Citations 400

The Inspire Study in Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (HR-MDS): A Novel Phase 3 Study Adaptive Design for Hematological Malignancies in Adults

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 4249-4249

10.1182/blood-2019-132127

Background: Patients with HR-MDS have a dismal prognosis after failure of hypomethylating agents (HMAs) (Zeidan 2014), with median overall survival (OS) of less than 6 months (Prebet 2011) and currently no approved second-line therapy (Garcia-Manero 2016). Targeted therapies with novel mechanisms of action, combination strategies, as well as innovative study designs, are all needed to expedite and address the high unmet medical need in patients with HMA refractory HR-MDS. Rigosertib is a unique targeted therapy that inhibits PI3K and PLK signaling pathways by binding directly to the Ras-binding domain (Athuluri-Divakar 2016) and in vitro cytotoxicity studies have demonstrated synergy with azacitidine (Cosenza 2015). INSPIRE study is an example of a study with a novel compound and unique mechanism of action as well as an innovative study design. Methods: INSPIRE (NCT02562443) is a global randomized Phase 3 trial in patients with HR-MDS after HMA failure. Patients are randomized in a 2:1 fashion to rigosertib or physician's choice of treatment. Key inclusion criteria: age <82 years; MDS classified as RAEB-1, RAEB-2 or RAEB-t; ≥1 cytopenia; patient must demonstrate one of the following: progression any time after initiation of HMA treatment, intolerance to HMA, failure to achieve complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), or hematologic improvement (HI) after six 4-week cycles of AZA or either four 4-week or four 6-week cycles of DAC, or relapse after initial CR, PR or HI; duration of prior HMA ≤9 cycles within 12 months; last dose of HMA ≤6 months before enrollment; and ECOG score 0-2. The primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) will be tested in a sequential fashion in the intention to treat (ITT) population and the IPSS-R very high risk (VHR) subgroup. Secondary endpoints include OS in patients with monosomy 7 or trisomy 8, overall response, quality-of-life, and HI. The initial sample size was 225 patients with a pre-planned interim analysis (IA) after 88 deaths. INSPIRE featured an adaptive trial design with a pre-planned Sample Size Re-estimation (Cui 1999) to 360 patients and 288 OS events as one option that the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) could implement at IA. The adaptive sample size modification of an on-going two-arm, group sequential clinical trial is used to categorize the results for each population into three zones of Unfavorable, Promising, and Favorable. This adaptive design is advantageous as it allows study sample size to be adjusted when there is high variance in estimating the true effect of the drug under investigation which could otherwise result in underpowering of the study. The IDMC had several options following the interim analysis, including continuation of the study as initially planned, discontinuation for futility or safety, trial expansion using pre-planned sample size re-estimation, and continuation for only the pre-defined VHR subgroup. The investigators remain blinded to the specific interim analysis results. Enrollment in the trial is ongoing with topline data expected in 2020. Conclusions: Based on the results of interim analysis, the IDMC recommended continuation of the trial based on ITT result in promising zone with one-time expansion in enrollment, using a pre-planned sample size re-estimation, the sample size for the study was increased from 225 to 360 with unchanged eligibility criteria. The Adaptive Design used real time data from the IA to modify sample size and mitigate the risk of underpowering without undermining its validity and integrity, while preserving type-1 error. The study design used in INSPIRE may be advantageous for other novel agents in rare hematological diseases during the transition from phase 2 to phase 3 studies. Clinical trial information: (NCT02562443). Disclosures Luger: Agios: Honoraria; Ariad: Research Funding; Biosight: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Cyslacel: Research Funding; Daichi Sankyo: Honoraria; Genetech: Research Funding; Jazz: Honoraria; Kura: Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Al-Kali:Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Woodman:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Adesanya:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Azarnia:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Parris:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Jedrzejczak:Roche: Other: travel support for hematology meetings (ASH, EBMT, EHA) ; Novartis: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Other: travel support for hematology meetings (ASH, EBMT, EHA) ; Celgene: Other: travel support for hematology meetings (ASH, EBMT, EHA) . Díez-Campelo:Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Garcia-Manero:Amphivena: Consultancy, Research Funding; Helsinn: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astex: Consultancy, Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; H3 Biomedicine: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding.
Response to Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents in Patients with WHO-Defined Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Myeloproliferative Neoplasm with Ring Sideroblasts and Thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T)

