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The main objective of this study was to investigate whether patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in treatment with long-term therapy imatinib have a different health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) profile compared with the general population. In total, 448 CML patients were enrolled, and the SF-36 Health Survey was used to compare generic HRQOL profiles. Symptoms were also assessed. HRQOL comparisons were adjusted for key possible confounders. The median age of patients was 57 years and the median time of imatinib treatment was 5 years (range 3-9 years). The largest HRQOL differences were found in younger patients. In particular, patients aged between 18 and 39 years had marked impairments in role limitations because of physical and emotional problems, respectively: −22.6 (P < .001), −22.3 (P < .001). Patients with CML age 60 or older had a HRQOL profile very similar to that reported by the general population. Women had a worse profile than men when each were compared with their peers in the general population. Fatigue was the most frequently reported symptom. The HRQOL of CML patients is comparable with that of population norms in many areas, however, younger and female patients seem to report the major limitations.

Nilotinib is a potent and selective BCR-ABL inhibitor approved for the frontline treatment of CML. The latest update (4-yr follow-up) of the ENESTnd study demonstrated sustained superiority of nilotinib vs. imatinib (Hochhaus et al, EHA 2013, abstract 712). The CML Italian Registry of Nilotinib is the largest series of patients treated frontline with nilotinib-based regimens, outside of Company-sponsored trials. Therefore, it represents an important resource for an independent evaluation of the outcome of such patients.

Nilotinib is a potent and selective BCR-ABL inhibitor approved for the frontline treatment of CML. The latest update (4-yr follow-up) of the ENESTnd study demonstrated sustained superiority of nilotinib vs. imatinib (Hochhaus et al, EHA 2013, abstract 712). The CML Italian Registry of Nilotinib is the largest series of patients treated frontline with nilotinib-based regimens, outside of Company-sponsored trials. Therefore, it represents an important resource for an independent evaluation of the outcome of such patients.to analyze the response rates and outcome in an independent cohort of patients treated frontline with nilotinib-based regimens in Italy.The CML Italian Registry of Nilotinib includes 215 patients, enrolled in 2 multicenter phase II studies conducted by the GIMEMA CML WP (ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT00481052 and NCT00769327) with nilotinib 300 mg or 400 mg BID as initial treatment; 123 patients received a sequential treatment with nilotinib and imatinib, with a 3-mo rotation period. The median age was 53 years (range 18–86). Ten out of 215 patients (5%) had a high EUTOS score. The median follow-up was 43 months (range 18–69 months). We analyzed: the rates of Complete Cytogenetic Response (CCyR) and Major Molecular Response (MMR); the overall survival (OS; any death included), progression-free survival (PFS; progression to accelerated/blast phase [AP/BP] and deaths for any cause), failure-free survival (FFS; failures according to ELN 2013 recommendations and deaths for any cause), and event-free survival (EFS; events: failures, permanent discontinuation of nilotinib for any cause, including deaths).Rates of CCyR were 72% and 92% by 3 months and 12 months, respectively. Rates of MMR were 56% and 83% by 3 months and 12 months, respectively. The cumulative rates of CCyR and MMR were 93% and 92%, respectively. Overall, events were recorded in 64 (30%) patients: 31 (14%) patients permanently discontinued nilotinib for adverse events or intolerance; 22 (10%) patients failed therapy according to ELN 2013 recommendations, including 8 (3.7%) patients that progressed to AP/BP; 11 (5%) patients permanently discontinued nilotinib for other reasons. All progressions to AP/BP occurred within the first year of therapy, and all patients subsequently died. Nilotinib-resistant mutations were identified in 5 of these patients (4 T315I; 1 Y253H). No difference in the rate of progression to AP/BP was observed between patients receiving nilotinib alone or nilotinib and imatinib in sequential schedule. Overall, 15 (7%) patients died, in 7 cases for reasons unrelated to CML progression. The 4-year OS, PFS, FFS, and EFS were 93%, 93%, 86%, and 69%, respectively.These Italian nilotinib registry data provide an independent and unbiased overview of the therapeutic effects of nilotinib, with high and early rates of complete cytogenetic and major molecular response. All progressions (3.7%) to AP or BP occurred within the 1st year of therapy; however, all cases were fatal, emphasizing how crucial is the prevention of AP/BP. With a median follow-up of 43 months, 69% of patients were still on nilotinib, and 93% were alive and progression-free.European LeukemiaNet, COFIN, Bologna University, BolognAILGugliotta: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria. Castagnetti:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria. Bocchia:Novartis and Bristol Mayer Squibb: Honoraria. Soverini:Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; ARIAD: Consultancy. Saglio:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; ARIAD: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria. Cavo:Celgene: 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; Millennium: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Baccarani:Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria; Ariad: Honoraria. Rosti:Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Ariad: Consultancy; Roche: Speakers Bureau.

