Pardanani, Animesh

Abstract Background: Patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) have historically had poor outcomes, with overall response rates (ORR) of ~16% for hypomethylating agents (HMA) in first-line registration studies with a median overall survival (OS) of ~4-7 months in the relapsed/refractory (R/R) setting. Allogeneic stem cell transplant is not an option for the majority, due to older age at diagnosis and comorbidities. Tagraxofusp (Elzonris™, SL-401) is a novel targeted therapy directed to the interleukin-3 receptor-α (CD123), a target expressed on a variety of malignancies. In CMML, CD123 is expressed on malignant progenitor cells as well as microenvironmental plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) infiltrates, now shown to be part of the malignant clone (Solary, EHA 2018). We thus hypothesized that therapeutic targeting of CD123-expressing malignant cells and infiltrating clonal pDCs may offer a novel therapeutic approach. Tagraxofusp has already demonstrated high levels of clinical activity against blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), a CD123+ malignancy derived from pDCs. Methods: This multicenter, two-stage Phase 1/2 trial is enrolling patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) CMML or other myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Primary objectives include assessment of safety, determining optimal dose/regimen, and evaluating efficacy outcomes in patients with r/r CMML. In the Stage 1 dose escalation cohort (completed), tagraxofusp was administered as a daily IV infusion at 7, 9, and 12 mcg/kg/day, on days 1-3 every 21 days (cycle 1-4), every 28 days (cycles 5-7), and every 42 days (cycles 8+). In Stage 2 (ongoing), patients received the optimal dose determined in Stage 1 (12 mcg/kg; no MTD reached). Results: As of July 2018, 18 patients with CMML (CMML-1 [n=10]; CMML-2 [n=8]) received tagraxofusp. 13 patients were treated in second-line setting and 5 patients were treated in third-line and beyond, with HMAs being the most commonly administered prior therapy. Median age was 70 years (range 42-80); 78% patients were male. 53% (9/17) of patients had baseline splenomegaly (range: 2 to 22 cm palpable below left costal margin (BCM) by physical exam). Most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were hypoalbuminemia and nausea (each 38%), vomiting (31%), fatigue, edema, and thrombocytopenia (each 25%). Most common ≥grade 3 TRAEs were thrombocytopenia (13%) and nausea (6%). Capillary leak syndrome was reported in 3 patients (19%; all grade 2). 100% (8/8) of patients with baseline splenomegaly had a spleen response, including 75% (6/8) who had reduction in splenomegaly of 50% or more. 60% (3/5) of patients with baseline spleen size ≥5cm had reduction in splenomegaly of 50% or more. Two patients treated with tagraxofusp achieved bone marrow CRs. 43% (6/14) of evaluable patients had a treatment duration of 6 months or more, including one at 8+ and one at 14+ months. Conclusions: Tagraxofusp monotherapy resulted in significant reductions in spleen sizes along with bone marrow morphological responses in relapsed/refractory patients with CMML, with a manageable safety profile. Given CD123 expression on both neoplastic myeloid cells and pDCs infiltrates, tagraxofusp may offer a novel targeted approach for patients with CMML, an area of unmet medical need. Enrollment continues, and updated safety and efficacy data will be presented. A registrational trial in this patient population is planned. Clinical trial information: NCT02268253. Disclosures Ali: Incyte Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Gupta:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. Schiller:Celator/Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding. Lee:AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Clinipace: Consultancy; Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc: Consultancy; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy. Yacoub:Cara Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; Ardelyx, INC.: Equity Ownership; Dynavax: Equity Ownership; Inycte: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Sardone:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Wysowskyj:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Shemesh:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Chen:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Olguin:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Brooks:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Dunn:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Verstovsek:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy; Italfarmaco: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Khoury:Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding. Pemmaraju:celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; novartis: Research Funding; Affymetrix: Research Funding; samus: Research Funding; cellectis: Research Funding; daiichi sankyo: Research Funding; stemline: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; plexxikon: Research Funding; abbvie: Research Funding; SagerStrong Foundation: Research Funding.