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 4182-4182

10.1182/blood-2019-126199

Background: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T) was formally included as a unique WHO-defined entity in the 2016, iteration of the classification of hematological neoplasms (under MDS/MPN overlap syndromes). Patients with MDS/MPN-RS-T have features of MDS-RS-single lineage dysplasia (SLD), persistent thrombocytosis (platelet count ≥450x109/L), with proliferation of large atypical megakaryocytes. Anemia, including red blood cell transfusion dependency (RBC-TD) is a major problem. While extensive studies have documented erythroid response rates (ERR) to erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA) in MDS and MDS-RS-SLD, the data in MDS/MPN-RS-T is less clear. We carried out this study to asses ERR in ESA treated patients with MDS/MPN-RS-T. Methods: After approval by the IRB, patients with 2016, WHO-defined MDS/MPN-RS-T were included in the study. The bone marrow (BM) morphology, cytogenetics and BM RS% were retrospectively reviewed. All study patients underwent next generation sequencing for 29 myeloid-relevant genes, obtained on BM mononuclear cells, at diagnosis, or at first referral, by previously described methods (Patnaik et al., BCJ 2016). Treatment details, including the type of ESA used, dose administered, side effects and reason for discontinuation were retrospectively abstracted. Erythroid responses were assessed using the 2006, international working group (IWG) MDS and the 2015, IWG MDS/MPN response criteria. Results: Forty seven patients with MDS/MPN-RS-T were identified, of which 37 (79%) patients received ESA treatment at any time point during their disease course; median age 73 years (range, 52-93), 46% male.The hemoglobin at diagnosis (HB) and baseline erythropoietin (EPO) levels were 9.1 gm/dL (range, 6.6-12.1) and 39 IU/L (range, 8-500), respectively. Ten (29%) patients were RBC-TD at baseline. None of the 37, ESA-treated patients were on concomitant cyto-reductive therapy for thrombocytosis. Twenty (54%) patients were treated with erythropoietin-a, 13 (35%) with darbepoetin, and 4 (11%) with both sequentially. Median doses were 40,000 IU weekly (range, 20,000-80,000) for erythropoietin-a and 200 mcg every 2 weeks (range, 100-500), for darbepoetin. Median treatment duration was 14 months (range, 1-173) and causes for discontinuation included; ESA failure/loss of response in 20 (54%), sustained HB rise in 1 (3%) and other causes, including adverse events in 4 (11%) patients. With regards to safety, the following events were considered potentially ESA related; treatment emergent hypertension in 2 (5%), venous thromboembolism, ischemic stroke and splenic infarction in 1 (3%) patient each, respectively. All patients with thrombotic/ischemic events had been on low dose aspirin prophylaxis. Erythroid responses by the IWG MDS and MDS/MPN response criteria were assessable in 35 (95%) patients: with 16 (46%) meeting criteria for an erythroid response, by both assessment systems. The median duration of ER was 20 months (range, 2-172). In comparison to ESA non-responders, those that responded were more likely to have baseline EPO levels ≤44 IU/L (ROC analysis; median, 28 vs 112 IU/L; p=0.0080), while there was a trend for inferior responses associated with RBC-TD (p=0.0857). Age, gender, baseline white blood cell and platelet counts, type of ESA used, BM RS %, JAK2V617F, SF3B1, DNMT3A, TET2 and ASXL1 mutational status did not impact ESA response (Table 1). On a univariate survival analysis (OS), survival was not significantly different between ESA responders vs non-responder (median OS, 76 vs 45 months; p=0.2929). After ESA failure, 7 (19%) patients received hypomethylating agents (HMA), while 5 (14%) received lenalidomide. There were no erythroid responses to HMA, while 1 of 3 (33%) assessable lenalidomide treated patients achieved a morphological complete response. Conclusion: Erythropoiesis stimulating agents are effective first line therapies for the management of anemia in patients with MDS/MPN-RS-T, with 46% achieving an erythroid response (median duration of response of 20 months). Low baseline endogenous EPO level (<44 IU/L) was the best predictor of response, with a trend towards an inferior response in the presence of RBC-TD. In the context of clonal thrombocytosis, potentially related thrombotic/ischemic events were documented in 8% of patients. Disclosures Al-Kali: Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Patnaik:Stem Line Pharmaceuticals.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Genomic Profiling in Patients with Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (HR-MDS) Following HMA Failure: Baseline Results from the Inspire Study (04-30)

