scholarly journals Venetoclax-based chemotherapy in acute and chronic myeloid neoplasms: literature survey and practice points

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naseema Gangat ◽  
Ayalew Tefferi

AbstractVenetoclax (VEN), a small-molecule inhibitor of B cell leukemia/lymphoma-2, is now FDA approved (November 2018) for use in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), specific to newly diagnosed elderly or unfit patients, in combination with a hypomethylating agent (HMA; including azacitidine or decitabine) or low-dose cytarabine. A recent phase-3 study compared VEN combined with either azacitidine or placebo, in the aforementioned study population; the complete remission (CR) and CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi) rates were 28.3% and 66.4%, respectively, and an improvement in overall survival was also demonstrated. VEN-based chemotherapy has also shown activity in relapsed/refractory AML (CR/CRi rates of 33–46%), high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (CR 39% in treatment naïve, 5–14% in HMA failure), and blast-phase myeloproliferative neoplasm (CR 25%); in all instances, an additional fraction of patients met less stringent criteria for overall response. Regardless, venetoclax-induced remissions were often short-lived (less than a year) but long enough to allow some patients transition to allogeneic stem cell transplant. Herein, we review the current literature on the use of VEN-based combination therapy in both acute and chronic myeloid malignancies and also provide an outline of procedures we follow at our institution for drug administration, monitoring of adverse events and dose adjustments.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayumi Sugita ◽  
David C. Wilkes ◽  
Rohan Bareja ◽  
Kenneth W. Eng ◽  
Sarah Nataraj ◽  
...  

AbstractThe epichaperome is a new cancer target composed of hyperconnected networks of chaperome members that facilitate cell survival. Cancers with an altered chaperone configuration may be susceptible to epichaperome inhibitors. We developed a flow cytometry-based assay for evaluation and monitoring of epichaperome abundance at the single cell level, with the goal of prospectively identifying patients likely to respond to epichaperome inhibitors, to measure target engagement, and dependency during treatment. As proof of principle, we describe a patient with an unclassified myeloproliferative neoplasm harboring a novel PML-SYK fusion, who progressed to acute myeloid leukemia despite chemotherapy and allogeneic stem cell transplant. The leukemia was identified as having high epichaperome abundance. We obtained compassionate access to an investigational epichaperome inhibitor, PU-H71. After 16 doses, the patient achieved durable complete remission. These encouraging results suggest that further investigation of epichaperome inhibitors in patients with abundant baseline epichaperome levels is warranted.


Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Dunbar ◽  
Raajit K. Rampal ◽  
Ross Levine

Abstract Secondary acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) evolving from an antecedent myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) are characterized by a unique set of cytogenetic and molecular features distinct from de novo AML. Given the high frequency of poor-risk cytogenetic and molecular features, malignant clones are frequently insensitive to traditional AML chemotherapeutic agents. Allogeneic stem cell transplant, the only treatment modality shown to have any beneficial long-term outcome, is often not possible given the advanced age of patients at time of diagnosis and frequent presence of competing comorbidities. Even in this setting, relapse rates remain high. As a result, outcomes are generally poor and there remains a significant unmet need for novel therapeutic strategies. Although advances in cancer genomics have dramatically enhanced our understanding of the molecular events governing clonal evolution in MPNs, the cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic mechanisms driving leukemic transformation at this level remain poorly understood. Here, we review known risk factors for the development of leukemic transformation in MPNs, recent progress made in our understanding of the molecular features associated with leukemic transformation, current treatment strategies, and emerging therapeutic options for this high-risk myeloid malignancy.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 4389-4389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher A. Yasenchak ◽  
