Citations 441

Biomarkers Predict Graft-Vs-Host Disease Outcomes Better Than Clinical Response after One Week of Treatment

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 510-510

10.1182/blood.v128.22.510.510

Abstract Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), the primary cause of non-relapse mortality (NRM) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, does not always respond to treatment with high dose systemic corticosteroids. We have recently shown that a combination of three biomarkers (TNFR1, ST2, and REG3α) measured at onset of GVHD can predict day 28 response to treatment and 6-month NRM (Levine, Lancet Haem, 2015). Our goal in the current study was to determine if the same biomarker-based Ann Arbor GVHD algorithm can alsopredict treatment response andmortality whenapplied after one week of systemic corticosteroid treatment. The study population consisted of 378 patients (pts) with acute GVHD from 11 centers in the Mount Sinai Acute GVHD International Consortium. All pts were treated with systemic steroids and provided a plasma or serum sample obtained after one week of treatment (±3 days). The median starting dose of systemic steroids for Grade II-IV GVHD was 2.0 mg/kg/day and for Grade I was 1.0 mg/kg/day, after which treatment varied. Patients were divided into test (n=236) and validation (n=142) cohorts. We applied the Ann Arbor GVHD algorithm to concentrations of TNFR1, ST2, and REG3α measured after one week of treatment to generate a predicted probability of 6-month NRM, which we term the treatment score (TS). We employed unsupervised k-medoidclustering to partition TS values from the test cohort into two groups (high and low). This unbiased approach identified a high score group made up of 25% of pts (n=58) in the test cohort. We observed that the day 28 response rate (complete, CR + partial, PR) was significantly lower in pts with high scores compared to low scores in the test cohort (24% vs 65%, p<0.0001) (Fig 1A). Analysis of the validation cohort using the same TS definitions showed similar differences in response rates (22% vs 61%, p<0.0001) (Fig 1B). Further, nearly four times as many pts with high scores in both cohorts died within 6 months from non-relapse causes compared to pts with low scores (test: 57% vs 17%, p<0.0001; validation: 57% vs 14%, p<0.0001) (Fig 1C/D). As expected, the majority of non-relapse deaths in pts treated for GVHD were directly attributable to GVHD (test: 95%; validation: 89%). Relapse rates for high and low score pts were similar (data not shown), and thus pts with a high TS experienced significantly worse overall survival in both cohorts (test: 37% vs 72%, p<0.0001; validation: 38% vs 79%, p<0.0001) (Fig 1E/F). Approximately half of the pts in each cohort (test: 48%; validation: 44%) responded (CR+PR) to the first week of steroids and these ptshad significantly lower 6-month NRM than non-responders (NR) (test: 17% vs 36%, p=0.0002; validation: 13% vs 36%, p=0.0014). Yet the TS continued to stratify mortality risk independently of clinical response. In the test cohort, pts with a high score comprised 16% of all early responders and experienced more than twice the NRM of early responders with a low score (33% vs 13%, p=0.022) (Fig 2A). Conversely, test cohort pts who did not respond by day 7, but had a low score, fared much better than non-responders with a high score (NRM 21% vs 68%, p<0.0001) (Fig 2B). Two thirds of early non-responders comprised this more favorable group. These highly significant results reproduced in the independent validation cohort in similar proportions (CR+PR: 45% vs 6%, p=0.0003; NR: 61% vs 22%, p=0.0001) (Fig 2C/D). Finally, a subset analysis revealed that pts classified as NR after one week of steroids due to isolated, yet persistent, grade I skin GVHD (24/378, 6%) overwhelmingly had low treatment scores (22/24, 92%) and experienced rates of NRM (9%) comparable to responders with low scores, thus forming a distinct, albeit small, subset of pts with non-responsive GVHD that fares particularly well (Fig 3). In conclusion, a treatment score based on three GVHD biomarkers measured after one week of steroids stratifies pts into two groups with distinct risks for treatment failure and 6-month NRM. It is particularly noteworthy that the TS identifies two subsets of pts with steroid refractory (SR) GVHD who have highly different outcomes (Fig 2B/D). The much larger group, approximately two thirds of all SR pts, may not need the same degree of treatment escalation as is traditional for clinical non-response, and thus overtreatment might be avoided. Because the TSis measured at a common decision making time point, it may prove useful to guide risk-adapted therapy. Disclosures Mielke: Novartis: Consultancy; MSD: Consultancy, Other: Travel grants; Celgene: Other: Travel grants, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Other: Travel grants; JAZZ Pharma: Speakers Bureau. Kroeger:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Chen:Incyte Corporation: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Jagasia:Therakos: Consultancy. Kitko:Therakos: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Ferrara:Viracor: Patents & Royalties: GVHD biomarker patent. Levine:Viracor: Patents & Royalties: GVHD biomarker patent.
A Risk Stratification Model Using Quantification of Circulating Plasma Cells in Multiple Myeloma Prior to Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in the Era of Novel Agents

