COVID-19 Incidence in Asymptomatic Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Abstract COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, which was first described at the end of 2019. Since then, it has affected a growing portion of the world's population because of its high transmissibility. Most patients are asymptomatic or present with mild symptoms, but approximately 5-10% of cases can develop more serious manifestations, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, acute kidney injury, shock, myocardial injury and even death. These features seem to occur more commonly in patients with essential hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity and chronic pulmonary disease. However, there are few studies that clarify the natural history of the disease and its broad clinical spectrum owing to the fact that it is a new entity. Since individuals with malignancies tend to present some degree of immunological deficiency and are more prone to opportunistic infections, especially those being treated with immunosuppressive drugs, it is possible that this group has a higher incidence of COVID-19. The current recommendations of oncology specialists advise to postpone treatments and to use less toxic drugs when possible. However, we still do not know how much these measures will affect in cancer mortality. Also, the incidence of COVID-19 in this population remains undetermined. We do not know if infectious symptoms are a good parameter to motivate these therapeutic changes or if there is benefit to test asymptomatic patients. In this context, this research submitted 100 patients with hematological malignancies or solid tumors on chemotherapy at the Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo's Hospital, asymptomatic for COVID-19, to RT PCR to determine the SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence in this population. Only two patients were diagnosed with COVID-19. Both had gastrointestinal cancer. One of them developed symptoms, but none presented severe manifestations. Both had their treatment postponed initially and reinitiated after the appropriate period of isolation. Hence, we believe that it's reasonable not to test every asymptomatic patient when the resource for that is scarce, prioritizing those at greater risk of infection and those more prone to severe outcomes as long as the appropriate preventive measures are being taken. Disclosures Calado: Team Telomere, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Instituto Butantan: Consultancy; Alexion Brasil: Consultancy; AA&MDS International Foundation: Research Funding; Novartis Brasil: Honoraria.
Polycythemia Vera (PV) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by erythrocytosis, constitutively active mutations in JAK2 and an increased susceptibility to thrombotic events (TEs). There is still controversy about the role of increased hematocrit and of other variables including elevated white blood cell count as risk factors for the occurrence of TEs. A better definition of the relative prognostic importance of hematologic parameters would help us to better tailor the therapeutic approach to PV patients (pts), which is currently mainly based on the use of acetilsalycilic acid (ASA), venesection and hydroxyurea . The aim of our study was to analyze if any clinical or laboratory variables were significantly associated to the occurrence of TEs both at PV diagnosis and during the course of the disease in a large series of PV pts uniformly followed at a single Center over a period of 29.5 years from January 1986 to June 2019. Clinical and laboratory data were obtained from the time of diagnosis until death, progression to acute leukemia or last follow-up. Hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (PLT) levels were recorded for each patient at least every 6 months. Among a total of 331 pts, the median age was 65 years (range 30-92 years), and 56% were male. "High risk" features (age ≥ 60 years and/or history of prior thrombosis) were present in 221 pts (66.7%). The incidence of cardiovascular risk factors was: hypertension 64%, diabetes 15%, hyperlipidemia 28%, history of active or remote smoking 41%. Patients on ASA were 279 (84%), 19 (6%) were on oral anticoagulation, while 27 (8%) were on ASA+oral anticoagulant. At PV diagnosis 54 pts (16%) presented with thrombosis, arterial in 32 (59%) and venous in 22 (41%). A previous TE was recorded in 57 pts (17%): in 43 (75%) arterial, in 12 (22%) venous and in 2 (3%) mixed (arterial+venous). Previous thrombosis was the only variable significantly associated with the presence of a TE at PV diagnosis (P=0.02). After PV diagnosis, with a median follow-up of 81 months (range 1-374 months), 63 pts (19%) experienced a TE and 11 of them a further episode, for a total of 74 TEs. The incidence rate (pts/year) of TEs was 2.7%. Forty-two events were arterial (57%), 31 were venous (42%) and 1 (1%) was mixed. It was the first TE for 37 pts. Cerebrovascular accidents and deep-venous thrombosis were the most frequent arterial and venous TEs both at PV diagnosis and throughout the disease course, with a relative incidence of 50% and 32% respectively. The table compares the characteristics of patients who did or did not develop a TE after PV diagnosis. At univariate analysis, PV high risk status, a previous TE and hyperlipidemia at PV diagnosis were significantly associated with a subsequent TE. Among hematologic variables an elevated WBC count at the time of thrombosis, but not Hct or PLT levels, was highly significantly associated with the development of a TE. At multivariate analysis, WBC count ≥10.4 x 10^9/L and hyperlipidemia maintained their independent prognostic value, while high risk status and a previous TE lost their prognostic significance. Both at univariate and multivariate analysis, hyperlipidemia at diagnosis (P=0.009 and P=0.002) and high WBC count at thrombosis (P=0.001 and P=<0.0001) predicted for arterial thromboses, while only a history of prior thrombosis (P=0.03) predicted for venous ones. In conclusion, our analysis confirms that elevated WBC count at the moment of