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The indication for performing an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) in patients with isolated trisomy 8 AML in first complete remission (CR) is still debated. Here, we compared outcomes of such patients given either allo-HCT or autologous (auto)-HCT. Inclusion criteria consisted of adult patients with de novo AML, isolated trisomy 8, first HCT between 2000 and 2018, CR1 at transplantation, and either auto-HCT or allo-HCT with a HLA-identical sibling donor (MSD) or a 10/10 HLA-matched unrelated donor (UD 10/10). A total of 401 patients met the inclusion criteria. They underwent an auto-HCT (n = 81), allo-HCT with a MSD (n = 186) or allo-HCT with a 10/10 UD (n = 134). At 3 years, relapse incidence, nonrelapse mortality and leukemia-free survival (LFS) were 59%, 5%, and 37%, respectively, in auto-HCT recipients; 31% (P

T cells modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CD19 can induce potent and sustained responses in children with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The durability of remission is related to the length of time the CAR T cells persist. Efforts to understand differences in persistence have focused on the CAR construct, in particular the costimulatory signaling module of the chimeric receptor. We previously reported a robust intent-to-treat product manufacturing success rate and remission induction rate in children and young adults with recurrent/refractory B-ALL using the SCRI-CAR19v1 product, a second-generation CD19-specific CAR with 4-1BB costimulation coexpressed with the EGFRt cell-surface tag (NCT02028455). Following completion of the phase I study, two changes to CAR T-cell manufacturing were introduced: switching the T-cell activation reagent and omitting midculture EGFRt immunomagnetic selection. We tested the modified manufacturing process and resulting product, designated SCRI-CAR19v2, in a cohort of 21 subjects on the phase II arm of the trial. Here, we describe the unanticipated enhancement in product performance resulting in prolonged persistence and B-cell aplasia and improved leukemia-free survival with SCRI-CAR19v2 as compared with SCRI-CAR19v1.

T cells modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CD19 can induce potent and sustained responses in children with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The durability of remission is related to the length of time the CAR T cells persist. Efforts to understand differences in persistence have focused on the CAR construct, in particular the costimulatory signaling module of the chimeric receptor. We previously reported a robust intent-to-treat product manufacturing success rate and remission induction rate in children and young adults with recurrent/refractory B-ALL using the SCRI-CAR19v1 product, a second-generation CD19-specific CAR with 4-1BB costimulation coexpressed with the EGFRt cell-surface tag (NCT02028455). Following completion of the phase I study, two changes to CAR T-cell manufacturing were introduced: switching the T-cell activation reagent and omitting midculture EGFRt immunomagnetic selection. We tested the modified manufacturing process and resulting product, designated SCRI-CAR19v2, in a cohort of 21 subjects on the phase II arm of the trial. Here, we describe the unanticipated enhancement in product performance resulting in prolonged persistence and B-cell aplasia and improved leukemia-free survival with SCRI-CAR19v2 as compared with SCRI-CAR19v1.

Supplementary Data from Modified Manufacturing Process Modulates CD19CAR T-cell Engraftment Fitness and Leukemia-Free Survival in Pediatric and Young Adult Subjects

The theoretical generalization and experimental confirmation of the features of the progression of myelodysplastic syndrome are presented in the article. The purpose of the study was to identify the available clinical parameters that may be suitable for assessing of the course of MDS and predicting the risk of transformation of this pathology into acute leukemia. The subject of the study was a group of patients with different subtypes of myelodysplastic syndrome according to the FAB classification. The statistical analysis was performed using the application software package STATISTICA for Windows 5.0 and NCSS. Leukemia-free survival was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. To compare survival rates in two groups, the log-rank test and the Cox F-criterion were used. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to determine the most significant independent prognostic factors influencing the survival rate. The obtained results indicate that the process of leukemic transformation of the low and high risk myelodysplastic syndrome is different, confirming the presence of different predictive risk factors for the transformation in these patients. It is statistically confirmed that the main predictors that shorten the leukemia free survival in patients with low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome are the age of patients above 60 years, multilineage dysplasia of bone marrow cells and serum TNF-α level above 10 pg/ml. Instead, in patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome, besides the older age and multilineage dysplasia of bone marrow cells, with a shorter leukemia-free survival are also significantly associated: the presence of thrombocytopenia, increased blasts in bone marrow and the IL-6 concentration above 50 pg/ml. Permanent search for prognostic factors and the development of new, more advanced prognostic scales that could cover not only demographic, laboratory or cytogenetic parameters, but also pathogenetic markers, are not only of scientific but also of a great practical importance, since they provide the opportunity to start therapy in patients with a high probability of transformation on time, thereby increasing the time to progression of the disease, in patients with MDS both low and high risk

Background Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a potential consolidation therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study was designed to develop a prediction model for leukemia-free survival (LFS) in a cohort of patients with de novo AML treated with ASCT during their first complete remission. Methods This was a registry study of 956 patients reported to the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. The primary outcome was LFS. Multivariate Cox regression modeling with backward selection was used to select variables for the construction of the nomogram. The nomogram's performance was evaluated with discrimination (the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]) and calibration. Results Age and cytogenetic risk (with or without FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tandem duplication) were predictive of LFS and were used for the construction of the nomogram. Each factor in the nomogram was ascribed points according to its predictive weight. Through the calculation of the total score, the probability of LFS at 1, 3, and 5 years for each patient could be estimated. The discrimination of the nomogram, measured as the AUC, was 0.632 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.595-0.669), 0.670 (95% CI, 0.635-0.705), and 0.687 (95% CI, 0.650-0.724), respectively. Further validation with bootstrapping showed similar AUCs (0.629 [95% CI, 0.597-0.657], 0.667 [95% CI, 0.633-0.699], and 0.679 [95% CI, 0.647-0.712], respectively), and this suggested that the model was not overfitted. Calibration was excellent. Patients were stratified into 4 incremental 5-year prognostic groups, with the probabilities of LFS and overall survival ranging from 25% to 64% and from 33% to 79%, respectively. Conclusions The Auto-AML nomogram score is a tool integrating individual prognostic factors to provide a probabilistic estimation of LFS after ASCT for patients with AML.

The best stem cell source for T-cell replete human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-haploidentical transplantation with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) remains to be determined. In this European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation retrospective study, we analyzed the impact of stem cell source on leukemia-free survival (LFS) in adult patients with primary refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) given grafts from HLA-haploidentical donors with PTCy as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. A total of 668 patients (249 bone marrow [BM] and 419 peripheral blood stem cells [PBSC] recipients) met the inclusion criteria. The use of PBSC was associated with a higher incidence of grade II-IV (HR = 1.59, p = .029) and grade III-IV (HR = 2.08, p = .013) acute GVHD. There was a statistical interaction between patient age and the impact of stem cell source for LFS (p < .01). In multivariate Cox models, among patients = 55 years of age, the use of PBSC versus BM was associated with higher non-relapse mortality (NRM) (HR = 1.7, p = .01), lower LFS (HR = 1.37, p = .026) and lower overall survival (HR = 1.33, p = .044). In conclusions, our data suggest that in patients >= 55 years of age with active AML at HLA-haploidentical transplantation, the use of BM instead of PBSC as stem cell source results in lower NRM and better LFS. In contrast among younger patients, the use of PBSC results in at least a comparable LFS.