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 996-996

10.1182/blood.v128.22.996.996

Abstract Background: The presence of circulating plasma cells (CPCs) is associated with an adverse prognosis in multiple myeloma along the entire spectrum of disease. However, the impact of CPCs prior to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has not been defined in the era of novel agents. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of the presence and number of CPCs before transplant using 6-color multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC). We also explored the additional prognostic implications of CPCs over the current paradigm for risk stratification at transplant, including high-risk (HR) cytogenetics and disease status at transplant by the IMWG criteria. Methods: A total of 1113 consecutive patients transplanted between 2007 and 2015 in Mayo Clinic were included in the study. Flow-cytometry of peripheral blood to identify clonal CPCs is routinely performed in all patients before ASCT in Mayo Clinic, Rochester. The mononuclear cells from peripheral blood samples are isolated by Ficoll gradient and subsequently stained with antibodies to CD19, CD38, CD45, CD138 and cytoplasmic kappa (κ) and lambda (λ) immunoglobulin light chains. Clonality is assessed by light chain restriction (κ:λ expression ratio of 4:1 [κ restricted] or <1:2 [λ restricted]). The target for collection is >150,000 cellular events. For samples where less than 150,000 clonal events are examined, the number of final clonal events is adjusted to 150,000 events. HR cytogenetics by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on bone marrow (BM) plasma cells was defined by one of the following abnormalities: t(4;14), del(17p), t(14;16), t(14;20) or +1q, detected at any time point from diagnosis to transplant. Patients who had insufficient plasma cells for FISH analysis in BM specimens were not included in the denominator to calculate the percentage of patients with HR cytogenetics. The primary end-points of this study were post-transplant response, PFS and OS. Result: CPCs were detected in 238 out of 1113 (21.4%) patients, with the median number of CPCs being 82 (range, 1-102381) per 150,000 events. The median age of patients at transplant was 62 years. A total of 1097 (99%) patients had received novel agent based induction therapy with PIs and IMiDs, including 458 (41%) patients who had received both PIs and IMiDs. 401 (36%) patients had received post-transplant maintenance or consolidation therapy. The frequency of t(4;14) in BMPCs was significantly higher in patients with CPCs compared to those without [15.2 vs 7.0% for t(4;14); P<0.001]. The median follow-up from transplant for survivors was 45 months. The 5-year OS rate in patients with and without CPCs was 34% (95% CI, 27-42) and 70% (95% CI, 66-74) respectively (P<0.001). After exploring several cut-offs for the number of CPCs per 150,000 events, we chose a simple pre-transplant risk stratification model: No CPCs (n=874; 78.5%), 0<CPCs≤400 (n=188; 16.9%) and CPCs>400 (n=51; 4.6%). The number of patients achieving stringent complete response post-transplant in groups with no CPCs, 0<CPCs≤400 and CPCs>400 was 310 (36%), 31 (16%) and 3 (6%) respectively (P<0.001). The median PFS in the 3 groups was 27 months (95% CI, 25-30), 15 months (95% CI, 13-18) and 6 months (95% CI, 4-10) respectively (P<0.001) and 5-year OS rates were 70% (95% CI, 66-74), 42% (95% CI, 34-51) and 12% (95% CI, 5-26) respectively (P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier curves for PFS and OS are depicted in Figure I (A and B). In a multivariate model (Table I), the groups with 0<CPCs≤400 and CPCs>400 had an increased risk of death, independent of the presence of HR cytogenetics and disease status at transplant. Conclusion: Our study shows the strong negative prognostic impact of CPCs prior to transplant on post-transplant response and survival in MM in the era of novel agents. The proposed risk stratification model can be easily employed with simple equipment and should be routinely incorporated in the pre-transplant workup. Detailed epigenomic, genomic and transcriptomic analysis of CPCs is urgently needed to uncover the biological basis of resistance to both high-dose cytotoxic therapy and novel agents and identify potential avenues of targeted therapy against CPCs. Disclosures Kumar: Onyx: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kesios: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Consultancy; AbbVie: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding; Skyline: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Array BioPharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Noxxon Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding. Dispenzieri:Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Alnylam: Research Funding; GSK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; pfizer: Research Funding; Prothena: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Research Funding; Jannsen: Research Funding. Kapoor:Celgene: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding. Gertz:Sandoz Inc: Honoraria; NCI Frederick: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; GSK: Honoraria; Novartis: Research Funding; Research to Practice: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Med Learning Group: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Ionis: Research Funding; Prothena Therapeutics: Research Funding; Annexon Biosciences: Research Funding.
Bortezomib, Melphalan and Low Dose TBI Conditioning for Patients Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 2267-2267

