Search

Acquired factor V inhibitor represents a rare condition, described only in case reports. The use of activated bypassing agents in bleeding control could be of aid and improve the survival in symptomatic patients with acquired factor V inhibitor.

Acquired hemophilia should be evaluated in pediatric patients with bleeding and isolated prolonged aPTT. Immunosuppressive treatment should be initiated even in minor bleedings. Bypassing agents like rFVIIa can be used in children with success.

The 2017 version of the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) recommendations, by integrating cytogenetics and mutational status of specific genes, divides patients with acute myeloid leukemia into 3 prognostically distinct risk categories: favorable (ELN2017-FR), intermediate (ELN2017-IR), and adverse (ELN2017-AR). We performed a post hoc analysis of the GIMEMA (Gruppo Italiano Malattie EMatologiche dell’Adulto) AML1310 trial to investigate the applicability of the ELN2017 risk stratification to our study population. In this trial, after induction and consolidation, patients in complete remission were to receive an autologous stem cell transplant (auto-SCT) if categorized as favorable risk or an allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) if adverse risk. Intermediate-risk patients were to receive auto-SCT or allo-SCT based on the postconsolidation levels of measurable residual disease as measured by using flow cytometry. Risk categorization was originally conducted according to the 2009 National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommendations. Among 500 patients, 445 (89%) were reclassified according to the ELN2017 criteria: ELN2017-FR, 186 (41.8%) of 455; ELN2017-IR, 179 (40.2%) of 445; and ELN2017-AR, 80 (18%) of 455. In 55 patients (11%), ELN2017 was not applicable. Two-year overall survival (OS) was 68.8%, 51.3%, 45.8%, and 42.8% for the ELN2017-FR, ELN2017-IR, ELN2017-not classifiable, and ELN2017-AR groups, respectively (P < .001). When comparing the 2 different transplant strategies in each ELN2017 risk category, a significant benefit of auto-SCT over allo-SCT was observed among ELN2017-FR patients (2-year OS of 83.3% vs 66.7%; P = .0421). The 2 transplant procedures performed almost equally in the ELN2017-IR group (2-year OS of 73.9% vs 70.8%; P = .5552). This post hoc analysis of the GIMEMA AML1310 trial confirms that the ELN2017 classification is able to accurately discriminate patients with different outcomes and who may benefit from different transplant strategies. This trial was registered as EudraCT number 2010-023809-36 and at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01452646.

The presence of donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) is associated with a 10-fold increased risk of graft failure in haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haplo-SCT). Consensus guidelines from the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation set a mean fluorescence intensity (MFI)1000 as a cutoff for DSA positivity. In the absence of an alternative donor, it is recommended that patients undergo desensitization therapy, especially with high DSA levels (5000 MFI). The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of DSA on risk of graft failure and poor graft function, as well as on major outcomes in a consecutive cohort of patients who were systematically screened for DSA before haplo-SCT. A total of 141 consecutive patients were candidates for unmanipulated haplo-SCT with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PT-Cy) at our center between January 2012 and January 2018, and 135 were analyzed for the presence of HLA antibodies. Of these 134 patients underwent haplo-SCT. HLA antibodies were detected in 40 patients, including 19 with DSA and 21 without DSA. Ten of the 19 patients with DSA underwent transplantation using that donor, whereas 2 underwent a desensitization program before transplantation. Only 2 patients experienced primary graft failure (1.4 %), both of whom were without DSA. Twenty patients developed a poor graft function (15%). The 3-year overall survival (OS), 3-year progression-free survival (PFS), and 1-year nonrelapse mortality (NRM) were analyzed according to the presence or absence of DSA. No statistically significant difference was found. No impact of the presence of DSA on the risk of developing graft failure and poor graft function was revealed. Major outcomes of transplantation were analyzed separately in patients with poor graft function and those with good graft function. The 3-year OS, 3-year PFS, and 1-year NRM in good graft function and poor graft function populations were 62% versus 20% (P.0001), 53% versus 20% (P.0001), and 12% versus 40% (P = .009), respectively. The presence of low-level DSA in the absence of desensitization did not correlate with the risk of developing graft failure and poor graft function. Patients who experienced poor graft function had worse outcomes than patients with good graft function.

In a minority of relapsed myeloma, patient's disease may spread into extramedullary sites, associated with high degrees of heterogeneity. The breadth of myeloma therapeutic armamentarium allows clinicians to manage its heterogeneous presentation, including intracranial relapses, with fair success resulting in a significant prolongation of survival.

