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Abstract Introduction: CD19-directed CAR T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has substantially improved clinical outcomes for adults with relapsed or refractory (R/R) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). However, notable toxicities are associated with CAR-T, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). Variable practice patterns have emerged regarding the use of CRS/ICANS prophylaxis (ppx) via corticosteroids and/or other pharmacologic agents, but the utility of these approaches on reducing CRS or ICANS following CAR-T in B-ALL remains unknown. Thus, we utilized the Real-World Outcomes Collaborative for CAR T in ALL (ROCCA) database to evaluate associations between ppx and the development and severity of CRS or ICANS following brexucabtagene autoleucel (brexu-cel) for B-ALL. Methods: Adult patients (pts) who received standard-of-care brexu-cel for relapsed/refractory B-ALL across 40+ US centers were included. Primary endpoints were the incidence of CRS and ICANS within 28 days of CAR-T infusion. Secondary endpoints included timing of CRS and ICANS onset, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression evaluated associations between ppx and incidence of CRS/ICANS; KM and log-rank methods were used for survival analyses. Results: A total of 378 pts were included: 53 pts (14.0%) received CRS/ICANS ppx and 325 (86.0%) received no ppx. Ppx agents included steroids only (26.4%), steroid and anakinra (52.8%), anakinra only (15.1%), and steroid and tocilizumab (5.7%). Pts in the ppx group had a higher proportion of Hispanic pts (64% vs 34%), Ph-like (36% vs 19%) and a lower proportion had 0-5% bone marrow blasts at apheresis (38% vs 53%). The ppx and no ppx groups were similar in age, prior therapies, CAR-T indication, and marrow blasts >50%. Cumulative incidence of any grade (gr) CRS was 94% with ppx and 86% with no ppx (p=0.025), of any gr ICANS was 53% with ppx and 51% with no ppx (0= 0.85). Cumulative incidence of gr 3-4 CRS was 9% in the ppx group and 10% in the no ppx group (p=1.00), of gr 3-4 ICANS was 26% in the ppx group and 29% in the no ppx group (p=0.71). Median time to onset for any gr CRS or any gr ICANS was identical in the ppx and no ppx cohorts (CRS: 5 days, range ppx 1-9 days, no ppx 0-14 days; ICANS: 7 days, ppx 1-20 days, no ppx 0-16 days). Univariate logistic regression analyses showed no significant association between ppx and the incidence of gr 2-4 CRS (OR 1.34, 95% CI: 0.75-2.40, p=0.326) or gr 3-4 ICANS (OR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.46-1.70, p=0.708). Multivariate analysis adjusting for ethnicity, leukemia genetic sub-type, and pre-apheresis disease burden similarly found no significant associations between ppx and gr 2-4 CRS (adjusted OR 1.06, 95% CI: 0.55-2.01, p=0.870) or gr 3-4 ICANS (OR 1.23, 95% CI: 0.59-2.55, p=0.584). When comparing steroid-only ppx (N=14) to steroid combinations or other drug ppx (N=39), there was no significant differences in gr 2-4 CRS (57% vs 44%, p=0.345) or gr 3-4 ICANS (43% vs 21%, p=0.115). Comparing cumulative incidence of dexamethasone (dex) exposure, pts in the ppx group had numerically greater dex exposure than pts in the no ppx group, with median (range) dosing of 182 mg (10-1386mg) and 100mg (1-4000mg), respectively. Finally, we found no significant differences in PFS or OS based on ppx. Median PFS was 9.6 months in the ppx group vs 13.3 months in the no ppx group (p=0.646) and median OS was 17.2 months in the ppx group vs 34.4 months in the no ppx group (p=0.170). Conclusions: In this large cohort of adult patients with R/R ALL receiving brexu-cel CAR-T therapy, prophylaxis intended to prevent CRS/ICANS was ineffective at reducing CRS/ICANS incidence, time to onset, or overall steroid exposure. Furthermore, PFS and OS were comparable between patients who received prophylaxis and those who did not. In the absence of prospective trials in B-ALL, these data suggest that current strategies of CRS/ICANS prophylaxis has limited benefit.