the event more than increased hematocrit is associated to the development of thrombosis in PV pts. We also found that hyperlipidemia was an independent risk factor for arterial thrombosis, calling for an accurate management of increased lipid levels. Whether a reduction of the WBC count during the course of PV may reduce the frequency of TE remains to be demonstrated by prospective studies. Table Disclosures D'Adda: Novartis: Other: Advisory board; Incyte: Other: Advisory board; Pfizer: Other: Advisory board. Rossi:Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Other: Advisory board; Alexion: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Background: Younger patients (pts) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who enter a remission after intensive induction chemotherapy routinely receive at least one cycle of consolidation therapy with high dose cytarabine (HiDAC). This is commonly administered over a five-day inpatient stay, after which pts are discharged home as their blood counts nadir. It is thus a natural consequence of therapy that readmission for febrile neutropenia (FN) occurs, which can impact measures of quality and value in this population. Precise descriptions of incidence, type, and severity of infection, if identified, are lacking, and thus it is unknown to what standard cancer centers should be held for anticipated readmission. We measured these rates, and attempted to identify predictive factors for readmission. Methods: Adult AML pts ≥ 18 years of age who received at least one cycle of HiDAC consolidation (1000-3000 mg/m2 for six doses) in 2009-2019 were included. Our primary aim was to identify predictive factors for readmission after the first cycle of consolidation chemotherapy. The following pt characteristics and co-morbid conditions were analyzed: age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, AML cytogenetic risk status, history of diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, cardiovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, hepatic impairment, and other cancers. Secondary aims included: estimating rates of all-cause readmissions among all HiDAC cycles, defining the rate of FN readmissions, estimating rates of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, clinical (e.g., probable pneumonia per imaging) and microbiologically-documented infections, prophylactic (ppx) medications used, and mortality. Statistical analyses interrogated potential risk factors for evidence of association with hospital readmission after the first cycle of consolidation chemotherapy. Results: We identified 182 AML pts who fit inclusion criteria. The median age was 50 years (range 19-73); 55% were female and 45% were male. Statistical analyses revealed no association with readmission after cycle 1 for cytogenetic risk (p=0.85), history of heart failure (p= 0.67), chronic pulmonary disease (p=1), connective tissue disease (p=0.53), cerebrovascular accident (p=0.63), diabetes (p=0.63), gender (p=0.07), history of lymphoma (p=0.53), other solid tumors (p=0.53), liver disease (p=1), myocardial infarction (p=0.71), peripheral vascular disease (p=1), or smoking status (p= 0.52). For 480 HiDAC cycles analyzed (88% at 3000 mg/m2), the overall readmission rate was 50% (242/480), of which 85% (205/242) were for FN. Those readmissions which were not FN were for cardiac complications (chest pain, EKG changes), non-neutropenic fevers or infections, neurotoxicity, bleeding or clotting events, or other symptoms associated with chemotherapy (nausea/vomiting, pain, etc.). Median time to FN hospital admission was 18 days (range 6-27) from the start of HiDAC. Of the 205 FN readmissions, 57% had documented infections. Of these infections, 41% were bacteremia, 23% fungal, 16% sepsis, 12% other bacterial, and 8% viral. Of 480 HiDAC cycles, ppx medications prescribed included: 92% fluoroquinolone (442/480), 81% anti-viral (389/480), 30 % anti-fungal (142/480), and 3% colony stimulating factor (14/480). Only 7% (14/205) of FN readmissions resulted in an ICU admission, and 1% (3/205) resulted in death. Conclusions: Approximately half of patients treated with consolidation therapy following intensive induction therapy can be expected to be readmitted to the hospital. The majority of FN readmissions were associated with clinical or microbiologically documented infections and are not avoidable, however ICU admission and death associated with these complications are rare. Readmission of AML pts following HiDAC is expected, and therefore, should be excluded from measures of value and quality. Disclosures Waldron: Amgen: Consultancy. Hobbs:Amgen: Research Funding; SimulStat Inc.: Consultancy. Advani:Macrogenics: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Kite Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Consultancy, Research Funding. Nazha:Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmacutical: Research Funding; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; MEI: Other: Data monitoring Committee; Tolero, Karyopharma: Honoraria. Gerds:Imago Biosciences: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy; CTI Biopharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sierra Oncology: Research Funding. Sekeres:Syros: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Mukherjee:Partnership for Health Analytic Research, LLC (PHAR, LLC): Consultancy; McGraw Hill Hematology Oncology Board Review: Other: Editor; Projects in Knowledge: Honoraria; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