To shed light onto the molecular basis of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia and to investigate the prognostic role of additional genomic lesions, we analyzed copy number aberrations using the Cytoscan HD Array in 116 newly diagnosed adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia enrolled in four different GIMEMA protocols, all based on a chemotherapy-free induction strategy. This analysis showed that patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia carry an average of 7.8 lesions/case, with deletions outnumbering gains (88% versus 12%). The most common deletions were those targeting IKZF1, PAX5 and CDKN2A/B, which were detected in 84%, 36% and 32% of cases, respectively. Patients carrying simultaneous deletions of IKZF1 plus CDKN2A/B and/or PAX5 had a significantly lower disease-free survival rate (24.9% versus 43.3%; P=0.026). The only IKZF1 isoform affecting prognosis was the dominant negative one (P=0.003). Analysis of copy number aberrations showed that 18% of patients harbored MEF2C deletions, which were of two types, differing in size: the longer deletions were associated with the achievement of a complete molecular remission (P=0.05) and had a favorable impact on disease-free survival (64.3% versus 32.1% at 36 months; P=0.031). These findings retained statistical significance also in multivariate analysis (P=0.057). KRAS deletions, detected in 6% of cases, were associated with the achievement of a complete molecular remission (P=0.009). These results indicate that in adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia a detailed evaluation of additional deletions - including CDKN2A/B, PAX5, IKZF1, MEF2C and KRAS - has prognostic implications and should be incorporated in the design of more personalized treatment strategies.

Compared to the general population, patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have a nine-fold increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). Little is known about VTE prophylaxis in relapsed/refractory (RR) MM patients treated with next generation anti-myeloma drugs, such as pomalidomide (Poma) and carfilzomib (K), and monoclonal antibodies daratumumab (Dara) and elotuzumab (Elo), alone or in combination with dexamethasone at high- (D, 40 mg/week) or low-dose (d, 20 mg/week). Here, we describe the incidence of VTE in a retrospective cohort of 112 consecutive relapsed and refractory myeloma (RRMM) patients who received a third line of treatment from April 2013 to February 2020. Anti-MM regimens included combinations of pomalidomide and dexamethasone (PomaD, N = 61), carfilzomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (KRd, N = 31), and elotuzumab, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (EloRd, N = 10), while the remaining 10 patients received daratumumab as a single agent. According to National Comprehnsive Cancer Network (NCCN), International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and 2015 European Myeloma Network (EMN) guidelines, 42 patients (38%) were classified as high-risk patients. According to the IMPEDE VTE score, 32 patients (28%) were classified as low-risk, with a score &le, 3 (most of them in the PomaD and Dara group), 70 (63%) were classified as intermediate-risk, with a score of 4&ndash, 7 (most of them in PomaD and KRd group), and 10 (9%) were classified as high-risk, with a score &ge, 8 (most of them in the PomaD group). All patients received a prophylaxis, consisting generally of low-doses of acetylsalicylic acid. VTE was recorded in 9% of our patients, all of them with an intermediate or high-risk IMPEDE score, treated with low doses aspirin (ASA). No VTE occurred in patients treated with daratumumab. Thus, our real-life experience documents that (1) in RRMM patients treated with continuative regimens of third line, the incidence of VTE is similar to the setting of newly-diagnosed patients, (2) many patients in real-life received prophylaxis with ASA, irrespective of the risk classification, (3) the IMPEDE VTE score seems to be more appropriate to define the risk categories. Randomized clinical trials are required to better define the VTE prophylaxis strategy in the RRMM setting.

Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, potentially fatal disorder of haematopoietic stem cells caused by mutations in an X-linked gene called phosphatidylinositol glycan class A, characterised by intravascular haemolysis, bone marrow failure and thrombotic events. The disease can occur at any age, although preferentially it affects young adults; its estimated prevalence is about 1/500,000 [1]. Clinical symptoms are variable and can include haemolytic anaemia, moderate to severe impairment of haematopoiesis and, in approximately 40% of patients, thrombosis of the vessels of the abdomen, brain and skin [2]. Rare, atypical site thrombosis of the splanchnic veins or cerebral sinuses are recognized as suggestive of the presence of a PNH clone [3]. To date, however, the prevalence of PNH clones in unselected patients with cerebral venous thrombosis is not yet known. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of PNH clones in patients with a recent history of cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) and up to twenty-four months follow-up. In this multicentre cross-sectional study, patients with an objective diagnosis of CSVT of new onset or occurring in the previous three years were investigated for the presence of PNH clones. Known or clinically suspected PNH and active treatments able to interfere

BAY 81-8973 is an unmodified, full-length third generation recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) which offers a more favorable pharmacokinetic (PK) profile, compared to its predecessor sucrose-formulated rFVIII (rFVIII-FS). We here report on a retrospective case series of nine patients affected by hemophilia A (HA), with variable disease severity, bleeding phenotype and comorbidities, to underline our clinical practice on prophylaxis with a recently introduced standard hall-life recombinant Factor VIII. The current case series highlights how the current clinical management of hemophilia is able to personalize treatment in several specific conditions like concomitant illnesses with thrombotic risk and allergic reactions.

