Early Bone Marrow Assessment after 7+3 Induction Chemotherapy Is Predictable of Outcome in AML with Adverse Cytogenetics

Abstract Introduction Although many new therapeutic agents have been introduced in the field of AML, the most important intensive induction regimen of AML patients is still 7+3 chemotherapy based on cytarabine and anthracycline. Currently, major guidelines recommend to exam bone marrow (BM) assessment in 14-21 days after the initiation of induction to determine whether to proceed with intensification chemotherapy. However, there is no solid evidence that these timings are most optimal. If the evaluation at an earlier time point is prognostic for response, earlier intensification could be considered. In this regard, we investigated if the BM blast rate at the 7th day after the start of 7+3 chemotherapy (D7 BM blast) was useful in predicting the treatment response of induction chemotherapy. Methods We retrospectively collected the data of patients who were newly diagnosed with AML from February 2002 to February 2021, received induction chemotherapy by 7+3, had a D7 BM examination without any intensification. A total of 665 patients were enrolled and we analyzed the prognostic significance of the D7 BM blast for the induction treatment response (complete remission or complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CR/CRi)). In addition, we analyzed whether the predictive significance of the D7 BM blast varies by the patient's cytogenetic features by Medical Research Council classification (MRC risk). Then, we evaluated the diagnostic ability of the D7 BM blast by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for treatment response prediction. To find an optimal D7 BM blast cut-off value, the value that maximizes Youden's index was investigated. Results Among 665 AML patients who underwent 7+3 without intensification, the proportion of patients who acquired CR/CRi after single induction was 68.3%. A significant decrease in the CR/CRi rate was observed in the intermediate/adverse MRC group according to the increase of the D7 BM blast (tests for the trends in the intermediate and adverse group, p<0.001 and p=0.008, respectively; Figure 1). In univariable/multivariable (using covariates of age, sex, etiology, and MRC risk) logistic regression models, the D7 BM blast showed a significant correlation with the CR/CRi rate in the intermediate/adverse cytogenetic group (Table 1). To evaluate the usability of the D7 BM blast as a predictive tool, the ROC curve for the treatment response prediction was plotted (Figure 2) and the D7 BM blast was significantly predictable only in the adverse MRC risk group (Area under the curve: 0.7007, Mann-Whitney test statistics p=0.002). The D7 blast cut-off in the adverse MRC risk group which maximizes Youden's index was 4-4.9%, near to 5%, which is the cut-off used to evaluate the treatment response. The sensitivity and specificity for treatment response prediction according to D7 BM blast <5% or not were 82.8% and 61.1%, respectively. Conclusion The BM assessment performed at 7 days after 7+3 chemotherapy was available to predict the treatment response in intermediate and adverse cytogenetic risk patients. In particular, it can be practically used in patients with adverse cytogenetics, and a value of around BM blast 5% can be used as cut-off for response prediction. Early intensification in these patients could be considered, which would be beneficial in various aspects such as shorter nadir period or hospital stay and possibly better treatment response compared with the current strategies of later intensification or second induction. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Kim: Novartis: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; ILYANG: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding. Lee: Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kim: AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AIMS Biosciense: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; AML-Hub: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BL & H: Research Funding; BMS & Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Boryung Pharm Co.: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Handok: Consultancy, Honoraria; LG Chem: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pintherapeutics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi Genzyme: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; SL VaxiGen: Consultancy, Honoraria; VigenCell: Consultancy, Honoraria.

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Progression Risk-Based Classification of Asymptomatic Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-114324 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 150-150

Author(s):

Mark Bustoros ◽

Romanos Sklavenitis-Pistofidis ◽

Chia-jen Liu ◽

Efstathios Kastritis ◽

Geoffrey Fell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

High Risk ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Proportional Hazards ◽

Risk Group ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Waldenström Macroglobulinemia ◽

Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia ◽

Risk Of Progression

Abstract Background. Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma associated with overproduction of monoclonal IgM protein. It is preceded by an asymptomatic stage, called Smoldering Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (SWM), associated with a high risk of progression to overt disease. Current understanding of progression risk in SWM is based on a few small studies, and it is still unclear how to distinguish the asymptomatic patients who will progress from those who will not. Patients and Methods. We obtained clinical data of all WM patients who had been diagnosed and followed up at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute from 1982 to the end of 2014. Only patients with asymptomatic disease at the time of diagnosis were included in this study to identify risk factors for disease progression. Patients who received chemotherapy for a second cancer, before or after asymptomatic WM diagnosis (n =24), were excluded as chemotherapy might have affected the natural course of disease. Patients who progressed to or were diagnosed later with other types of B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders or Amyloidosis (n =71) and patients with myeloproliferative disorders or thalassemia (n = 4) were all excluded from our cohort. Furthermore, we excluded patients with no morphologic evidence of lymphoplasmacytic infiltration in the bone marrow biopsy (n =37), those without a bone marrow biopsy done at time of diagnosis (n =21), and those who were treated for peripheral neuropathy alone (n =13). Progression was defined based on the Consensus Panel recommendations of the Second International Workshop on WM. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and differences between the curves were tested by log-rank test. Effects of potential risk factors on progression rates was examined using Cox proportional-hazards models, with hazard ratios (HRs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results. A total of 439 patients were included in the study. During the 35-year study period and a median follow up of 7.8 years, 317 patients (72.2%) progressed to symptomatic WM. The median time to progression was 3.9 (95% CI 3.2-4.6) years. In the multivariate analysis, IgM ≥ 4,500 mg/dL (adjusted HR 4.65; 95% CI 2.52-8.58; p < 0.001), BM lymphoplasmacytic infiltration ≥ 70% (adjusted HR 2.56; 95% CI 1.69-3.87; p < 0.001), β2-microglobulin ≥ 4.0 mg/dL (adjusted HR 2.31; 95% CI 1.19-4.49; p = 0.014), and albumin < 3.5 g/dL (adjusted HR 2.78; 95% CI 1.52-5.09; p = 0.001) were all identified as independent predictors of disease progression, suggesting those thresholds could be clinically useful for determining high-risk patients. On the other hand, given the continuous nature of these variables, we built a proportional hazards model based on four variables (Bone marrow infiltration percentage, serum IgM, albumin, β2-microglobulin). The model divided the cohort into 3 distinct risk groups: a high-risk group with a median time to progression (TTP) of 1.9 years (95% CI 1.64-2.13), an intermediate-risk group with median TTP of 4.6 years (95% CI 4.31-5.15), and a low-risk group with a median TTP of 8.1 years (95% CI 7.33-8.13)(See Figure). To enhance its clinical applicability, we made the model available as user interface through a webpage and mobile application, where clinicians can enter an individual SWM patient's lab values and get information regarding their risk group and estimated individual risk of progression to symptomatic WM. Conclusion. We have assembled the largest cohort of SWM patients to date, which allowed us to identify four independent predictors of progression to overt disease: BM infiltration ≥ 70%, IgM ≥ 4,500 mg/dL, b2m ≥ 4.0 mg/dL and albumin < 3.5 g/dL. Using those variables in a proportional hazards model, we developed a robust, flexible classification system based on risk of progression to symptomatic WM. This system stratifies SWM patients into low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups and thus has the potential to inform patient monitoring and care. Most importantly, it can help identify high-risk patients who might benefit from early intervention in this rare malignancy. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Bustoros: Dava Oncology: Honoraria. Kastritis:Takeda: 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; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Prothena: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Soiffer:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Treon:Johnson & Johnson: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses; BMS: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding. Castillo:Genentech: Consultancy; Millennium: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Beigene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding. Dimopoulos:Amgen: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Ghobrial:BMS: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy.

