Citations 731

Spectrum of Concomitant and Subsequently Diagnosed Second Malignancies in Patients with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 1989-1989

10.1182/blood.v128.22.1989.1989

Abstract Background : An increased incidence of second skin and visceral malignancies in comparison to the general population has been reported in patients with hematologic neoplasms such as, chronic lymhocytic leukemia (CLL) (~11-36%) (Tsimberidou, JCO, 2009),chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) (4-6%) (Miranda, Leukemia 2016)and multiple myeloma (MM) (3-4.3%) (Palumbo, Lancet Oncol 2014).Diverse etiologies exist for this association. We carried out this study to describe the spectrum of second malignancies in patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Methods : Patients with World Health Organization defined CMML were included in the study. All patients had bone marrow (BM) biopsies performed at diagnosis. We only included malignancies that were diagnosed at the time of CMML diagnosis or subsequent to it. Patients that had concomitant systemic mastocytosis (n=18), therapy related CMML (n=19) and those that underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation (n=23) were excluded. Standard cancer specific diagnostic and staging methods were utilized. Results: The study included 378 patients (median age 71 years; 66% males). Seventy-one concomitant and/or subsequent second malignancies were identified in thirty-two (8%) patients. Age group distribution was; 50-59 years 1 (1%), 60-69 years 21 (30%), 70-79 years 30 (42%) and ≥ 80 years 19 (27%) second malignancies. 22 (69%) patients had 1 second malignancy, 4 (13%) had 2, 2 (6%) had 4 (skin neoplasms), while 4 (13%) patients had ≥ 5 second malignancies (Table one). At a median follow-up of 18 months, 284 (75%) deaths and 54 (14%) leukemic transformations were documented. i) Second hematological malignancies: Thirteen (18%) concomitant (n=7, 54%) and subsequent hematological malignancies (n=6, 46%) were observed in 13 (3.5%) patients. In addition, 10 (3%) pre malignant states including, 7 patients with MGUS and 3 with monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) were seen. In one case each, the MGUS and MBL evolved into multiple myeloma (after 16 months) and CLL (after 30 months), respectively. Concomitant malignancies included: polycythemia vera (n=2, 15%), MM (n=2, 15%), marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (n=1, 8%), splenic lymphoma (n=1, 8%), ALK-rearranged T-cell lymphoma (n=1, 8%), while subsequent malignancies included: MM (n=1, 8%), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n=1, 8%), Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (n=1, 8%), CLL (n=2, 15%) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=1, 8%). Four (31%) patients needed chemotherapy, with outcomes including: complete remission in one case (multiple myeloma), progression of disease in 2 (multiple myeloma and diffuse large B cell-lymphoma) and partial response in 1 case (ALK rearranged T cell lymphoma). CMML related cytopenias did not preclude patients from getting chemotherapy. Three patients died from causes related to their second malignancies. ii) Cutaneous malignancies: Fifty-one (71%) concomitant (n=12, 24%) and subsequent cutaneous malignancies (n=39, 76%) were seen in 13 (3%) patients. The concomitant malignancies included: 7 (14%) basal cell carcinoma (BCC), 5 (10%) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), while subsequent cancers included: 3 (6%) malignant melanoma, 7 (14%) BCC and 29 (57%) SCC. Four cases (8%) were locally advanced and four patients (8%) had recurrent lesions. A concomitant diagnosis of BCC and SCC was made in 8 patients (16%). All patients were treated surgically or with electrodesiccation and curettage. No deaths or metastases were reported. iii) Visceral malignancies: Seven (10%) subsequent visceral malignancies were seen in 6 (1%) patients. These included; colonic adenocarcinoma (n=2, 29%), bladder adenocarcinoma (n=1, 14%), endometrial adenocarcinoma (n=1, 14%), prostate adenocarcinoma (n=1, 14%), clear cell renal carcinoma (n=1, 14%) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (n=1, 14%). All the cases were localized and surgically resected, with two patients (colonic and endometrial adenocarcinoma) needing adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy. All patients achieved complete remission with no mortality related to second malignancies. Conclusions: Approximately 8% of CMML patients have second cutaneous (3.5%), hematological (3.5%) and visceral (1%) malignancies, with most of these occurring in and beyond the seventh decade (~70%) of life. Mortality related to second cancers was low (2%), with most patients receiving appropriate surgical and adjuvant chemo-radiation therapy. Disclosures Al-Kali: Celgene: Research Funding; Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding.
Prognostic Correlates and Outcomes of Relapsed T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma: An Analysis of 41 Consecutive Patients