Polymorphisms in the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor gene (GCSFR, CSF3R) have been reported to be associated with peripheral blood stem cell enrichment and hematological diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of donor CSF3R allelic polymorphisms on the outcomes of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. A total of 273 patients who were diagnosed with hematological diseases and treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT) were enrolled in this study. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in CSF3R were genotyped by targeted next-generation sequencing. There were six types of CSF3R genotypes with percentages over 1%. LFS and OS analyses showed that recipients receiving grafts from healthy donors with a rs3917980 G/G or A/G genotype had higher LFS rates than those receiving grafts from donors carrying a rs22754272 T/C genotype and the double-negative group (p = 0.036). Univariate cox analysis showed that donor CSF3R with the rs2275472 T/C genotype was associated with higher transplantation-related mortality (TRM) rates (HR = 2.853, 95% CI: 1.405-5.792, p = 0.00371) and lower rates of leukemia-free survival (LFS) (HR = 1.846; 95% CI: 1.018-3.347, p = 0.0435). In addition, donor CSF3R with the rs3917980G/G or A/G genotype was associated with better overall survival (OS) rates (HR = 0.560, 95% CI: 0.3162-0.9916, p = 0.047) and lower TRM rates (HR = 0.497, 95% CI: 0.2628-0.9397, p = 0.0315). Furthermore, multivariate cox analysis found that rs2275472 T/C genotype was an independent risk factors for TRM rates (HR = 3.210, 95% CI: 1.573-6.55, p = 0.001), while no statistical difference was found between rs3917980G/G or A/G genotype and clinical outcomes. Our findings demonstrate the important prognostic value of genetic variations in donor CSF3R to predict clinical outcomes in patients undergoing allo-HSCT.

Context Purine analogue therapy remains the standard of care in hairy cell leukemia (HCL) management. Despite high remission rates, many patients subsequently relapse and require re-treatments. Objective The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness and safety of cladribine vs. cladribine followed by rituximab consolidation as first-line therapy of HCL. Design This is a retrospective study including all consecutive patients with classical HCL treated and followed at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) between 2000 and 2019. Methods We identified 29 HCL patients, with a median age of 50.5 (range: 30–71) years. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on treatment received: cohort A (N=14) received cladribine 5.6 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) for 7 days as a single agent, and cohort B (N=15) received the same dose of cladribine followed by rituximab 375 mg/m2 IV weekly for eight doses. Rituximab consolidation was given after a median time of 33 days (17–60 days) from cladribine completion. Complete remission rates were 64% and 100% in cohorts A and B, respectively. In cohort A, seven (50%) patients relapsed after a median duration of 48 months (range: 1–209 months), requiring second-line treatment with cladribine followed by rituximab. In cohort B, no relapses occurred. After a median follow up of 67 months (range: 1–227 months), the 5-year disease-free survival was significantly better in group B (100%) compared to group A (58%) (HR=0.16, 95% CI: 0.032–0.84, p=0.03). There was no significant difference in overall survival between the two groups. Grade 3/4 adverse events were observed in 92%% and 80% of patients in cohorts A and B, respectively, mainly neutropenia (78.5% vs 66.6%) and febrile neutropenia (71% vs. 40%). One patient in cohort B who received rituximab consolidation too early (day 17) died from febrile neutropenia and septic shock. Conclusion Consolidation rituximab after cladribine in frontline treatment of classical HCL showed high response rate of 100% and translated into a significant improvement in disease-free survival. Cladribine followed by rituximab consolidation may be considered as standard first-line therapy of HCL.

This retrospective single-center analysis studied the impact of the conditioning and the graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis on outcome in unselected patients allografted for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) secondary to documented prior CMML. A total of 44 patients (median age 61 years) allografted between 2002 and 2019 in our institution were analyzed. Fifteen patients had secondary AML. The conditioning regimen was fractionated 6–8 Gy total body irradiation (TBI) in combination with fludarabine in 33 (75%) patients. Eleven patients (25%) received alkylator-based conditioning therapy without TBI. For GVHD prophylaxis, a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) backbone in combination with methotrexate (MTX) or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was applied in 21 and 23 patients, respectively. All patients allografted from an unrelated donor (UD) received antithymocyte globuline. In univariate analysis of the entire cohort, TBI-based conditioning and MMF-containing immunosuppression were associated with improved leukemia-free survival (LFS, HR 0.16, P

Elevated C-reactive protein is associated with shortened leukemia-free survival in patients with myelofibrosis

Several genes with relevant pathogenetic and prognostic value have been identified in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. Overexpression of WT1 at diagnosis has been associated with increased progression to acute myeloid leukemia and reduced leukemia free survival. Conversely, few data are available on the prognostic value of BAALC gene overexpression in AML and MDS patients. We evaluated the prognostic value of the combined expression of WT1 and BAALC genes at diagnosis in 86 MDS patients who had been stratified according to IPSS and R-IPSS scoring systems. Our results suggest that in the whole group of patients, low levels of both WT1 and BAALC were associated with a favorable outcome (3-year LFS 74.5%, median not reached), whereas patients presenting high expression levels of both genes had the worst prognosis (3-year LFS 0%, median 12 months, p0.001). More specifically, molecular profiling was especially useful for intermediate 1 and intermediate-2/high risk groups. This study suggests that evaluating WT1 and BAALC gene expression at diagnosis may improve standard risk stratification and possibly refine the therapeutic approach for MDS patients.

Introduction: Immunotherapy is a promising modality of treatment of neoplastic diseases, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The CD19/CD3-bispecific T cell–engaging (BiTE®) monoclonal antibody blinatumomab can transiently bind cytotoxic T cells to CD19+ target B cells of ALL inducing their serial lysis.Areas covered: This review focuses on the efficacy and safety of blinatumomab used for the treatment of relapsed/refractory (R/R) ALL and minimal residual disease (MRD)-positive B-cell precursor (BCP) ALL in adults and children, as well as the future prospects of this drug in the treatment of ALL.Expert commentary: Blinatumomab has demonstrated encouraging response rates in MRD-positive and R/R in adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive and -negative ALL, as well as in children with R/R ALL. Blinatumomab has a favorable safety profile, although reversible CNS events and cytokine release syndrome can occur. Ongoing trials in ALL incorporate blinatumomab in the first line therapy of BCP...