Robert Chen ◽  
Jeff P. Sharman ◽  
Ralph V. Boccia ◽  
Beata Holkova ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in patients aged ≥60 years has disproportionately inferior outcomes as compared to HL in younger patients. This can be mostly attributed to treatment-related factors that compromise cure rates. Comorbidities in older patients are associated with higher rates of treatment-related toxicities and can prevent delivery of standard intensity and/or duration of chemotherapy. A retrospective multicenter analysis showed an increased incidence of bleomycin-associated pulmonary toxicity (32%; with a mortality rate of 25%) in HL patients aged ≥ 60 who received ABVD for frontline therapy (Evens 2012). Novel therapeutic approaches with improved efficacy and tolerability are needed for this population. Brentuximab vedotin (ADCETRIS®) is an antibody-drug conjugate that comprises an anti-CD30 antibody conjugated by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule-disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E. Robust antitumor activity and acceptable toxicity has been demonstrated in HL patients who relapse after conventional chemotherapy or autologous stem cell transplant. A retrospective analysis of patients aged ≥60 years with relapsed/refractory CD30+ lymphomas across 7 single-agent brentuximab vedotin studies showed antitumor activity and clinical response duration consistent with those observed in younger patients (Fanale 2012). Thus, this ongoing phase 2, single-arm, open-label study was initiated to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of brentuximab vedotin as frontline monotherapy for HL patients aged ≥60 years (NCT01716806). Methods The population to be enrolled includes ∼30 treatment-naïve patients with classical HL (Stages I–IV). Eligible patients must be aged ≥60 years, have an ECOG status ≤3, and be ineligible for or have declined conventional chemotherapy. Brentuximab vedotin 1.8 mg/kg is administered every 3 weeks by IV infusion. Patients achieving stable disease (SD) or better can receive up to 16 cycles of treatment, after which therapy can be continued for those experiencing clinical benefit. The primary endpoint is objective response rate (ORR) as assessed by the Revised Response Criteria for Malignant Lymphoma (Cheson 2007). Response assessments are performed at Cycles 2, 4, 8, 12, and EOT (including PET at Cycles 2, 8, and EOT). Results Thirteen patients with treatment-naïve classical HL have been enrolled to date. Median age was 75 years (range, 64 to 92) and approximately half of the patients were male (54%). Seven patients (54%) had moderate age-related renal insufficiency at baseline (creatinine clearance ≥30 and<60). Thus far, patients have received a median of 5 cycles of brentuximab vedotin treatment (range, 1 to 11). Four patients discontinued treatment, 2 due to progressive disease, 1 due to a serious adverse event (Grade 3 orthostatic hypotension), and 1 due to patient decision. Of the 11 patients with a response assessment (see table), the ORR was 82% (n=9) and the complete remission (CR) rate was 64% (n=7). For the 10 patients who had interim PET scans after 2 cycles of therapy, the mean decrease in maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) between baseline and Cycle 2 was 83%. Cycle 2 PET scans were negative (Deauville Score 1-3) in 36% of patients, and the range of duration of response was 0.1+ to 20.6+ weeks thus far. Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) occurring in ≥15% of patients included neutrophil count decreased, peripheral sensory neuropathy, pruritus, and rash (n=2 each); most events were Grade 1 or 2. Grade 3 treatment-related AEs included neutrophil count decreased, rash, and orthostatic hypotension (n=1 each). No Grade 4 or 5 events have been observed to date. Conclusions In this interim analysis of patients aged ≥60 years with newly diagnosed HL, compelling antitumor activity with single-agent brentuximab vedotin has been demonstrated. To date, a response rate of 82% has been shown in this historically challenging population of patients who either declined or were not eligible for standard chemotherapy. Preliminary safety data demonstrate tolerability in this patient population and the data are consistent with the current safety profile of brentuximab vedotin. Disclosures: Yasenchak: Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding. Off Label Use: Brentuximab vedotin is indicated for treatment of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma after failure of autologous stem cell transplant or after failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not ASCT candidates and for the treatment of patients with systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma after failure of at least one prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimen. Chen:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau, Travel expenses Other. Sharman:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding, Travel expenses Other; Genentech: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding. Boccia:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Honoraria, Research Funding. Holkova:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding. Rosen:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Advisory/scientific board membership Other, Honoraria, Research Funding. Friedberg:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding. O'Meara:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Forero-Torres:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 823-823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naval Daver ◽  
Guillermo Garcia-Manero ◽  
Jorge E. Cortes ◽  
Lingsha Zhou ◽  
Sherry Pierce ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Clinical trials exclusively focusing on pts with MDS/MPN are lacking. AZA is a DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor approved for the therapy of MDS while RUX is a JAK inhibitor approved as therapy for primary myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera. RUX and AZA may target distinct clinical and pathological manifestations of MDS/MPNs. Aim: To determine the efficacy and safety of RUX + AZA in pts with MDS/MPN requiring therapy including chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), atypical chronic myeloid leukemia BCR-ABL1 negative (aCML), and myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm, unclassifiable (MDS/MPN-U)(ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01787487). Methods: A sequential approach with single-agent RUX 15 mg orally twice daily (if platelets 100-200) or 20 mg twice daily (if platelets >200) continuously (pts with platelets below 50 were not eligible) in 28-day cycles for the first 3 cycles followed by the addition of AZA 25 mg/m2 on days 1-5 of each 28-day cycle starting cycle 4 was adopted. The AZA dosage could be gradually increased to a maximum of 75 mg/m2. The AZA could be started earlier than cycle 4 and/or at a higher dose in pts with proliferative disease or elevated blasts. Results: 24 pts were enrolled between March 1, 2013 and April 1, 2015. Baseline characteristics are summarized in table 1. 17 pts remain alive after a median (med) follow-up of 6.0 (3.7 - 21.3+) months. Responses were evaluated by the MDS/MPN IWG response criteria (Savona et al., Blood 2015, 125(12):1857-65). Responses were noted in 12 (50%) pts. Details of responses are shown in table 2. Med time to responses was 1.8 mos (0.7 - 5.5+) and the med duration of response is 7.0 mos (1.8 - 17.6+). Additionally, 9 pts had >5% pretreatment BM blasts: 6 of these pts had follow-up BM evaluations and 3 achieved a reduction in blasts to <5% with a med time to blast reduction of 5.5 mos (5.5 - 11.2+). Serial evaluation of bone marrow biopsies documented reduction in EUMNET fibrosis score in 3 of 11 (27%) evaluable pts after a med of 5.5 mos (2.1 - 5.6+) on therapy. The reduction was by one grade in all 3 pts (MF-2 to MF-1 in 2 pts, MF-1 to MF-0 in 1 pt) and was confirmed on a subsequent BM biopsy in 2 pts. No pts experienced grade 3/4 non-hematological toxicity. New onset grade 3/4 anemia and thrombocytopenia were seen in 12 (50%; of which 5 had a 2+ grade change) and 8 (31%) pts, respectively. The med overall survival is 15.1+ mos. 7 pts have died: pneumonia (n=3), sepsis (n=2), progression to AML (n=1), and transition to hospice (n=1). The AZA was started in cycle 4 in 12 pts (50%). The AZA was started earlier due to leukocytosis or increased blasts in 11 pts (46%), in cycle 1 (n=6), cycle 2 (n=4), and cycle 3 (n=1). 13 pts have discontinued protocol therapy due to leukocytosis (n=6), progression to AML (n=1), lack of response (n=3), pneumothorax (n=1), stem cell transplant (n=1), and loss of insurance (n=1), respectively. Conclusion: Concomitant administration of RUX with AZA was feasible and effective in pts with MDS/MPNs, with expected myelosuppression as the only significant toxicity. This combination warrants further evaluation. Table 1. Baseline characteristics (N = 24) Characteristic N (%) / [range] Med age, years 71 [55 - 79] Prior treatment 9 (38) Diagnosis MDS/MPN-U CMML aCML 11 (46) 10 (42) 3 (12) MF - DIPSS Int-1/ Int-2/ High 4(17)/ 11(46) / 9(37) MDS - IPSS Low/ Int-1/ Int-2/ High 9(38) /12(50) / 2(8) / 1(4) Splenomegaly 12 (50) Med WBC x 109/L 26.3 [3 - 123.2] Peripheral blood blasts >/= 1% 17 (71%) LDH 1040 [409 - 3567] EUMNET fibrosis grade MF-1/ MF-2/ MF-3 10(42)/ 6(26)/ 1(4) JAK2 + 6 (25) Med JAK2 allele burden 42.2 [3 - 90] Karyotype Diploid Abnormal 18 (75) 6 (25) 28-gene molecular panel in 23 pts*, (1 pt not done) ASXL1 DNMT3A TET2 KRAS/NRAS PTPN11 IDH 2 4 (17) 4 (17) 3 (13) 2(8) / 2(8) 2(8) 2 (8) *Mutations identified in only 1 pt included EZH2, GATA2, RUNX1, MPL, KIT. Table 2. Response evaluation by the MDS/MPN IWG 2015 criteria Response category Evaluable pts Responders/Evaluable (%) *All responses, some pts have > 1 response All 12/24 (50) Clinical improvement (CI) spleen Pts with palpable spleen > 5 cm 8/11 (73) CI total symptom score Pts with baseline TSS > 20 3/12 (25) CI Hemoglobin (HGB) Baseline HGB < 10 g/dL 1/7 (15) CI Transfusion independence History of transfusion dependence 1/5 (20) Partial marrow response Baseline and follow-up BMs 5/11 (45) Optimal marrow response Baseline and follow-up BMs 1/11 (9) *No CR or PR documented Disclosures Daver: ImmunoGen: Other: clinical trial, Research Funding. Cortes:Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; BerGenBio AS: Research Funding; Teva: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Ariad: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy, Research Funding; Ambit: Consultancy, Research Funding; Arog: Research Funding; Celator: Research Funding; Jenssen: Consultancy. Pemmaraju:Stemline: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; LFB: Consultancy, Honoraria. DiNardo:Novartis: Research Funding. Konopleva:Novartis: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Stemline: Research Funding; Calithera: Research Funding; Threshold: Research Funding.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e17043-e17043
Author(s):  
I. Diaz de Corcuera ◽  
C. Serrano ◽  
J. Pérez ◽  
I. Quispe ◽  
M. Arguis ◽  
...  

e17043 Background: Results of a recent phase III randomized study with cetuximab and platin-5FU chemotherapy support its use in recurrent/metastatic SCCHN. However, many patients (pts) are not able to be treated with platin combinations. Paclitaxel (P) and cetuximab (C) have shown an encouraging activity in a similar patients subset. We review the data of the patients treated with this schedule in our centre. Methods: From our database, we conducted a retrospective study of 20 patients with recurrent SCCHN who did not meet criteria for platin therapy and were treated with weekly P (80 mg/m2) and C (initially 400 mg/m2 followed by 250 mg/m2) until progression or intolerable toxicity. We have collected data regarding previous treatments, response rate (RR), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicity. Results: From January 2007 to November 2008, 20 patients were included (18 male, 2 female) with a median age of 63 (50–81). Oral cavity (35%) and oropharynx (25%) were the most frequent locations. Most of the pts (13/20) had been treated with previous chemotherapy combinations (range 1–3 lines). All pts were evaluable for response and toxicity. Overall RR was 45% (1CR, 8 PR) and 35% of the pts (7/10) had SD. Response in radiated areas were 35% (6/17). With a median follow up of 10 months the median PFS and OS were 6.5 and 7 months respectively. Main related toxicities (Gr 2/3) were acne-like rash (30%), asthenia (15%), anemia (10%), and mucositis (10%). Conclusions: Our analysis confirms that weekly paclitaxel-cetuximab is an effective and safety combination in metastatic/recurrent SCCHN. Treatment is very well tolerated and could be a good alternative to platin-based chemotherapy in unfit patients for this therapy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1593-602
Author(s):  
Bilgul Mete ◽  
Alper Gunduz ◽  
Hayat Kumbasar Karaosmanoglu ◽  
Fatma Gumuser ◽  
Sibel Bolukcu ◽  
...  

Background: Efficacy of elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil (E/C/F/TDF) in treatment-naïve and experienced patients with HIV infection was demonstrated in phase 3 trials. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate effectiveness and safety of E/C/F/TDF in real world settings. Methods: Retrospective, observational data collected by the Turkish ACTHIV-IST study group between May 2015 and December 2016 were analysed. Results: A total of 387 patients were prescribed E/C/F/TDF; 210 patients with available data at 6th month were eligible; 91.5% were male, and mean age was 35.2 (SD: 10.8) years; 54.0% of males identified themselves as MSM. Sixty-three percent (133) of the study population were treatment-naïve patients, and 37% (77) were treatment experienced. HIV RNA level was below 100 copies/mL in 78.9% of treatment-naïve patients and 89.9% of treatment experienced patients at month 6. Median increase in CD4 T lymphocyte count was 218 copies/mL in treatment-naïve patients and remained stable or increased in treatment experienced patients. Adverse events were observed in 15% of the patients, and the regimen was discontinued in only six patients. Conclusion: Real world data on the effectiveness and safety of E/C/F/TDF is comparable with the phase 3 trial results Adverse events are uncommon and manageable. Keywords: Elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate; HIV; effectiveness; safety.


Blood ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 130 (Suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 890-890
Author(s):  
Andrew Wei ◽  
Stephen A. Strickland ◽  
Gail J. Roboz ◽  
Jing-Zhou Hou ◽  
Walter Fiedler ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy are unlikely to achieve remission with available therapy and have unacceptably short survival. Venetoclax (VEN) is a small molecule inhibitor of BCL-2 that achieved remission rates of &gt;60% combined with low-dose cytarabine (LDAC). Presented are long-term outcomes, including 1-year overall survival (OS) and biomarker analyses. Methods: This phase 1b/2, open-label study (NCT02287233) evaluates the safety and preliminary efficacy of orally administered VEN combined with LDAC in patients ≥65 years with previously untreated AML (except for hydroxyurea). Patients were ineligible for intensive chemotherapy because of comorbidity or other factors and had an ECOG performance score of 0-2, with adequate hepatic and renal function. Exclusion criteria were acute promyelocytic leukemia, active CNS involvement with AML, concominant use of moderate or strong CYP3A inhibitors, or prior treament with cytarabine for a preexisting myeloid disorder. Prior treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) was allowed. In cycle 1, VEN was started at 50 mg/day PO and increased over a 5-day ramp-up to reach the designated cohort dose of 600 or 800 mg/day on day 6, which was continued through day 28. In subsequent cycles, the desingated dose of VEN 600 or 800 mg/day was administered on days 1-28. LDAC 20 mg/m2/day SQ was given on days 1-10 of each cycle. Preliminary efficacy was assessed as the overall response rate (ORR, which included complete remission [CR], CR with incomplete blood count recovery [CRi], and partial remission [PR]). Adverse events (AEs) and laboratory values were monitored. Exploratory analysis of biomarkers (eg, cytogenetics, molecular markers) was performed to identify potential predictors of clinical outcomes. Results: Data cutoff was May 30, 2017. All 71 patients were enrolled ≥1 year prior (46 [65%] male; median age, 74 years [range, 66-87 years]): 10 received VEN 800 mg and 61 received VEN 600 mg, the recommended phase 2 dose. Thirty-three patients (47%) had a history of antecedent hematologic disorder (AHD), most commonly MDS. Among 61 patients given VEN 600 mg, median time on VEN treatment was 6 months (range, &lt;1 to 21 months). Thirty-eight (62%) of these patients achieved CR/CRi with a median duration of CR/CRi of 14.9 months (95% CI, 5.6 months to not reached [NR]; Figure). Best responses were 26% CR, 36% CRi, and 2% PR. Median OS was 11.4 months (95% CI, 5.7-15.7 months); the observed 12-month OS was 46% (95% CI, 33-58%). Only 1 patient has subsequently undergone bone marrow transplantation. Treatment-emergent grade 3/4 AEs (in ≥20% of 61 patients) were thrombocytopenia (59%), neutropenia (46%), febrile neutropenia (36%), anemia (28%), and decreased WBC count (26%). One case (2%) of tumor lysis syndrome occurred. Serious AEs (in ≥3 of 61 patients) were febrile neutropenia (20%), malignant neoplasm progression (13%), lung infection/pneumonia (13%), and sepsis (7%). The 30-day mortality rate was 3%; causes of death were disease progression (n=1) and lung infection (n=1). Common recurrent mutations in 53 patients who received VEN 600 mg are shown in the Table. All patients with an NPM1 mutation (including 3 with a co-mutation in FLT3-ITD) achieved CR/CRi. Patients with DNMT3A, FLT3-ITD, and SRSF2 mutations had CR/CRi rates of ≥75%, whereas those with TP53 mutations had the lowest CR/CRi rates of 44%. For patients with CR/CRi, median OS was 18.4 months (95% CI, 13.5 months to NR). The 12-month OS rate for patients in the 600-mg VEN cohort who achieved CR/CRi was 70.4% from Kaplan-Meier estimates, with 11 deaths. Among 19 patients who received study treatment ≥12 months, 17 remain alive. The longest, ongoing, disease-free follow-up after treatment completion is 12 months. Conclusions: The safety profile of VEN 600 mg/day plus LDAC was acceptable for elderly patients with treatment-naive AML who were ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. After ≥1 year of follow-up, the observed median OS was 11.4 months. This cohort included 44% (27/61) of patients with AHDs. Corelations of specified AML mutations with response and duration should be confirmed in later trials. Due to the observced CR/CRi rate of 62%, extended duration of response, and encouraging OS in a cohort of patients with particularly poor-risk features, the 600-mg dose of VEN combined with LDAC is being tested in an ongoing phase 3 study. Figure Figure. Disclosures Wei: AbbVie, Celgene, Novartis, Amgen, Servier: Honoraria; AbbVie, Celgene, Servier: Research Funding; AbbVie, Celgene, Novartis, Amgen, Servier: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Strickland: Boehringer-Ingelheim: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sunesis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Tolero: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy; CTI BioPharma: Consultancy; Baxalta: Consultancy. Roboz: AbbVie, Agios, Amgen, Amphivena, Array Biopharma Inc., Astex, AstraZeneca, Celator, Celgene, Clovis Oncology, CTI BioPharma, Genoptix, Immune Pharmaceuticals, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Juno, MedImmune, MEI Pharma, Novartis, Onconova, Pfizer, Roche Pharmace: Consultancy; Cellectis: Research Funding. Hou: Teva Oncology, Seattle Genetics: Speakers Bureau. Fiedler: Amgen, Pfizer: Research Funding; Amgen, Gilead, GSO, Teva, Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Other: Support for meeting attendance; Amgen: Patents & Royalties; Amgen, ARIAD/Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lin: Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Walter: ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; Aptevo Therapeutics: Research Funding. Chyla: Abbvie: Employment, Equity Ownership. Popovic: AbbVie: Employment, Equity Ownership. Fakouhi: AbbVie: Employment, Equity Ownership. Shah: AbbVie: Employment, Equity Ownership. Dunbar: AbbVie: Employment, Equity Ownership. Xu: AbbVie: Employment, Equity Ownership. Mabry: AbbVie: Employment, Equity Ownership. Hayslip: AbbVie: Employment, Equity Ownership.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 1552-1564
Author(s):  
Maximilian Stahl ◽  
Kamal Menghrajani ◽  
Andriy Derkach ◽  
Alexander Chan ◽  
Wenbin Xiao ◽  
...  

Abstract Azacitidine + venetoclax, decitabine + venetoclax, and low-dose cytarabine + venetoclax are now standard treatments for newly diagnosed older or unfit patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although these combinations are also commonly used in relapsed or refractory AML (RR-AML), clinical and molecular predictors of response and survival in RR-AML are incompletely understood. We retrospectively analyzed clinical and molecular characteristics and outcomes for 86 patients with RR-AML who were treated with venetoclax combinations. The complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) rate was 24%, and the overall response rate was 31% with the inclusion of a morphologic leukemia-free state. Azacitidine + venetoclax resulted in higher response rates compared with low-dose cytarabine + venetoclax (49% vs 15%; P = .008). Median overall survival (OS) was 6.1 months, but it was significantly longer with azacitidine + venetoclax compared with low-dose cytarabine + venetoclax (25 vs 3.9 months; P = .003). This survival advantage of azacitidine + venetoclax over low-dose cytarabine + venetoclax persisted when patients were censored for subsequent allogeneic stem cell transplantation (8.1 vs 3.9 months; P = .035). Mutations in NPM1 were associated with higher response rates, whereas adverse cytogenetics and mutations in TP53, KRAS/NRAS, and SF3B1 were associated with worse OS. Relapse was driven by diverse mechanisms, including acquisition of novel mutations and an increase in cytogenetic complexity. Venetoclax combination therapy is effective in many patients with RR-AML, and pretreatment molecular characteristics may predict outcomes. Trials that evaluate novel agents in combination with venetoclax therapy in patients with RR-AML that have adverse risk genomic features are warranted.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1688-1688
Author(s):  
Alessandro Malara ◽  
Cristian Gruppi ◽  
Margherita Massa ◽  
Vittorio Rosti ◽  
Giovanni Barosi ◽  
...  

Introduction: Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is a Philadelphia chromosome negative myeloproliferative neoplasm with adverse prognosis characterized by bone marrow (BM) fibrosis and extramedullary hematopoiesis. Fibronectin (FN) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that plays vital roles during tissue repair and regeneration. It exists in different forms. Plasma FN is synthesized by hepatocytes and secreted into the blood plasma, where circulates at a concentration of 300-600 μg/ml in a soluble, compact form. Differently, cellular FN is synthesized by several cell types, such as fibroblasts, endothelial cells, chondrocytes and myocytes. The alternative splicing of EDA and EDB and more complex splicing of the V domain, during transcription of FN1 gene, allows different isoforms of FN to be expressed in a tissue-dependent and temporally regulated manner. Very low levels (1.3-3 μg/ml) of FN containing EDA and/or EDB are present in plasma. Although its function is not well understood, EDA containing FN (EDA-FN) is known to agonize Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4), resulting in NF-κβ-dependent cytokine release; to induce myofibroblast differentiation during wound healing; and to increase agonist-induced platelet aggregation and thrombus formation in vivo. We previously showed that EDA-FN levels are increased in plasma and BM biopsies of PMF patients. Mechanistically, BM EDA-FN sustains megakaryocyte proliferation through TLR4 binding and confer a pro-inflammatory phenotype to cell niches promoting fibrosis progression in Romiplostim-treated mice. In this work we measured the plasma levels of EDA-FN in 104 well characterized patients with PMF to determine whether elevated levels of EDA-FN predict the occurrence of disease-related events. Methods: Plasma circulating EDA FN was measured with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay developed at the University of Pavia, by our group. We obtained plasma EDA-FN concentration values and health care data of persons with PMF from the data-base of the Centre for the Study of Myelofibrosis at the IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation in Pavia. We sequentially excluded persons treated with disease-modifying drugs at any time before or on the date of base-cohort entry, and those who had been splenectomized or had received a stem cell transplant. We also excluded persons with acute inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, other neoplasms, and severe liver or renal dysfunction. For this study we selected everyone giving written informed consent and the study was approved by the local Ethic Committee. Immunofluorescence was performed on spleen sections from PMF patients who underwent splenectomy either because of anemia or symptomatic splenomegaly, or both; and healthy controls that were splenectomized following traumatic lesion of the spleen. Data were analyzed using STATISTICA software. Results: A homozygous JAK2V617F genotype was the major determinant of elevated plasma EDA-FN. Elevated EDA-FN levels were associated with anemia, increased levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, BM fibrosis and splanchnic vein thrombosis at diagnosis. We interpreted these associations as reflecting the role EDA-FN plays in tissue remodeling, inflammation and vascular injury. Interestingly, EDA-FN levels resulted also associated with spleen size, and elevated levels of EDA-FN at diagnosis predicted large splenomegaly (more than 10 cm from the left costal margin) outcome. The evidence that plasma EDA-FN levels were not associated with the CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells mobilization, drove us to hypothesize that EDA-FN could reflect spleen endothelial cell activation and/or neoangiogenesis. Immunofluorescence analysis of spleen specimens from PMF patients and healthy controls revealed that high levels of EDA-FN were present in pathological spleens in strong association with endothelial neoangiogenesis. Conclusions: Quantification of EDA-FN level in PMF strongly correlates with BM fibrosis and may be the first marker of an altered spleen microvasculature that contributes to splenomegaly. Understanding the role of this FN isoform in PMF would be useful for testing new mechanisms of disease progression and new hypotheses about the treatment of splenomegaly in PMF. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document