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 3015-3015

10.1182/blood-2019-131632

Background: More than 45 mutations have been identified in association with HR-MDS. In the majority of patients with MDS (80%) co-mutations are present and the prognostic contribution of each individual mutation remains elusive, especially after adjusting for clinical variables such as IPSS-R score. N-RAS and K-RAS mutations as well as regulators of the Ras pathway (e.g. PTPN11, NF1) are frequently observed (15-20%) in HR-MDS, however their clinical impact is unclear, especially in de novo MDS. Rigosertib (RGS) is a non-ATP-competitive small molecule RAS mimetic that has the potential to block RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathways (Athuluri-Divakar 2016). Rigosertib has the potential to also inhibit wildtype upregulation of RAS. We report here genomic profiling at the time of study entry in the ongoing phase 3 randomized global study (known as INSPIRE) in patients with HR-MDS after failure of HMA therapy. Methods: INSPIRE (NCT02562443) is a global randomized Ph3 trial in pts with HR-MDS after HMA failure with an overall target enrollment of 360 pts with currently 298 pts randomized. Pts are randomized 2:1 to rigosertib or physician's choice of treatment. The primary endpoint is overall survival (OS). All pts failed to respond or progressed on HMA therapy. Key inclusion criteria includes: age < 82 years, RAEB-1, RAEB-2 or RAEB-t; intermediate risk (IR), high risk (HR) and very high risk (VHR) per IPSS-R; ≥ 1 cytopenia; duration of prior HMA ≤ 9 cycles within 12 months; last dose of HMA ≤ 6 months before enrollment; baseline blast counts between 5-29% and one of the following: progression any time after initiation of HMA treatment, intolerance to HMA, failure to achieve complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), or hematologic improvement (HI) after six 4-week cycles of AZA or either four 4-week or four 6-week cycles of DAC, or relapse after initial CR, PR or HI. Bone marrow samples were collected at study baseline and throughout the study for mutational analysis as an exploratory endpoint. Baseline blast counts are described as % reported in bone marrow aspirate at screening. Genomic DNA was extracted from diagnostic bone marrow or peripheral blood samples and targeted capture deep sequencing of 295 genes were performed (median sequencing depth 500x) using Agilent's SureSelect custom panel. Modified Mutect and Pindel were used to identify high-confidence somatic mutations. Results: All data is presented as blinded aggregate results for both arms of the study. Baseline mutations are presented for 114 pts; 92 pts were randomized and 22 pts were screen failures. Median age is 72 years (59-81). The IPSS-R scores for the pts randomized were: Intermediate 5(5%), High 30 (32%) and VHR 56 (60%). In total 48 different mutations were identified at baseline prior to pts receiving study treatment. The most common mutations identified in pts were ASXL1 40%, STAG2 26%, TP53 24%, RUNX1 22%, SRSF2 and TET2 each 18%. Average number of mutations per pt was 3.06. At baseline, 4 pts (4%) had no mutations, 17 pts (18%) had only 1 mutation while 17 pts (18%) had between 6-8 mutations. N-RAS and K-RAS mutations occurred in 4 pts each (7% of pts) and all in the presence of other mutations. Mutations involving regulators of the Ras pathway (N-RAS, K-RAS, PTPN11, NF1) occurred in 12 (13%) of patients. Of note, 23 pts (25%) had IDH1 (6 pts) or IDH2 (17 pts) and the majority of these pts (68%) were High/VHR with an average blast count of 15% (range 5-27%) at study entry. The high proportion of IDH1/2 mutations observed is most likely due to inclusion of patients with RAEB-t. These results will be updated at the meeting with blinded baseline mutational analyses for all pts randomized into the study. Conclusion: The baseline mutational analyses from the INSPIRE study provides important initial insights into the genomic profile of pts with HMA failure, especially for the subset with VHR. Following analysis of the primary endpoint, it is anticipated that correlation of overall survival and clinical response with mutational status will be possible, including changes in mutations following therapy. Given the number of mutations involving the Ras pathway the efficacy of rigosertib in patients with this group of mutations will also be examined. Figure Disclosures Garcia-Manero: Amphivena: Consultancy, Research Funding; Helsinn: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astex: Consultancy, Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; H3 Biomedicine: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding. Luger:Agios: Honoraria; Jazz: Honoraria; Kura: Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Daichi Sankyo: Honoraria; Genetech: Research Funding; Cyslacel: Research Funding; Ariad: Research Funding; Biosight: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Al-Kali:Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Jedrzejczak:Amgen: Consultancy, Other: travel support for hematology meetings (ASH, EBMT, EHA) ; Celgene: Other: travel support for hematology meetings (ASH, EBMT, EHA) ; Takeda: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Roche: Other: travel support for hematology meetings (ASH, EBMT, EHA) . Díez-Campelo:Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Zbyszewski:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Cavanaugh:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Woodman:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Fruchtman:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Takahashi:Symbio Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy.
Phenotypic Correlates and Prognostic Outcomes of TET2 Mutations in Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Overlap Syndromes: A Comprehensive Study of 504 Patients

