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Clofarabine Based Chemotherapy in Adult Relapsed/Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma-a Single Institution Experience
Lin, Tasha , Al‐Kali, Aref , Sproat, Lisa, Betcher, Jeffrey, Barreto, Jason N. , Hashmi, Shahrukh K. , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Gangat, Naseema , Elliott, Michelle A. , Litzow, Mark R. , Alkhateeb, Hassan B. , Damlaj, Moussab , Hogan, William J.

Mayo Clinic

Blood | November 17, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 4910-4910

10.1182/blood.v126.23.4910.4910 Get It

Abstract Background: Adult relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (rALL) carries a very poor prognosis with limited options for effective salvage therapy. To date, there has been only a single retrospective report on the use of clofarabine in adult rALL demonstrating CR rate of 31% in this setting (Barba P et al. 2012). Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of clofarabine based therapy in a relatively large cohort of adult rALL patients. Method: After IRB approval, a retrospective single institution study of all patients (pts) diagnosed with rALL treated with a clofarabine based regimen at Mayo Clinic between 2000 - 2014 was performed. Categorical variables were analyzed using Pearson's chi-squared test while continuous variables were analyzed using the Wilcoxon / Kruskal-Wallis test with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Survival estimates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method and means were compared using log ranks. Results: Presenting features: We identified a total of 22 pts with a diagnosis of rALL who received clofarabine based therapy. 20 patients were evaluable and 2 were excluded (one received clofarabine as salvage for positive MRD and the other as systemic maintenance with CNS directed therapy for an isolated CNS relapse). Among evaluable pts, median age at time of Clofarabine based chemotherapy was 39 years (range 19-65) and 50% were males. Thirteen had B-ALL while 7 had T-ALL. Median leukocyte count was 6 x109 (0.2-28.7), hemoglobin 9.8 g/dL (7-12.9), platelet 65 x109 (12-493), peripheral blood blast 4% (0-88) and bone marrow blasts 80% (0-95) while five pts had extramedullary disease. Median number of prior regimens was 2 (1-7).. 8 (40%) pts were post allogeneic transplant Treatment and Response: 10 pts (50%) received clofarabine monotherapy, 7(35%) clofarabine and cytarabine, and 3 (15%) had clofarabine, etoposide and cyclophosphamide. Overall response rate (CR/CRi + PR) was 35%. Five (25%) achieved CR/CRi, and 2 achieved PR. Among those who achieved CR, 4 out 5 proceeded to further therapy; 2 to allogeneic stem cell transplant and two additional patients received donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI). One pt with PR also proceeded to allogeneic stem cell transplant. In comparative analysis, there were more males 6 (86%) vs 1(14%) in the responding arm (P = 0.014), otherwise the number of regimens prior to clofarabine, type of clofarabine regimen, transplant status, T vs B cell ALL, did not impact response. Median overall survival was 2.4 months (1.3-2.9) in non-responders vs. 12.8 months (3-27.4) in responders (P =0.0007) (Figure 1). All pts who proceeded to transplant or DLI relapsed with a median time to relapse of 6.4 (4.8-13.7) months. Toxicity: Rash/Hand Foot syndrome was observed in 3 pts (19%), Grade III-IV liver toxicity occurred in 4 (26%) with no permanent sequela. Opportunistic infection occurred in 3 pt (17%). Conclusion: Clofarabine based chemotherapy was a well-tolerated salvage regimen in heavily pretreated patients and was an effective bridge to definitive therapy in a significant proportion of cases. Prospective evaluation of these findings is warranted. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Al-Kali: Celgene: Research Funding.
Patients with Therapy-Related Myelodysplastic Syndromes (t-MDS) Have Shorter Median Overall Survival Than De Novo MDS: Mayo Clinic Experience
Hreh, Muhanad, Zblewski, Darci, Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Baidoun, Firas , Gangat, Naseema , Hook, Chris, Litzow, Mark R. , Al‐Kali, Aref , Baidoun, Firas , Chen, Dong , Hook, Chris, Hogan, William J.

Mayo Clinic

Blood | November 17, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 5234-5234

