Trial in Progress: A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind Study of Midostaurin in Combination with Chemotherapy and as Single-Agent Maintenance Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Patients with FLT3 Mutation–Negative Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

AbstractApproximately 30% of patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) harbor mutations in the fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) gene. While the adverse prognostic impact of FLT3-ITDmut in AML has been clearly proven, the prognostic significance of FLT3-TKDmut remains speculative. Current guidelines recommend rapid molecular testing for FLT3mut at diagnosis and earlier incorporation of targeted agents to achieve deeper remissions and early consideration for allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT). Mounting evidence suggests that FLT3mut can emerge at any timepoint in the disease spectrum emphasizing the need for repetitive mutational testing not only at diagnosis but also at each relapse. The approval of multi-kinase FLT3 inhibitor (FLT3i) midostaurin with induction therapy for newly diagnosed FLT3mut AML, and a more specific, potent FLT3i, gilteritinib as monotherapy for relapsed/refractory (R/R) FLT3mut AML have improved outcomes in patients with FLT3mut AML. Nevertheless, the short duration of remission with single-agent FLT3i’s in R/R FLT3mut AML in the absence of ASCT, limited options in patients refractory to gilteritinib therapy, and diverse primary and secondary mechanisms of resistance to different FLT3i’s remain ongoing challenges that compel the development and rapid implementation of multi-agent combinatorial or sequential therapies for FLT3mut AML.

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Single-agent and combination biologics in acute myeloid leukemia

Hematology ◽

10.1182/hematology.2019000059 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 (1) ◽

pp. 548-556 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Guillaume Richard-Carpentier ◽

Courtney D. DiNardo

Keyword(s):

Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Older Patients ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Single Agent ◽

Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin ◽

Targeted Agents ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Rational Drug ◽

Genomic Characterization ◽

Acute Myeloid

Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous malignancy characterized by recurrent genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic abnormalities. As a result of our increasing knowledge of the underlying biology of AML leading to rational drug development, several new targeted agents have been recently added to our therapeutic arsenal. The BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax in combination with low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) or hypomethylating agents (HMAs) is safe and effective in older patients with newly diagnosed AML ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. Glasdegib, a hedgehog pathway inhibitor, may be used in combination with LDAC for the same indication and improves survival compared with LDAC alone. In newly diagnosed, fit, older patients with therapy-related AML or AML with myelodysplasia-related changes, the liposome-encapsulated combination of daunorubicin and cytarabine (CPX-351) has shown superiority over the 7 + 3 regimen. The presence of an IDH1 or IDH2 mutation can be effectively targeted by ivosidenib or enasidenib, respectively. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin improves event-free survival in CD33+ patients with favorable or intermediate-risk cytogenetics. With new targeted agents available, comprehensive genomic characterization of AML at diagnosis and relapse is increasingly necessary to select optimal treatment. Herein, we review the new single-agent and combination biologics (omitting FLT3 inhibitors, which are discussed separately) and provide recommendations on how to best use and manage patients on these regimens in clinical practice.

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Phase 3 VERONA study of venetoclax with azacitidine to assess change in complete remission and overall survival in treatment-naïve higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.tps7054 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. TPS7054-TPS7054

Author(s):

Amer Methqal Zeidan ◽

Jacqueline Suen Garcia ◽

Pierre Fenaux ◽

Uwe Platzbecker ◽

Yasushi Miyazaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Overall Survival ◽

Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Hypomethylating Agents ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Phase 3 ◽

