Citations 935

Tagraxofusp (SL-401) in Patients with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML): Updated Results of an Ongoing Phase 1/2 Trial

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 538-538

10.1182/blood-2021-147827

Abstract Introduction CMML is a clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorder with overlapping features of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Current therapeutic options for patients (pts) with CMML are limited, leaving a significant unmet medical need. Pts classified to have the MPN subtype, compared with the MDS subtype, and those with high-risk genetic features tend to have a higher rate of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and median survival of 2-3 years. The seminal observation of increased expression of CD123 (interleukin-3Rα) on leukemia stem cells and clonal plasmacytoid dendritic cells led to the clinical investigation of a novel CD123-targeted agent, tagraxofusp (TAG, SL-401), in CD123-positive hematologic malignancies, including blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), CMML, AML, and myelofibrosis. TAG demonstrated robust clinical activity in pts with BPDCN and is now approved in the US and EU for this indication. Data from an ongoing phase 1/2 study of TAG monotherapy for pts with relapsed/refractory (R/R) CMML (NCT02268253) also demonstrated clinical activity (Patnaik et al. J Clin Oncol 2019;37: abstr 7059). Herein, we present updated safety and efficacy results of this study in first-line (1L) high-risk and R/R pts. Methods A multicenter, multistage, phase 1/2 trial was designed initially to assess the safety and efficacy of TAG monotherapy in adult pts with R/R CMML (Stages 1 and 2), and subsequently expanded to include 1L high-risk and R/R pts (Stage 3A). Clinical responses were initially assessed by the International Working Group/MDS 2006 criteria, and subsequently amended to the MDS/MPN 2015 criteria. Splenomegaly was assessed by palpation in Stages 1 and 2, and by palpation and imaging in Stage 3A. TAG was administered as a daily IV infusion at 7, 9, or 12 mcg/kg on days (d)1-3 every 21 d (cycles [C]1-4), 28 d (C5-7), and 42 d (C8 and beyond) in Stage 1, and at 12 mcg/kg (recommended phase 2 dose defined in Stage 1) every 21 d (C1-4) and 28 d (C5 and beyond) in Stages 2-3A. Results As of July 2021, 36 pts have been enrolled, comprising 20 pts with CMML-1 and 16 with CMML-2; median age is 69 years (range 42-81); 75% are male. Twenty-three (64%) pts had either high- or intermediate-risk genetics based on CPSS, GFM, MMM, or ELN risk-stratification systems. Prior therapies included HMA in 16 (43%) pts, allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) in 3 (8%), and other in 12 (32%); 7 (19%) pts were high-risk and treatment naive. Overall, 16 (44%) pts had baseline palpable splenomegaly, of whom 12 pts' spleen size was ≥5 cm below left costal margin. The most common (in ≥20% of pts, n=34) treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were hypoalbuminemia (26%), thrombocytopenia (24%), nausea (24%), and capillary leak syndrome (CLS, 21%; grade 2, n=4; grade 3, n=3). Grade ≥3 TRAEs were thrombocytopenia (21%), CLS (9%), anemia (9%), and nausea (3%). Discontinuation rate due to TRAEs was low (n=1). Overall, 4 of 36 (11%) pts achieved bone marrow morphologic complete responses (BMCRs), of whom 1 pt was bridged to allo-SCT; all 4 pts had splenomegaly at baseline. Noteworthy, 2 of the 4 BMCRs were observed in pts with high-risk genetic features. Fifteen (42%) pts with baseline splenomegaly had spleen responses; 9 (60%) pts had a ≥50% reduction in spleen size, including 5 (42%) with splenomegaly ≥5 cm at baseline. Median follow-up was 11 weeks (range 1-163 weeks). In the Stage 3A cohort, 2 high-risk 1L pts had BM partial remissions, with 1 also having clinical benefit. Three pts had a spleen volume reduction by MRI scans following C1 (range 7%-36%) and 1 pt had a reduction of 57% after C4. While on study, none of the 7 pts (2 transfusion dependent at baseline) have required blood or platelet transfusions. Updated results on Stage 3A, including total symptom scores, will be presented. Conclusions Ongoing results in pts with CMML demonstrate TAG monotherapy has significant clinical activity in 1L pts with high-risk disease as well as those with R/R disease. The responses were particularly notable in those with baseline splenomegaly. As Stage 3A of the trial continues, mutational correlates and BM PDCs are being assessed. TAG treatment is well-tolerated, with a manageable and predictable safety profile. Overall, the data suggest that TAG may offer a novel targeted approach for pts with CMML. Stage 3A of the trial continues. Disclosures Patnaik: Kura Oncology: Research Funding; Stemline Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Stemline Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ali: BMS: Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; CTI BioPharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Wang: Kite Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory Board; Mana Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory Board; BMS/Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Stemline Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory board, Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; DAVA Oncology: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory board; Kura Oncology: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory board, steering committee, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory Board, Speakers Bureau; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory Board; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory Board; Astellas: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Rafael Pharmaceuticals: Other: Data safety monitoring committee; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory board; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory board; PTC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory board; Genentech: Consultancy; MacroGenics: Consultancy. Yacoub: Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; CTI Biopharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; ACCELERON PHARMA: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Dynavex: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Cara: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Ardelyx: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Hylapharm: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Gupta: Pfizer: Consultancy; BMS-Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sierra Oncology: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Constellation Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy. Lee: AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Innate: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pin Therapeutics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Schiller: Kite/Gilead: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Agios: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; FujiFilm: Research Funding; PrECOG: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Research Funding; Sangamo: Research Funding; Tolero: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Geron: Research Funding; Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Research Funding; Constellation Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Trovagene: Research Funding; Actuate: Research Funding; BMS/Celgene: Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Regimmune: Research Funding; Delta-Fly: Research Funding; Genentech-Roche: Research Funding; Gamida Cell Ltd.: Research Funding; Astellas: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celator: Research Funding; Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding; Arog: Research Funding; Forma: Research Funding; Samus: Research Funding; Deciphera: Research Funding; Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Elevate: Research Funding; Bio: Research Funding; Ono-UK: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Mateon: Research Funding; Pfizer: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pharma: Consultancy; Johnson & Johnson: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Biomed Valley Discoveries: Research Funding; Eli Lilly: Research Funding; ASH foundation: Other: Chair-unpaid; Sellas: Research Funding; Ono: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; Ariad: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Kaiser Permanente: Consultancy; Cyclacel: Research Funding; MedImmune: Research Funding; Ambit: Research Funding; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Research Funding; Bluebird Bio: Research Funding; Boehringer-Ingleheim: Research Funding; Cellerant: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Kura Oncology: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Research Funding; National Marrow Donor Program: Research Funding; NIH: Research Funding; Onyx: Research Funding; Pharmamar: Research Funding; UC Davis: Research Funding; UCSD: Research Funding; Evidera: Consultancy; NCI: Consultancy; Novartis: Speakers Bureau. Foran: takeda: Research Funding; taiho: Honoraria; syros: Honoraria; boehringer ingelheim: Research Funding; trillium: Research Funding; abbvie: Research Funding; aptose: Research Funding; actinium: Research Funding; kura: Research Funding; sanofi aventis: Honoraria; gamida: Honoraria; certara: Honoraria; servier: Honoraria; revolution medicine: Honoraria; bms: Honoraria; pfizer: Honoraria; novartis: Honoraria; OncLive: Honoraria; h3bioscience: Research Funding; aprea: Research Funding; sellas: Research Funding; stemline: Research Funding. Brooks: Stemline Therapeutics: Current Employment. Mughal: Oxford University Press, Informa: Other: financial benefit and/or patents ; Stemline: Current Employment, Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company. Pemmaraju: Cellectis S.A. ADR: Other, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.: Other, Research Funding; HemOnc Times/Oncology Times: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CareDx, Inc.: Consultancy; Aptitude Health: Consultancy; ASH Communications Committee: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; ASCO Leukemia Advisory Panel: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Springer Science + Business Media: Other; Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.: Consultancy; Sager Strong Foundation: Other; Dan's House of Hope: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; ImmunoGen, Inc: Consultancy; Samus: Other, Research Funding; Plexxicon: Other, Research Funding; Blueprint Medicines: Consultancy; Clearview Healthcare Partners: Consultancy; DAVA Oncology: Consultancy; Roche Diagnostics: Consultancy; MustangBio: Consultancy, Other; Abbvie Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other, Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy; Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other, Research Funding; LFB Biotechnologies: Consultancy; Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Other: Research Support, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy; Affymetrix: Consultancy, Research Funding; Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.: Consultancy; Pacylex Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy.
Cytogenetics in Essential Thrombocythemia: Phenotype and Molecular Correlates and Prognostic Relevance in 818 Informative Cases