10.1182/blood.v128.22.2267.2267

Abstract Background: Autologous stem cell transplantation is an integral part of myeloma therapy for patients who are able to undergo the treatment. While high dose melphalan has remained the typical conditioning regimen for ASCT in MM, recently there have been efforts to enhance the conditioning therapy by adding newer drugs to melphalan. Addition of bortezomib as well as carfilzomib have been attempted in phase 2 trials. Previous studies have shown that the combination of melphalan and total body irradiation (TBI) is an effective conditioning regimen. Pre-clinical studies have shown that bortezomib can sensitize MM cells to radiation, and based on this finding, we designed a clinical trial to examine the feasibility of combining low dose TBI with a combination of melphalan and bortezomib. Patients and Methods: The primary goal of the phase 1 study was to determine the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of bortezomib that can be added to high dose melphalan and low dose TBI as part of conditioning chemotherapy in patients undergoing an ASCT for MM. The secondary goals were to examine the toxicities associated with addition of bortezomib to high dose melphalan and TBI in patients with MM and to determine the progression free rate at 1 and 2 years. Patients eligible to receive full dose melphalan conditioning regimen for ASCT were included as long as they had no more than 2 prior regimens and had not received a prior transplant. An accelerated design that was later converted to a standard 3+3 cohort design was used for dose escalation. Three patients were treated at a given dose level combination and observed for at least 36 days to assess toxicity. Melphalan 80 mg/m2 was given days -4, -3, with bortezomib at increasing doses given on day -5, -2 along with TBI of 200 cGY given on the same days of bortezomib, timed after bortezomib administration. Stem cells were infused day 0. Results: Eleven patients were enrolled; 6 were males, and the median age was 60 years. Median time from diagnosis was 5.4 months (range 3.4-7.0). Four dose levels were explored with increasing doses of bortezomib (0.7 mg/m2 to 1.6 mg/m2). No dose limiting toxicities were observed. The dose levels and the best response after ASCT are as shown in the Table. The overall response rate was 100%, including 7/11 with a CR or sCR. With a median follow-up of 12.5 months, two patients have progressed; median OS was not reached. Toxicity was mostly hematologic, with other AEs being grade 3 or less and attributable to the conditioning therapy. All patients engrafted their counts adequately. Conclusion: The combination of melphalan, bortezomib, and low dose TBI is a safe conditioning regimen in patients with MM with good efficacy. The regimen should be further examined in the phase 2 setting. Table Table. Disclosures Kapoor: Celgene: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding. Kumar:Noxxon: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy; AbbVie: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Skyline: Consultancy, Honoraria.
Clinical Outcome of Patients Diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome-Unclassifiable (MDS-U): Single Center Experience

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 124 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 3264-3264

10.1182/blood.v124.21.3264.3264

Abstract Background:The 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) developed a new classification system for Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). The well-defined categories are refractory anaemia with excess blasts (type 1 or 2 based on the marrow blast count being below or above 10%), refractory anaemia with or without ringed sideroblasts, refractory cytopenias with multilineage dysplasia and myelodysplastic syndromes with isolated deleted 5q. MDS cases that do not meet the diagnostic criteria of the above categories are classified myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS-U). However, few reports in the literature exist in terms of natural progression and clinical outcome of patients with MDS-U. Aim: To study the clinical outcome of patients with MDS-U. Method: A retrospective, IRB-approved, single-institution study through chart review of cases with MDS at Mayo Clinic Rochester between 1993 and 2014 was performed. Patients diagnosed with MDS based on WHO classification were included. MDS classification was based on routine Mayo Clinic pathology reports. Central independent hematopathology review for bone marrow biopsy was performed for cases diagnosed with MDS-U or simply generic MDS. Comparison between groups’ medians was done using Wilcoxon test, while survival estimates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves using JMP V10. Result: A total of 802 patients, who met WHO criteria for MDS, were studied. Median age was 71 years (range, 18-99), 69% were males. Median white blood cell (WBC) 3.6 x109, hemoglobin (Hbg) 9.6 g/dl, platelets (PLT) 105 x109, peripheral blood (PB) blasts 0% and bone marrow (BM) blasts 2%. Median overall survival (OS) was 28 months. One hundred nine (14%) cases transformed to AML. Out of the 802 patients, 90 (11%) patients were initially classified as MDS-U according to 2008 WHO criteria, 69% were males with median age 71 years. Upon pathology review, only 42/90 cases (47%) were confirmed to be MDS-U (group 1). Among 47 cases not meeting MDS-U, 40% were best classified as RARS, 17% refractory anemia, and 9% as 5Q del Syndrome, while 2 cases did not have any myeloid neoplasm. Group 1 had median WBC 3 x109, Hbg 9.9g/dL, PLT 71 x109, PB blasts 0% and BM blasts 0%. IPSS grouping was low, intermediate-1, intermediate-2 and high in 27%, 52%, 21% and 0%, respectively. R-IPSS grouping was very low, low, intermediate, high and very high in 15%, 42%, 15%, 21% and 6%, respectively. Median OS in group 1 was 68, 37, 13 and 0 months per IPSS (p=0.04), and 101, 44, 14, 11, 13 months per IPSS-R (p=0.005), respectively. Of the 43 patients with MDS-U, 39 had follow-up; 21 patients (54%) of which progressed. MDS-U became 42% RAEB, 24% RCMD, 14% CMML, 5% RARS, 10% MDS/MPN, and 5% atypical. Group 2 (MDS other than MDS-U) 759 patients had median age 71 years, 69% were males. They had WBC 3.6 x109, Hbg 9.6g/dL, PLT 107 x109(p=0.01), PB blasts 0% and BM blasts 0%. IPSS grouping was low, intermediate-1, intermediate-2 and high in 29%, 44%, 22% and 5% respectively. R-IPSS grouping was very low, low, intermediate, high and very high in 17%, 32%, 20%, 17% and 14% respectively. On comparison between Group 1 vs 2, mOS was 27 vs 29 months (p=0.7), and percentage transformed to AML 14% in both groups. On multivariate analysis for mOS only age, IPSS-R and IPSS but not MDS-U nor gender were statistically significant. Conclusion: MDS-Uis a small subset of MDS. With independent pathology review, half of the MDS-U cases were subclassified into other MDS groups. In follow-up more than half of the cases were subclassified into other MDS groups and some were non-MDS. IPSS and IPSS-R are helpful tools for survival assessment in MDS-U. High risk MDS was infrequent in MDS-U per IPSS. We found no significant difference in mOS nor AML transformation when comparing MDS-U to other groups. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Clinical Outcome of Hypomethylating Agents in Hypocellular MDS: Mayo Clinic Experience