Abstract Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) remains incurable, though key advances such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-T) and immunomodulatory agents, now evolving toward cereblon E3 ligase modulatory drugs (CELMoDs), have substantially improved the longevity and quality of life for patients (pts). Idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel) is a CAR-T targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), now US FDA-approved for pts who have received ≥2 prior lines of therapy including a proteasome inhibitor, immunomodulatory agent, and CD38 monoclonal antibody. Ide-cel was initially FDA-approved for ≥4 prior lines of therapy based on the KarMMa-1 study, which demonstrated a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 8.8 months across all cell doses and median overall survival (OS) of 19.4 months (Munshi et al., New Eng J Med 2021). Although promising, the fact that virtually all pts relapse post-ide-cel indicates that further progress is needed. To that end, iberdomide is an investigational CELMoD that in combination with dexamethasone has demonstrated a 30% response rate in early phase studies of triple class-refractory MM (Lonial et al., Lancet Haem 2022). Additionally, in laboratory-based correlative studies, iberdomide, at doses of ≤1 mg (well below the recommended phase 2 dose of 1.6 mg) was shown to augment immune function, including enhanced T-cell activation and cytotoxicity, and modulation of the cytokine milieu (Amatangelo et al., Cell Rep Med 2024). Iberdomide's combined properties of direct MM cytotoxicity and T-cell potentiation have clear, potential relevance to CAR-T clinically, providing the conceptual basis for the CADMIUM study (NCT06179888), exploring the effects of iberdomide as post-ide-cel maintenance therapy in MM. Study Design and Methods: This is a randomized phase II trial with a safety run-in to evaluate if treatment with iberdomide maintenance post-ide-cel can significantly improve PFS vs. standard of care (SOC) observation without therapy, in pts with relapsed/refractory MM with ≥4 prior lines of therapy, who have received ide-cel within 3 months of registration, and no evidence of MM progression or additional MM therapy since ide-cel. Pre-ide-cel iberdomide exposure is permissible but refractoriness is not. The safety run-in will confirm tolerability of the iberdomide dose to be carried forward, where doses to be tested include: iberdomide 1 mg orally on days 1-21 of a 28-day cycle (dose level 1; DL1) and iberdomide 0.7 mg on days 1-21 of a 28-day cycle (DL2). Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) include any of the following during the DLT period of a pt's first three months on iberdomide: prolonged Grade 3 non-hematologic toxicities, Grade 4 non-hematologic toxicities, prolonged Grade 4 neutropenia or thrombocytopenia, or any adverse event requiring iberdomide interruption for >4 weeks. Six pts will be enrolled onto DL1; if at most 1 of these pts has a DLT, DL1 will be carried forward to the randomized part of the study. Otherwise, 6 pts will be enrolled onto DL2. The randomized part of the trial will randomize 60 pts 1:1 to either iberdomide or SOC observation without therapy. A 1-sided log-rank test with α=0.15 has 81% power to detect a true hazard ratio (iberdomide/SOC) of 0.55 or less, corresponding to an improvement in median PFS to 16 vs. 8.8 months with SOC. One interim analysis for futility is planned. Secondary outcomes include OS, best response by International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria, and deepening of response, particularly conversion to complete response with a bone marrow minimal disease-negative state by Adaptive clonoSEQ (sensitivity 1e-6). Robust correlative studies will include CAR-T persistence, assays of T- and other immune cell function, and pathological analyses of whether BCMA expression on MM cells (prior to enrollment or at relapse) or other markers predict clinical outcomes. Study status: To date, 12 pts have been screened, with 7 pts enrolled on study as part of the safety run-in (1 patient replaced). Enrollment data will be updated at presentation. Notably, an amendment is forthcoming which will enhance correlative studies and broaden eligibility criteria to include patients who have received ≥2 prior lines of therapy, conforming with ide-cel's current FDA label. Study COI: BMS is supporting correlative studies. Study Support: U10CA180821, U10CA180882; BMS; U10CA180868 (NRG Oncology); http://acknowledgements.alliancefound.org