Here we discuss the case of a heavily pretreated male patient with relapsed-refractory multiple myeloma and previous monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance who initiated a fifth-line treatment with pomalidomide (4 mg orally, days 1–21 of a 28-day cycle) and low-dose dexamethasone (40 mg weekly orally). A total of 3 months later, very good partial response was achieved and complete response was maintained for 7 months. This case illustrates the field-practice experience on the benefits of pomalidomide in a relapsed-refractory multiple myeloma patient with a previous history of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Indeed, the pomalidomide/dexamethasone regimen resulted in a longer progression-free survival compared with previous regimens and demonstrated a good long-term tolerability.

Background: In the 2017 version of the ELN recommendations (ELN2017), a comprehensive evaluation of karyotype and mutational status of specific genes (e.g. FLT3 and NPM1) allows to classify patients (pts) with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) into 3 prognostically distinct risk groups (favorable, intermediate and adverse-risk). Before the publication of the ELN2017 guidelines, the Gruppo Italiano Malattie Ematologiche MAligne (GIMEMA) conducted a prospective trial (AML1310) in which prognostic classification relied on the risk assessment criteria (NCCN2009) at that time available. In this post-hoc analysis, we investigated the applicability of the ELN2017 risk stratification to the AML1310 study population. Methods: After induction and consolidation, pts in complete remission (CR) were to receive autologous stem cell transplant (AuSCT) if categorized as favorable-risk (FR) (CBF-AML, NPM1-mutated) or allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT) if adverse-risk (AR) (FLT3-ITD, complex karyotype). Intermediate-risk pts (IR) were to receive AuSCT or ASCT based on the post-consolidation levels of MRD as measured by flow-cytometry. Baseline genetic/cytogenetic, together with RUNX1/RUNX1T1, CBFb/MYH11, NPM1, FLT3 mutational status (including the FLT3 allelic ratio for those positive) were used to retrospectively classify pts according to the ELN2017. Results: All 500 pts, enrolled in the AML1310 trial, were included in the present analysis. Retrospective allocation was feasible in 445/500 (89%) cases and pts lacking crucial information for a proper ELN2017 assignment, defined a control group (ELN2017-NC). Median age was 49 (range 18-61). The re-assignmentaccording to the ELN2017, resulted in 186 pts (41.8%) belonging to the FR category (ELN2017-FR), 179 (40.2%) to the IR (ELN2017-IR) and 80 (18%) to the AR (ELN2017-AR) ones. Moreover, 55 (11%) pts were considered ELN2017-NC. Based on this process of re-assignment, 173 pts were reclassified according to ELN2017: 6 from NCCN FR (1 ELN2017-NC, 4 ELN2017-IR, 1 ELN2017-AR), 54 from NCCN IR (34 ELN2017-NC, 4 ELN2017-IR, 1 ELN2017-AR), and 113 from NCCN AR (20 ELN2017-NC, 38 ELN2017-FR, 55 ELN2017-AR) groups. After 1-2 cycles of induction, 361 (72%) pts obtained CR or CR incomplete (CRi): 163 (88.1%), 114 (65%), 45 (56.2%) and 39 (70%) in the ELN2017-FR, ELN2017-IR, ELN2017-AR and ELN2017-NC groups, respectively (p Summary/Conclusion: In this GIMEMA AML1310 post-hoc analysis, we confirmed that the ELN2017 classification is able to accurately define pts that can benefit from different post-remission strategies. Specifically, AuSCT granted longer survival in FR pts, while for IR pts AuSCT and ASCT performed equally when minimal residual disease was used as a driver for opting between one of the two. In conclusion, ELN classification is a reliable grouping system that, combined with MRD assessment, helps addressing pts to the most appropriate treatment. Such an hypothesis will be prospectively challenged in the next GIMEMA trial AML1819. Disclosures Luppi: Abbvie: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Gilead Sci: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy; Daiichi-Sankyo: Consultancy; MSD: Consultancy. Voso:Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Venditti:Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company), Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company).