Abstract Background : Myeloproliferative leukemia virus oncogene (MPL)-mutated essential thrombocythemia (ET) is uncommon, with a cited incidence of less than 5%, while that of MPL-mutated primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is at least twice as frequent (Blood. 2006;108:3472;Blood.2008;112:141). MPL-mutated ET cohorts also have higher reported rates of fibrotic progression than their MPL wild type counterparts (Blood. 2014;124:2507). These observations suggest the possibility that some instances of MPL-mutated ET might actually represent prefibrotic PMF. Methods : Patients were recruited from institutional databases of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. Diagnoses were according to the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (Blood. 2016;127:2391). Study inclusion criteria required the availability of bone marrow biopsy slides for central review by one of the authors (C.A.H.). Central pathology review included assessment of bone marrow cellularity and extent of tri-lineage proliferation, megakaryocyte morphology and grading of reticulin fibrosis. Data was additionally collected from MPL-mutated patients with PMF, for comparison. Standard statistical methods were used for statistical analysis, including calculation of survival data (JMP® Pro 13.0.0, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Results: A total of 665 patients with ET were annotated for their driver mutational status; 18 (2.7%) were reported out as being MPL-mutated; by comparison, among 867 patients with PMF, 47 (5.4%) were signed out as MPL-mutated. Among the 18 cases with MPL-mutated ET, bone marrow slides were available for central pathology review in 14 patients (Table 1). The latter were subsequently reassigned the diagnosis of either prefibrotic PMF (n=8; 57%) or were felt to be morphologically consistent with true WHO-defined ET (n=6; 43%). Comparison of these two distinct histopathological patterns, i.e. true ET vs reassigned prefibrotic PMF, was respectively characterized by lower (median 35%, range 30-50) vs higher (median 65%, range 40-80) bone marrow cellularity (P<0.001), ET (n=6) vs PMF (n=8) consistent megakaryocyte morphology (P<0.001) and presence of tri-lineage proliferation (0% vs 100%; P<0.001); in contrast the degree of reticulin fibrosis was similar between the two (P=0.1) (Table 2). The reassigned prefibrotic PMF (n=8), vs confirmed ET (n=6), cases also displayed a higher frequency of increased serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (60% vs 0%; P=0.02), higher likelihood of displaying hemoglobin levels below the sex-adjusted reference range values (29% vs 0%; P=0.1), leukoerythroblastosis (14% vs 0%; P=0.2), constitutional symptoms (13% vs 0%; P=0.2) and a higher incidence of thrombosis history at presentation (38% vs 0%; P=0.04) (Table 2). Interestingly, reassigned prefibrotic PMF also displayed a narrower MPL mutational spectrum compared to those confirmed as ET (MPLW515L/K incidence 100% vs 60%; P=0.04). The incidences of abnormal karyotype and high risk molecular mutations (ASXL1, SRSF2 and U2AF1) were similar between the two. We documented a higher incidence of post-diagnosis thrombosis in prefibrotic PMF (25% vs 0%; P=0.1) but similar rates of leukemic transformation (0% for both) and fibrotic progression (38% vs 33%); when all 665 ET patients were assessed for myelofibrosis-free survival, MPL-mutated cases (prior to central review) displayed significantly worse outcome, compared to patients with other driver mutations (Figure 1a). Median overall survival in confirmed MPL-mutated ET, ET re-classified as PMF, and MPL-mutated PMF was not reached, 11.6 and 5.3 years, respectively (confirmed ET vs PMF, P=0.01; ET re-classified vs PMF, P=0.04; confirmed ET vs ET re-classified as PMF, P=0.54) (Figure 1b). Conclusions: The current study suggests that the majority of routinely-assigned MPL-mutated ET probably represents prefibrotic PMF, when morphologically scrutinized. Prior to central pathology review, we show a higher rate of fibrotic progression in MPL-mutated ET, compared to patients with other driver mutations; accordingly, after central pathology review, the similar rate of fibrotic progression between morphologically confirmed MPL-mutated ET and those reassigned as prefibrotic PMF further suggests the latter to be biologically more akin to PMF, despite its ET-consistent morphologic features. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background: Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) deficiency might result in Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE); the latter was reported in clinical studies with the JAK2 inhibitor fedratinib resulting in disruption of clinical development, despite efficacy in patients with myelofibrosis (MF) (JAMA Oncol, 2015, 5). Our objectives were i) to determine the incidence of thiamine deficiency in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), ii) assess clinical correlations of thiamine level and iii) determine the impact of JAK2 inhibitor therapy on thiamine level in MPN. Methods: After Institutional review board approval, patients referred with a suspected diagnosis of MPN were enrolled. All clinical and laboratory variables including treatment details were collected at the time of referral. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of thiamine diphosphate in whole blood was performed at the time of referral. Reference range for thiamine level in whole blood was 70-180 nmol/L. The JMP® Pro 13.0.0 software from SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA, was used for all statistical analysis. Results: A total of 115 patients were prospectively enrolled and included 28 patients without MPN and 87 with MPN. 87 MPN patients (median age, 65 years, 52% males) included 32 with primary myelofibrosis (PMF), 17 with polycythemia vera (PV), 17 with essential thrombocythemia (ET), 11 with post PV MF, 8 with post ET MF, and 2 with MPN-U. The MPN and non-MPN patients were similar in their gender distribution, pattern of alcohol use, malnutrition and multivitamin use (p=0.24, 0.12, 0.54 and 0.78 respectively), although the former were older (p=0.09). Median thiamine level of the study patients was 167 nmol/L (range; 60-442 nmol/L) with only two (1.7%) female patients displaying level below the normal reference range. One belonged to the non-MPN group (thiamine level 68 nmol/l); a 26 year old female with erythroid leukemia in the absence of alcohol use or malnutrition; the second patient (thiamine level 60 nmol/l) was a 38 year old female with ET, CALR type 2 mutated on hydroxyurea, without a history of alcohol use or malnutrition. Overall, both MPN and non-MPN patients displayed similar thiamine level (p=0.89). Clinical correlations of thiamine level in MPN Median thiamine level was similar amongst post ET MF, ET, PMF, PV, and post PV PMF patients (127, 162, 166, 190 and 209 nmol/L respectively, p=0.13). No significant effect on thiamine level was apparent for age, gender, hemoglobin, platelet count, dynamic international prognostic scoring system (DIPSS) score, unfavorable cytogenetics, palpable splenomegaly, or constitutional symptoms. Interestingly, thiamine level was significantly higher in JAK2 mutated cases (median 177 nmol/L vs 145 nmol/L in unmutated cases, p=0.03). Furthermore, when analysis was restricted to PMF patients, thiamine level positively correlated with JAK2V617F mutant allele burden (p=0.01) and leukocyte count > 10 x 109/L (p=0.03). JAK2 mutated PMF patients with leukocyte count > 10 x 109/L depicted significantly higher thiamine levels (median 313 nmol/L) compared to JAK2 mutated patients without leukocytosis (median 164 nmol/L) and JAK2 unmutated patients with or without leukocytosis (median 192 nmol/L and 143 nmol/L respectively)(p=0.004, Figure 1a). Impact of treatment on thiamine level Treatment with hydroxyurea was documented in 35 patients with no significant impact on thiamine level (p=0.28). 27 patients were on JAK inhibitors (median duration at referral; 41 months); 12 patients on ruxolitinib and 15 MF patients on momelotinib as part of a clinical trial. Thiamine level was similar amongst JAK inhibitor treated vs untreated patients (median 166 vs 169.5 nmol/L respectively, p=0.72). Annual thiamine measurements were performed on 15 patients treated with momelotinib (median duration 52 months, range 18-60 months). Despite fluctuations in thiamine levels, only two patients were noted to have thiamine level below normal (65 and 69 nmol/L at year 3), which subsequently improved to 101 and 121 nmol/L by year 4, while still on treatment (Figure 1b). Conclusions: The current study confirms the rarity of subnormal thiamine levels in MPN and the limited impact of treatment on thiamine levels, including with JAK2 inhibitors. Our novel observation regarding the correlation of thiamine level with JAK2V617F mutant allele burden and leukocyte count requires further exploration. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background: Young patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), including essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF), constitute a distinct, steadily growing subpopulation (Eur J Haematol. 2017;98:85). Most available data, including current prognostic models, are excerpted from older populations and may not accurately mirror the unique phenotypic and prognostic patterns seen in younger patients. The objective of the current study was to comprehensively assess the phenotypic features and long-term outcomes in MPN patients age ≤ 40 years. Methods: The study population was recruited from a master database of MPN patients seen at our institution between 1967 and 2017. Diagnoses were in accordance with 2016 World Health Organization criteria (Blood. 2016;127:2391). Data was abstracted from the time of referral, which coincided in the majority with the time/within one year of diagnosis. Additional molecular data was obtained based on availability of next-generation sequencing (NGS) information. Conventional statistics was utilized for group comparisons and calculation of survival data. Results: The study population was recruited from a total of 3,023 MPN patients: 665 PV, 1076 ET, and 1282 PMF. Of these, 361 (12%) were ≤ 40 years of age at the time of initial diagnosis; the corresponding incidences were 12% in PV (n=79), 20% in ET (n=219) and 5% in PMF (n= 63). Young PV patients (n=79): Median age (range) was 32 years (18-40) and males constituted 54% (Table 1). Over a median follow-up of 11.3 years, fibrotic transformation rates were 22% vs 25% and 10% in those 41-60 and >60 years of age, respectively (P<0.001). Leukemic conversion rates were balanced across age categories (4% vs 5% vs 3% for successively older cohorts) (P=0.4). Interestingly, young patients had lower rates of arterial (P<0.001) and higher of venous thrombosis (P=0.01) prior to/at diagnosis vs older cohorts while events post-diagnosis were comparable across age groups (P=0.6). Young ET patients (n=219): Median age (range) was 32 years (18-40) with a minority (31%) constituted of males. During a median follow-up of 13 years, fibrotic progressions rates were 16% vs 16% and 9% in those aged 41-60 and >60 years, respectively (P<0.001). The leukemic conversion rate (2%) was analogous to that of older cohorts (5% and 3%, respectively) (P=0.1). Young patients also experienced significantly fewer arterial thrombotic events prior to/at diagnosis (6% vs 14% and 18%) and after diagnosis (8% vs 16% and 22%) compared to older cohorts (P<0.0001). Young PMF patients (n=63): Median