The primary goals of treatment for patients with higher-risk MDS are to improve bone marrow function, suppress AML transformation and prolong survival. The international phase 3 trial, AZA-001, established that azacitidine (AZA) significantly prolonged median overall survival and significantly delayed median time to AML transformation as compared with conventional care regimens. AZA was also associated with significant improvements in other clinically relevant outcomes, including reducing the need for transfusion, hospitalization and intravenous antimicrobials, and improving quality of life. Although several clinical trials have examined the safety of AZA, limited data are available about the long-term use of this drug.We report a retrospective analysis of the outcome of 16 higher-risk MDS patients (M/F: 7/9) treated at our Institution with AZA, from June 2008 to June 2013, with a median follow-up of 33.5 months (range 24-60) after the start of AZA to determine the characteristics of this subset of long-term survivors.Median age at diagnosis was 68 years (range 51-75) and PS was <2 in 13 cases (81.2%). Diagnosis according to the 2008 WHO Classification was refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB)-1 in 7 cases and RAEB-2 in 9 cases. Cytogenetic risk was low in 6 cases (37.5 %; all with normal karyotype) and high in 10 cases (62.5%; all with complex abnormalities). All patients received AZA administered subcutaneously at a dosage of 75 mg/m2 daily for 7 days, repeating the cycle every 28 days; median number of AZA cycles received was 25 (range 19-56). Results According to International Working Group 2006 criteria, 4 patients (25%) achieved complete response, 7 patients (44%) achieved partial response, and 5 (31%) stable disease. 13 patients (81%) are still alive and continuing to receive AZA. Two patients (12.5 %) died due to disease progression, one after 27 months and one after 29 months after the start of AZA. One patient died to infection disease (pneumonia). AZA treatment has lasted more than 3 years in 4 (25%) of the 16 patients. Peripheral cytopenias were the most common advent events for treatment.Allogeneic stem cell transplantation remains the only potentially curative treatment for MDS but the vast majority of patients with MDS are ineligible for transplantation because of comorbidities, advanced age, or lack of a suitable donor. Study in a larger series of patients is warranted, but our experience shows that in the absence of intolerable toxicity or disease progression, continued AZA treatment seems to improve the outcome of higher-risk MDS patients who are not eligible for transplantation.No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

The primary goals of treatment for patients with higher-risk MDS are to improve bone marrow function, suppress AML transformation and prolong survival. The international phase 3 trial, AZA-001, established that azacitidine (AZA) significantly prolonged median overall survival and significantly delayed median time to AML transformation as compared with conventional care regimens. AZA was also associated with significant improvements in other clinically relevant outcomes, including reducing the need for transfusion, hospitalization and intravenous antimicrobials, and improving quality of life. Although several clinical trials have examined the safety of AZA, limited data are available about the long-term use of this drug.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 2030

The therapeutic efficacy of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) for hematological malignancies relies largely on the graft versus leukemia (GvL) effect exerted by the donor CD3 cells, but an uncontrolled graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD) bears a risk of complications. On the other hand, T regs cells (CD4+CD25high Foxp3+) are believed to maintain tolerance and to inhibit GvHD after alloSCT; also, the Foxp3 gene encodes a transcription factor that is a key for thymic development, so T regs cells could preserve an optimal microenviroment for the reconstitution of functional immunity after alloSCT. Moreover, when looking at post allotransplant patients' outcomes, while it is largely known the impact of acute GVHD (triggered by CD3 donor T cells) on survival, there is no evidence that donor graft CD3/T regs ratio may determine an effect in terms of OS, NRM and relapse free survival rates so far.In this study we analyzed the graft CD3+/Tregs ratio (gCD3/Tregs R) and determined its impact on acute GVHD (aGVHD), immunological recovery and survival rates (OS, NRM and Relapse) after myeloablative alloPBSCT. We analyzed 74 consecutive patients transplanted with unmanipulated peripheral blood stem cells from an HLA identical related donor (n=48) or an HLA identical unrelated donor (n=26); diagnoses were acute myeloid leukaemia (n=62), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (n=13). The median CD3+ and Tregs dose administered was 238 (range (r): 67–550) and 12,5×106̂/Kg (r: 2–21), respectively; the median gCD3/Tregs R was 19 (r: 8–250). Patients were subdivided into a high gCD3/Tregs R (>=36) group (HR group n= 30) and a low gCD3/Tregs R (<36) (LR group n=44).The incidence of aGVHD (grade II-IV) in the low gCD3/Tregs R (LR) group was lower than in the high gCD3/Tregs R (HR) group (4/30 or 13% vs 36/44 or 82%, p<.001). The OS, NRM and relapse rate at 3 years was 54,29 and 34%, respectively. Comparing LR with HR group a statistically significant difference is demonstrated for OS and NRM rates (65 vs 31%,p<.004; 3 vs 71%, p<.001), respectively, but not for the R one (35 vs 30%, p=ns). Comparing aGVHD+ with aGVHD- group OS, NRM and relapse were always statistically significant different (39 vs 65%,p<.005; 61 vs 7%,p<.001; 9 vs 53%,p<.002).Taken together, our data may suggest that Tregs content is able to mediate protective effects against aGVHD, while preserving GvL effects as demonstrated by relapse rate comparison between H and LR groups. However, larger studies are needed to understand the real contribution of gCD3/Tregs R on survival rates.No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 1674

Russo Rossi: Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Rosti:Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria.

Russo Rossi: Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Rosti:Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria.

Abstract 1026

Abstract 4445

Abstract 2770

Russo Rossi: Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Rosti:Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria.