10.1182/blood.v126.23.5234.5234 Get It

Abstract Background: MDS is a clonal bone marrow disorder characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis with peripheral blood cytopenias and an increased risk for transformation to acute leukemia. Patients with MDS who have a history of prior exposure to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy are called therapy-related MDS (t-MDS). We hereby describe our experience with this entity and compare it to our experience with de novo MDS patients. Aim: To study the differences of clinical outcome between t-MDS and de novo MDS patients. Method: A retrospective single institution study chart review of cases with MDS at Mayo Clinic Rochester between 1993- 2011 was performed. De novo MDS, t-MDS and leukemic transformation (LT) were defined according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification (Swerdlow et al 2008). Prior exposures to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/ or both were defined as t-MDS; while lack of any as de novo MDS. Appropriate IRB approval was obtained in accordance with the Helsinki declaration. Comparison between group medians was done using Wilcoxon test, comparison between values was done using contingency and One-way analyses (Means/Anova/Pooled t), while survival estimates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves JMP V10 Results: Out of 827 patients with MDS, 153 (19%) patients were t-MDS (group (Gr) 1) versus 674 (81%) (rest of patients, Gr 2). Out of the t-MDS, 79 (52%) pts had CTX, and 42 (27%) had XRT, and 32 (21%) pts had both CTX/XRT). Upon comparison between Gr 1 vs 2, statistical significant difference was seen in median age 69 vs 72 (p=0.01), Platelets 68 vs 114 x109(<p0.0001), and WBC 3.2 vs 3.6 x109(0.02), respectively. No significant statistical difference was found in median Hg 9.6 vs 9.7 gm/dL (p 0.6), peripheral blood (PB) blasts 0% in both groups, and bone marrow (BM) blasts 2% in both groups. IPSS was low, int-1, int-2, high in 16%, 40%, 34%, 9%in Gr 1 and 32%, 46%, 18%, 4% in Gr 2. IPSS-R was very low, low, int, high, very high in 9%, 24%, 18%, 20%, 28% in Gr 1 vs 18%, 36%, 20%, 16%, 10% in Gr 2. AML transformation (LT) was identical in both groups at 12%. Upon comparison between Gr 1 and 2, median time to AML transformation was 7.9 vs 13 months (p=0.08). Median overall survival (mOS) was shorter in Gr 1 vs 2 at 16 vs 34 months (P<0.0001). When analysis was limited to diploid cytogenetics, median OS was 63 vs 50 months, respectively (p=0.9). Both IPSS and IPSS-R were prognostic of mOS in t-MDS (p<0.0001). On multivariate analysis; age (<0.0001), IPSS-R (p<0.0001) and previous CTX and/ or XRT (P=0.02) were the only variables that affected mOS. Conclusion: T-MDS comprises a small portion of all MDS cases (19%). Median overall survival in the de novo MDS group was longer than t-MDS group; however this difference was not maintained in patients with diploid cytogenetics. Similarly, time to AML was longer in de novo MDS compared to t-MDS (although similar rates of incidence). All of age, IPSS-R and t-MDS did affect median OS on multivariate analysis. Disclosures Al-Kali: Celgene: Research Funding.
Momelotinib Therapy in Myelofibrosis: 6-Years Follow-up Data on Safety, Efficacy and the Impact of Mutations on Overall and Relapse-Free Survival
Tefferi, Ayalew , Barraco, Daniela , Begna, Kebede H. , Al‐Kali, Aref , Litzow, Mark R. , Hanson, Curtis A. , Gangat, Naseema , Pardanani, Animesh , Lasho, Terra L. , Hogan, William J. , Ketterling, Rhett P.

Mayo Clinic

Blood | November 17, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 1123-1123

10.1182/blood.v128.22.1123.1123 Get It

Abstract Background: Momelotinib is a JAK 1/2 inhibitor that is active in the treatment of myelofibrosis (MF); a previous phase 1/2 study included 100 consecutive patients from the Mayo Clinic (Leukemia. 2015;29:741). In the current long-term study of these 100 patients, we provide a cumulative account of short and long term efficacy and toxicity data, as well as survival analysis. Methods: The current study represents sponsor-independent analysis. The study patients are part of a larger (n=166) phase-1/2 momelotinib study (NCT00935987), which was conducted in two dose-escalation (100 mg-400 mg daily doses) and dose-confirmation (300 mg daily dose) phases. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (Version 4.03) and responses by the International Working Group criteria (Blood. 2013;122:1395). All statistical analyses considered clinical and laboratory parameters obtained at the time of entry to study. Results: Baseline data: 100 patients with MF (median age 66 years; 58% males) were treated between 11/20/09 and 11/10/10; 64 patients had primary MF, 22 post-polycythemia vera MF and 14 post-essential thrombocythemia MF. 73 (73%) patients harbored JAK2 mutations, 16 (16%) CALR, 7 MPL and 4 were "triple-negative"; among the 16 CALR-mutated cases, 13 were classified as "type 1/type 1-like". DIPSS-plus risk distribution (JCO 2011;29:392) was 63% high, 36% intermediate-2 and 1% intermediate-1; 49% displayed red cell transfusion-dependency, 58% constitutional symptoms, 87% palpable splenomegaly >5 cm and 50% abnormal karyotype. 94 patients were screened for ASXL1 mutations with 41 (44%) mutated and 78 for SRSF2 mutations with 14 (18%) mutated. 21 (21%) patients were previously treated with another JAK inhibitor. Current disposition: All information was updated in July 2016. To-date, after a median follow-up of 3.2 years, 88 drug discontinuations, 70 deaths and 14 leukemic transformations have been documented; median follow-up for living patients was 5.7 years (range 5.1-6.4). Among the 30 patients who are currently alive, 12 remain on study and another 5 have received stem cell transplant. Toxicity data: After a median treatment duration of 1.7 years, "momelotinib related" grade 3 or 4 AEs included thrombocytopenia (34%), neutropenia (9%), anemia (5%), increased lipase (7%), increased ALT (4%), increased AST (2%), increased ALP (2%) and headaches (2%). In addition, noteworthy grade 1 or 2 AEs included peripheral neuropathy (PN) 47%, increased lipase (14%), increased amylase (17%), increased bilirubin (13%), increased AST (21%), increased ALT (19%), increased APTT (17%), headaches (13%), dizziness (22%), nausea (23%) and diarrhea (20%). Most of the AEs, except PN, were reversible. Efficacy data and predictors of response and relapse-free survival: Clinical improvement (CI) was documented in 57% of patients, anemia response in 44%, and spleen response in 43%. 51% of transfusion-dependent patients became transfusion independent. The majority of patients also had marked improvement in their symptoms. 46 (81%) of the 57 responding patients discontinued treatment after a median treatment duration of 2.3 years. ASXL1 mutations predicted inferior CI (p=0.03) whereas relapse-free survival was adversely affected by absence of type 1/type 1-like CALR (p=0.03) or presence of unfavorable karyotype (p=0.002); among the 11 responding patients currently still receiving the drug, all had favorable karyotype and 5 had type 1/type 1-like CALR mutations. Survival analysis and risk factors : Median survival, calculated from the time of study entry, was 3.2 years with 5-year survival rate of 32%. In multivariable analysis of genetic markers, absence of type 1/type 1-like CALR (HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.1-7.2) or presence of SRSF2 (2.9, 1.5-5.4) or ASXL1 (1.8, 1.1-3.2) mutations were independently predictive of shortened survival (Figure). Conclusions: Momelotinib therapy in MF provides effective palliation in terms of anemia, splenomegaly and constitutional symptoms. However, less than 20% of treated patients enjoy durable long-term benefit and almost half experience drug-related and mostly irreversible peripheral neuropathy. Long-term survival and durability of response were superior in patients with type 1/type 1-like CALR mutations and inferior in those with ASXL1/SRSF2 mutations or unfavorable karyotype. Figure Figure. Disclosures Al-Kali: Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding.
DNA Cytosine-Demethylating Agent 5-Aza-2'-Deoxycytidine Targets Leukemia Cells through Reducing DNA N6-Methyladenine
Pang, Jiuxia, Seiler, Christopher L., Kempen, Ryan, Al‐Kali, Aref , Tretyakova, Ya. N., Litzow, Mark R. , Liu, Shujun , Liu, Xiaochang , Liu, Hao