age (range) was 37 years (19-40) with a preponderance of males (59%). High risk karyotype was not seen in young patients vs in 5% and 8% of those 41-60 and > 60 years of age, respectively (P=0.004). During median follow-up of 7.1 years, leukemic conversions were recorded in 10% of young patients vs 10% and 9% of respectively older cohorts (P=0.9). Young subjects also experienced fewer arterial thrombotic events prior to/at diagnosis (2% vs 6% and 13%) and lower rates of venous thrombosis after diagnosis (2% vs 10% and 4%) compared to cohorts 41-60 and > 60 years of age, respectively (P<0.0001). NGS data disclosed significant clustering of high risk molecular mutations with successively older subgroups (≤ 40 vs 41-60 vs > 60 years); ASXL1: 19 vs 40 vs 45% (P=0.005), SRSF2: 6 vs 8 vs 18% (P=0.0004), and U2AF1: 3 vs 11 vs 19% (P=0.004) (Table 1). Survival data Kaplan-Meier survival curves stratified by age bracket (≤ 40 vs 41-60 vs > 60 years) disclosed median OS in successively older age groups to be 37, 22, and 10 years for PV (Figure 1A), 35, 22, and 11 years for ET (1B), and 20, 8, and 3 years for PMF (1C); exposing significantly longer median survival estimates in younger patients, systematically across all disease subtypes (P<0.001). When appraised as a function of MPN subtype, survival data confirmed the significantly reduced OS in PMF relative to PV and ET (P<0.001), though PMF patients aged ≤ 40 years were still projected to have a reasonably favorable median life expectancy of 20 years (Figure 2). Conclusions: Young MPN patients comprise a unique disease subset defined by an attenuated-risk cytogenetic and mutational backdrop compared to their older counterparts. Caution must be exercised in counseling and managing this population as historical 'one-size-fits all' data fails to reflect the true natural history and disease biology in the young. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background: Subnormal serum erythropoietin (EPO) level is widely accepted as a minor diagnostic criterion for polycythemia vera (PV) and has retained its value in the revised 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) classification scheme of myeloid neoplasms (Blood. 2016;127:2391). While over 80% of PV patients exhibit subnormal EPO values (Haematologica. 2004;89:1194), very little is known about the incidence, phenotypic connotation, or prognostic significance of serum EPO levels in essential thrombocythemia (ET). Methods: Study patients were recruited from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. Diagnosis of ET was in strict accordance with the 2016 WHO criteria (Blood. 2016;127:2391) and only patients with EPO measurements at diagnosis or during their chronic phase were considered under the following provisions: i) no evidence of myelofibrotic or leukemic transformation; ii) no treatment with cytoreductive agents at the time of sample collection (and for those with EPO sampling at diagnosis, no prior exposure to cytoreductive therapy); iii) no hemoglobin levels below sex-adjusted values for anemia; and iv) systematic exclusion of all cases of masked PV. Serum erythropoietin levels were measured using Mayo-verified standard immune-enzymatic assay consistent with CLIA requirements with reference range between 4-21 mIU/mL. Standard statistical methods and time-to-event curves prepared using the Kaplan-Meier method were used to compare EPO-stratified groups. The JMP® Pro 13.0.0 software package was used for all analyses (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Results: Among 177 informative ET patients (median age 51 years, range 18-88; 71% females), median serum EPO concentrations were 5.2 mIU/mL (range <1-25) overall and 2.6 mIU/mL (range <1-3.9) and 7.2 mIU/mL (range 4-25) in those with subnormal versus normal/above normal EPO levels, respectively (p<0.0001). The majority of EPO measurements were at the time or within one year of diagnosis (67%), with the remainder obtained at referral or during the chronic clinical course. Risk stratification disclosed low, intermediate, and high risk status in 45%, 33% and 23% of patients, respectively, with no appreciable differences between EPO-stratified subsets. Subnormal serum EPO levels clustered clinically with JAK2 mutations (95% vs 60%; p<0.0001), higher hemoglobin (median 14.7 vs 13.8 g/dl, range: 12.1-17.8 vs 12-17.1; p<0.0001) and leukocyte counts (median 9.7 vs 8.2 x 109/l, range: 4-28.1 vs 3.9-22; p=0.0001), and arterial thrombosis after diagnosis (13% vs 5%; p=0.04). In addition, all three documented conversions to PV (p=0.01) and none of the six fibrotic progressions (p=0.02) occurred in patients with subnormal serum EPO levels (Table 1). While serum EPO level had no bearing on overall survival data (p=0.41) (Figure 1A), subnormal circulating EPO concentrations were significantly associated with superior myelofibrosis-free survival (p=0.02) (Figure 1B) but conversely, inferior polycythemia-free survival (p=0.03) (Figure 1C). Conclusions: We conclude that subnormal serum EPO levels are relatively frequent in ET, cluster with disease features that are reminiscent of polycythemia vera, and might be associated with a lower risk of fibrotic progression. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background: We have long introduced the concept of host genetic variations in the phenotypic diversity of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) (Blood 2008;111:2785). Previous studies have established an association between JAK2 mutations in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and the germline GGCC (46/1) haplotype, which constitutes a string of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the JAK2 gene that are inherited together on chromosome 9p (reviewed recently;Int J Mol Sci. 2018; 19: 1152). In 2010, we reported an association between shortened survival in primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and nullizygosity for the JAK2 46/1 haplotype (Leukemia 2010; 24:105), although our findings were not confirmed in another study (Leukemia 2010; 24:1533). Others have reported an association with splanchnic vein thrombosis, that was not accounted for by JAK2 mutations (Ann Hematol 2014;93:1845). In the current study, we have increased the number of informative cases to 414 (from 130 reported in 2010), in order to revisit with the phenotypic and prognostic relevance of the JAK2 46/1 haplotype in PMF. Methods : Study patients were recruited from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. Diagnoses PMF and its leukemic transformation were confirmed by both clinical and bone marrow examinations, in line with the 2016 World Health Organization criteria (Blood. 2016;127:2391). Screening for the JAK2 46/1 haplotype included rs12343867 SNP genotyping, as previously detailed (Leukemia 2010; 24:105), and using a commercially available TaqMan SNP genotyping assay (Applied Biosystems Inc., Foster City, CA, USA). Statistical analyses considered clinical and laboratory data collected at the time of initial PMF diagnosis or Mayo Clinic referral point. Conventional statistics was used for confirming phenotypic associations and calculation of overall (OS) and leukemia-free (LFS) survival. The JMP® Pro 13.0.0 software from SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA, was used for all calculations. Results: 414 patients with PMF (median age 63 years; 63% males) were included in the current study; among 324 evaluable cases, MIPSS70+ version 2.0 risk distribution was 18% very high risk, 41% high risk, 19% intermediate risk, 18% low risk and 4% very low risk. Driver mutation distribution was 63% JAK2, 17% type 1-like CALR, 3% type 2-like CALR, 7% MPL and 10% triple-negative. JAK2 46/1 haplotype was documented in 69% of the study patients, including 25% in homozygous and 44% in heterozygous state. Driver mutation frequency in patients homozygous/heterozygous/nullizygous for the 46/1 haplotype was 78%/60%/56% JAK2, 10%/20%/18% type 1-like CALR, 3%/2%/5% type 2-like CALR, 4%/8%/7% MPL and 6%/10%/14% triple-negative (p=0.02). The three 46/1 haplotype groups were phenotypically mostly similar, with the exception of platelet count (p=0.02) and leukocyte count (p=0.003), which were both higher with homozygous 46/1 haplotype. In univariate analysis, nullizygosity for the JAK2 46/1 haplotype was associated with inferior overall survival (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-1.9; figure 1a); this survival effect was most pronounced in JAK2 mutated cases (figure 1b; p<0.001), as opposed to CALR/MPL mutated cases (figure 1c; p=0.48) or triple-negative cases (figure 1d; p=0.27). Multivariable analysis that included age and other genetic risk factors, including karyotype, driver mutational status and presence of high molecular risk mutations, such as ASXL1 and SRSF2, confirmed the independent prognostic contribution of nullizygosity for the 46/1 haplotype (p=0.02; HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.8). Nullizygosity for 46/1 also remained significant in the context of the recently unveiled genetics-based prognostic model, GIPSS (genetically-inspired prognostic scoring system) (p=0.04) (Leukemia.2018 doi: 10.1038/s41375-018-0107-z), but not in the context of MIPSS70+ version 2.0 (karyotype and mutation-enhanced international prognostic scoring system for transplant-age patients) (p=0.4). (JClinOncol.2018 doi: 10.1200/JCO.2018.78.9867). Leukemia-free survival was not affected by the 46/1 haplotype (p=0.6). Conclusions: The current study confirms the association of nullizygosity for the JAK2 GGCC (46/1) haplotype with inferior survival in PMF, primarily in JAK2-mutated cases; the observed survival effect was independent of currently acknowledged genetic risk factors, including karyotype and high molecular risk mutations. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background: Current drug therapy in primary myelofibrosis (PMF) offers palliative value only, including alleviation of splenomegaly, constitutional symptoms and anemia; hydroxyurea (HU), JAK2 inhibitors and interferon (IFN)-α are used for splenomegaly; JAK2 inhibitors for constitutional symptoms; and immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and androgens for anemia. The current study constitutes a retrospective evaluation of specific drug response in anemia or splenomegaly in PMF. Methods : Study patients were recruited from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. Diagnoses were according to the 2016 World Health Organization criteria (Blood. 