Introduction: Up to 40% of new acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients fail to achieve complete remission (CR), and a significant number of patients achieving remission eventually relapse. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) remains the best curative option for these patients with a long-term leukemia free survival (LFS) of around 20-30% with the use of intensive myeloablative condition (MAC) transplants. Active disease AML patients otherwise deemed unfit for MAC regimens have limited treatment options. Although reduced intensity condition (RIC) has broadened transplant eligibility in the elderly AML patients particularly in CR, there is a paucity of data on the use RIC allo-HCT in AML patients with active disease. To answer this question, we retrospectively analyzed data from active disease AML patients who underwent RIC allo-HCT and compared their outcomes with contemporaneous patients who underwent MAC allo-HCT at our institution. Patients and methods: Our cohort included all patients with active disease AML (primary induction failure, relapsed refractory or cytogenetic persistence) at the time of transplantation, who underwent allo-HCT at Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis between January 2006 and June 2015. Patients were classified according to the intensity of conditioning regimens: MAC versus RIC. The primary study endpoints were leukemia free survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS). LFS was defined as the time from the achievement of CR after allo-HCT to the time of relapse, death in remission, or last follow-up. OS was defined as the time from transplantation to the time of death from any cause or last follow-up. The between-group differences in LFS and OS were described using Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curves and compared by log-rank test. Univariate Cox regression analysis for LFS was performed. All analyses were two-sided, and significance was set at a p-value of 0.05, using SAS 9.4 (SAS Institutes, Cary, NC). Results: 138 patients were included. 30 patients (21.7%) underwent RIC allo-HCT and 108 (78.3%) underwent MAC allo-HCT. Their baseline characteristics are listed in Table 1. 21 patients (72.4%) in RIC and 77 (81.9%) in MAC achieved CR on day-28 bone marrow biopsy. Notably, there were 16 patients (1 RIC and 15 MAC) who died prematurely without post-transplant evaluation; subsequently they were excluded from LFS, relapse and NRM calculations. There was no difference in the LFS in these two groups; 1-year and 3-year LFS were 40.6% (95% CI 23-70) and 33.1% (95% CI 17-66) in the RIC patients while 40.7% (95% CI 31-54) and 33.2% (95% CI 23-47) in the MAC patients, respectively (p=0.99) (Figure 1A). Similarly the CI of relapse at 1 year and 3 year was not different in the two groups; 45.8% (95% CI 30-71) and 50.5% (95% CI 33-76) in RIC group vs. 51.9% (95% CI 43-63) and 56.8% (95% CI 48-67) in MAC group, respectively (p=0.61) (Figure 1B). The CI of NRM at 1-year and 3-year was 28.1% (95% CI 16-50) and 32.6% (95% CI 19-56) in RIC group compared to 17.9% (95% CI 11-28) and 21.0% (95% CI 14-31) in the MAC group (p = 0.21). However, OS in both groups remained poor with 1-year and 3-year OS of 25.1% (95% CI 14-44) and 13.2% (95% CI 6-31) in RIC vs. 35.5% (95% CI 28-46) and 22.0% (95% CI 15-32) in MAC, respectively (p = 0.21). On univariate analysis for LFS and relapse, only cGvHD was associated with higher LFS (p Conclusion: The use of RIC allo-HCT in active disease AML is associated with LFS and relapse comparable to MAC allo-HCT. However, high relapse rates and NRM, in both groups translated into poor long term OS. Careful selection of patients and early utilization of transplant without subjecting these patients to multiple salvage regimens might help lower NRM rates in future studies. Notably, our study might open a window for future prospective studies aimed at finding improved ways to harness the graft versus leukemia (GvL) effect associated with RIC transplantation in patients who are otherwise not able to tolerate more toxic intensive conditioning regimens. LFS LFS Figure 1 Relapse Figure 1. Relapse Figure 2 Figure 2. Disclosures DiPersio: Incyte Corporation: Research Funding. Vij:Karyopharm: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding.

Relapse is the major cause of treatment-failure in adults with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) achieving complete remission after induction chemotherapy. Greater precision identifying persons likely to relapse is important. We did bio-informatics analyses of transcriptomic data to identify mRNA transcripts aberrantly-expressed in B-cell ALL. We selected 9 candidate genes for validation 7 of which proved significantly-associated with B-cell ALL. We next focused on function and clinical correlations of the cysteine and glycine-rich protein 2 (CSRP2). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to examine gene transcript levels in bone marrow samples from 236 adults with B-cell ALL compared with samples from normals. CSRP2 was over-expressed in 228 out of 236 adults (97%) with newly-diagnosed B-cell ALL. A prognostic value was assessed in 168 subjects. In subjects with normal cytogenetics those with high CSRP2 transcript levels had a higher 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) and worse relapse-free survival (RFS) compared with subjects with low transcript levels (56% [95% confidence interval, 53, 59%] vs. 19% [18, 20%]; P = 0.011 and 41% [17, 65%] vs. 80% [66-95%]; P = 0.007). In multivariate analyses a high CSRP2 transcript level was independently-associated with CIR (HR = 5.32 [1.64-17.28]; P = 0.005) and RFS (HR = 5.56 [1.87, 16.53]; P = 0.002). Functional analyses indicated CSRP2 promoted cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression, in vitro colony formation and cell migration ability. Abnormal CSRP2 expression was associated with resistance to chemotherapy; sensitivity was restored by down-regulating CSRP2 expression.

Background In trials designed to evaluate new therapies for hematologic malignancies, end points such as leukemia-free survival are often used as surrogates for overall survival in acute leukemia. We aimed to assess whether leukemia-free survival is an acceptable statistical surrogate for overall survival when applied to remission maintenance therapy for acute myeloid leukemia. Design and Methods Data were analyzed from a randomized Phase III trial of remission maintenance immunotherapy with histamine dihydrochloride plus low-dose interleukin-2 versus no treatment in adults with acute myeloid leukemia. A two-stage surrogate validation model was applied in which correlations between Kaplan-Meier estimates of leukemia-free survival and overall survival, and between log hazard ratios reflecting treatment effects were analyzed. Country of patient enrollment was the unit of analysis. Results Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival at 36, 48, and 60 months and leukemia-free survival at 24 months were reasonably correlated (R(2) ranging from 0.44 to 0.84) both for the overall (n=320) and first complete remission (n=261) populations. The effects of histamine dihydrochloride/interleukin-2 on log hazard ratios for leukemia-free survival and overall survival were well correlated (R(2)=0.88-0.93). Conclusions The significant correlations between overall survival and the surrogate end point (leukemia-free survival) and between the effect of histamine dihydrochloride/interleukin-2 on leukemia-free survival and overall survival satisfy the two-stage surrogate validation model. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00003991) funding to support these analyses and preparation of this paper was provided by EpiCept Corporation. EpiCept Corporation did not contribute to any of the analyses presented here, nor to their interpretation.

DNMT3A mutations are seen in ∼5% of patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and thus far, have had an indeterminate prognostic impact on survival. We carried out this study to assess the prognostic impact of DNMT3A mutations on a larger informative cohort of CMML patients (n = 261). DNMT3A mutations were seen in 6% (n = 16); 56% (n = 9) male, with a median age of 64 years. Eighty-one % of DNMT3A mutations were missense, with the Arg882 mutational hot spot accounting for 63% of all changes. Five (31%) patients had an abnormal karyotype whereas concurrent gene mutations (SF3B1/SRSF2/U2AF1-56%, TET2-50%, and ASXL1-25%) were seen in all patients. Apart from a higher frequency of SF3B1 (P = 0.0001) and PTPN11 (P = 0.005) mutations and a lower frequency of SRSF2 (P = 0.004) mutations, there were no significant differences between DNMT3A mutated patients and their wildtype counterparts. In univariate analysis, survival was shorter in DNMT3A mutated (median 8 months) versus wildtype (median 27 months) patients (P = 0.0007; HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5-5.7); with other variables of significance including lower hemoglobin (P = 0.002), higher leukocyte count (P = 0.0009), higher monocyte count (P = 0.0012), circulating blast % (P = 0.001), circulating immature myeloid cells (P = 0.01), bone marrow blast % (P = 0.045), abnormal karyotype (P = 0.02), and ASXL1 (P = 0.01) mutations. In a multivariable model that included the aforementioned variables, when both DNMT3A and ASXL1 mutations were added, only DNMT3A (P