Mayo Clinic

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 2513-2513

10.1182/blood-2019-130490 Get It

Introduction: It is known that overexpression of DNA methyltransferases (e.g., DNMT1) is frequent and changes of DNA cytosine methylation (5mC) are a constant feature of cancers. DNA methylation inhibitors, such as 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (Dec), have been in clinics for patients with leukemia. It is classically believed that promoter hypomethylation coupled by reexpression of epigenetically-suppressed tumor suppressors is a core mechanism behind Dec-impaired leukemia cell growth. However, the fact that global DNA methylation profiling barely predicts Dec-response suggests a demethylation-independent mechanism of Dec-induced cell death. N6-methyladenine (m6A) has been identified recently as an abundant DNA modification in eukaryotes (Wu, Nature 2016;532:329). Importantly, m6A is extensively present in the human genome, and m6A abundance is associated with tumorigenesis (Xie, Cell 2018;71:306). Furthermore, the DNA m6A is dynamically modulated by the methyltransferases (i.e., METTL3, N6AMT1) and demethylases (i.e., ALKBH1), and changes in m6A predict gene expression (Wu, Nature 2016;532:329). Given a potential crosstalk between m6A and distinct epigenetic mechanisms (Yao, Nat. Commun 2017;8:1122), we hypothesized that the anticancer actions of Dec may partially result from changes in DNA m6A in leukemia cells. Methods: Protein expression of target genes was assessed by Western blotting. The levels of DNA cytosine methylation (5mC) and N6-methyladenine (m6A) were measured by dotblotting or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The cell viability and apoptosis were determined by the Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8) assays as well as the Annexin V/Propidium Iodide staining and flow cytometry. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of leukemia patients from Mayo Clinic were prepared by Ficoll-Hypaque gradient centrifugation. Results: To test our hypothesis, leukemia cells, Kasumi-1, MV4-11, K562 and KU812, were exposed to 2 µM Dec, a clinical achievable concentration, for 72 hours. As expected, Dec treatment led to a downregulation of DNMT1 and DNMT3a, a reduction of 5mC levels by dotblotting using anti-5mC antibody, a blockage of cell proliferation and a promotion of cell apoptosis. When genomic DNA was subjected to dotblotting using anti-m6A antibody, the results revealed a marked decrease of DNA m6A levels in all Dec-treated cells. Then genomic DNA from K562 and MV4-11 cells was enzymatically digested to 2'-deoxynucleosides. dA was quantified by HPLC-UV, while the amount of m6A was measured by isotope dilution HPLC-ESI-MS/MS using 15N labeled internal standard. The standard curves were generated using pure standards, from which the m6A/A ratio was calculated. In agreement with dotblotting results, Dec treatment significantly decreased DNA m6A abundance in both cell lines. Mechanistically, exposure to Dec led to a consistent increase of demethylase fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), but not METTL3 nor ALKBH1 and ALKBH5. Further, knockdown of FTO increased DNA m6A, which was further confirmed by treatment with FTO inhibitors rhein and meclofenamic acid (MA). These data indicate that FTO may be responsible for Dec-induced m6A changes in leukemia cells. To investigate the clinical implications of DNA m6A, we obtained PBMCs from AML patients (n = 10), who received Dec therapy (20 mg/m2 daily for 5 days every 4 weeks) in Mayo Clinic. These PBMCs were further cultured for 48 hours, frozen and stored in 100% ethanol before DNA extraction. The results from dotblotting using anti-5mC or anti-m6A showed that a trend of decrease in both m6A and 5mC abundance is observed, and the pattern of changes in m6A and 5mC displays a positive correlation. Finally, exposure of leukemia cells to the combination of Dec (2 µM) with FTO inhibitor MA (50 µM) induced more cell apoptosis and greater inhibition on cell proliferation as compared to single agent in vitro, supporting FTO inhibitors as new therapeutic agents in leukemia. Conclusion: Our studies suggest that the FTO-DNA m6A axis may partially mediate the therapeutic outcomes of Dec in leukemia. Our findings provide a new mechanistic paradigm for the anticancer activities of Dec, and define the m6A methylation status in leukemia cells as a new pharmacodynamic marker for their response to Dec-based therapy, pointing to a novel treatment strategy for incorporating m6A modulators to enhance the therapeutic index of Dec. Disclosures Al-Kali: Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding.
The Inspire Study in Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (HR-MDS): A Novel Phase 3 Study Adaptive Design for Hematological Malignancies in Adults
Luger, Selina M. , Al‐Kali, Aref , Woodman, Richard C., Adesanya, Afoluso Ronnee, Azarnia, N., Parris, Matthew, Warlick, Erica D. , Wiktor-Jędrzejczak, W , Garcia‐Manero, Guillermo , Jonasova, Anna T , Valcárcel, David , Díez‐Campelo, María

