scholarly journals FLT3-ITD As a Target for Minimal Residual Disease Monitoring in Early T-Cell Precursor (ETP) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 1073-1073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nellina Andriano ◽  
Barbara Buldini ◽  
Daniela Silvestri ◽  
Tiziana Villa ◽  
Franco Locatelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
T Cell ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Induction Therapy ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Consecutive Series ◽  
Prognostic Impact ◽  
Cell Precursor

Abstract Background. The ‘early T-cell precursor’ (ETP) subtype of T-ALL comprises up to 15% of T-ALL and has been reported to be associated with high risk of relapse. In addition to properties of T cell development, gene expression profile and immunophenotype of ETP-ALL show stem cell and early myeloid features. Consistently, this leukemia subgroup shows lower frequencies of prototypical T-ALL lesions and a higher prevalence of mutations typically associated with AML, including RAS and FLT3 mutations. In particular, FLT3-ITD was identified in up to 35% of adult ETP-ALL but data on its prevalence in pediatric ETP-ALL are lacking. In agreement with its stem-cell signature, ETPs frequently lack Immunoglobulin (IG) and T-cell receptor (TR) gene rearrangements, the most used and sensitive targets for MRD monitoring. As a consequence, alternative markers are required to extend the application of molecular MRD to most ETP-ALL patients. Aim. We explored the prevalence of FLT3-ITD mutation in a large series of pediatric ETP-ALL enrolled in two consecutive protocols of the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (AIEOP), and we evaluated the potential use of FLT3-ITD as an alternative DNA marker for MRD monitoring. Methods. Out of 439 T-ALL patients enrolled in Italy into the AIEOP-BFM ALL2000 and AIEOP ALLR2006 consecutive protocols, 145/168 Early-T ALL (TI/II) patients were screened for FLT3-ITD occurrence. Among Early-T patients, 34 were defined as ETP according to immunophenotype, and 31 of them were screened for FLT3-ITD. Twenty-two ETP patients enrolled in Italy into the ongoing AIEOP-BFM ALL2009 were also screened, together with T-ALL cases without IG/TR molecular markers only for the technical validation of the method. PCR screening and RQ-PCR for FLT3-ITD were performed as previously reported (Nakao, Leukemia 1996;10:1911; Beretta, Leukemia 2004;18:1441). Parallel MRD analysis for IG/TR on the same samples, and flow cytometry-MRD were performed by standard procedures. EuroMRD guidelines were applied for performance and interpretation of RQ-PCR. Results. Among ALL2000/R2006 and ALL2009 ETP cases, 4/31 (12.9%) and 3/22 (13.6%) were FLT3-ITD positive, respectively; 5/7 were PPR, and all 7 were stratified as high risk. For ALL2000/R2006 patients, IG/TR MRD monitoring was feasible in 2 cases, and both were MRD-HR; 3/4 cases are alive in CCR, and one died after HSCT. Overall, the FLT3-ITD marker was detected in 12 T-ALL cases; only 4 of them had valuable IG/TR markers, while 8/12 (66%) did not present a suitable IG/TR MRD marker. FLT3-ITD MRD monitoring was performed on 11/12 FLT3-ITD positive T-ALL cases. Mean length of the ITD was 44 nucleotides (nts) (range 24-71), with a mean of 7 randomly inserted nts (range 1-26). Standard curves performed by 10-fold dilutions in DNA from PB Healthy Donor, showed a quantitative range of at least 5.0E-04 in all cases and 1.0E-04 in 5/11. Sensitivity of the assay was at least 1.0E-04 in all tested cases, and 1.0E-05 in 7/11. A comparison between IG/TR and FLT3-ITD was feasible in 3 out of 4 cases (1 is ongoing); all 3 cases were monitored by 2 IG/TR markers. At day15 and day33 of the Induction therapy, when MRD was very high (10-1 to 10-3 range), the IG/TR and FLT3-ITD were fully comparable, with less than 2 times difference. At day78 (after IB Induction block) 1 case was fully negative for both markers, 1 was slightly positive by FLT3-ITD (although not quantifiable and at the limit of the sensitivity) and negative for both IG/TR. The latter case was highly positive for both IG/TR (5.0E-03) but low positive (<1.0E-04) by FLT3-ITD. In this case, the IG/TR and FLT3-ITD were concordant and finally both were negative at subsequent time points. Conclusions. This is the first report on FLT3-ITD prevalence in a consecutive series of children with ETP-ALL, which resulted to be 14.8% (4/31), a value lower than that reported in adult ETP-ALL. The limited number of cases does not allow to draw conclusions on the prognostic impact of FLT3-ITD in ETP-ALL, although 3 out of 4 patients are alive in CCR. Although available in a limited subset, FLT3-ITD can be used as a marker for sensitive molecular MRD monitoring in ETP-ALL, when IG/TR markers are not available (about 2/3 of cases). The results of MRD monitoring in a limited set of cases suggests that ETP patients might respond well to IB Induction therapy. As already known for AML, caution for false negative results is required when only FLT3-ITD is monitored. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Early T-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ETP-ALL) Is a High-Risk Subtype in Adults