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3629-3629

10.1182/blood-2021-152549

Abstract Background Cytogenetic abnormalities at diagnosis are relatively uncommon in essential thrombocythemia (ET). In the current study of 818 consecutive patients with ET who were fully annotated for karyotype, we describe the spectrum and prevalence of cytogenetic abnormalities at diagnosis, followed by a comprehensive assessment of phenotypic and molecular correlates and prognostic relevance. Methods The study cohort consisted of 818 consecutive patients with ET that were diagnosed according to the World health Organization 2016 criteria and underwent evaluation between 1967-2021. In order to minimize the inadvertent inclusion of patients with masked polycythemia vera, JAK2 mutated cases with hemoglobin (Hb) level >16 g/dL in women and 16.5 g/dL in men were excluded; similarly, cases with anemia defined by sex adjusted Hb level of <11 g/dL in women and <12.5 g/dL in men were also excluded, in order to avoid inadvertent inclusion of patients with prefibrotic myelofibrosis. Cytogenetic studies were performed either at or within one year of diagnosis and reported according to the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature. Disease status and survival information was updated in May 2021. JMP Pro 16.0.0 software package, SAS Institute, Cary, NC was utilized for all analyses. Results Prevalence and spectrum of cytogenetic abnormalities Karyotype was normal in 755 patients (92%), showed loss of Y chromosome (-Y) in 16 (2%), and showed abnormalities other than -Y in 47 (5.7%); most common abnormalities included del(20q) (n=10, 21%), trisomy 9 (n=8, 17%), trisomy 8 (n=2, 4%), del(5q) (n=2, 4%), and del(3p) (n=2, 4%). Other sole cytogenetic abnormalities were identified in 18 (38%) patients. Phenotypic and molecular correlates Abnormal karyotype, other than -Y, in comparison with normal karyotype was associated with older age (median age; 63 vs 58 years, p=0.02), lower hemoglobin level (p=0.003), and a higher incidence of arterial thrombosis prior to/at diagnosis (25% vs 13%; p=0.03). 603 patients were annotated for driver mutations; abnormal/normal/-Y frequencies were 78%/60%/71% for JAK2, 22%/26%/14% CALR, 0%/3%/0% MPL and 0%/10% /14% triple negative (p=0.31). NGS information was available in 226 patients and showed absence of ASXL1 mutation in all patients with abnormal karyotype vs 8/211 (4%) with normal karyotype vs 2/4 (50%) with -Y (p<0.0001). Disease transformation and overall-survival. At a median follow-up of 9.6 years (range; 0.01-49.4 years), a total of 96 patients (12%) underwent fibrotic transformation: 6 (13%) with abnormal karyotype, 89 (12%) with normal karyotype and 1 (6%) with -Y (p=0.77). Leukemic transformation rates were also similar with respective frequencies of 4%, 3% and 0% (p=0.71). Abnormal karyotype and -Y were associated with inferior survival with median of 12 years (range; 0.1-34) and 9 years (range; 0.01- 19.9), respectively, compared to 21 years (range; 0.01-49.4) for normal karyotype (p<0.0001) (Figure). In univariate analysis, risk factors for overall survival included abnormal karyotype (p=0.001), - Y (p=0.004), age >60 years (p<0.0001), leukocytosis >11 x10 9/L (p<0.0001), male gender (p=0.0003), and history of thrombosis (p=0.001). During multivariable analysis, abnormal karyotype other than -Y (p=0.003), age >60 years (p<0.0001), leukocytosis >11 x10 9/L (p=0.001), and male gender (p=0.01) remained significant. Additional analysis suggested individual prognostic impact for del(20q) (p=0.04) and also for trisomy 9 (p=0.09) and other abnormalities (p=0.07), with borderline significance. Conclusion The current study confirms the association of abnormal karyotype in ET with older age, lower hemoglobin level, and history of arterial thrombosis, and its mutual exclusivity with ASXL1 mutations. Our observation regarding the independent adverse impact of abnormal karyotype other than -Y, on overall survival, in the absence of association with fibrotic or leukemic transformation, requires clarification from additional studies, which should also investigate the effect of specific abnormalities. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Szuber: Novartis: Honoraria.
Cladribine Therapy for Advanced and Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis: Mayo Clinic Experience in 42 Consecutive Cases

