affect overall (OS) or leukemia-free (LFS) survival (Blood. 2012;119:2239). The objectives for the current single center study of 262 PV patients were to validate the observations from the IWG-MRT and also identify other risk factors for myelofibrosis-free survival (MFFS) in PV. Methods Study patients were selected from our institutional database of MPN and fulfilled the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for the diagnosis of PV (Blood. 2016;127:2391). Cytogenetic analysis and reporting was done according to the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature (Cytogenetic and Genome Research 2013;141:1-6). The degree of BM reticulin fibrosis was based on "real life" BM reports from Mayo Clinic hematopathologists and often in accordance with the European consensus scoring system (Haematologica 2005;90:1128). Statistical analyses considered clinical and laboratory parameters obtained at time of diagnosis. Results Patient characteristics: Analysis was conducted on 262 patients (median age 62 years; 50% males) who met 2016 WHO criteria for diagnosis of PV. Median (range) values were: hemoglobin 18 g/dl (14.8-24), leukocyte count 11.7 x109/L (4.3-59.3) and platelet count 454 x109/L (44-2747). Among informative cases, palpable splenomegaly was present in 27%, pruritus in 33% and erythromelalgia in 6%. Thrombosis history at diagnosis was documented in 28% of the patients and 23% experienced thrombotic events after diagnosis. Information on cytogenetics was available in 142 patients and karyotype was abnormal in 19%. BM reticulin fibrosis was reported to be absent in 135 patients (MF-0, 52%), grade 1 (MF-1) in 101 (39%), grade 2 (MF-2) in 22 (8%) and grade 3 (MF-3) in 4 (2%) patients. After a median follow up of 85 months, 107(41%) deaths, 30 (11%) fibrotic progression and 5 (2%) leukemic transformations were documented. Comparison of patients with and without bone marrow fibrosis A number of clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated for possible association with the presence of ≥ grade 1 BM reticulin fibrosis and none, including age, sex, complete blood count, palpable splenomegaly, pruritus or erythromelalgia displayed a significant association. In univariate analysis, the presence of BM fibrosis (MF-0 versus MF-1 or greater) did not affect OS (p=0.5), LFS (p=0.2) or thrombosis-free survival (p=0.97) whereas a significant association was noted for MFFS (p=0.009; HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3-6.7). Others risk factors for MFFS, in a univariate analysis, were leukocytosis ≥15 x 109/L (p=0.02; HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.17-6.48), presence of splenomegaly (p=0.02; HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.16-6) and abnormal karyotype (p=0.0005; HR 4.6, 95% CI 1.9-11). During multivariable analysis, not including karyotype, leukocytosis ≥15 x 109/L (p=0.04), presence of splenomegaly (p=0.04) and presence of BM reticulin fibrosis (p=0.01) remained significant; however, this significance for leukocytosis ≥15 x 109/L, presence of splenomegaly and BM reticulin fibrosis was lost when abnormal karyotype was added as covariate to each risk factor individually (p=0.4, p=0.1 and p=0.9, respectively). Conclusion We report a not infrequent (48% incidence) occurrence of ≥ grade 1 BM reticulin fibrosis at time of initial diagnosis of PV. In the current study, we did not find a prognostic impact for the presence of BM reticulin fibrosis, in terms of OS, LFS or thrombosis-free survival; however, a significant association was confirmed for MFFS that was independent of other non-genetic risk factors. The preliminary observation on the adverse prognostic impact of abnormal karyotype on MFFS requires additional studies. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
"Proliferative" Versus "Dysplastic" Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia: Molecular and Prognostic Correlates