Mayo Clinic

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 4249-4249

10.1182/blood-2019-132127 Get It

Background: Patients with HR-MDS have a dismal prognosis after failure of hypomethylating agents (HMAs) (Zeidan 2014), with median overall survival (OS) of less than 6 months (Prebet 2011) and currently no approved second-line therapy (Garcia-Manero 2016). Targeted therapies with novel mechanisms of action, combination strategies, as well as innovative study designs, are all needed to expedite and address the high unmet medical need in patients with HMA refractory HR-MDS. Rigosertib is a unique targeted therapy that inhibits PI3K and PLK signaling pathways by binding directly to the Ras-binding domain (Athuluri-Divakar 2016) and in vitro cytotoxicity studies have demonstrated synergy with azacitidine (Cosenza 2015). INSPIRE study is an example of a study with a novel compound and unique mechanism of action as well as an innovative study design. Methods: INSPIRE (NCT02562443) is a global randomized Phase 3 trial in patients with HR-MDS after HMA failure. Patients are randomized in a 2:1 fashion to rigosertib or physician's choice of treatment. Key inclusion criteria: age <82 years; MDS classified as RAEB-1, RAEB-2 or RAEB-t; ≥1 cytopenia; patient must demonstrate one of the following: progression any time after initiation of HMA treatment, intolerance to HMA, failure to achieve complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), or hematologic improvement (HI) after six 4-week cycles of AZA or either four 4-week or four 6-week cycles of DAC, or relapse after initial CR, PR or HI; duration of prior HMA ≤9 cycles within 12 months; last dose of HMA ≤6 months before enrollment; and ECOG score 0-2. The primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) will be tested in a sequential fashion in the intention to treat (ITT) population and the IPSS-R very high risk (VHR) subgroup. Secondary endpoints include OS in patients with monosomy 7 or trisomy 8, overall response, quality-of-life, and HI. The initial sample size was 225 patients with a pre-planned interim analysis (IA) after 88 deaths. INSPIRE featured an adaptive trial design with a pre-planned Sample Size Re-estimation (Cui 1999) to 360 patients and 288 OS events as one option that the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) could implement at IA. The adaptive sample size modification of an on-going two-arm, group sequential clinical trial is used to categorize the results for each population into three zones of Unfavorable, Promising, and Favorable. This adaptive design is advantageous as it allows study sample size to be adjusted when there is high variance in estimating the true effect of the drug under investigation which could otherwise result in underpowering of the study. The IDMC had several options following the interim analysis, including continuation of the study as initially planned, discontinuation for futility or safety, trial expansion using pre-planned sample size re-estimation, and continuation for only the pre-defined VHR subgroup. The investigators remain blinded to the specific interim analysis results. Enrollment in the trial is ongoing with topline data expected in 2020. Conclusions: Based on the results of interim analysis, the IDMC recommended continuation of the trial based on ITT result in promising zone with one-time expansion in enrollment, using a pre-planned sample size re-estimation, the sample size for the study was increased from 225 to 360 with unchanged eligibility criteria. The Adaptive Design used real time data from the IA to modify sample size and mitigate the risk of underpowering without undermining its validity and integrity, while preserving type-1 error. The study design used in INSPIRE may be advantageous for other novel agents in rare hematological diseases during the transition from phase 2 to phase 3 studies. Clinical trial information: (NCT02562443). Disclosures Luger: Agios: Honoraria; Ariad: Research Funding; Biosight: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Cyslacel: Research Funding; Daichi Sankyo: Honoraria; Genetech: Research Funding; Jazz: Honoraria; Kura: Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Al-Kali:Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Woodman:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Adesanya:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Azarnia:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Parris:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Jedrzejczak:Roche: Other: travel support for hematology meetings (ASH, EBMT, EHA) ; Novartis: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Other: travel support for hematology meetings (ASH, EBMT, EHA) ; Celgene: Other: travel support for hematology meetings (ASH, EBMT, EHA) . Díez-Campelo:Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Garcia-Manero:Amphivena: Consultancy, Research Funding; Helsinn: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astex: Consultancy, Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; H3 Biomedicine: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding.
Response to Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents in Patients with WHO-Defined Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Myeloproliferative Neoplasm with Ring Sideroblasts and Thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T)
Antelo, Guadalupe Belen, Mangaonkar, Abhishek A. , Finke, Christy M. , Gangat, Naseema , Al‐Kali, Aref , Elliott, Michelle A. , Howard, Matthew T., King, Rebecca L. , Litzow, Mark, Pardanani, Animesh , Tefferi, Ayalew , Fernández-Zapico, Martín E. , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Coltro, Giacomo , Lasho, Terra L. , Carr, Ryan M , Binder, Moritz , Hogan, William J.