INTRODUCTION: PNH, a rare, chronic, life-threatening disease, is characterized by hemolytic anemia due to uncontrolled activity of the complement alternative pathway (AP), bone marrow failure, and thrombosis. Inhibition of C5 by intravenously administered eculizumab and ravulizumab reduces intravascular hemolysis, but PNH red blood cells (RBCs) become opsonized and susceptible to extravascular hemolysis (Risitano et al, Blood 2009). Only approximately half of PNH patients become transfusion independent with eculizumab treatment (Hillmen et al, NEJM 2006). BCX9930 is a potent, selective, orally administered inhibitor of complement factor D. Inhibition of factor D may prevent both intravascular and extravascular hemolysis in PNH. In healthy subjects, BCX9930 showed linear pharmacokinetics and dose-related AP suppression, and was safe and generally well-tolerated over a wide dose range. Here we describe safety and laboratory data establishing proof-of-concept for BCX9930 monotherapy in PNH patients in Study BCX9930-101 (NCT04330534). METHODS: Ongoing Study BCX9930-101 includes an open-label, dose-ranging evaluation of BCX9930 in PNH subjects who may either be naïve to C5 inhibitors (and receive BCX9930 as monotherapy) or have an incomplete treatment response to eculizumab or ravulizumab (with BCX9930 added to existing treatment). Up to 4 sequential cohorts each use a forced titration design for the first 28 days (Figure 1). Subjects enrolled in South Africa can participate in an individualized 48-week extension if they derive benefit at Day 28. Clinical benefit from BCX9930 is evaluated using laboratory monitoring and symptom assessment. Safety and tolerability are evaluated via clinical and laboratory monitoring, causality of adverse events is assessed by investigators, and the study is overseen by an independent Data Monitoring Committee. Data from Cohort 1 through 28 days is reported; data from the extension and subsequent cohorts will be subsequently summarized as available. RESULTS: To date, four C5 inhibitor naïve PNH subjects in South Africa have enrolled in Cohort 1. These subjects had PNH for a median of 4.5 years; 2 subjects had a history of transfusions in the past year; 1 subject each had a history of aplastic anemia or major thrombosis. Pre-treatment lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total bilirubin, hemoglobin (Hb), reticulocyte count, and RBC PNH Type III clone size ranged from 3.7-11.1 × ULN, 0.61-3.3 mg/dL, 6.1-11.6 g/dL, 0.13-0.29 × 106/µL, and 41.4%-88.6% respectively. Treatment over 28 days with 50 mg twice daily (BID; Days 1-14) and 100 mg BID (Days 15-28) of BCX9930 produced dose-dependent, clinically meaningful improvements across hemolysis biomarkers (Figure 2). Decreases were observed in LDH (4/4), reticulocytes (4/4), and total bilirubin (2/2 subjects with elevated pre-treatment values). Increases were observed in Hb (3/4) and PNH RBC clone size (4/4). One subject showed an initial response to BCX9930 50 mg BID, followed by worsening indicators of hemolysis temporally associated with an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI; onset on Day 7). With an increase in dose to 100 mg BID and resolution of the URTI, LDH and reticulocytes fell and Hb rose. All four subjects reported one or more PNH-associated symptoms, including hemoglobinuria, jaundice, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, headache and abdominal pain, prior to enrollment. With the exception of one subject with persistent hemoglobinuria, all symptoms resolved by Day 28 on BCX9930. Three subjects experienced moderate headache that resolved in < 3 days after initiating BCX9930. One subject developed a rash during treatment with amoxicillin for an URTI; the rash resolved while continuing BCX9930 dosing. One subject on concomitant chronic corticosteroids and azathioprine had an unrelated fatal serious adverse event of disseminated varicella during the study extension. Based on review of safety data, Cohort 2 opened at doses of 200 mg BID and 400 mg BID and, in the 3 subjects who continued into the extension, the dose was titrated to ≥ 200 mg BID. CONCLUSIONS: Oral BCX9930 elicited rapid changes in laboratory parameters indicative of reduced hemolysis and clinical benefit and was safe and generally well-tolerated over a 28-day dosing interval. These interim results establish proof of concept for monotherapy with BCX9930 in the treatment of C5-inhibitor naïve PNH patients and support evaluation of higher doses. Disclosures Kulasekararaj: Alexion:Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel grants, Speakers Bureau;Ra Pharma:Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel grants, Speakers Bureau;BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Apellis:Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel grants, Speakers Bureau;Roche:Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;Novartis:Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel grants, Speakers Bureau;Celgene:Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel grants, Speakers Bureau.Malherbe:Key Oncologics:Honoraria, Other: Conference sponsor;Novartis:Other: Conference sponsor;Astellas:Honoraria, Other: Conference sponsor;Takeda:Consultancy;Acino:Honoraria;Shire:Other: Conference sponsor;BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:Consultancy;Janssen:Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Conference sponsor;Roche:Honoraria, Other: Conference sponsor.McDonald:venetoclax advisory board in South Africa (in CLL context):Consultancy;Alberts Cellular Therapy:Current Employment.Cornpropst:BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:Current Employment.Collis:BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:Current Employment.Davidson:BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:Current Employment.Chen:BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:Current Employment.Tower:BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:Current Employment.Gesty-Palmer:BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months.Sheridan:BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:Current Employment.Risitano:Alexion:Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;Alnylam:Research Funding;Novartis:Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;Pfizer:Speakers Bureau;Achillion:Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Apellis:Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;Biocryst:Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;RA pharma:Research Funding;Amyndas:Consultancy;Samsung:Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Roche:Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Jazz:Speakers Bureau.