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The PRIMA-Prognostic Index (PI) Is Valid in Follicular Lymphoma (FL) Patients with Rituximab Chemo-Free First-Line Treatment

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-114866 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 4150-4150 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eva Kimby ◽

Sandra Lockmer ◽

Harald Holte ◽

Björn E Wahlin ◽

Hans Hagberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

High Risk ◽

Follicular Lymphoma ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Risk Group ◽

Bone Marrow Involvement ◽

First Line ◽

Advisory Committees

Abstract Background: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a heterogenous disease. The optimal timing, sequence and choice of therapy remain matters of debate and there is no optimal prognostic tool. The FLIPI (Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index) is based on five bio-clinical parameters and is widely used, but not as guide for choice of treatment. Recently a new prognostic score (PRIMA-PI), based solely on two parameters, bone marrow involvement and serum beta2 microglobulin (ß2m) was proposed for patients treated with immunochemotherapy (Bachy E., Blood 2018). The Nordic Lymphoma Group (NLG) performed two randomized trials including patients with symptomatic/progressive indolent CD20+ lymphoma, with rituximab monotherapy or rituximab in combination with interferon (IFN)-α2a as primary treatment, without maintenance (Kimby E., 2008, 2015). The 10 years follow-up of these patients showed a good survival with no major safety issues and no need for later chemotherapy in 38% of FL patients (Lockmer S, JCO 2018). Aim/Purpose: To evaluate two different prognostic systems (the new PRIMA-PI and the FLIPI), for overall survival (OS) and time to treatment failure (TTF) in a cohort of symptomatic/progressive FL patients treated with a rituximab-containing first-line regimen without chemotherapy. Methods: Previously untreated patients with a confirmed FL diagnosis (n=269) or indolent lymphoma not otherwise specified (n=22, most FLs with insufficient material for grading), treated in the NLG randomized trials with two cycles rituximab (375 mg/m2 x 4 weeks), with or without IFN-α2a, were classified into the three PRIMA-PI categories: high-risk: ß2m> 3mg / L, intermediate-risk: ß2m ≤ 3 mg / L with bone marrow involvement and low-risk: ß2m ≤ 3 mg / without bone marrow involvement. The FLIPI scores were also assessed. TTF, defined as the interval between randomization and either initiation of new lymphoma therapy due to relapse or intolerance, or death from any cause, as well as OS were estimated using the Kaplan Meier method. The log-rank test was used for comparison between risk groups. Results: Out of 291 patients, 252 had complete data on PRIMA-PI and FLIPI (at the time of randomization in the original trials) and were available for analyses of TTF and OS. Patient characteristics are shown in Table 1. PRIMA-PI seemed to identify a true high-risk group of 47 patients, 32 of them being high risk also according to FLIPI, while a larger patient group (n=117) was classified as FLIPI high-risk. After a long follow-up time, median 9.9 years (0.4 -18.8) from randomization, median 10.6 years for the 214 patients (74%) still alive, 76 patients (26%) were failure-free and 108 (37%) without need of any chemotherapy, Patients with PRIMA-PI high showed a shorter TTF compared to PRIMA-PI intermediate and low (Fig 1a), whereas the FLIPI risk-groups were not significantly separated (Fig 1b). Evidence of transformation to aggressive disease was seen in 55 patients, with no significant difference in frequency between the PRIMA-PI groups, nor between FLIPI groups. Both PRIMA-PI and FLIPI were of significant value for predicting OS, most evident after a long follow-up time (Fig 1c and d). In 41 patients the cause of death was progressive disease or therapy complications, regarded as lymphoma-related death, whereas 21 died of other causes. The lymphoma-specific survival was related to the PRIMA-PI (log-rank p=0.03), but not to the FLIPI (n.s). Prognosis was worse for the PRIMA-PI high-risk group than the for the low-risk, also when adjusted for sex, high age (>60 years), diagnosis, stage, ECOG and FLIPI risk-group; TTF HR 1.82 (95% CI 1.16-2.85, p=0.01) and OS HR 2.3 (95% CI 1.00-5.38, p=0.05). Conclusion: FL patients included in two NLG trials with complete clinical data and a median follow-up of >10 years after randomization have been assessed for validation of different prognostic indices. In these patients, all with chemo-free first-line therapy, the PRIMA-PI was shown a valid predictor of both TTF and OS and seemed more useful than the FLIPI. The PRIMA-PI high risk identified a group of patients (19% of all) with true poor prognosis. Disclosures Kimby: Roche: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Honoraria; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Holte:Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche, Norway: Research Funding. Wahlin:Roche: Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Hagberg:Roche: Honoraria.

