Schwager, Susan M.

Background:We have previously reported that ∼50% of CLL patients (pts) experience rapid flare of disease when they discontinue ibrutinib therapy due to progression of disease (CLL or Richter's transformation [RT]) (Hampel et al, JCO suppl, 2018). This lead to the clinical practice of overlapping venetoclax with ibrutinib for combination therapy in this setting to prevent ibrutinib withdrawal.Aims:To evaluate the role of continuing ibrutinib beyond the start of salvage venetoclax in pts who have progression of disease on ibrutinib monotherapy, both in preventing ibrutinib withdrawal associated with ibrutinib discontinuation and in disease response.Methods:We identified all CLL pts at Mayo Clinic (3/2017–11/2018) who had disease progression on ibrutinib therapy, where venetoclax was added as subsequent treatment while ibrutinib was continued. CLL‐specific characteristics, treatment timeline and toxicities, and disease course following combination therapy were ascertained. All pts started venetoclax according to the weekly ramp‐up per the package instructions.Results:Eighteen pts treated with the addition of venetoclax to ibrutinib therapy were identified; indications were CLL progression (n = 13) and RT (n = 5). BTK or PLCG2 mutations were present in 8/13 pts. Median duration of follow‐up was 9.6 months after the start of combination therapy.The target venetoclax dose was reached by 5 weeks in 13 pts; reasons for delaying or stopping dose escalation included diarrhea (n = 2), sepsis (n = 2), and neutropenia (n = 1). No patient experienced a disease flare during venetoclax ramp‐up.The median duration of combination ibrutinib and venetoclax therapy was 3 months (range, 0–14 months). Of 18 pts who started combination therapy with ibrutinib and venetoclax, ibrutinib was discontinued in 10 pts. Reasons included hematopoietic stem cell transplant (n = 2), planned stop after adequate disease control (n = 4), financial reasons (n = 1), toxicity (neutropenia n = 1, immune thrombocytopenia/bleeding risk n = 1), and death (n = 1). Only 1 patient experienced ibrutinib withdrawal, which occurred following planned discontinuation after clinical complete response (CR) with a 41 day overlap and toleration of venetoclax 400 mg daily; management with re‐initiation of ibrutinib was effective in regaining disease control. Of 9 pts who stopped ibrutinib, 4 pts had a slow taper over 2–8 weeks, and 2 pts also received corticosteroids at the time of ibrutinib discontinuation.Among the other 8 pts who did not discontinue ibrutinib, 6 pts remain on the combination with venetoclax (median duration 6.5 months, range 3–14 months), and 2 pts continued on ibrutinib following venetoclax discontinuation due to disease progression (both pts received further combination of ibrutinib with multi‐agent chemotherapy).The overall response rate (ORR) to combination therapy with ibrutinib and venetoclax was 81% (CR/clinical CR n = 9, partial response n = 4, stable disease n = 1, and primary refractory disease n = 2). The duration of combination therapy was <4 weeks in 2 pts, precluding response assessment. The estimated 12‐month event‐free survival was 54% (95% CI 33–87%), and the estimated 12‐month overall survival from start of combination therapy was 79% (95% CI 60–100%); see Figure 1.Summary/Conclusion:Among CLL pts who develop progression of disease on ibrutinib monotherapy, continued ibrutinib therapy with addition of venetoclax was feasible, ameliorated ibrutinib withdrawal, and was associated with high ORR.image

The prevalence, clinicopathologic correlates, and outcomes of previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients with IGH‐BCL2 and IGH‐BCL3 translocations are not well known. Using the Mayo Clinic CLL database, we identified patients seen between March 1, 2002 and September 30, 2016 who had FISH testing performed within 3 years of CLL diagnosis. The prognostic profile, time to first therapy (TTT), and overall survival (OS) of patients with IGH‐BCL2 and IGH‐BCL3 translocation were compared to patients without these abnormalities (non‐IGH group). Of 1684 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 38 (2.2%) had IGH‐BCL2, and 16 (0.9%) had IGH‐BCL3 translocation at diagnosis. Patients with IGH‐BCL3 translocation were more likely to have high and very‐high CLL‐International Prognostic Index, compared to patients with IGH‐BCL2 translocation and the non‐IGH group. The 5‐year probability of requiring therapy was significantly higher for IGH‐BCL3 compared to IGH‐BCL2 and non‐IGH groups (84% vs 33% vs 29%, respectively, P < 0.0001). The 5‐year OS was significantly shorter for IGH‐BCL3 compared to IGH‐BCL2 and non‐IGH groups (45% vs 89% vs 86%, respectively, P < 0.0001). On multivariable analyses, IGH‐BCL3 translocation was associated with a shorter TTT (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.7; P = 0.005) and shorter OS (HR = 5.5; P < 0.0001); IGH‐BCL2 translocation did not impact TTT and OS. In conclusion, approximately 3% of all newly diagnosed CLL patients have either an IGH‐BCL2 or IGH‐BCL3 translocation. Patients with IGH‐BCL3 translocations have a distinct prognostic profile and outcome. These results support the inclusion of an IGH probe during the routine evaluation of FISH abnormalities in newly diagnosed CLL.