Abstract Background Eculizumab, the first C5 inhibitor approved for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), transformed PNH treatment by improving survival to that of an age- and sex- matched general population. Previous analyses demonstrating the survival benefit of eculizumab in patients with PNH leveraged historical data and were limited by small patient numbers and short follow-up durations; few evaluated survival of patients receiving eculizumab compared with untreated patients. The objective of the current analysis was to describe the baseline characteristics and overall survival of a large international cohort of eculizumab-treated patients compared with a contemporaneous untreated cohort using data from the prospective, observational International PNH Registry (NCT01374360). Methods Data from patients enrolled in the Registry after March 16, 2007 with complete information for birth date, sex, enrollment date, and treatment status were included (database cut-off, April 12, 2021). Ever-treated patients were those who received eculizumab for a minimum treatment period of 35 days while enrolled in the Registry; never-treated patients did not receive eculizumab at any time before or during Registry participation. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using a Cox proportional hazards that incorporated the following parameters at baseline as covariates: treatment status, presence of high disease activity (HDA), age, sex, history of bone marrow failure (BMF), history of thrombotic events (TE), transfusion dependence, and estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤60 mL/min/1.73 m 2. HDA was defined as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ratio ≥1.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN) and ≥1 of the following: history of major adverse vascular events (including TE); anemia (hemoglobin <10 g/dL), or physician-documented abdominal pain, dyspnea, dysphagia, fatigue, hemoglobinuria, or erectile dysfunction at any time before and including baseline. Baseline was defined as the date of eculizumab treatment initiation (ever-treated patients) or date of Registry enrollment (never-treated patients). Survival time was analyzed using a left-truncation approach that mapped time in patients' survival based on disease start date, defined as the earliest date of first-reported PNH diagnosis, PNH symptom, or first consistent flow cytometry result. Results Baseline characteristics of the 4627 patients included in the analysis (mean [SD] age at disease start, 40.2 [18.71] years; 53% female; 75% white) were comparable between the ever-treated and never-treated groups (n=1892 and n=2735, respectively). Compared with never-treated patients, more ever-treated patients had LDH ≥1.5 × ULN (90% vs 35%), and fewer had <10% PNH granulocytes (3% vs 57%) or history of BMF (45% vs 76%). The univariate Cox proportional hazard ratio (HR) for mortality in ever-treated vs never-treated patients was 0.48 (95% CI, 0.39-0.60; P<0.0001), indicating a 52% increase in survival in the treated group (Table). Among ever-treated patients, those with HDA at baseline experienced the largest reduction in mortality risk (HR [95% CI], 0.46 [0.33-0.64]; n=174); however, decreased mortality was also evident in ever-treated patients without HDA (HR, 0.65 [0.39-1.10]; n=212) or with unknown HDA status (HR, 0.50 [0.32-0.76; n=120) at baseline. Overall survival probability by treatment status was consistently greater in ever-treated vs never-treated patients through 20 years of follow-up; survival probability at 20 years was 82% (ever-treated) vs 69% (never-treated). Although long-term survival probability was greatest throughout follow-up in ever-treated patients with HDA at baseline, increased survival among ever-treated patients was evident in all 3 HDA status groups (Figure). Conclusion In this analysis of Registry data, treatment with the C5 inhibitor eculizumab improved patient survival compared with a never-treated cohort at a comparable time point in their disease course. Covariates were assessed at baseline only and competing risks and time on treatment were not controlled for, which are potential limitations. Survival benefits conferred by eculizumab treatment were observed regardless of HDA status at baseline, were more pronounced in treated patients with HDA vs those without HDA, and were maintained through 2 decades of real-world follow-up. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Terriou: Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Patriquin: Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Biocryst: Honoraria; Apellis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Honoraria. Griffin: Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BioCryst Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sobi Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Apellis: Other: Educational grant support. Lee: Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Gustovic: Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease: Current Employment. Patel: Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease: Current Employment. Szer: Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Apellis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Prevail Therapeutics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau.