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Bone Marrow Ribonucleotide Reductase mRNA Levels and Methylation Status As a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome Treated with 5-Azacytidine

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-126426 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 1721-1721

Author(s):

Christina-Nefeli Kontandreopoulou ◽

Panagiotis T Diamantopoulos ◽

Argiris Symeonidis ◽

Ioannis Kotsianidis ◽

Vassiliki Pappa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Prognostic Factor ◽

Treatment Response ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Ribonucleotide Reductase ◽

Research Funding ◽

Methylation Status ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Mutation Status

Ribonucleotide Reductase (RNR) is the enzyme that converts ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides required for DNA replication and repair. RNR consists of two subunits, termed subunit 1 (RRM1) and 2 (RRM2). Imbalance in the regulation of RNR activity and control of dNTPs' pool leads to genomic instability and increases mutation rate. The amount of the enzyme present in the cell and allosteric mechanisms with positive and negative effectors control its activity. 5-Azacytidine (AZA) has been found to be a potent RRM2 inhibitor in acute myeloid leukemia. High expression of RNR is associated with chemoresistance and poorer overall survival in several malignancies and antisense inhibitors that bind to the enzyme mRNA have shown promising results. Moreover, RNR overexpression is a potential mechanism for chemoresistance to nucleoside analogs competing for DNA incorporation. These important roles have made RNR an attractive therapeutic target. Aim. We investigated the potential role of RNR as a prognostic factor in patients with MDS and the correlation of bone marrow RNR mRNA levels with treatment response to AZA. Methods. Bone marrow samples were collected from patients with MDS at diagnosis. RNA extraction and reverse transcription were performed using standard protocols. A Taqman based real-time PCR was performed on a CFX96 RT-PCR system (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA, USA). For both the housekeeping and target genes, a Taqman primer/probe mix was used according to the manufacturer's instructions (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA). RRM1 and RRM2 mRNA levels were expressed as an RRM1-2/beta-actin ratio. A High-Resolution Melt (HRM) analysis for mutation detection of 8 genes of interest in MDS (IDH1, IDH2, SRSF2, SFEB1, UAF1, ASXL2, DNMT3A, BCOR) and quantification of the methylation levels of RRM1/RRM2 promoters were also carried out in a subset of 63 samples. IBM SPSS statistics, version 23.0 (IBM Corporation, North Castle, NY, USA) was used for the analysis of the results. Results The study included 123 patients diagnosed with MDS per the WHO 2008/2016 classification; 98 of them were treated with AZA. The basic characteristics of the patients are shown in Table 1. The median mRNA levels of RRM1 were 4.2 times higher in non-responders (p=0.019) in comparison to responders. The levels of RRM2 did not differ between the two groups. We found no correlation of any other of the studied factors (MDS type, IPSS, IPSS-R, WPSS, karyotype risk, number of cytopenias, hemoglobin level, WBC and platelet count) to treatment response. The median Overall Survival (OS) of the cohort was 38.6 months. The median survival after treatment with AZA (OST) was 20.4 months. No statistically significant correlations of OS and OST with the levels of RRM1/2 mRNA were found. A statistically significant correlation was found between splicing mutations and lower RRM1 mRNA levels (p=0.044). They were also correlated with higher median age (79.7 vs 69.7, p=0.005) as well as with lower hemoglobin levels (median 9.4 vs 10.3 g/dL, p=0,021). SF3B1 mutation was found to be correlated with higher RRM2 mRNA levels (median 0.2850 vs 0.0241, p=0.023) and with increased platelet and WBC counts. There was no association between the epigenetic mutations and any of the studied variables. The methylation status of RRM1 and RRM2 was also correlated with treatment response. Higher methylation percentages of both RRM1 (median 64.3% vs 25.2%, p=0.004) and RRM2 (median 24.5% vs 11.8%, p=0.046) were found in responders. The methylation status was not correlated to the mutation status of the patients. No correlation was found between OS or OST and the methylation or mutation status. Discussion MDS patients with low RRM1 levels had a better response to AZA-treatment. Moreover, high RRM1 methylation status was observed to responders, thus making RNR a possible biomarker for predicting success of epigenetic treatment. This is theoretically sound, since inhibition of RR leads to deoxyribonucleotide pool reduction, which is fatal for DNA synthesis and repair. RNR activity is related directly to dNTPs production, therefore AZA-mediated inhibition is likely to cause disturbances in DNA synthesis. Although, patients bearing splicing mutations had low RRM1 levels, SF3B1+ patients did not respond to AZA. In conclusion, expression of RNR could be used as a prognostic factor for response to AZA treatment and a possible therapeutic target in MDS. Disclosures Symeonidis: MSD: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Tekeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: 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, Research Funding; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Kotsianidis:Celgene: Research Funding. Pappa:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene / GenesisPharma: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria, Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding. Panayiotidis:Bayer: Other: Support of clinical trial.

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The Metabolomic Status of the Differentiating Myeloid Lineage in MDS with Low and High Bone Marrow Blast Counts

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-140468 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 32-33

Author(s):

Aikaterini Poulaki ◽

Theodora Katsila ◽

Ioanna E Stergiou ◽

Stavroula Giannouli ◽

Jose Carlos Gόmez Tamayo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Warburg Effect ◽

Research Funding ◽

Metabolic Reprogramming ◽

Negative Ion ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Myeloid Lineage ◽