Abstract Introduction: Sexual health is an important part of overall well-being for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). AYAs have unique sexual health needs as they navigate development, relationships, and identity formation. AYA patients may experience sexual dysfunction due to conditioning chemotherapy/radiation therapy, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), changes in body image, mental health effects, relationship shifts, and the challenges of dating with a serious illness. We surveyed both pediatric and adult HCT providers at our institution to assess current practices of discussing sexual health needs with AYAs as well as barriers to these discussions in order to guide interventions to improve communication. Methods: Adult and pediatric HCT physicians, advanced practice providers, and nurse coordinators in the Mayo Clinic Rochester HCT program completed an online survey to understand their perspectives about addressing sexual health needs in AYA HCT survivors. This survey covered current practice patterns in discussing sexual health and managing sexual health needs, barriers to providing sexual health care, and recommendations for provider education. Results: This survey included responses from 25 HCT providers (35% response rate): 22 adult providers and 3 pediatric providers. The respondents comprised of 10 physicians (40%), 8 advanced practice providers (32%), and 7 nurses (28%). Most of the providers saw 6-10 AYA patients per month (48%), while others reported: 1-5 AYAs (36%), 11-15 AYAs (12%), and 16-20 AYAs (4%); no provider saw 21 or more. While all respondents felt sexual health was an important topic for AYA HCT patients, most (80%) also reported rarely (44%) or only sometimes (36%) discussing sexual health with AYA patients. Primary barriers included inadequate knowledge of resources for referrals (72%), insufficient training on this topic (60%), limited time for discussion (56%), discomfort discussing sexual health with AYAs (32%), and concern about patient discomfort (28%). When it came to screening for GVHD, 28% of respondents reported not regularly screening for genitourinary GVHD and 40% indicated feeling uncomfortable or very uncomfortable managing it. Frequently discussed topics included fertility (64%) and contraception (52%). Almost all respondents (96%) expressed interest in further education. Topics of interest included an overview of common sexual health issues in AYA HCT survivors (88%), medical management of sexual health concerns such as erectile dysfunction, low libido, and vaginal dryness (72%), management of psychosocial concerns impacting body image and relationships (64%), cultural considerations for addressing sexual health (56%), providing inclusive care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) AYAs (56%), genitourinary GVHD (56%), and safer sex practices during and after transplant (52%). Discussion: Although regular sexual health assessment in HCT survivors is recommended, most providers at our institution did not routinely discuss sexual health with AYAs. While genitourinary GVHD is an important HCT-specific sexual health topic, screening for this condition is not consistently performed. Providers were eager for further education and identified several topic areas for future educational interventions. Our data will aid in the development of an educational intervention for providers covering key sexual health issues in AYA HCT survivors, including medical and psychosocial management of sexual health concerns, as well as inclusive care for intercultural and LGBTQ AYAs, with the aim of improving frequency of sexual health discussions and provider confidence. Time constraints were identified as a key barrier, so patient-focused educational interventions that can occur outside of the clinical appointment may be an opportunity to deliver information and empower patients to raise specific concerns during their visits. In combination with healthcare provider-focused education, this may promote critical sexual health-related discussions during appointments.

Abstract Background: JAK2-unmutated erythrocytosis constitutes a spectrum of hereditary and acquired entities. We assessed the diagnostic yield and utility of next generation sequencing panel for hereditary erythrocytosis (NGS-HEP) in adults with JAK2-unmutated and otherwise unexplained erythrocytosis (OUE). Additionally, we describe the clinical phenotype, genetic findings, treatment approaches, and thrombotic outcomes in this cohort. Methods: Adults (≥18 years) withOUE, defined as hemoglobin (Hgb) >16.5 g/dL or hematocrit (Hct) >49% in males and Hgb >16 g/dL or Hct > 48% in females, negative for JAK2 exon 12-15mutations, absence of acquired cause, and high-oxygen affinity variants, underwent NGS-HEP; the gene panel included ACO1, ANKRD26, BHLHE41, BPGM, CYB5A, CYB5R3, EGLN1, EGLN2, EGLN3, EPAS1, EPO, EPOR, GFI1B, HIF1A, HIF1AN, HIF3A, JAK2, KDM6A, PFKM, PIEZO1, PKLR, SH2B3, SOCS3 and VHL, including deletion/duplication analysis.Variant curation was performed using ACMG-AMP guidelines and classified as pathogenic or variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Family and thrombosis history, and symptoms were recorded. Results: A total of 44 adult patients with JAK2-unmutated OUE (median age 48 years, range 21–79; 34 males [77%]) underwent NGS-HEP at the Mayo Clinic between March 2023 and June 2025. Variants were identified in 27 patients (61%), with a single variant detected in 19 (70%) and two distinct variants in 8 (30%). 