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 1418-1418
Author(s):  
Nitin Jain ◽  
Audrey Lamb ◽  
Susan M. O'Brien ◽  
Farhad Ravandi ◽  
Marina Konopleva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Overall Survival ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
T Cell ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Who Classification ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Cell Precursor

Abstract Background: Early T-cell precursor (ETP) acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (ALL) is a recently recognized high-risk T-ALL subgroup. The optimal therapeutic approaches to adult patients with ETP-ALL are poorly characterized. In this study, we compared the outcomes of adults with ETP-ALL who received treatment on frontline regimens to those of patients with other T-ALL immunophenotypic subtypes. Methods: Patients with newly-diagnosed T-ALL who received frontline chemotherapy between the years 2000 and 2014 at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) were identified and immunophenotypically categorized into early, thymic, and mature per the European Group for the Immunologic Classification of Leukemia (EGIL)/WHO classification. Patients with ETP-ALL were identified on the basis of the following immunophenotype: CD1a(-), CD8(-), CD5(-/dim), and positivity for one or more stem cell or myeloid antigens. Patients received frontline treatment with the following chemotherapy regimens: hyper-CVAD alone (n=43), hyper-CVAD + nelarabine (n=44) or augmented BFM regimen (n=24). Results: A total of 111 patients with T-ALL with adequate immunophenotype data were identified. There was no difference in the outcomes of patients based on the EGIL/WHO subtypes (Fig 1). A total of 19 patients (17%) had ETP-ALL. The complete remission rate (CR)/CR with incomplete platelet recovery (CRp) rate in patients with ETP-ALL was significantly lower than that of non-ETP-ALL patients (73% vs. 91%; p=0.03). The median overall survival for patients with ETP-ALL was 20 months vs. not reached for the non-ETP-ALL patients (p = 0.008) (Fig 2). ETP-ALL remained a high-risk subgroup within the WHO 'Early' group (Fig 3). A subset of patients with early T-ALL had an immunophenotype that resembled that of ETP-ALL except for having ≥75% CD5 expression (ETP+CD5). The OS of patients with ETP+CD5 (n=19) was similar to that of non-ETP-ALL patients and differed from that of ETP-ALL patients (p=0.059). By univariate analysis, the following variables were significant for survival: age, WBC count (<50 vs. ≥50 x109 /L), platelet count (<100 vs. ≥100 x109 /L), LDH (<600 vs. ≥600 IU/L) and ETP-ALL (Table 1). By multivariate analysis, only age (HR: 2.862; 95%CI: 1.140-7.183; p=0.025) and ETP-ALL (HR: 2.275; 95%CI: 1.117-4.631; p=0.023) were significant. Conclusions: ETP-ALL represents a high-risk disease subtype of adult ALL. Allogeneic stem cell transplant in CR1 should be considered. Novel treatment strategies are needed to improve treatment outcomes in this T-ALL subset. Table 1. Univariate and multivariate analysis for survival Parameter Survival UVA MVA P P HR 95%CI Age ≥60 0.013 0.025 2.862 1.140-7.183 Gender 0.24 - - - Diagnosis (ALL vs. LBL) 0.13 - - - WBC < 50.0 (x 109 /L) 0.009 - - - Hemoglobin <10 (g/dL) 0.36 - - - Platelet <100 (x 109 /L) 0.036 - - - LDH <600 (IU/L) 0.045 - - - CNS involvement at Dx 0.18 - - - WHO classification (early, thymic, mature) 0.101 - - - ETP-ALL 0.008 0.023 2.275 1.117-4.631 Treatment received 0.43 - - - Figure 1. Overall survival of patients with T-ALL (N=111) categorized as Early, Thymic and Mature per EGIL/WHO Classification Figure 1. Overall survival of patients with T-ALL (N=111) categorized as Early, Thymic and Mature per EGIL/WHO Classification Figure 2. Overall survival of patients with ETP-ALL (N=19) compared to non-ETP ALL (N=92) Figure 2. Overall survival of patients with ETP-ALL (N=19) compared to non-ETP ALL (N=92) Figure 3. Overall survival of patients with WHO 'early' subcategorized as ETP vs. non-ETP, WHO 'thymic', and WHO 'mature' (N=111) Figure 3. Overall survival of patients with WHO 'early' subcategorized as ETP vs. non-ETP, WHO 'thymic', and WHO 'mature' (N=111) Disclosures Konopleva: Novartis: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Stemline: Research Funding; Calithera: Research Funding; Threshold: Research Funding. Cortes:Astellas: Consultancy, Research Funding; BerGenBio AS: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Ariad: Consultancy, Research Funding; Teva: Research Funding; Ambit: Consultancy, Research Funding; Arog: Research Funding; Celator: Research Funding; Jenssen: Consultancy.