Previous experiences documented that strict adherence to the prescribed Imatinib dose is of paramount importance to maximize treatment effectiveness in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). There might be several reasons of non-adherence to therapy and these include treatment factors and personal factors. However, scarce evidence exists on reasons why patients might be non-adherent to Imatinib therapy.The main objective of this study was to investigate the association of factors with a relevant impact on sub-optimal adherence behavior in a population of CML patient receiving long term therapy with Imatinib. Personal, sociodemographic and treatment related factors were analyzed.Analysis was conducted on 413 CML patients undergoing long term therapy with IM who already achieved a stable complete cytogenetic response (CCyR). Adherence was measured with the previously validated self-reported Morisky scale. Patients were classified in two categories based on their reported level of adherence to therapy (“suboptimal” versus “optimal adherence”). Concurrent validity of self-reported adherence was also investigated. Personal factors investigated included: quality of life, social support, fatigue, symptom burden, psychological wellbeing and desire for additional information. Previously validated standardized scales were used to evaluate personal factors including the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) scale, the Psychological General Well-Being Index short-form (PGWB-S) and the FACIT-Fatigue scale. Socio-demographic and treatment related factors analyzed included: age, gender, marital status, education, performance status, comorbidity, risk classification, dose and time in treatment with Imatinib, toxicity, assumption of concomitant drugs and time to response to treatment. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were fitted to investigate the association with a sub-optimal adherence behavior. Possible multicollinearity among selected potential predictors (p<.2 in univariate analysis) was also investigated by Variance Inflation Factor (VIF). Significance level in multivariate models was α=.05.The sample consisted of CML patients whose median age was 57 years (40% female and 60% male). Median duration of Imatinib treatment was 5 years (range 3 to 9 years). Out of the overall sample, there was 47% patients reporting a “suboptimal adherence” to treatment. Patients reporting a full adherence behavior showed shorter median time to reach the first complete molecular response (CMR) than those reporting a sub-optimal adherence, being respectively 4.2 years (95% CI, 3.8 to 4.7) and 4.9 years (95% CI, 4.4 to 5.8). The final multivariate model retained the following variables as independent predictors of suboptimal adherence: desire for more information (ref. No), OR= 2.30 (95% CI, 1.51–3.5; P<.001), social support (higher score representing greater support), OR= 0.77 (95% CI, 0.67 –0.90; P<.001) and assuming concomitant drugs (ref. No), OR=0.55 (95% CI, 0.36–0.84; P<.01).This is the first evidence based data suggesting that a low social support and the desire for additional information are associated with a suboptimal adherence behavior in CML patients receiving long term Imatinib therapy. These data could help identify patients who might benefit most from targeted interventions aimed at improving adherence to therapy.Efficace: Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding. Baccarani:Pfizer: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Ariad: Honoraria. Breccia:Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy. Alimena:Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Rosti:Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Castagnetti:Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Russo Rossi:Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria.

Russo Rossi: Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Rosti:Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Alimena:Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria.

Abstract 1686

Abstract 2751

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

The TKIs Nilotinib and Dasatinib offer additional therapeutic options for patients with CML who are resistant or intolerant to Imatinib. These agents, active against the majority of Imatinib resistant BCR-ABL mutated clones, have a different pattern of kinase target selectivity, pharmacokinetics parameters, cell uptake, efflux properties and adverse events profiles. Preliminary results suggest that some patients may respond to a second TKI used as third line therapy, but little is known about the long term benefit of such an approach.Aim of this collaborative Italian study was to verify the response (rate and duration) and the clinical outcome in patients with CML treated with a third TKI after sequential failure of the previous ones.We evaluated 66 patients with CML, resistant/intolerant to Imatinib and treated with Dasatinib or Nilotinib, then switched to a third- line TKI after treatment failure. Of these, 29 patients were treated with dasatinib after imatinib/nilotinib failure and 37 with nilotinib after imatinib/dasatinib failure. Patients were monitored with complete blood counts, cytogenetic analysis, bone marrow aspiration RT-PCR and mutational analysis.A total of 66 patients (median age 63 years, range, 33–85 years) were treated with sequential TKIs; 40 (61%) patients had received interferon-a before starting Imatinib; 26 (39%) patients received imatinib as first line therapy. The median time on imatinib therapy was 47.5 months (range 4–101 months).At the start of nilotinib as second line, 27/29 (93%) patients were in CP, 1 (3.5%) in AP, and 1 (3.5%) in BP. 9 patients (31%) had developed mutations before starting treatment. The median time on second line TKI was 8 months (range 2–36 months). In the resistant patients 4 new mutations were identified (F359V in two patients, T315I, Y253H+F359V).At the start of dasatinib as second line, 33/37 (89.2%) patients were in CP, 4 (10.8%) in AP. 7 patients (18.9%) had developed mutations before starting treatment. The median time on second line TKI was 14 months (range 4–59 months).In the resistant patients 5 new mutations were identified (F137L in three pts, M318T, M244V+F317L).At the start of the third TKI, 60/66 (90.9%) patients were in CP, 5 (7.6%) in AP, and 1 (1.5%) in BP. Of these, 7 patients (18.9%) on dasatinib and 7 (24.1%) on nilotinib had mutations before starting treatment. The best response to the third line treatment with TKI was 10 (15.2%) MMR, 10 (15.2%) CCyR, 8 PcyR (12.1%), 5 (7.5%) mCyR, 24 (36.4%) CHR and 9 (13.6%) No Response (NR). In the dasatinib group, 9 (31%) patients discontinued treatment because of toxicity versus 17 (45.9%) patients in the nilotinib group.Two new mutations (F317L, E255V) emerged with dasatinib as third line therapy.After a median follow up of 13 months (range 2–37 months) 50 patients (48 CP, 2 AP) are continuing therapy (33 on nilotinib, 17 on dasatinib).Since the start of the third TKI, 61 patients (92.4%) are still alive for a median overall survival of 110 months (range 15–300) (52 CP, 7 AP, 2 NA); the 5 deaths (7.6%) were caused by disease progression and spread of the gene mutation T315I.In our study, about one third of patients derived benefit from the use of three sequential TKIs; patients with better, longer response (28.7%) to third TKI were the same patients with a better response to the Imatinib and 2TKIs therapy. All these patients had taken interferon therapy before the Imatinib. In this subset of patients (good responders: CCyR and MMR) 5 patients developed mutations that were sensitive to the sequential treatment.The lack of a durable cytogenetic remission could be explained by the emergence of new kinase domain mutations as patients are exposed to sequential TKI; a change of therapy resulted in an adequate response. In our series, patients with poor prognosis showed mutations not sensitive to the TKIs treatment.Although allogeneic SCT is the treatment of choice in all patients failing 2 TKIs who are suitable candidates for this approach, alternative strategies are required for ineligible patients. The use of a third TKI after failure of two previous TKIs induces response in some patients. Longer follow up of a larger series of patients is needed to determine the long term impact of the response.No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Dasatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has 325-fold greater in vitro activity against native BCR-ABL (breakpoint cluster region-Abelson leukemia virus) compared with imatinib and can overcome primary (intrinsic) and secondary (acquired) imatinib resistance. A phase III dose optimization study showed that in patients with chronic phase (CP) chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), dasatinib at 100 mg once daily improved the safety profile while maintaining efficacy compared with the previously recommended dose of 70 mg twice-daily. Few data exist on the efficacy and safety of dasatinib in elderly CML patients.The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of dose reduction on dasatinib efficacy.We revised 129 unselected pts with CP CML aged >60 yrs treated in 21 Italian haematological Institution, who received dasatinib after being resistant/intolerant to imatinib. Among this group 70 pts were given dasatinib at adjusted-dosage below the standard recommended dose of 100 mg daily for > 6 months. In relation to the dose modulation, patients were divide in 2 groups: group-a (21/70, 30%) received a starting dose of 20 mg daily dose excalated to the maximum tolerated dose of 70 mg daily; group-b (49/70=70%) received a starting dose of 100 mg daily, successively adhusted according to tolerance. Sokal score was evaluable for 59/70 patients (low for 16, intermediate for 28, high for 15). All patients were analyzed for haematological, cytogenetic and molecular response.All patients were fully evaluable for response at a median FU time of 25 mos (range 0,7- 56,3 mos). Eight pts (11.4%) discontinued treatment due to intolerance. Response rates were 25,7% (18pts), 24.3% (17 pts), 15.7% (11 pts), 10% (7 pts), 12.8% (9 pts) for complete haematologic response (RHC), complete cytogenetic response (RCyC), major molecular response (RMolM), complete molecular response (RMolC), partial cytogenetic response (RCyP), respectively. Median Cumulative event free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 21.3 and 27.3 mos respectively. We did not observe any significative difference in term of response between group A and B receiving different doses. Interestingly, 3/9 patients in group A who had a transient loss of molecular response achieved major molecular response after dose escalation to 50 mg.Dasatinib given at a lower dose than currently recommended is still effective in elderly CML patients. However, more close molecular monitoring is advised when lower doses are prescribed. Studies in larger series are warranted to better define optimal dose and schedule of dasatinib in this frail patient population.Rosti: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Speakers Bureau.