Epigenetic Modifier ◽

Cellular Fate

Despite its major role in cellular biology, metabolism has only recently acquired a principal role in the research of the most profound cellular cycle disturbance, cancerous transformation. Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a massively heterogeneous group of Hematopoietic Stem/ Progenitor Cell (HSC/HPC) disorders lie at the interface of normal differentiation and malignant transformation and have thus drew great attention due to their polymorphic presentation and elusive pathophysiology. Failure to establish a direct etiopathogenic relationship with specific genetic aberrations, along with the novel finding of a highly deregulated HIF1 activity by several unrelated research groups worldwide, including ours, urged us to investigate the metabolomic status of human bone marrow derived differentiating myeloid lineage in comparison with one another as well as with control samples. BM aspiration samples collected from 14 previously untreated MDS patients (10 patients with <5% (1 SLD, 8MLD, 1del5q, group 1- G1) and 4 with >5% BM blasts (2 EB1, 2 EB2group 2 - G2)) and 5 age matched controls. Myeloid lineage cells were isolated through ficoll bilayer protocol. All samples contained homogenous myeloid lineage subpopulations, assessedthrough optical microscopy. Two different metabolite extraction protocols were applied. The one with the best metabolites yield (50% MeOH, 30% ACN, 20% H2O) was chosen. LC-MS/MS analysis was performed using UPLC 1290 system (Agilent Technologies) coupled to a TripleTOF 5600+ mass spectrometer (SCIEX) equipped with SWATH acquisition, SelexION technology and an electrospray ionization source (ESI). A threshold of a minimum of three samples expressing a given metabolite was set against data sparsity. Data tables were scaled by data centering and setting unit variance. Log2 Foldcalculation and PLS analysis were performed for the two datasets (positive and negative ion-modes). R2 and Q2 for positive ion-mode and negative-ion mode analyses were determined. Both datasets were merged in a unique data table by taking into account maximum absolute log2 foldvalues, when a metabolite was found in both datasets. Warburg effect was evidently present in both the G1 and G2 vs control comparisons, yet the role of this stem like aerobic glycolysis seems markedly different in the two groups. While in the G2 group it serves to rescue glucose from complete burn in the mitochondrion and thus shuts it towards nucleotide synthesis (Pentose Phosphate Pathway found upregulated) with the added benefit of increased reduced Glutathione synthesis and improved redox state, in the G1 group proves detrimental. This greatly variable effect of the same phenomenon in the cellular fate lies upon the quality and functionality of the cellular mitochondrial content. G2 precursors presented functional mitochondrial (decreased NAD/NADH and FAD/FADH2) contrary to the G1 ones (Table). Failing TCA cycle, with increased NAD/NADH and FAD/FADH2 ratios and markedly increased ADP/ATP levels leads to FAs accumulation due to failure of effective adequate β oxidation. The uncontrolled increase in the NAD/NADH ratio stimulates upper glycolysis into a turbo mode further increasing the ADP/ATP, depleting cellular energy contents, engaging it to a never-ending deadly metabolism. The enormous abundance of upper glycolytic intermediates is relieved through phospholipid and ceramide synthesis, all found massively upregulated in both the MDS vs control yet also in the G1 vs G2 comparisons. FAs, mostly phospholipid and ceramide accumulation, interrupt the mitochondrial membrane lipidome further incapacitating metabolic integrity and inducing their autophagic degradation which further stimulates the Warburg effect. This type of metabolic reprogramming is eventually targeted to epigenetic modifier production, increased S-adenosyl-methionine, the major methyl group donor, 2-HydroxyGlutarate, a potent epigenetic modifier and notorious oncometabolite, Acetyl-Lysine, the major acetyl- group donor, even glutathione. We therefore present a model of an uncontrolled Warburg effect which in the G1 group confers premature death of the hematopoietic precursors, the ineffective hematopoiesis of MDS. Yet, under the pressure of the vastly upregulated epigenetic modifiers cellular fate changes, the G1 precursors adapt and transform to the G2 ones yet eventually to Acute Myeloid Leukemia blasts. Table Disclosures Vassilopoulos: Genesis pharma SA: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Research Funding; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

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p53 Mediated Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Expansion Supports Acute Myeloid Leukemia Development

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-127245 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 523-523

Author(s):

Rasoul Pourebrahimabadi ◽

Zoe Alaniz ◽

Lauren B Ostermann ◽

Hung Alex Luong ◽

Rafael Heinz Montoya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Research Funding ◽

Osteoblast Differentiation ◽

Hematopoietic Cells ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Equity Ownership ◽