The current interest in recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) products stems from the fact that they offer a technological solution to prolonging the half-life of and reducing the risk of formation of alloantibodies (inhibitors) against FVIII in treated patients with hemophilia A (HA). The Italian health care system has authorized the use of a wide range of rFVIII concentrates of the first, second, and third generation, as well as new innovative rFVIII preparates with an extended half-life (EHL) (Kogenate FS®-Bayer, belonging to the second generation and replaced since 2017 by a product consisting of the same modified molecule; because it is only available until the end of the current year, it will not be considered in this review). Some of these products have unique pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles, including an EHL. The first-generation full-length rFVIII (FL-rFVIII), octocog alfa (Recombinate® Baxter/BIOVIIIx), although the oldest rFVIII product, has several desirable features. Third-generation products include two modified octocog alfa molecules (Advate®, Shire; Kovaltry®, Bayer) as well as the B domain-deleted rFVIII (BDD-rFVIII) moroctocog alfa (ReFacto®-Pfizer). The B domain-truncated (BDT-rFVIII) turoctocog alfa (NovoEight®, Novo Nordisk), the BDD-rFVIII simoctocog alfa (Nuwiq®, Kedrion), the single-chain BDT-rVIII lonoctocog alfa (Afstyla®, CSL Behring), and the BDD-rFVIIIFc efmoroctocog alfa (Elocta®, Sobi-Biogen) are new, innovative products. Simoctocog alfa, because its peculiarities, is considered a fourth-generation rFVIII concentrate. Turoctocog alfa, simoctocog alfa, and lonoctocog alfa have a high affinity for von Willebrand factor (vWF) that reduces renal clearance and prolongs the half-life of rFVIII. Efmoroctocog alfa, a first-in-class rFVIII-Fc fusion protein (rFVIIIFc), has a half-life 1.5-1.8 times longer than that of conventional plasma-derived FVIII (pd-rFVIII) and other rFVIII products. Clinical studies have evaluated the efficacy, safety, and inhibitor development of all these innovative concentrates in both previously treated (PTPs) and untreated patients (PUPs). This review considers the rFVIII products that are indicated for the treatment of patients with severe HA, focusing on those that are commercially available in Italy. Their PK characteristics, immunogenicity, and clinical benefits are discussed and compared.

Background: The ASPIRE (NCT01080391) phase 3 trial showed the efficacy of carfilzomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (KRd) triplet for relapse and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). However, little is known about safety and efficacy of KRd outside a clinical trial context. Methods: Herein we report real life results of KRd given to 130 RRMM patients from 12 Sicilian Centers. Results: Median age was 62 years, patients had received a median of two previous lines of treatment (range 1&ndash, 10) and 52% were refractory to previous treatment. Median number of KRd cycles was 12 (2&ndash, 29), with a mean duration of treatment of 12 months, 21 patients had received at least 18 cycles. Overall response rate was 61%, including 18% complete response. Median PFS was 22.9 months, median OS was not reached. Creatinine clearance &gt, 30 mL/min, quality of the best achieved response and standard Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) risk were independent predictors of favorable outcome. Patients who received the full-dosage of carfilzomib in the first two cycles had a better outcome. Conclusions: KRd was effective and well tolerated and in a considerable proportion of patients, therapy continued beyond the 18th cycle. The finding of a better outcome in patients with the higher cumulative dose of carfilzomib in the first two cycle encourages to maintain the maximum tolerated dose.

We designed a trial in which postremission therapy of young patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was decided combining cytogenetics/genetics and postconsolidation levels of minimal residual disease (MRD). After induction and consolidation, favorable-risk patients (FR) were to receive autologous stem cell transplant (AuSCT) and poor-risk patients (PR) allogeneic stem cell transplant (AlloSCT). Intermediate-risk patients (IR) were to receive AuSCT or AlloSCT depending on the postconsolidation levels of MRD. Three hundred sixty-one of 500 patients (72%) achieved a complete remission, 342/361 completed the consolidation phase and were treatment allocated: 165 (48%) to AlloSCT (122 PR, 43 IR MRD-positive) plus 23 rescued after salvage therapy, for a total of 188 candidates; 150 (44%) to AuSCT (115 FR, 35 IR MRD-negative) plus 27 IR patients (8%) with no leukemia-associated phenotype, for a total of 177 candidates. Overall, 110/177 (62%) and 130/188 (71%) AuSCT or AlloSCT candidates received it, respectively. Two-year overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of the whole series was 56% and 54%, respectively. Two-year OS and DFS were 74% and 61% in the FR category, 42% and 45% in the PR category, 79% and 61% in the IR MRD-negative category, and 70% and 67% in the IR MRD-positive category. In conclusion, AuSCT may still have a role in FR and IR MRD-negative categories. In the IR MRD-positive category, AlloSCT prolongs OS and DFS to equal those of the FR category. Using all the available sources of stem cells, AlloSCT was delivered to 71% of the candidates.This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01452646 and EudraCT as #2010-023809-36.