26 variants (96%) were classified as heterozygous VUS and involved PIEZO1 (n=9, 20%; median variant allele frequency [VAF] 47.1%), HIF1A (n=8, 18%;46.2%), ANKRD26 (n=4, 9%;43.7%), SH2B3 (n=3, 7%; 49.9%), HIF3A (n=3, 7%;51.4%), EGLN2 (n=2, 5%;47.9%), BPGM (n=1, 2%; 50.4%), VHL (n=1, 2%; 41.8%), EPO (n=1, 2%; 45.4%) and BHLHE41 (n=1, 2%; 54.2%), while a pathogenic mutation in PKLR was detected in one patient. Presenting median Hgb/Hct values for males and females, respectively were 18.3 g/dL/53.5% and 16.9 g/dl/51.2% in variant- positive cases, and 17.8 g/dl/53.1% and 16.1 g/dl/49.3% in variant-negative cases (p>0.05). Median serum erythropoietin (sEpo) levels were 8.35 mIU/mL (range: <1-52.9) vs 8.8 mIU/mL (range: 1.6-54.7), respectively (p=0.67). Notably, sEpo was < 1 mIU/mL in a patient with ANKRD26/HIF3A VUS. Family history of erythrocytosis was documented in 5 patients (11%). Hyperviscosity-related symptoms were reported in 24 patients (55%), with no significant difference in prevalence between variant-positive and variant-negative cases (59% vs 47% p=0.42). Also, there was no significant association between the presence of symptoms and Hgb or Hct levels (p>0.05). Eight thrombotic events occurred in 7 patients (16%; median age 44 years; 71% males; 4 arterial and 4 venous; 3 provoked deep venous thromboses). Five (71%) of the 7 patients harbored VUS in PIEZO1, PIEZO1/HIF1A, ANKRD26, SH2B3, or BHLHE41. Notably, two younger male patients experienced arterial events in the absence of identifiable risk factors: a 32-year-old with PIEZO1/HIF1A VUS (VAF 46.2%/47.6%; sEpo 10.3 mIU/mL) suffered a myocardial infarction, and a 35-year-old with SH2B3 VUS (VAF 50.2%; sEpo 3.7 mIU/mL) had recurrent cerebrovascular accident despite phlebotomy, aspirin and apixaban. Overall, there was no significant association between thrombosis and the presence of a variant (19% in variant-positive vs 12% in variant-negative, p=0.54). Active therapies included phlebotomy in 22 patients (50%), antiplatelet agents in 23 (52%), systemic anticoagulation in 5 (11%), and hydroxyurea in one patient (2%). Among those who received phlebotomy, 10 patients (45%) reported improvement in symptoms, however, symptom relief did not correlate with Hgb or Hct levels (p>0.05). A separate analysis of 9 patients with heterozygous PIEZO1 VUS, none of whom had undergone splenectomy, showed a numerically higher incidence of symptoms (67% vs 51%) and thrombosis (22% vs 14%) compared to those without PEIZO1 variants, although the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: NGS-HEP yielded a molecular diagnosis in 61% of adults with JAK2-unmutated and OUE with heterozygous PIEZO1 variants being the most frequent. No consistent association was observed between variant status and presence of hyperviscosity-related symptoms or thrombotic events. These findings underscore the importance of NGS-HEP testing in the diagnostic workup of JAK2-unmutated and OUE and continued investigation into novel candidate genes.

Abstract Background Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare but aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma with limited prospective data to guide optimal therapy. This study evaluates real-world treatment patterns and survival outcomes using a large national cohort. Methods We analyzed data from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) for patients diagnosed with PCNSL between 2004 and 2020. Baseline demographics and treatment characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Survival outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using log-rank tests. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to identify independent predictors of overall survival (OS). Results A total of 14,450 patients with PCNSL were included; 14,439 had first-line treatment data available, and 13,390 had survival data. Median age at diagnosis was 67 years (range 18-90), 49.2% were female, and 6.6% were African American. Chemotherapy alone was the modality of treatment for 81.6% (n=11,787), 12.2% (n=1,769) received chemoradiation, 3.8% (n=545) received chemotherapy and underwent autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) but no radiation, and 2.4% (n=348) received radiation only. The median follow-up time was 73.5 months (95% CI 71.4-75.6), and the median OS for the group was 17.4 months (95% CI 16.2-18.6). Survival differed significantly by age group (median OS: <65 yrs, 46.1 months [95% CI 41.7 -50.6]; 65-79 yrs, 12.5 months [95% CI 11.2-13.7]; ≥80 yrs, 3.2 months [95% CI 2.9-3.5]; p<0.001), by year of diagnosis (median OS: 2004-2009, 11.0 months [95% CI 9.9-12.1]; 2010-2015, 20.0 months [95% CI 17.4-22.6], 2016-2020, 29.7 months [95% CI 26.0-33.4]; p<0.001), and by frontline treatment strategy (p<0.001). Patients treated with chemotherapy followed by ASCT had the longest median OS (not reached), while those receiving radiation alone had the poorest outcomes with a median OS of 3.9 months (95% CI 3.2-4.7); chemoradiation patients had a median OS of 31.8 months (95% CI 27.5-36.1), and chemotherapy only patients had a median OS of 13.9 months (95% CI 12.7-15.1)(p<0.001). African American patients had an inferior outcome with a median OS of 10.2 months [95% CI 7.2-13.1], compared to “other” races with a median OS of 36.9 months [95% CI 