Outcome of Early T-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in AIEOP Patients Treated with the AIEOP-BFM ALL 2000 Study

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 3780-3780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentino Conter ◽  
Maria Grazia Valsecchi ◽  
Barbara Buldini ◽  
Rosanna Parasole ◽  
Franco Locatelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
T Cell ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Induction Therapy ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Cell Precursor ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Phase Ib ◽  
High Risk Patients ◽  
Risk Patients

Abstract Aim: To evaluate the outcome of the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (AIEOP) patients diagnosed with Early T-cell Precursor (ETP) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in the period September 2000-December 2011 and treated in the context of the AIEOP-BFM ALL 2000 Study and the subsequent - very similar – AIEOP ALL R2006 Study. Patients and methods: ETP-ALL was defined by staining negative for CD1a and CD8, mildly positive or negative for CD5 and positive for at least one of CD34, CD117, HLADR, CD13, CD33, CD11b, or CD65 antigens. Treatment consisted of BFM protocol I either with dexamethasone or prednisone in phase IA, 4 HDMTX courses (5 g/sqm over 24 hrs) in non-high risk patients or 3 poly-chemotherapy blocks in high risk patients, delayed intensification based on protocol(s) II or III, protracted intrathecal therapy or cranial radiotherapy, maintenance therapy for a total of 2 years of treatment. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was indicated for patients with poor treatment response assessed either morphologically at day +8 (Prednisone Poor Response, PPR) or day +33 (no Complete Remission, CR) or by PCR at day +78 (high-level Minimal Residual Disease, HR-MRD; ≥10-3). Results: Of the 439 T-ALL eligible patients, 34 had ETP ALL. The incidence (7.7%) may be underestimated since the full set of the data needed was not available for all patients. Out of the 34 patients with ETP ALL 14 were at high risk due to PPR; of them, 3 were HR-MRD and 5 did not achieve CR after Phase IA of induction therapy (including one with HR-MRD). Of the remaining 20 patients (all prednisone good responders), 3 patients were at high risk due to resistance to Phase IA and HR-MRD (n=1) or HR-MRD only (n=2). 17/30 patients could not be monitored by MRD due to death in Induction (n=1), or absent (n=10) or inadequate PCR markers (n=6). Of the17 patients monitored by MRD, 13 had HR-MRD at day 33 and 6 of them also at day +78. One patient died during induction therapy. The remaining 33 achieved morphological CR: 27 after phase IA and 6 (those resistant to phase IA) after phase IB of protocol I. Of 12 patients who underwent HSCT, 3 died of HSCT-related complications and 3 relapsed. With a median follow-up of 6.6 years, the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and Survival in the 34 ETP ALL patients were of 60.9%(SE 8.5) and 66.6%(8.3), versus 71.2%(2.3) and 77.1%(2.1) respectively in the non-ETP patients. The overall cumulative incidence of relapse was 27.3%(7.8) and 22.2%(2.1) in ETP and non-ETP T-ALL patients, respectively (p=0.52). EFS in ETP vs non-ETP patients was respectively 81.9%(9.5) vs 83.8%(2.4) in non high risk patients (p=0.87) and 41.2%(11.9) vs 53.2%(4.0) in high risk patients (p=0.24). Conclusions: The outcome of T-ALL patients treated with BFM-type therapy is comparable in ETP and non-ETP for those with good response to initial chemotherapy; it was slightly, but not significantly, inferior in ETP-ALL patients with poor initial response. Phase IB treatment element is very effective in ETP-ALL, suggesting that intensification with antimetabolite and alkylating agents may be beneficial, while the benefit of HSCT in first CR needs to be further investigated. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Disease Propagating Blasts in Standard and High Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Are Frequent and of Diverse Immunophenotype.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 1421-1421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Rehe ◽  
Kerrie Wilson ◽  
Hesta McNeill ◽  
Martin Schrappe ◽  
Julie Irving ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Color Flow ◽  
Nsg Mice ◽  
Limiting Dilution