Mdm2 Inhibitor ◽

Acute Myeloid

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease that develops within a complex microenvironment. Reciprocal interactions between the bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BM-MSCs) and AML cells can promote AML progression and resistance to chemotherapy (Jacamo et al., 2014). We have recently reported that BM-MSCs derived from AML patients (n=103) highly express p53 and p21 compared to their normal counterparts (n=73 p<0.0001) (Hematologica, 2018). To assess the function of p53 in BM-MSCs, we generated traceable lineage specific mouse models targeting Mdm2 or Trp53 alleles in MSCs (Osx-Cre;mTmG;p53fl/fl and Osx-Cre;mTmG;Mdm2fl/+) or hematopoietic cells (Vav-Cre;mTmG;p53fl/fl and Vav-Cre;mTmG;Mdm2fl/+). Homozygote deletion of Mdm2 (Osx-Cre;Mdm2fl/fl) resulted in death at birth and displayed skeletal defects as well as lack of intramedullary hematopoiesis. Heterozygote deletion of Mdm2 in MSCs was dispensable for normal hematopoiesis in adult mice, however, resulted in bone marrow failure and thrombocytopenia after irradiation. Homozygote deletion of Mdm2 in hematopoietic cells (Vav-Cre;Mdm2fl/fl) was embryonically lethal but the heterozygotes were radiosensitive. We next sought to examine if p53 levels in BM-MSCs change after cellular stress imposed by AML. We generated a traceable syngeneic AML model using AML-ETO leukemia cells transplanted into Osx-Cre;mTmG mice. We found that p53 was highly induced in BM-MSCs of AML mice, further confirming our findings in primary patient samples. The population of BM-MSCs was significantly increased in bone marrow Osx-Cre;mTmG transplanted with syngeneic AML cells. Tunnel staining of bone marrow samples in this traceable syngeneic AML model showed a block in apoptosis of BM-MSCs suggesting that the expansion of BM-MSCs in AML is partly due to inhibition of apoptosis. As the leukemia progressed the number of Td-Tomato positive cells which represents hematopoietic lineage and endothelial cells were significantly decreased indicating failure of normal hematopoiesis induced by leukemia. SA-β-gal activity was significantly induced in osteoblasts derived from leukemia mice in comparison to normal mice further supporting our observation in human leukemia samples that AML induces senescence of BM-MSCs. To examine the effect of p53 on the senescence associated secretory profile (SASP) of BM-MSCs, we measured fifteen SASP cytokines by qPCR and found significant decrease in Ccl4, Cxcl12, S100a8, Il6 and Il1b upon p53 deletion in BM-MSCs (Osx-Cre;mTmG;p53fl/fl) compared to p53 wildtype mice. To functionally evaluate the effects of p53 in BM-MSCs on AML, we deleted p53 in BM-MSCs (Osx-Cre;mTmG;p53fl/fl) and transplanted them with syngeneic AML-ETO-Turquoise AML cells. Deletion of p53 in BM-MSCs strongly inhibited the expansion of BM-MSCs in AML and resulted in osteoblast differentiation. This suggests that expansion of BM-MSCs in AML is dependent on p53 and that deletion of p53 results in osteoblast differentiation of BM-MSCs. Importantly, deletion of p53 in BM-MSCs significantly increased the survival of AML mice. We further evaluated the effect of a Mdm2 inhibitor, DS-5272, on BM-MSCs in our traceable mouse models. DS-5272 treatment of Osx-cre;Mdm2fl/+ mice resulted in complete loss of normal hematopoietic cells indicating a non-cell autonomous regulation of apoptosis of hematopoietic cells mediated by p53 in BM-MSCs. Loss of p53 in BM-MSCs (Osx-Cre;p53fl/fl) completely rescued hematopoietic failure following Mdm2 inhibitor treatment. In conclusion, we identified p53 activation as a novel mechanism by which BM-MSCs regulate proliferation and apoptosis of hematopoietic cells. This knowledge highlights a new mechanism of hematopoietic failure after AML therapy and informs new therapeutic strategies to eliminate AML. Disclosures Khoury: Angle: Research Funding; Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding; Kiromic: Research Funding. Bueso-Ramos:Incyte: Consultancy. Andreeff:BiolineRx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CLL Foundation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NCI-RDCRN (Rare Disease Cliln Network): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Leukemia Lymphoma Society: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; German Research Council: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NCI-CTEP: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cancer UK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Center for Drug Research & Development: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NIH/NCI: Research Funding; CPRIT: Research Funding; Breast Cancer Research Foundation: Research Funding; Oncolyze: Equity Ownership; Oncoceutics: Equity Ownership; Senti Bio: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Eutropics: Equity Ownership; Aptose: Equity Ownership; Reata: Equity Ownership; 6 Dimensions Capital: Consultancy; AstaZeneca: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties: Patents licensed, royalty bearing, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy. OffLabel Disclosure: Mdm2 inhibitor-DS 5272

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Impact of DNMT3a Status on Post Induction NPM1 MRD Predictive Value on Survival in Elderly AML Patients Treated Intensively

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-141890 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 7-8

Author(s):

Maël Heiblig ◽

Hélène Labussière ◽

Marie Virginie Larcher ◽

Gaelle Fossard ◽

Marie Balsat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Elderly Patients ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Scoring System ◽

Research Funding ◽

Risk Group ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Post Induction ◽

Mutational Status ◽

Elderly Aml

Minimal residual disease is now a powerfull surrogate marker to assess response to chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In younger adults, NPM1 MRD has recently demonstrated to be a favorable predictive marker for EFS and OS independently of fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 internal tandem duplications (FLT3-ITD) status. However, there is very few datas regarding predictive value of NPM1 MRD in elderly patients treated with intensive chemotherapy. Moreover, numerous studies have suggested the negative impact of DNMT3a mutation in NPM1 AML patients, especially in those with concurrent FLT3-ITD mutation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of DNMT3a status on post induction NPM1 MRD1 predictive value for survival in a retrospective cohort of AML patients aged over 60 years old treated intensively. A total of 138 patients treated for NPM1 mutated AML in two French institutions (Lyon, Lille) were analyzed retrospectively. Median age of the entire cohort was 66.1 years old (range 60-78.2). An FLT3-ITD mutation was evidenced in 52 of 138 patients (37.6%) with a median FLT3-ITD AR of 0.53 (range, 0.05-3). With a median follow-up of 19.61 months (0.07-128.4), the overall CR rate was 89.9% with no influence of DNMT3a or FLT3 mutational status on the probability of CR. In this elderly cohort of NPM1mut patients, a 4log reduction of NPM1 bone marrow (BM) MRD1 was associated with better outcome (median OS: NR vs 13.4 months, HR=0.35, p<0.01)(Figure A). Overall, DNMT3 status did not influence the probability of having a ≥ 4log MRD1 reduction after induction. However, only 9/44 (20.4%) FLT3-ITD patients reached ≥ 4log MRD1 reduction whereas 38/80 FLT3wt (47.5%) were good molecular responders (p<0.001). FLT3-ITD mutated patients who achieved a 4log reduction had a superior outcome compared to those who did not (HR=0.34; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.70; P <0.001). Similarly, NPM1mut FLT3wt patients with a 4log reduction in NPM1 BM-MRD1 had a longer OS (3-year OS, 68.1%; 95% CI, 48.8 to 82.9) than those without good molecular response (3-year OS, 46.5%; 95% CI, 30.2 to 61.7)(Figure B). DNMT3a negative patients who achieved a 4log reduction had a superior outcome to those who did not reached at least a 4log reduction (HR=0.23; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.72; P <0.001). However, postinduction NPM1 MRD1 reduction was not predictive of OS and leukemia free survival (LFS) in DNMT3amut patients. DNMT3amut patients has a very poor LFS which was even worst in poor NPM1 MRD1 responders compared to those who reached at least 4log reduction (median LFS: 8.3 months vs 17.4 months, HR = 0.48, 95% CI, 0.25-0.91, p=0.023)(Figure C). In multivariate analysis, only DNMT3a mutational status and a 4-log reduction in NPM1 BM-MRD were significantly associated with survival. Based on these results, we identified among NPM1 positive patients 3 groups with distinct prognosis, based on FLT3-ITD, DNMT3a status and NPM1 BM-MRD post induction response (NPM1 scoring system)(Figure D). When compared to ELN 2017 intermediate risk group (AUC=0.695), NPM1 scoring system (NPM1 SS) was more accurate for OS prediction in patients within intermediate (AUC=0.833) and unfavorable (AUC=0.863) NPM1 SS risk group. However, there was no significant difference in AUC between NPM1 SS favorable and ELN 2017 favorable risk group. These results confirm that post-induction NPM1 MRD1 is a reliable tool to assess disease outcome in elderly AML patients. However, the presence of DNMT3a also identify a subgroup of patients at very high risk of relapase, despite good molecular responses. As hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) might improve OS in elderly patients, DNMT3a positive AML elderly patients should be considered for HSCT or post induction maintenance strategies, even within the favorable ELN risk group. Figure Disclosures Sujobert: Gilead/Kyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sunesis: Research Funding.