2016;127:2391). For the purposes of the current study, conventional response criteria were modified to reflect clinical benefit assessment without strict adherence to criteria designed for clinical trials; accordingly, spleen response was evaluated only in patients with palpable splenomegaly and was defined as a minimum 50% reduction in palpable spleen size, regardless of response duration; anemia response was evaluated only in patients with hemoglobin level <10 g/dl and was defined as achieving transfusion-indpendence lasting for at least one month or an increase in hemoglobin of 2 g/dl, regardless of response duration. The JMP® Pro 13.0.0 software from SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA, was used for all statistical calculations. Results: 432 cytogenetically- and molecularly-annotated patients with PMF were accessed in order to identify 333 patients who received first-line treatment with HU (n=97), JAK2 inhibitors (n=41), IFN-α (n=22), IMiDs (n=58), androgens (n=19), ESAs (n=54) and various other drugs (n=42), and were evaluable for response; driver mutational status was JAK2 59%, CALR type 1/like 20%, CALR type 2/like 4%, MPL 7% and triple-negative 10%; karyotype included very high risk (VHR) 6%, unfavorable 18% and favorable 76%; 60% of the patients harbored high molecular risk (HMR) mutations including ASXL1 (45%), SRSF2 (18%), U2AF1Q157 (10%), EZH2 (4%), IDH2 (4%) and IDH1 (2%). MIPSS70+ version 2.0 risk distribution was very high 17%, high 46%, intermediate 21%, low 14% and very low 2%. Overall, 249 patients were evaluable for spleen response, including 218 that were treated with the specific drugs analyzed in the current study. Anemia response was evaluated in 222 patients, including 194 (105 transfusion-dependent) that were treated with the specific drugs analyzed in the current study. Predictors of response to HU: Spleen response to HU was more likely in the presence of HMR mutations (37% vs 11%; p=0.02); however, responses were mixed and limited to presence of ASXL1 (40% vs 17%; p=0.06) or SRSF2 (47% vs 22%; p=0.1) mutations while none of 8 patients with either U2AF1Q157 or IDH2 mutations responded. None of 5 patients with VHR karyotype and only 1 (9%) of 11 patients with platelet count <100 x 109/l responded. Anemia responses to HU were infrequent. Overall response rate to HU was predicted by the absence of U2AF1Q157 mutations (64% vs 0%; p=0.007). Predictors of response to JAK2 inhibitors: Spleen response to JAK2 inhibitors was more likely in female patients (87% vs 50%; p=0.01) and in the presence of CALR type 1/like mutations (90% vs 57%; p=0.06). Anemia responses to JAK2 inhibitors were largely unpredictable. In order to further verify the aforementioned observed associations, we accessed data from a previous formal clinical trial of momelotinib (JAK2 inhibitor); among 91 evaluable patients, spleen response was higher in the presence of CALR mutations (73% vs 37%; p=0.009) and female sex (49% vs 39%, p=NS). Predictors of response to other agents: Spleen response to IFN-α was unlikely in the presence of ≥2% circulating blasts (0/6 responded) or presence of ASXL1 mutations (0/7 responded). IFN-α was ineffective for the treatment of anemia. Spleen responses to treatment with IMiDs, androgens or ESAs were unusual while anemia response to all three agents was not predicted by either genetic or clinical markers. Conclusions: Our observations, which require additional examination in a prospective setting, suggest limited value of genetic and clinical markers in predicting response to currently available drugs for PMF; this is consistent with the non-specific mechanism of action for these drugs. CALR (JAK inhibitors) and U2AF1Q157 (HU) mutations respectively predict favorable or unfavorable spleen response. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background: Patients with myelofibrosis (MF) that have failed or are intolerant to JAK inhibitors (JAKi) have no standard treatment options. Tagraxofusp (Elzonris™; SL-401) is a novel targeted therapy directed to the interleukin-3 receptor-α (CD123), a target expressed on a variety of malignancies, including certain myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) such as MF. CD123 is also expressed on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), which reside in the tumor microenvironment and may play a role in promoting growth of MPNs and other malignancies. Therefore, targeting of CD123-expressing malignant cells and/or neighboring pDCs may offer a novel therapeutic approach. Tagraxofusp has demonstrated high levels of clinical activity against blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), a CD123+ malignancy derived from pDCs. Methods: This multicenter, two-stage Phase 1/2 trial is enrolling patients with MF that were relapsed, refractory, or unable to tolerate JAKi. Primary objectives include assessment of safety, determining optimal dose/regimen, and evaluating efficacy outcomes. In the Stage 1 dose escalation cohort (completed), tagraxofusp was dosed as a daily IV infusion at 7, 9, and 12 mcg/kg/day, on days 1-3 every 21 days (cycle 1-4), every 28 days (cycles 5-7), and every 42 days (cycles 8+). In Stage 2 (ongoing), patients received the optimal dose determined in Stage 1 (12 mcg/kg/day). Results: As of July 2018, 18 patients with MF received tagraxofusp. Five patients were treated in the second line setting and 12 patients were treated in third-line setting, and beyond. Median age was 69 years (range 55-81); 60% patients were female. Of the 18 patients with DIPSS Plus risk group assessment available, 3 patients (17%) were intermediate-1, 10 patients (55%) were intermediate-2, and 5 patients (28%) were high-risk. Median platelet count was 66 K/uL (range 15-579). 70% (14/20) of patients had baseline platelets <100K/uL, of which 6 patients had platelets <50K/uL at study entry. 89% (17/19) of patients had baseline splenomegaly defined as palpable spleen 5 cm or more below costal margin (BCM) by physical exam. Most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) include hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia (each 27%), and alanine aminotransferase increased, anemia, dizziness, fatigue, headache and nausea (each 20%). Most common ≥grade 3 TRAEs include anemia (20%) and thrombocytopenia and fatigue (each 7%). Capillary leak syndrome was reported in 1 patient (5%; grade 3). 