Abstract Abstract 1421 Poster Board I-444 Conflicting results in the field of cancer stem cells have reignited debate regarding the frequency and identity of cells with the ability to self renew and to propagate the complete phenotype of the malignancy. Initially it was suggested by different studies that cancer stem cells represent only a small minority of the malignant population and that the immunophenotypes of these cells resemble a rather immature type in the cell hierarchy. More recent data from our own and other groups have challenged these findings by demonstrating that cells at different maturity levels within the leukemic hierarchy have cancer stem cell abilities and that the frequency of the leukemia maintaining cell is higher than previously thought (Cancer Cell 2008, 14(1), p47-58). We use an in vivo NOD/scid IL2Rγnull (NSG) mouse intra-femoral transplant model to determine the clonogenicity of sorted candidate leukemic stem cell populations, characterized by specific immunophenotypes. We selected the surface markers CD10 and CD20, in order to differentiate between rather immature and more mature cells. Furthermore we carried out limiting dilution experiments on sorted (CD20) and unsorted leukemic blasts to investigate the frequency of the proposed leukemic stem cells. Flow sorted ALL blasts of CD19+CD20low and CD19+CD20high as well as of CD19+CD10low and CD19+CD10high immunophenotype were transplanted into NSG mice. Sorts were performed on primary patient material and on leukemic blasts that had been harvested following prior passage in mice. Different subtypes of ALL were included (high risk: BCR/ABL (t9;22) positive (patients L4967, L4951, L49101, L8849, L2510), high hyperdiploid/MRD positive high risk (L754, L835), intermediate risk: high WBC/MRD negative (L736, L784), age >10 years (L803)). CD20 sorts were performed on primary patient material (L4951, L49101, L754, L835 and L776), on secondary samples harvested from engrafted primary mice (L4967, L4951, L2510, L736 and L754) and on tertiary samples harvested from engrafted secondary mice (L4967 and L736). In total 151 mice were transplanted, with 122 showing engraftment in consecutive bone marrow punctures or in bone marrow harvests. CD10 sorts were performed on primary patient material (L784 and L49101) and on secondary samples harvested from engrafted primary mice (L4951, L8849, L2510 and L803) with 31 out of 52 mice transplanted with sorted material showing engraftment as seen with CD20 sorted cells. Blasts of all selected immunophenotypes were able to engraft the leukemia in unconditioned NSG mice as determined by 5 color flow cytometry. In particular, sorted cells of both fractions were able to reconstitute the complete phenotype of the leukemia. Harvested cells from engrafted mice could then be re-sorted into high and low antigen expressing fractions and successfully re-engrafted on secondary and tertiary mice. Cell purities of transplanted cells were usually higher than 90% (range 67-100%). The ability of all populations to serially engraft mice demonstrates long-term self-renewal capacity. Two additional patients were used in the limiting dilution assays (high WBC/t(4;11) high risk (L826); low WBC/MRD negative low risk (L792)) and experiments were performed on primary unsorted and secondary sorted material. Cell numbers necessary for ALL engraftment differed between individual leukemias but as little as 100 cells proved to be sufficient in one unsorted and in both the CD19+CD20low and CD19+CD20high fractions (Table 1). Mice transplanted with 10 cells only are still under observation. Table 1 Patient Transplant Population Cell dose Mice engrafted/transplanted L4951 Secondary CD20 high 500 3/3 CD20 low 3/3 CD20 high 100 3/3 CD20 low 3/3 L2510 Secondary CD20 high 3,000 2/4 CD20 low 4/4 CD20 high 300 0/4 CD20 low 1/4 L49101 Primary Unsorted 500 3/4 100 0/4 L792 Primary Unsorted 1,000 5/5 100 1/5 L826 Primary Unsorted 1,000 3/4 100 0/4 In conclusion we present strong evidence that leukemia-propagating cells are much more prevalent than previously thought and that blasts of diverse immunophenotype are able to serially reconstitute the complete leukemia in immune-deficient mice. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Prognostic Impact of Different High Risk Features in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in First Complete Remission.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 2303-2303
Author(s):  
Theis Terwey ◽  
Philipp Hemmati ◽  
Gero Massenkeil ◽  
Bernd Dörken ◽  
Renate Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Overall Survival ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Complete Remission ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Prognostic Impact ◽  
Very High ◽  
First Complete Remission

Abstract Abstract 2303 Poster Board II-280 Introduction: In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) specific clinical and biological features confer high relapse risk and inferior overall survival (OS) after treatment with conventional chemotherapy alone. The differential prognostic impact of these high risk features after treatment with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) has not been well studied. Patients and Methods: 79 adult ALL patients in first complete remission (CR) received allogeneic HCT at our center between 1995 and 2008. All patients were high or very high risk according to German Multicenter Study Group for Adult ALL (GMALL) criteria. Median age was 36 years (range: 17-68). Patients received high-dose conditioning consisting of 12 Gy total body irradiation ± etoposide ± cyclophosphamide (n=69, 87%) or reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) consisting of fludarabine/busulfan/ATG (n=10, 13%) and HSCT from related (n=34, 43%) or unrelated (n=45, 57%) donors. Bone marrow (n=17, 22%) or peripheral blood stem cells (n=62, 78%) were given. Graft-versus-host-disease prophylaxis was CSA/MTX for high-dose conditioning or CSA/MMF for RIC. Results: Patients were classified as high risk or very high risk due to Philadelphia chromosome-positive disease (Ph+) (n=30, 38%), leukocytosis>30/nl at diagnosis in B-ALL (n=25, 23%), late response to induction therapy in B-ALL (>week 4) (n=13, 16%), early or mature T-ALL (n=13, 16%), pro-B-ALL/t(4;11) (n=8, 10%), persistence of minimal residual disease (MRD) (>week 16) (n=8, 10%) or complex aberrant karyotype (n=6, 8%). 57 patients (72%) presented with one high risk feature, whereas 20 patients (25%) and 2 patients (3%) presented with two or three features, respectively. Currently, after a median follow-up of 56 months (7-169) 49 patients (62%) remain alive. Projected OS of the whole cohort at 1, 2 and 5 years was 78%, 70% and 55% and leukemia-free survival was 77%, 66% and 55%. Cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality (NRM) and relapse mortality (RM) at 5 years was 23% and 18%, respectively. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, a non-significant trend for inferior OS was seen for patients with early or mature T-ALL (hazard ratio (HR): 2.03 (95%CI: 0.92-4.52), p=0.082), whereas no differential effect on OS, NRM or RM was seen for any other high risk feature (Table 1). In additional analyses, inferior OS (HR 1.81 (95%CI: 1.02-3.29), p=0.043) and increased RM (HR 2.17 (95%CI 1.16-4.05), p=0.015) was observed for patients with more than one high risk feature. Conclusions: In summary, this single center study on allogeneic HCT in high risk ALL found a negative prognostic trend for early or mature T cell immunophenotype. No differential prognostic impact on OS, NRM and RM was seen for other high risk features as defined by GMALL criteria, however this conclusion is limited by the low patient number in some of the subgroups. Overall survival for the whole cohort was 55% at 5 years, with inferior OS and higher RM being observed in patients with more than one high risk feature. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Value of EVI1 Gene Expression Level in Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): A Study from the Group for Research on Adult ALL (GRAALL)