27.6-46.1] (p<0.001), although this is more similar to the median outcome for white patients (17.0 months [95% CI 15.8-18.3]). Treatment at an academic center (25.7 vs 11.0 months) and a high case-volume center (defined as >median number of cases per facility) (18.6 vs 10.5 months), and lower Charlson-Deyo comorbidity scores (CDS) (defined as CDS 0-1) (21.7 vs 6.8 months) were also associated with superior OS (p<0.001). In multivariable analysis, increasing age ( 65-79 y.o HR 1.60 [1.52-1.1.68], ≥80 y.o HR 2.95 [2.75-3.17]), CDS≥2 (HR 1.36 [1.28-1.44]), and African American race (HR 1.12 [1.02-1.24]) were adverse predictors of OS (all p<0.001), while treatment strategy (ASCT [HR 0.17], chemoradiation [HR 0.53], chemotherapy only [HR 0.68] compared to radiation alone), more recent year of diagnosis (2010-2015 [HR 0.81], 2016-2020 [0.70]), and treatment at an academic center [HR 0.81] remained predictors of superior OS (all p<0.001). Conclusion In this large national cohort of patients with PCNSL, treatment with chemotherapy followed by ASCT was associated with the most favorable survival outcomes. Patients treated with chemoradiation or multi-agent chemotherapy also demonstrated improved survival compared to those receiving radiation monotherapy or single-agent chemotherapy alone, respectively. Age, comorbidities, race, and treatment at academic centers were also significant independent predictors of OS. These findings highlight substantial disparities in outcomes and underscore the importance of optimizing treatment strategies, improving access to high-intensity therapies, and supporting timely referral to academic or high case-volume centers, particularly for younger and medically fit patients.

Abstract Introduction: Epcoritamab (epco) and glofitamab (glofit) are bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) approved for the treatment of patients (pts) with relapsed or refractory (r/r) large B-cell lymphomas (LBCLs). Their use is associated with relatively high response rates, with some patients experiencing prolonged remission. It is unclear whether continuous treatment beyond 12 months for pts in remission is beneficial, as continued immunosuppression may result in additional toxicity. We sought to report the outcomes of pts with prolonged remission and survival following BsAb administration. Methods: We performed a multicenter retrospective study including 21 US centers evaluating pts with r/r LBCLs receiving commercially available epco or glofit between 2023 and 2025. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were extracted from medical records. Efficacy and survival outcomes were assessed by site investigators and included overall response rate (ORR), complete and partial response (CR, PR) rates. Pts who responded to BsAbs and had ≥365 days of follow-up from initiation of BsAb treatment were included in the analysis. Results: As of May 15, 2025, a total of 312 pts with r/r LBCLs were treated with BsAbs (epco n=193, glofit n=119) with a median age of 66 years (interquartile range [IQR] 59-73) at BsAb start. Most were male (64.5%), had advanced stage disease (77.4%) and had ECOG performance status of ≤1 (93.3%) at BsAb start. Of 207 pts who had initiated treatment with BsAb ≥12 months prior to data cutoff, we identified 31 pts (15.0%) who had a response to BsAbs (19 epco, 12 glofit) and were alive without progression at 12-months post-BsAb initiation and included them in this landmark analysis. Of the cohort of 19 pts treated with epco, 6 discontinued due to reasons other than disease progression including CAR-T cell therapy (n=2), secondary malignancy (n=2), allogeneic transplant (n=1), or other reasons (n=1). Thirteen of 19 pts received ≥12 months of epco treatment, and, with a median follow-up of 16 months from the start of BsAb, 12 of 13 pts continued receiving epco beyond 12 months with one pt discontinuing after 12 months (observed for an additional 41 days prior to censoring). Of the cohort of 12 pts treated with glofit, 8 pts were observed after completing all planned therapy and 4 patients underwent allogeneic transplant. Among all 31 BsAb-treated patients alive and in remission at 12 months, at the time of data cutoff, 5 pts (12.9%) had progressed (2 previously treated with epco and 3 with glofit). Three of the 4 pts who underwent allogeneic transplant after prior glofit treatment experienced disease relapse. A total of 24 pts (77.4%) were alive at the time of last follow-up, with the causes of death being disease progression (n=1), secondary malignancy (n=1), infection (n=1), and unknown cause (n=4). Conclusions: In this large cohort of r/r LBCL pts treated with BsAbs monotherapy in the standard of care setting, a relatively small proportion of pts (15%) achieve the 12 month PFS landmark. In the absence of robust evidence for what constitutes best practice, different strategies are employed, including continuation of BsAb, observation as well as consolidation with allogeneic transplant or CAR T-cell therapy. Additional follow-up will be reported to help guide clinical decision making regarding the optimal management strategy for this high risk pt population.