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

10.1182/blood.v126.23.3730.3730

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

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

10.1182/blood.v122.21.4048.4048

Abstract Background JAK inhibitors (JAKi) currently represent a frontline treatment modality in patients with symptomatic intermediate- or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF). While the efficacy of JAKi in decreasing spleen size and improving disease-related symptoms is well documented, the effect of this drug class on overall survival and risk of leukemic transformation in MF patients is less well understood, primarily due to short follow up in individual patient cohorts. Furthermore, there is scant information on baseline predictors of overall and leukemia-free survival, and also spleen and/or anemia responses, at the onset of JAKi therapy. We conducted a sponsor-independent single-center retrospective review of patients treated with JAKi with long follow up to address the aforementioned issues. Here, we report our findings regarding baseline predictors of clinical outcome and treatment response in MF patients treated with JAKi. Methods Clinical, cytogenetic and molecular data were retrospectively collected on patients treated with one or more JAKi on a clinical trial at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Baseline clinical data pertained to the onset of treatment with the first JAKi. Karyotype information was available for all patients. Screening for JAK2V617F, MPLW515, ASXL1, and SRSF2 mutations was performed as previously described (Leukemia. 2013 Apr 26. doi: 10.1038/leu.2013.119). Spleen size was measured by palpation by clinical investigators. Anemia and spleen responses were adjudicated as per IWG criteria (Tefferi, Blood, 2006). Information on survival and leukemic transformation was updated in July 2013. Results A total of 157 MF patients were studied (60% male; median age 65 years, range 34-89 years). Ninety seven patients (62%) had primary MF, 42 (27%) post-polycythemia vera MF, and 18 (11%) post-essential thrombocythemia MF. The DIPSS-plus distribution was: Low/Int-1 20 (13%), Int-2 66 (42%), and High 71 (45%). Other characteristics were: JAK2V617F positive 78%, unfavorable karyotype 17%, hemoglobin <10 g/dL 58%, leukocyte count >25 x 109/L 31%, platelet count <100 x 109/L 15%, peripheral blasts ≥1% 69%, red blood cell transfusion-dependent 37%, and constitutional symptoms 56%. Forty one patients (38%) were ASXL1 mutated (n=108) and 20 (18%) SRSF2 mutated (n=110). One hundred and thirty nine patients (89%) were evaluable for spleen response (median spleen size by palpation 19 cm, range 6-32 cm) and 91 (58%) for anemia response by IWG criteria. The first JAKi was momelotinib (CYT387) in 79 patients (50%), ruxolitinib in 51 (33%) and fedratinib (SAR302503) in 27 (17%). Median follow up from first JAKi treatment was 30 months (range 1-67 months); during this period, 72 deaths (46%) and 14 (9%) leukemic transformations have been documented. The median overall survival of the entire cohort was 41 months. Multivariable analysis identified the following DIPSS-plus independent predictors for survival: palpable spleen size >20 cm (HR 2.5), ASXL1 mutated status (HR 3.1) and SRSF2 mutated status (HR 3.8) (all p<0.01) (Figure). In contrast, there was no difference in survival with regards to the first JAKi used for MF treatment (p=0.3). Multivariable analysis identified the following predictors for leukemia-free survival: SRSF2 mutated (HR 9.7), unfavorable karyotype (HR 8.7), and palpable spleen size >20 cm (HR 9.1) (all p<0.01). Predictors of spleen response included baseline spleen size (≤20 cm 56%, >20 cm 34%; p=0.01), with borderline significance for ASXL1 mutation status (unmutated 51%, mutated 31%; p=0.06). Predictors of anemia response included RBC transfusion status at baseline (transfusion dependent 38%, transfusion independent 12%; p<0.01) and JAK2V617F status (unmutated 46%, mutated 22%; p=0.02). Conclusions Larger baseline spleen size and ASXL1 and SRSF2 mutated status predicted for inferior overall survival, independent of DIPSS-plus, at the onset of first JAKi treatment in MF patients. Similarly, multivariable analysis identified larger baseline spleen size and presence of unfavorable karyotype and SRSF2 mutations as being predictive for inferior leukemia-free survival. Spleen response rates were significantly superior in patients with smaller baseline spleen size and possibly ASXL1 unmutated status. Anemia response rates were significantly higher in patients who were transfusion-dependent at baseline and had JAK2V617F unmutated status. Disclosures: Pardanani: Bristol Myers Squibb: Clinical trial support Other; Sanofi: Clinical trial support, Publication support services, Clinical trial support, Publication support services Other; PharmaMar: Clinical trial support, Clinical trial support Other; JW Pharmaceutical Corp.: Clinical trial support, Clinical trial support Other. Off Label Use: Use of Ruxolitinib, Momelotinib, Fedratinib and Pomalidomide for treatment of Myelofibrosis in Clinical Trial setting.
Pharmacokinetic Profile and Pharmacodynamic Effects of ASP2215, a Selective, Potent Inhibitor of FLT3/AXL, in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Results from a First-in-Human Phase 1/2 Study