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 1081-1081
Author(s):  
Claire Abbal ◽  
Raouf Ben Abdelali ◽  
Marina Lafage ◽  
Françoise Huguet ◽  
Thibaut Leguay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Patient Outcome ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Expression Level ◽  
Prognostic Impact ◽  
Complex Karyotype ◽  
Cell Precursor ◽  
Genetic Profiles ◽  
Lower Expression

Abstract Background: EVI1 gene overexpression is found in approximately 10% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, with a higher frequency seen in AML carrying chromosome 3q26 abnormality or MLL gene rearrangement, and associated with a dismal prognosis. Deregulation of EVI1 expression has also been reported in ALL, but its prognostic impact is unclear. Here, we retrospectively analyzed EVI1 expression in a large cohort of adult ALL patients, its correlation with ALL subsets, and its impact on patient outcome. Patients and Methods: EVI1 gene expression was measured by RQ-PCR detecting all splicing variants, with PBGD as control gene. We used dilutions of EVI1+ SKOV3 (kindly provided by Peter Valk, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) and EVI1-neg HL-60 cell line cDNA to build EVI1 and PBGD standard curves. Results were expressed as EVI1/PBGD ratio x 100. Blast samples from 354 patients treated in the GRAALL-2003/2005 and GRAAPH-2005 trials (191 B-cell precursor [BCP]-ALL, including 138 Ph-neg and 53 Ph+; 163 T-ALL) and 62 controls were analyzed. Immunophenotype results were centrally reviewed. In controls, median EVI1 expression level was 0.33% (Q1-Q3, 0.20-0.69). For prognostic analysis, we used the 1st and 99th percentiles of the controls (0.05% and 1.65%) to define patients with low and high EVI1 expression, respectively. Clinical endpoints were cumulative incidence of failure (CIF, failure meaning primary refractoriness or relapse) and event-free survival (EFS). Results: As illustrated in Figure 1, we observed that, as in one AML series, EVI1 expression may be up or down regulated in adult ALL. When compared to controls, the proportions of low and high EVI1 patients were 21 and 23% in Ph-neg BCP-ALL, 9 and 42% in Ph+ ALL, and 21 and 18% in T-ALL, respectively. In BCP-ALL patients, median EVI1 expression was similar to controls (0.53%; Q1-Q3, 0.11-1.88; p=0.15), but higher in the Ph+ as compared to the Ph-neg subgroup (0.93% versus 0.36%; p<0.001). In T-ALL patients, median expression tended to be lower than in controls (0.22%; Q1-Q3, 0.06-0.85; p=0.058). In these three ALL subgroups, EVI1 expression did not correlate with age or WBC. Among Ph-neg BCP-ALL patients, a lower expression was found in MLL-AF4+ t(4;11) cases (median, 0.04%; p<0.001), while no differences were observed for cases with t(1;19), an14q32, low hypodiploidy/near triploidy, complex karyotype, or IKZF1 deletion. Among T-ALL patients, a lower expression was found in cases with complex karyotype (median, 0.05%; p=0.03), while no differences were observed for cases with TLX1 overexpression, NOTCH1/FBXW7 mutation, N/K-RAS mutation or PTEN alteration. Only one patient had 3q26 abnormality (T-ALL with high EVI1 expression). Low or high EVI1 expression had no prognostic impact in Ph-neg as well as Ph+ BCP-ALL patients. In T-ALL, the proportion of patients with low EVI1 expression was more frequent in early and mature than in cortical T-ALL (33% and 33% vs 11%; p=0.002 and 0.028, respectively) and associated with a higher CIF (HR, 2.03; p=0.017) and shorter EFS (HR, 1.59; p=0.072). Low EVI1 expression was also significantly associated with an early T-cell precursor (ETP) phenotype (37.5% vs 18%; p=0.028). After adjustment on cortical and ETP phenotypes, as well as on 4-gene (NOTCH1/FBXW7/RAS/PTEN) genetic profiles, low EVI1 expression and high-risk genetic profiles remained independently associated with higher CIF (p=0.015 and <0.001, respectively) and shorter EFS (p=0.045 and 0.002, respectively). Conclusion: Overall, these results confirm that EVI1 gene expression is frequently deregulated in adult ALL. In BCP-ALL, down-regulation is observed in t(4;11) and up-regulation in BCR-ABL cases. Further studies are needed to confirm that, in T-ALL, a lower expression is associated with the early, mature and ETP phenotypes and independently predictive of a worse patient outcome. Figure 1 Figure 1. EVI1 gene expression in ALL and control samples. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