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 3005-3005

10.1182/blood-2019-124115

Introduction: Myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MDS/MPN) overlap syndromes consist of 5 distinct WHO-defined entities; namely chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), atypical chronic myeloid leukemia, BCR/ABL1- (aCML), juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), MDS/MPN with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T), and MDS/MPN, unclassifiable (MDS/MPN-U) (Arber et al., Blood 2016). With the notable exception of JMML, a bona fide RASopathy, the other entities are characterized by clinical heterogeneity and molecular diversity. Loss of function TET2 mutations (TET2MT) are common in myeloid neoplasms, especially CMML (60%), and are known leukemogenic drivers. We carried out this study to assess the TET2 mutational landscape and phenotypic correlates in patients with MDS/MPN overlap syndromes. Methods: After approval by the institutional review board, adult patients with WHO defined MDS/MPN overlap syndromes were included; with the exception of JMML. The BM morphology, cytogenetics and 2016, WHO-diagnoses were retrospectively reviewed and all patients underwent targeted next generation sequencing for 29 myeloid-relevant genes, obtained on BM mononuclear cells, at diagnosis, or at first referral, by previously described methods (Patnaik et al., BCJ 2016). Results: Five hundred and four patients were included in the study; including 387 (77%) with CMML, 48 (10%) with MDS/MPN-RS-T, 17 (3%) with aCML and 52 (10%) with MDS/MPN-U. The median age at diagnosis was 71 (range, 18-99) years, and 333 (66%) were male. TET2MT were seen in 212 (42%) patients, with the frequency of other mutations being: ASXL1 45%, SRSF2 40%, NRAS 15%, SF3B1 13%, CBL, RUNX1 and SETBP1 12% each, and JAK2 V617F 11% (Figure B). Among the MDS/MPN overlap syndromes, TET2 was more frequently mutated in CMML (49%) and aCML (47%) compared to MDS/MPN-RS-T (10%) and MDS/MPN-U (15%). The prevalence of patients with TET2MT increased with age, a finding consistent across all MDS/MPN subtypes (Figure C). Overall, 341 TET2MT were identified in 212 patients (mean 1.6 variants/patient, range 0-5): 120 (24%) had >1 TET2MT, while 113 (22%), 5 (1%) and 2 (0.4%) had 2, 3 and 5 mutations, respectively. CMML and aCML patients were more likely to have an age-independent increase in multiple TET2MT (28% and 24%), in comparison to MDS/MPN-RS-T (4%) and MDS/MPN-U (8%). TET2 MT spanned the entire coding sequence and were mostly truncating (78%, Figure A): 59 (17%) were missense, 14 (4%) involved the splice-donor/acceptor sites, 2 (0.5%) were in-frame deletions, 129 (38%) were nonsense, and 137 (40%) were frameshift mutations. Overall, the distribution of TET2MT was superimposable across CMML, aCML, and MDS/MPN-U; the only exception being the absence of splice site mutations in the latter two. One hundred and eighty-seven (55%) TET2MT were secondary to pathogenic single nucleotide variants (SNV), while the remainders were secondary to deletions (25%) and insertions (15%). Transitions comprised the most frequent type of SNV (65%), with the C:G>T:A being the most common (56%). Patients with MDS/MPN overlap syndrome and TET2MT were more likely to have additional gene mutations compared to wild type patients (mean mutation number 3.1 vs 2.1, p<0.0001), with common co-mutations being SRSF2 (51%), ASXL1 (42%), and CBL (17%). The median overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort was 29 (range, 0-170) months; 29 months for CMML, 63 months for MDS/MPN-RS-T, 14 months for aCML, and 25 months for MDS/MPN-U. On univariate analysis, OS was superior in CMML patients with TET2MT (35 months) compared to wild type cases (21 months, p<0.0001, Figure D), and in CMML patients with >1 TET2MT (41 months) in comparison to wild type (21 months, p<0.0001) and single TET2MT (29 months, p=0.0476) cases (Figure E). These observations were not seen in patients with aCML, MDS/MPN-RS-T, and MDS/MPN-U. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that TET2MT are among the most frequent mutations in patients with MDS/MPN overlap syndromes (42%), especially CMML (49%), with an age-dependent increase in the frequency and number of TET2MT. Mutations in TET2 were found to span the entire coding sequence, with truncating mutations being more common (78%). Importantly, in CMML, TET2MT, including number of TET2MT, were associated with favorable survival outcomes. Figure Disclosures Al-Kali: Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Patnaik:Stem Line Pharmaceuticals.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Clinical Categorization of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia into Proliferative and Dysplastic Subtypes Correlates with Distinct Genomic, Transcriptomic and Epigenomic Signatures