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 4836-4836

10.1182/blood.v126.23.4836.4836

Abstract Introduction: ASP2215, a new tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against FMS-like receptor tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) and AXL receptor tyrosine kinase, is currently in development for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods: In an ongoing, first-in-human Phase 1/2, dose-escalation/dose-expansion study, the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile and pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of ASP2215 were evaluated under fasting conditions in patients with relapsed or refractory AML (R/R AML). Patients who met study criteria were assigned to treatment in the dose-escalation cohorts or were randomized to an open dose level in the dose-expansion cohorts. The dose-escalation cohort was a modified 3+3 with accelerated titration design that evaluated ascending oral doses of ASP2215 (20-450 mg), the dose-expansion cohort was a parallel, multi-dose-expansion cohort. Blood samples were collected and safety/tolerability assessments, including 12-lead electrocardiogram, were evaluated at protocol-specified time points for both cohorts. Effect of increasing ASP2215 exposure on inhibition of FLT3 phosphorylation, assessed via plasma inhibitory assay (PIA), was evaluated using an inhibitory PK/PD Emaxmodel. PK/PD analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between ASP2215 exposure and changes from baseline in QTcF intervals (ΔQTcF) and changes from baseline in clinical laboratory values (e.g., creatinine kinase [ΔCK], aspartate aminotransferase [ΔAST]). Results: Data from an interim analysis of the dose-escalation/dose-expansion study were available from 215 subjects (n=23 [dose escalation], n=192 [dose expansion]). The ASP2215 PK parameters across the dose range (20-450 mg), evaluated after both single- and multiple-dose administration, are presented (Table); statistical analyses suggest the ASP2215 PK parameters are dose proportional from 20-450 mg. Median time to maximal concentration (Tmax) was observed between 2 hr and 6 hr after single and repeated oral dosing. The estimated median half-life (t1/2) ranged from approximately 45 hr to 159 hr based on the accumulation ratio; ASP2215 accumulation was extensive after multiple dose administration as reflected by the accumulation index (Rac) ranging from approximately 3.2-10. A strong correlation was shown for ASP2215 exposure-related inhibition of FLT3 phosphorylation, with >90% FLT3 inhibition observed by Day 8 at ASP2215 doses of ≥80 mg. Although a positive slope was observed between ΔQTcF and ASP2215 exposure, only 5% of the study population were reported as having a maximum post-baseline QTcF interval >500 msec. A similar trend was observed with ASP2215 concentration-related increases in ΔCK and ΔAST; however, <10% of all subjects experienced a Grade ≥3 shift from baseline in CK or AST concentrations. Conclusions: ASP2215 has demonstrated exposure-related FLT3 inhibition and a pharmacokinetic profile that support once-daily oral administration for the treatment of AML in subjects who relapsed after, or are refractory to, induction or salvage treatment. Table. ASP2215 Pharmacokinetic Parameters after Multiple-Dose Administration 20 mg (n=4) 40 mg (n=3) 80 mg (n=3) 120 mg (n=3) 200 mg (n=2) 300 mg (n=3) 450 mg (n=3) Cmax(ng/mL) 45.6 (30.5, 137) 106 (76.7, 140) 396 (217, 516) 282 (248, 593) 1460 (886, 2040) 1260 (1040, 2280) 1150 (776, 1530) Tmax(hr) 4.01 (4.00, 6.00) 3.87 (0.500, 6.00) 4.33 (4.00, 4.42) 2.02 (1.95, 5.75) 6.03 (6.00, 6.07) 6.05 (4.08, 6.07) 5.00 (4.07, 5.93) AUC0-24(ng·h/mL) 926 (543, 2480) 2460 (1750, 2800) 6280 (4160, 10600) 6190 (4200, 11300) 31500 (16500, 46600) 28700 (22300, 43300) 11500 (8070, 14900) t1/2 (hr) 52.8 (39.7, 83.1) 83.7 (68.5, 243) 91.5 (60.9, 108) 45.3 (30.5, 63.3) 143 (99.7, 186) 159 (83.3, 187) 56.9 (51.5, 62.3) Rac 3.70 (2.92, 5.51) 5.55 (4.64, 15.1) 6.02 (4.18, 7.02) 3.25 (2.38, 4.33) 9.08 (6.51, 11.7) 10.1 (5.53, 11.7) 3.94 (3.62, 4.27) Data are presented as median (minimum, maximum). AUC0-24, area under the concentration-time curve between 0-24 hr; Cmax, maximal concentration; t1/2, elimination half-life; Tmax, time to maximal concentration; Rac, accumulation ratio. Disclosures Smith: Astellas: Research Funding; Plexxikon: Research Funding. Off Label Use: ASP2215 is an investigational product for the treatment of AML. Perl:Astellas US Pharma Inc.: Consultancy; Ambit/Daichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Arog Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Asana Biosciences: Consultancy; Actinium Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Altman:Novartis: Other: Advisory board; BMS: Other: Advisory board; Seattle Genetics: Other: Advisory board; Spectrum: Other: Advisory board; Ariad: Other: Advisory board; Astellas: Other: Advisory board; assistance with abstract preparation. Gill:Astellas Pharma US, Inc: Employment. Kadokura:Astellas Pharma Global Development: Employment, Other: Personal fees. Yuen:Astellas Pharma, Inc.: Employment. Fisniku:Astellas: Employment. Liu:Astellas: Employment. Nagase:Astellas: Employment. Sargent:Astellas Pharma US, Inc: Employment. Bahceci:Astellas Pharma Global Development: Employment.
Subnormal Lymphocyte Count Predicts Inferior Survival in Myelodysplastic Syndromes: A Single Center Experience in 889 Patients