A Successful Re-Induction Regimen for Relapsed Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 863-863
Author(s):  
Jason Ackerman ◽  
Douglas Hawkins ◽  
Karyn Brundige ◽  
Laura Eisenberg ◽  
Blythe Thomson
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Induction Therapy ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Cell Transplant ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Induction Regimen ◽  
First Relapse

Abstract Background: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common form of malignancy in children. Advances in treatments have made ALL the disease highly curable; however relapse is the most common form of treatment failure. The prognosis for relapsed ALL is poor, and the ability to achieve a durable second remission is influenced by the length of the initial remission and, potentially, the re-induction therapy chosen. We present a series of 60 pediatric ALL patients with first relapse (54 pre B-cell and 6 T-cell) treated with a standardized four-drug induction therapy followed by either intensification therapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Methods: Patients treated at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle, WA with a common re-induction regimen for first relapse ALL were reviewed in this IRB-approved retrospective study. Patients included isolated or combined bone marrow (BM) relapse, isolated central nervous system (CNS) relapse alone, or isolated testicular relapse. Re-induction consisted of a four-drug combination of dexamethasone (dex) (day 0-6, 14-20), vincristine (VCR) (weekly for 4 weeks), peg-aspargase (weekly for 4 weeks), and idarubicin (10 mg/m2/day × 2-3 doses) and intrathecal triple (ITT) drug therapy. After achieving second complete remission (CR2), patients proceeded to HSCT or continued chemotherapy at the discretion of the physician. Allogeneic HSCT was total body irradiation based and a variety of stem cell sources. Continuation chemotherapy was alternating blocks every 3 weeks for up to 8 courses: Block A, consisting of dex, VCR, 6-thioguanine (TG), peg-asparagase and methotrexate (MTX) and ITT, and Block B, consisting of etoposide and ifosfamide and ITT. Maintenance chemotherapy with MTX, VCR and TG with cranial, craniospinal or testicular radiation completed the two year regimen. Results: Among the 54 pre-B-cell patients, there were 32 with BM relapse (either isolated or with CNS), 16 CNS relapses, and 6 testicular relapses. CR2 was achieved in 96% of the patients. Two did not achieve remission, dying of toxicity during re-induction. BM (± CNS) Isolated CNS Testicular Duration of CR1 n 3 yr. EFS (95% CI) n 3 yr. EFS (95% CI) n 3 yr. EFS (95% CI) <18 months 5 0% (± 52%) 3 67% (± 54%) - - >18 months 27 39% (± 24%) 13 75% (± 26%) 6 67% (± 38%) Among the patients with BM relapse, the 3 year Event Free Survival (EFS) was 33.2% (95% CI: ± 20.8%). The 3 year EFS for the 18 who proceeded to HSCT was 35.0% (95% CI: ± 27.4%), while 3-year EFS for chemotherapy only patients was 31.7% (95% CI: ± 31.8%). There were 6 patients with T-cell relapsed disease, which were evaluated separately. Their EFS was 0% (95% CI: ±46%) at three years, and 2 failed to achieve CR2. Discussion: We present a large single institution series of patients treated with a common reinduction regimen followed by chemotherapy or HSCT. Although intensive, the regimen was tolerable (less than 4% toxic death rate) and highly successful in achieving CR2. Among the patients with later BM relapse, there was minimal difference in 3-year EFS between chemotherapy and HSCT, offering a reasonable continuation chemotherapy regimen to these patients. Our data confirmed the excellent outcome of isolated CNS and testicular relapse and the poor outcome of very early relapse and T cell disease.

