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These are the results of phase II study of bortezomib-melphalan-prednisolone (VMP) induction therapy followed by lenalidomide-dexamethasone (Rd) consolidation and lenalidomide maintenance in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end points included overall survival (OS), overall response rates (ORRs), and safety. Eighty-three eligible patients were enrolled between October 2012 and August 2014. The median PFS was 28.0 months (95% CI 19.6–36.7) and the median OS was 55.3 months (95% CI 51.6–NA). Among the patients who received lenalidomide maintenance therapy, median PFS was significantly improved in patients who had achieved a very good partial response (VGPR) or better (41.8 vs 20.7 months, p = 0.0070). As the best response, the rates of partial response or better were 85.5% comprising stringent complete response (sCR, 21.7%), complete response (CR, 10.8%), VGPR (18.1%), and partial response (PR, 34.9%). The most frequently observed grade 3 or higher adverse events during the VMP therapy were anemia (28.9%), neutropenia (15.6%), thrombocytopenia (6.0%), and peripheral neuropathy (2.4%). The most frequently observed grade 3 or higher adverse events during the Rd therapy were anemia (3.5%), neutropenia (1.8%), and skin rush (5.3%). The most frequently observed grade 3 or higher adverse events during lenalidomide maintenance therapy were anemia (7.4%) and neutropenia (24.1%). Thus, VMP induction therapy followed by Rd consolidation and lenalidomide maintenance is considered a well-tolerated and effective regimen in transplant-ineligible NDMM. This trial is registered with UMIN-CTR with the identification number UMIN000009042.

The Wilms' tumor gene 1 (WT1) encodes a transcription factor that is involved in normal cellular development and cell survival. WT1 mRNA is overexpressed in the minimal residual disease (MRD) of patients with hematopoietic malignancy patients, particularly acute myeloid leukemia (AML). MRD represents the condition with the low levels of leukemia cells in the bone marrow and is known as a sign of recurrence. In hematopoietic malignancies, definition of remission is based on the lack of MRD at submicroscopic level. Between December 2005 and June 2008, we started to measure WT1 mRNA levels in the peripheral blood (PB) from patients by quantitative real-time PCR in Aomori Prefectural Central Hospital. Three hundreds and eight samples from 95 patients were evaluated. The patients included AML (55 patients), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (11), myelodysplastic syndrome (20), malignant lymphoma (5), chronic myeloid leukemia (1), prostatic carcinoma (1), and leukopenia (2). Among the 55 AML patients, 21 patients were pretreated with remission induction therapy. In the clinical course of 21 patients, timely therapeutic approaches could be started for relapse by the early detection of WT1 mRNA overexpression before the morphological findings were apparent. Monitoring WT1 mRNA is helpful to identify patients at high-risk relapse. High overall survival rate (71.2%, 15/21, median: 24.6 months, range 1.1-35.6 months) was achieved in 3 years. The overall survival rate of 34 post-treatment patients was 61.7% (median: 23.5 months, range 0.13-126.5 months after treatment start). In conclusion, the WT1 mRNA level is a sensitive biomarker for monitoring MRD.

Background In Japan, the phase II study of bortezomib-melphalan-prednisolone (VMP) for NDMM using the same protocol of VISTA trial revealed that there were more treatment discontinuation in this study than in the VISTA study. We planned five cycles of reduced intensity VMP therapy as an induction. And it is reported that lenalidomide plus low dose dexamethasone (Rd) therapy is very effective regimen after VMP therapy. In order to further improve its outcome, patients are treated with six cycles of Rd and maintenance of lenalidomide after VMP induction. Patients and methods We included 82 pts with NDMM. Pts were received 5 cycles of VMP followed by 6 cycles of Rd. After Rd, pts received maintenance of lenalidomide. VMP included the IV or SQ administration of weekly bortezomib at 1.3 mg/m2 in combination with oral melphalan 6 mg/m2 and prednisone 60 mg/m2 once daily on days 1-4 of a 35-day cycle. Rd treatment consisted of lenalidomide 25 mg daily on days 1-21 plus dexamethasone 40 mg weekly of a 28-day cycle. Lenalidomide maintenance therapy consisted of lenalidomide 10 mg daily on days 1-21 of a 28-day cycle. Results In total, 82 pts were recruited in the trial by 27 Japanese centers between 10/2012 and 8/2014. Median age were 73.5 years (range 61-84), 37.8% were 75 years of age or older, 45.1% were male, 48.8% had International Staging System (ISS) stage II and 20.7% had ISS stage III. Fifty four patients had IgG-type myeloma (65.8%), 19 had IgA-type (23.2%), and 9 had Bence Jones-type (11%). Of the cases analyzed by FISH (N=80), 16.3% had t(4;14), 10% had del 17p and 41.3% had +1q21. Eight patients (10%) had t(4;14) and +1q21, five patients (6.3%) had del 17p and +1q21 and only one patient (1.3%) had t(4;14), del 17p and +1q21. The best response during VMP therapy (the maximum treatment number was 5 cycles) could be evaluated. After five course of VMP therapy, the rates of partial response (PR) or better were 68% including sCR (5%), CR (6%),VGPR (20%) and PR (37%). The best response rate after VMP+Rd (maximum treatment number of Rd was 6 cycles) was also evaluated. The rates of PR or better were 90% including sCR (6%), CR (16%), VGPR (39%) and PR (29%). The most commonly observed grade 3 or higher adverse events during VMP therapy were anemia (30%), neutropenia (16%), thrombocytopenia (5%) and GI toxicity (6%). Summary The induction therapy of reduced intensity VMP was safe and effective. The best response rate after VMP+Rd was very effective. However, we need to evaluate consolidation of Rd and maintenance of lenalidomide after longer follow up. Disclosures Ishida: Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Sunami:Ono: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding.

