scholarly journals Half: A Prospective Multi-Centre Phase II Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors' Discontinuation after Two-Step Dose Reduction in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Deep Molecular Remission

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 3606-3606
Author(s):  
Daniela Žácková ◽  
Edgar Faber ◽  
Lukáš Stejskal ◽  
Michal Karas ◽  
Petra Bělohlávková ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. Treatment-free remission (TFR) has become a new treatment goal for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. However, usually abrupt tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) therapy discontinuation has been successful only in about half of eligible patients and it can cause burdening TKI withdrawal syndrome (TWS) in about 30% of them. Moreover, any robust clinical or biological factor predictive for successful TFR has not been identified yet. On top of that, sustainable deep molecular response (DMR) as the main prerequisite for TKI discontinuation attempt is achieved only in 20-40% of patients. The majority of CML patients, therefore, need to be treated with the effective and well-tolerated drug for a long time or even life-long. Study design and methods. With the recognition of all these aspects, we designed a nationwide prospective investigator-initiated phase II clinical trial HALF (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04147533) in order to evaluate efficacy and safety of TKI discontinuation after previous two-step dose reduction in patients with CML in DMR (Fig. 1). Step-wise TKI dose reduction, i.e. half of the standard during the first 6 months after study entry, and the same dose given alternatively (every other day) during the next 6 months, was derived from pharmacokinetics and experimental data as well as from clinical trials' results. We assume that the step-wise and eventually meaningful TKI dose reduction enables a higher rate of patients achieving successful TFR with less pronounce TWS, or even would represent a more reasonable and safer alternative to the complete and sudden TKI interruption. This unique nationwide academic project has been facilitated by hematological patients care centralization in the Czech Republic. A primary study objective is to evaluate the proportion of patients in major molecular response (MMR) at 6 and 12 months and in TFR at 18, 24, and 36 months after the study enrollment, respectively, and molecular recurrence-free survival at all mentioned time points as well. Main secondary and exploratory objectives are: to evaluate the proportion of patients loosing MMR and in whom MMR and MR4.0 would be re-achieved after TKI re-introduction, time to MMR and MR4.0 re-achievement, FFS, PFS, OS, TWS, and QoL assessment, predictive factors for successful TFR identification, quantification of BCR-ABL1 using digital droplet PCR at both the DNA and mRNA levels, immunological profiling, BCR-ABL1 kinetics mathematical modeling, assessment of TKI pharmacokinetics, clonal hematopoiesis and pharmaco-economics. Results. The study was launched in December 2019; however, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, patients' recruitment started on June 16, 2020. Here, characteristics of the first 74 patients included in the study until April 2021 are presented. There were 37 males and 37 females, with median age at the time of diagnosis of 53 years (range, 23-74) and at the time of the study entry of 67 years (range, 35-86). A median time of CML disease, TKI treatment, and DMR duration before the study initiation was as follows: 9.9 years (range, 4.4-22.5), 9.8 years (range, 4.2-20.2), and 7.3 years (range, 3.2-18.3), respectively. The ELTS score was low, intermediate, high and unknown in 62.2%, 21.6%, 13.5%, and 2.7% of patients, respectively. At the time of study entry, 58 patients (79.5%) were treated with imatinib, 10 (13.7%) with nilotinib, and 5 (6.8%) with dasatinib, respectively, whereas in 63 patients (86.3%) it was in the first line of therapy. With almost half of patients (48.6%), the TKI dose was already reduced at the time of study entry. With 10 (13.5%) patients, interferon-α treatment preceded TKI administration. At the time of this abstract preparation, on July 26, 2021, altogether 102 patients (from planned 150) have been enrolled in the study; 48 of them (47.1%) have already moved to the second de-escalation phase and 9 (8.8%) patients to the TFR phase. There were 2 cases of confirmed MMR loss (both in month 8 after the study entry) and no patient experienced symptoms resembling TWS. Conclusions. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the HALF study was successfully launched and initiated in the majority of centers, with 102 already included patients and continuing intensive enrolment. Based on our very preliminary results, the step-wise dose reduction seems to be an effective and safe approach. More included patients, longer follow-up and further analyses are needed in order to reach all set up objectives. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Žácková: Angelini: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau. Faber: Angelini: Consultancy, Other: conference fees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Other: conference fees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: conference fees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Other: conference fees; TERUMO: Other: conference fees. Bělohlávková: Novartis: Consultancy; BMS/Celgene: Consultancy. Horňák: Angelini: Honoraria. Svobodník: Roche: Speakers Bureau; Janssen-Cilag: Speakers Bureau. Machová Poláková: Incyte: Consultancy; Angelini: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding. Mayer: Principia: Research Funding.