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 1710-1710

10.1182/blood-2019-123877

Introduction: Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), an aggressive myeloid malignancy, can be categorized into two subtypes, proliferative CMML (pCMML) and dysplastic (dCMML), based on a white blood cell (WBC) count of ≥ 13 x 109/L for the former (Arber et al. Blood 2016). While this WBC cut off is somewhat arbitrary, patients with pCMML have unique phenotypic features and a shorter survival. We carried out this study to assess the genomic, transcriptomic and epigenetic landscapes of these two CMML subtypes. Methods: Peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells (MNC) were obtained from WHO-defined CMML patients. Next generation sequencing (NGS) using a 36-gene panel was performed on 350 patients with Illumina HiSeq4000 platform with median read depth of 400X. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on 25 patients by bulk whole transcriptome sequencing using Illumina TruSeq. DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (DIP-seq) was performed on 18 patients using 5-methylcystocine (5mC), 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and bridging monoclonal antibodies with subsequent paired-end sequencing using HiSeq4000. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) was performed on 30 patients with Illumina HiSeq2500 to a depth of 25 million for histone 3 lysine 4 monomethylation (H3K4me1) and histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) and 50 million reads for histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and Input per sample. Results: Five hundred and seventy-three patients with WHO defined CMML were included; median age 71 years (range 18-95 years), 67% males. 282 patients had pCMML (49%), while 291 (51%) had dCMML. As pre-defined, patients with pCMML were more likely to have higher absolute monocyte counts (p<0.0001), circulating immature myeloid cells (p<0.0001), PB blasts (p<0.0001), and higher lactate dehydrogenase levels (p=0.03). At last follow up 234 (41%) deaths and 70 (20%) leukemic transformations were documented. The median OS for pCMML vs dCMML in this cohort was 19 months vs 30 months (p<0.0001, Figure 1A) and validated in an independent Austrian cohort (p=0.02). Genomic profiling: NGS performed on 350 patients (BM MNC) revealed a higher frequency of NRAS (35 vs 17%, p=0.004), cumulative RAS pathway (NRAS, KRAS, CBL and PTPN11) (73 vs 47%, p=0.001), ASXL1 (p=0.003) and JAK2V617F (p=0.04) mutations in pCMML relative to dCMML (Figure 1B); while dCMML had a higher frequency of SF3B1 mutations (p=0.02). There were no differences in distribution of TET2 and SRSF2Transcriptomic analysis: RNA-seq was performed on PB MNC from RAS pathway mutant pCMML patients (n=12) and RAS pathway wildtype dCMML patients (n=13). Unsupervised clustering analysis resulted in appropriate segregation revealing distinct expression profiles between disease subtypes (Figure 1C). Compared to dCMML, 3729 genes were significantly differentially upregulated and 2658 genes were differentially downregulated in pCMML. Among genes most highly upregulated were mitotic checkpoint kinases including AURBK, PLK1, PLK2, PLK4 andEpigenetic profiling: ChIP-seq of PB and BM MNC from pCMML (n=18) and dCMML (n=12) patients and healthy, age-matched controls (n=10) revealed a global increase in H3K4me1, without significant differences in H3K4me3 or H3K27me3 occupancies (regardless of stratification by ASXL1 mutational status; 40% ASXL1mt in pCMML, 30% dCMML) in pCMML vs dCMML (Figure 1D). H3K4me1 occupancy was also increased in a sequence-specific manner at the transcription start sites of the aforementioned mitotic kinases (PLK1 and WEE1). DIP-seq was performed on PB MNC to assess global differences in 5-mC and 5-hmC levels, between pCMML (n=9) and dCMML (n=9), with no differences seen between the two subtypes (regardless of TET2 mutational status, 40% TET2mt in each subtype) (Figure 1E). Conclusions: Despite the somewhat arbitrary WBC distinction between pCMML and dCMML, clear phenotypic, genetic, transcriptomic, epigenetic and survival differences exist between the two subtypes, providing strong biological rationale for this distinction. pCMML patients have a higher frequency of oncogenic RAS pathway mutations, a unique transcriptomic profile enriched in mitotic check point kinases and a unique chromatin configuration with global and sequence specific enrichment in H3K4me1, with no significant global differences in 5mC, 5hmC, or H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 occupancy. Figure 1 Disclosures Geissler: AOP: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; AstraZeneca: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; Ratiopharm: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Al-Kali:Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Patnaik:Stem Line Pharmaceuticals.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia with High Risk Features: Routine Central Nervous System Evaluation May be Beneficial

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 3863-3863

10.1182/blood-2019-125361

Objective : Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is a known phenomenon of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However little is known about the incidence of CNS involvement in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) as routine lumbar punctures are not done if patients are asymptomatic at diagnosis. Our practice has been to obtain lumbar puncture (LP) at or after complete remission (CR) for patients that present with any one of the following high risk features;hyperleukocytosis with WBC >10,000 or blastic crisis, extramedullary disease,monocytic differentiation. Methods: We reviewed our leukemia database at Mayo Clinic to determine the incidence of CNS involvement in patients with high risk features after due IRB approval. We also compared baseline demographic characteristics, blood counts, cytogenetic risk groups, presence of extramedullary disease, relapse rate ,transplant rate and overall survival (OS) among patients with and without CNS involvement. OS estimates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank testing using JMP v.13. Results: 298 patients with AML were identified with presence of at least 1 risk factor for CNS involvement. The results of LP were only available for 126 (42%) patients. The overall incidence of CNS involvement was 12% (15/126, figure 1). Among the patients with positive disease 3 had CSF examination at diagnosis prior to CR due to the presence of CNS myeloid sarcoma (n=2) and ambiguous lineage myeloid leukemia and were excluded from further evaluation. The incidence of CSF involvement at CR1 was 9.7% (12/123). All patient with CNS positive disease received intrathecal chemotherapy with alternating cytarabine and methotrexate until they cleared their blast and additional 2-4 treatments as per treating physician's discretion .The CNS positive and negative patients were compared and did not show any statistical difference in age, gender, presence of extramedullary disease ,cytogenetic risk group, relapse rate and transplant rate as shown in table1. Molecular data was not available in most of the patients and hence was not included for analysis. The median OS was significantly lower among patients with CNS involvement compared to absence of CNS involvement but was not statistically significant likely due to small sample size (3.9 vs12.8 years (p=0.2), figure 2). The overall CNS relapse rate in patients who did not have a LP done at CR was 5.8%(10/172). Conclusions : CNS evaluation should be done in AML patients with high risk features before declaring CR. CNS disease portends overall a poor prognosis with impaired overall survival and high relapse rate. However the sample size was small and true incidence of CNS disease will need routine diagnostic LP in all high risk patients. Disclosures Patnaik: Stem Line Pharmaceuticals.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Al-Kali:Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding.
Discrepancy of Blast Percentage between the Bone Marrow Aspirate and Flow Cytometry and Its Impact on Survival Outcomes in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes Excess Blast (MDS-EB)