Background Dasatinib is a highly potent BCR-ABL inhibitor, with a 325-fold higher potency than imatinib and a 16-fold higher potency than nilotinib in vitro. Across a series of phase II and III trials with more than 2 years of follow-up, dasatinib has demonstrated durable efficacy in patients with CML following resistance or intolerance to imatinib. We conducted a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dasatinib in Japanese patients with imatinib resistance or intolerance CML. Methods Fifty- five CML-CP patients from 2009 to 2011 with resistance (n=40) or intolerance (n=26) to imatinib were registered to dasatinib administration (100mg once daily). Eleven among 26 patients with intolerance also showed resistance to imatinib at the registration. Imatinib resistance was defined as a lack of partial cytogenetical response at 3 months, a lack of complete cytogenetic response at 6 months or a lack of a major molecular response at 12 months of imatinib treatment. This criteria was identical to the criteria in ELN 2013 recommendation for first line. In another words, the resistance in this study means non-optimal criteria (warning and failure) of definition of the response to TKIs, first line, in ELN 2013 recommendation. Efficacy and safety were assessed using rates of major molecular response (MMR)/ MR4.5 (either (i) detectable disease with32,000 ABL1 transcripts in the same volume of cDNA used to test for BCR-ABL1) at 12 months and drug-related adverse events (AEs) respectively. All analyses were based on the modified to intension-to treat. Results One patient was withdrawal before dasatinib administration. The median duration of imatinib therapy was 545 days. The overall incidence of MMR (primary endopoint) and MR4.5 at 12 months was 67.2% (95% confidence interval, 53.3-81.1%), and 20.2 % (95% CI, 8.4–32.0 %), respectively. Forty patients with resistance to imatinib, who were warning and failure patients judged by ELN 2013 criteria, were reassessed. Cumulative MMR and MR4.5 rate were 63.4% (95% CI: 46.3-80.6) and 18.0% (95% CI: 4.9-31.1) respectively at 12 months. Eleven patients, who showed more than 1% IS at 3 months of dasatinib treatment, did not reach to MMR at 12 months or discontinued dasatinib due to insufficient efficacy in this resistance cohort. However, progression to the accelerated or blastic phase had not been observed. When imatinib were changed to dasatinib, 5 patients showed the mutations, which were effective in dasatinib therapy. New mutations have not been observed during the treatment of dasatinib. Among 54 patients, most non-hematological AEs were in grade 1/2. including diarrhea (12.7%), rash (7.3%), myalgia (5.5%) and vomiting (3.6%). Grade 3/4 non-hematological AEs were infrequent, including decreased potassium (3.6%), and increased creatinine (3.6%). Grade 1/2 fluid retention AEs were shown in 9.1% of patients, including edema (3.6%). Pleural effusion, which was only in Grade 1/2, was shown in 32.7% of patients. Grade 3/4 hematological toxicities included anemia (7.3%) and thrombocytopenia (3.6 %). Only 3 patients have permanently discontinued dasatinib treatment due to AEs. Conclusions The patients with non-optimal responses (warning and failure) judged by ELN 2013 criteria should have early intervention to dasatinib, which is less toxicity in CML-CP patients. This intervention might induce good prognosis. The BCR-ABL1 IS less than 1% at 3 months of dasatinib administration will be the valuable landmark for outcome. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 1062 Background: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) incur significant morbidity and mortality among neutropenic patients after chemotherapy. The risk for these infections is related to the intensity and duration of neutropenia, and varies from 2% to 40%. Mortality rates associated with documented IFIs are considerable, reportedly ranging from 30% to 60%. Empirical antifungal therapy is the standard care for neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies who remain febrile despite broad-spectrum antibacterial treatment. Several antifungal agents including