Author(s):  

Treatment for Chronic myeloid leukemia has been revolutionized because of availability of different tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Each TKI come with its on toxicity profile as this needs to be taken in account before starting therapy with particular agent in a patient. Most of the adverse effects related to TKI are mild and can be managed by either symptomatic treatment or either by dose reduction. But some patients can become intolerant and to switch to other TKI remains the only option. Bosutinib is currently approved for treatment of chronic phase CML in patients who are either resistant or intolerant to previous TKI. We present a case of 59 year old male patient with CML who was intolerant to Dastanib and Nilotinib but showed excellent hematological and major molecular response to bosutinib


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 1797-1797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seiichiro Katagiri ◽  
Tetsuzo Tauchi ◽  
Yuu Saito ◽  
Tamiko Sugro ◽  
Michiyo Asano ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The inhibition of BCR-ABL1 kinase with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has markedly improved the prognosis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Recently, it has been recognized that some CML patients with a complete molecular response (CMR) are able to maintain treatment-free remission (TFR) after discontinuation of TKIs. However, no predictive prognostic factors for successful discontinuation of the treatment have yet been identified. We set out to further clarify the role of predictive biomarkers in molecular relapse and non-relapse after ABL TKI discontinuation. Materials and methods: Patients in sustained CMR (MR 4.5) undergoing TKI therapy were eligible for inclusion in the study. Molecular relapse was defined as loss of major molecular response (MMR) of at least one point. Genomic DNA was obtained from whole blood using a DNA Extractor WB Kit (Wako, Osaka, Japan), and was subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using primers designed to detect a deletion site (2903 bp) in intron two of the BCL2L11 gene (forward: 5′-AATACCACAGAGGCCCACAG-3′; reverse: 5′-GCCTGAAGGTGCTGAGAAAG-3′) and JumpStart RedAccuTaq LA DNA polymerase (Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA). Results: 32 CML patients (17 men, 15 women, median age 58.4 years) were included in this study (Sokal category; low 24, intermediate 7, high 1). Six patients were treated with IFNα before TKI treatment, and 3 were treated with IFNα after stopping TKI. Median duration from TKI initiation to discontinuation was 79.3 months (range; 22 to 138 months); median duration of CMR before TKI discontinuation was 47.3 months (range; 5 to 97 months). Seven patients showed loss of MMR; 6 relapsed within 6 months and one showed late relapse at 25 months after discontinuation. The cumulative incidence of MMR loss was estimated as 18.8% at 12 months and at 24 months. Fluctuation of BCR-ABL transcript levels below the MMR threshold (> two consecutive positive values) was observed in 6.25% of patients at 24 months after ABL TKI discontinuation. Treatment-free remission was estimated as 81.2% at 12 months and at 24 months. The median period of restoration of second CMR was 6.0 months in re-treated patients. No patient died during the follow-up period. TKI-free remission was estimated as 78.1% at 30 months. There was only a significant difference in BCL2L11 (BIM) deletion polymorphism between the patients who maintained and those who lost MMR (p = 0.0253). No significant difference was observed in prior IFNα therapy, time to complete cytogenetic response (CCyR), time to MMR, and time to CMR between relapsing and non-relapsing patients. Conclusion: Our study shows a specific association between BCL2L11 (BIM) deletion polymorphism and clinical outcome after ABL TKI discontinuation in patients with long-lasting molecular undetectable residual disease. BCL2L11 (BIM) deletion polymorphism may predict relapse after ABL TKI discontinuation, which may have an impact on future ABL TKI discontinuation trials. These results further illustrate the importance of single nucleotide polymorphisms in successful long-term treatment of CML. Disclosures Ohyashiki: Bristol-Myers Squibb KK : Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis KK: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 3382-3382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Asghari ◽  
Chetasi Talati ◽  
Alexandra Achille ◽  
John J. Powers ◽  
Eva Sahakian ◽  
...  