Background :Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is common malignancy in Western countries. However, little known about this disease entity in our area. This study exploring the biology in out patients' population. Method:Patients with confirmed CLL under IGHV and TP53 mutational analysis at presentation or during follow up. We also integrated other clinical and biological parameter in this study. Results: A total of 137 cases were analyzed, median age 61 years (range:34-89); 30% of the cases age was<55 years at presentation. There was 108 males vs. 29 females M:F ratio 3.7. Two patients gave a family history of CLL, while 1 patient gave a history of other lymphoproliferative disorders. Binet staging system available in 134 cases, A: 109 (81.3%), B: 12 (9%), C:13 (9.7%). B2 macroglobulin elevated in 40/112 (36%) cases and 10/103 (10%) had M-spike. CD38 positivity reported in 37/112 (33%) of cases. Cytogenetics data evaluable in 85 cases: isolated del(13q): 35%, isolated trisomy 12 (16.5%), del(11q) (4.5%), del(17p)(2.4%). IGHV mutational status mutated vs unmutated: 40% vs 60%. Cases with available treatment information on 132 cases. Fifty cases required treatment due to disease progression. First line treatment Bendamustine-Rituximab (BR) 3 cases, Fludarabine Cyclophosphamide Rituximab (FCR) 30 cases and Chlorambucil with anti-CD 20 antibody 6 cases. At the time of review, 3 cases on ibrutinib (2 in 3rdline and 1 case in the 4thline). Conclusion: This is the first study to shed light on CLL in our area. There are biological differences between our patients' population and the western countries. Disclosures Pandita: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Background: Recurrent overt or occult gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a serious complication of von Willebrand Disease (VWD) and is the most common cause of hospitalization for patients with VWD. Data from the VWD Prophylaxis Network (VPN) emphasized the importance of prophylaxis in minimizing bleeding episodes in VWD; however, the management of GI bleeding in these patients remains challenging. Despite the availability of von Willebrand factor (VWF) replacement therapy, GI bleeding may be refractory and require the use of multiple treatment approaches. Currently, there are limited published data and no consensus regarding the most effective treatment for GI bleeding in patients with VWD. Aims: To describe the natural history of treatment and management of GI bleeds in patients with VWD, stratified by those patients who have a history of GI bleeding that precedes this chart review versus patients who experienced their first GI bleed within the 5 years of this chart review. Outcomes following the use of VWF replacement products and adjuvant therapy, including recombinant VWF were collected. Methods: This ongoing retrospective, multicenter, observational chart review (abstraction initiated 2019) will include up to 20 patients from 6 US centers with confirmed congenital VWD with ≥1 GI bleed within the last 5 years. Demographics and clinical information, including potential etiology, treatment regimens, will be gathered from patient records on all recorded GI bleeds within the last 5 years. Clinical effectiveness will be defined by treatment response, change in duration of treatment, or time to bleed resolution across treatment cohorts (e.g., prophylaxis vs on-demand; recombinant VWF [rVWF] vs plasma-derived VWF [pdVWF]), at the time of a GI bleed and for any subsequent period of prophylactic treatment to prevent GI bleed recurrence. Data will be analyzed descriptively. Results: To date, data on 37 bleeds in 13 patients with Type 1 (23%), Type 2 (46%) or Type 3 (31%) VWD have been abstracted; 54% were female, mean (±SD) age was 53.9 (22.0) years, 85% had ≥1 recorded GI-specific morbidity, 6 patients (46%) had no history of prior GI bleeding. Three patients (23%) were on regular prophylaxis using pdVWF-factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates at initial GI bleed presentation. All were receiving Humate-P; dose was not recorded for 2 patients and 1 patient received 50 IU/kg. Out of 37 bleeding episodes, 9 (24%) occurred in patients during VWF prophylaxis, of which 7 occurred in 1 patient. Among the 7 patients with a previous history of GI bleeding, 1 was on a prophylactic regimen prior to the initial GI bleeding episode. None of the patients without a history of GI bleeding were on a prophylactic regimen at the initiation of the chart review; 1 patient was receiving prophylaxis at the time the fourth bleed was documented. On-demand treatment for GI bleeding included aminocaproic acid, tranexamic acid, pdVWF-FVIII concentrates, rFVIII, rVWF, corticosteroids, polypectomy, and thalidomide. After resolution of the GI bleeding episode, in 17/37 bleeding events, prophylactic treatment continued (either as part of the final treatment regimen to resolve the bleed and sustained prophylaxis, or after the final treatment regimen purely as prophylaxis). At the conclusion of data collection for the current patients, 4 out of 6 without a GI bleeding history, and 1 out of 7 with a GI bleeding history, were receiving prophylaxis. Conclusions: Data from this retrospective chart review are the first to describe prophylactic regimens prior to and after GI bleeding, in VWD patients with and without a GI bleeding history. More patients with congenital VWD and a history of GI bleeding were treated with prophylaxis following GI bleeds, compared to patients without a history of GI bleeds. These data describe the role of prophylaxis in management of GI bleeding and add to existing data from the VPN describing a modest reduction of GI bleeding in some patients on prophylaxis. These data underscore the continuing unmet need of the successful management of GI bleeding in VWD. Further data will be collected, and additional analyses performed to determine if this trend persists in a larger sample of patients with VWD. Disclosures Roberts: uniQure:Consultancy;Takeda:Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;Pfizer:Consultancy;Novo Nordisk:Consultancy, Speakers Bureau;Sanofi:Consultancy, Speakers Bureau;Octapharma:Consultancy, Speakers Bureau.Escobar:National Hemophilia Foundation:Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Takeda:Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Sanofi:Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Pfizer:Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Genentech, Inc.:Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Novo Nordisk:Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.Acharya:Novonordisk, BPL:Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.Hwang:Takeda:Honoraria;Shire:Honoraria.Wang:Bioverativ Inc:Honoraria;CSL Behring:Honoraria;Biomarin:Honoraria;Genentech:Honoraria;Takeda:Honoraria;Bayer:Honoraria.Hale:Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited:Current Employment.Oladapo:Takeda:Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.Asghar:HCD Economics:Current Employment.