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 5254-5254

10.1182/blood.v126.23.5254.5254

Abstract Introduction: Hypocellular myelodysplastic syndrome (h-MDS) represents only a small portion of MDS, of which, the clinical significance and outcomes are not well understood. Both laboratory and clinical evidence suggests that h-MDS shares immune-mediated pathogenic mechanisms similar to acquired aplastic anemia. As a result, immunosuppressive therapy (IST) has been the mainstay treatment. Since h-MDS is poorly understood and reported response rates to IST vary, we retrospectively reviewed the outcome of our patients with hypocellular MDS and identified the effectiveness of alternative therapy using hypomethylating agents (HMA). Methods: AllMDS patients over a 13-year period (June 1997 to May 2010) were captured after an IRB approval was obtained. Patients' demographics, labs, bone marrow aspirates and biopsies as well as cytogenetic data were collected. We used the currently accepted age-adjusted criteria to define hypocellularity as ≤ 30% in patients <70 years old, and ≤20% in >70 years old. Only patients with available response data were included in the final analysis. Survival estimates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: We identified 65 (8%) h-MDS patients from a cohort of 827 adult MDS. Median age was 68 years (range, 20-90), with 69% males. The largest group of patients were RAEB-1 at 9 (14%) and RAEB-2 at 14 (22%) along with RCMD at 18 (28%) and 15 (23%) MDS-U, 2 (3%) MDS 5q, 4 (6%) RARS and 2 (3%) were considered atypical. Cytogenetic analysis was normal in 17 (26%) with 7 (11%) having trisomy 8, and 11 (16%) and 14 (22%) having abnormalities of chromosome 7 and 5, respectively. IPSS-R were very low, low, intermediate, high, and very high in 4%, 30%, 28%, 21% and 17%, respectively. Leukemic transformation (LT) occurred in 6 (9%). The 4 year overall survival and progression free survival was 35% and 34%, respectively. Median overall survival and progression free survival was 30.2 and 29.7 months, respectively. Nine out 65 h-MDS patients were treated with a HMA, azacitidine (4) or decitabine (5). The median age of patients was 71 years (range, 66-85) with 6 (66%) being males. The median cellularity of the diagnostic bone marrow was 15% with the majority of patients presenting with RAEB-1 (11%) and RAEB-2 (55%) classification and 2 (22%) cases of RCMD as well as 1 (11%) case of MDS with isolated 5q. Cytogenetic analysis was normal in 3 (33%). IPSS-R were low in 1 (11%), intermediate in 4 (44%), high in 1 (11%) and very high risk in 3 (33%). The median time to initiation of a HMA from diagnosis was 5 months with response assessed at a median of 4.2 months. Two patients had received prior therapy including lenalidomide (for MDS 5q) and one had 1 cycle of trial therapy. Two patients (22%) achieved a marrow complete remission at a median time of 2.95 months; with one case of relapse at 9.8 months using HMA. Three patients (33%) had LT at a median time of 7.9 months post initiation of HMA. Median overall survival of patients with LT was 20 days. A total of 4 (44%) patients remain alive with a leukemia free survival of 67% at 2 years. In comparing to h-MDS patients without HMA treatment versus HMA treated, median OS was 28.2 vs 50.9 months (p=0.41) and PFS was 28.1 vs 40.6 months (p=0.69), respectively. Conclusions: The results from our clinical experience confirm that hypocellular MDS is a rare variant and that it is distinct from normocellular/hypercellular MDS. Two thirds of h-MDS received HMA for the treatment of higher risk disease (RAEB1-2). HMA has some efficacy in h-MDS. Further studies are warranted to better understand the clinical significance and outcomes of hypocellular MDS. Disclosures Binder: American Society of Hematology: Research Funding. Al-Kali:Celgene: Research Funding.
The Adverse Impact of Age and Central Nervous System Involvement on Survival in Adult T-ALL, an Analysis of 92 Consecutive Patients