While Imatinib (IM) has revolutionized treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), demonstrating outstanding survival figures, currently no data exist on mid to long term impact of disease burden and therapy from the patients’ perspective.The main objective of this study is to identify specific limitations of quality of life (QoL) in CML survivors who are undergoing first line treatment with IM in comparison with controls from the general population. Patient-reported symptom prevalence was also investigated.Patients were recruited in 26 centers, randomly selected to geographically represent the whole study country. Patients selection criteria included: being in treatment with IM for at least three years and being in complete cytogenetic response at the time of study entry. All patients were invited by their treating physicians in the hospital to participate and all consenting patients were requested to complete a Health Survey Packet at home. Pre-paid reply envelopes were also provided with the request to send back completed Surveys to an independent National coordinating Data Center. Generic QoL was assessed with the SF-36 that consists of 36 items covering eight generic health status/QoL domains: physical functioning (PF), role limitations due to physical health (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health perceptions (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), role limitations due to emotional problems (RE), and mental health (MH). All scales ranging between 0 and 100 with higher scores representing better outcomes. A previously devised patient-reported CML Symptom Checklist was used to investigate 9 symptoms of possible major concern in these patients. Mean SF-36 scores were compared to available national general population reference values and all analyses were adjusted for age and gender. Statistical comparisons were all adjusted for multiple testing. Differences in mean scores were expressed in Cohen effect sizes (ES; with 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8 indicating small, medium, and large ES, respectively) and clinical significance.Between March and December 2009, 448 patients were recruited in a large national-based survivorship project. Patients’ compliance was optimal with 94% of patients (N=421) returning a valid Health Survey Packet to the National coordinating Data center. At study participation, mean age of patients was 56 years (59% male and 41% female) and median time of IM therapy was 5 years. Seventy-seven percent of patients were receiving standard dose of 400 mg and 43% had at least one comorbidity. Age and gender adjusted comparisons with general population norms revealed worse outcomes for the following scales: RP (P<.001; ES=0.3), GH (P<.001; ES=0.4) and RE (P=.01; ES=0.2). The largest clinically meaningful difference (Δ=12.3 points) was found for the RP domain with mean scores of 61.4 vs. 73.7 respectively for the CML and the general population. Age specific comparisons, adjusted by gender, (55-64; 65–74 and >75 years) suggested an almost uniform pattern in all scales with worse outcomes between CML patients and population controls among the youngest groups. GH was significantly worse in younger patients (55-64) (P=.03; ES=0.4) and no differences were found in the older age groups compared with population norms. Prevalence of reported symptoms (with any level of concern) was: fatigue (82%); problems with muscular cramps (78%); problems with musculoskeletal pain (72%); problems with edema (70%); skin problems (47%); diarrhea (43%); headache (39%); abdominal discomfort and nausea (28%).This study suggests that while still being on treatment with IM for years, CML patients might expect to have a QoL profile broadly similar to that of general population in many areas. However, role limitations (i.e., in work or other regular daily activities) due to physical health seem the major constraint faced by these patients; there is also an indication that younger patients might be those experiencing major limitations. Additional analyses will be undertaken to ascertain the impact of symptoms and other laboratory and clinical data on specific QoL domains. Such unique patient-reported data supplements conventional information on clinical efficacy of IM and may support both clinicians and patients in making more informed treatment decisions in this area.Rosti: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Bristol M. Squibb: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Speakers Bureau.