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3657-3657

10.1182/blood-2021-151009

Abstract Background Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is formally classified as advanced, smoldering (SSM), or indolent (ISM). Advanced SM indicates the presence of an associated non-mast cell lineage hematologic neoplasm (SM-AHN) or at least one "C finding" (i.e. features of organopathy from mast cell infiltration); the latter defines aggressive SM (ASM). Both advanced SM and ISM might be associated with MC mediator symptoms (MC-MSs) or urticaria pigmentosa (UP). Current drug therapy for SM is primarily directed at reversing C findings or alleviating symptoms/UP, and includes cladribine, midostaurin, and avapritinib. The former has a long track-record of safety while the latter two are recent additions that target the associated KIT mutation, but with concerning gastrointestinal and neurological side effects. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with cladribine therapy in SM, in order to maintain a proper perspective in making treatment choices. Methods The current study includes 42 patients with SM (22 advanced and 20 indolent/smoldering), recruited from the Mayo Clinic SM database, based on documentation of treatment with cladribine. Conventional criteria were used for diagnosis and classification (Blood 2016;127:2391) and definitions of response (Eur J Clin Invest. 2007 Jun;37(6):435); in the latter regard, we utilized modified Valent criteria that incorporated a minimum of one-month duration to qualify as response. Results Advanced SM: 22 patients (median age 65 years, range 48-80; males 68%) had advanced SM, including 13 SM-AHN, 8 ASM, and 1 mast cell leukemia. Median (range) BM MC burden was 30% (10%-90%), serum tryptase 193 ng/ml (21-1370), hemoglobin 10.6 g/dL (7-15), leukocytes 6 x 10(9)/L (0.5-63), and platelets 115 x 10(9)/L (8-320). KITD816V was detected in 86% of 19 evaluated and abnormal karyotype in 14% of 21 evaluated. 50% of patients had palpable hepatomegaly, 59% palpable splenomegaly, 100% MC-MSs, and 14% UP; 87% displayed at least one C finding. Median time from BM biopsy confirmed diagnosis to initiation of cladribine therapy was 1.5 months (range 0.1-17). 55% of patients received at least 3 cycles of treatment. Overall response (OR) was documented in 17 (77%) patients with similar OR rates in ASM (88%) vs SM-AHN (69%; p=0.32), with median time to response of 3.7 months (range 0.4-9). OR included 45% major response (MR) and 32% partial response (PR). 17 patients were evaluated for BM MC response with 44% showing >50% reduction, in MCs, including 19% with complete resolution. Organomegaly response was complete in 36% and partial in 27%. Tryptase response of >50% was documented in 32%. Cladribine side effects were limited to cytopenias with 36% showing grade 3 or 4 myeloid cytopenia. Median duration of response was 6 months (range 1-67). Six patients, including 5 with SM-AHN, progressed to either AML or MCL. Among the 5 patients who did not respond to cladribine, one with ASM was successfully treated with midostaurin. Indolent or smoldering SM: 20 patients (median age 56 years, range 36-73; males 45%) had ISM (n=17) or SSM (n=3). Median (range) BM MC burden was 13% (5%-60%) and serum tryptase level 49 ng/ml (14-1630). KITD816V was detected in 95% of 19 evaluated patients and abnormal karyotype in 12% of 17 evaluated. All patients displayed MC-MSs and 46% UP. Median time from BM biopsy confirmed diagnosis to initiation of cladribine therapy was 4 months (range 0-92). 85% of patients received at least 3 cycles of cladribine therapy. OR was documented in 14 (70%) patients, including 60% complete or major regression of symptoms or UP, with median time to maximal response of 8.5 months (range 1-98); response rates in patients with UP were similar with 57% complete or major regression; 10 patients were evaluable for BM MC response with 50% showing >50% reduction in MC burden. Serum tryptase response was evaluated in 13 patients with 46% showing >50% reduction in levels. Treatment-emergent cladribine side effects were limited to cytopenias with only 3 (15%) patients experiencing grade 3 or 4 myeloid cytopenia and (n=3; 15%) and 6 (30%) experiencing grade 3 or 4 lymphopenia. Conclusions: The current study confirms the favorable side effect profile and long-term safety of cladribine as a first-line drug of choice for both indolent and advanced SM. Response to cladribine therapy was evident in all aspects of the disease, including MC-associated organopathy, UP, MC-MSs, serum tryptase level and bone marrow MC burden. Disclosures Patnaik: StemLine: Research Funding; Kura Oncology: Research Funding. Al-Kali: Novartis: Research Funding; Astex: Other: Research support to institution.
Deciphering the Individual Contribution of Absolute Neutrophil, Lymphocyte and Monocyte Counts to Thrombosis Risk in Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3651-3651