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 4993-4993

10.1182/blood.v126.23.4993.4993

Abstract Background: Adult T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia / lymphoma (T-ALL) is a rare and aggressive hematological malignancy. Unlike B-cell ALL, apart from age and presenting WBC, additional prognostic factors remain largely unknown. Additionally, the prognostic impact of a monosomal karyotype, which has a negative impact on survival in myeloid neoplasms, remains to be determined in T-ALL (Kenderian et al, BCJ 2013) Aim: To study predictors of survival including the role of a monosomal karyotype in T-ALL. Methods: After due IRB approval, adults diagnosed with T-ALL from 1990-2014 at Mayo Clinic Rochester were identified. All clinical and pathologic data including FISH studies and cytogenetics were retrospectively reviewed. Chi-square test was used to compare variables. Survival was estimated and compared using the Kaplan-Meier Method and log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox regression model. Results: Between 1990 and 2014, a total of 92 consecutive patients (pts) with T-ALL were identified, 41 had acute lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL), and 51 (55%) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Median age at diagnosis was 33 years (range; 18-88 years) with 72%males. Median follow up of our cohort was 25 months (range; 0.9-260 months) during which time 42 deaths (45%) were documented. A. Baseline characteristics: Fifty six (67%) had constitutional symptoms, and 63 (77%) had lymphadenopathy at diagnosis. Mediastinal mass was identified in 49 (55%) pts with palpable splenomegaly in 16 (20%) pts. Fifty one (58%) pts had extranodal disease, and 17 (19%) pts had CNS involvement. Pleural and pericardial effusion were evident in 16 (19%), and 6 (7%) pts, respectively. Median laboratory values included; LDH 288 U/L (115-6590), hemoglobin (Hb) 12.8 g/dl (4.5-18.2), WBC 8.65 x109 (1.4-406), platelets 169 x109 (8-485), bone marrow blasts 29% (0-99). B. Treatments: Induction therapies were variable and included; 11 (12%) CHOP like regimens, 7 (8%) modified NHL regimens (Asparginase+CHOP), 54 (58%) ALL like regimens (CALGB 9111, E2993, or HyperCVAD), 13 (14%) Pediatric regimens (ALL 10403, CCG 1961, BFM, Augmented BFM, GRAALL 2003, or Hoelzer regimen), with 7 (8%) patients' receiving palliative care only. Seventy-one (77%) pts achieved complete remission (CR1) during induction therapy while eight pts had refractory disease (8%). Thirty-three (35%) pts underwent stem cell transplant; 7 (21%) autologous and 26 (79%) allogeneic. Forty one (44%) pts had disease relapse and median time to relapse was 10.8 months (range; 8.2-16 months) C. Predictors of survival: In univariate analysis, that included age > 60 years, leukocyte count Hb, Plt, Blast percentage, mediastinal mass, LDH and CNS involvement, only age >60 and CNS involvement were predictors of inferior survival and both retained significance in the multivariable analysis with HR 3.9 (CI 1.5 - 9; p=0.0055) and 2.8 (1.3 - 5.7; p =0.0085), respectively (Figure 1 and 2). In this cohort age >60 was a better stratification that the conventionally used age above 40 (p = 0.1). Among 56 pts with evaluable cytogenetics data, 7 (13%) pts had MK which did not have an impact on survival with HR 1.9 (CI 0.4-5.6; p=0.33). Conclusion: In this large cohort of adult T-ALL patients, we observed that age >60 years and CNS involvement were independent predictors of inferior survival. MK was infrequent, but unlike in myeloid neoplasms, does not seem to impact overall survival. Figure 1. Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 2. Disclosures Al-Kali: Celgene: Research Funding. Thompson:Kite Pharma: Research Funding. Witzig:Novartis: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria; Spectrum: Research Funding; Valeant Pharma: Equity Ownership.
Retrospective Comparison Of Survival and Leukemic Transformation In Myelofibrosis Patients Treated With Ruxolitinib Versus Momelotinib Versus Fedratinib Versus Pomalidomide

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 122 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 4049-4049

