Next-Generation Sequencing to Assess the Impact of Low Dose Melphalan on Residual Disease before High-Dose Melphalan and Stem Cell Transplant in Multiple Myeloma

Abstract High-Dose Melphalan (HDM) followed by stem cell transplant (SCT) remains the standard-of-care for transplant-eligible patients newly-diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM). However, ~1/3 of patients relapse <2 years after undergoing HDM-SCT, indicating that melphalan-sensitivity is limited to a subset of patients and is currently not predictable. Currently, models that predict melphalan-resistance before proceeding to transplant are lacking. Rather, transplant-eligibility is defined mostly based on adequate organ function and performance status. Therefore, there is an urgent and unmet clinical need to develop strategies that accurately predict melphalan sensitivity among MM patients prior to HDM-SCT and save melphalan-resistant patients from undergoing this highly morbid procedure, if no demonstrable benefit is expected from it. Traditional disease-measurement methods based on International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria rely on the secretory function of myeloma cells and measure monoclonal protein levels. Following induction therapy, pre-transplant monoclonal protein levels are usually very low, and further reduction in myeloma secretory function are not detectable. In addition, the long half-life of monoclonal proteins makes assessing short-term disease changes problematic. Methods to accurately detect minor changes in disease burden following a low dose of melphalan (LDM) as a marker of melphalan sensitivity are needed to better predict patient responses to LDM. Next-generation sequencing (NGS), is an alternative approach that may allow for the highly sensitive, rapid, real-time detection of minuscule changes in tumor volume that are not influenced by the long half-life of monoclonal proteins. Here, we propose to use NGS-based tumor assessment to evaluate changes in disease volume following LDM before proceeding to HDM-SCT. Evidence is lacking to determine whether a single LDM generates a decrease in myeloma burden that is measurable by NGS. Our central hypothesis is that NGS of bone marrow aspirates from newly-diagnosed, post-induction transplant-eligible MM patients will provide a method to precisely determine the effect of LDM on disease burden. ClonoSEQ assay is an FDA-cleared, highly sensitive, specific, and standardized method to detect and monitor MRD, in MM patients. clonoSEQ leverages the power of NGS and offers an accurate and reliable way to assess how disease burden changes over time in response to treatment. Therefore, we propose a proof-of-principle study to assess the validity of this strategy and to provide essential data for future trial design investigating individualized approaches based on NGS sequencing and low doses of therapeutic agents. We will test the central hypothesis that LDM, administered at 16 mg/m 2, generates a detectable reduction in tumor burden measured by NGS. A detectable reduction in tumor burden is defined as a ≥ 20% decrease in NGS clonal count in at least 30% of subjects. We will administer propylene glycol-free melphalan formulation (EVOMELA) due to greater stability upon reconstitution than AlKERAN formulation in order to diminish the variability in the effective administered dose. The primary and secondary objectives and endpoints of the study are listed in Table-1,2. Statistical Considerations: Clonoseq detects measurable residual disease at the level of a single cell given sufficient sample input. The specific hypothesis of this pilot trial is LDM produces a measurable disease reduction that is readily detectable by clonoSEQ with at least a 20% reduction in at least 30% of patients. Assuming a 100% yield for VJD clonal sequencing and calibration efficacy by clonoSEQ, the sample size required to test the null hypothesis of 5% patients with positive MRD test against alternative 30% patients with positive MRD test is 16 patients. The sample size estimation is using two-sided chi-square test with 80% power. The sample size estimation is n = 21, when power = 90% based on one sample Binomial distribution theory. We will assume 20% failure rate for VJD clonal sequencing and calibration efficacy by clonoSEQ. Therefore, by enrolling 20 patients, we expect that at least 16 patients will have MRD assessable by NGS method. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Malek: BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria; Bluespark Inc.: Research Funding; Sanofi: Other: Advisory Board; Cumberland Inc.: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Janssen: Other: Advisory board ; Medpacto Inc.: Research Funding. Metheny: Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Pharmacosmos: Honoraria. de Lima: Miltenyi Biotec: Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

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Efficacy of Panobinostat in Phase II Study in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) After High-Dose Chemotherapy with Autologous Stem Cell Transplant.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v114.22.923.923 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (22) ◽

pp. 923-923 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Anas Younes ◽

Tee-Chuan Ong ◽

Vincent Ribrag ◽

Andreas Engert ◽

Dina Ben-Yehuda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Stem Cell Transplant ◽

High Dose Chemotherapy ◽

Tumor Burden ◽

Clinical Activity ◽

High Dose ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Dose Delay

Abstract Abstract 923 Introduction: Panobinostat (LBH589) is a pan-deacetylase inhibitor (pan-DACi), targeting epigenetic and non-epigenetic oncogenic pathways. In vitro, panobinostat decreases proliferation and induces apoptosis in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) cell lines at low nanomolar concentrations. Encouraging clinical activity (objective response rate ∼40%) has been demonstrated in patients with HL who are enrolled in an ongoing Phase I study in hematologic malignancies (DeAngelo et al. EHA 2009, Abstract #1064). Methods: Utilizing a Simon two-stage design, the study will determine the efficacy of panobinostat in patients with HL with refractory/relapsed disease following high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT). Oral panobinostat is administered at a dose of 40 mg three times per week, every week in 21-day cycles. Treatment is continued until disease progression or intolerance. Dose delay and modification for toxicity is allowed. CT/MRI scans are conducted after every 2 cycles. Modified Cheson criteria are used to determine overall response. Results: As of July 10, 2009, 61 patients have been enrolled and treated: median age 31 years [range 18–70]; 29 male, 32 female; 48% Stage III/IV at initial diagnosis; 41% had ≥5 prior lines of therapy; median number of prior regimens is 4 (range 2–6). Of 61 patients, 53 have completed ≥2 cycles of therapy and have had ≥1 post baseline CT/MRI. Responses include one complete response (CR) and 10 partial responses (PR), with up to 92% decrease in tumor burden. Thirty-one patients had SD, of which 25 had reduction in tumor burden (up to 48%). The disease control rate (CR+PR+SD) is 79%. The CR was achieved after 4 cycles of therapy. The patient required dose reduction but continues on the study (>12 cycles) and has maintained CR with no signs of active disease on CT and PET. Another responder with mixed cellularity HL was refractory to prior systemic treatments but has maintained PR on panobinostat and continues on the study (>14 cycles). Median treatment duration is 89+ days (range 5–300+ days), and 27 of the 61 treated patients still continue on study. Common Grade 3/4 adverse events, which were suspected to be related, are thrombocytopenia (77%), anemia (20%), and neutropenia (16%). Thrombocytopenia was observed to be reversible with platelet recovery 7–8 days after drug hold (panobinostat T1/2 ∼16 hours). Conclusion: Panobinostat has demonstrated encouraging clinical activity in heavily pretreated patients with post-transplant, refractory/relapsed, classical HL. Panobinostat is generally well tolerated with reversible thrombocytopenia as the primary toxicity managed by dose delay/reduction. Stage 1 has been successfully completed with positive results. Enrollment to Stage 2 continues. Updated efficacy and safety data will be presented at the meeting. Disclosures: Younes: Novartis: Honoraria. Off Label Use: The data presented is related to investigational unapproved drug.. Ribrag:Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; servier: Consultancy, Research Funding; celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; LFB: Honoraria, Research Funding; J&J: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Biogene Idec: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. McCabe:Novartis: Employment. Shen:Novartis: Employment. Le Corre:Novartis: Employment. Hirawat:Novartis: Employment. Sureda:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria.

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A Pilot Study of Acalabrutinib with Bendamustine/Rituximab Followed By Cytarabine/Rituximab (R-ABC) for Untreated Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-143095 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 8-9

Author(s):

Daniel Guy ◽

Marcus Watkins ◽

Fei Wan ◽

Nancy L. Bartlett ◽

Amanda F Cashen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Residual Disease ◽

Complete Response ◽

High Dose ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Mantle Cell ◽

Grade 3 ◽

Stem Cell Collection

Introduction The management of younger fit patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) varies widely with no consensus on an optimal induction therapy. To date, the treatments with the longest progression-free survival incorporate a chemotherapy backbone that includes high dose cytarabine, followed by consolidation with an autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) (Hermine et al. Lancet 2016, Eskelund et al. Br J Haematol 2016). Recent data showed that a regimen of bendamustine/rituximab followed by cytarabine/rituximab achieved high complete response rates with high minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity (Merryman RW et al. Blood Adv 2020). We hypothesized that adding the Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor acalabrutinib to the same chemotherapeutic backbone would be safe and increase complete response rates as well as minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity pre-transplant, and potentially improve clinical outcomes. Methods We conducted a single arm, single institution pilot study registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03623373). Patients with untreated MCL, who were between ages 18-70 and were candidates for ASCT, were eligible. Patients received six 28-day cycles of treatment. Cycles 1-3 consisted of bendamustine 90 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2, rituximab 375 mg/m2 on day 1 and acalabrutinib 100mg BID on days 1 through 28. Cycles 4-6 consisted of rituximab 375 mg/m2 on day 1, cytarabine 2 g/m2 (1.5 g/m2 if age>60) q12 hours on days 1 and 2, and acalabrutinib 100mg BID on days 1 through 7 and 22 through 28. Restaging PET/CT and response assessment based on the Lugano classification were obtained following cycles 3 and 6. After cycle 6 patients underwent leukapheresis and stem-cell collection as preparation for ASCT. Blood for MRD status was collected after cycles 2, 4 and 6 and will be evaluated using the ClonoSeq assay (Adaptive Biotechnologies). The primary objective was to determine the stem cell mobilization success rate. Secondary objectives included safety and tolerability, overall response rate (ORR), pre-transplant complete response rate (CR), and the MRD negativity rate during and after completion of therapy. Results The trial enrolled 14 patients from December 2018 to February 2020. One patient withdrew consent prior to start of treatment and another was found to have an undiagnosed adenocarcinoma shortly after starting MCL treatment. Both are excluded from the analysis. The median age was 57 years (range 52-66). 11 patients were males (92%), all patients had an ECOG performance status of 0-1. 11 patients (92%) presented with stage IV disease. The mean MCL International Prognostic Index (MIPI) score was 6.3 (25% high-risk, 42% intermediate-risk and 33% low-risk). Of the 12 patients who began treatment, 9 completed all 6 cycles. Three patients did not complete therapy due to: insurance issues (n = 1), and thrombocytopenia (n = 2) following cycle 5 and 4. The side effect profile showed expected hematologic toxicities with grade 3-4 cytopenias in all patients, mostly during cytarabine cycles. In total, 100% of patients developed grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia and 83% of patients developed grade 3-4 neutropenia. Three episodes of febrile neutropenia were observed. One patient had a grade 3 transaminase increase, and one patient had grade 3 diarrhea. No bleeding events or treatment related deaths occurred. The remainder of the side effects were low grade and the treatment was generally well tolerated. Of the 12 evaluable patients, 10 responded (ORR 83%) with 9 achieving CR (75%). One patient achieved PR prior to being removed from the study due to thrombocytopenia and then achieved CR off study. Two patients experienced PD during induction. With a median follow up of 9 months, no responding patients have relapsed. The median CD34+ stem cell collection was 3.84x106 cells/kg (range 2.77 - 5.9). MRD results will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions This is the first study attempting to combine BTK inhibition with a high dose cytarabine containing regimen. The addition of acalabrutinib to a regimen of bendamustine/rituximab followed by cytarabine/rituximab appears to be safe. The R-ABC combination will be further tested in the recently activated intergroup trial EA4181. Disclosures Bartlett: Autolus: Research Funding; BMS/Celgene: Research Funding; Forty Seven: Research Funding; Immune Design: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BTG: Consultancy; Acerta: Consultancy; Affimed Therapeutics: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy. Fehniger:ImmunityBio: Research Funding; HCW Biologics: Research Funding; Kiadis: Consultancy; Nkarta: Consultancy; Indapta: Consultancy; Wugen: Consultancy; Orca Biosystems: Consultancy; Compass Therapeutics: Research Funding. Ghobadi:Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; EUSA: Consultancy; WuGen: Consultancy. Mehta-Shah:Bristol Myers-Squibb: Research Funding; C4 Therapeutics: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; Genetech/Roche: Research Funding; Innate Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Kyowa Hakko Kirin: Consultancy; Verastem: Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy; Corvus: Research Funding. Kahl:Celgene Corporation: Consultancy; AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics LLC: Consultancy; Roche Laboratories Inc: Consultancy; BeiGene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Acerta: Consultancy, Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy.

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LONG-TERM RESULTS of the GIMEMA VTD Consolidation TRIAL In Autografted MULTIPLE Myeloma PATIENTS (VEL-03-096): IMPACT of Minimal RESIDUAL DISEASE Detection by REAL Time Quantitative PCR On LATE Recurrences and Overall SURVIVAL

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.827.827 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 827-827 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Marco Ladetto ◽

Simone Ferrero ◽

Daniela Drandi ◽

Federica Cavallo ◽

Luigia Monitillo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clin Oncol ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Residual Disease ◽

Tumor Burden ◽

Long Term Results ◽

Clinical Relapse ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Tumor Load

Abstract Abstract 827 Background and aims: We have recently shown that a consolidation therapy with bortezomib/thalidomide/dexamethasone (VTD) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients responding to autologous transplantation (ASCT) induces major tumor shrinking assessed by real time-quantitative (RQ)-PCR. Moreover we found that low levels of minimal residual disease (MRD) associated to a better progression-free survival (PFS) [GIMEMA VEL-03-096 trial, EudraCT Number 2004-000531-28: Ladetto et al, J Clin Oncol 2010]. We here present the updated results of this study at a median follow-up of 65 months. In the present analysis the following additional issues have been addressed: a) impact of MRD on PFS over time, with special interest to the role of MRD kinetics on outcome; b) impact of MRD on overall survival (OS). Patients and methods: Inclusion criteria and treatment schedule for this study have been already reported [Ladetto et al., J Clin Oncol 2010] and included: 1) a documented complete or very good partial remission following ASCT delivered as first line treatment; 2) no previous therapy with thalidomide or bortezomib; 3) presence of a molecular marker based on the immunoglobulin heavy chain rearrangement (IGH). MRD was assessed on bone marrow samples at diagnosis, study entry, after two VTD courses, at the end of treatment and then at six months intervals, up to clinical relapse. Patients underwent MRD detection using either qualitative nested PCR and RQ-PCR, employing IGH-derived patient specific primers as already described [Voena et al., Leukemia 1997; Ladetto et al., Biol Bone Marrow Transpl 2000]. For outcome analysis patients were grouped according to following definitions: a) MRD negativity on two consecutive samples by the most sensitive PCR method (nested PCR): full molecular remission (FMR); b) MRD negativity on two consecutive samples by RQ-PCR (less sensitive but currently better standardized, according to European Study Group on MRD detection guidelines [van der Vendel et al., Leukemia 2007]): standard molecular remission (SMR); c) post-treatment tumor load above the median by RQ-PCR: high tumor burden (HTB); d) post-treatment tumor load below the median by RQ-PCR: low tumor burden (LTB); e) recurrence of detectable MRD after FMR/SMR: molecular relapse (M-rel); f) increase of MRD levels of at least one log: active disease (AD). Results: Feasibility, toxicity and clinical outcome of the trial have been already reported [Ladetto et al., J Clin Oncol 2010]. Thirty-nine patients were enrolled and median clinical follow-up from start of first line treatment is 65 months. 270 of the planned samples for MRD monitoring (86%) were actually received by the centralized lab. So far 17 relapses and six deaths have been reported. Following VTD consolidation, 7/38 evaluable patients achieved FMR (18%) and 15/38 achieved SMR (39%). Three M-rel were observed, two of them followed by clinical relapse within six months. Achievement of SMR proved highly predictive for PFS (5-years (y) PFS 82% vs 44%, p=0.009, figure 1A), as well as the presence of HTB and AD (5-y PFS 35% vs 87%, p<0.001, figure 2). Interestingly, patients with LTB and no evidence of M-rel or AD had an excellent outcome with a 5-y PFS of 87%, (even considering that molecular follow-up was incomplete due to lack of samples in the two events observed in the low risk group, figure 2). Most notably, none of the patients achieving FMR or SMR has so far died and both SMR and AD proved to be significant predictors for OS (respectively, 5y-OS 100% vs 74%, p=0.012, figure 1B, and 5y-OS 86% vs 100%, p=0.037, data not shown). Conclusions: Our long-term results indicate that: 1) the achievement of SMR following VTD consolidation in MM patients is associated with a better outcome in terms of PFS and OS; 2) a dynamic increase in molecular tumor burden (AD), detectable by RQ-PCR, predicts late disease relapses several months before clinical recurrence. Taken together these results suggest the importance of developing tailored treatment for patients with high residual burden or showing increasing levels of MRD during follow-up, as already pursued for example in mantle cell lymphoma [Andersen et al., J Clin Oncol 2009]. Disclosures: Ladetto: Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bayer: Honoraria; Mundipharma: Honoraria; Janssen-Cilag: Research Funding; Italfarmaco: Research Funding. Cavallo:celgene: Honoraria. Guglielmelli:celgene: Honoraria; Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria. Boccadoro:Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Palumbo:Merck: Honoraria; Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria.

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A Novel Reduced Intensity Conditioning Regimen Induces a High Incidence of Sustained Donor Neutrophil and Platelet Engraftment After Double-Unit Cord Blood Transplantation

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.4155.4155 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 4155-4155

Author(s):

Doris M Ponce ◽

Craig S. Sauter ◽

Devlin Sean ◽

Marissa N Lubin ◽

Anne Marie R Gonzales ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Cord Blood ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Conditioning Regimen ◽

High Dose ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Myeloablative Conditioning ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Reduced Intensity

Abstract Abstract 4155 Introduction: Cord blood (CB) transplant (CBT) can be curative for patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies. However, patients of older age and/or with significant co-morbidities do not tolerate CBT with high-dose myeloablative conditioning. Non-myeloablative (NMA) conditioning can reduce transplant-related mortality (TRM) and extend transplant access to older or infirm patients, but it is limited by the risks of graft rejection in patients without extensive prior chemotherapy and relapse. While the addition of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) may reduce rejection, it increases the risk of viral infections, including Epstein-Barr virus lymphoproliferative disease, and may also increase relapse risk. Methods: We investigated the safety and efficacy of an ATG-free regimen of intermediate intensity prior to double-unit CBT in 30 patients with acute leukemias and myelodysplasia. Units were 4–6/6 HLA-A, B antigen, DRB1 allele matched to the patient. The conditioning regimen included cyclophosphamide 50 mg/kg (day -6), fludarabine 30 mg/m2/day × 5 (days -6 to -2), thiotepa 5 mg/kg/day × 2 (days -5 and -4), total body irradiation 200 cGy × 2 (days -2 and -1), and cyclosporine-A/mycophenolate mofetil immunosuppression. The indication for this regimen was one or more risk factors for TRM including age > 50 years, extensive prior therapy, and/or significant co-morbidities. The hematopoietic cell transplant co-morbidity index (HCT-CI) score of Sorror was retrospectively assigned. Results: The median age was 56 years (range 18–69). All but one patient had high-risk disease. Twenty-one had AML (16 CR1, 5 CR2) with all CR1 patients having high-risk features, including high-risk cytogenetics (n = 3), FLT-3 ITD mutation (n = 5), therapy-related disease or prior MDS (n = 6), and/or > 3 consecutive induction chemotherapies (n = 2). Five had ALL (4 CR1, 1 CR3); the 4 in CR1 had BCR/ABL mutations (n = 3) or prior refractory CNS disease (n = 1). Four patients had MDS with 3 having an IPSS score > 2. The median HCT-CI score was 2.5 (range 1–5). Median infused TNC doses were 2.6 (larger unit) and 1.9 (smaller unit) × 107/kg, respectively. Ninety-seven percent of patients engrafted (95%CI: 87–100) at a median of 26 days (range 13–43). The median day 21 total donor bone marrow chimerism was 100% (range 71–100). All surviving patients were 100% donor by day 100, and sustained hematopoiesis has been mediated by a single unit in all but one patient. The cumulative incidence of platelet recovery > 20 × 109/L by day 180 was 93% (95%CI: 83–100), and occurred at a median of 46 days (range 30–79). Day 180 TRM and 2-year relapse incidences were 20% and 11%, respectively. With a median 26.5 months (range 9–53) follow-up of survivors, the 2-year overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) are both 60% (95%CI: 44–82). There was a hierarchy in 2-year DFS according to the Sorror HCT-CI score (Figure): the 11 patients (median age 55 years) with a score of 1 had a DFS of 82%. This compared with a 2-year DFS of 62% in the 9 patients (median age 51 years) with a score of 2–3, and 40% in the 11 patients (median age 58 years) with a score of 4–5 (p = 0.13). Discussion: This reduced intensity regimen combined with double-unit CBT reliably facilitates sustained donor engraftment without ATG. This regimen is associated with less toxicity than high-dose myeloablative conditioning. While other approaches are needed in patients with high comorbidity scores, this regimen is highly effective in older patients who are otherwise reasonably fit, as evidenced by the 82% 2-year DFS in patients with a median age of 55 years. Given the relatively low risk of relapse, it also represents a promising alternative to high-dose conditioning in younger patients. Disclosures: Giralt: Onyx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

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A Window Study of Acalabrutinib Plus Rituximab Followed By R-Dhaox (rituximab, dexamethasone, cytarabine, oxaliplatin) and Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) in Fit Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL): The Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group (ALLG) NHL33 Wamm Trial

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-149308 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 4516-4516

Author(s):

Eliza Hawkes ◽

Shivam Agrawal ◽

Sze-Ting Lee ◽

Joel Wight ◽

Greg Hapgood ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Kinase Inhibitor ◽

Metabolic Response ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Residual Disease ◽

Progression Free Survival ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Intensive Chemotherapy ◽

Advisory Committees

Abstract Background: MCL is a rare and incurable disease representing 5-10% of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases. Although intensive chemotherapy induction and up-front ASCT can induce durable remissions in fit patients, toxicity can be significant. R-DHAOx chemoimmunotherapy provides adequate outcomes and a favourable toxicity profile compared to some other induction regimens (Le Gouill S Blood 2017). The highly selective Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) acalabrutinib has minimal off-target activity and proven efficacy in relapsed MCL (Wang M Lancet 2018), however, direct combination of BTKi & chemoimmunotherapy is toxic. Thus, it is postulated that up-front use with an acalabrutinib 'window' before chemoimmunotherapy, followed by maintenance after intensive chemotherapy will prolong time to next treatment and reduce overall treatment toxicity (Kuruvilla J Hematol Oncol 2017). Methods: The WAMM study is an ALLG-sponsored investigator-initiated multicentre single-arm phase 2 trial (ACTRN1269000990123). Eligible patients are aged 18-70 years with previously-untreated histologically-proven CD20-positive stage II-IV MCL (all subtypes), ECOG 0-1, and no comorbidities precluding ASCT. Patient with major contraindications to BTKi use are excluded. Treatment is delivered in a unique and innovative acalabrutinib 'sandwich' design to avoid excess toxicity of combination acalabrutinib-chemoimmunotherapy (see figure). All patients receive 2 cycles of induction rituximab (R) 375 mg/m 2 IV (day 1) & acalabrutinib (A) 100mg BD PO daily (continuous) 4-weekly, followed by 4 conventional R-DHAOx chemoimmunotherapy cycles. Patients then undergo positron emission tomography (PET) assessment. Those with partial or complete response will proceed to carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine and melphalan (BEAM) autograft which is followed by A+R maintenance (A; 100 mg BD continuous for 1 year & R; 375 mg/m 2 IV, 3-monthly x 8 cycles). Patients with stable or progressive disease will be taken off study. A minimum of 3 years of post-treatment follow-up is planned. Regular clinical, laboratory, PET, and molecular minimal residual disease (MRD) assessments will be performed. The composite primary endpoint includes safety (defined by lack of prohibitive toxicity) and complete metabolic response rate of AR induction followed by R-DHAOx chemoimmunotherapy. Prohibitive toxicity is defined as > grade 3 toxicity causing treatment cessation or major delay. Secondary endpoints include response rates, overall toxicity, overall and progression free survival, MRD negativity rates and standardised quality of life scores. All PET centres are Australasian Radiopharmaceutical Trials network (ARTnet) accredited. PET & MRD analyses are centralized. An extensive exploratory biomarker substudy is planned. The sample size is 44 according to a Simon's 2-stage design. If 3 or more positive responses without prohibitive toxicity are seen in the first 14 patients, 30 further patients will be recruited. The trial has currently enrolled 20 patients from 11 Australian sites. Acknowledgements: Acalabrutinib and a research grant has been supplied by Astra Zeneca. Maintenance Rituximab has been supplied by Sandoz. Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute Haematology biobank. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Hawkes: Merck KgA: Research Funding; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Specialised Therapeutics: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squib/Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel and accommodation expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Speakers Bureau; Regeneron: Speakers Bureau; Antigene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Merck Sharpe Dohme: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Wight: Jannsen: Honoraria, Other: Travel subsidies; Abbvie: Honoraria, Other: Travel subsidies. Cheah: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Beigene: Consultancy, Honoraria; TG therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Lilly: Consultancy, Honoraria; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria; Ascentage Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel, Research Funding. Ku: Roche: Consultancy; Genor Biopharma: Consultancy; Antegene: Consultancy. Opat: Merck: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BeiGene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Sandoz: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CSL Behring: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Monash Health: Current Employment. Devitt: Oncosec: Consultancy; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy; Merck Sharp and Dohme: Honoraria; Eisai: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Fong: Amgen, BMS: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Research Funding; AbbVie, Amgen, Novartis, Pfizer, Astellas: Honoraria. Barraclough: Roche: Honoraria, Other: Conference sponsorship.

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The Omission of High-Dose Cytarabine during Consolidation Therapy of Ph-Positive ALL Patients Treated with Nilotinib and Low-Intensity Chemotherapy Results in an Increased Risk of Relapses Despite Non-Inferior Levels of Late BCR-ABL1 MRD Response. First Results of the Randomized Graaph-2014 Study

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-148843 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 512-512

Author(s):

Philippe Rousselot ◽

Yves Chalandon ◽

Sylvie Chevret ◽

Jean-Michel Cayuela ◽

Francoise Huguet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Primary Endpoint ◽

Research Funding ◽

Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

High Dose ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

High Dose Cytarabine ◽

To Receive

Abstract On behalf of the GRAALL group. Introduction. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have dramatically improved the outcome of patients diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In a previous randomized trial (GRAAPH-2005; Chalandon Y., Blood 2015), our group demonstrated that anthracycline and cyclophosphamide could be safely omitted during the first Hyper-CVAD chemotherapy cycle when combined to imatinib. In the present GRAAPH-2014 trial, we investigated whether the use of nilotinib, a 2 nd generation TKI, would allow further decreasing chemotherapy intensity through the omission of high-dose cytarabine (HD-AraC) during consolidation cycles 2 and 4. Methods. From March 2016, patients aged 18-60 years old were randomized frontline to receive 4 cycles (1=3, 2=4) of chemotherapy combined with continuous nilotinib 400 mg bid. Cycle 1 and 3 were similar in both arms, identical to the less-intensive first cycle of the previous GRAAPH-2005 trial with weekly vincristine and dexamethasone and nilotinib instead of imatinib. Cycle 2 and 4 differed between control arm A (MTX 1 g/sqm over 24h, HD-AraC 3 g/sqm/12h for 2 days) and experimental arm B (MTX 1 g/sqm over 24h only). Marrow minimal residual disease (MRD) was assessed by both BCR-ABL1 and IG-TCR qPCR after each cycle (MRD1-4). Patients in complete remission (CR) after cycle 4 were eligible to receive allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloSCT). Non allografted patients had the option to receive autologous SCT (autoSCT) if a major molecular response (MMolR) (MRD4 BCR-ABL1 <0.1%) was achieved. AlloSCT and autoSCT were followed by a 2-year imatinib maintenance. The randomization was stratified on age (≤40y, >40y) and BCR-ABL1 breakpoint region (M/m-bcr). MMolR rate at MRD4 was the primary endpoint of this non-inferiority study, with a margin set at 0.15. In February 2019, the study DSMB decided to stop the randomizations after an unplanned analysis demonstrating a significant excess of relapse in arm B (without HD-AraC). An intention-to-treat analysis is provided. All patients gave informed consent. The study is registered at EudraCT under the number: 2014-002146-44. Results. A total of 156 patients were randomized (77 in arm A, and 79 in arm B). Median age was 47.1 years old (range 18.1-59.9). One-hundred and ten patients had the m-bcr (70.5%) and 46 (29.5%) the M-bcr. An IKZF1 intragenic deletion was found in 87/153 (56.9%). Median follow-up was 2.8 years (95%CI 2.6-3.1). All evaluable patients reached CR after a maximum of two cycles. Three patients died during cycle 1 (2 in arm A, 1 in arm B), and 2 during cycle 2 (1 per arm). Most patients received the 4 scheduled cycles (n=143, 91,7%). AlloSCT was performed in 91 patients (58.3%), whereas 41 patients received an autoSCT (26.3%) with no difference in allo/autoSCT rates between arms. A non-inferiority in late MRD response (MRD4) between the two arms was observed (primary endpoint). MMolR was reached in 55/75 (73.3%) and 61/78 (78.2%) of CR patients in arm A and B, respectively, with an estimated 95% CI of difference of -11% to +16% (-9.2% to +20.8% in the ITT analysis treating missing data as failures). At 3 years, overall survival (OS) was 86.0% in arm A versus 74.2% in arm B (p=.08, Figure A). Progression-free survival (PFS) was 79.6% in arm A versus 57.2% in arm B (p=.008, Figure B). Thirty-one patients experienced hematological relapse (8 in arm A and 23 in arm B). Twenty-height out of 31 relapsed patients were tested for the acquisition of BCR-ABL1 mutations, 20/28 (71%) had at least one mutation and 10/28 (36%) had a T315I mutation. At 3 years, the cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) was 21.3%, significantly higher in arm B than in arm A (30.8% vs 10.6%, p=.007). When analyzing the CIR considering alloSCT as a competing event for relapse, a significant higher CIR was still observed in arm B as compared to arm A (Figure C). Conclusion. Four cycles of the combined administration of nilotinib and chemotherapy is very efficient for bridging younger adults with Ph-positive ALL to SCT. However, omitting HD-AraC is associated with a higher relapse incidence despite non-inferior levels of BCR-ABL1 MRD4. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Rousselot: Incyte, Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Chalandon: Incyte, BMS, Pfizer, Abbie, MSD, Roche, Novartis, Gilead, Amgen, Jazz, Astra Zenec: Other: Travel EXpenses, Accomodation; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Incyte, BMS, Pfizer, Abbie, MSD, Roche, Novartis, Amgen: Other: Advisory Board. Huguet: Novartis: Other: Advisor; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Other: Advisor; Celgene: Other: Advisor; BMS: Other: Advisor; Amgen: Other: Advisor; Pfizer: Other: Advisor. Vincent: Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Vey: Amgen: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; BIOKINESIS: Consultancy, Research Funding; NOVARTIS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; SERVIER: Consultancy; JAZZ PHARMACEUTICALS: Honoraria; JANSSEN: Consultancy. Raffoux: PFIZER: Consultancy; CELGENE/BMS: Consultancy; ASTELLAS: Consultancy; ABBVIE: Consultancy. Boissel: Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; CELGENE: Honoraria; Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria; SANOFI: Honoraria; PFIZER: Consultancy, Honoraria; JAZZ Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding. Dombret: Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Servier: Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria; BMS-Celgene: Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria. OffLabel Disclosure: Nilotinib as a therapy for PH-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia

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The Clinical Relevance of Residual, Persistent and Elongated Abnormal Sized Nodes By Longest Diameter (LDi) in Patients (pts) with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Otherwise in a Complete Remission (CR)

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-136731 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 34-35

Author(s):

Jayant Narang ◽

Surabhi Bajpai ◽

Rudresh Rajnikant Jarecha ◽

Christiana Caplan ◽

Dana Macdonald ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Lymph Nodes ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Disease Burden ◽

Residual Disease ◽

Short Axis ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Clinical Imaging

Background: IWCLL 2008 and 2018 criteria require that all lymph nodes/nodal masses be ≤ 15mm in longest diameter (LDi) to be consistent with a CR. Lymph nodes or nodal masses >15mm in the LDi are considered abnormal. However, it has been observed that some bulky nodes may become thin and streak-like on follow-up timepoints (Figure 1) and may be normal by clinical and imaging standards (<10mm in short axis diameter) (Cheson et al Journal of Clinical Oncology, 17:1244, 1999) however, they continue to be >15mm in LDi (LDi Positive nodes- LDi+) and, hence, categorized as abnormal per iwCLL criteria. In lymphoma studies, FDG-PET negativity is the driver of CR, and residual disease on CT scan is allowed for CR. However, in the iwCLL response assessment, LDi+ nodes may prevent a true CR. Methods: 1168 patients across multiple phase III CLL clinical trials with targeted agents were analyzed, which were independently reviewed using iwCLL 2008 and 2018 criteria. To assess the impact of LDi+ nodes, we filtered our response to finding pts who had at least one lymph node with LDi >15mm (range 15.1 to 30mm) and, thus, a PR by imaging, but all other identified nodes either resolved or <10mm in short axis and the rest of the disease burden normalized. We also evaluated clinical information on all pts (e.g., bone marrow biopsy, complete blood count (CBC), Absolute Lymphocyte Count (ALC), and other confounding factors, when available). Figure 1: A large right axillary node at baseline (image on left), is reduced in size and is thin, streak like (image on right) but is abnormal as per iwCLL criteria by LDi definition. Results: Of 1168 pts, 161 (13.8%) had an overall response of PR because of these abnormal LDi+ nodes on imaging per iwCLL criteria, even though the rest of the disease burden had normalized and showed CR. Laboratory data (CBC and ALC) were available in all of these 161 patients and were normalized/CR. Bone marrow was available for 31 patients and was negative/CR in all of those patients in at least one follow-up assessment by both cellularity and CLL infiltration assessments (by either morphology, flow cytometry or immuno-histochemistry (IHC)). These pts continued to have a sustained response of CR for all other parameters for multiple follow up visits with a median follow up of about 6 months. Conclusion: Based on these data, approximately 13.8 % of pts with LDi+ nodes normal by clinical/imaging standards, clinical/laboratory parameters normalized and some with a normal bone marrow evaluation, but were labeled PR in overall assessment and denied a CR. These pts likely had achieved a CR as bone marrow is considered a gold standard for normalization of disease burden. These LDi+ lymph nodes by iwCLL criteria which are normal by clinical/imaging standards, likely represent scar tissue and not active disease based on normalization of the rest of the disease. These assessments made by stringent application of iwCLL criteria in assessing lymph nodes may result in underestimating the CR rate in a clinical trial. We propose an adaptation of the iwCLL criteria to allow hematologists/oncologists to update/override the radiology overall assessment from PR to CR if all other components for the oncology review (e.g., blood counts, bone marrow, target lesions, organ assessments) meet CR criteria, based on clinical judgment. This approach is being used universally in daily clinical practice (as well as by the site investigators) when assessing CLL patients and these abnormal LDi+ nodes by iwCLL criteria, do not prevent a CR. This proposed approach may help to reduce site-central discordance in a clinical trial setting. Further studies to correlate these findings with minimal residual disease in bone marrow/blood will help validate our findings. Figure 1 Disclosures Cheson: Trillium: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Jannsen: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Speakers Bureau; GSK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Parexel: Consultancy; Kite: Consultancy; Symbio: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Morphosys: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

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Long-Term Follow-up of Combined Hypercvad (hCVAD) Regimen with Dasatinib (Db) in the Front Line Therapy of Patients (pts) with Philadelphia Chromosome Positive (Ph+) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.1512.1512 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 1512-1512 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hun Ju Lee ◽

Hagop M. Kantarjian ◽

Deborah A. Thomas ◽

Stefan Faderl ◽

Charles Koller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

Single Agent ◽

High Dose ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Platelet Recovery

Abstract Abstract 1512 Background: The introduction of tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKI) has significantly improved the outcome of patients (pts) with Ph+ ALL. Dasatinib (Db) is a second generation dual SRC/ABL TKI with greater potency compared to Imatinib in inhibiting BCR/ABL. Aim: To determine the outcome of pts with Ph+ ALL treated with hCVAD + Db. Method: Between 9/06 and 7/09, pts with newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL received Db 50mg oral (PO) twice daily (BID) or 100mg PO daily for the first 14 days of each of 8 cycles of alternating hCVAD, and high dose cytarabine and methotrexate. Pts in complete remission (CR) continued to receive maintenance Db 50mg PO BID or 100mg PO daily, as well as monthly prednisone and vincristine for 2 years, followed by Db indefinitely. From 8/09 protocol was amended and pts received 100mg Db for the first 14 days of cycle #1 and then 70mg daily continuously for the next 7 cycles, as well as 2 doses of rituximab 375 mg/m2 during each of the first 4 cycles. Maintenance was with Db, vincristine and prednisone. Results: Sixty-one pts with newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL have been treated to date. Median age was 56 years (yrs) (range (r), 22–80) and 41 (67%) pts were >50 yrs. The median follow up is 26.1 months (mo) (r, 4–58). Central nervous system (CNS) involvement was noted in 9 (14%) pts at diagnosis. Sixteen (26%) pts had Ph+ alone, 38 (62%) pts had Ph+ with additional abnormalities, and 7 (12%) pts were Ph negative, and BCR/ABL positive. Median white blood cell count (WBC) at diagnosis was 13.4 × 109/L (r: 0.4–658), and 22 (36%) pts had WBC >30 × 109/L at diagnosis. BCR/ABL transcript was identified in 60 (98.3%) pts at diagnosis, including e1a2 in 46 (76%) pts, b2a2 in 10 (17%) pts, b2a2+b3a2 in 2 (3%) pts, b3a2 and e1a3 in 1 (1.6%) pt each. One pt had a variant transcript that was not detectable with the standard primers. The median number of induction and maintenance cycles received were 6 cycles (r: 1–8) and 13.5 cycles (r: 1–24), respectively. Fifty seven (94%) pts achieved CR1 and 1 (1.5%) pts achieved CR with incomplete platelet recovery with first induction cycle of chemotherapy. Three (4.5%) pts died before response assessment could be performed due to infections. Thirty-nine (64%) pts received maintenance, 3 (5%) pts are currently receiving induction and 19 (31%) pts had no maintenance [9 pts received allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT) prior to maintenance, 10 pts had progression of disease]. To date, twelve (19%) pts have relapsed and Abl kinase domain mutations were analyzed in 7 pts; mutations were noted in 4 pts. These included T315I in 2 pts, and F359V and V299L in 1 pt each. CNS relapse occurred in 5 pts. Salvage (S1) regimens included [hCVAD + another TKI in 7 pts, single agent TKI in 2 pts, single agent monoclonal antibody in 1 pt, methotrexate, vincristine, asparginase, dexamethasone (MOAD) in 1pt, intrathecal cytarabine/methotrexate plus CNS radiation and Db in 1 pt]. Eight pts achieved CR2, 3 pts were refractory (2 pts with T315I and 1 pt with F359V) and one is still undergoing salvage treatment. Median DFS and OS after S1 were 5.3 mo (r: 0.7–17.3) and 6.7 mo (r: 0.6–24.4), respectively. ASCT was performed in 15 (24%) pts, including 10 pts in CR1 and 5 pts in CR2. Donors were related in 8 (53%) and unrelated in 7 (47%) transplants. Sixteen pts have died 11 (68%) pts from infectious complications, 2 (13%) pts from multi-organ failure, 1 (6%) pt with graft versus host disease, and 2 (13%) pts from unknown causes. Three-year disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) (n=61) were 49% and 62%, respectively. Conclusion: Db plus hCVAD is an effective regimen with durable responses in pts with newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL. Disclosures: Kantarjian: BMS: Research Funding. Jabbour:Pfizer: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Cortes:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Ariad: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Chemgenex: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Ravandi:Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria.

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Intestinal Microbiota Composition Is Associated with Minimal Residual Disease Negativity in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-117719 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 3167-3167

Author(s):

Matthew J. Pianko ◽

Sean M Devlin ◽

Eric R. Littmann ◽

Aisara Chansakul ◽

Donna Mastey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

Intestinal Microbiota ◽

Relative Abundance ◽

Research Funding ◽

Residual Disease ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Autologous Stem Cell Transplant ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test

Abstract Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) patients who achieve minimal residual disease (MRD) negative status after upfront treatment have prolonged progression-free and overall survival compared with those who remain MRD(+) (Landgren CO, Devlin SM et al. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2016;51(12):1565-8). Commensal intestinal microbial composition has been associated with treatment outcomes in cancer patients. We sought to evaluate whether the composition of the intestinal microbiota is associated with MRD status in patients with MM. Methods: Stool samples were collected prospectively from 34 patients after completion of upfront therapy for MM at the time of MRD testing. MRD was assessed with next-generation flow cytometry of bone marrow aspirates (sensitivity 10-5). Microbial analysis was performed via sequencing of 16S rRNA V4-V5 regions using the Illumina MiSeq platform and sequence data was analyzed using UPARSE (Edgar RC, Nature Methods 2013;10(10):996-8). The linear discriminant effect size method (LEfSe) (Segata N et al. Genome Biol. 2011;12(6):R60.) was used to compare detected clades among all groups and evaluate for associations with outcomes, using MRD as class and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) as subclass. Alpha diversity was calculated by the Inverse Simpson index and differential relative abundance were calculated using the phyloseq package and compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test on the R statistical computing platform. Results: Among 34 patients evaluable for microbiota composition and MRD status, the median age was 62.5 years and 16 (47.1%) were MRD(-) at time of stool collection. 24 (70.6%) were treated with carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone as induction therapy (MRD(-): 14 (87.5%), MRD(+):10 (55.5%). 4 (28.5%) MRD(-) patients had autologous stem cell transplant(ASCT), compared with 10 (55.5%) who were MRD(+). In the cohort's samples, we observed 19 phyla, 315 genera, 654 species, and 1549 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). There was no significant difference in alpha diversity between MRD(-) (median 12.24, IQR = 8.76-13.98) and MRD(+) patients (median 12.44, IQR = 8.36 -16.23), p=0.6 by Wilcoxon rank sum test. A positive association with MRD negativity was noted with two butyrate-producing organisms, Eubacterium hallii (p=0.001) and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (p= 0.006). To further evaluate these relationships, we performed a differential abundance analysis of these selected taxa in MRD(+) and MRD(-) patients at the genus and species level. The relative abundance of the genera Eubacterium and Faecalibacterium were higher in fecal samples from MRD(-) patients than MRD(+) patients (Eubacterium MRD(-): median 4.51% (IQR = 2.83 - 7.32%) vs. MRD(+): median 3.07% (IQR = 1.35 - 3.87%), p=0.0326; Faecalibacterium MRD(-): median 1.68% (IQR = 0.69 - 7.48%) vs. MRD(+): median 0.003% (IQR = 0 - 3.19%), p=0.022. The relative abundance of both species of interest were higher in MRD(-) patients than in MRD(+) patients: E. hallii MRD(-): median 2.67% (IQR = 2.11 - 3.98%) vs. MRD(+): median 1.01% (IQR = 0 - 2.16%), p=0.001; F. prausnitzii MRD(-): median 1.43% (IQR = 0.53 - 7.28%) vs. MRD(+): median 0.3%, (IQR = 0 - 2.54%), p=0.022. Other species of Eubacterium and Faecalibacterium were not significantly differentially abundant between the two groups. Conclusions: Intestinal microbiota containing several butyrate-producing anaerobes appear to be associated with MRD-negativity in patients with myeloma, with higher relative abundance of Eubacterium hallii and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in MRD(-) patients compared with MRD(+) patients. Butyrate and other short-chain fatty acids are biologically active metabolites formed during microbial fermentation of dietary or host-derived carbohydrates, which supply the host with energy and also modulate immunity, including exerting anti-inflammatory functions. Microbes of the genus Eubacterium have been associated with reduced risk of relapse in several hematologic cancers after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, including MM (Peled JU, Devlin SM et al. J Clin Oncol 2017;35(15):1650-9). This is first study to our knowledge to suggest an association between gut microbiota and MRD status in patients with myeloma and supports further investigation of a potential role for intestinal microbiota in the natural history and treatment of myeloma. Disclosures Peled: Seres Therapeutics: Research Funding. Landgren:Karyopharm: Consultancy; Merck: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Lesokhin:Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Genentech: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Serametrix, inc.: Patents & Royalties: Royalties; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Research Funding.

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Evaluation of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) By Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Is Highly Predictive of Progression Free Survival in the IFM/DFCI 2009 Trial

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v126.23.191.191 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 126 (23) ◽

pp. 191-191 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Herve Avet-Loiseau ◽

Jill Corre ◽

Valerie Lauwers-Cances ◽

Marie-Lorraine Chretien ◽

Nelly Robillard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

High Risk ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Residual Disease ◽

Young Patients ◽

High Dose ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

High Risk Patients ◽

Risk Patients

Abstract Evaluation of MRD in multiple myeloma (MM) is becoming an important trial endpoint, especially in young patients. With current intensive approaches, the complete remission (CR) rates are up to 70%, making conventional evaluations of response quite useless. More sensitive tools are mandatory. Two techniques may help investigators to reach this goal, flow cytometry (FCM) and NGS. We applied both techniques to the IFM part of the IFM/DFCI 2009 trial. Briefly, this trial enrolled 700 patients under 66 years of age who were randomized to receive either 8 cycles of VRD (Velcade®-Revlimid®-Dexamethasone) (arm A), or 3 VRD cycles, high-dose melphalan, followed by two consolidation VRD cycles (arm B). All patients received a lenalidomide maintenance for 12 months. A bone marrow MRD evaluation was planned before and after maintenance for all patients achieving at least very good partial response (VGPR). A one-mL bone marrow aspirate was sent overnight to one of the central labs. The primary purpose was to assess MRD by FCM. When extra cells were available, they were frozen as a dry pellet for NGS analyses, using the LymphoSight® platform (Sequenta/Adaptive Inc.). A total of 246 patients have been evaluated by NGS before maintenance and 178 after maintenance. Patients were classified in 3 categories: negative (< 10-6), low-positive (between 10-4 and 10-6), and positive (> 10-4). At pre-maintenance, 87 patients were negative, 80 were low-positive, and 79 were positive. At post-maintenance, these numbers were respectively 86, 52, and 40. Using a cutoff at 10-6, patients below 10-6 at pre-maintenance presented a 3-year PFS at 83%, vs 53% for patients > 10-6. At post-maintenance, these % were 90% and 59% respectively. When restricted to patients in CR, the 3-year PFS was 87% and 63% at pre-maintenance, and 92% and 64% at post-maintenance (Figure). Finally, we compared the two MRD techniques. Using a 7-color FCM strategy, the sensitivity level was 10-4. Amongst the 163 patients negative with the FCM approach, 84 (51 %) patients were positive using NGS and among 72 patients positive with FCM, 67 (93%) were also positive using NGS. In the subgroup of patients with negative MRD using FCM, the 3 year PFS was 86% for NGS negative patients vs 66 % for NGS positive at pre-maintenance and 91% vs 65% at post maintenance. Looking at high-risk patients, 26 patients with t(4;14), and 16 with del(17p) were evaluated. Half of the t(4;14) patients achieved MRD negativity, versus only 1/16 patients with del(17p). Interestingly, 9/13 patients with t(4;14) who achieved MRD negativity, and 0/1 patients with del(17p) did not relapse, showing the importance of achieving deep response in these high-risk patients. In conclusion, this study clearly demonstrates that a sensitive technique like NGS is able to predict PFS in patients treated with modern approaches. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Avet-Loiseau: Takeda: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding. Hulin:celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; jansen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Arnulf:Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Garderet:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy. Karlin:Sandoz: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. MACRO:millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; jansen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Richardson:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gentium S.p.A.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Faham:Adaptive Biotechnologies: Employment, Equity Ownership. Facon:Onyx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pierre Fabre: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Moreau:Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Adboard; Takeda: Other: Adboard; Celgene: Honoraria, Other: Adboard; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Adboard; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Adboard; Amgen: Other: Adboard; Amgen: Other: Adboard; Novartis: Other: Adboard. Attal:celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; jansen: Honoraria.

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