Background High-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (HDT-ASCT) and maintenance treatment with novel agents are the best options for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, increasing the rate of complete response (CR) and prolonging progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Indeed, the achievement of a CR is a predictor of long-term survival among transplant-eligible patients. However, it is unclear whether patients reaching a CR after induction treatment could receive less intense consolidation or avoid maintenance therapy. Patients and Methods We analyzed CR patients treated in 2 phase III trials, GIMEMA-RV-MM-PI-209 and RV-MM-EMN-441, to compare HDT-ASCT with an R-Alk (lenalidomide, alkylator) regimen as consolidation, and lenalidomide (R) maintenance with no maintenance. The primary endpoints were PFS, second PFS (PFS2), and OS from consolidation and maintenance (_m). Results Overall, the data from 166 patients in CR were analyzed, 95 in the HDT-ASCT group and 71 in the R-Alk group. The CR patients who received HDT-ASCT had a better PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.55; P = .01), PFS2 (HR, 0.46; P = .02), and OS (HR, 0.42; P = .03) compared with patients randomized to R-Alk. The survival benefit with HDT-ASCT was confirmed among all the subgroups, according to age, International Staging System (ISS stage, cytogenetic profile, and receipt of maintenance therapy. CR patients who received lenalidomide maintenance had a better PFS_m (4 years: 54% vs. 19%; HR, 0.43; P = .02) compared with those who received no maintenance. However, no difference was observed in terms of PFS2_m (4 years: 72% vs. 58%; HR, 0.83; P = .67) and OS_m (4 years: 79% vs. 72%; HR, 0.82; P = .73) with maintenance therapy. Conclusion Even in CR patients, outcomes were improved by an intensified approach with HDT-ASCT consolidation and lenalidomide-based maintenance therapy.

Background: Triplet-based lenalidomide plus dexamethasone (Rd) combinations have become the new standard of care for early relapse and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Carfilzomib is a novel selective proteasome inhibitor (PI) with high efficacy in RRMM. The ASPIRE phase 3 trial showed the superiority of carfilzomib-based triplet (KRd compared to Rd), leading to approval of K for RRMM. However, little is known about safety and efficacy of KRd outside a clinical trial context. Experimental design and aims: In 11 Sicilian Centers belonging to the Sicilian Myeloma Network, from November 2016, when KRd regimen was approved in Italy, to June 2018, 103 consecutive RRMM patients (previous lines 1-10) have received KRd regimen, according to ASPIRE schedule. Lenalidomide dosage was reduced in patients with a low count of platelet and/or renal failure according to manufacturer guidelines. Since previous studies have demonstrated that increased cumulative dose of first generation PI bortezomib significantly improved overall survival of patients treated with VMP regimen, we studied the effect of cumulative dose of Carfilzomib in RRMM patients receiving KRd. Results: Clinical and demographic characteristics of patients included in the study are summarized in Table 1. Median age was 65 years (range 33-86), most patients were males (54%). About half of the patients included in the survey were refractory to previous treatment (54%); Sixty-five (63%) patients received at least 5 cycles of KRd and 38 (36%) received at least 10 cycles. Overall response rate was 34% (35 patients); 18 patients (17%) achieved a complete response (CR), 6 patients minimal response (MR), 13 (12%) patients achieved PR, 16 patients achieved MR and then progressed; progression occurred in 20 patients, among them 3 did not reached any response. Delays due to adverse events were 33%, mainly due to febrile neutropenia (22%), thromboembolic events (4.5%), heart failure (3%), or thrombocytopenia (4.5%). To prevent hematological toxicities, 24% of patients received granulocyte growth factors, 15% erythropoietin. In 30 patients treatment was reduced (mainly due to lenalidomide toxicity) and in 5 patients discontinued for toxicity. Thus, median cumulative carfizomib doses at 2, 3, 4 and 6 cycles were respectively 480 mg (282 mg/m2), 735 mg (435 mg/m2), 995 mg (589 mg/m2) and 1522mg (890 mg/m2). After a median follow up of 16.2 months, PFS at 12 months was 67.3%. We found that median PFS was significantly longer in patients who received at least 480 mg (282 mg/m2) within first two months of treatment compared to those that could not receive full-dose KRd (respectively, undefined vs 11 months p=0.04). To identify patients that could obtain the most advantage by KRd treatment, 65 patients who had received at least six cycles were distinguished in two groups, based on previous treatments. In group A, 27 patients were heavily pretreated (median previous lines 4, range 2-10) and had previously received lenalidomide while 38 patients included in group B were less pretreated (median previous lines 3, range 1-5) and lenalidomide- naïve. We found that group A had lower PFS than group B although duration of PFS from the previous treatment was similar in both groups. Conclusions: In our cohort of patients rate of VGPR or better obtained with KRd combination was high with an overall response rate of 34%, with an acceptable safety profile. It is therefore reasonable that approaches to achieve a higher cumulative dose, such as continuing therapy in responding patients and/or proactive adverse events management, influence efficacy. In addition, it is likely that patients not previously exposed to several lines of treatment including lenalidomide are the best candidate for a favorable outcome with KRd regimen. Disclosures Di Raimondo: Celgene: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding.