10.1182/blood.v122.21.4049.4049

Abstract Background The impact of JAK inhibitor (JAKi) therapy on the natural history of myelofibrosis remains unclear. While a Phase 3 study showed that overall survival of ruxolitinib-treated intermediate-2 or high-risk myelofibrosis patients was superior as compared to placebo-treated patients, it remains unclear whether such an advantage would persist in patients receiving standard therapy, and whether this result is generalizable to other JAK inhibitors. We conducted a sponsor-independent, single-center retrospective analysis of overall and leukemia-free survival after long-term follow up in patients receiving JAKi treatment with comparison to two control populations: (i) a contemporaneously diagnosed (2005 onwards) primary myelofibrosis (PMF) patient cohort receiving standard therapy (JAKi and pomalidomide naïve); and (ii) a pomalidomide treated patient cohort (JAKi-naïve). Methods Baseline clinical, cytogenetic and molecular data were collected at the onset of study treatment with the first JAKi or pomalidomide, or at the time of first referral for patients receiving standard therapy. Information regarding bone marrow karyotype and DIPSS-plus risk status was available for all patients. Information on survival and leukemic transformation was updated in July 2013. Results The 3 patient groups were: (i) JAKi-treated: n=157, median age 65 years, range 34-89. DIPSS-plus risk: Low/Int-1 20 (13%), Int-2 66 (42%), and High 71 (45%). Median follow up from first JAKi treatment was 30 months (range 1-67 months); during this period, 72 deaths (46%) and 14 (9%) leukemic transformations were documented. The first JAKi was ruxolitinib in 51 patients (33%), momelotinib (CYT387) in 79 (50%), and fedratinib (SAR302503) in 27 (17%). The proportion of patient deaths and leukemic transformation (median follow up, range) per specific JAKi was: ruxolitinib 57% and 12% (40 months, 2-67), momelotinib 43% and 9% (29 months, 1-42), and fedratinib 33% and 4% (21 months, 2-53), respectively. (ii) Control#1 (Pomalidomide-treated): n=69, median age 67 years, range 36-87. DIPSS-plus risk: Low/Int-1 0 (0%), Int-2 28 (41%), and High 41 (59%). Median follow up was 25 months (range 2-70 months); during this period, 47 deaths (68%) and 7 (10%) leukemic transformations were documented. (iii) Control# 2 (Standard therapy): n=319, median age 66 years, range 22-90. DIPSS-plus risk: Low/Int-1 98 (31%), Int-2 122 (38%), and High 99 (31%). Median follow up from time of referral was 18 months (range 1-92 months); during this period, 101 deaths (32%) and 18 (6%) leukemic transformations were documented. For patients with Int-2 or high-risk disease (n=221), 92 deaths (42%) and 13 (6%) leukemic transformations were recorded (median follow up 16 months, range 1-92). The survival analysis focused on DIPSS-plus Int-2 and high-risk patients for all groups, reflecting the population predominantly selected for treatment on JAKi clinical trials. There was no significant difference in the median overall survival of myelofibrosis patients treated with JAKi (39 months) versus standard therapy (35 months) versus pomalidomide (26 months) (p=0.12) (Figure). The 5-year survival rates were 31%, 33% and 26%, respectively. Similarly, the median overall survival of patients treated with ruxolitinib (35 months), momelotinib (37 months) or fedratinib (42 months) was not significantly different (p=0.4). Baseline DIPSS-plus status (ie, Int-2 vs. high-risk) effectively stratified JAKi treated patients in terms of overall survival (median survival 31 vs. 60 months; p=0.0002). There was no significant difference in leukemia-free survival when comparing JAKi-treated patients versus standard therapy verus pomalidomide-treated patients (p=0.6) (Figure). The estimated 5-year risk of leukemic transformation was 17%, 12% and 13%, respectively. Conclusions With long-term follow up, myelofibrosis patients receiving JAKi therapy exhibited similar overall and leukemia-free survival as compared to two control populations (DIPSS-plus matched standard therapy and pomalidomide-treated patients). Baseline DIPSS-plus status was a powerful predictor of overall survival in JAKi treated patients. While underscoring the limitation of a non-head-to-head retrospective comparison, there was no significant difference in overall or leukemia-free survival when comparing individual JAKi drugs. Disclosures: Pardanani: Bristol Myers Squibb: Clinical trial support Other; Sanofi: Clinical trial support, Publication support services, Clinical trial support, Publication support services Other; PharmaMar: Clinical trial support, Clinical trial support Other; JW Pharmaceutical Corp.: Clinical trial support, Clinical trial support Other. Off Label Use: Use of Ruxolitinib, Momelotinib, Fedratinib and Pomalidomide for treatment of Myelofibrosis in Clinical Trial setting.
Prognostic Correlates and Outcomes of Relapsed T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma: An Analysis of 41 Consecutive Patients