Abstract Introduction: Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) have transformed the treatment landscape for CLL, offering significant improvement in patient outcomes. Despite the widespread adoption of BTKis and their proven clinical benefits, data on the treatment preferences and priorities of patients with CLL in Asia, particularly in Japan, are limited. Understanding patient preference is critical for optimizing clinical decision-making and tailoring treatment strategies for Japanese patients. A comprehensive quantitative analysis was conducted to evaluate patient preferences for covalent BTKi treatment attributes and trade-offs among these attributes. Methods: An online survey applying discrete choice experiment (DCE) methodology was administered between April 29 and June 30, 2025 to Japanese adults (≥18 years of year) diagnosed with CLL. The design of DCE attributes and levels was informed by literature review and clinical consultations. Treatment attributes included efficacy (i.e., progression-free survival [PFS]), safety (i.e., impacts of diarrhea, headache, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension on quality of life [QoL]), and convenience (i.e., formulation type including tablet or capsule, and dosing frequency including once daily or twice daily). A conditional logistic regression was applied to estimate preference weights, which were used to calculate the relative importance as well as willingness-to-tradeoff between BTKi treatment attributes. Results: The study included 50 patients (mean age: 62 years; 30% female; 38% employed full-time; 60% reported no comorbid conditions). More than half (60%) were diagnosed ≥5 years ago. Around one quarter (24%) were treatment naive, and 76% received ≥1 treatment (40% first-line, 26% second-line and 10% third-line or later). Most patients (82%) reported living with or near their caregiver. In terms of travel time to obtain CLL medication, 46% reported travel time of one hour, 40% traveled less than 30 minutes, and 14% traveled more than two hours. The majority of patients (66%) were using High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit, while an additional 10% were either currently applying or planning to apply. In general, patients preferred treatments with less impact of AEs on QoL, higher efficacy, and less dosing frequency (P<.05). The top three treatment attributes with the highest relative importance were the impact of atrial fibrillation (24.7%) and diarrhea (21.0%) on QoL, and PFS (15.8%), followed by impact of headache (15.7%) and hypertension (14.1%) on QoL, dosing frequency (7.8%), and formulation type (capsule or tablet) (0.9%). Patients were willing to trade off PFS for improved quality of life: accepting reductions of 3.1 years for less impact from atrial fibrillation, 2.7 years for diarrhea, 2.0 years for headache, and 1.8 years for hypertension (none or mild vs. significant impact). Additionally, they were willing to accept a reduction of 1.0 years of PFS to receive a treatment given once daily rather than twice daily.Conclusions: This is the first quantitative assessment of treatment preferences among Japanese patients with CLL using a DCE approach. Findings from this study provide valuable Japan-specific insights, highlighting that although efficacy is important, patients prioritize safety factors, such as the impact of atrial fibrillation and diarrhea on QoL. These findings support the integration of patient perspectives into treatment planning to enhance shared decision-making, personalize care, and promote better adherence to long-term therapies in CLL management.

Abstract Introduction Despite significant advancements in therapeutic strategies, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) continues to present a challenge with variable survival outcomes across diverse patient populations. It is increasingly evident that factors beyond clinical variables such as age, sex, race, income, and geographic location, play a critical role in determining prognosis. This study evaluates the impact of these factors on overall survival (OS) in patients with ALL using the SEER dataset. Methods Data were extracted from the SEER database (2002–2022) for patients diagnosed with ALL. Cases with incomplete survival data or missing key demographic variables were excluded. Variables included in the analysis were age, sex, race, household income (low <$50,000, mid $50,000–$74,999, and high ≥$75,000 income tiers), and geographic location. We used Kaplan-Meier survival curves to estimate the median survival time and multivariable Cox proportional hazards model to identify independent predictors of mortality. Result A total of 4,943 patients met inclusion criteria. The cohort was 56.6% male and 43.4% female. The majority of patients were White (77.3%), followed by Asian or Pacific Islander (11.9%), Black (7.4%), American Indian/Alaska Native (2.3%), and Unknown (1.1%). Most patients were aged 10–19 years (27.4%), 60–69 (12.9%), 50–59 (12.7%), with 11.9% aged 20–29 years. The median overall survival (OS) was 67 months. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, OS declined with age, from 43.0 months (95% CI: 33.0–56.0) in patients aged 40–49 to 2.0 months (95% CI: 2.0–3.0) in those ≥80. Median OS was 80.0 months (95% CI: 64.0–112.0) in males vs 58.0 months (95% CI: 49.0–79.0) in females. Patients in high-income areas had a median OS of 76.0 months (95% CI: 65.0–100.0) compared to 48.0 months (95% CI: 36.0–81.0) in mid-income areas. Among racial groups, Black patients had the shortest OS (33.0 months, 95% CI: 27.0–49.0), though race was not significant in adjusted models. On multivariable Cox regression, older age remained the strongest predictor of mortality. HR 1.54 (95% CI: 1.28–1.84) for age 40–49 and HR 7.90 (95% CI: 6.60–9.45) for age ≥80 (p < 0.001 for all). Male sex (HR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.02–1.20; p = 0.018) and low income (HR: 1.29; 95% CI: 0.90–1.84; p = 0.165) were associated with worse outcomes, while high income was associated with better outcomes (HR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.82–1.00; p = 0.045). Race and metropolitan residence were not independently associated with OS in the adjusted model.Conclusion In this population-based analysis of patients with ALL, older age, male sex, and lower income were independently associated with worse overall survival. While descriptive differences in survival were observed by race and geographic region, these factors were not statistically significant after adjustment. The findings highlight the critical role of age and socioeconomic status as determinants of ALL outcomes and underscore the need for targeted interventions to address these persistent disparities in care.