Ph’+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph’+-ALL) is an oncohematologic disorder for which allogeneic bone marrow transplantation still offers the only chance of cure. However, relapse is the main reason for treatment failure, also after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). New drugs, such as third generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and monoclonal antibodies, have expanded the therapeutic landscape, especially in patients who relapsed before HSCT. Very few reports, up to now, have described the use of both classes of these new agents in combination with donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) in the setting of patients who relapsed after HSCT. We report on a young patient affected by Ph’+-ALL, who relapsed after the second HSCT and who reached molecular remission and long-term disease control by treatment with the anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody inotuzumab ozogamicin, DLI, and the 3rd generation TKI ponatinib.

INTRODUCTION: Gaucher disease (GD) is a rare, autosomal recessive genetic disorder. It is due to a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme, glucocerebrosidase, which leads to an accumulation of its substrate, glucosylceramide, in tissue macrophage with damage to hematological, visceral, and skeletal organ systems. Although GD has a continuous spectrum of severity, it is traditionally classified into three forms: type 1 (chronic; lacking early onset neuronopathy), type 2 (acute; with early onset neuronopathy),and type 3 (chronic; with early onsetneuronopathy). Type 1GD accounts for more than 90% all GD patients. Its prevalence world-wide is 1 in 50,000-100,000 but it is as high as ~1 in 850 in individuals of Ashkenazi heritage. Type 1 GD is frequently associated to monoclonal gammopathies; despite the emergence of theories advanced to explain these observations, the cause remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: Aim of the ongoing observational study is to determine the prevalence of unrecognized type I GD in a selected Italian population with MGUS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2018, dried blood spots (DBS) sample from patients with laboratory evidence of MGUS coming from five hematology units of Sicily and Calabria were collected and tested for the acid β-glucosidase enzyme activity. The study was approved by the local institutional review board. All patients provided informed consent for the prospective collection of their data. In case of DBS positive result, a confirmatory test was carried over and, if GD was confirmed, the patient was referred to one of the Regional Reference Centers for Metabolic Disease, as for current clinical practice in Italy. RESULTS: To date, 308 patients with MGUS were enrolled; acid β-glucosidase enzyme activity was low in 22 patients (7%). Sequence analysis of GBA gene was performed in these selected patients, but we have found only 4 patients with heterozygous mutation in the GBA1 gene, 1 homozygous(c.1226A>G -N370S) and 1 compound heterozygous (c.1226A>G -N370S and c.1448T>C -L444P); the last 2 patients had signs of GD (hepato-splenomegaly and mild thrombocytopenia). CONCLUSIONS: Type 1 GD remains a rare lysosomal storage disorder but preliminary results of our observational study show that it should be considered in the diagnostic framework of patients with MGUS, particularly when other GD symptoms are present. Disclosures Conticello: Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Di Raimondo:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