Abstract 2273

Abstract 2293

Abstract 2294

Abstract 3409

Abstract 1229

Imatinib (IM) 400mg daily is the standard treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients and a complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) is achieved in the majority of patients within one year of treatment. In addition, a considerable number of patients reach a major molecular response (i.e BCR-ABL/ABL ratio <0.1%) but BCR-ABL transcript is still measurable in most of treated patients revealing the persistence of a minimal residual disease (MRD). In a previous small pilot study, vaccinations with p210 b3a2-derived fusion peptides in IM treated CML patients appeared to induce both a peptide specific immune response and a reduction of residual disease surviving IM. Methods: To investigate the efficacy of this immune based targeted approach in a larger cohort of patients we designed a phase 2 multicenter study (GIMEMA CML0206) employing 5 p210 b3a2-derived peptides (CMLVAX100 vaccine) in CML patients with at least 18 months of IM treatment and persistence of molecular residual disease. Each vaccination consisted of CMLVAX100 plus 2 doses of GM-CSF as immunological adjuvant. Treatment schedule included 6 biweekly vaccinations (immunization phase) followed by 3 monthly boosts (reinforcement phase) and 2 tri-monthly boosts (maintenance phase). The primary endpoint of the trial was to assess the rate of response (patients showing a reduction by at least 50% of peripheral blood BCR-ABL/ABL ratio compared to the individual prevaccine level) evaluated after immunization and reinforcement boosts (evaluation after 6 months, ) and persisting at the 9th month (after 10th vaccination). Secondary endpoints included the rate of undetectable transcript at any time after immunization and the rate of peptide-specific immune response induced by the vaccinations. Patients population: At present 57/69 planned patients have been enrolled and 43/57 are evaluable for response. Twentyseven are males and 16 are females with a median age of 56.5ys (range 29-78). At diagnosis, 25/43 (58%) patients presented with low, 15/43 (35%) with intermediate and 3/43(7%) with a high Sokal risk. Twenty-one out of 43 patients (49%) started standard IM treatment while in late chronic phase (CP) after a median time from diagnosis of 29 months during which they mainly received alpha interferon therapy. On the contrary 22/43(51%) patients started IM immediately after diagnosis. All patients entered the vaccination protocol after at least 18 months of IM treatment and the median time of exposure to this tyrosin kynase inhibitor before peptide vaccination was 54 months (range 23-100). All patients had obtained a CCyR before entering the study (after a median time of 6 months of IM treatment) and were still in CCyR at enrollment with a median duration of CCyR of 47 months. All patients started vaccination with persisting measurable molecular disease in peripheral blood (any level of BCR/ABL transcript).Current interim analysis shows that vaccinations (a total of over 400 shots) were very well tolerated, with CMLVAX100-GMCSF toxicity consisting exclusively of some redness and itching at the site of injection and with only 4/43 patients (9%) experiencing a mild fever. Regarding immune response induced by vaccination, 29/43 patients (67%) showed a significant in vitro b3a2-peptide-specific CD4+ T cell proliferation. With respect to MRD response, we observed a reduction of at least 50% of pre-vaccine BCR-ABL/ABL values after 6 months of treatment (i.e. after 9 vaccinations) in 22/43 (51%) patients and the reduction was confirmed in 14/29 (48%) patients who reached the 9th month evaluation (i.e. after 10 vaccinations); 14/43(32%) patients had at least one documented undetectable transcript during this time period. In 2/43 patients we observed a significant raise of BCR-ABL transcript level, after 3 and 18 months from starting vaccinations with subsequent loss of CCyR. Conclusions: CMLVAX100 vaccine appears to induce a reduction of long lasting molecular MRD surviving IM in about half of vaccinated CML patients, thus confirming preliminary results. If this BCR-ABL-specific immune control of MRD will have a substantial impact on the rate of BCR-ABL mutations, disease evolution and ultimately survival needs longer observation time to be determined.Baccarani: Novartis Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Mayer Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