Mayo Clinic

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 4182-4182

10.1182/blood-2019-126199 Get It

Background: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T) was formally included as a unique WHO-defined entity in the 2016, iteration of the classification of hematological neoplasms (under MDS/MPN overlap syndromes). Patients with MDS/MPN-RS-T have features of MDS-RS-single lineage dysplasia (SLD), persistent thrombocytosis (platelet count ≥450x109/L), with proliferation of large atypical megakaryocytes. Anemia, including red blood cell transfusion dependency (RBC-TD) is a major problem. While extensive studies have documented erythroid response rates (ERR) to erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA) in MDS and MDS-RS-SLD, the data in MDS/MPN-RS-T is less clear. We carried out this study to asses ERR in ESA treated patients with MDS/MPN-RS-T. Methods: After approval by the IRB, patients with 2016, WHO-defined MDS/MPN-RS-T were included in the study. The bone marrow (BM) morphology, cytogenetics and BM RS% were retrospectively reviewed. All study patients underwent next generation sequencing for 29 myeloid-relevant genes, obtained on BM mononuclear cells, at diagnosis, or at first referral, by previously described methods (Patnaik et al., BCJ 2016). Treatment details, including the type of ESA used, dose administered, side effects and reason for discontinuation were retrospectively abstracted. Erythroid responses were assessed using the 2006, international working group (IWG) MDS and the 2015, IWG MDS/MPN response criteria. Results: Forty seven patients with MDS/MPN-RS-T were identified, of which 37 (79%) patients received ESA treatment at any time point during their disease course; median age 73 years (range, 52-93), 46% male.The hemoglobin at diagnosis (HB) and baseline erythropoietin (EPO) levels were 9.1 gm/dL (range, 6.6-12.1) and 39 IU/L (range, 8-500), respectively. Ten (29%) patients were RBC-TD at baseline. None of the 37, ESA-treated patients were on concomitant cyto-reductive therapy for thrombocytosis. Twenty (54%) patients were treated with erythropoietin-a, 13 (35%) with darbepoetin, and 4 (11%) with both sequentially. Median doses were 40,000 IU weekly (range, 20,000-80,000) for erythropoietin-a and 200 mcg every 2 weeks (range, 100-500), for darbepoetin. Median treatment duration was 14 months (range, 1-173) and causes for discontinuation included; ESA failure/loss of response in 20 (54%), sustained HB rise in 1 (3%) and other causes, including adverse events in 4 (11%) patients. With regards to safety, the following events were considered potentially ESA related; treatment emergent hypertension in 2 (5%), venous thromboembolism, ischemic stroke and splenic infarction in 1 (3%) patient each, respectively. All patients with thrombotic/ischemic events had been on low dose aspirin prophylaxis. Erythroid responses by the IWG MDS and MDS/MPN response criteria were assessable in 35 (95%) patients: with 16 (46%) meeting criteria for an erythroid response, by both assessment systems. The median duration of ER was 20 months (range, 2-172). In comparison to ESA non-responders, those that responded were more likely to have baseline EPO levels ≤44 IU/L (ROC analysis; median, 28 vs 112 IU/L; p=0.0080), while there was a trend for inferior responses associated with RBC-TD (p=0.0857). Age, gender, baseline white blood cell and platelet counts, type of ESA used, BM RS %, JAK2V617F, SF3B1, DNMT3A, TET2 and ASXL1 mutational status did not impact ESA response (Table 1). On a univariate survival analysis (OS), survival was not significantly different between ESA responders vs non-responder (median OS, 76 vs 45 months; p=0.2929). After ESA failure, 7 (19%) patients received hypomethylating agents (HMA), while 5 (14%) received lenalidomide. There were no erythroid responses to HMA, while 1 of 3 (33%) assessable lenalidomide treated patients achieved a morphological complete response. Conclusion: Erythropoiesis stimulating agents are effective first line therapies for the management of anemia in patients with MDS/MPN-RS-T, with 46% achieving an erythroid response (median duration of response of 20 months). Low baseline endogenous EPO level (<44 IU/L) was the best predictor of response, with a trend towards an inferior response in the presence of RBC-TD. In the context of clonal thrombocytosis, potentially related thrombotic/ischemic events were documented in 8% of patients. Disclosures Al-Kali: Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Patnaik:Stem Line Pharmaceuticals.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Genomic Profiling in Patients with Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (HR-MDS) Following HMA Failure: Baseline Results from the Inspire Study (04-30)
Garcia‐Manero, Guillermo , Luger, Selina M. , Al‐Kali, Aref , Warlick, Erica D. , Wiktor-Jędrzejczak, W , Zbyszewski, Patrick S., Cavanaugh, Christopher , Woodman, Richard C., Fruchtman, Steven, Jonasova, Anna T , Valcárcel, David , Díez‐Campelo, María , Takahashi, Koichi