Background: Anthracylines are one of the major classes of drugs active against acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Increased doses of daunorubicin during induction therapy for AML have been shown to improve remission rates and survival. The ALLG used idarubicin in induction therapy at a dose of 9 mg/m2 x 3 days (total dose 27 mg/m2) in combination with high-dose cytarabine and etoposide (Blood 2005, 105:481), but showed that a total idarubicin dose of 36 mg/m2 was too toxic in this context (Leukemia 2001, 15:1331). In order to further improve outcomes in adult AML by anthracycline dose escalation, we conducted a phase 3 trial comparing standard to an increased idarubicin dose during consolidation therapy. Methods: Patients achieving complete remission after 1 or 2 cycles of intensive induction therapy (idarubicin 9 mg/m2 daily x3, cytarabine 3 g/m2 twice daily on days 1,3,5 and 7, and etoposide 75 mg/m2 daily x7; ICE protocol) were randomized to receive 2 cycles of consolidation therapy with cytarabine 100 mg/m2 per day for 5 days, etoposide 75 mg/m2 for 5 days, and idarubicin 9mg/m2 daily for either 2 or 3 days (standard and intensive arms respectively). No further protocol therapy was given. The primary endpoint was leukemia-free survival from randomization to consolidation therapy (LFS) with overall survival (OS) as secondary endpoint. Results: A total of 422 patients with AML (excluding cases with CBF rearrangements or APL) aged 16 to 60 years were enrolled between 2003-10, with 345 (82%) achieving complete remission, and 293 being randomized to standard (n=146) or intensive (n=147) consolidation arms. The median age was 45 years in both arms (range 16- 60), and both groups were balanced for intermediate versus unfavorable karyotypes and for frequency of mutations involving FLT3-ITD and NPM1 genes. Of the randomized patients, 120 in the standard arm (82%) and 95 in the intensive arm (65%) received the second consolidation cycle (p Conclusion: We conclude that in adult patients in complete remission after intensive induction chemotherapy an increased dose of idarubicin delivered during consolidation therapy results in improved LFS, without increased non-hematologic toxicity. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Szer: Ra Pharma: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Alnylam: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Marlton:Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Wei:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; CTI: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Cartwright:ROCHE: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Roberts:Servier: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding. Mills:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Meeting attendance sponsorship. Gill:Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Seymour:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

e18501Background: HSCT has been reported to be a treatment option for elderly patients with AML. Here we analyze the outcome of CT compared to HSCT in elderly AML patients according to genetic risk...

To explore the effect of BCR-ABL gene transcripts on Leukemia-free survival (LFS) and prognosis of patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (PhThe clinical data of 107 cases of PhOut of 107 PhBoth the relapse and infection are the main causes of death in the patients after transplantation. A disease status ≥CR2 and the BCR-ABL positive before transplantation are 2 independent risk factors of LFS in the patients with Ph

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are myeloid neoplasms defined by peripheral cytopenia, dysplasia of myeloid cells and an increased risk to transform to secondary acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although several laboratory and molecular risk factors and scoring systems have been established, little is known about genetic features contributing to disease evolution, AML development, and survival. Accumulating evidence suggests that iron metabolism and transfusion frequency are important prognostic determinants in MDS. It has also been described that patients with MDS frequently display HFE gene variants. However, little is known about the clinical impact of HFE variants. We examined the HFE status by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis covering 2 common variants (H63D and C282Y) in 167 patients with MDS (observation-period: 1992-2019) and in 494 healthy Austrian controls. The median age of our MDS patients at diagnosis was 69 years (range 27-85 years) with a f:m ratio of 1:1.13. In the MDS cohort the international prognostic scoring systems, IPSS and IPSS-R, were applied, and in 94 patients a ´myeloid mutation´ screen was performed by next-generation sequencing (NGS). In all patients, serum ferritin levels were recorded at diagnosis and during follow up. Variant HFE species (H63D and/or C282Y) were detected in 63/167 patients with MDS (38.4%) and in 170/494 controls (34.4%). Median ferritin levels at diagnosis were slightly higher in HFE-mutated patients (409 mg/dL; range: 23-7415 mg/dL) compared to non-mutated patients (346.5 mg/dL; range: 10-5450 mg/dL) (p=0.62). During the first 2 years of transfusion therapy, HFE-mutated patients showed a slightly faster increase in serum ferritin levels compared to non-mutated patients. However, again, the difference was not significant, and patients with massive iron overload were found in both cohorts. When examining French-American-British (FAB) subgroups of MDS, the percentage of patients withHFE variants was higher in the group with refractory anemia, RA (22/53=41.5%) or RA with ring sideroblasts, RARS (17/39=43.9%) than in the group of RA with excess of blasts, RAEB (16/46=34.8%) or RAEB in transformation (5/17=29.4%). In CMML, 5/12 patients (41.7%) were found to carry a HFE variant. Clear differences were also observed between subgroups of MDS patients classified by World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The prevalence of HFE mutations was 50.0% (13/26) in patients with ring sideroblasts (RS) and multilineage dysplasia (MDS-RS-MLD), 50.0% in MDS-MLD (6/12), 43% (7/18) in MDS with RS and single-lineage dysplasia (MDS-RS-SLD), 42.9% (12/28) in patients with excess of blasts-1 (MDS-EB1), 38.9% (7/18) in MDS-SLD, 21.4% (6/28) in MDS-EB2, and 20% (2/10) in MDS with isolated 5q-. When splitting patients according to the IPSS and IPSS-R, patients at highest risk were found to have a lower prevalence of HFE variants (IPSS high: 20%; IPSS-R very high: 15.4%) compared to other risk groups (IPSS low: 34.9%, int-1: 42.0%, int-2: 31.0%; and IPSS-R very low: 33.3%, low: 38.5%, int: 36.8%, high: 42.9%). Next, we examined correlations between HFE variants and somatic myeloid mutations in our MDS patients (n=94). No significant correlations were found when comparing expression of HFE variants with somatic mutations in ASXL1, ASXL1, SF3B1, SRSF2, TET2, DNMT3A, RUNX1, NRAS, TP53, IDH2 or EZH2 detected by NGS. Finally, we examined the HFE status in the context of clinical end points. In these studies, we found a clear difference in AML-free survival between HFE-mutated and non-mutated patients, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.089) (Figure 1A). No differences in overall survival (OS) were found when comparing patients with or without HFE variants (Figure 1B). In conclusion, the HFE variants H63D and C282Y are frequently detected in Austrian patients with MDS. These variants are more commonly detectable in low risk FAB patients and correlate roughly with higher ferritin levels at diagnosis and during transfusion therapy. In addition, HFE-mutated MDS patients have a slightly better AML-free survival. However, the correlation is weak. Therefore, we currently do not recommend screening for HFE gene variants at diagnosis in patients with MDS unless ferritin levels are excessively high or increase very rapidly during transfusion suggesting the possibility of a concomitant primary hemochromatosis. Disclosures Valent: Blueprint: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; Deciphera: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Sperr:Novartis: Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria.