MEF2C as Novel Oncogene for Early T-Cell Precursor (ETP) Leukemia

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 9-9
Author(s):  
Irene Homminga ◽  
Rob Pieters ◽  
Anton Langerak ◽  
Johan de Rooi ◽  
Andrew Stubbs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Cell Precursor ◽  
Molecular Cytogenetic ◽  
Oncogenic Pathways ◽  
Cytogenetic Analyses ◽  
Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract Abstract 9 To identify novel oncogenic pathways in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), we combined expression profiling of 117 pediatric patient samples and detailed molecular cytogenetic analyses. Using unsupervised and supervised analyses, we identified a T-ALL cluster that was associated with an immature immunophenotype (CD1−, CD4−, CD8−), frequent expression of CD34 and co-expression of the myeloid markers CD13/CD33. Patients in this cluster lacked any of the known oncogenic rearrangements, but ectopically expressed MEF2C, which was recently demonstrated as an important transcription factor for T-cell development1. Molecular-cytogenetic analyses including the Chromatine Conformation Capture on Chip (4C) method revealed novel rearrangements of the MEF2C locus at 5q14, rearrangement of transcription factors that target MEF2C (PU.1, NKX2-5, RUNX1) or MEF2C-associated cofactors (NCOA2/GRIP1) in about half of the patients in this cluster. Four out of the 6 rearrangements identified have never been observed before in human cancer. Nearly all of these patients in this cluster could be predicted by the early T-cell precursor (ETP) signature2 using PAM statistics. This indicates that MEF2C may represent the oncogene for ETP T-ALL, an entity that has been associated with poor outcome2. Inhibition of MEF2C in a cell line model system provoked relieve of developmental arrest, indicating that ectopic MEF2C expression blocks T-cell development at an early stage. We demonstrated that MEF2C is a transcriptional regulator for many differentially expressed genes that were associated with the immature cluster including LYL1 and LMO2. Although LYL1 has been suggested as potential oncogene for immature T-ALL cases3, oncogenic rearrangements were never identified in T-ALL cases with immature immunophenotype. Our data therefore imply that high expression of LYL1 (and LMO2) is part of a pathogenic pathway for immature T-ALL that is regulated by the MEF2C oncogene. 1 Stehling-Sun, S., Dade, J., Nutt, S. L., DeKoter, R. P. & Camargo, F. D. Regulation of lymphoid versus myeloid fate ’choice’ by the transcription factor Mef2c. Nat Immunol 10, 289–296, (2009). 2 Coustan-Smith, E. et al. Early T-cell precursor leukaemia: a subtype of very high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Lancet Oncol 10, 147–156, (2009). 3 Ferrando, A. A. et al. Gene expression signatures define novel oncogenic pathways in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer Cell 1, 75–87 (2002). Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Prognostic Value of Rare IKZF1 deletions in Childhood B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: An International Collaborative Study

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 368-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith M. Boer ◽  
Arian van der Veer ◽  
Dimitris Rizopoulos ◽  
Marta Fiocco ◽  
Edwin Sonneveld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Prognostic Value ◽  
Rare Variants ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Matched Pair ◽  
Prognostic Impact ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cell Precursor ◽  
Exon 2

Abstract BACKGROUND Deletions in IKZF1 are found in approximately 15% of children with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). There is strong evidence for the poor prognosis of the most common IKZF1 deletions affecting exons 4-7 (DEL 4-7) and exons 1-8 (DEL 1-8), but evidence for the remaining 33% of cases harboring other variants of IKZF1 deletions is lacking. In an international multi-centre study we analyzed the prognostic value of these rare variants. METHODS Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assays were performed on genomic DNA from patients’ bone marrow aspirates at diagnosis by the national study groups. Each IKZF1-deleted case was matched to three wild-type controls based on cytogenetic subtype, treatment protocol, stratification arm, white blood cell count and age at diagnosis. Known high-risk factors age <1 year (infants), BCR-ABL1-positive, and MLL-rearranged cases were excluded. We compared the cumulative incidence of relapse with death as competing event (CIR) between cases and their controls using Gray’s test. Matched pair Cox regression was used for event-free survival (EFS) analysis, and the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported. RESULTS We included 134 BCP-ALL cases with a rare IKZF1 deletion and 402 matched controls. Of these cases, 26 (19%) had a deletion in exon 2 to 3 (DEL 2-3), 32 (24%) in exon 2 to 7 (DEL 2-7), 15 (11%) in exon 2 to 8 (DEL 2-8), 27 (20%) in exon 4 to 8 (DEL 4-8), and 34 (25%) belonged to the remaining group (DEL-Other). All rare IKZF1 deletion variants together had a higher 5-year CIR compared with the matched wild-type controls (40% vs. 22%, p<0.001), and a lower matched pair EFS (HR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.4-2.3; p<0.001). Analysis of cases and matched controls within their own risk group (56 standard risk, 33 intermediate risk and 45 high risk cases), showed an unfavorable effect for rare IKZF1 deletions in all stratification groups. Rare IKZF1 deletions were found in all BCP-ALL subtypes. The frequency of ETV6-RUNX1-positive (12 cases, 9%), high-hyperdiploid (21 cases, 16%), and unclassified BCP-ALL (13 cases, 10%) was relatively low among rare IKZF1-deleted cases. Most cases were found in the B-other group (88 cases, 66%). These B-other cases had a higher 5-year CIR compared with wild-type controls (47% vs. 27%, p<0·001), which translated into a lower EFS (HR 1·8, 95% CI: 1·3-2·4, p=<0·001). CIR and EFS analysis of high-hyperdiploid cases revealed a weak trend for an adverse outcome associated with rare IKZF1 deletions (5-year CIR 29% vs. 18%, p=0·1 and HR 2·4, 95% CI: 0·8-6·7, p=0·1). No prognostic impact was seen for rare IKZF1 deletions in ETV6-RUNX1-positive BCP-ALL Separate analyses per IKZF1 deletion type showed a higher 5-year CIR for DEL 2-7 (38% vs. 18%, p=0.05), for DEL 2-8 (60% vs. 31%, p=0.02), and for DEL-Other cases (45% vs. 24%, p=0.04). Matched pair analysis of EFS revealed a poor prognosis for DEL 2-7 (HR 2·0, p=0·03), DEL 2-8 (HR 2·2, p=0·002), and DEL-Other (HR 2·2, p<0·001). The CIR and EFS of DEL 2-3 cases displayed a trend for unfavorable outcome (5-year CIR 28% vs. 17%, p=0.06; HR 1.8, p=0.1) but not for DEL 4-8 (34% vs. 26%, p>0.1; HR 1.0, p>0.1). The prognosis of each rare variant, including DEL 2-3 and DEL 4-8, was equal or worse compared with the most frequently observed and unfavorable prognostic DEL 4-7 and DEL 1-8 variants. CONCLUSIONS All types of rare IKZF1 deletions, with the possible exception of DEL 4-8 cases, had a significantly increased risk of relapse and poorer EFS compared with their matched wild-type controls. The prognosis of DEL 4-8 cases was as poor as those of the other rare variants and that of the known high-risk variants DEL 4-7 and DEL 1-8. We therefore conclude that all variants of IKZF1 deletions are equivalent in terms of their prognostic impact. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Post Induction Minimal Residual Disease Levels Identifies a Group of High Risk Relapsed Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (rALL) with a Favorable Outcome Independent of Induction Therapy