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 5441-5441

10.1182/blood-2019-125439

Background MDS is a heterogeneous disease and the revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) is utilized in prognostication. The percentage (%) of blasts in the bone marrow is determined in the aspirate morphologically. Though the former is the standard of care the blast percentage is also reported by flow cytometry and biopsy which can many times be inconsistent. We previously presented the utilization of biopsy based blast percentage which showed meaningful prognostic groups compared to aspirate. In this study we compare the blasts as reported by the aspirate and flow cytometry in MDS-EB in calculating IPSS-R. Methods The MDS database was reviewed for cases of MDS-EB after due IRB approval at the Mayo clinic. We calculated IPSS-R scores based on the aspirate blast % (IPSS-RAsp) and flow blast% (IPSS-Rfl). The aspirate blast percentage was reported morphologically. Suboptimal aspirates were excluded from the study. The flow blast percentage was determined by immunophenotyping. The overall survival (OS) was determined by IPSS-RAsp and IPSS-RFl. OS estimates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank testing using JMP v.13. Uno's concordance statistic was used to compare the 2 risk scoring systems. Results Of 1322 patients, 431 (33%) cases were identified with MDS-EB out of which 120 (29%) cases had blasts reported in the aspirate and flow. Based on aspirate MDS EB1: 54% (n=65), MDS EB2 46% (n=55). The hematological, cytogenetic and R-IPSS categories were compared between MDS-EB1 and MDS- EB 2. The blast percentage and hemoglobin levels was significantly different between MDS-EB1 and EB2 as seen in table 1, however the IPSS-R risk groups were not significantly different. The flow cytometry was concordant with aspirate in 66/120 (55%) cases. Out of the dis-concordant cases only 20% (11/54) was upstaged by flow cytometry with most of the patients being down staged as expected by the techniques used in processing the blood and hence not reliable when reported low (Figure 1). The OS outcomes based on the IPSS- R asp, IPSS-Rfl areshown in figure 2A,2B .The p value with aspirate based R-IPSS was more significant than flow cytometry based R-IPSS (p= 0.0007 vs 0.0174). We compared the two models for observed OS differences using the Uno model which was not statistically significant. (p= 0.6) Conclusions Both models did not show a difference which is likely due to the very small sample size. However flow cytometry did down stage more patients when disconcordant and may have less value in that setting. It would be ideal to compare all 3 models aspirate, biopsy and flow cytometry however we did not have enough number of patients to do the comparison. Disclosures Patnaik: Stem Line Pharmaceuticals.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Al-Kali:Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding.
Correlation of Flow Cytometric Aberrations with Cytogenetic, Molecular Genetic, and Morphology in Patients with Unexplained Cytopenias

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 5406-5406

10.1182/blood-2019-125114

Introduction: Whereas morphological assessment and cytogenetics have been the cornerstone for the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), flow cytometry and mutational analyses are novel, evolving techniques. These diagnostic procedures play a role in identifying pre-MDS cases including idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS) and clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS). Aim: To assess flow cytometric findings in ICUS and CCUS and their correlation with progression to MDS or myeloid neoplasm (MN), concurrent genetic aberrations, and underlying pathological evolution. Methods: Patients (Pts) who had undergone evaluation to rule out MDS and had retrospectively undergone flow cytometry, cytogenetic, mutational and morphological assessment were included. Flow cytometry results were classified as normal (no abnormality or 1 equivocal result), abnormal (2 abnormalities or at least 1 abnormality and 1 equivocal result), or atypical (1 abnormality or 2-3 equivocal results). Next generation sequencing included mutation analysis of: ASXL1, BCOR, BRAF, CALR, CBL, CEBPA, CSF3R, DNMT3A, ETV6, EZH2, FLT3, GATA1, GATA2, IDH1, IDH2, JAK2, KIT, KRAS, MPL, MYD88, NOTCH1, NPM1, NRAS, PHF6, PTPN11, RUNX1, SETBP1, SF3B1, TERT, TET2, TP53, U2AF1, WT1, ZRSR2. Results: A) Characteristics: 229 pts were assessed (median age 60 and 69% were males). Based on pathologist interpretation, 87 (38%) pts met diagnostic criteria of MDS, 106 (46%) pts had normal/reactive bone marrow (BM), and 36 (16%) pts had BM findings suspicious for MDS. Median time to follow-up was 24 months for MDS pts, and 32 months for pts with cytopenias. B) Morphology: Pts who had a BM biopsy that was suspicious for MDS by pathologist interpretation were more likely to develop MDS compared to pts with normal/reactive pathology report with an incidence rate (IR) of 16% versus 0.9% (p= .0005). Pts who were suspicious for MDS based on the BM biopsy were more likely to have underlying mutations compared to pts with normal/reactive BM (IR 83% versus 69%, p= .2). C) Flow cytometry: In the non-MDS cohort, 96 (67%) pts had normal flow results, 29 (20%) pts had atypical flow, and 17 (12%) pts had abnormal flow results compared to 16 (18%) pts, 18 (21%) pts, and 53 (61%) pts in the MDS cohort, respectively. Of the pts who had normal flow result (n=112), 16 were MDS, 16 were suspicious for MDS/MN, and 80 were normal/reactive. Pts who had biopsy interpretation suspicious for MDS/MN were more likely to have abnormal flow cytometry compared to normal/reactive BM biopsy (IR 55% versus 24%, p=.0003). IR of MDS was 4% in normal flow, 3% in atypical flow, and 12% in abnormal flow (p= .5). Likewise, IR of MN was 4% in normal flow, 20% in atypical flow, and 30% in abnormal flow (p= .1). D) Genetics (cytogenetics and mutation profiling): Cytogenetics was normal in 123 (86%) pts and abnormal in 19 (13%) pts. Pts who had abnormal cytogenetics were more likely to develop MN (IR 57% versus 5%, p= .002). Out of the 50 non-MDS pts tested for NGS, 38 (76%) were positive for mutations. 15 (39%) pts had 1 mutation, 8 (21%) pts had 2, 3 (8%) pts had 3, 6 (16%) pts had 4, 2 (5%) pts had 5, 1 (3%) pt had 7, and 1 (3%) pt had 8 mutations (61% had >1 mutation). Pts with positive mutations were more likely to develop MDS during follow-up compared to pts who did not have mutations (IR 16% versus 0%, p=.06). Additionally, flow cytometric aberrations significantly correlate with the number of mutations (p= .03). MN correlated significantly with BCOR mutation and RUNX1 (IR 60% (p= .008) and 50% (p=.02), respectively. E) Interaction between variables: In pts with positive mutations, flow cytometry did not correlate with progression to MDS with an IR of 17% of MDS in normal flow, 11% in atypical flow, and 17% in abnormal flow, (p= .9). There was no impact on overall survival neither in pts with abnormal flow results vs normal nor in pts with positive mutations vs wild type. Conclusion: Conventional diagnostic techniques remain the cornerstone of MDS diagnosis with flow cytometry and NGS arising as novel techniques that correlate significantly with progression of pre-MDS pts to MDS. Flow had an impact on pathology final interpretation but did not add value in pt with a positive mutation analysis. Larger studies are needed to confirm our findings. Disclosures Patnaik: Stem Line Pharmaceuticals.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Al-Kali:Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Therapy Related Myeloid Neoplasms in Patients with Multiple Myeloma Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 4560-4560