DNMT3A mutations are seen in ∼5% of patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and thus far, have had an indeterminate prognostic impact on survival. We carried out this study to assess the prognostic impact of DNMT3A mutations on a larger informative cohort of CMML patients (n = 261). DNMT3A mutations were seen in 6% (n = 16); 56% (n = 9) male, with a median age of 64 years. Eighty-one % of DNMT3A mutations were missense, with the Arg882 mutational hot spot accounting for 63% of all changes. Five (31%) patients had an abnormal karyotype whereas concurrent gene mutations (SF3B1/SRSF2/U2AF1-56%, TET2-50%, and ASXL1-25%) were seen in all patients. Apart from a higher frequency of SF3B1 (P = 0.0001) and PTPN11 (P = 0.005) mutations and a lower frequency of SRSF2 (P = 0.004) mutations, there were no significant differences between DNMT3A mutated patients and their wildtype counterparts. In univariate analysis, survival was shorter in DNMT3A mutated (median 8 months) versus wildtype (median 27 months) patients (P = 0.0007; HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5-5.7); with other variables of significance including lower hemoglobin (P = 0.002), higher leukocyte count (P = 0.0009), higher monocyte count (P = 0.0012), circulating blast % (P = 0.001), circulating immature myeloid cells (P = 0.01), bone marrow blast % (P = 0.045), abnormal karyotype (P = 0.02), and ASXL1 (P = 0.01) mutations. In a multivariable model that included the aforementioned variables, when both DNMT3A and ASXL1 mutations were added, only DNMT3A (P 0.0001) and ASXL1 (P = 0.004) mutations remained significant. DNMT3A mutations were also predictive of a shortened leukemia-free survival. These findings warrant inclusion of DNMT3A mutations in molecularly integrated CMML prognostic models. Am. J. Hematol. 92:56-61, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Leukemia-free survival in myeloid leukemia, but not in lymphoid leukemia, is predicted by early CD4+ reconstitution following unrelated cord blood transplantation in children: a multicenter retrospective cohort analysis

Contains fulltext : 69575.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) BACKGROUND: Alloreactive NK cells play a role in tumor eradication after allogeneic HLA mismatched stem cell transplantation (SCT). The effect of NK alloreactivity in HLA identical SCT is still under debate and in particular in transplantation for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) the data are very limited and with conflicting outcome. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of KIR genes and KIR ligands on leukemia free survival (LFS) and relapse rate in a well-defined, homogeneous group of CML patients phase upon HLA identical sibling SCT. METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively analyzed the effect of KIRs and KIR ligands (C1 and C2) on LFS and relapse in 70 CML patients in 1st chronic phase, who had received an HLA identical sibling graft. For KIR typing we used a single PCR based KIR typing protocol that also included primers allowing for the identification of the KIR binding site on HLA-Cw (AA 77 and 80). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The data show clear differences in transplant outcome between patients having both ligands (C1 and C2) as compared to patients having only one ligand (C1 or C2). In the latter group, the stimulatory KIR2DS5 gene was associated with improved leukemia free survival (p=0.007; hazard ratio 4.3; 95% confidence interval 1.3-6.7) and lower relapse rates (p=0.028; HR 4.3, 95% CI 1.1-9.1). In contrast, in patients carrying both ligands, KIR2DS5 was associated with reduced LFS (p=0.0056; HR 0.3; 95% CI 0.1-0.7) and higher relapse rate (p=0.02; HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.1-0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate a role for an NK mediated anti-CML response after HLA identical sibling SCT that is influenced by KIR ligands and, more importantly, by stimulatory KIRs present in the donor.

Background: Haploidentical (Haplo) stem cell transplantation (SCT) provide a curative option for nearly all Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) patients lacking an HLA matched donor. However, outcomes following Haplo-SCT vary and are dependent on a number of individual features. Integrative prognostic models for decision support towards a Haplo-SCT are lacking. We sought to develop a prediction model of Leukemia-Free Survival (LFS) for AML patients undergoing a Haplo-SCT. Methods: A total of 1,804 de-novo (80%) and secondary (20%) AML patients who received a non-T-cell depleted Haplo-SCT between the years 2005-2017 were included. All patients were reported to the registry of the Acute Leukemia Working Party (ALWP) of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT). To account for non-linear associations, violation of the proportional hazard assumption, and to reduce bias associated with feature selection, a non-parsimonious non-parametric machine learning algorithm, Random Survival Forest (RSF), was used. RSF provides a continuous probabilistic estimation of LFS by fitting an ensemble of decision trees. Variables included in the model were reflective of patient, disease, and transplantation characteristics. Since RSF models are not readily interpretable (i.e., "black box" models) variable importance (VIMP) of covariates included in the model (Xv), were assessed by calculating the difference in prediction error before and after permuting Xv. The model's generalizability and accuracy were tested through repetitive bootstrapping (5000 iterations) and calculation of the C-index. Results: The median age of the patients was 53 years. The majority had an early disease status (complete remission [CR] 1[44%]) with intermediate cytogenetic risk (43%) and were undergoing allogeneic transplantation for the first time (93%). Reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) was used in 57% of cases, and grafts were from peripheral blood in 54% of transplants. For graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis, 82% of the patients received post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and 18% anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG). The median follow-up duration was 2.0 years. In the RSF prediction model, the top-ranking variables (Figure A) were disease status, GvHD prophylaxis, time from diagnosis to transplantation, and age. Bootstrapped C-index of the prediction model was 0.66. Prognostic discrimination was assessed by dividing the predicted LFS probabilities into quartiles that were then used to plot Kaplan-Meier curves, demonstrating LFS ranging from 24.8%-60.1% at 2-years (Figure B). Differing features of the four prognostic groups are listed in the Table. Conclusions: Our group has developed the first prediction model for LFS in AML patients treated with a Haplo-SCT. The model is based on a machine learning technique and provides an individualized estimation of LFS probability. It is conceivable that once this model is verified, it could serve as an important clinical tool when considering a patient to Haplo-SCT. Figure. Figure. Disclosures Angelucci: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (MA) and CRISPR CAS9 Therapeutics AG (CH): Other: Chair DMC; Jazz Pharmaceuticals Italy: Other: Local ( national) advisory board; Celgene: Honoraria, Other: Chair DMC; Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Chair Steering Comiittee TELESTO Protocol; Roche Italy: Other: Local (national) advisory board. Tischer:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Other: Jazz Advisory Board. Mohty:MaaT Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria.

Introduction: Immunotherapy is a promising modality of treatment of neoplastic diseases, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The CD19/CD3-bispecific T cell-engaging (BiTE (R)) monoclonal antibody blinatumomab can transiently bind cytotoxic T cells to CD19(+) target B cells of ALL inducing their serial lysis.Areas covered: This review focuses on the efficacy and safety of blinatumomab used for the treatment of relapsed/refractory (R/R) ALL and minimal residual disease (MRD)-positive B-cell precursor (BCP) ALL in adults and children, as well as the future prospects of this drug in the treatment of ALL.Expert commentary: Blinatumomab has demonstrated encouraging response rates in MRD-positive and R/R in adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive and -negative ALL, as well as in children with R/R ALL. Blinatumomab has a favorable safety profile, although reversible CNS events and cytokine release syndrome can occur. Ongoing trials in ALL incorporate blinatumomab in the first line therapy of BCP ALL in combination with chemotherapy, targeted therapies or other immunotherapies with the aim of increasing the depth of the remission and decreasing the probability of relapse.