10.1182/blood-2021-149207

Abstract Background In addition to its influence on survival, leukocytosis in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) has also been implicated as a risk factor for thrombosis, including venous thrombosis in PV (Blood Cancer J, 2017;7:662) and arterial thrombosis in ET (Blood. 2011;117:5857). In the current study, we sought to clarify the individual prognostic contribution of absolute neutrophil (ANC), lymphocyte (ALC) and monocyte (AMC) counts, for arterial and venous thrombotic events in essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV). Methods The current study included 487 patients with ET (n=349) or PV (n=138), recruited from the Mayo Clinic MPN database, based on availability of information on ANC, ALC and AMC. Conventional criteria were used for diagnosis (Blood 2016;127:2391) and definitions of major vascular events (Blood Cancer J. 2018;8:25). Conventional statistical models were applied using JMP Pro 14.0.0 software package, SAS Institute, Cary, NC. Multivariable analyses included previously established risk factors for arterial or venous thrombosis. Results Essential thrombocythemia patients: 349 patients (median age 57 years, range 18-89; females 61%) with ET were included in the study: 46% JAK2, 34% CALR, 16% triple-negative and 4% MPL mutated; IPSET risk category high 24%, intermediate 41%, and low 35%; presenting median (range) values were 13.8 g/dL (11.1-16.4) for hemoglobin, 8.2 x 10(9)/L (3.2-52) for leukocyte count, and 859 x 10(9)/L (451-3460) for platelet count; palpable splenomegaly was present in 48 (14%) patients and cardiovascular risk factors in 56%; median follow-up was 10 years (range 0-47). There were 38 (11%) documented venous events at diagnosis and 31 (9%) after diagnosis and 42 (12%) arterial events at diagnosis and 64 (18%) after diagnosis. Polycythemia vera patients: 138 patients (median age 62 years, range 20-94; females 50%) with PV were included in the study; presenting median (range) values were 17.9 g/dL (16.1-24) for hemoglobin, 11.8 x 10(9)/L (2.7-65.8) for leukocyte count, and 434 x 10(9)/L (44-1679) for platelet count; 57% of patients presented with leukocytosis >11 x 10(9)/L; palpable splenomegaly was present in 37 (27%) patients; abnormal karyotype was documented in 17% of patients. Median follow-up was 11 years (range 0.03-36.7). There were 22 (16%) documented venous events at diagnosis and 21 (16%) after diagnosis and 28 (20%) arterial events at diagnosis and 15 (11%) after diagnosis. ANC/ALC/AMC associations with thrombosis in ET and PV: In both ET and PV, ANC/ALC/AMC did not correlate with arterial thrombosis at/prior to diagnosis (p>0.1 in all instances). By contrast, in both ET and PV, higher ANC (p=0.05 and 0.04, respectively) and higher AMC (p=0.005 and 0.07), but not ALC (p=0.6 and 0.7), were correlated with venous thrombosis at/prior to diagnosis. Arterial thrombosis-free survival was not affected by ANC/ALC/AMC in either ET or PV (p>0.1 in all instances). By contrast, venous thrombosis-free survival in both ET and PV was compromised by higher ANC (p=0.05 and 0.003, respectively), but not ALC or AMC. The significant association between higher ANC and inferior venous thrombosis-free survival in both ET (p=0.01) and PV (p=0.007) was sustained during multivariable analysis that included history of venous thrombosis, age and sex; the only other variable of significance was older age in ET (p<0.001). The significant association between ANC and venous thrombosis-free survival was also noted in an external cohort of PV patients from the University of Florence (n=576). Conclusions: The current study identifies ANC as having a direct correlation with venous thrombosis in both ET and PV, independent of currently known risk factors. An additional risk contribution from AMC was apparent for events occuring at or prior to but not after diagnosis. Taken together, these observations flag both neutrophils and monocytes as potential contributors to venous but not arterial thrombosis in MPN, at least not by themselves. Additional collaborative studies are ongoing in order to integrate and reconcile our observations in the context of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (Carobbio et al) and JAK2V617F allele burden (Loscocco et al), on venous thrombosis-free survival in PV, reported in concomitantly submitted ASH 2021 abstracts, especially in light of the relatively small number of events in the current study. Disclosures Barbui: Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AOP Orphan: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Vannucchi: AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte Corporation: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
The 1.5 Million Platelet Count Threshold in Essential Thrombocythemia: Phenotype and Genotype Correlates and Relevance to Vascular Events

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3630-3630

10.1182/blood-2021-149223

Abstract Background Current NCCN and ELN guidelines lack supporting evidence in regards to initiation of cytoreductive therapy in essential thrombocythemia (ET) with extreme thrombocytosis (ExT) ≥1500 x 10 9/L (NCCN guidelines: myeloproliferative neoplasms, version 2. 2019, Barbui, Leukemia, 2018).; we sought to determine prevalence and establish phenotype and genotype correlates for ET with ExT and assess its impact on thrombotic and bleeding events, in the context of aspirin therapy or cytoreduction. Methods 1,249 WHO-defined ET patients evaluated over five decades (1967-2021) were retrospectively recruited from the Mayo Clinic. Conventional criteria were used to define major arterial and venous thrombosis and major hemorrhage. Conventional statistical methods were applied using JMP Pro 14.0.0 software package, SAS Institute, Cary, NC. Results i) Phenotype and genotype correlates Among 1,249 consecutive patients with ET, 104 (8%) displayed Ext ≥1500 x 10 9/L, at time of initial diagnosis; these patients were characterized by younger age (median 47 vs 59 years; p<0.001) female gender (80% vs 62%; p<0.001), CALR mutation (39% vs 25%; p=0.004), lower hemoglobin (median 13.1 vs 13.7 g/dl; p<0.0001), leukocytosis ≥11 x 10 9/l (42% vs 23%; p<0.0001), and palpable splenomegaly (22% vs 14%; 0.03); multivariable analysis confirmed associations with age, anemia, leukocytosis, and CALR mutation. Acquired von Willebrand syndrome was reported in 4/9 (44%) vs 27/78 (35%) tested patients, with or without Ext ≥1500 x 10 9/L, respectively (p=0.57); however, comparison using platelet ≥1000 x 10 9/L resulted in near-signficant difference (46% vs 29%; p=0.11). NGS was performed in 297 patients and showed a non-sigificant association with U2AF1 mutations (5% vs 0.4%; p=0.11). ExT ≥1500 x 10 9/L was present in 25/986 (3%), 42/891 (5%), and 15/558 (3%) in the validation cohort; the limited number of cases precluded comparative analyses. ii )Correlation with vascular events at/prior to diagnosis Arterial or venous thrombosis at/prior to diagnosis occurred in 190 (15%) and 111 (9%) patients, respectively, and major hemorrage in 50 (4%). Ext ≥1500 x 10 9/L was associated with major hemorrhage (HR 2.9; 1.3-6.3), but not with arterial (p=0.15) or venous (p=0.41) thrombotic events, at/prior to diagnosis. Instead, multivariable analysis for events at/prior to diagnosis identified male gender (p=0.02), JAK2 mutation (p=0.01), and cardiovascular risk factors (p=0.001) as risk factors for arterial thrombosis and JAK2 mutation (HR 2.8; 1.4-5.7) as a risk factor for venous thrombosis. iii ) Correlation with vascular events after diagnosis At median follow-up of 10 years, arterial or venous thrombosis occurred in 222 (18%) and 97 (8%) patients, respectively, and major hemorrage in 128 (11%). Ext ≥1500 x 10 9/L at diagnosis was not associated with arterial (p=0.35) or venous (p=0.23) thrombosis-free survival or hemorrhage-free survival (p=0.24). Instead, multivariable analysis identified age >60 years, presence of cardiovascular risk factors, and history of arterial thrombosis, as risk factors for arterial thrombosis-free survival; and male gender and history of venous thrombosis as risk factors for venous thrombosis-free survival; and age >60 years and leukocytosis of ≥11 x 10 9/L as risk factors for hemorrhage-free survival. In addition, aspirin therapy was idependently protective of venous thrombosis (HR 0.5; 0.2-0.9), and also of arterial thrombosis, in univariate analysis (HR 0.6; 0.3-0.9), without being associated with an increased risk of major hemorrhage (p=0.64); by contrast, beneficial effect from cytoreductive therapy was not evident for either arterial (p=0.37) or venous (p=0.77) thrombosis. In low-risk patients with Ext ≥1500 x 10 9/L, both aspirin and cytoreductive therapy were protective of venous events (Figure 1), without affecting hemorrhage-free survival. Conclusion ExT ≥1500 x 10 9/L in ET was associated with major hemorrhage at diagnosis but did not affect thrombosis-free or hemorrhage-free survival. Initial therapy with aspirin and/or cytoreductive therapy was protective of venous events in ET patients with ExT ≥1500 x 10 9/L, including those with low-risk disease, without enhancing the risk of hemorrhage. The limited number of informative cases with ExT in the validation cohort, underscore the foreseeable challenges associated with controlled studies. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Szuber: Novartis: Honoraria. Vannucchi: AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte Corporation: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Barbui: AOP Orphan: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.
Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Thirty-Three Patients with Myeloid Neoplasms and DDX41 Mutation: Mayo Clinic Experience