Introduction: Several studies have investigated the utility of digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) in the detection of p210 BCR-ABL fusion transcripts in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and have suggested greater sensitivity compared to real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). There is limited data regarding the utility and sensitivity of ddPCR in patients with chronic phase CML (CP-CML) who are candidates for tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) discontinuation. We aimed to investigate the capability of ddPCR to detect p210 BCR-ABL transcript levels in CP-CML patients and compare the sensitivity to RT-qPCR. Methods: We analyzed 103 different peripheral blood (n=98) and bone marrow (n=5) samples from 36 patients with CP-CML treated at Moffitt Cancer Center between 2013 and 2018. Samples were from patients who either met clinical criteria for TKI discontinuation or were enrolled in a phase I dose-escalation study evaluating combination therapy with nilotinib plus ruxolitinib who had at least a complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) to TKI therapy with detectable BCR-ABL transcripts by RT-PCR at the time of enrollment(1, 2). BCR-ABL levels were assessed by RT-qPCR at the time of collection with level of transcript reported as % International Standard (%IS). Samples collected from 2013 to 2014 were reported as p210 to ABL and converted to %IS per lab-specific conversion factor. Stored purified RNA samples were obtained retrospectively and ddPCR was performed using the QX-200 Droplet Digital PCR System and QXDx BCR-ABL %IS Kit (Bio-Rad). Droplets were analyzed by QXDx BCR-ABL reporter software to determine p210 transcript level (%IS). Analysis for RNA degradation of stored samples was performed via High Sensitivity RNA ScreenTape (Agilent). Samples that did not pass quality check upon performing ddPCR were excluded from further analysis. Correlation coefficient was calculated with p-value of <0.05 being significant. Results: Of the 36 patients, 28 were in the TKI discontinuation cohort and 10 were enrolled in the clinical trial of nilotinib plus ruxolitinib. Two patients who participated in the clinical trial subsequently also met criteria for TKI discontinuation. In the TKI discontinuation cohort, 46% of patients (n=13) lost major molecular response (MMR) with a median time to loss of MMR of 88 days. We observed a statistically significant correlation between RT-qPCR and ddPCR levels when comparing %IS (correlation coefficient R2=0.42; p<0.0001) as well as calculated molecular response (MR) logarithm values of all available samples (R2=0.67; p <0.0001) (Figure 1). There was a weaker correlation between patients determined to have MMR by RT-qPCR (MR≥3.0) compared to ddPCR (R2=0.55; p <0.0001) (Figure 2). A total of 91 different samples were consistent with MMR when tested by RT-PCR. Of these samples, 85.7% (n=78) were consistent with MMR when tested by ddPCR and the remaining 14.3% (n=13) appeared to have higher detectable levels of p210 transcripts (MR<3.0). When investigating deeper molecular responses, 62 samples were consistent with MR≥4.0 by RT-PCR, and 20.9% (n=13) of these samples did not achieve a deep molecular response (MR<4.0) when tested by ddPCR. Of note, 5 representative samples were also evaluated for potential RNA degradation and 3 were noted to have significant degradation present. Conclusion: Compared to RT-PCR, ddPCR represents a viable method for detection of p210 transcripts for patients with CP-CML. The two methods yield similar efficacy when detecting varying levels of molecular response, however further research is warranted for the ability to detect deeper molecular responses for patients in MMR. Our study is limited by inherent retrospective bias and quality of RNA in stored samples. 1. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (Version 1.2019). 2. Sweet K, Hazlehurst L, Sahakian E, Powers J, Nodzon L, Kayali F, et al. A phase I clinical trial of ruxolitinib in combination with nilotinib in chronic myeloid leukemia patients with molecular evidence of disease. Leuk Res. 2018;74:89-96. Disclosures Talati: Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Daiichi-Sankyo: Honoraria; Astellas: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Agios: Honoraria. Shelton:Bio-Rad: Employment. Nodzon:Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Abbvie: Other: Speaker Fees; Genentech: Consultancy, Other: Speaker Fees; Pfizer: Consultancy. Sweet:Stemline: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Bristol Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Research Funding; Jazz: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Agios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Pinilla Ibarz:Novartis: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Speakers Bureau; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy; Teva: Consultancy; Sanofi: Speakers Bureau.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 204062072098664
Author(s):  
Kong Jun ◽  
Qin Ya-zhen ◽  
Zhao Xiao-su ◽  
Shi Hong-Xia ◽  
Lai Yue-Yun ◽  
...  