SummaryThe effects of ibrutinib on the natural history of autoimmune cytopenias (AIC) among chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients treated in routine clinical practice require further investigation. Using the Mayo Clinical CLL Database, 193 CLL patients treated with ibrutinib between November 2013 and January 2017 outside the context of a clinical trial were identified; complete review of their medical records was performed for details of past history of AIC and treatment‐emergent AIC. We identified 29/193 (15%) patients with history of AIC prior to ibrutinib start. Of 12 patients requiring AIC therapy at ibrutinib start, 8 (67%) were able to discontinue or de‐escalate AIC treatment, and no patient had worsening of their AIC after initiating ibrutinib. Eleven (6%) patients developed treatment‐emergent AIC after a median of 59 (range, 6–319) days following the initiation of ibrutinib, 7 of whom (64%) were able to continue ibrutinib. Overall and event‐free survival from time of ibrutinib start were not significantly different between patients with history of AIC and those with no history of AIC. Treatment‐emergent AIC were seen exclusively in patients with unmutated IGHV and were associated with a shorter EFS. These results suggest a low rate of treatment‐emergent AIC and improvement in patients with existing AIC.

AbstractThe prevalence of liver dysfunction and its association with outcomes in patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is unknown. Newly diagnosed (<12 months) previously untreated CLL patients seen at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN between 9/1993 and 4/2016 who had baseline assessment of at least one liver function test (LFT) were included in this analysis. The prevalence of liver dysfunction at baseline, proportion of patients who acquired LFT abnormalities, time to first therapy (TTFT) and overall survival (OS) were assessed. An abnormal LFT was present in 82/2336 (3.5%) patients at diagnosis and was associated with advanced Rai stage (Rai III–IV) (21% vs. 6%; P < .001), lower hemoglobin (13.1 g/dL vs. 13.9 g/dL; P < .001), and lower platelet count (187 × 109/L vs. 200 × 109/L; P = .03). Additionally, 236 patients with normal LFTs at diagnosis developed acquired liver dysfunction during follow‐up. Patients with abnormal LFTs at diagnosis had a shorter OS compared to those with normal LFTs (HR 1.80 95% CI 1.13‐2.87; P = .014, adjusted for age, sex, Rai stage, and treatment), although TTFT was not different. Of 52 patients who underwent a liver biopsy, CLL was present in liver tissue in 39/52 (73%) patients, with the portal tracts the most common region involved. Histopathology findings of liver involvement by CLL had limited correlation with choice of CLL therapy. In conclusion, approximately 1 of 25 newly diagnosed CLL patients has abnormal LFTs at diagnosis. Although the TTFT was not different among patients with abnormal LFTs, these patients have a shorter OS compared to those with normal LFTs.

184 Background: Patients with CLL are at higher risk of developing melanoma and other skin malignancies. The survival of patients with melanoma is worse, stage for stage, in patients with CLL than patients without. It is thought that early diagnosis of skin cancer is critical to improving survival in CLL patients. To promote early diagnosis and education on skin cancer prevention, the Mayo Clinic CLL group has recommended that CLL patients be referred for full body skin evaluation within 6 months of diagnosis. We sought to determine adherence to these guidelines by our group and identify prevalence of skin malignancies within 6 months of diagnosis. Methods: We identified patients who lived within 30 miles of Mayo Clinic who were diagnosed with CLL between 01/01/2004 and 01/01/2012 using the Mayo Clinic CLL database. Charts were reviewed for skin examinations, referrals to dermatology/primary care within 6 months of diagnosis of CLL, and diagnosis of a skin malignancy. Results: There were 107 patients newly diagnosed with CLL included in this study. Of the 79 patients who received their primary care at Mayo Clinic, 40 (51%) had a documented whole body skin exam by either a dermatologist or primary care provider within six months of diagnosis. Nine of these 40 patients (23% of examined patients; 8% overall cohort) had a skin malignancy: 2 patients had basal cell carcinomas, 6 patients had squamous cell carcinomas, and 1 patient had malignant melanoma. Prophylactic skin care recommendations could be documented for only 28 (26%) of patients. Conclusions: At least 8% of patients in this locally dwelling cohort with newly diagnosed CLL had a skin malignancy identified within six months of diagnosis (number needed to screen for 1 skin cancer: 13). Of patients referred to dermatology 23% had a skin malignancy (number needed to screen: 4.3). Referrals for screening skin examinations at diagnosis in patients with CLL could have an immediate impact for this at-risk population.