6523 Background: Complete remission rates similar to those of younger pts are obtained in elderly AML pts (OSHO AML 1997). However, OS and LFS remain dismal because of extremely high relapse rates....

6505 Background: Acquired mutations of the flt3 and npm1 genes have been shown to determine outcome in younger pts with AML. Here, the influence of flt3 and npm1 mutations on outcome of elderly pts (> 60 a) was analyzed in relation to either chemotherapy (CT) or SCT. Methods: Of the 498 pts entered into the curative arm of the #69 study for pts > 60 a, 357 are evaluable and 158 of these had flt3 and npm1 available as of Oct 2009. Complete remission was obtained in 191 of the 357 pts after induction chemotherapy. Flt3 and npm1 was available in 53 of 81 and 44 of 59 pts in CR1 receiving either a second consolidation or allogeneic SCT. Consolidation consisted of CT or, in pts with related or unrelated donors, of SCT after 200 cGy TBI. Results: Overall survival (OS) of the 158 pts with known npm1 and flt3(ITD) status was 33 ± 3% at 2a. Mutation status did not significantly influence OS, but did influence the EFS of pts in CR1 after induction (27 ± 11% vs. 51 ± 7% for flt3(ITD)+ vs. flt3(ITD)- p < 0.01; 69 ± 9...

A significant number of patients who relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) will achieve sustained remissions after treatment with interferon-, second transplants, or donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) from the original stem cell donor. Because leukemia-free survival (LFS) is at present defined as survival without evidence of relapse at any time posttransplant, patients who relapse but are then restored to complete remission are treated as failures when estimating LFS. We have established a new category of LFS, termed current LFS (CLFS), which we define as survival without evidence of leukemia at the time of most recent assessment. To gauge the contribution of treatment for relapse to the efficacy of allogeneic SCT in the management of CML in chronic phase, we compared conventional LFS and CLFS in 189 consecutive patients who underwent SCT over a 7-year period with a minimum follow-up of 3 years. Patients with sibling donors (n = 111) received cyclosporine and methotrexate as prophylaxis for graft versus host disease; patients with unrelated donors (n = 78) also received Campath-1G or 1H as intravenous T-cell depletion. The 5-year LFS defined conventionally was 36% (CI: 29% to 43%) versus a 5-year CLFS of 49% (CI: 36% to 62%). This new method of defining LFS confirms the view that appropriate “salvage” therapy, principally DLI, makes a major contribution to the capacity of allogeneic SCT to produce long-term LFS in patients who receive SCT for CML and emphasizes the importance of redefining LFS to take account of successful treatment of relapse.

7003 Background: Even after reaching initial CR, most AML patients > 60 years relapse within 2 years of diagnosis. Cytogenetic high risk AML (abn 3q26, abn 11q23, -5/5q-, -7/7q- and complex) has an even worse prognosis. Attempts to improve survival by intensifying consolidation chemotherapy have so far failed. We investigated the role of allogeneic HCT in comparison to chemotherapy among patients with high risk cytogenetics entered into the OSHO AML 97 protocol. Methods: Initial treatment consisted of a course of induction therapy (AraC 2 g/m2 iv on day 1,3,5,7 + mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2 iv day 1 –3, repeated once in case of PR) followed by one consolidation course (AraC 240 mg/m2 iv day 1 –5 + mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2 iv day 1 –2). Patients in CR1 after the consolidation I were either treated with an additional consolidation therapy or with an allogeneic HCT from related (n=2) or unrelated (n=10) donors. Transplant patients were conditioned with fludarabine and TBI 200 cGy and immunosuppressed with cyclosporine and mycofenolate mofetil. Results: A total of 347 patients are evaluable. Of 105 (33%) patients with high-risk cytogenetics, 53 (50%) went into remission after one or two cycles of induction chemotherapy. Of these 53 patients, 42 received consolidation I and 35 patients were available for either consolidation II (n=23) or HCT (n=12). Median age of the patients receiving chemotherapy was 64 (range 61–77) years and that of the transplant patients was 64 (range 61–68) years. LFS at 4 years was 42 ± 14% after HCT and 15 ± 8% after chemotherapy. Major differences in relapse incidences were seen between the two groups, with the lowest RI at 4 years after HCT (36 ± 15%) followed by chemotherapy (85±8%, p No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Between April 1982 and February 1997 39 patients (24 male, 15 female) with refractory acute leukemia and a median age of 31 years (19-51 years) received allogeneic marrow grafts from an HLA-identical sibling (n = 27), HLA-identical unrelated donor (MUD; n = 10) or 1-antigen mismatched unrelated donor (n = 2). Twenty-eight patients had acute myelogenous leukemia and 11 acute lymphoblastic leukemia. For conditioning most patients received total body irradiation combined with cyclophosphamide (n = 23) or etoposide (n = 7). For graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis patients received cyclosporin A (CsA) and methotrexate (MTX) (n = 20), MTX alone (n = 3), CsA and methylprednisone (n = 6), or CsA alone (n = 10), respectively. As of June 1997 probability of leukemia-free survival projected to 3 years after BMT was 14% for patients given sibling marrow grafts and 28% after MUD transplantation. Transplant-related mortality projected to 3 years was 32% after sibling and 37% after MUD marrow grafting. Although not significantly different, probability of relapse projected to 3 years after BMT was lower after MUD at 56% compared to 78% with sibling BMT. Thus, high-dose chemo/radiotherapy followed by allogeneic marrow infusion has a curative potential for patients with refractory leukemia and offers the chance of long-term disease-free survival for some patients.