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 5534-5534

10.1182/blood.v128.22.5534.5534

Abstract Background In myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), we have previously shown the adverse prognostic effect of ALC <1.2 x 10(9)/L (Nisha et al. Am J Hematol 2010;85:160). In the current larger study of 889 patients with MDS, we sought to validate and expand on our previous observations and also examine the effect of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR). Methods We retrospectively recruited 889 consecutive patients with primary MDS who were untreated at the time of referral to our institution, and in whom ALC and absolute monocyte count (AMC) at time of referral was documented. The diagnosis of MDS and leukemic transformation (LT) was according to WHO criteria (Blood. 2009;114:937). Complete follow-up information was updated in January 2015. Comparison of laboratory and clinical features was made between patients with subnormal and normal ALC; patients with above normal ALC were considered separately. Overall and leukemia-free survivals of patients with normal ALC was compared to those with either subnormal ALC or, in order to validate our previous observation, with ALC <1.2 x 10(9)/L. Results Patient characteristics: Median (range) values for the 889 study patients (69% males) included: age 72 (18-98), hemoglobin 9.6 g/dL (5.4-15.7), leukocyte count 3.4 x 10(9)/L (0.4-35), AMC 0.2 x 10(9)/L (0-1.7), platelet count 106 x 10(9)/L (2-1804), circulating blasts 0% (0-18) and bone marrow blasts 3% (0-19). Transfusion need was documented in 33% of patients and abnormal karyotype in 49%. Risk stratification by the revised international prognostic scoring system (IPSS-R) was very high in 10%, high in 16%, intermediate in 20%, low in 36% and very low in 16%. The median (range) ALC for the entire study population of 889 patients was 1.16 x 10(9)/L (0.02-8.9). The normal range of ALC at our institution was 0.9-2.9 x 10(9)/L; the number of patients with subnormal, normal and above normal ALC was 261 (29%), 598 (67%) and 30 (4%), respectively. In addition, 442 (50%) and 417 (47%) patients had ALC below 1.2 x 10(9)/L and ALC between 1.2 and the upper limit of normal, respectively. After a median follow-up of 27 months, 712 (80%) deaths and 116 (13%) leukemic transformations were documented. Comparison of patients stratified by absolute lymphocyte count Compared to patients with normal ALC, patients with subnormal ALC displayed lower hemoglobin (p=0.002), higher red blood cell transfusion need (p=0.0003), lower leukocyte count (p<0.0001), lower monocyte count (p=0.002) and lower platelet count (p<0.0001), whereas borderline association was also apparent for older age (p=0.06). In univariate analysis, survival was adversely affected by lower ALC, treated as a continuous variable (p=0.01). Similarly, when compared to patients with normal ALC, patients with subnormal ALC (p=0.001; HR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.5) and those with ALC <1.2 x 10(9)/L (p=0.0002; HR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2-1.6) experienced significantly shortened survival. There was no difference in survival between patients with above normal ALC and those with either subnormal (p=0.58) or normal (p=0.41) ALC; accordingly, patients with above normal ALC were excluded from subsequent analysis. In multivariable analysis, the adverse effect of subnormal ALC was shown to be independent of age, gender, anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia , circulating blast percentage, bone marrow blast percentage or cytogenetic risk stratification by and IPSS; the same held true for ALC <1.2 x 10(9)/L. The association with IPSS-R was of borderline significance for both ALC <1.2 x 10(9)/L (p=0.06) and subnormal ALC (p=0.1). The adverse effect of ALC was most apparent in patients with very low or low risk disease per IPSS-R (p=0.0007 for subnormal ALC and 0.0003 for ALC <1.2 x 10(9)/L), compared to those with higher risk status (p=0.67 and 0.7, respectively). Neither subnormal ALC (p=0.4) nor ALC <1.2 x 10(9)/L (p=0.1) affected leukemia free survival. Analysis using LMR in place of ALC showed similar but not necessarily superior results. Conclusions Compared to those with normal ALC, MDS patients with either subnormal ALC or with ALC below 1.2 x 10(9)/L experienced shorter overall, but not leukemia-free, survival; this adverse effect was most apparent in lower risk patients and was independent of most of the currently established risk factors for survival in MDS. The observations from the current study suggest the possible therapeutic value of augmenting host immunity in lower risk MDS. Disclosures Al-Kali: Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding.
Extracorporeal Photophoresis (ECP) For Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGVHD): A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