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Transplantation for Congenital Sideroblastic Anaemia Is Feasible and Offers Outcomes Comparable to Other Transfusion Dependent Anaemias. a Joint Retrospective Study of the Paediatric Diseases and Severe Aplastic Anaemia Working Parties (PDWP/SAAWP) of EBMT

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-142397 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 45-47

Author(s):

Josu de la Fuente ◽

Dirk-Jan Eikema ◽

Paul Bosman ◽

Robert F Wynn ◽

Miguel Díaz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Graft Failure ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Conditioning Regimen ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Variable Response ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Grade Ii

Congenital sideroblastic anaemias (CSA) are a rare group of disorders characterized by the presence of pathologic iron deposits within the mitochondria of erythroid precursors (ring sideroblasts) in the bone marrow due to heterogenous germline mutations leading to defects in mitochondrial heme synthesis, iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster biogenesis, or protein synthesis. Patients present with anaemia and relative reticulocytopenia, and systemic iron overload secondary to chronic ineffective erythropoiesis, leading to end-organ damage. The disease is heterogenous underlying the genetic variability and the variable response to treatment. Although a number of CSA patients have received a bone marrow transplant, the outcomes and toxicities are not known. This status makes it very difficult to understand the role of BMT in the management of CSA. A search in the EBMT database identified 28 patients receiving a HSCT for CSA between 1998 to 2018 by 24 participating centres. The median year of transplantation was 2014 (IQR 2004-2016). The distribution was equal between males (n=14) and females (n=14). The median age at transplantation was 7 years of age (3-10 years). Fifteen patients had a sibling HSCT (88%), one a family matched donor HSCT (6%) and one an unrelated matched (6%), the type of transplant being unknown in others (n=11). The source of stem cells was bone marrow in 20 cases (74%), peripheral blood in 4 cases (15%), cord blood in 2 (7%) and combined bone marrow and cord in one (4%). Five cases had a Bu/Cy based conditioning regimen, 4 had Bu/fludarabine based regimen and three fludarabine/treosulfan based conditioning with the rest having a variety of approaches. Eighty-six percent of cases had serotherapy with ATG or alemtuzumab. The median follow-up was 31.6 months (95% CI, 12.2-74.1%). The overall survival at 12 and 24 months was 88% (76-100) and 82% (66-99), respectively (figure 1). The median neutrophil engraftment was 18 (15-21) days and platelet engraftment >20 x 109/L was 29 (20-51) days, with a graft failure incidence of 7% (0-17) at 12 months. Two patients suffered from VOD. There were four deaths, three of which were related to transplant complications. The event free survival (survival without graft failure, relapse and second transplant) at 12 and 24 months was 85% (72-99) (figure 2). Six patients developed acute GvHD grade II and one case grade III; giving a grade II/III incidence of 28% (10-46). There was one case of limited and one of chronic GvHD, giving an incidence of 11% (0-26%) at 12 months and 24 months. In conclusion, whilst HSCT for CSA is a rare occurrence, these data demonstrate that HSCT for this condition is feasible and the outcomes are in keeping with those obtained for transplantation for transfusion dependent anaemias during the same time-period. Disclosures Handgretinger: Amgen: Honoraria. Moraleda:Gilead: Consultancy, Other: Travel Expenses; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: Travel Expenses; Sandoz: Consultancy, Other: Travel Expenses; Takeda: Consultancy, Other: Travel Expenses. Risitano:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Alnylam: Research Funding; Alexion: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Jazz: Speakers Bureau; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Samsung: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amyndas: Consultancy; RA pharma: Research Funding; Biocryst: 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; Achillion: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau. Peffault De Latour:Amgen: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Apellis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

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Increased Early Mortality after Fludarabine and Melphalan Conditioning with Peripheral Blood Grafts in Haploidentical SCT with Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-129872 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 4496-4496 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Luke Eastburg ◽

David A. Russler-Germain ◽

Ramzi Abboud ◽

Peter Westervelt ◽

John F. DiPersio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Stem Cell ◽

T Cell ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Early Mortality ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Post Transplant ◽