Background: Transfusion is a major therapeutic of sickle cell disease (SCD); however, DHTR is one of the most feared complications . Prevention of allo immunization, by extended RBC matching is insufficient to prevent all cases of DHTR. Therefore, B cell depletion therapy should be also useful, especially in previously immunized patients to avoid the emergence of new allo-antibodies. Rituximab (RTX) is used for preventing alloimmunization for patients with a history of DHTR. Therefore, secondary prevention with rituximab prior a new exposure to transfused RBCs could be a relevant option. Here, we will report our experiences of RTX use in SCD adult patients with a previous history of DHTR. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, the data from 58 consecutive RTX infusion in 44 SCD patients with history of DHTR in our French referral center for SCD were analysed. Medical, biological and blood bank records of patients, clinical signs, rate of hemoglobin A (HbA) after transfusion (TF) were collected. To evaluate the persistence of transfused RBCs, the DHTR risk probability on days 15 and 30 after TF was evaluated according to Mekontso Dessaps nomogram. We also reported serious adverse events like infections in the year after RTX infusion. In cases of programmed surgery, 1 gramme of RTX was administred at day 1 and 15 few weeks before or one injection in emergency situation, with low dose of steroides. Adjuvant measure to avoid transfusion like EPO, Iron injection and hydroxyurea was decided in some cases. Results: We analyzed 58 cases of RTX administered to 44 adult patients with SCD, 10 of whom received two or more times this drug. A transfusion (TF) was required in 33/58 cases (56%). We distinguished three groups of patients. In the first group of 21 cases (36%), rituximab was used preventively before planned surgery at risk of bleeding, only 8 cases were transfused. In the second group of 30 cases (53%) during an acute event, in 19 cases patients received a transfusion. The third group of 7 patients received RTX during an active DHTR with hyperhemolysis requiring transfusion to protect an imminent transfusion and finally 6 of them was transfused. To evaluate the efficacy of transfusion we analyzed group 1 and 2 together and separately the third group with active DHTR and hyperhemolysis. In the first and second groups, HbA measurements was not available or interpretable in 11,1% of cases. On day 15 after TF, 77,8% of cases were classified as having a low probability of hemolysis, 7.4 % as intermediate probability and 3.7% as high probability. On day 30 after TF: 55,6% were into the low probability of hemolysis subgroup, 11,1% in the intermediate probability and 22,2% in the high probability group. (Figure 1) In group 3, HbA measurement wasn't available in 2 cases. On day 15 after TF, no cases were classified as having a low probability of hemolysis, 33,3 % as intermediate probability and 33.3% as high probability. On day 30 after TF: 33,3% were in the intermediate probability and 50 % in the high probability group. (Figure 2) Infection requiring intravenous antibiotic were observed in 19 cases/58 (32.7%) with a bacterial documentation in 73,7 %. In 63% of these cases, patients have been hospitalized in intensive care unit for acute events before RTX administration and had other risk factors of infection. The median time of apparition of infection was 28 days [11.5-46.5]. We report 4 deaths (6,8%), two patient died due to a hyperhemolysis syndrome with multiorgan failure that started before RTX administration, two other were due to an end stage cancer. These deaths are not related to the use of RTX. Conclusion: This study suggests that RTX can be safely used for preventing DHTR in patients with a previous history of DHTR and detected antibodies. We show that transfusion efficiency at day 15 post TF is better than days 30 postTF. The effectiveness of TF in active DHTR with h yperhemolysis is much lower, as most patients lose the transfused units at day 30 post TF.Beyond the use of RTX, the use of other measures such as hydroxyurea and erythropoietin to avoid the need of transfusion in these patients must be emphasized. Infection risk after RTX therapy is difficult to assess. In most cases an active inflammatory event was in process. Additional prospective studies are needed to improve the management of this challenging clinical situation. Disclosures Michel: Novartis: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Rigel: Consultancy. Galactéros:Addmedica: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Bartolucci:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AddMedica: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; HEMANEXT: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Global Blood Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Abstract 489 The management of recurrent pregnancy loss is uncertain. Some cohort studies have identified an association between inherited thrombophilias and recurrent or late-nonrecurrent pregnancy loss which has prompted investigators to evaluate the benefit of low molecular weight heparin to achieve live birth. A similar benefit for low molecular weight heparin has also been proposed independent of thrombophilia status. A recent Cochrane Review on this topic included the results of a single randomized trial in their analysis. As there are several recent randomized trials using low molecular weight heparin in women with recurrent pregnancy loss published in the obstetrical literature, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the benefit of low molecular weight heparin in women who experienced unexplained recurrent or late-nonrecurrent pregnancy loss. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the benefit of low molecular weight heparin versus a non-anticoagulant control arm in women with a history of ≥2 early pregnancy losses or ≥1 late pregnancy loss; we excluded women with antiphospholipid antibodies and those with an underlying cause of recurrent fetal loss, except for the hereditary thrombophilias. We planned to use random-effects analysis as the primary summary model due to the anticipated variations in enrollment criteria and interventions between the studies. Results: A total of 757 women were enrolled in five studies that satisfied the eligibility criteria. Using the random effects model, the risk ratio of fetal loss for low molecular weight heparin versus control was 0.49 (0.25-0.97 95% CI, P=0.04). There was significant heterogeneity observed between studies (Q-value was 15.59, P=0.004, and I2=74.33%). A priori, we identified the presence or absence of a hereditary thrombophilia as a potential source of heterogeneity. However, subgroup analysis of the studies according to the inclusion or exclusion of women with hereditary thrombophilia did not resolve the observed heterogeneity between studies. Exclusion of the only trial that enrolled women following a non-recurrent pregnancy loss improved the observed heterogeneity but diminished the apparent benefit of low molecular weight heparin (0.63, 95% CI 0.34-1.16, P=0.14). In this trial, the observed birth rate in the control arm was significantly lower than in the other two trials included in this meta-analysis with aspirin-only controls (29% versus 84% or 87% in aspirin-only arms, P<0.001). Conclusion: There is a trend for increased live births when using low molecular weight heparin for the prevention of recurrent pregnancy loss. However, considering the observed heterogeneity across studies, there is insufficient evidence to support the routine use of low molecular weight heparin to improve pregnancy outcomes in women with a history of pregnancy loss. Disclosures: Off Label Use: low molecular weight heparin to prevent pregnancy loss. Bauer:Bayer Healthcare: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GSK: Speakers Bureau; GTC Biotherapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Zwicker:Sanofi-Aventis: Research Funding.
Abstract Abstract 3007 Poster Board II-983 Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare clonal hematopoietic stem cell disease characterized by complement-mediated hemolysis which can lead to life-threatening complications including thrombosis, kidney disease, and pulmonary hypertension. The natural history of PNH is highly variable and has previously been captured by retrospective assessment. However, the clinical presentation and prognosis of the disease has changed with the increased awareness of PNH, the increased use of more sensitive diagnostic tests, and the availability of new treatment. Specifically, the development of targeted but potentially life-long therapies, such as terminal complement blockade, necessitates the collection of long-term outcomes data in this patient population. We have established a global PNH Registry in order to redefine the natural history of PNH capturing a wide range of patients from all over the world. The goal of the present analysis is to describe the data collected for the patients in the Registry and demonstrate its use as an ongoing repository of information on symptoms, course, complications and treatment in patients with a PNH clone. The first patient was enrolled in January 2005, with data contributed from 62 clinical sites in 12 countries on 4 continents as of July 2009. Patients are included in the Registry regardless of amount of clone, bone marrow pathology, symptoms, or treatments. Sites collect data at enrollment and every 6 months including demographics, diagnostics and flow cytometry, other lab tests including LDH, medical conditions such as bone marrow pathology and major adverse vascular events (MAVE), clinical symptoms, medications and transfusions, qualitative assessments, bone marrow transplant, and mortality. Patients complete a questionnaire every 6 months including health-related quality-of-life, symptoms, and use of health care services. As of July 2009 there were 368 enrolled patients in the Registry (51% female, 49% male). Mean age at enrollment was 43.6 ±16.7, while mean age at first PNH symptoms was 35.9±16.7. At enrollment, median GPI-deficient granulocyte percentage (GPI-DG) was 80.4%, while 10% of patients had a GPI-DG <10. Of those patients with a GPI-DG <10, 81% had bone marrow pathology (62% with aplastic anemia, 16% with myelodysplastic syndrome, 3% other pathology) compared to 38% of patients with GPI-DG 350. MAVE was increased in patients with GPI-DG 350 compared to <10 (22% vs. 8%), as were LDH levels (median 1042 vs. 239 U/L). Patients with GPI-DG <10 reported high levels of significant clinical symptoms (fatigue 59%; dyspnea 52%; abdominal pain 41%) and symptom reporting was generally increased in patients with higher GPI-DG levels. Treatment in the year prior to Registry enrollment primarily consisted of transfusions (42%), anticoagulation therapy (30%), eculizumab (29%), and immunosuppression (23%), although these varied by GPI-DG level. Clinicians assessed 14% of patients with a Karnofsky score of 70 or lower (i.e., not capable of work or normal activity). Patients' assessment of their overall health, social functioning, and fatigue worsened and use of health care services increased with higher GPI-DG. At this time, median follow up is 12.8 months, although 25% of patients have been followed for at least 30 months. Two patients received a bone marrow transplant and 8 are deceased. In conclusion, preliminary data show that greater GPI-DG is associated with less underlying bone marrow pathology, more hemolysis, more thromboses, and more patient-reported symptoms. New clinical sites and geographic regions are encouraged to participate in the Registry ([email protected]). This global PNH Registry should help to redefine prospectively the long-term natural history of PNH, its treatments, and the outcomes of treatment. Disclosures: Brodsky: Alexion: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Schrezenmeier:Alexion: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Muus:Alexion: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Bessler:Alexion: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Szer:Alexion: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Rotoli:Author Deceased: Author Deceased. Maciejewski:Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Gemzyne: Research Funding; Taligen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Socie:Alexion: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Urbano-Ispizua:Alexion: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Rosse:Alexion: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Karnell:Alexion: Employment. Bedrosian:Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership. Hillmen:Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.