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

10.1182/blood.v122.21.5472.5472

Abstract Introduction Steroid refractory chronic graft-versus-host-disease (SR-cGVHD) is the leading cause of late morbidity and mortality in allogeneic transplant patients. Safety of extracorporeal photophoresis (ECP) has led to multiple studies evaluating its role in SR-cGVHD. Overall and organ specific response rates (RR) of SR-cGVHD have varied significantly between studies. We conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of ECP in SR-cGVHD. Methods A comprehensive search of several databases (Ovid Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central register of Controlled Trials,, Scopus) for articles published in any language between 1984-2012 was conducted. Unpublished studies using electronic databases from the annual meetings abstracts of hematology/transplant societies were searched. Experts in the field were also contacted for selection of studies and missing data from selected trials. End points included complete response rate (CR), overall RR (ORR), and organ-specific RR's. Results Initial search generated 312 studies, out of which 18 studies (4 prospective) met selection criteria (N=595). Random effects model was used for pooled rates. Pooled CR rate (11 studies) was 29% (CI 19%-42%). Pooled ORR (16 studies) was 64% (CI 65-82%). 1 year overall survival was 49% (CI 29-70%). There was significant heterogeneity between studies (I²=72) likely due to differences in ECP schedules utilized, and a variety of scales used to measure outcomes. Pooled RR's for SR-cGVHD of skin was 74% (CI 60-85%), liver was 68% (CI 57-77%), ocular was 60% (CI 40-78%), oral was 72% (CI 51-86%), lung was 48% (CI 33-63%), gastrointestinal (GI) was 53% (CI 21-83%), and musculoskeletal (MSK) was 64% (CI 18-94%). No significant differences in responses to ECP for pediatric and adult populations were found. Sensitivity analysis could not be done due to limited number of prospective studies. Conclusions ECP is an effective therapy for oral, skin & liver SR-cGVHD, with modest activity in lung and GI SR-cGVHD. Further studies must report standardized outcomes with a uniform schedule of ECP. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Outcome of Patients Younger Than 50 Years Old Diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS): Single Institution Experience