INTRODUCTION: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is very common in patients with malignancies. Compared to the general population, patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have a 9-fold increased risk of developing VTE. In patients treated with thalidomide or lenalidomide, current guidelines recommend systematic VTE prophylaxis with ASA in low risk patients while vitamin K antagonists (VKA) or low weight molecular heparin (LWMH) or unfractionated heparin (UFH) in high-risk patients, based on the type of anti-MM treatment that patients receive and patient-related individual risk factors (e. g. history of VTE). However, little is known on VTE prophylaxis in patients treated with next generation anti-myeloma drugs, such as pomalidomide, carfilzomib and monoclonal antibodies daratumumab and elotuzumab. Here, we describe the incidence of VTE in MM patients treated with third generation novel agents in real life. In addition, we stratify patients on drugs category-based regimens to evaluate strategy of VTE prophylaxis between different groups of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 137 patients affected by relapsed and/ or refractory multiple myeloma treated with novel agents was analyzed. Patients were followed at the Division of Hematology of Catania from April 2013 to June2019. Our series includes 75 patients exposed to Pomalidomide and Dexametasone (PomaD), 46 patients receiving Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide and desamethasone regimen (KRd), 14 patients exposed to Daratumumab(Dara), 27 patients to Daratumumab, Bortezomib and desamethasone (DaraVD), 4 patients to Daratumumab lenalidomide and desamethasone (DaraRd), and12 patients exposed to Elotuzumab and Lenalidomide (EloRd). Several patients were exposed to multiple lines of treatment with novel agents: the total number of analyzed treatments are 178. Patients were stratified to high or low risk for VTE: risk factors taken into account were obesity, history of VTE, central venous catheter, inhered thrombophilia, surgical procedures and comorbidities such as infections, immobilization, cardiac disease, chronic renal disease. Low risk patients had no or one risk factor; in case of two or more risk factors, the patients were classified as high risk. Low-dose aspirin (ASA 100 mg per os once daily) or equivalent was prescribed in low risk patients, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or equivalent was given to high risk patients. Only Dara treatment did not include standard prophylaxis in patients without risk factors. RESULTS: Real life observation revealed a low incidence of VTE (6 VTE-4,3%) in patients exposed to novel agents together with a standard prophylaxis in case of risk of thromboembolic complications. Forty patients were at high risk of VTE, while 97 patients were classified as low risk; VTE/PE occurred in 2 high risk patients who refused to make correct LMWH prophylaxis due to the discomfort of the subcutaneous administration, developing distal DVT respectively after cycle 1 and 2 of KRd. Two low risk patients treated with PomaD developed DVT of lower extremities during cycle 2 and 4; 2 low risk patients had pulmonary embolism during PomaD cycle 8. CONCLUSIONS: Low incidence of VTE in patients with RRMM receiving PomaD, KRd, EloRd, DaraVD, DaraRd, Dara or EloRd treatment is probably due to a correct risk assessment and subsequent prophylaxis in case of therapies including immunomodulators or in case of patients with high risk for thromboembolic complications. These data support the use of VTE risk stratification-based prophylactic strategies in myeloma patients treated with new drugs. Disclosures Conticello: Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Di Raimondo:Takeda: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

In Multiple Myeloma (MM) relapse can be defined according to disease aggressiveness and the presence of clinical symptoms. Aggressive relapse can occur even at biochemical level, characterized by a rapid and relevant increase of monoclonal component or LDH, or at clinical level, defined by the presence of extramedullary disease, acute renal injury or progression to secondary plasma cell leukemia. To identify the clinical outcome upon treatment with second generation novel agents (pomalidomide, carfilzomib) and monoclonal antibodies (elotuzumab, daratumumab), we collected evidence of the best timing in providing early salvage treatment to RRMM. We reviewed files of 128 R/R MM (58% males, median age 64 years, range 43-83), treated at biochemical (N=54, 42%) or clinical relapse (N=74, 58%) between January 2017 and December 2019 in our single Institution. Median number of previous lines was 2 (1-9), including autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in half of cases. FISH was repeated before to start the second-generation drugs, and it was available in 53 cases: 11 carried on high-risk (del 17p, t4;14 or t14;16) and 42 standard-risk cytogenetics, without any additional marker compared to the matched sample at diagnosis. Our series included patients who received IMiD-s based treatments, alone (pomalidomide, N= 76, 59%) or in combination with proteasome inhibitors (carfilzomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone, KRd, N= 43, 33%) or monoclonal antibodies (daratumumab-lenalidomide, N= 3 elotuzumab-lenalidomide, N 12); 16 patients (%) received Daratumumab in monotherapy, and N=16 associated to bortezomib. After a median follow-up of 19.2 months, 66 (52%) patients were alive and 33 (25%) received a further line of therapy due to progression. In multivariable analysis only the type of relapse (biochemical versus clinical) and refractory status were independent predictors of overall survival (p In 20/33 individuals who further progressed under novel agents treatment we found second biochemical relapse was anticipated by doubling sFLC ratio one month before. In 5 patients who developed extramedullary lesions (EMD) an increase of sFLC always preceded the diagnosis ofEMD relapse irrespective of M-spike measurement. Taken together, our findings suggest that using second generation novel agents can improve outcome even in heavily pretreated patients. Earlier treatment at biochemical asymptomatic relapse is associated with longer OS. Longitudinal monitoring of sFLC assay ratio can anticipateearly detection of aggressive and/or EMD relapse in the RRMM setting in real life. Disclosures Del Fabro: Janssen: Consultancy. Di Raimondo:Takeda: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Conticello:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