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3691-3691

10.1182/blood-2021-144400

Abstract Background: The DEAD-box helicase 41 (DDX41), an RNA helicase, have been described as a component of the RNA spliceosome (Cheah et al. International Journal of Hematology 2017). Although DDX41 mutations predispose to late-onset higher grade myeloid neoplasms (MN), these patients may have a trend toward favorable prognosis and outcomes. In this work, we describe the clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of isolated and co-mutated DDX41 patients (pts). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 4,524 consecutive pts who underwent next-generation sequencing (NGS) (OncoHeme 42 genes panel, Mayo Clinic) testing and included 32 pts harboring pathogenic DDX41 mutation and one pt with proven DDX41 germline variant of unknown significance (VUS). Chart review of DDX41-mutated (m) cases between 2009 and 2021 was conducted after IRB approval. We compared overall survival (OS) of unmatched 27 t(8;21)AML and 40 inv(16) AML pts with 10 m DDX41-AML pts. JMP® Pro 14.1.0 Software was used for statistical analysis. Results: DDX41 mutations characteristics: Our cohort included 19 (58%) myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), 10 (30%) acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), 2 (6%) myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), one clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS) (3%) and one (3%) germline carrier. Germline testing was carried out in 10 pts, 9 of whom (90%) were confirmed to be germline). The start-loss variant (p.M1I) was the most common mutation type (N=10, 31%). Other types were frameshift (N=9, 28%), missense mutation (N=8, 25%), nonsense (N=3, 9%), and splice site mutation (N=2, 2%). Twenty-one (65.6%) DDX41 mutations clustered in the N-terminus (NT), 7 (22%) in the helicase-C domain (HCD), and 4 (12.5%) in the DEAD-box domain. Compared to NT mutations, patients with HCD mutation had no family history of solid tumors and were more likely to have an accompanying additional DDX41-VUS (0% vs 70%; p=.001) and (N=6, 86% vs. N=2,10%; p=.0001); respectively. I solated vs. co-mutated DDX41: Twenty (60%) pts were isolated-DDX41 and 13 (40%) were co-mutated. The median DDX41-VAF was 48% vs. 45% (p= .2) in the isolated compared to the co-mutated cases, respectively. The median number of co-mutations in the 13 co-mutated cases was 1 (range,1-3) with DNMT3A (38%), ASXL1 (30%), JAK2 (N=3, 23%), and EZH2 (N=2, 15%) were the most common co-mutations detected. Isolated DDX41 had more males (85% vs. 54%, p=.05), the p.M1I variant (47% vs. 8%, p=.02), normal cytogenetics (100% vs. 91%, p= .02), and less family history of solid tumors (77% vs. 33%, p= .02) compared to their co-mutated counterparts. However, there was no difference in OS (p=.99). Comparison of clinical characteristics and hematological features of isolated and co-mutated DDX41 pts are reported in (Table 1). Treatment and survival outcomes in DDX41-MDS/AML : Twenty-three (80%) patients were treated, MDS pts received hypomethylating agents (HMA) (N=10, 71%), HMA plus Venetoclax (HMA+VEN) (N=1, 7%), erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (N=2, 14%) and lenalidomide (N=1 ,7%). AML pts were treated with induction chemotherapy (N=6, 67%) and HMA+VEN (N=3, 33%). Overall response rate of MDS/AML patients was 77% and 100% of AML pts achieved complete remission (CR) when treated with induction chemotherapy or HMA+VEN regimen. There was no significant difference in OS between responders vs. non-responders 2-yr-OS (90% vs. 50%; p=.38) and treated vs. untreated 2-yr-OS (83% vs. 100%; p=.52). Comparing m DDX41-AML vs. core binding factor-AML: After a median follow-up of 33.3 months, all m DDX41-AML patients were alive. There was a significantly better OS in mDDX41-AML patients compared to pts with t(8;21) AML with 2-yr-OS (100% vs. 51%; p=.024) and a trend of better survival when compared to inv(16) AML 2-yr-OS (100% vs. 84%; p=.2). Conclusion We describe the characteristics and outcomes of m DDX41 patients. We demonstrated that isolated and co-mutated m DDX41 patients have different features. Isolated DDX41 patients had male predominance, more p.M1I variant, normal cytogenetics and less family history of solid tumors. In this study we found that m DDX41 AML has high response to treatment and has comparable (if not possibly better) OS compared to other "favorable risk" AML. This study, although limited by the small number of patients, supports the universal testing for DDX41 mutation in adults with MN diagnosis. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Al-Kali: Astex: Other: Research support to institution; Novartis: Research Funding. Foran: abbvie: Research Funding; OncLive: Honoraria; boehringer ingelheim: Research Funding; trillium: Research Funding; pfizer: Honoraria; takeda: Research Funding; revolution medicine: Honoraria; bms: Honoraria; gamida: Honoraria; actinium: Research Funding; aptose: Research Funding; novartis: Honoraria; servier: Honoraria; taiho: Honoraria; syros: Honoraria; sanofi aventis: Honoraria; certara: Honoraria; kura: Research Funding; h3bioscience: Research Funding; aprea: Research Funding; sellas: Research Funding; stemline: Research Funding. Badar: Pfizer Hematology-Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Salama: Mayo Clinic: Current Employment, Other: Mayo Clinic had the contractual work for the central pathology review for this study and I was one of the reviewing pathologists; Constellation Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Litzow: Astellas: Research Funding; Biosight: Other: Data monitoring committee; Amgen: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Actinium: Research Funding; Pluristem: Research Funding; Jazz: Other: Advisory Board; Omeros: Other: Advisory Board. Patnaik: Stemline Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kura Oncology: Research Funding; Stemline Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Differential Prognostic Impact of IDH1 and IDH2 Mutations in Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3684-3684