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 1294-1294
Author(s):  
Catriona Anne Parker ◽  
Marie Reeves ◽  
Sharon Love ◽  
Jeremy Hancock ◽  
Peter M Hoogerbrugge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Induction Therapy ◽  
Residual Disease ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Favorable Outcome ◽  
Childhood All ◽  
Post Induction

Abstract BACKGROUND: The determinants of outcome in children with rALL are the duration of first remission (CR1), site of relapse and immunophenotype. High risk (HR) relapses are defined as those occurring with a CR1 of <18 months; B-cell precursor (BCP) with bone marrow (BM) relapse within 6 months of stopping therapy and T-cell BM or combined relapses at any time. All other relapses are defined as standard risk (SR). In the UKALLR3 clinical trial for rALL, HR patients had a lower CR2 rate, higher post induction MRD and inferior survival when compared to SR patients treated in identical fashion. We investigated the effect of further intensifying induction therapy with clofarabine in HR patients. METHODS: Clofarabine was added to the UKALLR3 consolidation block of cyclophosphamide, etoposide (CCE) and used as induction therapy, with dexamethasone and PEG-Asparaginase for HR patients. The previous induction block with mitoxantrone (M) was given as consolidation and all patients were eligible for stem cell transplantation (SCT) with any donor after a third intensification block. The outcomes assessed were improvements in CR2, MRD and progression-free survival (PFS) when compared to historical controls of patients receiving idarubicin (I) or M induction in UKALLR3. A Fleming-style design, based on observed response and toxicity, was incorporated to allow an increase in the dose of cyclophosphamide from 300 mg/m2 to 440 mg/m2. RESULTS: 61, 39 at lower and 22 at the higher dose of cyclophosphamide, CCE patients were compared to 30 I and 69 M patients with HR rALL. Patients in the CCE group had a lower median age at presentation, but other prognostic variables were comparable. CR2 rates of 73%, 83%, 71% and low MRD (≤10-4) was seen in 32%, 0%, 25% of CCE, I and M groups. The higher cyclophosphamide dose was associated with improved CR rates, lower MRD but also increased toxicity levels in CCE compared to M group patients. The proportions of patients reaching transplantation were 43%, 60% and 55% of CCE, I and M patients respectively. 73/82 eligible patients received a SCT, 48 (66%) with matched and 25 (34%) with mismatched donors. The 2-year PFS with CCE, M and I regimens were 17% (11,23), 27% (19,34) and 30% (25,36) respectively (p=0.08). Outcomes of matched sibling, matched unrelated and mismatched SCT were comparable (p=0.9). Seventeen patients with a post induction MRD<10-4, had a 2-year PFS of 63% (50,75), compared to 21% (15,27) for 53 patients with MRD≥10-4 and 21% (17, 25) for the 90 patients with unknown MRD (p=0.005). All 4 patients with MRD≥10-3 prior to SCT and 8/9 not transplanted suffered a second relapse. Overall outcomes of BCP (2-year PFS 21% (15,28)) and T-cell ALL (2-year PFS 26% (16,35)) were comparable (p=0.9). PFS in BCP-ALL was 31% (24,38) and 13% (6,20) (p=0.1) for those receiving M and CCE respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We define two groups of HR rALL patients based on MRD levels attained post induction, independent of the induction regimen. Approximately a quarter of HR patients continue to have chemosensitive disease as evidenced by rapid MRD clearance (<10-4 at week 5). This group includes high-risk cytogenetics and T-cell rALL with MRD as the single discriminatory factor for outcome. These patients have a favorable outcome after SCT with any donor. In the other group (MRD≥10-4) over half of HR patients do not reach SCT primarily due to refractory disease (27%) or disease recurrence (14%). One third of patients relapse post SCT. For this group novel agents and newer treatment strategies are urgently required. Disclosures Off Label Use: Clofarabine 1st relapse childhood ALL.

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