Background: Currently, the goal of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment is normal survival and good quality of life without life-long treatment, namely, “treatment-free remission” (TFR). At present, approximately only 50% of patients with CML with a deep molecular response are able to discontinue tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) without experiencing molecular relapse [MR; loss of major molecular response (MMR)]. In addition, prior interferon (IFN) treatment is associated with a higher rate of TFR. Methods: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of TKI discontinuation in Chinese patients with CML and determine whether IFN could prevent MR when used after TKI discontinuation in patients with 0.0032% < BCR-ABLIS ⩽0.1%. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with CML who discontinued TKI treatment at our center. Results: Forty-nine patients who discontinued TKI therapy after achieving MR 4.5 were included in this study, and the median follow-up time from TKI discontinuation was 27 (7, 75) months. Nineteen patients eventually lost MMR, and the TFR rate of the 49 patients was 67% (95% confidence interval 53.6%, 80.3%) at 12 months. The duration of MR 4.5 ⩾54 months and duration of imatinib ⩾85 months were significantly associated with a higher TFR rate. Of the 22 patients with 0.0032% < BCR-ABLIS ⩽0.1%, 12 received IFN-α treatment. The median IFN-α therapy duration was nine (2, 18) months, and three patients eventually lost MMR. Three patients discontinued IFN-α after 2, 2.5, and 10 months, and maintained MMR for 9, 8, and 11 months after IFN discontinuation, respectively. Of the 10 patients not receiving IFN-α treatment, eight eventually lost MMR. The MR-free survival rate was significantly different between the patients treated with and those treated without IFN-α over 24 months (70.7% versus 15.0%, p = 0.002). Conclusion: These results indicate that after TKI discontinuation, IFN-α can be administered to patients with 0.0032% < BCR-ABLIS ⩽0.1%, which may help prevent MR.


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 3093-3093
Author(s):  
Jee Hyun Kong ◽  
Hanna Jean Khoury ◽  
Elliott F. Winton ◽  
Leonard T. Heffner ◽  
Manila Gaddh ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are overall well tolerated in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) s, but more than 30% require dose reduction or change to another TKIs due to intolerance. Impact of TKI dose-reduction on outcomes in a "real world" setting is unknown, thus, we evaluated the characteristics and outcomes of chronic phase (CP)-CML patients who received doses of TKI lower than the label/FDA recommendation. Method: CP-CML with at least 12 months of follow-up, with ISBCR/ABL1 available after dose reduction were selected. Last TKI was defined as TKI which were taken at the last follow up visit or before disease progression to accelerated (AP) or blast phase (BP). FDA approved doses of imatinib (IM), dasatinib (DAS), nilotinib (NIL), bosutinib (BOS), and ponatinib (PON) were 400mg, 100mg, 600mg (300mg BID), 500mg, and 45mg, respectively . Results: Between January 2005 and April 2016, 173 CP-CML patients, started IM (75%), DAS (18%) NIL (5%) and PON, BOS on clinical trial in 2%. Overall Fifty-eight (33.5%) patients had TKI dose reduction. IM (n=15) dose was reduced to 75% (range, 25-75), DAS (n=15) to 50% (range, 20-80), NIL (n=15) to 50% (range, 13-67), BOS (n=15) to 80% (range, 40-80) and PON (n=15) to 33% (range, 33-67). Median age for patients that received dose-reduced TKI was 55 (range, 18-88), and 27% received > 3 prior TKIs. With a median follow up of 53.6 (range 13.4-183.7) months, only 1 progressed to AP, and none to BP. Overall 60% achieved MMR. Among 35 patients who achieved MMR before dose reduction, MMR was maintained in 25 (71.4%) for a median of 17.2 (2-97.9) months from dose-reduction. CMR was achieved in patients on a maintenance dose of IM, 100mg QD (n=8); DAS, 20mg QD (n=4); NIL 300mg QD (n=3) and BOS, 200mg QD (n=3). Conclusion: Similar to data reported from clinical trials, TKI dose reduction appears to be safe and associated with high response rates. This data confirms that the minimal effective dose for each TKI remains to be defined. Disclosures Heffner: Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Jillella:Leukemia Lymphoma Society: Research Funding. Kota:Ariad Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Leukemia Lymphoma Society: Research Funding; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 787-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francois-xavier Mahon ◽  
Johan Richter ◽  
Joelle Guilhot ◽  
Henrik Hjorth-Hansen ◽  
Antonio Almeida ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have dramatically improved survival in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with a high proportion of patients reaching deep molecular responses (DMR). The effectiveness of stopping TKI treatment is a key question regarding the management of CML. Actually, in several studies, it has been proven that a substantial part of patients in DMR can safely and successfully stop TKI therapy. However, the exact preconditions for stopping CML treatments are not yet defined. This is the aim of the European stop TKI (EURO-SKI) trial (ClinicalTrials.gov numbers: NCT01596114). Methods: Chronic phase CML patients without prior TKI failure, treated with either imatinib, nilotinib or dasatinib, in DMR (BCR-ABL <0.01% on the international scale, MR4) for the duration of at least one year were proposed to stop TKI treatment. Molecular recurrence (MR) was defined by the loss of the major molecular response (MMR, BCR-ABL <0.1% IS) at any one point. We estimated molecular recurrence-free survival (MRFS) with the Kaplan-Meier method. The potential prognostic values for MR were tested by univariate and multivariable analyses and the cut-off was identified with the minimal p-value approach. Results: From June 2012 to December 2014, 821 CP CML patients were included in 11 European countries belonging to the European Leukemia Net (ELN). 750 patients had assessable molecular data (European standardization according to Cross et al, Leukemia 2012) for the estimation of MRFS. Of these patients, 348 lost MMR and 5 died in remission ; MRFS was 62% (95% confidence interval (CI): 59% - 67%) at 6 months (m), 56% (CI: 52% - 59%) at 12 m and 52% (CI: 48% - 56%) at 24 m on an "Intention to Treat Basis ". At the time of evaluation most patients regained DMR, and importantly, no progression to advanced disease phase was noted. A prognostic modelling was performed based on 448 patients treated with imatinib. Univariate analysis showed no significant association between age, gender, depth of molecular response (MR4.5 vs. no MR4.5) or any variable part of the Sokal, EURO, EUTOS, or ELTS scores and MMR status at 6 months after treatment stop. Treatment duration with imatinib and MR4duration prior to the stop were significantly (p<0.001) correlated with MMR status at 6 months. The odds ratio for treatment duration was 1.16 (95%-CI: 1.08-1.25), meaning that one additional year of treatment increases the odds to stay in MMR at 6 months by 16%. Molecular relapse-free survival at 6 months was 65.5% for imatinib treatment > 5.8 years and 42.6% for treatment ≤ 5.8 years. This cut-off was identified with the minimal p-value approach. A true pharmaco-economic study will be necessary but taking into account the number of months without treatment in 603 patients, Imatinib front line (with a median observation time of 24 m for patients still off treatment) and the cost of imatinib in each of the 11 European countries (range: 1.734-3.370 Euro per month) the total estimated savings amounted to 27.85 million Euro. Conclusion: Using standardized molecular monitoring, stopping TKI therapy in a very large cohort of CML-patients appears feasible and safe and high MRFS rates are achievable. Longer duration of imatinib-therapy (optimal ≥ 5.8 years) prior to TKI-stop is associated with a higher probability of MRFS. Taking into account the long follow-up without molecular relapse in the historical studies such as STIM1 (Etienne et al; JCO 2016) the "operational" cure of CML with oral TKI is an up-to-date issue. Disclosures Mahon: NOVARTIS PHARMA: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; PFIZER: Honoraria; ARIAD: Honoraria. Richter:Ariad: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding. Almeida:BMS: Speakers Bureau; Shire: Speakers Bureau; Alexion: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Berger:NOVARTIS PHARMA: Honoraria. Machova Polakova:Bristol Myers-Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Mustjoki:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Ariad: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Hochhaus:BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; ARIAD: Honoraria, Research Funding. Saussele:NOVARTIS PHARMA: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria.


Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Amer M. Zeidan ◽  
Victoria Wang ◽  
Jerald P. Radich ◽  
Jan Philipp Bewersdorf ◽  
Vijaya R. Bhatt ◽  
...  

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is driven by the activity of the oncogenic BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase, which can be effectively inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) leading to prolonged overall and disease-free survival. Despite their effectiveness, disease can progress on TKI therapy, and lifelong treatment with TKI can have substantial negative effects on quality of life and financial health. Studies assessing the safety of TKI discontinuation in CML patients in molecular remission showed that TKIs can be discontinued in up to 45% of patients without disease recurrence. Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) is an inhibitory immune checkpoint receptor expressed by T-cells that can be inhibited by the anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab. Preclinical data have shown that PD-1 is highly expressed on CML-specific cytotoxic T-cells and PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) is present on CML cells. In murine CML models, the administration of anti-PD-L1 antibodies prolonged survival. As these studies suggest that disease relapse might be due to PD-1/PD-L1 mediated immune escape by CML cells, we designed the BLAST MRD CML 1 trial to study whether adding pembrolizumab to TKI is safe, increases the rate of conversion to undetectable minimal residual disease (UMRD) and allows a higher rate of TKI discontinuation. Methods: The primary endpoint of this ongoing national, ECOG-sponsored, single-arm pilot phase II clinical trial is to assess the proportion of CML patients on stable-dose TKI who convert to UMRD during or within 2 years of initiating pembrolizumab therapy (NCT#03516279). Secondary endpoints are (I) the proportion of CML patients who maintain UMRD for 6 months and 12 months, (II) the proportion of CML patients who discontinue TKI after achieving UMRD, (III) the proportion of patients who maintain UMRD off TKI at 2 years after first determined UMRD, and (IV) the incidence of grade 3 or 4 immune related adverse events related to pembrolizumab treatment during the first 2 years after registration. UMRD state is defined as an undetectable BCR-ABL using the central RQ-PCR assay with a sensitivity of 4.5 [MR4.5] on 2 consecutive occasions separated by at least 4 weeks with the date of achievement of UMRD constituting the date of first test. Immune related and other adverse events will be assessed according to CTCAE v 5.0 terminology and grading. Adult (≥18 years) patients with pathologically-confirmed CML and who have achieved major molecular response (MR3) but not UMRD at time of screening are eligible. Eligibility was recently expanded to allow third line TKI. Therefore, currently eligible patients must have been on first, second, or third line TKI therapy with either dasatinib, imatinib, nilotinib, or bosutinib for at least 2 years prior to enrolment. Patients with accelerated or blast phase CML or who have received prior allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant or anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy are excluded. Patients will continue a standard dose of TKI therapy and receive pembrolizumab at 200 mg IV every 21 days (Figure 1). MRD status will be assessed centrally every 4 cycles. Patients who achieve UMRD at or prior to cycle 17 will discontinue TKI and pembrolizumab. If MRD remains positive prior to cycle 17, TKI and pembrolizumab will be continued for an additional 18 cycles. If MRD is still detectable after the second year of combined therapy, patients will come off study. If patients are in an UMRD state by the end of year 1 or 2 of pembrolizumab therapy, pembrolizumab will be discontinued. Patients who remain in UMRD status for one year after the first UMRD result will discontinue TKI therapy. Once TKI is discontinued, BCR-ABL will monitored q4 weeks for the first six months post TKI discontinuation, then q8 weeks for the subsequent six months, then q12 weeks for another year. Assuming that the addition of pembrolizumab to TKI will increase the conversion rate to UMRD from 20% to 40%, enrollment of 36 patients (40 patients to allow for 10% drop-out) would give this trial 91% power with a one-sided type-I error of 0.089. The combination therapy will be considered promising if 11 or more patients meet the criteria for TKI discontinuation. Toxicity will be monitored and reviewed every six months. Disclosures Zeidan: Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Cardinal Health: Consultancy, Honoraria; Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: Other; Epizyme: Consultancy, Honoraria; Ionis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene / BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Otsuka: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy, Honoraria; Boehringer-Ingelheim: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Cardiff Oncology: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other; Taiho: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy, Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria; Acceleron: Consultancy, Honoraria; CCITLA: Other; Astex: Research Funding; MedImmune/Astrazeneca: Research Funding; Trovagene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Aprea: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; BeyondSpring: Consultancy, Honoraria; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding. Radich:Amgen: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Jazz: Consultancy; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding. Bhatt:Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Omeros: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; Rigel: Consultancy; Tolero: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Partnership for health analytic research: Consultancy; Jazz: Research Funding; National Marrow Donor Program: Research Funding; Oncoceutics: Other. Gore:Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Luger:Daiichi-Sankyo: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Acceleron: Honoraria; Agios: Honoraria; Loxo Oncology: Honoraria; Onconova: Research Funding; Kura: Research Funding; Hoffman La Roche: Research Funding; Ariad: Research Funding; Biosight: Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 1921-1921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vamsi Kota ◽  
Tim H. Brümmendorf ◽  
Carlo Gambacorti-Passerini ◽  
Jorge E. Cortes ◽  
Jeffrey H. Lipton ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives: Bosutinib (BOS), an oral dual Src/Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor for adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome−positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML), has a recommended starting dose of 500 mg/d. This analysis evaluates efficacy and safety following BOS dose reduction due to intolerance in patients with Ph+ CML. Methods: Data from 2 studies were analyzed: a phase 1/2 study (NCT00261846) that included patients with chronic phase (CP) CML following resistance/intolerance to imatinib (IM; CP2L) or to IM plus dasatinib and/or nilotinib (CP3L), and those with accelerated/blast phase CML or acute lymphoblastic leukemia after at least IM (advanced [ADV]); and a phase 3 study (NCT00574873) in CP CML patients treated with BOS or IM as first-line therapy (CP1L). Results: Of 570 CP2L/CP3L/ADV patients receiving BOS (median treatment duration 11 months [range: 0.03−96]), 257 (45%) experienced ≥1 dose reduction (236 patients to 400 mg/d and 95 to 300 mg/d). Median time to dose reduction to 400 and 300 mg/d was 54.5 (range: 4-1875) and 146 days (8-2166), respectively; median duration of dose reduction was 3.6 (0.03-87.7) and 4.2 months (0.03-60.5), respectively. In CP1L, 248 patients received BOS (median treatment duration: 55.4 months [0.03−76]), of whom 111 (45%) experienced ≥1 dose reduction (103 to 400 mg/d and 56 to 300 mg/d). Median time to dose reduction to 400 and 300 mg/d was 64.0 (2-1714) and 139 days (20-1778), respectively; median duration of dose reduction was 2.6 (0.03-66.1) and 8.9 months (0.03-71.2), respectively. Patients achieved anew or maintained a previously achieved complete cytogenetic response following BOS dose reduction to 400 mg/d (achieved: 29% [CP2L/CP3L/ADV], 40% [CP1L]; maintained: 13% [CP2L/CP3L/ADV], 26% [CP1L]) and to 300 mg/d (achieved: 14% [CP2L/CP3L/ADV], 18% [CP1L]; maintained: 24% [CP2L/CP3L/ADV], 45% [CP1L]; Table 1). Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were generally similar in incidence, type, and severity before vs after BOS dose reduction. However, incidences of certain gastrointestinal TEAEs were lower and of similar severity following BOS dose reduction to 400 mg/d (diarrhea: 84% vs 50% [CP2L/CP3L/ADV], 70% vs 41% [CP1L]; nausea: 45% vs 23% [CP2L/CP3L/ADV], 34% vs 21% [CP1L]; vomiting: 33% vs 21% [CP2L/CP3L/ADV], 28% vs 22% [CP1L]) or to 300 mg/d (diarrhea: 85% vs 31% [CP2L/CP3L/ADV], 75% vs 38% [CP1L]; nausea: 43% vs 14% [CP2L/CP3L/ADV], 43% vs 21% [CP1L]; vomiting: 34% vs 11% [CP2L/CP3L/ADV], 34% vs 18% [CP1L]). Conclusions: CP2L/CP3L/ADV and CP1L CML patients who required BOS dose reduction due to AEs were still able to achieve or maintain cytogenetic responses and appeared to experience fewer gastrointestinal AEs. Disclosures Kota: Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Ariad Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Leukemia Lymphoma Society: Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Brümmendorf:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Ariad: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Patent on the use of imatinib and hypusination inhibitors: Patents & Royalties. Gambacorti-Passerini:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Cortes:ARIAD: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Teva: Research Funding. Lipton:Ariad: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding. Kantarjian:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; ARIAD: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Pfizer Inc: Research Funding; Delta-Fly Pharma: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Kim:Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; ILYANG: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. An:Pfizer Inc: Employment. Leip:Pfizer Inc: Employment. Crescenzo:Pfizer Inc: Employment. Woloj:Pfizer Inc: Employment. Shapiro:Pfizer Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Khoury:Pfizer Inc: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Ariad: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document