Some authors reported that Natural Killer (NK) cells from CML patients are defective in NK cell activity and NK cell number decrease as the disease progresses to the advanced phase and probably the abnormal BCR/ABL gene causes abnormal NK cell differentiation.TK inhibitors reduce BCR/ABL transcription and could restore NK cell numbers and/or function.Moreover Dasatinib,by the blockade of SRC Kinases,could affect the development of NK cells as well as T-lymphocytes.Our aim was to verify the impact of Dasatinib treatment on T CD8+ and NK cells modulation.We evaluated 24 patients with CML resistant/intollerant to Imatinib and treated with Dasatinib at a starting dose of 70 mg/BID or 100 mg/QD.Blood count were monitored; lymphocytosis has been definited by an increased number of peripheral blood lymphocyte counts ≥ 3.0×10(e)9/L and by the predominance of LGLs in peripheral blood smear. Immunophenotyping was done with flow-cytometry using antibodies against the following antigens: CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, CD16, and CD56.With a median of 19 mo. of Dasatinib therapy (range 3–43), 15/24 cases (62.5%) developed peripheral blood lymphocytosis. Median onset of lymphocytosis was 3 months after the initiation of Dasatinib therapy (range 1–12) and duration was 14 months (range 6–40).Lymphocytosis was CD3+/CD8+/Cytotoxic T Cell in 9 patients (60%) and CD3-/CD16+/CD56+/NK Cell in 6 patients (40%).In all 15 patients no symptoms or signs suggestive of LGL leukemia or viral infections were documented.There was no significant difference in terms of the frequency of severe adverse events, including pleural effusion between patients with and without lymphocytosis. 11(73%) of the 15 patients who developed lymphocytosis achieved MMolR and 4/11 presented Bcr/Abl mutation at the time of imatinib treatment (F317L, E255K, F359V, E255K),whereas only 3(33%) of the 9 patients without lymphocytosis achieved MMolR and 1/3 presented Bcr/Abl mutation (F359V). Moreover molecular response was earlier in the group of patients with lymphocytosis (8vs12 mo.).The development of lymphocytosis in our patients seems to be associated to an improved response to dasatinib in terms of molecular response and time to response. The assessment of higher frequency lymphocytosis requires further analysis; a larger patients'cohort should be needed to explore the biological role of lymphocytosis and the impact on the long term outcome in patients treated with dasatinib.No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Vitolo: Roche: . Pane:Novartis: Research Funding; Ministero dell'Università/PRIN: Research Funding; Regione Campania: Research Funding; Ministero della Salute/Progetto integrato Oncologia: Research Funding.

Abstract 3279

Abstract 648

Abstract 2211

The expression of CXCR4 (CD184) has been associated with poor prognosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and it has also been suggested that the CXCL12(SDF-1a)/CXCR4 interaction contributes to the resistance of leukemia cells to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Inhibition of CXCR4 was found to enhance chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in a subset of leukemic myeloblasts that carry Flt3 mutations and to overcome chemoresistance associated with stromal activity. NPM variants with a cytoplasmic localization represent the most common mutation detected in myeloid malignancies and are associated with a favourable clinical outcome. A recent study provides biological evidence for a novel role for NPM as a negative regulator of CXCR4 signalling induced by CXCL12: suppression of NPM expression enhanced chemotactic responses to CXCL12, and conversely, over-expression of a cytosolic NPM mutant reduced chemotaxis induced by CXCL12. We investigated whether CD184 expression is a negative predictor factor for response to chemotherapy and if there is clinical evidence that NPM mutations could overcome chemoresistance to induction therapy in this subset of patients. The expression of CD184 was analyzed by flow cytometric methods in a group of 70 cases of adult AML at onset of disease, diagnosed at our Institution since January 2006. The diagnosis was performed according to FAB/WHO criteria; all patients received intensive chemotherapy according to institutional protocols. There were 34 males and 36 females and median age was 46 years (range 18–65). AML cells were gated based upon their CD45 expression and samples were considered positive if CD184 was expressed by more than 20% of blasts. CD184 was positive in 45 and negative in 25 cases. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of sex, age, Hb level, WBC and Plt counts, percentage of blasts, and occurrence of the NPM mutation. The CR rate was 45% in CD184+ and 82% in CD184- (p=0.03); among CD184+ cases, the CR rate was significantly higher in NPMc+ cases, (p=0.03). Our results show that CD184 expression is associated with a lower rate of CR after induction therapy and this association is stronger in NPM unmutated cases, suggesting that CD184 expression is a negative predictive factor for response to chemotherapy. Further data are needed to verify if the biological role of the cytosolic NPM mutant as a negative regulator of CXCR4 signalling induced by CXCL12 could have a clinical role contributing to overcome the resistance of leukemic cells to induction chemotherapy.

