HMA plus venetoclax for 7- vs 14- vs 21- vs 28-day cycles in newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia: ELN- and Mayo Genetic Risk–stratified analysis in 540 patients.
Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 6525-6525
6525 Background: Venetoclax plus hypomethylating agent (Ven-HMA) is the standard treatment for unfit patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (ND-AML), with Ven typically administered for 28 days (d) per cycle (DiNardo NEJM 2020) . However, the optimal duration of Ven across risk groups remains unclear. We examined survival outcomes with Ven 7, 14, 21, and 28d in ND-AML, in the context of European LeukemiaNet (ELN) and Mayo Genetic risk models. Methods: ND-AML patients receiving Ven-HMA at the Mayo Clinic were retrospectively studied. Patients were stratified by ELN 2024 (Döhner Blood 2024) and Mayo Genetic risk (Gangat Am J Hematol 2025) , and analyzed using standard statistical methods. Results: 540 patients (median age 75 years, 52% de novo) received HMA with Ven for 7d ( n =33), 14d ( n =117), 21d ( n =96), or 28d ( n =294). ELN and Mayo risk distributions were 22%/35% high, 18%/56% intermediate, 60%/9% low risk, respectively. Baseline characteristics were comparable. CR/CRi rates were comparable across Ven durations, with the exception of lower CR/CRi with 7d vs 21d (p=0.04). Risk-stratified CR/CRi showed variations across Mayo and ELN groups but without significant differences based on Ven duration (Table). Allogeneic transplant rates were 15%, 18%, 18%, 20% for 7, 14, 21, 28d (p=0.86). At a median followup of 37.7 months, median overall survival (OS) differed by ELN risk (6.6, 11.9, 20 months) and Mayo genetic risk (7.8, 17.4 months, not reached (NR)), for high, intermediate, low risk (p<0.01), respectively. Median OS was comparable across Ven 7, 14, 21, 28 d (13, 13, 17, 14 months; p=0.84), with corresponding 1/3/5-year survival rates (Table). 30/60d mortality differed by Ven duration; 7d 10%/20%, 14d 7%/15%, 21d 4%/13%, 28d 4%/6%. Compared with 28d, 30d mortality was higher with 7d and 14d (p=0.07/0.03), and 60d mortality was higher with 7d, 14d, and 21d (p=0.02/0.01/0.05). OS was comparable across Ven durations within ELN intermediate/low risk and all Mayo risk groups, except among ELN high risk, patients receiving 14d Ven had inferior OS compared with 21d and 28d (p<0.01). Cumulative incidence of relapse at 1 year was similar among patients receiving 14, 21, 28d Ven (16%, 18%, 18%;p >0.1). Conclusions: Survival outcomes were comparable across Ven 7, 14, 21, 28 d in ND-AML, with outcomes driven by Mayo Genetic and ELN risk. Despite differences by Ven duration in high-risk groups, higher early mortality with 7d and 14d likely reflects treatment selection. Prospective trials are needed to establish risk adapted Ven dosing strategies. 7 (N=33) 14 (N=117) 21 (N=96) 28 (N=294) P-value CR/CRi (%) 52 63 72 65 0.19 7≠21 Mayo Risk High 33 49 58 55 0.53 - Intermediate 55 69 80 69 0.17 7≠21 Low 100 85 80 84 0.84 - ELN Risk High 33 30 57 53 0.21 - Intermediate 33 59 64 56 0.63 - Low 62 74 80 73 0.46 - Median OS (months) 13 13 17 14 0.84 - 1/3/5-year survival (%) 53/NR/NR 51/25/22 56/23/20 55/27/20 >0.1 -
Older age as a predictor of post-transplant survival in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia treated with HMA-venetoclax.
Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 6530-6530
6530 Background: Venetoclax (Ven) plus hypomethylating agents (HMA) is standard frontline therapy for newly diagnosed AML (ND-AML) patients unfit for intensive chemotherapy and is also being considered in younger and fit patients (Fathi, Blood 2025). However, consolidation with allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT) is often required to secure durable remission. The current study examines predictors of post-transplant survival (PTS) in the particular scenario. Methods: ND-AML patients who received upfront Ven+HMA and underwent ASCT were retrospectively studied. PTS, relapse rate, and non-relapse mortality (NRM) were evaluated. Results: 111 ND-AML patients (58% male, 60% secondary/therapy-related, median age 70 [37-80 years]) received median 3 cycles of Ven-HMA. 22% had complex karyotype. Mutations at diagnosis included RUNX1 (18%), SRSF2 (17%), TP53 (16%), ASXL1 , IDH2 , K/NRAS and TET2 (14% each), STAG2 (11%), DNMT3A (8%) and at time of ASCT (N=78 evaluable); RUNX1 (8%), NPM1 (6%), TP53 and ASXL1 (5% each), and SRSF2 and TET2 (4% each). At ASCT, all patients were in CR/CRi; 88% after Ven-HMA and 12% after additional bridging therapy. MRD by flow cytometry was detected in 18 (24%) of 76 evaluable patients and complex karyotype in 8 (9%) of 94. Donors were mostly HLA-matched unrelated (75%), with 51% receiving fludarabine/melphalan conditioning and 67% post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy). At a median follow-up of 30 months, 42 patients (38%) have died including 18 (40%) from relapse. Median PTS was not reached (NR) with 1-2-3-year survival of 69%/60%57%. On multivariate analysis, age ≥65 years (median NR vs 10 months p<0.01), STAG2 (NR vs 44 months; p=0.04), and DNMT3A mutations (NR vs.NR p=0.05) were associated with superior PTS. In analysis limited to variables at time of ASCT, age ≥65 years remained significant (p<0.01) while TP53 mutations, donor type, and MRD status were not (p>0.1). Patients <65 years more often received bridging therapy compared to ≥65 years (23% vs 7%; p<0.05); excluding salvage-treated patients did not change survival results. 18 patients (16%) experienced post-ASCT relapse with median RFS of 7 months. Relapse rates at 1/2/3 years were 22%, 30% and 31% and NRM 13%, 24%, 46%, respectively. Patients <65 years had a higher 1 yr relapse incidence than those ≥65 years (36% vs 18%; p=0.01), with similar NRM (p=0.58). PTCy was not associated with relapse (p=0.66) but showed a borderline association with higher NRM (1-/2-/3-year 17%/31%/58% vs 4%/7%/16% in non-PTCy recipients; p=0.06). GVHD rate was 44% (50% ≥grade 2) with no association with relapse (p=0.43) or NRM (p=0.99). Conclusions: In the current study, older age (>65 years), including >75 years, was independently associated with superior PTS in ND-AML patients receiving Ven-HMA. By contrast, PTS was not affected by genetic profile at the time of ASCT, donor type, conditioning regimen, or GVHD prophylaxis.
RALLY-MF: Initial efficacy of a phase 2 study of DISC-0974, an anti-hemojuvelin antibody, to treat anemia in myelofibrosis.
Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 6501-6501
6501 Background: Hepcidin, a central regulator of iron homeostasis, is pathologically elevated in patients with myelofibrosis (MF) and anemia. Chronic hepcidin elevation limits iron availability for red blood cell (RBC) production and contributes to anemia onset and severity. DISC-0974 is an investigational, first-in-class, monoclonal antibody that blocks hemojuvelin, a co-receptor in the bone morphogenetic protein-signaling pathway driving hepcidin expression. Methods: RALLY-MF (NCT05320198) is an ongoing Phase 2, open-label study conducted in the US. The primary aim is to evaluate DISC-0974 efficacy in participants with MF and anemia. Secondary aims include evaluating safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD). Eligible participants are ≥18 years of age with primary or secondary MF and hemoglobin (Hgb) <10 g/dL or RBC transfusion requirement. Participants enroll into 3 cohorts based on RBC units transfused in the 84 days prior to screening: non-transfusion dependent (nTD, 0 units and Hgb <10 g/dL), low transfusion burden (TD low, 1-2 units), high transfusion burden (TD high, 3-12 units). Stable dose of concomitant Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) is allowed. DISC-0974 is administered subcutaneously at 50 mg monthly for up to 6 doses, with escalation to 75 mg for inadequate or lost response. Primary endpoints include major hematologic response defined as transfusion independence (TI) during any consecutive 16 weeks (TD low) or 12 weeks (TD high), or a mean Hgb increase of ≥1.5 g/dL from baseline for ≥12 weeks (nTD). Secondary endpoints include PK/PD markers of iron regulation and safety assessments. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results: At data cut (16 Oct 2025), 47 participants enrolled in the nTD (n=30), TD low (n=10), and TD high (n=7) cohorts, with 53% on concomitant JAKi therapy. DISC-0974 led to sustained hepcidin reduction and iron mobilization across cohorts. DISC-0974 resulted in meaningful hematologic responses among evaluable participants: 50% of nTD participants achieved a mean Hgb increase of ≥1.5 g/dL for ≥12 weeks, 71% of TD low participants achieved TI for ≥16 weeks, and 67% of TD high participants experienced a ≥50% reduction in transfusion burden, with follow-up ongoing. Major hematologic response rates were 50% for participants on and off concomitant JAKi therapy (n=18 and n=16, respectively). DISC-0974 was associated with meaningful improvement in FACIT-Fatigue scores for nTD and TD low participants. Serious adverse events (AEs, n=9) and ≥Grade 3 AEs (n=16) were considered unrelated to DISC-0974. There were no early withdrawals due to AEs. Conclusions: DISC-0974 was well tolerated and shows a favorable safety profile. Anemia response and fatigue scores improved across patients with MF and anemia, including those receiving JAKi therapy. These data validate hepcidin reduction as a promising approach to treating anemia in MF. Clinical trial information: NCT05320198 .