Background Pomalidomide is a novel immune-modulatory drug approved in Italy in 2015 for double refractory multiple myeloma patients (RRMM), with drug-related neutropenia as major limitation to treatment. Aim In lack of real-life data, we retrospectively analyzed RRMM patients treated with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (PomaD) either in real life (N=50), or previously enrolled in an interventional (STRATUS, MM-010, N=15) or enrolled in an observational study (MM-015, N=15) to provide further insights on efficacy, safety, tolerability and clinical advantage of G-CSF prophylaxis.. Methods Between July 2013 and July 2017, 75 RRMM (including 23 double refractory MM) patients received pomalidomide 4 mg daily given orally on days 1-21 of each 28-day cycle, and dexamethasone 40 mg weekly (≤75 years) or 20 mg weekly for patients aged >75 years. Median age was 69 years (range 42-80); median number of prior therapies was 4 (range 2-10). In 9 patients a third agent was added to increase the response: cyclophosphamide (50 mg per day for 10 days/cycle) in 2 fit patients or clarithromycin (500 mg bid for 21 days/cycle) in 7 frail patients. Fifty-six patients with leukocytes count ≤ 2.5· 109/L and neutrophils count ≤ 1.5· 109/L before starting treatment, received also prophylactic subcutaneous filgrastim in order to avoid PomaD induced neutropenia. Phagocytic activity of neuthrophils was also investigated before and after PomaD treatment in the entire series. Results A median number of 8 (range 1-21) PomaD cycles were given, with an overall treatment duration median of 7.7months. The regimen was well tolerated with grade 3-4 hematological and non-hematological adverse events in 12 (16%) and 39 (52%) patients respectively. The most frequent grade 3-4 non-hematological AEs included fatigue (15, 20%), pneumonia (16, 13%), diarrhea (9, 12%), glucose metabolism alteration (5, 6%), thromboembolism (3, 4%) and diffuse erythema (3, 4%). In patients who developed serious AE, pomalidomide dose reduction (15, 20%) or discontinuation (18, 24%) were applied. We maintained for 6 cycles a median leukocyte count higher than 3.5· 109/L and median neutrophils count higher than> 1.5 · 109/L, with only 6 (11%) patients hospitalized for pneumonia and infectious disease. Pomalidomide was reduced only in 7/56 (12%), due to anemia or thrombocytopenia. The treatment was temporary interrupted in 12/56 patients (21%) for adverse events. Before treatment, neutrophils had lower phagocytic activity and oxidative burst together with an increased surface expression of neutrophil activation markers CD64. After 4 cycles of PomaD, CD64 was further increased, and phagocytic activity and oxidative burst recovered completely, improving up to levels comparable to those of healthy subjects, both in patients receiving or not G-CSF. All patients had a response to treatment that was documented within first two cycles. The overall response rate was 66%, including 37 (49%) cases of at least partial remission. In 18/77 patients with creatinine clearance lower than 50 ml/min the best outcome obtained was minimal response, with a PFS significantly lower than in those patients with creatinine clearance higher than 50 ml/min (p=0.02). After a median follow-up of 12 months, median PFS and OS for patients were 12.7 and 18.9 months, respectively. In 23 patients (30%) a PFS longer than that obtained with the previous treatment was recorded. Conclusions Our findings indicate that Poma-D is a safe and well-tolerated regimen also in real-life, with acceptable toxicity. Intensification of G-CSF prophylaxis can reduce frequency of serious adverse events and enable full dosage of pomalidomide. In addition, after four PomaD cycles, neutrophil function improved with recovery of phagocytic activity and oxidative burst. Moreover, PomaD induced six months of disease control in most intensively pre-treated patients and some of them achieved longer PFS than that obtained with the previous treatment. Disclosures Conticello: Jansen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Di Raimondo:Celgene: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding.

Non-albicans Candida (NAC) is rarely isolated from specimens. Here, we report a case of pulmonary infiltrates strongly suspected for Candida guilliermondii infection in a patient affected by T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) resistant to chemotherapy.

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has recently gained a pivotal role in the management of gastric lymphomas, especially in the diagnostic workup. Its accuracy and reliability have overcome those of other imaging techniques, such that it represents an invaluable tool for the management of gastric lymphomas. Although this technique is operator dependent, its application in large series has proved its reliability. Thus, it has generally been considered a useful tool for providing information crucial in deciding the treatment program, especially for mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas, for which EUS can provide an accurate evaluation of disease extension and treatment response probability. Limited-stage disease, confined to the submucosa, has a greater probability to respond to sole Helicobacter pylori eradication. In contrast, the value of EUS in response assessment and follow-up monitoring is still debated, with discordant opinions about its reliability and clinical advantages, because normalization of the EUS findings occurs with a considerable delay compared to the histologic evaluation. In the follow-up setting, preliminary data have indicated that persistently positive EUS findings in low-grade gastric lymphoma could represent a warning for a possible relapse. However, in high-grade gastric lymphoma, such findings do not have any clinical implications.