Equity Ownership

The use of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) in the context of haploidentical stem cell transplant (haplo-SCT) has led to drastically reduced rates of Graft-vs-Host (GvH) disease through selective depletion of highly allo-reactive donor T-cells. Early trials utilized a reduced-intensity Flu/Cy/TBI preparative regimen and bone marrow grafts; however, relapse rates remained relatively high (Luznik et al. BBMT. 2008). This led to the increased use of myeloablative (MA) regimens for haplo-SCT, which have been associated with decreased relapse rates (Bashey et al. J Clin Oncol. 2013). Most studies have used a MA total body irradiation (TBI) based regimen for haplo-SCT. Preparative regimens using fludarabine and melphalan (FluMel), with or without thiotepa, ATG, and/or low dose TBI have also been reported using bone marrow grafts. Reports on the safety and toxicity of FluMel in the haplo-SCT setting with PTCy and peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) grafts are lacking. In this two-center retrospective analysis, the safety/toxicity of FluMel as conditioning for haplo-SCT was evaluated. We report increased early mortality and toxicity using standard FluMel conditioning and PBSC grafts for patients undergoing haplo-SCT with PTCy. 38 patients at the University of Rochester Medical Center and the Washington University School of Medicine underwent haplo-SCT with FluMel conditioning and PBSC grafts between 2015-2019. Outcomes were measured by retrospective chart review through July 2019. 34 patients (89.5%) received FluMel(140 mg/m2). Two patients received FluMel(100 mg/m2) and two patients received FluMel(140 mg/m2) + ATG. The median age at time of haplo-SCT was 60 years (range 21-73). 20 patients were transplanted for AML, eight for MDS, two for PMF, two for NHL, and five for other malignancies. The median Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation-specific Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI) score was 4 (≥3 indicates high risk). 11 patients had a history of prior stem cell transplant, and 16 patients had active disease prior to their haplo-SCT. Seven patients had sex mismatch with their stem cell donor. Median donor age was 42 (range 21-71). 20 patient deaths occurred by July 2019 with a median follow up of 244 days for surviving patients. Nine patients died before day +100 (D100, "early mortality"), with a D100 non-relapse mortality (NRM) rate of 24%. Median overall and relapse free survival (OS and RFS, respectively) were 197 days (95% CI 142-not reached) and 180 days (95% CI 141-not reached), respectively, for the entire cohort. The 1 year OS and NRM were 29% and 50%. The incidence of grades 2-4cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was 66%, and 52% of these patients were treated with tocilizumab. CRS was strongly associated with early mortality, with D100 NRM of 36% in patients with grade 2-4 CRS compared to 0% in those with grade 0-1. The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) was 64% in patients with grade 2-4 CRS, and 8% in those without (p < 0.001). 28% of patients with AKI required dialysis. Grade 2-4 CRS was seen in 54% of patients in remission prior to haplo-SCT and in 92% of those with active disease (p = 0.02). Of the 9 patients with early mortality, 89% had AKI, 44% needed dialysis, and 100% had grade 2-4 CRS, compared to 31%, 10%, and 55% in those without early mortality (p = 0.002, p = 0.02, p = 0.01). Early mortality was not significantly associated with age, HCT-CI score, second transplant, disease status at transplant, total dose of melphalan, volume overload/diuretic use, or post-transplant infection. In conclusion, we observed a very high rate of NRM with FluMel conditioning and PBSC grafts for haplo-SCT with PTCy. The pattern of toxicity was strongly associated with grade 2-4 CRS, AKI, and need for dialysis. These complications may be mediated by excessive inflammation in the context of allo-reactive donor T-cell over-activation. Consistent with this, multiple groups have shown that FluMel conditioning in haplo-SCT is safe when using bone marrow or T-cell depleted grafts. Based on our institutional experiences, we would discourage the use of FluMel as conditioning for haplo-SCT with PTCy with T-cell replete PBSC grafts. Alternative regimens or variations on melphalan-based regimens, such as fractionated melphalan dosing or inclusion of TBI may improve outcomes but further study and randomized controlled trials are needed. This study is limited in its retrospective design and sample size. Figure Disclosures DiPersio: WUGEN: Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy; Magenta Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; Celgene: Consultancy; Cellworks Group, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NeoImmune Tech: Research Funding; Amphivena Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bioline Rx: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Macrogenics: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; RiverVest Venture Partners Arch Oncology: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Liesveld:Onconova: Other: Data safety monitoring board; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

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Phase II Trial of the Combination of Ixazomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone in High-Risk Smoldering Multiple Myeloma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-117871 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 804-804 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Mark Bustoros ◽

Chia-jen Liu ◽

Kaitlen Reyes ◽

Kalvis Hornburg ◽

Kathleen Guimond ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

High Risk ◽

Disease Progression ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Rna Sequencing ◽

Research Funding ◽

Response Rate ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Equity Ownership

Abstract Background. This study aimed to determine the progression-free survival and response rate using early therapeutic intervention in patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) using the combination of ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone. Methods. Patients enrolled on study met eligibility for high-risk SMM based on the newly defined criteria proposed by Rajkumar et al., Blood 2014. The treatment plan was designed to be administered on an outpatient basis where patients receive 9 cycles of induction therapy of ixazomib (4mg) at days 1, 8, and 15, in combination with lenalidomide (25mg) at days 1-21 and Dexamethasone at days 1, 8, 15, and 22. This induction phase is followed by ixazomib (4mg) and lenalidomide (15mg) maintenance for another 15 cycles. A treatment cycle is defined as 28 consecutive days, and therapy is administered for a total of 24 cycles total. Bone marrow samples from all patients were obtained before starting therapy for baseline assessment, whole exome sequencing (WES), and RNA sequencing of plasma and bone marrow microenvironment cells. Moreover, blood samples were obtained at screening and before each cycle to isolate cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Stem cell collection is planned for all eligible patients. Results. In total, 26 of the planned 56 patients were enrolled in this study from February 2017 to April 2018. The median age of the patients enrolled was 63 years (range, 41 to 73) with 12 males (46.2%). Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (iFISH) was successful in 18 patients. High-risk cytogenetics (defined as the presence of t(4;14), 17p deletion, and 1q gain) were found in 11 patients (61.1%). The median number of cycles completed was 8 cycles (3-15). The most common toxicities were fatigue (69.6%), followed by rash (56.5%), and neutropenia (56.5%). The most common grade 3 adverse events were hypophosphatemia (13%), leukopenia (13%), and neutropenia (8.7%). One patient had grade 4 neutropenia during treatment. Additionally, grade 4 hyperglycemia occurred in another patient. As of this abstract date, the overall response rate (partial response or better) in participants who had at least 3 cycles of treatment was 89% (23/26), with 5 Complete Responses (CR, 19.2%), 9 very good partial responses (VGPR, 34.6%), 9 partial responses (34.6%), and 3 Minimal Responses (MR, 11.5%). None of the patients have shown progression to overt MM to date. Correlative studies including WES of plasma cells and single-cell RNA sequencing of the bone microenvironment cells are ongoing to identify the genomic and transcriptomic predictors for the differential response to therapy as well as for disease evolution. Furthermore, we are analyzing the cfDNA and CTCs of the patients at different time points to investigate their use in monitoring minimal residual disease and disease progression. Conclusion. The combination of ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone is an effective and well-tolerated intervention in high-risk smoldering myeloma. The high response rate, convenient schedule with minimal toxicity observed to date are promising in this patient population at high risk of progression to symptomatic disease. Further studies and longer follow up for disease progression are warranted. Disclosures Bustoros: Dava Oncology: Honoraria. Munshi:OncoPep: Other: Board of director. Anderson:C4 Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; Celgene: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Takeda Millennium: Consultancy; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncopep: Equity Ownership. Richardson:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Oncopeptides: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Research Funding; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Ghobrial:Celgene: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy.

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EZH2 Mutations and Impact on Clinical Outcome Analyzed in 1604 Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-114421 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 1528-1528

Author(s):

Sebastian Stasik ◽

Jan Moritz Middeke ◽

Michael Kramer ◽

Christoph Rollig ◽

Alwin Krämer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Research Funding ◽

Employment Equity ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Mutational Status ◽

Equity Ownership ◽

Acute Myeloid

Abstract Purpose: The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone methyltransferase and key epigenetic regulator involved in transcriptional repression and embryonic development. Loss of EZH2 activity by inactivating mutations is associated with poor prognosis in myeloid malignancies such as MDS. More recently, EZH2 inactivation was shown to induce chemoresistance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (Göllner et al., 2017). Data on the frequency and prognostic role of EZH2-mutations in AML are rare and mostly confined to smaller cohorts. To investigate the prevalence and prognostic impact of this alteration in more detail, we analyzed a large cohort of AML patients (n = 1604) for EZH2 mutations. Patients and Methods: All patients analyzed had newly diagnosed AML, were registered in clinical protocols of the Study Alliance Leukemia (SAL) (AML96, AML2003 or AML60+, SORAML) and had available material at diagnosis. Screening for EZH2 mutations and associated alterations was done using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) (TruSight Myeloid Sequencing Panel, Illumina) on an Illumina MiSeq-system using bone marrow or peripheral blood. Detection was conducted with a defined cut-off of 5% variant allele frequency (VAF). All samples below the predefined threshold were classified as EZH2 wild type (wt). Patient clinical characteristics and co-mutations were analyzed according to the mutational status. Furthermore, multivariate analysis was used to identify the impact of EZH2 mutations on outcome. Results: EZH2-mutations were found in 63 of 1604 (4%) patients, with a median VAF of 44% (range 6-97%; median coverage 3077x). Mutations were detected within several exons (2-6; 8-12; 14-20) with highest frequencies in exons 17 and 18 (29%). The majority of detected mutations (71% missense and 29% nonsense/frameshift) were single nucleotide variants (SNVs) (87%), followed by small indel mutations. Descriptive statistics of clinical parameters and associated co-mutations revealed significant differences between EZH2-mut and -wt patients. At diagnosis, patients with EZH2 mutations were significantly older (median age 59 yrs) than EZH2-wt patients (median 56 yrs; p=0.044). In addition, significantly fewer EZH2-mut patients (71%) were diagnosed with de novo AML compared to EZH2-wt patients (84%; p=0.036). Accordingly, EZH2-mut patients had a higher rate of secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) (21%), evolving from prior MDS or after prior chemotherapy (tAML) (8%; p=0.036). Also, bone marrow (and blood) blast counts differed between the two groups (EZH2-mut patients had significantly lower BM and PB blast counts; p=0.013). In contrast, no differences were observed for WBC counts, karyotype, ECOG performance status and ELN-2017 risk category compared to EZH2-wt patients. Based on cytogenetics according to the 2017 ELN criteria, 35% of EZH2-mut patients were categorized with favorable risk, 28% had intermediate and 37% adverse risk. No association was seen with -7/7q-. In the group of EZH2-mut AML patients, significantly higher rates of co-mutations were detected in RUNX1 (25%), ASXL1 (22%) and NRAS (25%) compared to EZH2-wt patients (with 10%; 8% and 15%, respectively). Vice versa, concomitant mutations in NPM1 were (non-significantly) more common in EZH2-wt patients (33%) vs EZH2-mut patients (21%). For other frequently mutated genes in AML there was no major difference between EZH2-mut and -wt patients, e.g. FLT3ITD (13%), FLT3TKD (10%) and CEBPA (24%), as well as genes encoding epigenetic modifiers, namely, DNMT3A (21%), IDH1/2 (11/14%), and TET2 (21%). The correlation of EZH2 mutational status with clinical outcomes showed no effect of EZH2 mutations on the rate of complete remission (CR), relapse free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) (with a median OS of 18.4 and 17.1 months for EZH2-mut and -wt patients, respectively) in the univariate analyses. Likewise, the multivariate analysis with clinical variable such as age, cytogenetics and WBC using Cox proportional hazard regression, revealed that EZH2 mutations were not an independent risk factor for OS or RFS. Conclusion EZH mutations are recurrent alterations in patients with AML. The association with certain clinical factors and typical mutations such as RUNX1 and ASXL1 points to the fact that these mutations are associated with secondary AML. Our data do not indicate that EZH2 mutations represent an independent prognostic factor. Disclosures Middeke: Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Rollig:Bayer: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding. Scholl:Jazz Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbivie: Other: Travel support; Alexion: Other: Travel support; MDS: Other: Travel support; Novartis: Other: Travel support; Deutsche Krebshilfe: Research Funding; Carreras Foundation: Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hochhaus:Pfizer: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding. Brümmendorf:Janssen: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Burchert:AOP Orphan: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Krause:Novartis: Research Funding. Hänel:Amgen: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Platzbecker:Celgene: Research Funding. Mayer:Eisai: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Johnson & Johnson: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding. Serve:Bayer: Research Funding. Ehninger:Cellex Gesellschaft fuer Zellgewinnung mbH: Employment, Equity Ownership; Bayer: Research Funding; GEMoaB Monoclonals GmbH: Employment, Equity Ownership. Thiede:AgenDix: Other: Ownership; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding.

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