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 3730-3730

10.1182/blood.v126.23.3730.3730

Abstract Background: Acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL)/ lymphoma (T-LBL) are immature T-cell malignancies with very poor outcomes. In patients with relapsed disease, survival is often < 12 months (Marks et al, Blood, 2009). Prognostic correlates and treatment outcomes after relapse remain largely unknown. Aims: To evaluate prognostic correlates and treatment outcomes in patients with relapsed T-ALL/LBL. Methods: After IRB approval, 92 consecutive patients with T-cell ALL/LBL were identified. 41 patients with relapsed disease after achieving a first complete remission (CR1) were included in the study group. Features at the time of relapse were retrospectively abstracted and analyzed. Survival time after relapse was calculated from the time of relapse until death or last follow-up. Conventional methods were used for statistical analysis. Results: A. Baseline characteristics of all patients 92 patients were identified [41 LBL, 51 ALL]. Median age was 33 years (range; 18-88) and 66 (72%) were males. Median follow-up was 25 months (range 0.9-260). 13(14%) received palliative care or were lost to follow-up before treatment initiation. At last follow-up, there were 41 (52%, n = 79) relapses and 42 (46%, n = 92) deaths. Of 79 patients, 71 (90%) achieved a CR1 and 8 (10%) had primary refractory disease. Comparisons between ALL and LBL revealed expected differences in presenting features such as frequency of primary mediastinal mass at presentation in LBL and high leukocyte count in ALL. Significant differences in treatment were seen. Asparaginase-based and ALL-directed therapy were more common in the ALL group (71% vs. 45%, p = 0.009; 88% vs. 71%, p = 0.04). 13 (81%) LBL and 14 (27%) ALL underwent allogeneic SCT. The remaining three in each group underwent autologous SCT in CR1. B. Characteristics of relapsed patients 41 relapsed after achieving CR1 [23 LBL, 18 ALL]. Median time to relapse was 8.0 months (range 2.3-130), with no difference between ALL and LBL groups. Median age was 34 years (range 19-71) and 29 (71%) were males. Median follow-up after relapse was 7.2 months (range 0.3-207). At time of last follow-up, there were 30 (73%) deaths, 25 (61%) achieved a second complete remission (CR2) and 14 (34%) had persistent disease. 12 (48%) had relapse following CR2. 34 (83%) relapsed following CR1 after induction chemotherapy alone. 6 (15%) and 1 (2%) relapsed following allogeneic and autologous SCT respectively. 27 (66%) had BM involvement, 5 (12%) had CNS involvement, 13 (32%) had mediastinal involvement, and 3 (7%) had isolated extramedullary relapse. Ten (43%) patients with LBL relapsed with ALL. Of 27 patients with available data, 9 (33%) had high-risk cytogenetics at relapse, defined as ≥ 5 chromosomal abnormalities and/or markers known to confer an unfavorable prognosis. 16 of these 27 patients had follow-up cytogenetic studies performed, of which 8 (50%) had evidence of clonal evolution. Patients were treated with up to five regimens. 12 (31%) received asparaginase-based therapy and 13 (33%) received nelarabine with CR2 rates of 75% and 25% respectively. Median number of regimens needed to achieve CR2 was one. 18 (46%) went onto SCT following CR2: 14 (allogeneic), 3 (autologous), and 1 (donor lymphocyte infusion). The majority received myeloablative conditioning (92%). C. Outcomes and prognostic correlates for survival after relapse Median survival following relapse was 8.2 months (IQR 4.1-21.3) and did not differ between LBL and ALL. Nine (36%) who achieved CR2 are alive at time of last follow-up. 25 (61%) achieved CR2, but 12 (48%) relapsed following CR2, with median time to second relapse of 7.6 months (IQR 4.7-14). Nine of 18 who underwent SCT following CR2 had disease relapse (8 allogeneic, 1 autologous). Only BM involvement at relapse significantly correlated with post-relapse survival (HR 2.4 [1.1, 5.1], p = 0.03). Clonal evolution, high-risk cytogenetics, nelarabine therapy, achieving CR2, and SCT were not independent predictors of survival in our small subset of patients. Conclusion: Patients with relapsed T-ALL/LBL have dismal outcomes, in spite of advances in therapy with newer agents such as nelarabine and the use of allogeneic SCT. Regardless of T-ALL/LBL subtype, BM involvement at relapse appears to be a significant factor negatively impacting post-relapse survival. Further studies are needed to validate these findings. Disclosures Al-Kali: Celgene: Research Funding. Thompson:Kite Pharma: Research Funding.
Baseline Spleen Size and Mutations Involving ASXL1 and SRSF2 Predict Survival and Treatment Response In JAK Inhibitor Treated Myelofibrosis Patients

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 122 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 4048-4048