10.1182/blood-2021-150786

Abstract Introduction: Mutations involving isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 (IDH) are known oncogenic drivers in hematological malignancies, conferring neomorphic enzymatic activity to IDH 1/2, resulting in the oncometabolite, 2-hydroxyglutarae (2-HG). 2-HG in turn suppresses TET activity, making IDH and TET2 mutations synthetically lethal and almost mutually exclusive. The frequency of IDH mutations in CMML is <10% and their prognostic impact remains unclear. We carried out this study in a large database of molecularly annotated CMML patients to better define the clinical profile and prognostic impact of these mutations. Methods: After IRB approval, CMML patients from the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota and the Moffitt Cancer Center (MCC), Tampa, Florida, were included in the study. All patients had bone marrow (BM) biopsies with cytogenetics and molecular genetics done either at diagnosis, or at first referral. Clinical and mutational data were abstracted and retrospectively analyzed. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from date of CMML diagnosis to date of death/last follow, while AML-free survival (AML-FS) was calculated from date of CMML diagnosis to date of leukemic transformation (LT). Patients that had undergone allogeneic HCT were excluded from the study (n=3). Statistical analysis was carried out using the Blue Sky software. Results: Six hundred and forty four patients were included in the study (Mayo Clinic-357, MCC- 287), median age 71 years (range, 20-95 years), 67.8% being male. Forty-three (6.7%) patients had IDH mutations, 35 (82%) IDH2 and 8 (18%) IDH1; of which, 34 (97%) involved the IDH2R140 hotspot and 5 (62.5%) involved the IDH1R132 hotspot, respectively. The median variant allele fractions (VAF) for IDH1 mutations was 41% (range, 8-46%) and for IDH2 mutations was 46% (range, 7-70%). There were no significant demographic or clinical differences between IDH mutant and wild type CMML patients, with the exception that IDH mutant CMML patients were less likely to be thrombocytopenic (p=0.006), were less likely to have TET2 co-mutations (14% vs 53.2%; p<0.001) and were more likely to have SRSF2 co-mutations (69.8% VS 40.3%; p<0.001). Importantly there were no differences in proliferative or dysplastic subtypes (p=0.3), cytogenetic (p=0.12) and molecular risk stratifications (p=045). There were also no significant demographic or clinical differences between IDH1 vs IDH2 mutant CMML patients. Six (14%) IDH mutant CMML patients had TET2 co-mutations; 5 (83%) with IDH2R140Q (median VAF-28%;all male) and 1 (17%) with IDH1R132H (VAF-44%;female) (Figure 1). Five (11%) IDH2 mutant patients were treated with enasidenib (IDH2 inhibitor), none with a durable response, while none of the IDH1 mutant patients received targeted therapy. At last follow up (median 18 months), 337 (52%) deaths and 119 (18.5%) LT have been documented, with IDH mutant patients having a higher LT rate (30.2% vs 17.6%, p=0.04) compared to wildtype patients. The median OS of the entire cohort was 35 months, with no difference in OS between IDH mutant and wild type patients (34.5 vs 35 months, p=0.12), with IDH1 mutant patients having a shorter OS in comparison to IDH2 mutant patients (31 vs 37 months; p=0.005- Figure 1). IDH mutant CMML patients also had a shorter AML-FS in comparison to wild type patients (36.6 vs 210 months, p=0.005), with there being no differential impact on AML-FS of IDH1 vs IDH2 mutations (p=0.26, Figure 1). Conclusions: IDH mutations are infrequent in CMML (7%), with IDH2 mutations being more common than IDH1 mutations (80 vs 20%). IDH mutations co-occur very infrequently with TET2 mutations (14%), with IDH mutant patients being less likely to have thrombocytopenia and more likely to have SRSF2 co-mutations. IDH mutations negatively impacting AML-FS without a significant impact on OS. Prospective clinical trials testing the safety and efficacy of IDH1/2 inhibitors in CMML are much needed. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Komrokji: AbbVie: Consultancy; PharmaEssentia: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Taiho Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Acceleron: Consultancy; BMSCelgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Geron: Consultancy. Al-Kali: Novartis: Research Funding; Astex: Other: Research support to institution. Padron: BMS: Research Funding; Stemline: Honoraria; Taiho: Honoraria; Kura: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Blueprint: Honoraria. Patnaik: StemLine: Research Funding; Kura Oncology: Research Funding.
Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) Is a Risk Factor for Venous Thrombosis in Polycythemia Vera