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 5541-5541

10.1182/blood.v128.22.5541.5541

Abstract Background: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are rare hematological neoplasms that are more typically seen in elderly patients. Young patients (< 50 years old) have been reported to comprise between 3-6% in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) (Ma X et al, Cancer 2007; Rollison R et al, Blood 2008) with a better overall survival (OS). We hereby report the characteristics of young MDS patients with long survival follow-up. Methods: A total of 1012 MDS patients' data from Oct 1993 to Dec 2015 at Mayo Clinic were reviewed after appropriate IRB approval was obtained. All cases had their bone marrow slides reviewed at our institution. Patients youngers than 50 years old (yMDS) were included as cohort 1, while the rest was included as control group (cohort 2). Prognostic factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Survival estimates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves and univariate and multivariate analyses was based on log-rank testing using JMP software version 10. Results: Characteristics: We identified 68 (7%) yMDS patients with a median age of 42 years (range, 18-49). Female gender was more common in yMDS (43% vs 31%, p= 0.05). Upon comparison between cohort 1 and 2, only platelets were significantly lower in yMDS (61 vs 102, p <0.0001), but not white blood cells, hemoglobin or degree of marrow fibrosis. MDS subtyping according to World Health Organization 2016 showed single lineage dysplasia in 15% vs 2%, multilineage dysplasia 24% vs 36% , ring sideroblasts 9% vs 15%, isolated del (5q) 1% vs 3%, excess blasts 44% vs 31%, and unclassifiable in 6% vs 5%. As expected, therapy related MDS (t-MDS) was more frequent in yMDS (33% vs 17%, p= 0.005). Transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was also more frequent in yMDS (28 % vs 11%, p= 0.0004). Compared to cohort 2, yMDS IPSS-R scores were very high, high, intermediate, low, and very low in 24% vs 13%, 29% vs 16%, 21% vs 20%, 19% vs 35%, and 7% vs 17%, respectively. Allogenic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) was more frequent in yMDS (42% vs 4%, p< 0.0001). Survival outcome: Median OS was longer for cohort 1 vs cohort 2 but did not reach statistical significance (43 vs 21 months, p= 0.1). Median progression free survival (PFS) was shorter for cohort 1 vs cohort 2 but did not reach statistical significance (8 vs 12 months, p= 0.3). Median OS for cohort 1 based on R-IPSS was 44, 105, 40, 18, and 12 months for very low, low, intermediate, high and high risk groups, respectively (p= 0.09). Median OS was shorter in t-MDS vs de novo MDS in cohort 1 (13 vs 47 months, p = 0.04). Young patients who had transformed to AML had a worse median OS (18 vs 93 months, p=0.001). On multivariate analysis neither t-MDS nor R-IPSS had a statistically significant impact on OS. Conclusions: MDS is rarely diagnosed under the age of 50. IPSS-R was less powerful in detecting differences between its risk groups for this patient population, although more than half of the patients with yMDS had either high or very high risk. Among this cohort of yMDS patients, there was a significantly higher proportion with therapy-related myeloid neoplasms compared to older patients (one third of patients), with subsequent higher rates of transformation to AML and higher allogeneic HCT. In our study, we did not find an improved OS for yMDS patients compared to older patients. Disclosures Al-Kali: Celgene: Research Funding; Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding.
Disparity in the Overall Survival Improvement over Time and the Effect Time-to-Treatment on the Outcome of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: A US National Cancer Data Base Study from 1998-2011

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 3747-3747

10.1182/blood.v126.23.3747.3747

Abstract Background: Approximately 1,000 acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients are diagnosed in the US annually. APL has the highest cure and early mortality rates of all acute leukemias. The availability of all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) in 1995 and arsenic trioxide in 2000 has further improved the overall survival (OS). However, whether there is uniform improvement in OS across demographic subgroups and if sooner time-to-treatment (TTT) reduces early mortality are unknown. We used the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), a nationwide oncology registry covering 70% of the US cancer population to answer these questions. Methods: We identified patients with APL diagnosed from 1998-2011 using ICD-O-3 code 9866. Survival functions were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and 30-day mortality was estimated as 1-survival at 30 days. We compared OS according to demographic subgroups (gender, age [18-40, 41-64, and >65 years], race [White, Black, Native American, Asian/Pacific Islander, and other], and ethnicity) across years of diagnosis (Period [P] 1: 1998-2001, P2: 2002-2006, and P3: 2007-2011). For 30-day mortality, we compared the rates according to demographic subgroups and time periods and determined the effect of TTT (days from APL diagnosis to ATRA and/or chemotherapy). For this analysis we included only patients treated within 30 days of diagnosis and those diagnosed from 2003 to 2011. TTT was grouped as 0, 1, 2, or >3 days. We used mixed-effects logistic regression model to obtain odds ratio comparing treatment delays. Our model accounted for multiple subjects per facility with a random intercept and was adjusted for gender, Charlson-Deyo score, and year of diagnosis. Results: Characteristics: There were 8,084 APL patients in our study. The median age at diagnosis was 51 (24% were older than 65) years and 50% were females. White race (85%) was the most common, followed by black (11%) and Asian (3%). Twelve percent were Hispanic in origin. Slightly more patients (54.8%) were treated in academic centers. Thirty seven percent had either Medicaid or Medicare insurance. OS: Race had no impact on OS, although Asians had a trend towards improved OS (P=0.06). Both females and young age affected OS favorably (P <0.0001). In general, OS improved over the three time periods (P=0.002). Across Periods 1-3, we observed significant improvement in OS among the males (P=0.03), 18-40 (P=0.035) and 41-64 (P=0.005) age groups, Whites (P=0.012), and non-Spanish/Hispanics (P=0.002), but not among their counterparts. 30-day mortality rate: Age above 65 years was associated with highest 30-day mortality (33%). Similarly male gender had statistically significant higher 30-day mortality (shown in the Figure). There was no statistically significant difference among Periods 1-3. As expected, untreated patients had an increased risk of death versus treated (HR=1.9, confidence interval 1.7-2.1). TTT: A third (33.5%) of the patients was treated within two days of APL diagnosis. TTT was not independently associated with lower 30-day mortality rate (shown in the Table). Presence of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) data was not available to analyze. Conclusions: From 1998-2011, the OS of APL continued to improve but not uniformly across demographic subgroups. In contrast, the 30-day mortality did not improve in the same time period. Both Age above 65 and male gender predicted worse 30-day mortality and OS. Our study did not find a favorable association between shorter TTT and lower 30-day mortality rate. Our study was not able to study these findings among different risk groups. Disclosures Al-Kali: Celgene: Research Funding. Tibes:TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding.
Importance of Achieving Complete Remission (CR) after Intensive Therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in Older Adults Age ≥60 Years: Analysis of Risk Factors for Early Mortality and Re-Induction, and Impact of Quality of Response on Overall Survival (OS