Abstract Background Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) develop from the acquisition of somatic mutations over years or decades. While some mutations are random stochastic events, others derive from extrinsic agents that promote genomic instability, including environmental exposures. Agent Orange (AO) is a phenoxy herbicide used by the U.S. military as a defoliant during the Vietnam War (1962-71), often diluted with gasoline to promote aerosolization, contaminated with the carcinogen dioxin during the manufacturing process, and linked to various cancers. We studied AO as a risk factor for MDS. Methods The prospective National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National MDS Natural History Study includes patients (pts) with suspected or recently diagnosed MDS enrolled from 6/2016-6/2024. Bone marrow samples underwent central pathology review, resulting in diagnoses including MDS, MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasm overlap (MDS/MPN), or clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS). Pts completed detailed assessment for AO exposure and other risk factors for MDS development. Associations between AO exposure, mutation prevalence, and key covariates (demographics, diagnosis, military service, clinical history, cytogenetics and smoking) were assessed using univariate tests of association, multivariable regression and Cox regression models for survival and progression. Results Among 2115 enrolled pts, 1191 (56%) had a myeloid malignancy or precursor condition and 130 (6.1%) reported AO exposure, the majority (96%) male. Compared to unexposed pts, AO exposed pts were more likely to derive from the 1945-54 birth cohort (p<.001), of age to serve in Vietnam, and to have an ultimate diagnosis of MDS or CCUS vs. a non-clonal diagnosis (57% vs. 44%, p=.046). AO exposure was more common among Blacks (12% vs 6%, p=.02), specifically Black males (21% vs 9%, p=.006). AO exposure was marginally associated with International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS)-R poor-risk cytogenetics (p=.066) and lower baseline platelet count (p=.072). In multiple regression analyses, risk of AO exposure was significantly higher for the 1945-1954 birth cohort (OR [95% CI]=10.3 [4.4-30.6], p<.001), among those with military service (OR=24.1 [11.9-55.8], p<.0001), and for Blacks vs Whites (OR=2.6 [1.2-5.5], p=.017). The crude risk of AO exposure trended higher for patients with MDS compared to idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS; OR=2.1 [0.9-6.0],p=.13), but not in multivariable analysis (OR=1.3 [0.5-4.4, p=.60]). AO exposure trended toward an association with younger age at MDS diagnosis (p=.06) and toward having a prior primary malignancy (49% vs. 41%, p=.09): Compared to non-AO exposed pts, AO exposed pts had higher rates of prior prostate cancer (16% vs. 8%), notable given its documented association with AO exposure. AO exposure was not associated with a history of or intensity of cigarette smoking (p=.67). After accounting for age, diagnosis, sex, and military service, AO exposure was significantly associated with increased numbers of pathogenic variants in 53 genes (OR=1.2 [1.0-1.4], p=.02) and with having Very Poor/Poor risk IPSS-R cytogenetics (OR=3.7 [1.2-11.1], p=.02). AO exposed and non-exposed pts had similar overall survival (HR=1.1 [0.8-1.7], p=.50), but those exposed to AO had a higher risk of disease progression in the first two years following diagnosis (HR =1.9 [1.2-2.8], p=.004). AO exposed pts appeared more likely to have del (5q) (15% vs. 8%) and del (20q) (13% vs. 5%) karyotypic abnormalities, and TP53 (7.7% vs. 4.5%), STAG2 (5.1% vs. 2.8%), and NRAS mutations (3.4% vs. 1.7%), although sample sizes were small. Focusing on gene pathways, AO exposed pts appeared more likely to have abnormalities in RAS signaling (10.3% vs. 5.7%), cell cycle (7.7% vs. 4.5%), and cohesion complex pathways (6.0% vs. 3.1%), but less likely to have abnormalities in cytokine receptor pathways (0% vs. 4.5%). ConclusionsIn our representative national cohort of pts with at least one cytopenia, and for the first time, we demonstrated that AO exposure is associated with younger age at MDS diagnosis, ultimate MDS diagnosis, genetic complexity of MDS, increased risk of disease progression, and with Black race, despite Black individuals comprising just 16% of men who served in the Vietnam War and being less likely to have MDS than white individuals. AO should formally be recognized as a risk factor for the development of MDS.