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 1987-1987

10.1182/blood.v128.22.1987.1987

Abstract Background : The 2016 revision to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of myeloid neoplasms has recommended distinction between "proliferative" (WBC ≥ 13 x 10(9)/L) and "dysplastic" (WBC < 13 X 10(9)/L) subtypes of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). In the current study of 261 molecularly-annotated cases, we sought to clarify the prognostic relevance of distinguishing proliferative from dysplastic CMML and also describe differences in the distribution of disease-associated mutations. Methods : 261 patients with WHO-defined CMML were included in the study. All patients had bone marrow (BM) biopsies and cytogenetics performed at diagnosis. Targeted capture assays were carried out on BM DNA specimens obtained at diagnosis for the following genes; TET2, DNMT3A, IDH1, IDH2, ASXL1, EZH2, SUZ12, SRSF2, SF3B1, ZRSR2, U2AF1, PTPN11, Tp53, SH2B3, RUNX1, CBL, NRAS, KRAS, JAK2, CSF3R, FLT3, KIT, CALR, MPL, NPM1, CEBPA, IKZF, and SETBP. The 2016 WHO criteria were used to sub-classify CMML into proliferative and dysplastic subtypes. Results :Among the 261 study patients, 65% were males and median age was 70 years. 154 (59%), 64 (25%) and 43 (16%) patients were classified as CMML-0, 1 and 2, respectively. At a median follow-up of 23 months, 174 (67%) deaths and 37 (14%) leukemic transformations were documented. Mutational frequencies were; TET2 45%, ASXL1 45%, SRSF2 40%, NRAS 14%, SETBP1 13%, CBL 10%, JAK2 7%, RUNX1 6%, U2AF1 6%, DNMT3A 6%, SF3B1 5%, ZRSR2 4%, Tp53 4%, IDH2 4%, KRAS 3%, PTPN11 2%, SH2B3 1%, CSF3R 1%, IDH1 1%, EZH2 1%, SUZ12 1%, KIT 1%, FLT3 1%, and CALR 1%. Risk stratification was based on the Mayo Molecular Model: 31% high, 30% intermediate-1, 28% intermediate-2 and 11 % low risk. i) Dysplastic versus proliferative CMML: phenotypic and molecular differences 139 (53%) patients had proliferative and 122 (47%) dysplastic subtypes. There was no difference between the CMML subtypes in terms of age and gender distribution, hemoglobin level, platelet count or BM blast content. Patients with proliferative CMML had higher absolute monocyte counts (AMC) (p<0.0001), circulating immature myeloid cells (IMC, p<0.001), circulating blasts (p<0.001) and serum LDH levels (p=0.01). The following gene mutations were more common in proliferative vs dysplastic CMML: ASXL1 (54% vs 37%, p=0.009), JAK2 (11% vs 3%, p=0.01) and CBL (11% vs 8%, p=0.047); SF3B1 mutations were more common in dysplastic CMML (8% vs 1%, p=0.02). There was no difference in the incidence of TET2, DNMT3A and SRSF2 mutations whereas there was a trend towards a higher prevalence of NRAS (p=0.06) and CSF3R (p=0.06) mutations in proliferative CMML. Cytogenetic abnormalities (p=0.03), including higher risk categories by the Spanish (p=0.03) and the Mayo-French (p=0.01) systems were more common in proliferative CMML. ii) Impact on overall and leukemia-free survival: Median survival for the entire cohort (n=261) was 24 months. In univariate analysis, survival was shorter in patients with proliferative (median 20 months) versus dysplastic (median 29 months) CMML (p=0.008; HR1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.1; Figure 1A). Other variables of significance, in univariate analysis, included hemoglobin (p=0.001), leukocyte count (p=0.001), AMC (p=0.003), PB blast % (p=0.003), IMC (p=0.01), BM blast % (p=0.045), abnormal karyotype (p=0.02), ASXL1 (p=0.01) and DNMT3A (p=0.0003) mutations. In multivariable analysis, the difference in survival between proliferative and dysplastic subtypes remained significant with the addition of hemoglobin level (p=0.01), PB blast % (p=0.02), IMC (p=0.04), BM blast % (p=0.01) or DNMT3A mutations (p=0.01). This was, however, not the case with addition of leukocyte count (p=0.32), AMC (p=0.18) or ASXL1 mutational status (p=0.14); whereas the adverse impact on survival from the latter three parameters remained significant. The prognostic impact of ASXL1 mutations was most apparent in dysplastic CMML (Figure 1B). There was no difference in leukemic transformation rates (p=0.4). Conclusions: In the context of current prognostic models, sub-classification of CMML into proliferative and dysplastic subtypes might not provide additional prognostic value. The apparent difference in survival between the two subtypes of CMML is probably accounted for by the higher prevalence of leukocytosis/monocytosis and of ASXL1 mutations in proliferative CMML. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.