10.1182/blood-2019-123065

Introduction: Patients who develop therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (t-MN) have dismal outcomes. Previous studies reported the incidence and risk factors associated with t-MN development. Lenalidomide, in the setting of oral, but not intravenous, melphalan is associated with a higher risk of t-MN (Palumbo et. al, Lancet Oncology, 2014). We carried out this study to evaluate the clinical and pathologic features of t-MN, therapies employed, and factors that predict long-term survival after diagnosis. Patients and methods: We identified patients who received the first ASCT 1998-2016 at our institution. t-MN was defined per the WHO 2016 classification. Median overall survival (OS) was calculated from the time of t-MN diagnosis to last follow-up or death. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS (JMP v14.1) or GraphPad Prism (v7). Results: Out of 2115 patients that underwent at least one ASCT, 53 (2.5%) developed t-MN. Thirty-five of 53 (66%) patients who developed t-MN had received lenalidomide. Among 2062 patients that did not develop t-MN, 916 (44.4%) patients received lenalidomide. Lenalidomide exposure was associated with development of t-MN (χ2 with Yate's correction 8.9, p=0.003). Ten patients were excluded from further analyses due to lack of follow up. Clinical characteristics are shown in Table 1a (N=43). Median age at t-MN diagnosis was 70 years (range 44-79). Median time from ASCT to t-MN was 5 years (range 1-15). After a median follow-up of 70 months (95% CI, 38-134), the median OS was 12 months (95% CI, 9-17, Figure). Primary causes of death were t-MN (71%), MM (12%), both (6%), and other including infection, GVHD, and unknown (12%). Seven (16%) had t-AML and 36(84%) had t-MDS. Three (42%) of 7 patients with t-AML had pure erythroid phenotype. At the time of last follow-up, 9 (21%) were alive. Seven (17%) underwent two ASCT, 16 (36%) received more than 2 years cumulative dose of lenalidomide. Median number of cycles of alkylator therapy including high-dose melphalan (HDM) used for ASCT was 2 (range 1-6). On univariate analysis, factors predicting OS from t-MN diagnosis were ≥ 2 alkylator vs. < 2 cycles (11 vs. 27 months, p=0.02), ≥10% vs. <10% blast at the time of t-MN diagnosis (5.5 vs. 17 months, p=0.01), and the presence of complex karyotype (CK) vs. not (11 vs. 17 months, p=0.03). There was no difference in survival among t-MDS patients who transformed to t-AML vs. those who did not, those who received 1 vs. 2 ASCT, and those with lenalidomide duration ≥ 2 vs. <2 years. On multivariate analysis, the number of alkylator therapies and CK, but not % blasts predicted OS from t-MN diagnosis (Figure). Eight (19%) patients proceeded to receive an autologous (n=4) or allogeneic (n=4) transplant for t-MN (Table 1b). There was no survival advantage for patients who underwent SCT for t-MN, compared to those who did not (17 vs. 10 months, p=0.3). Similarly, there was no survival advantage for patients who received allo SCT compared to auto SCT (21 vs. 16 months, p=0.7). Survival for t-MDS and t-AML was also not different (15 vs. 6 months, p=0.2). There is only one long-term survivor in the transplant group (s/p allogeneic SCT). Four of seven (57%) patients died of progressive t-MN, 1 died of progressive MM, progressive MM and t-MN, and TRM each. Conclusions: Lenalidomide, in the setting of HDM, is associated with an increased risk of t-MN. Increased exposure to alkylators, a higher tumor burden, and the presence of CK predict poor survival in t-MN. As HDM/ASCT followed by lenalidomide maintenance remains the standard of care for eligible patients, minimizing exposure to other alkylator regimens may be prudent. While considered the standard, only a minority undergo transplant; and post-transplant outcomes remain poor. Studies to identify prognostic genetic and epigenetic risk factors are ongoing. Disclosures Al-Kali: Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Kumar:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding. Patnaik:Stem Line Pharmaceuticals.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
A Phase 1 Study of Lenzilumab, a humaneered recombinant Anti-Human Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony- Stimulating Factor (anti-hGM-CSF) Antibody, for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 4234-4234