Background The Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS)-plus currently provides the most comprehensive prognostic model for primary myelofibrosis (PMF) (JCO 2011;29:392). DIPSS-pluse uses eight independent predictors of inferior survival: age >65 years, hemoglobin 25 x 109/L, circulating blasts ³1%, constitutional symptoms, unfavorable karyotype, red cell transfusion need and platelet count Methods Study patients fulfilled the 2016 WHO criteria for the diagnosis of PMF, including both pre-PMF and overt PMF (Blood. 2016;127:2391). Additional selection criteria included the availability of absolute monocyte count (AMC) and percentage at time of referral. Targeted next generation sequencing was used to screen for prognostically-relevant mutations (Blood 2015 126:354). Statistical analyses considered clinical and laboratory parameters obtained at time of initial referral to the Mayo Clinic. Results Patient characteristics: The study population included 454 patients (median age 64 years; 62% males); 293 (64%) patients harbored JAK2 mutations, 74 (16%) type 1/like CALR, 16 (3%) type 2/like CALR, 24 (5%) MPL and 47 (10%) were "triple-negative". DIPSS-plus risk distribution was 29% high, 38% intermediate-2, 17% intermediate-1 and 15% low; 27% displayed red cell transfusion-dependency, 29% constitutional symptoms, 70% palpable splenomegaly and 36% abnormal karyotype, including 13% with unfavorable karyotype. 301 patients were screened for ASXL1 mutations with 39% mutated, 297 for SRSF2 mutations with 15% mutated, 286 for U2AF1 with 18% mutated, 253 for SF3B1 with 6% mutated, 229 for EZH2 with 5% mutated and 110 for IDH1/2 with 7% mutated. Clinical, cytogenetic and molecular comparisons between PMF patients with and without monocytosis: Among all study patients, 376 (83%) displayed AMC 3 x 10(9)/L; n=13) monocytosis. Comparison of these three groups revealed that monocytosis was significantly associated with older age (p=0.0001), higher leukocyte count (p Survival analysis: After a median follow up of 3.2 years, 265 (58%) deaths and 38 (8%) leukemic transformations were documented. In univariate analysis, all 8 variables included in DIPSS-plus were significantly associated with shortened survival (p3 x 10(9)/L (p3 x 10(9)L) was independent of each one of the eight DIPSS-plus variables, DIPSS-plus, driver mutational status, ASXL1 and SRSF2 mutations (p Conclusion The current study identifies monocytosis as a powerful risk factor for both overall and leukemia-free survival in PMF and the effect was independent of currently established prognostic models and genetic risk factors. It was particularly noteworthy to document similar distribution of driver mutations among the three monocyte categories. Figure Figure. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Introduction: The prognosis of refractory/relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is poor with chemotherapy or even allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Although our immunotherapy with autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CART) has resulted in 88.6% complete remission (CR) in refractory/relapsed B-cell ALL (B-ALL), many patients relapsed at around 2 months after CART therapy (unpublished data). Our current strategy is to perform HSCT for refractory/relapsed B-ALL in CR by CART therapy to attain continuous leukemia-free survival (LFS). However, majority of the patients with CART therapy developed cytokine release syndrome which may increase transplant-related mortality (TRM). Moreover, all patients with CART therapy have very tough diseases which could result in higher relapse rate after transplant. Objective: In current study, the safety and efficacy of HSCT for refractory/relapsed B-ALL after CART therapy were investigated. The patients with B-ALL who received HSCT during the same time period without CART therapy were as control. Patients and Methods: Between July 2015 and May 2016, consecutive 22 patients with refractory/relapsed CD19+ B-ALL in CR by CART therapy followed by allogeneic HSCT in our hospital were analyzed as CART group; and consecutive 89 patients with B-ALL in CR who received allogeneic HSCT in our hospital during the same time period but without previous CART therapy were as control group. Clinical characteristics between two groups was comparable except more CR1 (22.7% vs. 57.3%) in control group and more CD3+ cells infused (1.93x108/kg vs. 1.46 x108/kg, p=0.026) in CART group. The median age was 8 (2-44) years, 15 (2-52) years in CART and control groups (p=0.147). The median disease course was 19.1 (3.9-53.7) months, 10.6 (3.7-123.0) months in CART and control groups (p=0.385). The median time from CART therapy to HSCT was 86 (31-172) days. Disease status was 22.7% cases in CR1, 54.5% in CR2, 18.2% in CR3 and 4.5% in CR4 in CART group; and 57.3% cases in CR1, 36.0% in CR2 and 6.7% in CR3 in control group (p=0.08). Minimal residual disease pre-conditioning by flow cytometry was positive in 22.7%, 31.5% patients in CART and control groups (p=0.422). Donor source was identical sibling (IS) in 13.6%, unrelated (UR) in 31.8% and haploidentical (HI) in 54.5% in CART group; and IS in 14.6%, UR in 16.9% and HI in 68.5% in control group (p=0.313). Myeloablative conditioning regimens were administered with either total body irradiation (TBI) plus cyclophosphamide (Cy)/ fludarabine (Flu)-based in 90.9% cases or busulfan (Bu) plus Cy/ Flu-based in 9.1% cases in CART group; and TBICY/Flu-based in 85.4% cases or BuCy/Flu-based in 14.6% cases in control group (p=0.498). Antithymocyte globulin was used in UR and HI transplants. Cyclosporine, short-term methotrexate, and mycophenolate mofetil were employed for GVHD prophylaxis. Results: The median time to neutrophil engraftment was similar between two groups (14 days vs. 13 days, p=0.196), but platelet engraftment was slower in CART group (14 days vs. 12 days, p=0.031). Cumulative incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD (aGVHD) was higher in CART group (57.6% vs. 33.1%, p=0.009), which may related to higher CD3+ cells infused in CART cohort; but the incidences of grade III-IV aGVHD were no statistical significance (25.1% vs. 15.7%, p=0.564) in two groups. No remarkable differences were seen in CMV reactivation (45% vs. 51.7%, p=0.601) and transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (13.6% vs. 9.0%, p=0.514) in two groups. No significant difference was found in TRM between CART and control groups (7.1% vs. 15.2%, p=0.808). Relapse rates were similar in two groups (5.0% vs. 6.9%, p=0.888). With a median follow-up 9 (2-12) months, LFS was comparable in CART and control groups (84.8% vs. 80.9%, p=0.937). Conclusions: Our preliminary results have shown that the strategy with CART therapy followed by allogeneic HSCT in refractory/relapsed B-ALL is very safe and effective with similar outcomes in TRM, relapse rate and LFS compared with control group. CART therapy has resulted in very good CR in refractory/relapsed B-ALL and allowed the patients to achieve continuous LFS by subsequent allogeneic HSCT, which is revolutionary modality for those patients who have otherwise incurable diseases. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Survival in cytogenetically high-risk patients with acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes is significantly worse in the presence of a monosomal karyotype (MK). The objective of the present study was to determine whether the same held true for primary myelofibrosis. Among 793 primary myelofibrosis patients seen at our institution, 62 displayed an unfavorable karyotype by way of complex karyotype (n = 41) or sole trisomy 8 (n = 21). Seventeen (41%) of the 41 patients with complex karyotype were classified as having an MK. Median survival was 6, 24, and 20 months in patients with MK, complex karyotype without monosomies, and sole trisomy 8, respectively (P < .0001). The corresponding 2-year leukemic transformation rates were 29.4%, 8.3%, and 0 (P < .0001); hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 6.9 (1.3-37.3) and 14.8 (1.7-130.8). The prognostic relevance of MK was not accounted for by the Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System. We conclude that MK in primary myelofibrosis is associated with extremely poor overall and leukemia-free survival.