Mayo Clinic

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 3015-3015

10.1182/blood-2019-131632 Get It

Background: More than 45 mutations have been identified in association with HR-MDS. In the majority of patients with MDS (80%) co-mutations are present and the prognostic contribution of each individual mutation remains elusive, especially after adjusting for clinical variables such as IPSS-R score. N-RAS and K-RAS mutations as well as regulators of the Ras pathway (e.g. PTPN11, NF1) are frequently observed (15-20%) in HR-MDS, however their clinical impact is unclear, especially in de novo MDS. Rigosertib (RGS) is a non-ATP-competitive small molecule RAS mimetic that has the potential to block RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathways (Athuluri-Divakar 2016). Rigosertib has the potential to also inhibit wildtype upregulation of RAS. We report here genomic profiling at the time of study entry in the ongoing phase 3 randomized global study (known as INSPIRE) in patients with HR-MDS after failure of HMA therapy. Methods: INSPIRE (NCT02562443) is a global randomized Ph3 trial in pts with HR-MDS after HMA failure with an overall target enrollment of 360 pts with currently 298 pts randomized. Pts are randomized 2:1 to rigosertib or physician's choice of treatment. The primary endpoint is overall survival (OS). All pts failed to respond or progressed on HMA therapy. Key inclusion criteria includes: age < 82 years, RAEB-1, RAEB-2 or RAEB-t; intermediate risk (IR), high risk (HR) and very high risk (VHR) per IPSS-R; ≥ 1 cytopenia; duration of prior HMA ≤ 9 cycles within 12 months; last dose of HMA ≤ 6 months before enrollment; baseline blast counts between 5-29% and one of the following: progression any time after initiation of HMA treatment, intolerance to HMA, failure to achieve complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), or hematologic improvement (HI) after six 4-week cycles of AZA or either four 4-week or four 6-week cycles of DAC, or relapse after initial CR, PR or HI. Bone marrow samples were collected at study baseline and throughout the study for mutational analysis as an exploratory endpoint. Baseline blast counts are described as % reported in bone marrow aspirate at screening. Genomic DNA was extracted from diagnostic bone marrow or peripheral blood samples and targeted capture deep sequencing of 295 genes were performed (median sequencing depth 500x) using Agilent's SureSelect custom panel. Modified Mutect and Pindel were used to identify high-confidence somatic mutations. Results: All data is presented as blinded aggregate results for both arms of the study. Baseline mutations are presented for 114 pts; 92 pts were randomized and 22 pts were screen failures. Median age is 72 years (59-81). The IPSS-R scores for the pts randomized were: Intermediate 5(5%), High 30 (32%) and VHR 56 (60%). In total 48 different mutations were identified at baseline prior to pts receiving study treatment. The most common mutations identified in pts were ASXL1 40%, STAG2 26%, TP53 24%, RUNX1 22%, SRSF2 and TET2 each 18%. Average number of mutations per pt was 3.06. At baseline, 4 pts (4%) had no mutations, 17 pts (18%) had only 1 mutation while 17 pts (18%) had between 6-8 mutations. N-RAS and K-RAS mutations occurred in 4 pts each (7% of pts) and all in the presence of other mutations. Mutations involving regulators of the Ras pathway (N-RAS, K-RAS, PTPN11, NF1) occurred in 12 (13%) of patients. Of note, 23 pts (25%) had IDH1 (6 pts) or IDH2 (17 pts) and the majority of these pts (68%) were High/VHR with an average blast count of 15% (range 5-27%) at study entry. The high proportion of IDH1/2 mutations observed is most likely due to inclusion of patients with RAEB-t. These results will be updated at the meeting with blinded baseline mutational analyses for all pts randomized into the study. Conclusion: The baseline mutational analyses from the INSPIRE study provides important initial insights into the genomic profile of pts with HMA failure, especially for the subset with VHR. Following analysis of the primary endpoint, it is anticipated that correlation of overall survival and clinical response with mutational status will be possible, including changes in mutations following therapy. Given the number of mutations involving the Ras pathway the efficacy of rigosertib in patients with this group of mutations will also be examined. Figure Disclosures Garcia-Manero: Amphivena: Consultancy, Research Funding; Helsinn: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astex: Consultancy, Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; H3 Biomedicine: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding. Luger:Agios: Honoraria; Jazz: Honoraria; Kura: Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Daichi Sankyo: Honoraria; Genetech: Research Funding; Cyslacel: Research Funding; Ariad: Research Funding; Biosight: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Al-Kali:Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Jedrzejczak:Amgen: Consultancy, Other: travel support for hematology meetings (ASH, EBMT, EHA) ; Celgene: Other: travel support for hematology meetings (ASH, EBMT, EHA) ; Takeda: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Roche: Other: travel support for hematology meetings (ASH, EBMT, EHA) . Díez-Campelo:Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Zbyszewski:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Cavanaugh:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Woodman:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Fruchtman:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Takahashi:Symbio Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy.
Phenotypic Correlates and Prognostic Outcomes of TET2 Mutations in Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Overlap Syndromes: A Comprehensive Study of 504 Patients
Antelo, Guadalupe Belen, Finke, Christy M. , Pardanani, Animesh , Gangat, Naseema , Mangaonkar, Abhishek A. , Viswanatha, David S., He, Rong , Al‐Kali, Aref , Begna, Kebede H. , Zblewski, Darci, Litzow, Mark R. , Fernández-Zapico, Martín E. , Tefferi, Ayalew , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Coltro, Giacomo , Lasho, Terra L. , Carr, Ryan M , Binder, Moritz , Hogan, William J. , Robertson, Keith D.