10.1182/blood-2019-131181

BACKGROUND: CMML is a myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm with a median survival of 32 months and no therapies that improve its natural history. We have previously demonstrated that CMML bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMNCs) are hypersensitive to GM-CSF and that the GM-CSF axis is a viable therapeutic target (Padron et al., Blood 2013). Lenzilumab is a novel, humaneered IgG1κ monoclonal antibody, with high affinity for human GM-CSF that has activity in preclinical models of CMML. We report a Phase 1 clinical trial testing the safety and preliminary efficacy of this agent in CMML. METHODS: The study was approved by scientific and ethical review boards. This was a multicenter Phase 1 study designed to evaluate the safety and determine the recommended phase 2 dose of lenzilumab in subjects with CMML. Dose escalation proceeded using a standard 3+3 study design to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Three dose cohorts included 200 mg, 400 mg, and 600 mg, were given IV on day 1 and 15 of cycle 1 and then only on day 1 of subsequent 28-day cycles. Key inclusion criteria included a WHO-defined diagnosis of CMML and a platelet count greater than 20 x103 cells/dL. Response was evaluated utilizing the MDS/MPN International Working Group Criteria (Savona Blood 2015). Pharmacokinetic analysis and pharmacodynamics were evaluated by pSTAT5 by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Between July 2016 and June 2018, a total of 15 patients were enrolled. The median age at study entry was 74 years (range 52-85) and 80% were male. Nine patients were classified as CMML-0, 3 as CMML-1, and 3 as CMML-2. Seventy three percent of patients had normal cytogenetics or -Y. The most commonly mutated genes at screening included TET2 60%, ASXL1 53%, SRSF2 47%, and RAS pathway (i.e. NRAS or CBL) mutations 40%. Nine patients were previously treated with hypomethylating agents and/or experimental therapies, 3 were treated with hydroxyurea only, and 3 were untreated. The mean Hgb was 9.7g/dL (7.6-14g/dL), the mean platelet count was 147 x103 cells/dL (16-942 x103 cells/dL), and 66% of cases were MPN-CMML by the French-American-British classification at study entry. Three patients were enrolled at each dose level and an additional 6 patients were enrolled at 600mg as planned. Consistent with prior studies of lenzilumab, no dose limiting toxicities were identified and no treatment emergent grade 3 or 4 toxicities were reported. The mean duration on therapy was 221.8 days (14-787 days) and the majority of patients discontinued study drug because of disease progression or lack of response (69%). Five of 15 (33%) patients enrolled achieved clinical benefit by MDS/MPN IWG criteria with 3 platelet responses, 1 neutrophil response, and 1 spleen response. An additional patient had bone marrow myeloblast reduction from 6% to 1% which allowed that patient to undergo allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Clinical response was not statistically associated with somatic mutations or changes in pSTAT5 between screening and cycle 3. However, 3 of 4 patients with NRAS mutation achieved clinical benefit or had clinical meaningful bone marrow myeloblast reductions. CONCLUSION: Lenzilumab is well tolerated in patients with CMML, with no grade 3 or 4 treatment emergent adverse events or DLTs reported. Durable clinical benefit was achieved in 33% of patients and one patient was bridged to allogenic transplant, providing proof of concept that GM-CSF inhibition has activity in CMML. The favorable safety and activity profile of lenzilumab warrants future evaluation as part of a combination regimen targeted to specific subtypes more likely to respond, including patients with NRAS mutations. Disclosures Patnaik: Stem Line Pharmaceuticals.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sallman:Celgene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celyad: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Jazz: Research Funding. Al-Kali:Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Komrokji:celgene: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; JAZZ: Consultancy; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; JAZZ: Speakers Bureau; pfizer: Consultancy; DSI: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy. Lo:Humanigen: Employment. Durrant:Humanigen: Employment. Chappell:Humanigen: Employment. Ahmed:Humanigen: Employment. List:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.