Transfusion Independence ◽

Treatment Naïve ◽

The U.S ◽

Acute Myeloid

TPS7054 Background: Patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS) experience peripheral cytopenias, disease progression to acute myeloid leukemia, and high mortality with expected median overall survival of less than 2 years. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is the only potentially curative treatment. Patients ineligible for transplantation are treated with hypomethylating agents such as azacitidine (Aza), which is not curative and provides limited improvement in clinical benefit. Venetoclax (Ven) is a selective, potent, oral B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) inhibitor that is approved in the U.S. in combination with hypomethylating agents for treating older or co-morbid patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. Ven is approved in the U.S. as first-line treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma. For patients with treatment-naïve HR-MDS, Ven + Aza demonstrated manageable safety and a combined complete remission (CR)/marrow CR (mCR) rate of 79% in a single arm phase 1b study (NCT02942290). To confirm these benefits, the VERONA study, a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study (NCT04401748) of patients with treatment-naïve HR-MDS, will assess the safety and efficacy of Ven combined with Aza including CR rate and overall survival. Methods: Patients (≥18 years) with newly diagnosed HR-MDS per WHO 2016 classification with = 20% bone marrow blasts per marrow biopsy/aspirate at screening will be enrolled at ̃200 sites globally (̃500 patients). Patients must have intermediate risk or higher IPSS-R (score > 3), ECOG ≤2, and be hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) eligible without any pre-arranged donor, or HSCT ineligible without a plan for HSCT at Study Day 1. De novo patients without prior hypomethylating agents, chemotherapy for MDS, or allogenic stem cell transplantation are eligible. Patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive placebo or Ven 400 mg oral tablet once daily on Days 1-14, both in combination with Aza 75 mg/m2 (intravenous or subcutaneous) on Days 7-0-0 or Days 5-2-2 per 28-days. Patients will receive study treatment until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, HCT, withdrawal of consent, or discontinuation. The primary endpoints are CR rate (as adjudicated by investigator) per IWG 2006 criteria and overall survival. Secondary outcomes are red blood cell transfusion independence, platelet transfusion independence, change in fatigue as measured by Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-fatigue SF 7a scale score, time to deterioration in physical functioning domain of EORTC QLC-C30 scale, overall response (CR + partial response), and modified overall response (CR + mCR + partial response). Exploratory objectives are predictive biomarkers and pharmacokinetics. Clinical trial information: NCT04401748.

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Gemtuzumab ozogamicin in acute myeloid leukemia: a remarkable saga about an active drug

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2013-03-490482 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 121 (24) ◽

pp. 4838-4841 ◽

Cited By ~ 100

Author(s):

Jacob M. Rowe ◽

Bob Löwenberg

Keyword(s):

Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Randomized Study ◽

Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin ◽

New Drugs ◽

Phase 2 ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Phase 3 ◽

Acute Myeloid

Abstract Despite living in an era of unprecedented progress in the understanding of the genetic and molecular biology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), this has not translated into significant advances in therapy. Never before have so many potential targets been studied. Yet most have not advanced beyond the phase 1 and, occasionally, phase 2 studies. The few ongoing phase 3 studies seem unlikely to have more than a marginal benefit, if at all. Thus, it is not surprising that in past few decades almost no new drugs for AML have received regulatory approval. In 2000, gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) was granted accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration based on promising phase 2 data in relapsed older adults with AML. GO held promise as a new agent that also could be efficacious in newly diagnosed AML with acceptable toxicity. Several phase 3 studies were designed to test GO in this setting. The results of a randomized study by the Southwest Oncology Group led in 2010 to the voluntary withdrawal of this agent when improved efficacy could not be demonstrated and toxicity appeared excessive. Since then, 4 randomized studies have been completed that, in aggregate, strongly support the efficacy of this agent in newly diagnosed AML with acceptable toxicity. There is a very plausible explanation for this discrepancy, making a compelling case for reapproval of GO in AML.

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Phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of high-dose continuous infusion cytarabine alone or with laromustine (VNP40101M) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first relapse

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2009-06-229351 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (19) ◽

pp. 4027-4033 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Francis Giles ◽

Norbert Vey ◽

Daniel DeAngelo ◽

Karen Seiter ◽

Wendy Stock ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Continuous Infusion ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Controlled Study ◽

High Dose ◽

Double Blind Study ◽

Double Blind ◽

Median Response ◽

First Relapse ◽

Acute Myeloid

Abstract Laromustine is a sulfonylhdrazine alkylator with significant antileukemia activity. An international, randomized (2:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to compare complete remission (CR) rates and overall survival (OS) in patients with first relapse acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated with laromustine and high-dose cytarabine (HDAC) versus HDAC/placebo. Patients received 1.5 g/m2 per day cytarabine continuous infusion for 3 days and laromustine 600 mg/m2 (n = 177) or placebo (n = 86) on day 2. Patients in CR received consolidation with laromustine/HDAC or HDAC/placebo as per initial randomization. After interim analysis at 50% enrollment, the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) expressed concern that any advantage in CR would be compromised by the observed on-study mortality, and enrollment was held. The CR rate was significantly higher for the laromustine/HDAC group (35% vs 19%, P = .005). However, the 30-day mortality rate and median progression-free survival were significantly worse in this group compared with HDAC/placebo (11% vs 2%; P = .016; 54 days vs 34; P = .002). OS and median response durations were similar in both groups. Laromustine/HDAC induced significantly more CR than HDAC/placebo, but OS was not improved due to mortality associated with myelosuppression and its sequelae. The DSMB subsequently approved a revised protocol with laromustine dose reduction and recombinant growth factor support. The study was registered as NCT00112554 at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

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