Mayo Clinic

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 3005-3005

10.1182/blood-2019-124115 Get It

Introduction: Myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MDS/MPN) overlap syndromes consist of 5 distinct WHO-defined entities; namely chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), atypical chronic myeloid leukemia, BCR/ABL1- (aCML), juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), MDS/MPN with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T), and MDS/MPN, unclassifiable (MDS/MPN-U) (Arber et al., Blood 2016). With the notable exception of JMML, a bona fide RASopathy, the other entities are characterized by clinical heterogeneity and molecular diversity. Loss of function TET2 mutations (TET2MT) are common in myeloid neoplasms, especially CMML (60%), and are known leukemogenic drivers. We carried out this study to assess the TET2 mutational landscape and phenotypic correlates in patients with MDS/MPN overlap syndromes. Methods: After approval by the institutional review board, adult patients with WHO defined MDS/MPN overlap syndromes were included; with the exception of JMML. The BM morphology, cytogenetics and 2016, WHO-diagnoses were retrospectively reviewed and all patients underwent targeted next generation sequencing for 29 myeloid-relevant genes, obtained on BM mononuclear cells, at diagnosis, or at first referral, by previously described methods (Patnaik et al., BCJ 2016). Results: Five hundred and four patients were included in the study; including 387 (77%) with CMML, 48 (10%) with MDS/MPN-RS-T, 17 (3%) with aCML and 52 (10%) with MDS/MPN-U. The median age at diagnosis was 71 (range, 18-99) years, and 333 (66%) were male. TET2MT were seen in 212 (42%) patients, with the frequency of other mutations being: ASXL1 45%, SRSF2 40%, NRAS 15%, SF3B1 13%, CBL, RUNX1 and SETBP1 12% each, and JAK2 V617F 11% (Figure B). Among the MDS/MPN overlap syndromes, TET2 was more frequently mutated in CMML (49%) and aCML (47%) compared to MDS/MPN-RS-T (10%) and MDS/MPN-U (15%). The prevalence of patients with TET2MT increased with age, a finding consistent across all MDS/MPN subtypes (Figure C). Overall, 341 TET2MT were identified in 212 patients (mean 1.6 variants/patient, range 0-5): 120 (24%) had >1 TET2MT, while 113 (22%), 5 (1%) and 2 (0.4%) had 2, 3 and 5 mutations, respectively. CMML and aCML patients were more likely to have an age-independent increase in multiple TET2MT (28% and 24%), in comparison to MDS/MPN-RS-T (4%) and MDS/MPN-U (8%). TET2 MT spanned the entire coding sequence and were mostly truncating (78%, Figure A): 59 (17%) were missense, 14 (4%) involved the splice-donor/acceptor sites, 2 (0.5%) were in-frame deletions, 129 (38%) were nonsense, and 137 (40%) were frameshift mutations. Overall, the distribution of TET2MT was superimposable across CMML, aCML, and MDS/MPN-U; the only exception being the absence of splice site mutations in the latter two. One hundred and eighty-seven (55%) TET2MT were secondary to pathogenic single nucleotide variants (SNV), while the remainders were secondary to deletions (25%) and insertions (15%). Transitions comprised the most frequent type of SNV (65%), with the C:G>T:A being the most common (56%). Patients with MDS/MPN overlap syndrome and TET2MT were more likely to have additional gene mutations compared to wild type patients (mean mutation number 3.1 vs 2.1, p<0.0001), with common co-mutations being SRSF2 (51%), ASXL1 (42%), and CBL (17%). The median overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort was 29 (range, 0-170) months; 29 months for CMML, 63 months for MDS/MPN-RS-T, 14 months for aCML, and 25 months for MDS/MPN-U. On univariate analysis, OS was superior in CMML patients with TET2MT (35 months) compared to wild type cases (21 months, p<0.0001, Figure D), and in CMML patients with >1 TET2MT (41 months) in comparison to wild type (21 months, p<0.0001) and single TET2MT (29 months, p=0.0476) cases (Figure E). These observations were not seen in patients with aCML, MDS/MPN-RS-T, and MDS/MPN-U. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that TET2MT are among the most frequent mutations in patients with MDS/MPN overlap syndromes (42%), especially CMML (49%), with an age-dependent increase in the frequency and number of TET2MT. Mutations in TET2 were found to span the entire coding sequence, with truncating mutations being more common (78%). Importantly, in CMML, TET2MT, including number of TET2MT, were associated with favorable survival outcomes. Figure Disclosures Al-Kali: Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Patnaik:Stem Line Pharmaceuticals.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Clinical Categorization of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia into Proliferative and Dysplastic Subtypes Correlates with Distinct Genomic, Transcriptomic and Epigenomic Signatures
Marks, David L. , Almada, Luciana L. , Alver, Bonnie, Horn, Isaac P. , Berger, Kurt, Mangaonkar, Abhishek A. , Antelo, Guadalupe Belen, Howard, Matthew T., Gangat, Naseema , Tefferi, Ayalew , Pardanani, Animesh , Al‐Kali, Aref , Litzow, Mark, Elliott, Michelle A. , Fernández-Zapico, Martín E. , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Carr, Ryan M , Lasho, Terra L. , Tolosa, Ezequiel J. , Binder, Moritz , Safgren, Stephanie L. , Coltro, Giacomo , Pin, Christopher L. , Witzig, Thomas E. , Robertson, Keith D. , Geissler, Klaus H. , Kaufmann, Scott H.