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 339-339

10.1182/blood.v128.22.339.339

Abstract Background: The results of the primary endpoint of the E2906 North American Intergroup phase 3 trial - demonstrating significantly inferior OS after single agent clofarabine versus standard intensive daunorubicin & cytarabine induction and consolidation - strongly support the use of intensive therapy for patients age ≥60 years with newly-diagnosed AML who are fit for treatment. This result was achieved despite similar CR rates (including CRi - CR with incomplete blood count recovery) and similar early (30- & 60-day) induction mortality between study arms, raising the question as to the importance of achieving CR as an endpoint. Therefore, we performed a follow-up analysis to address the factors that contribute to early mortality, the necessity for 2nd induction cycle to achieve CR, and to assess the survival impact of the quality of remission. Methods: E2906 design, study population and results for the primary objective were reported previously (ASH 2015, abstr. #217a). We performed this updated analysis to evaluate clinical risk factors for early mortality and re-induction, and to assess the impact of response quality on OS. Univariate comparisons were made with Fisher's exact test (category) and t-test (continuous variable), and logistic regression models were used to examine risk factors associated with early mortality, and with requiring a 2nd cycle of induction therapy. We performed a landmark analysis (beginning Day 60 after initiation of therapy) to determine the impact of response quality (CR/CRi, morphologic leukemia-free-state (MLFS), and treatment failure - i.e. residual/refractory AML) on OS. Survival comparisons were performed with log-rank test. Results: A total of n=727 patients were registered to E2906, the median age is 68 years (range 60-86) and the median follow-up of surviving patients is now 18.3 months. Adjusting for treatment, cytogenetic risk group, FAB subtype, WBC count, and secondary AML, increasing age (p=0.06) and performance status (PS) >1 (p=0.05) were associated with 30-day mortality and only PS >1 (p=0.06) with 60-day mortality. Treatment arm (p=0.003), adverse cytogenetic risk group (p=0.02), increasing age (p=0.03) and baseline WBC <10K (p=0.03) were each independently associated with higher risk of receiving 2nd cycle induction, but there was no difference in CR/CRi (44.2% vs. 42.2%, p=0.58) or in median OS (13.8 versus 12.0 months, p=0.11) for those receiving 1 vs. 2 induction cycles, respectively. We next performed a landmark analysis (day 60, n=608 evaluable patients) to evaluate OS in relation to the quality of response (Table). We observed an advantage in achieving CR and CR/CRi, although the benefit of CRi diminished greatly after 12 months, and OS after MLFS appeared more similar to treatment failure (Figure, p<0.001). The relative adverse impact of CRi and MLFS (vs. CR) was most pronounced for patients treated with clofarabine, where median OS was shorter for those achieving CRi (12.2m vs. 22.6m standard therapy, p=0.007) and MLFS (6.6m vs. 13.4m standard therapy, p=0.15). Conclusion: This follow-up analysis confirms the importance of CR regardless of the number of cycles of induction therapy required to achieve remission, and identifies risk factors associated with early mortality and with requiring re-induction. At longer follow-up the OS after CRi appears to be inferior to true CR, particularly after clofarabine. We hypothesize that this may be due to higher rates of minimal residual disease in CRi, and studies to determine this are being performed. MLFS is not associated with a better overall survival than frank treatment failure (i.e. residual disease) and therefore its value as a response category is uncertain. These results highlight the role of standard intensive remission induction therapy with the intent of achieving CR, which remains the standard of care for fit older adults. Table. Table. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Foran: karyopharm: Honoraria; novartis: Honoraria; medscape: Honoraria; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding; pfizer: Honoraria; boehringer ingelheim: Research Funding; agios: Research Funding; Cellerant: Research Funding. Melnick:Janssen: Research Funding. Altman:Novartis: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Syros: Honoraria. Al-Kali:Novartis: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding.
An Early Biomarker Algorithm Predicts Lethal Graft-Versus-Host Disease and Survival after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 509-509