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 1499-1499

10.1182/blood-2021-146793

Abstract Background. The tendency towards thrombosis in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) is linked to the JAK2-mutant clone which leads to hypercellularity and functional interplay between abnormal erythrocytes, platelets, leukocytes and dysfunctional endothelium. The resulting cell activation that also involves stromal cells in their microenvironment, has been shown associated with chronic, systemic, subclinical pro-inflammatory state, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of thrombosis in MPN. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a novel inflammatory marker found to be associated with the severity and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases but there is little evidence for its prognostic significance in MPN. We investigated whether NLR could predict the onset of arterial and venous thrombosis in polycythemia vera (PV). Methods. Subjects of this study were 1508 patients included in the ECLAP trail with NLR evaluation available. In addition to standard statistical methods, we used proportional hazards additive models (GAM) as they can provide an excellent fit in the presence of nonlinear relationships, for the prediction of total, arterial and venous thrombosis as smooth functions with cubic splines of different blood parameters. Results. After a median follow-up of 2.76 years, 169 thrombotic events (10.3%) were objectively diagnosed and analyzed: 87 arterial (MI, Stroke, TIA, PAT) and 88 venous thrombosis (DVT±PE, superficial thrombophlebitis). In univariate analysis, arterial thrombosis was associated with age (p=0.003) and previous thrombosis, especially if arterial (p<0.001), and with the presence of at least one cardiovascular risk factor (p=0.009). No association between baseline platelet and leukocyte counts and NLR with arterial events was found. Conversely, in venous thrombosis, beside age (p=0.039) and history of venous thrombosis (p<0.001), additional risk factors were low hemoglobin (p=0.039) and increasing values of NLR (p=0.002) resulting from a simultaneous increase of neutrophils (p=0.002) and to a decrease of absolute number lymphocytes (p=0.002).To predict outcomes, we tested total leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets and NLR by GAM to evaluate their trend in continuous scale of thrombotic risk. A significant association between the risk of venous thrombosis and the progressive lower counts of lymphocytes (p=0.002) emerged, leading to increase the NLR values (p=0.005). However, given the greater precision of the NLR estimates and the markedly wide confidence interval of lymphocyte counts estimates, NLR was used in multivariate model. Conversely, neither absolute values of neutrophils and lymphocytes nor NLR were found associated with arterial events.In multivariate model, adjusted for age, gender and treatments at baseline, the risk of venous thrombosis was independently associated with previous venous events (HR=5.48, p ≤0.001) and NLR values ≥5 -the best cut-off resulted applying the Liu's method (HR=2.13, p=0.001). NLR effect for total venous thrombosis was not modified by excluding superficial venous thrombosis (HR=2.90, p=0.001) in a sensitivity analysis. Older age (i.e., ≥65 years, HR=1.88, p=0.005) and previous arterial thrombosis (HR=1.92, p=0.003) retained the prognostic statistical significance for arterial thrombosis.Our learning cohort findings, indicating a correlation between NLR values and venous thrombosis, have been validated in two Italian independent external cohorts (Florence, n=282 and Rome, n=173) of contemporary PV patients (Figure 1). Conclusions. The NLR is an inexpensive and easily accessible test compared to other inflammatory markers. We found that NLR-alone is an independent predictor of venous thrombosis and could be included in a new scoring system. In addition to guiding the stratification of thrombotic risk, these data confirm that inflammation is a relevant target of antithrombotic therapy in PV. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Vannucchi: Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Barbui: AOP Orphan: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.
A Myelodepletive Phenotype Is Associated with Distinctive Molecular Features and Adverse Outcomes in Patients with Myelofibrosis

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 1498-1498

10.1182/blood-2021-146600

Abstract Introduction: Myelofibrosis -either primary (PMF) or post-polycythemia vera/essential thrombocythemia (collectively, secondary MF [SMF])- is characterized by biologic and clinical heterogeneity, with some patients (pts) presenting with features of myeloproliferation (MyP) and others exhibiting a myelodepletive (MyD) phenotype. Although not well defined, the latter is marked by cytopenias involving one or more hematopoietic lineages, in some respects mimicking a myelodysplastic or bone marrow (BM) failure syndrome. MyD features have been associated with poor prognosis in patients with MF, but cytopenias have been usually considered individually. In the current study, we aimed at investigating the phenotypic and prognostic correlates of a MyD phenotype in a large cohort of MF patients. Methods: After IRB approval, 704 consecutive patients with WHO-defined MF referring to CRIMM (Florence), were included in the study. There were 442 (63%) PMF and 262 (37%) SMF. Cytopenias at diagnosis were defined as follows: white blood cell (WBC) <4×10 9/L, hemoglobin (Hb) <11 g/dL for male and <10 g/dL for female, platelets (Plt) <100×10 9/L. A MyD phenotype was defined by the presence of at least one cytopenia in the absence of any increase of other blood cells (WBC >15×10 9/L, Hb >16.5 g/dL for male and >16 g/dL for female, Plt >450×10 9/L). Pts not included in the MyD group were considered as having a MyP phenotype. Mutational analysis by targeted NGS was available for 594/704 patients (PMF 368/442; SMF 226/262). Results: Overall, 166 pts were diagnosed as having a MyD MF, including 108 (24%) PMF and 58 (22%) SMF. Among PMF patients, leukopenia, sex-adjusted anemia and thrombocytopenia were present in 38%, 84% and 35%, respectively; in SMF, corresponding figures were 24%, 91% and 24%. Two or more cytopenias were found in 11% and 6% of PMF and SMF patients, respectively. In PMF, a MyD phenotype was associated with male gender (P=.0468), older age (P=.0002), lower peripheral blast count (P=.0006), higher prevalence of splenomegaly (P=0.0142), constitutional symptoms (P<.0001), and BM fibrosis grade ≥2 (P<.0001). The rates of thrombosis and bleeding were not different compared to MyP PMF. MyD pts were more likely to have very high risk (VHR) karyotype abnormalities (P=.0002) and to be triple negative (TN; P<.0001); there were no correlations with JAK2 mutation status and mutant burden, CALR and MPL mutations. Among non-driver mutations, a MyD phenotype was significantly enriched in ASXL1 (P=.0074), IDH1/2 (P=0.064), N/KRAS (P=.0014), U2AF1 (P<.0001), and CUX1 (P=.0002) mutations. Karyotype abnormalities (P=.0084), VHR cytogenetics (P=.0343), CBL (P=.0.171) and U2AF1 (P=.0148) mutations were significantly enriched in MyD pts with ≥2 cytopenias. On univariate analysis, OS was significantly shorter in pts with MyD vs MyP PMF (median, 55 vs 103 months, respectively; P<.0001), and not different between MyD pts with one (median, 65 months) and ≥2 (median, 44 months) cytopenias (Fig. 1A). After competing risk analysis, the cumulative incidence of leukemic transformation (LT) was not different between MyD and MyP phenotypes (16% vs 11% at 5 years, respectively). Phenotypic differences between MyD and MyP patients were less evident in SMF, a part for older age of the former (P=.0207). The molecular background was likewise different: a MyD feature was enriched in mutations in TP53 (P=.0024), U2AF1 (P<.0001), and SETBP1 (P=.0125). TP53 mutations were remarkably more frequent in MyD SMF pts with ≥2 cytopenias (19%). Pts with MyD SMF had a significantly shorter OS compared to the MyP counterpart (median, 44 vs 105 months; P<.0001). Median OS was significantly inferior in MyD patients with ≥2 cytopenias compared to one cytopenia (median, 27 vs 58 months, respectively; P<.0001) (Fig. 1B). The cumulative incidence of LT was not different: 16% vs 7% at 5 years, respectively, for SMF pts with MyD and MyP phenotype. Conclusion: The current study provides a comprehensive analysis of the MyD phenotype in pts with PMF and SMF, partly recapitulating findings of previous studies (Marcellino BK et al. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 2020). We showed that the MyD phenotype is associated with high-risk clinical and molecular features, particularly in PMF, and correlates with inferior OS. Of interest, U2AF1 mutations emerged as a distinct molecular marker of MyD in both PMF and SMF, while mutations in TP53 appear prevalent in MyD SMF. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Vannucchi: Incyte: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Cerebral Venous Thrombosis and Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: A Three-Center Study of 74 Consecutive Cases