Abstract Background Polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) are chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) characterized by myeloproliferation and an increased risk of thrombohemorrhagic complications, progression to myelofibrosis (MF), and reduced overall survival. Risk-adapted management of PV/ET favors treatment with cytoreductive therapy in high-risk patients. Hydroxyurea (HU) is the most frequently utilized first-line cytoreductive agent, however pegylated interferon alpha-2a (PEG) and the more recently approved, ropeginterferon alfa-2b (ropeg-IFN), have demonstrated a potential to induce molecular responses and improve event free survival (EFS) (Gisslinger Leukemia 2023). The Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Research Consortium (MPN-RC) 111 and 112 investigator-initiated clinical trials established the efficacy and safety of PEG in both treatment naïve (n=82) and HU intolerant/resistant (n=115) patients. MPN-RC 111/112 reported results up to 36 months with a median duration of treatment of about 24 months (Yacoub Blood 2019, Mascarenhas Blood 2022). This study aims to characterize the longer-term follow-up and outcomes of 111/112 trial patients treated at our center after the study terminated. Methods This is a single center retrospective review of 34 patients with high-risk ET or PV who were treated on the 111/112 trials with PEG and continued to be followed at Mount Sinai. IRB approval was obtained prior to data capture. Therapies initiated after PEG were examined, including duration of treatment, therapy-free intervals, and response to subsequent therapies. Clinical outcomes (during/after trial enrollment) included thrombotic/hemorrhagic events, progression to MF, leukemic transformation, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and death. PEG related toxicity data included development of hypothyroidism, autoimmune disease, depression/mood disorder, liver dysfunction, and ocular toxicity. Results 34 patients were included in the analysis (16 ET and 18 PV) with median age of 73.5 years. 26 (14 PV and 12 ET) were enrolled on 111 from 2012 to 2015 and 8 (4 PV and 4 ET) were enrolled on 112 from 2011 to 2016. 26 (81.3%) patients had mutations in JAK2, 3 (9.4%) in CALR, 1 (3.1%) in MPL, and 2 (6.3%) were triple-negative. At 12 months on trial, 12 (35.3%) patients achieved a complete response, 12 (35.3%) had a partial response, and 10 (29.4%) had no response to PEG. The median duration of follow up was 104.8 months after trial termination. 8 patients received no further therapy after the end of study, 12 received one subsequent therapy, and 14 received two or more subsequent therapies. 13 patients continued receiving commercial PEG or received it at some interval after study end and 2 patients were treated with ropeg-IFN. The median duration of PEG was 25.3 months on trial and 30.9 months when including those who continued on commercial PEG after trial termination. Median EFS was 140.4 months (95% CI 121.1 - Not estimated) including 5 (15%) patients with a thrombotic event, 1 (3%) with a hemorrhagic event, 8 (24%) progression to MF, 1 (3%) HSCT, 1 (3%) leukemic transformation, and 5 (15%) who died (2 second primary malignancies, 1 sepsis, 1 hemorrhage, 1 unknown). 25 of 34 patients developed toxicities potentially related to PEG therapy, including hypothyroidism (n=3), autoimmune disease (n=4), depression/mood disorder (n=10), liver dysfunction (n=13) and ocular toxicity (n=2). DiscussionPEG therapy is an effective therapy for ET and PV with the potential for durable responses. With a median follow up of more than 8 years, this single center retrospective analysis demonstrated a long EFS of greater than 11 years, accompanied by low rates of leukemic transformation and MPN-related death. There was no statistical difference in EFS based on response to PEG at 12 months on the initial 111/112 trials. The relatively short duration of PEG therapy may explain the rates of MPN-related events, including thrombosis and progression to MF. Future analyses should identify additional predictors of EFS, including duration of PEG treatment, best response to PEG at certain landmark intervals, and depth and/or duration of molecular response. This analysis also demonstrated high rates of PEG-related toxicities, although definitive causality was often difficult to determine. Additional clinical and molecular data will be available at the time of the meeting.