Mayo Clinic

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 1710-1710

10.1182/blood-2019-123877 Get It

Introduction: Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), an aggressive myeloid malignancy, can be categorized into two subtypes, proliferative CMML (pCMML) and dysplastic (dCMML), based on a white blood cell (WBC) count of ≥ 13 x 109/L for the former (Arber et al. Blood 2016). While this WBC cut off is somewhat arbitrary, patients with pCMML have unique phenotypic features and a shorter survival. We carried out this study to assess the genomic, transcriptomic and epigenetic landscapes of these two CMML subtypes. Methods: Peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells (MNC) were obtained from WHO-defined CMML patients. Next generation sequencing (NGS) using a 36-gene panel was performed on 350 patients with Illumina HiSeq4000 platform with median read depth of 400X. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on 25 patients by bulk whole transcriptome sequencing using Illumina TruSeq. DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (DIP-seq) was performed on 18 patients using 5-methylcystocine (5mC), 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and bridging monoclonal antibodies with subsequent paired-end sequencing using HiSeq4000. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) was performed on 30 patients with Illumina HiSeq2500 to a depth of 25 million for histone 3 lysine 4 monomethylation (H3K4me1) and histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) and 50 million reads for histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and Input per sample. Results: Five hundred and seventy-three patients with WHO defined CMML were included; median age 71 years (range 18-95 years), 67% males. 282 patients had pCMML (49%), while 291 (51%) had dCMML. As pre-defined, patients with pCMML were more likely to have higher absolute monocyte counts (p<0.0001), circulating immature myeloid cells (p<0.0001), PB blasts (p<0.0001), and higher lactate dehydrogenase levels (p=0.03). At last follow up 234 (41%) deaths and 70 (20%) leukemic transformations were documented. The median OS for pCMML vs dCMML in this cohort was 19 months vs 30 months (p<0.0001, Figure 1A) and validated in an independent Austrian cohort (p=0.02). Genomic profiling: NGS performed on 350 patients (BM MNC) revealed a higher frequency of NRAS (35 vs 17%, p=0.004), cumulative RAS pathway (NRAS, KRAS, CBL and PTPN11) (73 vs 47%, p=0.001), ASXL1 (p=0.003) and JAK2V617F (p=0.04) mutations in pCMML relative to dCMML (Figure 1B); while dCMML had a higher frequency of SF3B1 mutations (p=0.02). There were no differences in distribution of TET2 and SRSF2Transcriptomic analysis: RNA-seq was performed on PB MNC from RAS pathway mutant pCMML patients (n=12) and RAS pathway wildtype dCMML patients (n=13). Unsupervised clustering analysis resulted in appropriate segregation revealing distinct expression profiles between disease subtypes (Figure 1C). Compared to dCMML, 3729 genes were significantly differentially upregulated and 2658 genes were differentially downregulated in pCMML. Among genes most highly upregulated were mitotic checkpoint kinases including AURBK, PLK1, PLK2, PLK4 andEpigenetic profiling: ChIP-seq of PB and BM MNC from pCMML (n=18) and dCMML (n=12) patients and healthy, age-matched controls (n=10) revealed a global increase in H3K4me1, without significant differences in H3K4me3 or H3K27me3 occupancies (regardless of stratification by ASXL1 mutational status; 40% ASXL1mt in pCMML, 30% dCMML) in pCMML vs dCMML (Figure 1D). H3K4me1 occupancy was also increased in a sequence-specific manner at the transcription start sites of the aforementioned mitotic kinases (PLK1 and WEE1). DIP-seq was performed on PB MNC to assess global differences in 5-mC and 5-hmC levels, between pCMML (n=9) and dCMML (n=9), with no differences seen between the two subtypes (regardless of TET2 mutational status, 40% TET2mt in each subtype) (Figure 1E). Conclusions: Despite the somewhat arbitrary WBC distinction between pCMML and dCMML, clear phenotypic, genetic, transcriptomic, epigenetic and survival differences exist between the two subtypes, providing strong biological rationale for this distinction. pCMML patients have a higher frequency of oncogenic RAS pathway mutations, a unique transcriptomic profile enriched in mitotic check point kinases and a unique chromatin configuration with global and sequence specific enrichment in H3K4me1, with no significant global differences in 5mC, 5hmC, or H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 occupancy. Figure 1 Disclosures Geissler: AOP: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; AstraZeneca: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; Ratiopharm: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Al-Kali:Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Patnaik:Stem Line Pharmaceuticals.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia with High Risk Features: Routine Central Nervous System Evaluation May be Beneficial
Yogarajah, Meera , Gangat, Naseema , He, Rong , Patnaik, Mrinal M. , Elliott, Michelle A. , Litzow, Mark, Al‐Kali, Aref , Pardanani, Animesh , Tefferi, Ayalew , Begna, Kebede H. , Hogan, William J. , Chen, Dong , Alkhateeb, Hassan B. , Shah, Meera

Mayo Clinic

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 3863-3863

10.1182/blood-2019-125361 Get It

Objective : Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is a known phenomenon of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However little is known about the incidence of CNS involvement in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) as routine lumbar punctures are not done if patients are asymptomatic at diagnosis. Our practice has been to obtain lumbar puncture (LP) at or after complete remission (CR) for patients that present with any one of the following high risk features;hyperleukocytosis with WBC >10,000 or blastic crisis, extramedullary disease,monocytic differentiation. Methods: We reviewed our leukemia database at Mayo Clinic to determine the incidence of CNS involvement in patients with high risk features after due IRB approval. We also compared baseline demographic characteristics, blood counts, cytogenetic risk groups, presence of extramedullary disease, relapse rate ,transplant rate and overall survival (OS) among patients with and without CNS involvement. OS estimates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank testing using JMP v.13. Results: 298 patients with AML were identified with presence of at least 1 risk factor for CNS involvement. The results of LP were only available for 126 (42%) patients. The overall incidence of CNS involvement was 12% (15/126, figure 1). Among the patients with positive disease 3 had CSF examination at diagnosis prior to CR due to the presence of CNS myeloid sarcoma (n=2) and ambiguous lineage myeloid leukemia and were excluded from further evaluation. The incidence of CSF involvement at CR1 was 9.7% (12/123). All patient with CNS positive disease received intrathecal chemotherapy with alternating cytarabine and methotrexate until they cleared their blast and additional 2-4 treatments as per treating physician's discretion .The CNS positive and negative patients were compared and did not show any statistical difference in age, gender, presence of extramedullary disease ,cytogenetic risk group, relapse rate and transplant rate as shown in table1. Molecular data was not available in most of the patients and hence was not included for analysis. The median OS was significantly lower among patients with CNS involvement compared to absence of CNS involvement but was not statistically significant likely due to small sample size (3.9 vs12.8 years (p=0.2), figure 2). The overall CNS relapse rate in patients who did not have a LP done at CR was 5.8%(10/172). Conclusions : CNS evaluation should be done in AML patients with high risk features before declaring CR. CNS disease portends overall a poor prognosis with impaired overall survival and high relapse rate. However the sample size was small and true incidence of CNS disease will need routine diagnostic LP in all high risk patients. Disclosures Patnaik: Stem Line Pharmaceuticals.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Al-Kali:Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding.