Actions of L-Glutamine vs. COVID-19 Suggest Additional Benefit in Sickle Cell Disease

Background:The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes a 3- to 9-fold higher age-adjusted mortality in African American and Hispanic populations, the major US racial groups affected by sickle cell disease (SCD). The Centers for Disease Control designates SCD as a condition at increased risk for severe COVID-19. An urgent need for repurposing of available and safe therapeutics has been cited for such high-risk populations until vaccines are widely available. L-glutamine (GLN) ameliorates clinical pathology of SCD related to elements of COVID-19. Multiple systemic complications of COVID-19 are increasingly attributed to oxidative damage, a target which GLN regulates. Prescription-grade L-glutamine (PGLG) (Endari®, Emmaus Medical) decreases oxidative stress by increasing the ratio of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) to total NAD, which may increase availability of reduced glutathione. PGLG also decreases red cell endothelial adhesion in patients with SCD. Of note, additional analysis of the phase 3 trial demonstrated a 63% lower occurrence of acute chest syndrome (ACS) in PGLG-treated SCD patients compared to control, which has important relevance in the pandemic. A recent report of two computational screens of FDA-approved therapeutics, directed to protein and chemistry targets and to gene expression changes induced by SARS-CoV-2, predicts glutathione and GLN are highly likely to confer benefit in COVID-19 (Kim, J Translat Med, 2020). Methods:We therefore reviewed reports of multi-system effects of GLN in experimental respiratory distress animal models and in ICU and COVID-19 patients. We focused on contributors to cytokine storm and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the leading causes of mortality in COVID-19 (Huang, Lancet, 2020). We also conducted a clinical trial in hospitalized COVID-19 patients on ESPEN-recommended nutrition +/- GLN. Results:In experimental ARDS, sepsis, and endotoxin-induced lung injury, GLN decreases consolidation, pulmonary edema, and neutrophil infiltration and increases lung compliance, oxygen saturation, heat shock protein activation, and survival by 2.5-fold over saline controls (Perng WC, Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol, 2010; Singleton, Crit Care Med, 2005). Patients with severe COVID-19 have increased proinflammatory cytokines; interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels predict and contribute to severity of COVID-19 (Yuki, Clin Immunol, 2020). GLN modulates inflammatory responses by suppressing C-reactive protein, IL-6, and TNF-α release; it also reduces IL-6 in murine studies (37% decrease,p< 0.05; Chuang, BMC Pulm Med, 2014), which could benefit COVID-19 patients. Myocardial injury occurs in up to 12% of COVID-19 patients directly with viral entry through ACE-2 receptors, microvascular damage, endothelial shedding, and inflammation-mediated damage, which GLN protects against (Shi, Eur Heart J, 2020; Shi, JAMA Cardiol, 2020; Shao, Pak J Med Sci, 2015). Inflammatory states lead to GLN consumption and negative GLN balance (Santos, Amino Acids, 2019). Deficient plasma GLN (< 420 µmol/L) is a defined risk for higher mortality in ICU and COVID-19 patients (Shen, Cell, 2020). Glutathione deficiency contributes to SARS-CoV-2 oxidative lung damage and severe disease (Polonikov, ACS Infect Dis, 2020). In a recent clinical trial, patients were confirmed to have SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR, had positive CT scans, and were admitted from a COVID-19 clinic. Both arms received ESPEN-recommended nutrition for COVID-19 alone or with GLN (10 grams, 3 times/day; see Table). Conclusions:GLN and glutathione deficiency contribute to COVID-19 severity, and GLN has salutary biologic actions on reducing lung pathology, mediators of cytokine storm, and myocardial injury in animal models, SCD, and ICU patients. GLN reduces severity in standard risk COVID-19 patientsafterinfection has occurred. These findings, combined with computational prediction of GLN benefit vs. COVID-19, support the hypothesis that PGLG treatmentprior toSARS-CoV-2 infection mayreducethe development of severe COVID-19 in SCD and perhaps other high-risk populations. The data as a whole provides a strong rationale for a controlled clinical trial of PGLG toreducesevere COVID-19 in high-risk SCD patients and improve outcomes if infection occurs. Disclosures Cengiz: Biruni University Medical Faculty:Current Employment;Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty:Ended employment in the past 24 months.Yavuzer:Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics:Current Employment.Yavuzer:Biruni University Medical Faculty:Current Employment;Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Mediacl Faculty:Ended employment in the past 24 months.Tang:Kaiser Permanente:Current Employment.Ward:Emmaus Medical, Inc.:Current Employment.Goodrow:Emmaus Medical, Inc.:Current Employment;Emmaus Life Sciences Shareholder:Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.Ludlum:Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc.:Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.Stark:Emmaus Life Sciences Shareholder:Current equity holder in publicly-traded company;Emmaus Medical, Inc:Current Employment.Perrine:Cetya Inc.:Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Phoenicia Bioscience:Current Employment, Current equity holder in private company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Phoenicia Therapeutics:Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties;Boston University School of Medicine:Current Employment, Patents & Royalties;Viracta Therapeutics:Patents & Royalties.

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A Phase 1a/b Dose Escalation Study of the MYC Repressor Apto-253 in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory AML or High-Risk MDS

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-150049 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 3411-3411

Author(s):

Maro Ohanian ◽

Martha L. Arellano ◽

Moshe Y. Levy ◽

Kristen O'Dwyer ◽

Hani Babiker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

High Risk ◽

Adverse Events ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Publicly Traded ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Grade 3 ◽

Refractory Aml

Abstract INTRODUCTION: APTO-253 represses expression of the MYC oncogene by targeting a conserved G-quadruplex structure in its promoter, down-regulates MYC mRNA and protein levels and induces apoptosis in AML cell lines and marrow samples from patients with AML, MDS, and MPN in vitro. After injection, a large fraction of APTO-253 binds iron and transforms to the Fe(253) 3 complex which retains full activity. APTO-253 has been granted orphan drug designation for AML by the US FDA and is being studied in a Phase 1a/b clinical trial in patients with relapsed or refractory AML (R/R AML) or high-risk myelodysplasias (high-risk MDS) (NCT02267863). AIMS: Primary objectives are to determine the safety and tolerability of APTO-253, MTD, dose limiting toxicities (DLT), and the RP2D. Key secondary objectives are to assess the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile, pharmacodynamic (PD) activity, and preliminary evidence of antitumor activity. METHODS: Eligible patients have R/R AML or high-risk MDS for which either standard treatment has failed, is no longer effective, or can no longer be administered safely. Treatment- emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and tumor responses are evaluated using International Working Group criteria. APTO-253 is administered by IV infusion once weekly on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of each 28-day cycle; ascending dose cohorts were enrolled at a starting dose of 20 mg/m 2 with planned escalation to 403 mg/m 2. RESULTS: As of June 7, 2021, a total of 18 patients (median age 64.0 years, 16 AML and 2 high-risk MDS) with a median of 2.5 prior treatments (range of 1 - 9) have been treated with APTO-253 at doses of 20 (n=1), 40 (n=1), 66 (n=4), 100 (n=4) and 150 mg/m 2 (n=8). Most patients were RBC (87.5% of AML and 100% of MDS) and/or platelet (75% of AML and 50% MDS) transfusion-dependent. No DLTs or drug-related serious adverse events have been reported. Only 1 patient had a drug-related TEAE of grade 3 or greater (fatigue, Grade 3, probably related). Preliminary PK analysis (Figure 1) showed that serum levels of APTO-253 were dose proportional. C max and AUC 0-72h for C1D1 dosing were 0.06, 0.02, 0.36 ± 0.37, 0.44 ± 0.41 and 0.72 ± 0.70 µM and 0.11, 0.15, 3.98 ± 1.77, 4.79 ± 0.87 and 2.51 ± 1.73 µM*h for dose levels of 20, 40, 66, 100 and 150 mg/m 2, respectively. Plasma levels for Fe(253) 3 were significantly higher than those for the APTO-253 monomer. For example, C max and AUC 0-72h of Fe(253) 3 for C1D1 dosing of patients in Cohort 150 mg/m 2 were 2- and 20- fold higher than the ATPO-253 monomer at 15.09 ± 0.42 µM and 51.52 ± 28.26 µM*h, respectively. Following dosing at 150 mg/m 2, serum concentrations of Fe(253) 3 were above 0.5 µM for > 48 h, which approaches the therapeutic range based on in vitro studies. CONCLUSIONS: APTO-253 has been well-tolerated at doses of 20, 40, 66, 100 and 150 mg/m 2 over multiple cycles and escalated to 210 mg/m 2 (Cohort 6). PK analysis revealed that APTO-253 is rapidly transformed to and co-exists with the Fe(253) 3 in serum from R/R AML and high-risk MDS patients. Enrollment of patients at the 210 mg/m 2 dose level is ongoing and updated clinical data will be presented at the meeting. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Arellano: KITE Pharma, Inc: Consultancy; Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Consultancy. Levy: AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; GSK: Consultancy, Other: Promotional speaker; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Promotional speaker, Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Promotional speaker, Speakers Bureau; Morphosys: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Promotional speaker, Speakers Bureau; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Promotional speaker, Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Promotional speaker, Speakers Bureau; Epizyme: Consultancy, Other: Promotional speaker; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Promotional speaker, Speakers Bureau; Dova: Consultancy, Other: Promotional speaker; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: Promotional speaker; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Promotional speaker, Speakers Bureau; Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Beigene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Promotional speaker, Speakers Bureau. Mahadevan: caris: Speakers Bureau; Guardanthealt: Speakers Bureau; PFIZER: Other: Clinical trial Adverse events committee; TG Therapeuticals: Other: Clinical trial Adverse events committee. Zhang: Aptose Biosciences, Inc.: Current Employment. Rastgoo: Aptose Biosciences, Inc.: Current Employment. Jin: Aptose Biosciences, Inc.: Current Employment. Marango: Aptose Biosciences, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Howell: Aptose Biosciences, Inc.: Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Rice: Aptose Biosciences, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Patents & Royalties; Oncolytics Biotech Inc.: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Bejar: Aptose Biosciences, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Takeda: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; Epizyme: Consultancy, Honoraria; Astex: Consultancy; Silence Therapeutics: Consultancy.

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Racial and Age-Related Differences in Impacts of High-Risk Cytogenetic Abnormalities on Survival in Multiple Myeloma in a Nationwide Electronic Health Record-Derived Database

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-152774 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 4121-4121

Author(s):

Gregory S Calip ◽

Mustafa S Ascha ◽

Xiaoliang Wang ◽

Amy E Pierre ◽

Kathleen Maignan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Publicly Traded ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Cytogenetic Abnormalities ◽

Age Related ◽

Black Patients ◽

Double Hit ◽

White Patients

Abstract Background: The incidence of multiple myeloma (MM) and enrichment of cytogenetic abnormalities differ significantly between racial/ethnic groups in the US, and their significance in determining myeloma progression and survival is not well understood. Whole genome sequencing has identified unique mutational signatures in MM, including an age-related process common in hyperdiploid myeloma. Our purpose was to describe racial and age-related differences in the impact of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities (HRCAs) on survival in MM. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult MM patients starting first-line therapy between January 2011 and May 2021 using the nationwide Flatiron Health electronic health record-derived de-identified database. Patient-level demographic and clinical characteristics were ascertained using structured and unstructured data, curated via technology-enabled abstraction. Patients who had documented fluorescence in situ hybridization testing within 30 days prior to or 90 days following the start of first-line treatment were included. HRCAs, including gain or amplification 1q21, deletion 17p, t(4;14), t(14;16) and t(14;20), were identified and categorized as 0, 1, or 2+ HRCAs. Our outcomes of interest were real world progression free survival (rwPFS) and overall survival (rwOS). Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics and treatment including time-dependent receipt of autologous stem cell transplantation. Results: From a cohort of 4889 MM patients, there were 790 (16%) Black and 2995 (61%) White patients with median ages at diagnosis of 68 and 70 years, respectively. Compared to White patients, a higher proportion of Black patients had IgG M-protein (61% vs 55%) and a lower proportion had 1+ HRCAs identified (31% vs 34%). Among all racial groups, compared to patients aged <65 years (N=1771), a higher proportion of patients aged 65+ years (N=3118) had IgA M-protein (21% vs 17%) and 1+ HRCAs identified (35% vs 33%). Multivariable models showed evidence of significant statistical interaction between age and prevalence of HRCA for rwPFS (P-int: 0.02). Among White patients, having 2+ HRCAs ("double-hit MM") compared to no HRCAs was associated with worse rwPFS in both younger and older patients (<65 years: HR 2.88, 95% CI 1.93-4.32, P<0.01; 65+ years: HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.18-1.94, P<0.01). Among Black patients, associations between double-hit MM and rwPFS were attenuated and not statistically significant regardless of age (<65 years: HR 1.81, 95% CI 0.69-4.74, P=0.23; 65+ years: HR 1.61, 95% CI 0.92-2.81, P=0.09). Similarly, we also found evidence of statistical interaction between age and prevalence of HRCA for rwOS (P-int: 0.02). Among White patients, double-hit MM was significantly associated with worse rwOS but the magnitude of increased risk differed for younger (HR 3.39, 95% CI 2.24-5.14, P<0.01) and older (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.27-2.05, P<0.01) patients. Double-hit MM was significantly associated with worse rwOS among older Black patients (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.03-3.06, P=0.04), but not younger Black patients (HR 1.60, 95% CI 0.58-4.40, P=0.36). Conclusions: In this cohort of newly diagnosed MM patients treated in routine practice, having double-hit MM was differentially predictive of poor survival across age groups. Double-hit MM was associated with worse rwPFS and rwOS among White patients, but these trends were less consistent among Black patients. Our current understanding of cytogenetic risk stratification of MM requires further study and additional data for identifying low- and high-risk subsets of patients across different ages and racial groups. Figure. Kaplan-Meier survivor functions for rwPFS in White (Panel A) and Black (Panel B) patients by age group and number of HRCAs Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Calip: Flatiron Health: Current Employment; Roche: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Pfizer: Research Funding. Ascha: Flatiron Health: Current Employment; Roche: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Wang: Roche: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Flatiron Health: Current Employment. Pierre: Flatiron Health, Inc: Current Employment; Roche: Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company. Maignan: Flatiron Health: Current Employment; Roche: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Wadé: Roche: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Flatiron Health: Current Employment. Leng: Roche: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Flatiron Health: Current Employment. Seymour: Karyopharm: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Flatiron Health Inc: Current Employment. Patel: Janssen: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy. Neparidze: Eidos Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding.

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ADG152, a Novel CD20xCD3 T Cell Engager Prodrug with Enhanced Therapeutic Index, Demonstrates Strong Anti-Tumor Activity with Improved Safety

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-147573 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 1204-1204

Author(s):

Bin Cai ◽

Aaron N Nguyen ◽

Songmao Zheng ◽

Jianfeng Shi ◽

Guizhong Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

B Cell ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Tumor Cells ◽

Cytokine Release ◽

Publicly Traded ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

The Past

Abstract Recent clinical data illustrate the effectiveness of CD20xCD3 T cell engagers (TCEs) that redirect the patient's endogenous T cells to eliminate CD20-positive tumor cells. While several of these products have demonstrated promising clinical activities in B-cell malignancies, their potential therapeutic utility is limited by cytokine release syndrome (CRS), even after strategies such as step-up dosing are implemented. ADG152 is a novel CD20xCD3 TCE prodrug engineered using Adagene's SAFEbody technology to minimize or eliminate CRS and on-target/off-tumor toxicities. The anti-CD20 arm of ADG152 has been engineered for enhanced binding to CD20 compared to other clinical stage or approved antibodies, while its anti-CD3 arm has modulated affinity for CD3 and is also masked by a conditionally activable peptide. In normal tissues and in circulation, the masking moiety on the anti-CD3 arm can function to block the binding of ADG152 to T cells; however, in an activable condition such as the tumor microenvironment where protease activity has been reported to be elevated, the masked antibody can be activated, enabling the activated ADG152 to simultaneously engage T cells and neighboring CD20-expressing tumor cells. In vitro studies showed that ADG152 has enhanced binding to human B cells and CD20-positive Raji tumor cells compared with the benchmark CD20xCD3 TCE plamotamab. On the other hand, ADG152 has significantly reduced binding to the human CD3 δ/ε protein dimer and no binding to human CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells isolated from PBMCs of normal human donors. Consistent with these results, ADG152 shows significantly decreased ability (more than 100-fold) compared with the benchmark and the unmasked parental molecule to activate CD8+ T cells and to induce T cell-mediated killing in the presence of tumor cells in vitro. ADG152 demonstrated strong anti-tumor effects in vivo. In a human PBMC-engrafted Raji xenograft mouse tumor model, dosing with ADG152 resulted in almost complete tumor growth inhibition at 1.5 mg/kg. In exploratory toxicology studies in cynomolgus monkeys, ADG152 resulted in significantly less cytokine release in monkey blood compared with benchmark, giving ~100-fold safety margin for ADG152 for cytokine induction (Figure). In addition, ADG152 was as effective as the benchmark at inducing B cell depletion from peripheral blood of cynomolgus monkeys. In summary, the preclinical characterization of ADG152 demonstrates that our SAFEbody platform can be used to engineer safe and potent bispecific T cell engagers with increased therapeutic index by allowing for strong anti-tumor activities in mice at doses with minimal cytokine release in monkeys, thereby supporting its advancement to clinical development either as a single agent or in combination with other therapies for the treatment of CD20-expressing B cell malignancies. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Cai: Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Nguyen: Sparcbio, LLC: Ended employment in the past 24 months; Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Zheng: Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Ended employment in the past 24 months; Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Shi: Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Liu: Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Li: Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Du: Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Frankel: Cytovia Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company; Adagene Inc.: Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Bristol Myers Squibb: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months; IMV: Consultancy; Precision Biosciences: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sutro: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Immunai: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Minerva Therapeutics: Consultancy, Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Myeloid Therapeutics: Consultancy; RAPT Therapeutics: Consultancy; Syros: Consultancy. Luo: Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Xu: Bristol Myers Squibb: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months; Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.

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Comparison of Denosumab Versus Intravenous (IV) Bisphosphonate Use for Hypercalcemia in Multiple Myeloma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-140702 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 14-16

Author(s):

Matthew M Lei ◽

Erica Tavares ◽

Uvette Lou ◽

Evan Buzgo ◽

Noopur S. Raje ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Renal Dysfunction ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Additional Dose ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Median Dose ◽

Publicly Traded ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

The Past

Background Hypercalcemia (HC) is a frequent complication of multiple myeloma (MM) occurring in 20-30% of patients. This is often associated with renal dysfunction and both features are important myeloma defining events resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Denosumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits RANKL, has been evaluated in the prevention of skeletal related events in patients with newly diagnosed MM, as well as the treatment of bisphosphonate-refractory HC of malignancy (HCM). Cases of denosumab for HCM in MM patients with renal dysfunction have been described. Both denosumab and IV bisphosphonates (IVB) represent treatment options for HC in MM. We describe a comparison of patients with MM with HC who received denosumab vs IVBs. Methods We retrospectively identified patients age ≥18 with a diagnosis of MM with HC (corrected serum calcium level [CSC] >10.5 mg/dL). Patients were included if they received either denosumab or IVB (zoledronic acid [ZA] or pamidronate), between April 2016 and June 2020. The primary endpoint was complete response (CR), defined as normalization of CSC to less than 10.5 mg/dL. Secondary endpoints included HC relapse (CSC >10.5 mg/dL) and safety. Hypocalcemia was graded per CTCAE v5. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was defined using KGIDO criteria. Patients were followed-up for 56 days. Bivariate analyses were performed. Results A total of 40 patients were included with 18 in the denosumab group and 22 in the IVB group, of whom 15 (68%) received ZA and 7 (32%) received pamidronate. Baseline characteristics are described in Table 1. Patients with newly diagnosed MM composed 33% and 55% of the denosumab and IVB groups, respectively. All patients in the denosumab group received 120 mg except one who received 60 mg, while in the IVB group, dose reductions occurred in 5/15 patients who received ZA (median dose, 4 mg; range, 3.3-4) and 4/7 patients who received pamidronate (median dose, 60 mg; range, 30-90). Most patients received HC treatment as an inpatient (58% inpatient vs. 42% outpatient). A minority of patients had received IVBs in the past 90 days. The mean CSC was 12.5 mg/dL (standard deviation [SD], 1.40) and 13.3 mg/dL (SD, 2.39) in the denosumab and IVB groups, respectively. Baseline serum creatinine (SCr) was higher and creatinine clearance (CrCl) was lower in the denosumab group (median SCr, 2.06 vs. 1.24 mg/dL, p=0.048; median CrCl, 33 vs. 48 mL/min, p=0.048). The CR rate by day 3-4 was 92% and 94% in the denosumab and IVB groups, respectively (p=NS). HC relapse occurred in 2 (12%) and 6 (29%) patients in the denosumab and IVB groups, respectively (p=0.257). Incidence of grade 1 hypocalcemia was similar between groups; however, incidence of grade ≥2 hypocalcemia was higher in the denosumab group. Incidence of new AKI was 28% (5/18) in the denosumab group 23% (5/22) in the IVB group (p=0.71). No patients in the denosumab group received an additional dose of denosumab within 14 days of initial dose. Three patients in the IVB group received an additional dose of an IVB within 14 days of initial dose. One patient, who was in the denosumab group, had refractory hypercalcemia and had not achieved CR at day 56. Conclusions We describe our experience with denosumab and IVB for the management of HC in patients with MM. The CR rate at 3-4 days was similar with either agent in our MM only population that was not bisphosphonate refractory. A higher incidence of grade 2 hypocalcemia was noted in the denosumab group. Conclusions on renal safety are limited by the small sample size and that patients in the denosumab group had a higher SCr on presentation. Denosumab and IVB represent acceptable agents for the management of HC in MM patients with further investigation necessary in those with renal dysfunction. Disclosures Lei: Fresenius Kabi USA: Consultancy; Trapelo Health: Consultancy; Bluebird Bio: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Bristol Myers Squibb: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Clovis Oncology: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Blueprint Medicines: Divested equity in a private or publicly-traded company in the past 24 months. Lou:Fresenius Kabi USA: Consultancy. Raje:Bluebird, Bio: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Immuneel: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Caribou: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Astrazeneca: Consultancy. Yee:Karyopharm: Consultancy; Oncopeptides: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: Denosumab is indicated for the treatment of hypercalcemia of malignancy refractory to bisphosphonate therapy. We describe the use of denosumab for hypercalcemia of malignancy in a multiple myeloma only patient population that is not bisphosphonate refractory. The use of denosumab for these patients was part of normal clinical practice in adherence to institutional policies and guidelines.

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Preliminary Results from a Phase 1 Study of APVO436, a Novel Anti-CD123 x Anti-CD3 Bispecific Molecule, in Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-141619 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 11-12

Author(s):

Justin M. Watts ◽

Tara Lin ◽

Eunice S. Wang ◽

Alice S. Mims ◽

Elizabeth H. Cull ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽

High Risk ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Research Funding ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Cytokine Release ◽

Publicly Traded ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Acute Myeloid

Introduction Immunotherapy offers the promise of a new paradigm for patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). CD123, the IL-3 receptor alpha-chain, represents an attractive target for antibody therapies because of its high expression on AML/MDS blasts and leukemic stem cells compared to normal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. APVO436, a novel bispecific anti-CD123 x anti-CD3 ADAPTIR™ molecule, depleted CD123+ cells in AML patient samples ex vivo (Godwin et al. ASH 2017), reduced leukemia engraftment in a systemic AML xenograft model (Comeau et al. AACR 2018), and transiently reduced peripheral CD123+ cells in non-human primates with minimal cytokine release and in a dose-dependent fashion (Comeau et al. AACR 2019). These data provide a basis for the clinical application of APVO436 as a treatment in AML and MDS. Here, we report preliminary data from a first-in-human dose-escalation study of APVO436 in patients with R/R AML and high-risk MDS. Study Design/Methods This ongoing Phase 1/1b study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03647800) was initiated to determine the safety, immunogenicity, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and clinical activity of APVO436 as a single agent. Major inclusion criteria were: R/R AML with no other standard treatment option available, R/R MDS with > 5% marrow blasts or any peripheral blasts and failure of a hypomethylating agent, ECOG performance status ≤ 2, life expectancy > 2 months, white blood cells ≤ 25,000 cells/mm3, creatinine ≤ 2 x upper limit of normal (ULN), INR and PTT < 1.5 x ULN and alanine aminotransferase < 3 x ULN. Patients were not restricted from treatment due to cytogenetic or mutational status. Intravenous doses of APVO436 were administered weekly for up to six 28-day cycles (24 doses) with the option to continue dosing for up to 36 total cycles (144 doses). Flat and step dosing regimens were escalated using a safety-driven modified 3 + 3 design. Pre-medication with diphenhydramine, acetaminophen, and dexamethasone was administered starting with dose 1 to mitigate infusion related reactions (IRR) and cytokine release syndrome (CRS). First doses and increasing step doses of APVO436 were infused over 20-24 hours followed by an observation period of 24 hours or more. Bone marrow biopsies were performed every other cycle with responses assessed by European Leukemia Net 2017 criteria for AML or International Working Group (IWG) 2006 criteria for MDS. Results The data cut-off for this interim analysis was July 9, 2020. Twenty-eight patients with primary R/R AML (n=19), therapy-related R/R AML (n=3), or high-risk MDS (n=6) have been enrolled and received a cumulative total of 186 doses. The number of doses received per patient ranged from 1 to 43 (mean of 6.4 doses). Most patients discontinued treatment due to progressive disease; however, blast reduction was achieved in 2 patients, with one patient with MDS maintaining a durable response for 11 cycles before progressing. APVO436 was tolerated across all dose regimens in all cohorts tested. The most common adverse events (AEs), regardless of causality, were edema (32%), diarrhea (29%), febrile neutropenia (29%), fever (25%), hypokalemia (25%), IRR (21%), CRS (18%), chills (18%), and fatigue (18%). AEs ≥ Grade 3 occurring in more than one patient were: febrile neutropenia (25%), anemia (18%), hyperglycemia (14%), decreased platelet count (11%), CRS (11%), IRR (7%), and hypertension (7%). After observing a single dose limiting toxicity (DLT) at a flat dose of 9 µg, step dosing was implemented and no DLTs have been observed thereafter. No treatment-related anti-drug antibodies (ADA) were observed. Transient serum cytokine elevations occurred after several reported IRR and CRS events, with IL-6 most consistently elevated. Conclusions Preliminary results indicate that APVO436 is tolerated in patients with R/R AML and MDS at the doses and schedules tested to date, with a manageable safety profile. Dose escalation continues and the results will be updated for this ongoing study. Disclosures Watts: BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Aptevo Therapeutics: Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Rafael Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lin:Ono Pharmaceutical: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Bio-Path Holdings: Research Funding; Astellas Pharma: Research Funding; Aptevo: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Genetech-Roche: Research Funding; Celyad: Research Funding; Prescient Therapeutics: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Mateon Therapeutics: Research Funding; Jazz: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; Trovagene: Research Funding; Tolero Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Wang:Abbvie: Consultancy; Macrogenics: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Bristol Meyers Squibb (Celgene): Consultancy; PTC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Stemline: Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Consultancy; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau. Mims:Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: Other: Senior Medical Director for Beat AML Study; Syndax Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kura Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Agios: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Other: Data Safety Monitoring Board; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Cull:Aptevo Therapeutics: Research Funding. Patel:Agios: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; DAVA Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; France Foundation: Honoraria. Shami:Aptevo Therapeutics: Research Funding. Walter:Aptevo Therapeutics: Research Funding. Cogle:Aptevo Therapeutics: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Chenault:Aptevo Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Macpherson:Aptevo Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Chunyk:Aptevo Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. McMahan:Aptevo Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Gross:Aptevo Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Stromatt:Aptevo Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.

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Cedar Trial in Progress: A First in Human, Phase 1/2 Study of the Correction of a Single Nucleotide Mutation in Autologous HSCs (GPH101) to Convert HbS to HbA for Treating Severe SCD

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-152892 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 1864-1864

Author(s):

Julie Kanter ◽

John F. DiPersio ◽

Patrick Leavey ◽

David C. Shyr ◽

Alexis A Thompson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Gene Correction ◽

Publicly Traded ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

The Past ◽

Adult Hemoglobin

Abstract Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a recessive monogenic disease caused by a single point mutation in which glutamic acid replaces valine in Codon 6 of the human beta-globin gene (HBB) leading to the production of abnormal globin chains (HbS) that polymerize and cause erythrocytes to sickle. This results in hemolytic anemia, vaso-occlusion and organ damage, which leads to lifelong complications and early mortality. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) is the only known cure for SCD, however, its use is limited by the lack of well-matched donors, need for immunosuppression, risk of graft versus host disease and graft rejection. GPH101 is an investigational, autologous, hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) drug product (DP) designed to correct the SCD mutation in the HBB gene ex vivo using a high fidelity Cas9 (CRISPR associated protein 9) paired with an AAV6 (adeno-associated virus type 6) delivery template, efficiently harnessing the natural homology directed repair (HDR) cellular pathway. This approach has the potential to restore normal adult hemoglobin (HbA) production while simultaneously reducing HbS levels. In preclinical studies, HBB gene correction in SCD donor HSCs resulted in ≥60% of gene-corrected alleles in vitro with minimal off-target effects. Gene corrected cells were successfully differentiated toward the erythroid lineage and produced ≥70% HbA in vitro. Long-term engraftment of gene-corrected HSCs was demonstrated in vivo, following transplant into immunodeficient mice, with multi-lineage allelic gene correction frequencies well above the predicted curative threshold of 20%, with potential of this approach to be equivalent or superior to allo-HSCT. In addition, HSC-based correction in an SCD mouse model led to stable adult hemoglobin production, increased erythrocyte lifespan and reduction in sickling morphology, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of this gene correction platform as a curative approach in SCD. Study Design and Methods CEDAR (NCT04819841) is a first-in-human, open-label, single-dose, multi-site Phase 1/2 clinical trial in participants with severe SCD designed to evaluate safety, efficacy and pharmacodynamics (PD) of GPH101. Approximately 15 adult (18-40 years) and adolescent (12-17 years) participants will be enrolled across 5 sites, with adolescent enrollment proceeding after a favorable assessment of adult safety data by a Safety Monitoring Committee. Participants must have a diagnosis of severe SCD (βS/βS), defined as ≥ 4 severe vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in the 2 years prior and/or ≥ 2 episodes of acute chest syndrome (ACS), in 2 years prior with at least 1 episode in the past year. Participants on chronic transfusion therapy may be eligible if required VOC and ACS criteria are met in the 2 years prior to the initiation of transfusions. Key exclusion criteria include availability of a 10/10 human leukocyte antigen-matched sibling donor, or prior receipt of HSCT or gene therapy. After eligibility confirmation including screening for pre-treatment cytogenetic abnormalities, participants will undergo plerixafor mobilization and apheresis, followed by CD34+ cell enrichment and cryopreservation, undertaken locally at each trial site before shipment to a centralized manufacturer for GPH101 production. After GPH101 release, participants will undergo eligibility reconfirmation prior to busulfan conditioning and DP infusion. Safety, efficacy and PD measurements will occur for 2 years post-infusion; a long-term follow up study will be offered to participants for an additional 13 years of monitoring. The primary endpoint for this study is safety, measured by the kinetics of HSC engraftment, transplant related mortality, overall survival and frequency and severity of adverse events. Secondary endpoints will explore efficacy and PD, including levels of globin expression as compared to baseline, gene correction rates, clinical manifestations of SCD (including VOC and ACS), laboratory parameters, complications and organ function. In addition, cerebral hemodynamics and oxygen delivery will be assessed by magnetic resonance techniques. Key exploratory endpoints include evaluation of patient-reported outcomes, erythrocyte function, on-target and off-target editing rates, and change from baseline in select SCD characteristics. Disclosures Kanter: Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Forma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Beam: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Graphite Bio: Consultancy; GuidePoint Global: Honoraria; Fulcrum Tx: Consultancy. Thompson: Agios Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Graphite Bio: Research Funding; Vertex: Research Funding; Beam Therapeutics: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Biomarin: Research Funding; Baxalta: Research Funding; CRISPR Therapeutics: Research Funding; Global Blood Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; bluebird bio: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Porteus: Versant Ventures: Consultancy; CRISPR Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Allogene Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Ziopharm: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Graphite Bio: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Intondi: Graphite Bio: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Global Blood Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months. Lahiri: Graphite Bio: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Dever: Graphite Bio: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Petrusich: bluebird bio: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months; Graphite Bio: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Lehrer-Graiwer: Global Blood Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months; Graphite Bio: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.

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Role of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant in Patients with Myelofibrosis in the JAK Inhibitor Era

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-141790 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 52-53

Author(s):

Dawn Maze ◽

Murat O. Arcasoy ◽

Ryan Henrie ◽

Sonia Cerquozzi ◽

Rammurti Kamble ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Clinical Benefit ◽

Research Funding ◽

Hematopoietic Cell ◽

Symptom Improvement ◽

Jak Inhibitor ◽

Publicly Traded ◽

Advisory Committees

Introduction Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remains the only potentially curative therapy for myelofibrosis (MF). However, despite improvements in donor availability, most patients receive non-HCT therapy in the form of conventional drugs (e.g. hydroxyurea), or more recently, JAK inhibitor therapy (JAKi). For a proportion of patients, JAKi offers durable clinical benefit in the form of symptom improvement, reduction in splenomegaly and improved quality of life. The role of HCT in the JAKi era has not been well studied, and despite recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis and refinement of prognostic scoring systems,real-world decision making remains challenging. The goal of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients who received upfront JAKi vs. HCT for MF in dynamic international prognostic scoring system (DIPSS)-stratified categories. Methods This multicentre study included adult patients up to age 70 years with primary or secondary MF in chronic phase who were first seen at one of the eight participating centres in Canada and the United States between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2017. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) in patients with DIPSS int-1 risk or higher who received JAKi vs. HCT. To compare the planned, upfront treatment strategy, patients who received a short-course of JAKi as bridging therapy prior to HCT (< 6 months or documented plan of care) were analysed in the HCT group. Similarly, patients who were treated with JAKi, but received a HCT following JAKi failure (>12 months or documented progression) were analysed in the JAKi group. To minimize selection and lead-time bias, OS was calculated from the start of JAKi and date of transplant, respectively. Patients who were transplanted for accelerated- or blast-phase disease were not included in the analysis. OS was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and differences were tested using the log-rank test. Results Between 2012 and 2017, 506 patients with MF were seen at the study centres and 311 received JAKi or HCT. Of these, 174 (56%) had PMF and 137 (44%) had post-ET or post-PV MF. An upfront HCT strategy was used in 86 patients and an upfront JAKi strategy was used in 225 patients. Of those, 53 patients went on to receive HCT following JAKi failure. The median duration of follow up of survivors was 32.8 (1.2 - 99.2) months. The median OS of MF patients with DIPSS int-1 or higher was 65.3 (95% CI: 55.7 - 76.4) months for patients treated with an upfront JAKi strategy and 89.4 (95% CI: 20.4 - not reached) months for those treated with an upfront HCT strategy (p=0.018, Figure). The survival of patients with int-1 risk disease was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.69 - 0.88) in the JAKi group vs. 0.60 (95% CI: 0.43 - 0.83) in the HCT group at 36 months and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.57-0.82) in the JAKi group vs. 0.60 (95% CI: 0.43-0.83) in the HCT group at 60 months. Given the small number of patients with DIPSS high risk, these patients were combined with the int-2 cohort for analysis. The survival of patients with int-2/high risk disease was 0.58 (95% CI: 0.49 - 0.69) in the JAKi group vs. 0.49 (95% CI: 0.36 - 0.65) in the HCT group at 36 months and 0.37 (95% CI: 0.24-0.55) in the JAKi group vs. 0.45 (95% CI: 0.32-0.62) in the HCT group at 60 months (Table). Conclusions Previous studies, which included many patients treated in the era before widespread availability of JAKi, supported an upfront HCT strategy in patients with higher risk MF. While these agents have not demonstrated consistent disease-modifying effects, many patients do experience durable clinical benefit in the form of symptom improvement and reduction in spleen size. In our study, there was no clear benefit of upfront HCT. The median OS of patients who received HCT upfront was longer than that of patients who were treated with upfront JAKi, but upfront HCT was associated with early mortality and the OS benefit was not apparent until after 5 years. An inherent limitation of this study is a lack of data on potentially important comorbid conditions which may have contributed to selection bias. However, to our knowledge this is the largest study to compare upfront HCT and JAKi strategies in patients with higher risk MF, making these findings relevant to modern clinical practice in the JAKi era. A delayed transplant approach may be appropriate for selected patients who are deriving clinical benefit from JAKi. Defining the optimal timing for HCT in higher risk MF remains a question for future research. Disclosures Maze: Pfizer: Consultancy; Novartis: Honoraria; Takeda: Research Funding. Arcasoy:CTI Biopharma: Research Funding; Samus Therapeutics: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding. Yacoub:Dynavax: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Ardelyx: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Cara Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Hylapharm: Current equity holder in private company; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Agios: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Roche: Other: Support of parent study and funding of editorial support. McNamara:Novartis: Honoraria. Foltz:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Constellation: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Gupta:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bristol MyersSquibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sierra Oncology: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Consultancy; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding.

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High Risk Multiple Myeloma Cases Are Identified In An MMRC Led Study By The SKY92 Gene Signature (MMprofiler)

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v122.21.1854.1854 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 122 (21) ◽

pp. 1854-1854

Author(s):

Erik H van Beers ◽

Martin H. Van Vliet ◽

Kenneth C. Anderson ◽

Ajai Chari ◽

Sundar Jagannath ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Multiple Myeloma ◽

High Risk ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Rna Extraction ◽

Hazard Ratio ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Equity Ownership ◽

Standard Risk

Abstract Introduction Multiple Myeloma is not a single disease. There is increasing support for risk classification in combination with treatment decision making because of its impact on clinical outcomes. Here we demonstrate additional evidence of the prognostic value of SKY92, an established genetic marker of high risk Multiple Myeloma in a multicenter collection of samples with undisclosed treatments. Materials Methods A public GEP dataset (MMRC, MMGI portal) contained 114 cases of untreated Multiple Myeloma and was used for SKY92 high risk OS prediction (Kuiper et al. Leukemia 2012). In collaboration with MMRC, OS (with a minimum of at least 2 year follow-up) was collected for 91 of 114 cases for the purpose of this analysis. Briefly, CD138-positive plasma cells had been purified prior to total RNA extraction and subsequent gene expression profiling on Affymetrix U133Plus2.0 GeneChips. The 91 cases represented 9 different clinical sites and their CEL files were normalized as a single batch against a reference cohort of 329 cases after which the SKY92 risk scores were determined as either standard risk or high risk. Results SKY92 resulted in 19 high risk (20.9%) versus 72 standard risk (79.1%) cases in the unselected 91 case-cohort. Comparisons with other high risk GEP signatures will be performed. The OS analysis (Figure 1) shows that the HR cases have significantly shorter survival (Hazard Ratio 11, p = 7 x 10-5). Table 1 shows that high risk patients had more elevated B2M (26.3% vs 13.9%), more low albumin (26.3% vs 16.7%) and more high creatinine (26.3% vs 11.0%). There was no difference between high and standard groups in diagnosis dates (not shown). Cause of the 16 (84.2%) deaths among the high risk cases, and 21 (29.1%) deaths among the standard risk cases indicates that high risk contains less disease progression deaths (57.1% vs 31.3%), and more unknown deaths (56.3% vs 23.8%). Conclusions The SKY92 classifier identified 19 of 91 cases (21%) as high risk, recapitulating the percentage of high risk in previously studied cohorts (Kuiper et al. 2012). Moreover the hazard ratio of 11 when events up to 24 months or 8.18 when all events are considered, emphasizes the unmet medical need of high risk cases identified with SKY92 as 69% of all deaths within 2 years (9/13 death events) were in this category. Acknowledgments This research was performed within the framework of CTMM, the Center for Translational Molecular Medicine, project BioCHIP grant 03O-102. Rafael Fonseca is a Clinical Investigator of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Fund. This work is supported by grants R01 CA83724, ECOG CA 21115T, Predolin Foundation, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center and the Mayo Foundation. Disclosures: van Beers: Skyline Diagnostics: Employment. Van Vliet:Skyline Diagnostics: Employment. Anderson:celgene: Consultancy; onyx: Consultancy; gilead: Consultancy; sanofi aventis: Consultancy; oncopep: Equity Ownership; acetylon: Equity Ownership. Jagannath:Celgene: Honoraria; Millennium: Honoraria. Jakubowiak:BMS: Consultancy, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Consultancy, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Kumar:Celgene: Clinical Trial Support Other, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cephalon: Clinical Trial Support, Clinical Trial Support Other; Millennium: Clinical Trial Support, Clinical Trial Support Other, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Clinical Trial Support, Clinical Trial Support Other; Onyx: Clinical Trial Support Other, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lebovic:Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Onyx: Speakers Bureau. Lonial:Millennium: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy. Reece:Onyx: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Millennium: Research Funding; Merck: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding. Siegel:Celgene: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Onyx: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Vij:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Onyx: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Zimmerman:Celgene: Honoraria; Millennium: Honoraria; Onyx: Honoraria. Fonseca:Medtronic: Consultancy; Otsuka: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Genzyme: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Lilly: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy, Research Funding; Binding Site: Consultancy; Millennium: Consultancy; AMGEN: Consultancy; Cylene: Research Funding; Prognostication of MM based on genetic categorization of the disease: Prognostication of MM based on genetic categorization of the disease, Prognostication of MM based on genetic categorization of the disease Patents & Royalties.

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Effect of Luspatercept on Biomarkers of Erythropoiesis in Patients (Pts) with Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (LR-MDS) in the Medalist Trial

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-136705 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 38-39

Author(s):

Uwe Platzbecker ◽

Yiming Zhu ◽

Xianwei Ha ◽

Alberto Risueño ◽

Esther Chan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Reticulocyte Count ◽

Treatment Phase ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Publicly Traded ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

The Past ◽

The Mean ◽

Erythroid Maturation

Introduction: LR-MDS are characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis that leads to anemia and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion dependence. Luspatercept is a first-in-class erythroid maturation agent that binds to select TGF-β superfamily ligands and enhances late-stage erythropoiesis. MEDALIST is a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of luspatercept in pts with LR-MDS (IPSS-R-defined Very low-, Low-, and Intermediate-risk) with ring sideroblasts who required RBC transfusions and were ineligible for, intolerant of, or refractory to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Clinical benefit (CB; defined as RBC transfusion independence [RBC-TI] ≥ 8 weeks and/or modified hematologic improvement-erythroid [mHI-E] per IWG 2006 criteria) in the primary MEDALIST treatment phase (Weeks 1-24) was achieved by 58.2% of pts in the luspatercept arm and 21.1% in the placebo arm (P < 0.0001). The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of luspatercept treatment on erythropoiesis biomarkers and their relationship to CB in the primary MEDALIST treatment phase (Weeks 1-24). Methods: In the MEDALIST trial, 229 pts were randomized to receive either luspatercept (N = 153) or placebo (N = 76). Reticulocyte count was determined in blood samples collected at baseline and during the primary treatment phase. Serum biomarkers (soluble transferrin receptor 1 [sTfR1], erythroferrone [ERFE], and erythropoietin [EPO]) were measured by ELISA. Bone marrow (BM) erythroid precursors (EP) were determined by cytomorphology from BM aspirates. Biomarker levels were compared between baseline and Week 25 within treatment arms and between pts with CB and without CB in the luspatercept arm using a paired 2-tailed t-test and unpaired t-test (parametric method). Results: In the luspatercept arm, mean reticulocyte count increased from baseline, starting at 8 days after first dose (55.1 vs 34.5 × 109/L at baseline, P < 0.0001), and remained elevated throughout the evaluation period (Figure). Mean EPO levels increased significantly within 6 weeks after first dose (440.1 vs 220.4 IU/L at baseline, P < 0.0001) and remained elevated up to Week 25. Similarly, levels of sTfR1 (P < 0.0001), ERFE (P < 0.0001), and EP (P = 0.0010) were elevated at Week 25 relative to baseline (Table). The mean transfusion burden (within 16 weeks) was significantly reduced at Week 25 compared with baseline (7.2 vs 11.0 units, P < 0.0001). In contrast, in the placebo arm, reticulocyte count, EPO levels, and 16-week transfusion burden remained largely unchanged, while levels of sTfR1 (P < 0.0001), ERFE (P = 0.0431), and EP (P = 0.0010) were significantly lower at Week 25 relative to baseline. In the luspatercept arm, mean baseline EP were higher in 87 pts with CB (31.3%) compared with 63 pts without CB (26.5%; P = 0.0298). No statistically significant differences in baseline EPO, ERFE, sTfR1, reticulocyte count, and 16-week transfusion burden were observed in either group. At Week 25, pts with luspatercept and CB had a significantly greater increase of reticulocyte count (2.7 vs 1.8 mean fold increase from baseline, P = 0.0017), but not EPO levels (2.9 vs 4.3 mean fold increase from baseline, P = 0.1370) compared with pts without CB. Changes in erythropoiesis-related biomarkers (EP, ERFE, and sTfR1) did not differ significantly between pts with and without CB. To investigate whether luspatercept affects erythroid maturation, the ratio of reticulocyte/sTfR1 was calculated. This ratio was reasoned to be an approximation of the ratio of late-stage erythropoiesis (reticulocytes) within total erythropoiesis (sTfR1). Luspatercept increased the mean ratio of reticulocyte/sTfR1 in pts with CB (2.2 in Week 25 vs 1.5 at baseline, P < 0.0001) and no CB (1.9 in week 25 vs 1.3 at baseline, P = 0.0071). Conclusions: Luspatercept-treated pts in the MEDALIST trial had an increase of erythropoiesis-associated biomarkers. Luspatercept-mediated CB (RBC-TI ≥ 8 weeks and/or mHI-E) was associated with increased blood reticulocyte counts and was higher in pts with expanded BM erythropoiesis (as measured by EP) at baseline. Together with the observation that the ratio of reticulocytes/sTfR1 increased during luspatercept treatment, this suggests that the luspatercept mechanism of efficacy in pts with LR-MDS is associated with an increase of erythroid maturation and reticulocytes. Disclosures Platzbecker: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Geron: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding. Zhu:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Ha:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment. Risueño:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Patents & Royalties: Named in BMS (before Celgene) patent filings related to predictive patient response biomarkers in hematological malignancies. Chan:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment. Zhang:BMS: Current Employment. Dunshee:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months; Genentech Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Acar:Bristol Myers Squibb: Ended employment in the past 24 months. Shetty:BMS: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Ito:BMS: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. MacBeth:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Santini:Menarini: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Acceleron: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Johnson & Johnson: Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Garbowski:Imara: Consultancy; Vifor Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Fenaux:BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Jazz: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Schwickart:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.

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Novel Cytokine-Mediated Mechanism of Action Identified By Quantitative Seroproteomics in Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated with Tagraxofusp, a Novel CD123-Directed Targeted Therapy

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-153458 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 1620-1620

Author(s):

Arghya Ray ◽

Clifton C. Mo ◽

Ting DU ◽

Arturo Olguin ◽

Janice Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

New York ◽

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Targeted Therapy ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Fold Change ◽

Publicly Traded ◽

Advisory Committees

Abstract Introduction Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) express CD123/IL-3Rα and promote tumor growth and immunosuppression in multiple myeloma (MM) (Chauhan et al, Cancer Cell 2009, 16:309-323; Ray et al, Leukemia, 2018, 32:843-846). Tagraxofusp is a novel targeted therapy directed against CD123, and is FDA-approved for the treatment of patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm [BPDCN]). Tagraxofusp can also trigger anti-MM activity by reducing the viability of immunologically defective and tumor-promoting pDCs in MM. Furthermore, tagraxofusp synergistically enhances the anti-MM activity of anti-MM agents bortezomib and pomalidomide. Our preclinical findings led to a recently completed phase 1/2 clinical trial of tagraxofusp with pomalidomide/dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory MM patients (NCT02661022). Results demonstrated preliminary safety and efficacy, with 5 of 9 heavily pretreated patients achieving durable partial response (PR) (ASH 2019). Here, we report the early results of our translational correlative studies using bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood (PB), and serum from the study cohort. Methods Tagraxofusp is a bioengineered targeted therapy directed to CD123 comprised of human IL-3 fused to a truncated diphtheria toxin (DT) payload (Stemline Therapeutics, NY). pDCs and patient MM cells were purified from BM/PB samples after informed consent, and quantified using FACS, as described (Ray et al, Leukemia, 2018). A novel high throughput seroproteomics platform SOMAscan was used to analyze 1,310 protein analytes in serum samples from MM patients (n = 9). SOMAscan data were subjected to meta-analysis to generate heatmaps, followed by hierarchical cluster analysis. SOMAscan results were validated with ELISA using supernatants from MM patient pDCs cultured with or without tagraxofusp. Results Analysis of BM/PB samples from MM patients receiving tagraxofusp therapy showed a distinct reduction in the frequency of viable pDCs [average 2% at screening vs 0.75% post-tagraxofusp; n = 6; p = 0.036]. Of note, pDCs isolated from tagraxofusp-treated patients showed decreased ability to trigger MM cell growth. SOMAscan analysis of patient serum before and after tagraxofusp therapy showed alterations in the levels of 100 proteins [Median Fold Change in expression: 0.39 to 4.5; n = 6; 3 each; p < 0.05]. Importantly, tagraxofusp treatment reduced pDC-related soluble proteins including IFN-α (fold change: 0.8, treated vs untreated; p < 0.05). Pathway analysis further show that treatment affected immune signaling. For example, tagraxofusp decreased the levels of immunosuppressive proteins, soluble CD40L and IL1R2 (0.071-fold and 0.088 fold vs untreated; p = 0.02 and p = 0.013, respectively), promoting immune response. Moreover, analysis of end of treatment samples showed decreased soluble C-reactive protein, affecting the complement cascade after treatment (0.53-fold, p = 0.0173) via the downregulation of several C-C motif soluble chemokines (p < 0.05). Our earlier study showed that pDC-MM interactions triggered secretion of IL-3, which in turn promotes both pDC survival and MM cell growth. Importantly, tagraxofusp in this trial decreased serum IL-3 levels (fold change 0.75, treated vs untreated; p < 0.05). Conclusions In the present study, we validate the target specificity of tagraxofusp against MM pDCs in relapsed and refractory MM patients enrolled in a phase 1/2 clinical trial. A future clinical trial of tagraxofusp in combination with bortezomib and pomalidomide will examine the utility of tagraxofusp to improve outcome in patients with relapsed refractory MM. Disclosures Mo: Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria; GSK: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Eli Lilly: Consultancy; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Epizyme: Consultancy. Olguin: Stemline Therapeutics, New York, NY: Current Employment. Chen: Stemline Therapeutics, New York, NY: Current Employment. Brooks: Stemline Therapeutics: Current Employment. Mughal: Stemline: Current Employment, Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company; Oxford University Press, Informa: Other: financial benefit and/or patents . Richardson: Janssen: Consultancy; Celgene/BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Research Funding; Secura Bio: Consultancy; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; Oncopeptides: Consultancy, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy; Protocol Intelligence: Consultancy; Regeneron: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding. Chauhan: Oncopeptides: Consultancy; C4 Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Stemline Therapeutics: Consultancy. Anderson: Sanofi-Aventis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Scientific Founder of Oncopep and C4 Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millenium-Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AstraZeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Mana Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

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