Abstract Abstract 639 PNH is an acquired clonal hemolytic anemia associated with severe symptoms, life-threatening thrombosis, pulmonary hypertension (PH), chronic renal impairment (CRI) and bone marrow failure resulting in reduced quality of life (QoL) and survival (median: 10 – 15 years). Eculizumab is a monoclonal humanized antibody that inhibits terminal complement activity and thereby prevents intravascular hemolysis, reduces transfusions, improves QoL and protects against PH, CRI and thromboses. Eculizumab was approved for PNH in 2007 as a result of studies with short follow-up and with no information on it's impact on survival. We present data on 79 patients treated with eculizumab from the Leeds PNH Center between May 2002 – July 2010 including 34 patients from the clinical trials and a further 45 treated since, funded in England by the National Commissioning Group (NCG) or locally in Scotland and Wales. The NCG indications for treatment include transfusion-dependent hemolysis (4 or more transfusions in 12 months) or significant PNH-related complications (i.e. thrombosis or renal failure) regardless of transfusion history. Three patients did not fulfil these criteria but were treated for profound symptoms as agreed with the NCG. Forty men and 39 women were treated for a mean of 39 months (1-98). Median age at diagnosis was 37yo (12-79) and at initiation of eculizumab was 46yo (14-84). Median granulocyte clone size at the start of eculizumab was 96.38% (41.78-99.98). Patient survival on eculizumab was compared with age and sex matched controls obtained using data from the UK Office of National Statistics. We previously published that there was a significantly worse survival for PNH patients compared to matched controls with ~ 50% of patients dying as a result of PNH (Hillmen et al., NEJM 1995). In the current series there was no difference in mortality between patients on eculizumab and the normal population (P=0.46; Fig 1). Patients over 70yo had worse survival (P=0.0042) with none of the 45 patients under the age of 50yo dying. Three patients died: a 55yo man from metastatic caecal carcinoma diagnosed prior to eculizumab, a 76yo woman who died from pneumionia following a long history of recurrent bronchopneumonia prior to eculizumab and a 79yo man with a preceding history of ischaemic heart disease who died from cardiac failure. Three patients have had a clonal evolution of their PNH, 1 to acute myeloid leukemia and 2 to myelodysplasia. Two patients have stopped eculizumab: - 1 due to pre-existing aplastic anemia and 1 with spontaneous remission of his PNH. Seventy four patients remain on eculizumab to date.Figure 1Kaplan-Meier survival plots depicting PNH patients on eculizumab compared to age and sex matched controlsFigure 1. Kaplan-Meier survival plots depicting PNH patients on eculizumab compared to age and sex matched controls There were 34 thrombotic episodes in 21/79 patients (27%) prior to eculizumab and only 2 thromboses since. Importantly primary prophylaxis with warfarin has now been stopped in 21 patients (mean duration of 8.4 months (range: 1–25) and total of > 14 years) with no thromboses occurring. Seven patients had thrombosis within 12 months prior to starting eculizumab and they had no further thromboses on therapy. Therefore eculizumab is effective in preventing new, or evolution of pre-existing thrombosis, and appears to remove the need for primary prophylactic anticoagulation. We have not systematically stopped the anticoagulation of patients with a previous history of thrombosis. Patients had a mean of 19.9 units transfused (0-156) in the 12 months before eculizumab. Of the 64 patients on eculizumab for at least a year, 43 (67%) have been transfusion independent for >12 months. Twenty one patients still needing transfusions had a significant (P=0.028) reduction in their mean requirement of 24.6 (4-52) units in the 12 months before eculizumab compared to a mean of 14.6 (2-50) units in the last 12 months. Eculizumab is well tolerated long-term (> 8 years of therapy) with continued improvement in PNH associated symptoms, reduction in transfusion requirements and a higher proportion of transfusion independent patients than previously seen. There is a significant reduction in the development of thromboembolism on eculizumab therapy and importantly we have been able to stop primary prophylaxis with warfarin in 21 patients without any thrombotic complications. We demonstrate for the first time that eculizumab has a major impact on survival in PNH so that survival is comparable to an age- and sex-matched control population. Disclosures: Kelly: Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria. Hill:Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Richards:Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Arnold:Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria. Hillmen:Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.