10.1182/blood.v122.21.4048.4048

Abstract Background JAK inhibitors (JAKi) currently represent a frontline treatment modality in patients with symptomatic intermediate- or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF). While the efficacy of JAKi in decreasing spleen size and improving disease-related symptoms is well documented, the effect of this drug class on overall survival and risk of leukemic transformation in MF patients is less well understood, primarily due to short follow up in individual patient cohorts. Furthermore, there is scant information on baseline predictors of overall and leukemia-free survival, and also spleen and/or anemia responses, at the onset of JAKi therapy. We conducted a sponsor-independent single-center retrospective review of patients treated with JAKi with long follow up to address the aforementioned issues. Here, we report our findings regarding baseline predictors of clinical outcome and treatment response in MF patients treated with JAKi. Methods Clinical, cytogenetic and molecular data were retrospectively collected on patients treated with one or more JAKi on a clinical trial at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Baseline clinical data pertained to the onset of treatment with the first JAKi. Karyotype information was available for all patients. Screening for JAK2V617F, MPLW515, ASXL1, and SRSF2 mutations was performed as previously described (Leukemia. 2013 Apr 26. doi: 10.1038/leu.2013.119). Spleen size was measured by palpation by clinical investigators. Anemia and spleen responses were adjudicated as per IWG criteria (Tefferi, Blood, 2006). Information on survival and leukemic transformation was updated in July 2013. Results A total of 157 MF patients were studied (60% male; median age 65 years, range 34-89 years). Ninety seven patients (62%) had primary MF, 42 (27%) post-polycythemia vera MF, and 18 (11%) post-essential thrombocythemia MF. The DIPSS-plus distribution was: Low/Int-1 20 (13%), Int-2 66 (42%), and High 71 (45%). Other characteristics were: JAK2V617F positive 78%, unfavorable karyotype 17%, hemoglobin <10 g/dL 58%, leukocyte count >25 x 109/L 31%, platelet count <100 x 109/L 15%, peripheral blasts ≥1% 69%, red blood cell transfusion-dependent 37%, and constitutional symptoms 56%. Forty one patients (38%) were ASXL1 mutated (n=108) and 20 (18%) SRSF2 mutated (n=110). One hundred and thirty nine patients (89%) were evaluable for spleen response (median spleen size by palpation 19 cm, range 6-32 cm) and 91 (58%) for anemia response by IWG criteria. The first JAKi was momelotinib (CYT387) in 79 patients (50%), ruxolitinib in 51 (33%) and fedratinib (SAR302503) in 27 (17%). Median follow up from first JAKi treatment was 30 months (range 1-67 months); during this period, 72 deaths (46%) and 14 (9%) leukemic transformations have been documented. The median overall survival of the entire cohort was 41 months. Multivariable analysis identified the following DIPSS-plus independent predictors for survival: palpable spleen size >20 cm (HR 2.5), ASXL1 mutated status (HR 3.1) and SRSF2 mutated status (HR 3.8) (all p<0.01) (Figure). In contrast, there was no difference in survival with regards to the first JAKi used for MF treatment (p=0.3). Multivariable analysis identified the following predictors for leukemia-free survival: SRSF2 mutated (HR 9.7), unfavorable karyotype (HR 8.7), and palpable spleen size >20 cm (HR 9.1) (all p<0.01). Predictors of spleen response included baseline spleen size (≤20 cm 56%, >20 cm 34%; p=0.01), with borderline significance for ASXL1 mutation status (unmutated 51%, mutated 31%; p=0.06). Predictors of anemia response included RBC transfusion status at baseline (transfusion dependent 38%, transfusion independent 12%; p<0.01) and JAK2V617F status (unmutated 46%, mutated 22%; p=0.02). Conclusions Larger baseline spleen size and ASXL1 and SRSF2 mutated status predicted for inferior overall survival, independent of DIPSS-plus, at the onset of first JAKi treatment in MF patients. Similarly, multivariable analysis identified larger baseline spleen size and presence of unfavorable karyotype and SRSF2 mutations as being predictive for inferior leukemia-free survival. Spleen response rates were significantly superior in patients with smaller baseline spleen size and possibly ASXL1 unmutated status. Anemia response rates were significantly higher in patients who were transfusion-dependent at baseline and had JAK2V617F unmutated status. Disclosures: Pardanani: Bristol Myers Squibb: Clinical trial support Other; Sanofi: Clinical trial support, Publication support services, Clinical trial support, Publication support services Other; PharmaMar: Clinical trial support, Clinical trial support Other; JW Pharmaceutical Corp.: Clinical trial support, Clinical trial support Other. Off Label Use: Use of Ruxolitinib, Momelotinib, Fedratinib and Pomalidomide for treatment of Myelofibrosis in Clinical Trial setting.
Extracorporeal Photophoresis (ECP) For Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGVHD): A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 122 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 5472-5472

10.1182/blood.v122.21.5472.5472

Abstract Introduction Steroid refractory chronic graft-versus-host-disease (SR-cGVHD) is the leading cause of late morbidity and mortality in allogeneic transplant patients. Safety of extracorporeal photophoresis (ECP) has led to multiple studies evaluating its role in SR-cGVHD. Overall and organ specific response rates (RR) of SR-cGVHD have varied significantly between studies. We conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of ECP in SR-cGVHD. Methods A comprehensive search of several databases (Ovid Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central register of Controlled Trials,, Scopus) for articles published in any language between 1984-2012 was conducted. Unpublished studies using electronic databases from the annual meetings abstracts of hematology/transplant societies were searched. Experts in the field were also contacted for selection of studies and missing data from selected trials. End points included complete response rate (CR), overall RR (ORR), and organ-specific RR's. Results Initial search generated 312 studies, out of which 18 studies (4 prospective) met selection criteria (N=595). Random effects model was used for pooled rates. Pooled CR rate (11 studies) was 29% (CI 19%-42%). Pooled ORR (16 studies) was 64% (CI 65-82%). 1 year overall survival was 49% (CI 29-70%). There was significant heterogeneity between studies (I²=72) likely due to differences in ECP schedules utilized, and a variety of scales used to measure outcomes. Pooled RR's for SR-cGVHD of skin was 74% (CI 60-85%), liver was 68% (CI 57-77%), ocular was 60% (CI 40-78%), oral was 72% (CI 51-86%), lung was 48% (CI 33-63%), gastrointestinal (GI) was 53% (CI 21-83%), and musculoskeletal (MSK) was 64% (CI 18-94%). No significant differences in responses to ECP for pediatric and adult populations were found. Sensitivity analysis could not be done due to limited number of prospective studies. Conclusions ECP is an effective therapy for oral, skin & liver SR-cGVHD, with modest activity in lung and GI SR-cGVHD. Further studies must report standardized outcomes with a uniform schedule of ECP. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.