The expression of CXCR4 (CD184) has been associated with poor prognosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and it has also been suggested that the CXCL12(SDF-1a)/CXCR4 interaction contributes to the resistance of leukemia cells to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Inhibition of CXCR4 was found to enhance chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in a subset of leukemic myeloblasts that carry Flt3 mutations and to overcome chemoresistance associated with stromal activity. NPM variants with a cytoplasmic localization represent the most common mutation detected in myeloid malignancies and are associated with a favourable clinical outcome. A recent study provides biological evidence for a novel role for NPM as a negative regulator of CXCR4 signalling induced by CXCL12: suppression of NPM expression enhanced chemotactic responses to CXCL12, and conversely, over-expression of a cytosolic NPM mutant reduced chemotaxis induced by CXCL12. We investigated whether CD184 expression is a negative predictor factor for response to chemotherapy and if there is clinical evidence that NPM mutations could overcome chemoresistance to induction therapy in this subset of patients. The expression of CD184 was analyzed by flow cytometric methods in a group of 70 cases of adult AML at onset of disease, diagnosed at our Institution since January 2006. The diagnosis was performed according to FAB/WHO criteria; all patients received intensive chemotherapy according to institutional protocols. There were 34 males and 36 females and median age was 46 years (range 18–65). AML cells were gated based upon their CD45 expression and samples were considered positive if CD184 was expressed by more than 20% of blasts. CD184 was positive in 45 and negative in 25 cases. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of sex, age, Hb level, WBC and Plt counts, percentage of blasts, and occurrence of the NPM mutation. The CR rate was 45% in CD184+ and 82% in CD184- (p=0.03); among CD184+ cases, the CR rate was significantly higher in NPMc+ cases, (p=0.03). Our results show that CD184 expression is associated with a lower rate of CR after induction therapy and this association is stronger in NPM unmutated cases, suggesting that CD184 expression is a negative predictive factor for response to chemotherapy. Further data are needed to verify if the biological role of the cytosolic NPM mutant as a negative regulator of CXCR4 signalling induced by CXCL12 could have a clinical role contributing to overcome the resistance of leukemic cells to induction chemotherapy.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, single stranded non-coding RNAs, 19–24 nucleotides long, involved in crucial biological processes, including differentiation, apoptosis and proliferation. Recent evidence indicates that miRNAs may play an important role in tumorigenesis; changes in miRNAs expression level were identified in many types of human hematological and solid malignancies. To date, several papers have reported the occurrence of genomic deletions flanking the breakpoint on der(9)t(9;22) in 10%–18% of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The most probable consequence of der(9) deletions is the loss of tumour suppressor genes, conferring a proliferative advantage to the Philadelphia-positive clone. On the other hand, two miRNAs, namely miR219-2 and miR-199b, are found to map centromeric to the ABL gene within the chromosomal region at 9q34 that is frequently lost in CML patients with der(9) deletions. In this study, we investigated the loss of miR-219-2 and miR-199b by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis with specific bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) probes in 68 CML cases bearing der(9) deletions. We further evaluated miR-219-2 and miR- 199b expression levels by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) experiments in cases showing deletions of at least one of these miRNAs. Depending on RNA sample availability, miRNAs expression level was evaluated in 7 and in 5 CML cases with miR-219-2 and miR-199b deletions, respectively. Statistical analysis of the relative expression results was performed by the Relative Expression Software Tool (REST). To explore the predicted miR-199b target genes, the miRGen targets database (http:// www.diana.pcbi.upenn.edu/cgi-bin/miRGen/v3/Targets.cgi) was queried; this interface provides integrated data of four widely used target prediction programs (miRanda, PicTar, TargetScan, DIANA-microT). FISH experiments revealed the loss of miR-219-2 and miR-199b in 17 (25%) and 10 (15%) out of 68 patients. The miR-199b expression study showed a downregulation in the analyzed group of 5 CML cases with miR-199b deletion as compared to a pool of 10 patients without deletions. The expression level of the miR-199b was 0.279 and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p= 0.028). On the contrary, the miR- 219-2 analysis did not reveal a detectable expression level in the examined patients. There were 26 predicted miR-199b target genes, involved in several biological processes such as signal transduction (Protein phosphatase inhibitor 2, PPP1R2), regulation of transcription (Hepatic leukaemia factor, HLF), chromosome organization and biogenesis (Zinc finger protein 238, ZNF238), cell proliferation (Mitogen-activated protein kinase 11, MAP3K11) and DNA repair (UV excision repair protein RAD23 homologue B, RAD23B). Among the CML patients evaluable for the response to the treatment, all cases with the miR-199b deletion were resistant to IFN-a and imatinib therapy. In conclusion, our data demonstrate a crucial role for miR-199b in CML cases bearing der(9) deletions. This miR-199b downregulation could influence the expression level of different target genes modifying important cellular pathways. Further analysis of miR-199b target genes will be needed to shed light on the link between miRNAs and CML.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, single stranded non-coding RNAs, 19–24 nucleotides long, involved in crucial biological processes, including differentiation, apoptosis and proliferation. Recent evidence indicates that miRNAs may play an important role in tumorigenesis; changes in miRNAs expression level were identified in many types of human hematological and solid malignancies. To date, several papers have reported the occurrence of genomic deletions flanking the breakpoint on der(9)t(9;22) in 10%–18% of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The most probable consequence of der(9) deletions is the loss of tumour suppressor genes, conferring a proliferative advantage to the Philadelphia-positive clone. On the other hand, two miRNAs, namely miR219-2 and miR-199b, are found to map centromeric to the ABLgene within the chromosomal region at 9q34 that is frequently lost in CML patients with der(9) deletions.

Translocations of 14q32/IgH have a low incidence in CLL. Partner chromosomes and the prognostic significance are poorly defined. Four hundred thirty cases of CLL seen at the Hospitals of Ferrara, Salamanca and Siena between 1992 and 2006 were studied. Inclusion criteria were: diagnosis of CD5/CD19+ CLL with k/λ restriction, cytogenetic/FISH data, immunophenotypic data, complete hematological and clinical data. Lymphomas in leukemic phase were excluded. FISH was performed for 17p13/TP53, 11q22.3/ATM, 6q21, chr 12 centromere, 13q14 and 14q32/IGH. Patients with no detectable aberration or isolated 13q− were included into a favourable cytogenetic group (group 1), those with +12, 6q− or 1–2 aberrations into an intermediate risk group (group 2) and those with 17p−, 11q−, ≥ 3 aberrations into an unfavourable group (group 3). Cases with 14q32/IGH translocation as primary chromosome change represented a specific category (group 4) and were studied with FISH probes for the detection of partners (BCL1, BCL2, BCL3, BCL6, c-MYC, BCL11A, PAX5, CCND3, CDK6). One hundred eighty-six cases were allocated into group 1; 158 into group 2; 64 into group 3, and 22 into group 4. Additional aberrations were found in a minority of cells in 8 patients in group 4. Being the aim of the study to assess whether the 14q32/IGH translocation represented an unfavourable parameter as compared with cases in the favourable or intermediate cytogenetic risk groups, cases within group 3 were excluded from the analysis and the data presented here will refer to 366 patients belonging to groups 1,2 and 4. Translocation partners of 14q32/IGH were identified in 9/22 cases: 2p13/BCL11A, (n 1); 6p21/CCND3 (n 1); 7q21/CDK6 (n 1); 18q21/BCL2 (n 6). Thirteen cases did not show involvement of the loci studied. Cases with 14q32/IGH translocations were characterized by typical morphology and classical immunophenotype (score 4–5 in 92% of the cases). Unmutated IGVH genes were found in 11/18 cases tested (61%); ZAP-70 was positive in 3/5 cases tested. Median age was 63.5 years (range 18–97), male:female ratio 240/126; 345 patients were in Rai stage 0-II, 21 were in stage 3–4; CD38 was positive in 137/366 cases. There was no difference between groups 1,2 and 4 for age, stage, male:female ratio, hematological parameters at diagnosis, IGVH mutations and ZAP70. CD38 was more positive in group 4 than in group 1 (p=0.028). There was no difference in survival and treatment free interval (TFI) when comparing cases in group 4 with and without additional aberrations. Cases in group 4 had a shorter TFI and a shorter survival when compared with group 1 (p=0.02) and group 2 (p=0.02). The difference maintained its statistical significance at multivariate analysis for TFI (p=0.02) along with stage (p<0.0001) and CD38 positivity (p<0.0001) and for survival (p=0.02) along with sex (p=0.006) and stage (p=0.0001). In conclusion, the 14q32/IGH translocation in CLL shows heterogeneity of partner chromosomes and it represents a cytogenetic marker predicting for an evolutive form of CLL.