Introduction In the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, initial induction guidelines frequently include performing a day 14 bone marrow biopsy to assess response. A second induction is then recommended for patients with morphologic residual leukemia (≥5% blasts). Recent retrospective reviews have shown no difference in complete response (CR) rates amongst patients with residual leukemia based on day 14 marrow assessment who were and were not given a second induction. In our single center retrospective study, we compared patients with residual blast counts ≥5% to identify differences in leukemia free survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS) in those who did and did not receive a second induction. In addition we examined the cytogenetic profile of Day 14 and remission bone marrows. Methods: Consecutively treated patients with newly diagnosed primary and secondary AML over the age of 18 who received daunorubicin based induction with a curative intent from 2006 to 2014 were obtained via cancer center medical records. Outcome data was followed until May 1st 2015. We reviewed demographic (age, sex, ECOG PS, co-morbidities) as well as AML specific data (daunorubicin dose, use of etoposide, initial bone marrow blast count, initial white blood cell count, bone marrow blast count at day 14, cytogenetic stratification, CR rate, allogeneic stem cell transplant, LFS and OS). Patients included in survival analysis were required to have an initial and day 14 bone marrow biopsy with morphologic identification of residual leukemia on the day 14 marrow. Cytogenetic risk stratification was based on NCCN guidelines. Morphological CR was defined based on International Working Group criteria (Cheson, JCO, 2003). Positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for CR were calculated by considering a BM of less than 5% at Day 14 a positive screening test for obtaining CR. Data was analyzed using Mann Whitney U test and chi square analysis as appropriate. LFS and OS were estimated using the Kaplan Meier method and compared using the log rank test. All calculations and graphs were obtained using STATA/SE 12.1. Results: Of the 91 patients initially identified, 67 had Day 14 marrows performed and 31 had residual blast counts ≥5%. For our overall cohort, we found a PPV of 76% and NPV of 65% for Day 14 marrows in determination of CR, which is in line with previous studies. No statistical differences were seen between the groups (Table 1), although patients who were reinduced trended toward higher initial white blood cell counts while those who were not reinduced trended towards improved CR rates. Comparing patients with residual disease at Day 14 who were or were not reinduced, we found no statistical difference for LFS and OS between the two groups (p 0.87 and 0.96 respectively). Interestingly, in comparing cytogenetics, two patients with unfavorable cytogenetics on initial BM converted to normal/intermediate cytogenetics after induction despite a residual blast count greater than 5%. Both obtained CR, one with and one without reinduction. Another patient with unfavorable cytogenetics at day 14 obtained CR with normal cytogenetics without reinduction. Conclusions: Although of limited size, our study suggests that reinduction based on Day 14 marrow is of limited use in predicting LFS and OS in AML. Better methods to determine residual leukemia following initial induction therapy are required in order to help guide treatment decisions. | | No Reinduction (n=17) | Reinduction (n=14) | p value | | ------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ------------------------- | ------- | | Age (Median) | 63 | 57.5 | 0.46 | | Male:Female | 8:9 | 8:6 | 0.58 | | ECOG PS 0 1 | 11 6 | 10 4 | 0.69 | | Initial WBC (Median) | 5.2 | 11.7 | 0.06 | | Initial % Bone Marrow Blast (Median) | 0.53 | 0.48 | 0.56 | | DNR Dose 60mg/m2 90mg/m2 | 11 6 | 8 6 | 0.67 | | Etoposide Given | 5 | 4 | 0.96 | | Cytogenetic Risk Intermediate Unfavorable | 9 8 | 7 7 | 0.87 | | Complete Response | 10 | 4 | 0.09 | | Allo-SCT | 7 | 8 | 0.38 | Table 1. Demographics of patients with and without reinduction chemotherapy with residual disease on repeat bone marrow biopsy ![Figure 1.][1] Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier Curve for Overall Survival ![Figure 2.][1] Figure 2. Kaplan-Meier Curve for Leukemia Free Survival Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare. [1]: pending:yes

Among spliceosome component mutations, those involving SF3B1 are most frequent in myelodysplastic syndromes with ring sideroblasts (MDS-RS; ∼ 75% incidence) and SRSF2 in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (∼ 28% incidence). We recently reported on the lack of prognostic significance for SF3B1 mutations in both MDS-RS and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). In the current study, we examined the prevalence and prognostic relevance of SRSF2 mutations in PMF. Among 187 patients screened, 32 (17%) harbored SRSF2 monoallelic mutations affecting residue P95. Significant associations were demonstrated between SRSF2 mutations and advanced age (P < .01), IDH mutations (P < .01), and higher DIPSS-plus risk category (P = .03). SRSF2 mutations were associated with shortened overall (P < .01) and leukemia-free (P < .01) survival; the adverse effect on survival was independent of DIPSS-plus (P = .01; HR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.0) and IDH mutations (P < .01; HR = 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4-3.8). In conclusion, SRSF2 mutations are relatively common in PMF, cluster with IDH mutations, and are independently predictive of poor outcome.

Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) for patients who relapse following an allogeneic stem cell transplant has proved remarkably durable. Because of the potential for second remissions with DLI, the current leukemia free survival (CLFS), which is the probability that a patient has not failed the entire course of the treatment, is becoming of interest to clinical investigators. Based on either a multistate Markov model or a linear combination of Kaplan-Meier estimators, we explore regression models for the CLFS. We focus on the two sample problem and we develop confidence bands for the CLFS or for differences in CLFS as well as a Kolmogorov type hypothesis test using a re-sampling technique. We also examine the use of pseudo-values to make inference on the direct effects of covariates on the CLFS function and we develop a score test for the equality of two CLFS. We illustrate these inference methods on a bone marrow transplant dataset.

The clinical relevance of JAK2V617F allele burden in primary myelofibrosis (PMF) has not been previously studied. Bone marrow-derived DNA from 199 patients with PMF was subjected to qualitative (n=199) and quantitative (n=129) analysis for V617F. Mutational frequency was 58% and median mutant allele burden ratio in V617F-positive patients was 29% (range, 1-74%). Multivariable analysis identified older age, platelet countor =100 x 10(9) l(-1) and peripheral blood blast percentage3% as being associated with a positive mutational status. The mere presence of the mutation did not affect the incidence of thrombosis (P=0.78), overall survival (P=0.22) or leukemia-free survival (P=0.5). The 129 patients with allele burden information were divided into four groups: V617F-negative (n=53) and V617F-positive with mutant allele burden in the lower quartile (n=19), middle quartiles (n=38) or upper quartile (n=19) range. Kaplan-Meier plots revealed significantly shortened overall (P=0.0008) and leukemia-free (P=0.01) survival for the lower quartile, but not for upper quartile allele burden group; independent prognostic relevance was validated by multivariable analysis. We conclude that low V617F allele burden in PMF might indicate the presence of an overriding V617F-negative clone that confers a more aggressive disease phenotype.

Purpose Blinatumomab, a bispecific single-chain antibody targeting the CD19 antigen, is a member of a novel class of antibodies that redirect T cells for selective lysis of tumor cells. In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), persistence or relapse of minimal residual disease (MRD) after chemotherapy indicates resistance to chemotherapy and results in hematologic relapse. A phase II clinical study was conducted to determine the efficacy of blinatumomab in MRD-positive B-lineage ALL. Patients and Methods Patients with MRD persistence or relapse after induction and consolidation therapy were included. MRD was assessed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for either rearrangements of immunoglobulin or T-cell receptor genes, or specific genetic aberrations. Blinatumomab was administered as a 4-week continuous intravenous infusion at a dose of 15 μg/m2/24 hours. Results Twenty-one patients were treated, of whom 16 patients became MRD negative. One patient was not evaluable due to a grade 3 adverse event leading to treatment discontinuation. Among the 16 responders, 12 patients had been molecularly refractory to previous chemotherapy. Probability for relapse-free survival is 78% at a median follow-up of 405 days. The most frequent grade 3 and 4 adverse event was lymphopenia, which was completely reversible like most other adverse events. Conclusion Blinatumomab is an efficacious and well-tolerated treatment in patients with MRD-positive B-lineage ALL after intensive chemotherapy. T cells engaged by blinatumomab seem capable of eradicating chemotherapy-resistant tumor cells that otherwise cause clinical relapse.