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 1493-1493

10.1182/blood-2021-149772

Abstract Background The recent association of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) with COVID-19 vaccinations (JAMA; 2021; 325, N Engl J Med 2021; 384) motivated the current review of CVT and MPN. Our objectives were, i) provide an estimation of the incidence of CVT in the context of MPN, followed by a description of clinical phenotype and therapeutic strategies, ii) determine long term outlook in terms of recurrent thromboses, hemorrhage, and survival, iii) identify salient features which distinguish MPN associated from COVID vaccine- related CVT. Methods 74 consecutive MPN patients with CVT that underwent evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN, USA (n=36), Catholic University, Rome, Italy, (n=23), and University of Florence, Italy (n=15) between 1991 and 2021 were included. The cohort from a previously published multi-center study that included 42 MPN cases with CVT, which were not included in the current study, was used for comparison of observations. Diagnosis of CVT was established with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging with venography. Results Patient characteristics at time of CVT Among 74 patients with CVT and MPN (median age 44 years, range 15-85; 61% females); disease-specific frequencies were 1.3% (39/2,893), 1.2% (21/1,811) and 0.2% (3/1,888) for essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF), respectively. CVT occurred prior to (n=20, 27%, median time to MPN diagnosis 16.5 months), at (n=32, 44%) or after (n=21, 29%, median time to CVT 26 months) MPN diagnosis. 72% of patients presented with headaches, 22% visual changes, 12% nausea/vomiting, 8% neurological deficits, and 6% seizures. Transverse (51%), sagittal (43%) and sigmoid (35%) sinuses were involved with central nervous system hemorrhage in 10 (14%) patients. MPN phenotype included ET (n=39, 53%), PV (n=21, 28%), pre-fibrotic MF (n=6, 8%), MPN-unclassified (n=4, 5%), PMF (n=3, 4%) and post-PV MF (n=1, 1%). Driver mutation testing was performed in 65 patients: 91% harbored JAK2V617F, 3% CALR type 1, 2% MPL, 5% triple negative; moreover, JAK2V617F was mutated in 27/33 (82%) ET patients. An underlying thrombophilia was identified in 19 (31%) cases. No patient had thrombocytopenia. (Table 1). Notably, one patient received the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine, five days prior to presenting with CVT, not associated with thrombosis in other sites, thrombocytopenia or platelet factor 4 antibodies. A history of thrombosis was documented in 10 (14%) patients with three splanchnic venous events. These observations were similar to those noted in our comparative group from a previously published report that included 42 cases; (ET (n=25, 60%), PV (n=11, 26%), PMF (n=5, 12%); median age 51 years, range 16-84; 55% females; 81% JAK2V617F mutated). Prior thrombosis occurred in 8(19%) patients with four splanchnic venous events. Treatment for CVT included systemic anticoagulation alone in 27 (36%) patients or in conjunction with aspirin (n=24, 32%), cytoreductive therapy (n=14, 19%), or both aspirin and cytoreduction (n=9, 12%). 5/21 (24%) patients with CVT post MPN diagnosis, were on anticoagulation at the time of CVT. Outcome following CVT At a median follow-up of 5.1 years (range; 0.1-28.6), recurrent CVT was documented in 3 (4%) patients; incidence rates for other arterial and venous thromboses and hemorrhage were 11% (2 per 100 patient-years), 9% (1.9 per 100 patient-years) and 14% (3 per 100 patient-years), respectively. 3 of 7 (43%) venous thromboses were splanchnic events. Antithrombotic therapy was ongoing in 53% and 80% of patients with thrombotic recurrences and hemorrhage, respectively. A higher incidence of venous thrombosis was noted in the aforementioned previously published cohort (12 (29%) vs 7 (9%), p=0.01); with 5/12 (42%) splanchnic events. Incidence rates for arterial thrombosis and major hemorrhage were similar. Fibrotic and leukemic transformation occurred in 5 (8%) and 1(1%) patient, respectively, with five (7%) deaths unrelated to CVT. Conclusions The current study highlights close association of CVT with JAK2V617F, younger age, and female gender. Clinical features distinguishing COVID vaccine-related from MPN-associated CVT include lower likelihood of concomitant non-CVT venous thromboses with the latter; moreover, the absence of thrombocytopenia resulted in a lower rate of intracerebral hemorrhage in MPN cases; as a result, MPN-CVT was not fatal. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Vannucchi: AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte Corporation: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.