Deletions on der(9) are associated with chronic myeloid leukemia(CML) in 15–18% of cases. To date, the biological significance of this genomic loss in the pathogenesis of CML is unknown. The most plausible hypothesis is that the loss of a tumor suppressor gene may confer a proliferative advantage to the Philadelphia-positive clone. On the other hand, it has now become evident that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important regulatory role in some hematological malignancies. To investigate the presence of miRNAs within the genomic regions lost on der(9) we analyzed 60 CML patients with der(9) deletions. Methods. Genomic characterization of the deleted sequences was performed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using a contig of DNA clones; the miRBase (http://microrna.sanger.ac.uk/) was queried to assess the presence of miRNAs in the der(9) deleted genomic regions. FISH experiments showed that the genomic loss on der(9) of the 9 (centromeric to ABL) and 22 (telomeric to BCR) chromosome sequences ranged from 260 Kb to 54 Mb and from 230 Kb to 12.9 Mb, respectively. Consultation of the miRBase revealed that in 16 (27%) patients there was loss of miRNAs mapping on chromosome 9 whereas no known miRNAs were mapped on the deleted genomic sequences belonging to chromosome 22. Moreover, 4 cases with a complex t(9;22) rearrangement and der(9) deletions showed loss of the miRNAs sequence also on the third derivative chromosome (4p16, 7p14, 13q14, and 11q13, respectively); among them, only in one case the loss of miRNAs on the third derivative was not associated with the miRNAs deletion mapped on chromosome 9. The most recurrent miRNAs deleted on der(9) were mir-219–2 (deleted in 100% of cases) and mir-199-b (lost in 67% of cases). It is noteworthy that mir-219–2 neighbors and overlaps CpG-islands, suggesting a potential role of this miRNA in CpG-island methylation. Experimental studies indicate that miRNAs can function as tumor suppressor genes or as oncogenes. In fact, in chronic lymphocytic leukemia associated with del(13)(q14) it has been demonstrated that the miRNAs loss can induce downregulation of the antiapoptotic BCL-2 protein. The novel evidence that deletions on der(9) in CML are associated with miRNAs loss may shed new light on the significance of genomic sequences loss. Further studies are needed since it is known that some microRNAs may have as many as a few thousand targets, so prediction algorithms and strategies allowing large-scale screening of multiple target genes are required.

Deletions on der(9) are associated with chronic myeloid leukemia(CML) in 15–18% of cases. To date, the biological significance of this genomic loss in the pathogenesis of CML is unknown. The most plausible hypothesis is that the loss of a tumor suppressor gene may confer a proliferative advantage to the Philadelphia-positive clone. On the other hand, it has now become evident that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important regulatory role in some hematological malignancies. To investigate the presence of miRNAs within the genomic regions lost on der(9) we analyzed 60 CML patients with der(9) deletions. Methods. Genomic characterization of the deleted sequences was performed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using a contig of DNA clones; the miRBase (http://microrna.sanger.ac.uk/) was queried to assess the presence of miRNAs in the der(9) deleted genomic regions. FISH experiments showed that the genomic loss on der(9) of the 9 (centromeric to ABL) and 22 (telomeric to BCR) chromosome sequences ranged from 260 Kb to 54 Mb and from 230 Kb to 12.9 Mb, respectively. Consultation of the miRBase revealed that in 16 (27%) patients there was loss of miRNAs mapping on chromosome 9 whereas no known miRNAs were mapped on the deleted genomic sequences belonging to chromosome 22. Moreover, 4 cases with a complex t(9;22) rearrangement and der(9) deletions showed loss of the miRNAs sequence also on the third derivative chromosome (4p16, 7p14, 13q14, and 11q13, respectively); among them, only in one case the loss of miRNAs on the third derivative was not associated with the miRNAs deletion mapped on chromosome 9. The most recurrent miRNAs deleted on der(9) were mir-219–2 (deleted in 100% of cases) and mir-199-b (lost in 67% of cases). It is noteworthy that mir-219–2 neighbors and overlaps CpG-islands, suggesting a potential role of this miRNA in CpG-island methylation. Experimental studies indicate that miRNAs can function as tumor suppressor genes or as oncogenes. In fact, in chronic lymphocytic leukemia associated with del(13)(q14) it has been demonstrated that the miRNAs loss can induce downregulation of the antiapoptotic BCL-2 protein. The novel evidence that deletions on der(9) in CML are associated with miRNAs loss may shed new light on the significance of genomic sequences loss. Further studies are needed since it is known that some microRNAs may have as many as a few thousand targets, so prediction algorithms and strategies allowing large-scale screening of multiple target genes are required.