10.1182/blood.v128.22.509.509

Abstract No laboratory test can predict non-relapse mortality (NRM) after hematopoietic cellular transplantation (HCT) prior to the onset graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Recently, we have shown that a signature of three GVHD plasma biomarkers (TNFR1, ST2, and REG3α) can predict response to GVHD therapy and NRM at the onset of clinical GVHD (Levine, Lancet Haem, 2015). Our goal in the current study was to identify a blood biomarker signature that could predict lethal GVHD and six-month NRM well in advance of the onset of GVHD symptoms. Patient samples on day +7 after HCT were obtained from 1,287 patients from 11 HCT centers in the Mount Sinai Acute GVHD International Consortium (MAGIC). Samples from two large centers (n = 929) were combined and randomly assigned to a training set (n = 620) and test set (n = 309). 358 patients from nine others centers constituted an independent validation set. The overall cumulative incidences of 6-month NRM were 11%, 12%, and 13% for the training, test, and validation sets respectively. The incidence of lethal GVHD, defined as death without preceding relapse while under steroid treatment for acute GVHD, were 18%, 24%, and 14% in the same groups, respectively. The median day of GVHD onset was 28 days in the training set and 29 days in the test and validation sets. We measured four GVHD related biomarkers [ST2, REG3α, TNFR1, and IL2Rα] in all samples and used the training set alone to develop competing risks regression models that used all 13 possible combinations of one to four biomarkers to predict 6-month NRM. The best algorithm, which we rigorously confirmed through Monte Carlo cross-validation of 75 different combinations of training sets, included ST2 and REG3α. No combination of one, three, or four biomarkers was superior to the combination of these two biomarkers. The day 7 algorithm identified high risk (HR) and low risk (LR) groups with 6-month NRMs of 28% and 7%, respectively (p<0.001) (Fig 1A). The relapse rates did not differ between risk groups so that overall survival (OS) was 60% for HR and 84% for LR (p<0.001) (Fig 1B). When applied to the test set (Fig 1C/D), the algorithm identified 54/309 (17%) of the patients as HR with an NRM of 33% vs 7% for LR patients (p<0.001) and 6-month OS of 57% and 81% for HR and LR patients, respectively (p<0.001). In the independent validation set (Fig 1 E/F), the algorithm identified 72/358 (20%) of the patients as HR with an NRM of 26% vs 10% for LR patients (p<0.001) and OS of 68% and 85% for HR and LR patients, respectively (p<0.001). High risk patients were three times more likely to die from GVHD than LR patients in each cohort (p<0.001) (Fig 2). The GI tract is the GVHD target organ that is most resistant to treatment and represents a major cause of NRM, and we observed twice as much severe GI GVHD (stage 3 or 4) in HR patients as in LR patients (p<0.001, data not shown). The algorithm successfully separated HR and LR strata for 6 month NRM in several groups with differing risks for GVHD and NRM, including donor type, degree. of HLA-match, age group, and conditioning regimen intensity (Fig 3). In conclusion, we have developed a blood biomarker algorithm that predicts the development of lethal GVHD seven days after HCT, which performed successfully in large multicenter validation sets. The GVH reaction is already in progress by day +7, even though clinical symptoms may not occur until days or weeks later. We speculate that the blood biomarker concentrations at this early time point reflect subclinical GI pathology, a notion that is reinforced by the fact that ST2 and REG3α, the two biomarkers in the algorithm, are closely associated with GI GVHD. The algorithm identified HR and LR strata in several patient groups with different overall risk for lethal GVHD (donor, HLA match, conditioning regimen intensity, age). This day +7 algorithm should prove useful in clinical BMT research by identifying patients at high risk for lethal GVHD who might benefit from aggressive preemptive treatment strategies. Disclosures Chen: Novartis: Research Funding; Incyte Corporation: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Jagasia:Therakos: Consultancy. Kitko:Therakos: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Kroeger:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Levine:Viracor: Patents & Royalties: GVHD biomarkers patent. Ferrara:Viracor: Patents & Royalties: GVHD biomarkers patent.