50% (6/12) of evaluable patients, with baseline spleen size 5 cm or more BCM, had a spleen response, of which 33% (4/12) had splenomegaly reduction by 33% or more and 25% (3/12) had splenomegaly reduction by 35% or more. 50% (3/6) of patients with spleen response had treatment duration 8+ months, including 8+, 12+ and 14+ months (all 3 ongoing). Four patients with baseline thrombocytopenia had treatment durations 8+ months, 3 of which are ongoing. Conclusions: Tagraxofusp monotherapy demonstrated improvements in splenomegaly, with a manageable safety profile, in patients with relapsed/refractory MF, an area of unmet medical need. Given CD123 expression on myeloid neoplastic cells and pDCs in the tumor microenvironment, tagraxofusp may offer a novel targeted approach for MF patients. Enrollment continues, and updated safety and efficacy data will be presented. Registrational designs are being evaluated. Clinical trial information: NCT02268253. Disclosures Pemmaraju: celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; abbvie: Research Funding; cellectis: Research Funding; stemline: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; samus: Research Funding; novartis: Research Funding; Affymetrix: Research Funding; SagerStrong Foundation: Research Funding; plexxikon: Research Funding; daiichi sankyo: Research Funding. Gupta:Incyte: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Schiller:Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Celator/Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Lee:LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Clinipace: Consultancy; Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy. Yacoub:Ardelyx, INC.: Equity Ownership; Cara Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; Dynavax: Equity Ownership; Inycte: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Ali:Incyte Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sardone:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Wysowskyj:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Shemesh:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Chen:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Olguin:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Brooks:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Dunn:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Verstovsek:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Italfarmaco: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Consultancy; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Khoury:Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding.

Abstract Background: Type 1 calreticulin (CALR) variants comprise ~70% of all CALR mutations in primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and form a distinct phenotypic and prognostic disease subset (Leukemia. 2014;28:1568). Determinants of long-term outcome have not, however, been systematically appraised in this population. The current study documents the natural history, molecular correlates, and independent predictors of overall (OS), leukemia-free (LFS), and thrombosis-free (TFS) survival in CALR type 1/like-mutated myelofibrosis. Methods: Patients were recruited from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. Diagnoses were consistent with World Health Organization (PMF, fibrotic/leukemic transformations) (Blood. 2016;127:2391) and International Working Group for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Research and Treatment criteria (post-essential thrombocythemia (ET) MF) (Leukemia. 2008;22:437). Laboratory and clinical data were retrospectively abstracted corresponding to time of referral (PMF) or myelofibrotic transformation (post-ET MF). Conventional prognostic scoring was as previously outlined (Blood. 2010;115:1703; J Clin Oncol. 2018;36:1769). Recipients of allogeneic stem cell transplant were censored at the time of transplant. Standard statistical methods were used for all analyses using the JMP® Pro 13.0.0 software package (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Results: A total of 162 consecutive patients with CALR type 1/like-mutated myelofibrosis were identified: 139 (86%) with PMF and 23 (14%) with post-ET MF with median age 55 years (range 23-85), 62% male. The PMF and post-ET MF cohorts displayed similar phenotypic features with the exception of higher platelet counts (median 443 vs 340 x 109/l; P=0.02) in post-ET MF (Table 1). The most frequent co-existing mutations were ASXL1 (n=47; 37%) and SRSF2 (n=4; 3%), with ASXL1 seen more frequently in PMF (39% vs 11% post-ET MF; P=0.07). Over a median follow-up of 6 years (range 0-25 years), a total of 20 (12%) leukemic transformations and 66 (41%) deaths were recorded, with no significant differences between the PMF and post-ET MF cohorts (P=0.16 and 0.11, respectively). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates revealed comparably favorable median OS in both CALR type 1/like-mutated variants: not yet reached and 13 years in post-ET MF vs PMF, respectively (P=0.7) (Figure 1A). Multivariable analysis disclosed moderate to severe sex-adjusted anemia (P<0.001), ≥2% circulating blasts (P<0.001), very high risk (VHR) karyotype (P<0.001), age >70 years (P=0.006), and constitutional symptoms (P=0.008) to be independent predictors of inferior OS in CALR type 1/like-mutated PMF (Table 2). LFS was significantly shortened in the presence of IDH1 mutations (P=0.01) and platelets <100 x 109/l (P=0.02) while IDH2 mutations (P=0.02), leukocytosis ≥11 x 109/l (P=0.03) and history of arterial thrombosis (P=0.04) were independent predictors of shortened TFS. Importantly, myelofibrosis variant (primary vs post-ET) did not influence survival (P=0.7) or complication rates (P=0.8 for LFS, P=0.09 for TFS) (Table 2). The karyotype- and mutation-enhanced international prognostic scoring system (MIPSS70+ version 2.0), was effective in risk stratifying type 1/like CALR-mutated PMF (P-values 0.01 to <0.0001), with the exception of low vs intermediate (P=0.22) and intermediate vs high risk (P=0.49) (Figure 1C). The detrimental influences of unfavorable/VHR karyotype and ASXL1 mutations were confirmed (Figure 2A-B) while borderline adverse and prognostically neutral effects were seen on OS for U2AF1 (n=116; P=0.05) and SRSF2 (n=120; P=0.98) respectively (Figure 2C-D). Conclusions: The current study documents analogous disease patterns in primary and post-ET CALR type 1/like-mutated MF and provides information on determinants of long-term survival. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background : Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), a myeloid neoplasm with overlapping features of myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), is characterized by peripheral blood (PB) monocytosis and a risk for leukemic transformation (LT). Gene mutations commonly seen in CMML include, TET2 (~60%), SRSF2 (~50%) and ASXL1 (~40%). MPN associated-driver mutations such as JAK2V617F (~10%), MPL (<1%) and CALR (<1%) are uncommon, and in fact, the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines state that the presence of these mutations tends to support a diagnosis of MPN with monocytosis. We carried out this study to assess the i) clinical correlates and ii) survival outcomes of MPN associated-driver mutations in CMML. Methods : 323 molecularly annotated patients with WHO-defined CMML were included in the study. All patients had bone marrow (BM) biopsies and cytogenetics performed at diagnosis. Targeted capture assays were carried out on BM DNA specimens obtained at diagnosis for 30 myeloid relevant genes, by previously described methods. Results: Among the 323 study patients, 67% were males and median age was 71 years (range, 18-95). Twenty five (8%) patients had CMML with MPN associated-driver mutations; 24 (96%) with JAK2V617F and 1(4%) with a MPLW515L mutation. There were no patients with CALR or JAK2 exon 12 mutations. Additional signal-pathway mutations included NRAS (15%), KRAS (4%), CBL (14%), PTPN11 (3%), CSF3R (1%), and SH2B3 (<1%). i) Phenotypic correlates: The median age of CMML patients with MPN-associated driver mutations was 71 years and 66% were male. The WHO morphological subtypes included CMML-0 60%, CMML-1 24% and CMML-2 16%; while 91% of patients had a normal karyotype. The distribution of mutations included TET2 75%, SRSF2 54%, ASXL1 48%, RUNX1 20%, NRAS and EZH2 12% each, SETBP1 8%, SF3B1, U2AF1, CBL, PTPN11, FLT3-TKD, & Tp53 4% each, respectively. Risk stratification by the Mayo Molecular Model included high 16%, intermediate-2 32%, intermediate-1 36% and low risk 16%, respectively. In comparison to CMML patients without MPN associated-driver mutations, those with, had a higher hemoglobin (HB, p=0.001) and hematocrit (p=0.001), were more likely to have leukocytosis (p=0.02) and elevated LDH levels (p=0.0002), less likely to have thrombocytopenia (p=0.003), more likely to have a "proliferative" CMML phenotype (p=0.01) with palpable splenomegaly (p=0.0007), and more likely to have mutations involving TET2 (p=0.02). Six (2%) thrombotic events were documented in the cohort; 2 (8%) in patients with MPN-driver mutations and 4 (1%) in those without (p=0.07). There were no differences between the two groups with regards to the degree of monocytosis, PB and BM blasts, BM cellularity, BM megakaryocytic atypia, and BM fibrosis. ii) Survival outcomes: At last follow up 219 (68%) deaths and 55 (17%) LT were documented, of which 14 (56%) deaths and 2 (8%) LT occurred in the MPN-driver mutation group. The median OS for the entire cohort was 28 months (22-32); 31 months for CMML patients with MPN associated-driver mutations and 24 months for those without (p=0.4). On a univariate analysis, survival was adversely impacted by low HB (p<0.0001), high white blood count (p=0.0009) and absolute monocyte count (p=0.0004), circulating immature myeloid cells (p=0.02) and blasts (p=0.005), BM blasts (p=0.02), palpable splenomegaly (p=0.03), abnormal karyotype (p=0.001), presence of DNMT3A (p=0.006), ASXL1 (p=0.009), EZH2 (p=0.03) and Tp53 (p=0.02) mutations and the absence of TET2 (p=0.0009) mutations. Survival was not affected by the presence of JAK2V617F (p=0.4) or MPL (p=0.46) mutations. On a multivariable analysis that included the aforementioned significant variables, only HB <10 gm/dl (p=0.0016), presence of PB blasts (p=0.01), presence of DNMT3A (p=0.003) and the absence of TET2 mutations (p=0.02) retained significance. The presence of MPN associated-driver mutations did not impact LFS (p=0.36). Conclusions: The occurrence of MPN associated-driver mutations in CMML is infrequent (~8%) and is largely restricted to JAK2V617F. CMML patients with MPN-associated driver mutations have a higher HB/hematocrit, are more likely to have proliferative features and palpable splenomegaly, and are less likely to be thrombocytopenic. There was a trend towards an increased thrombotic risk, with no impact of these mutations on overall and leukemia free survival. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.