voriconazole (VRCZ) or liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB) have been studied as empirical therapy for febrile neutropenia (FN). However, limited data are available concerning the efficacy of micafungin (MCFG) in FN patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods: We conducted a randomized, cooperative group, open-label trial comparing MCFG (150 mg once daily) with VRCZ (6 mg/kg twice on day 1 followed by 4 mg/kg twice daily) as first-line empirical antifungal treatment for 95 hospitalized FN patients with AML during induction or consolidation chemotherapy (MCFG, 49; VRCZ, 46). The efficacy end point was a favorable overall response, as determined by a five-component end point according to the criteria of Walsh et al (N Engl J Med 2004; 351: 1391). Results: At the time of enrolment, there were no significant differences in the demographics or baseline characteristics between the two groups. The mean treatment duration for MCFG and VRCZ was 10 and 9 days, respectively. The efficacy rates of MCFG and VRCZ were not significantly different (37.8% vs. 32.4%). The rates of breakthrough fungal infections (proven, probable and possible IFIs), successful treatment of baseline fungal infections, survival 7 days after end of therapy, and resolution of fever during neutropenia were similar in the two groups. However, premature discontinuation of therapy occurred less often in the MCFG group than in the VRCZ group (32.4% vs. 55.9%, P=0.0457*). In safety evaluation, there were fewer adverse events in the MCFG group than in the VRCZ group (27.0% vs. 64.7%, P=0.0013*). *: Chi square test Conclusions: MCFG was as effective as VRCZ, and better tolerated than VRCZ as empirical antifungal therapy in FN patients with AML. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

The outcome of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has not been improved for these three decades, although the incidence is getting increased with the aging of the population in Japan. In the JALSG GML200 study, we prospectively registered all elderly patients with AML during this study irrespective of the eligible criteria,. Since elderly patients are less able to tolerate to intensive cyottoxic intensive chemotherapy, we conducted a randomized study to assess an individualized induction treatment. After consolidation chemotherapy, we evaluated the adjuvant effect of ubenimex (UBX), an anti-leukemia immunomodulator. Method: From April 2000 to August 2005, the JALSG GML200 study registered all newly diagnosed AML patients aged 65 years and over. Patients who satisfied the eligibility criteria were randomized to receive either the individualized therapy (arm B) or non-individualized therapy (arm A). Patients who were not eligible were classified in arm C. Induction therapy of Arm A: enocitabine (BH-AC) 200 mg/m2 on days 1–8, 3 h infusion + daunorubicin (DNR) 40 mg/m2 on days 1–3, 30 min infusion. Arm B: BH-AC 200 mg/m2 on days 1–8, with extension to day 12 according to the results of bone marrow examination on days 7 and 10, + DNR 40 mg/m2 on days 1–3, with extension on day 12 depending on the results of bone marrow examination on days 7 and 10. Patients who achieved a complete response (CR) were randomized again to receive immuno-therapy with ubenimex (group UY) or without ubenimex (group UN). Consolidation therapy consisted of three courses: BH-AC 200 mg/m2 on days 1–5 + Mitoxantrone (MIT) 7 mg/m2 on days 1–3, BH-AC 200 mg/m2 on days 1–5 + DNR 30 mg/m2 on days 1–2, ETP 100 mg/m2 on days 1–3, BH-AC 200 mg/m2 on days 1–5 + ACR 14 mg/m2 on days 1–5. Result: Of the 374 patients registered, 244 patients were eligible for randomization to arms A and B, and 235 patients were evaluable. The median patients’ age of arms A, B and C were 70 (range, 65–79), 71 (range, 65–79), and 74 years (range, 65–92), respectively. CR rate of arm A was 63.2% and that of arm B was 65.3% (p = 0.75). CR rates of male and female patients significantly differed in each arm (arm A: male 55.4% vs. female 76.3%, p=0.053, arm B: male 53.1% vs. female 80.0%, p=0.008). Overall survival rates at 3 years of arms A and B were 25.5% and 21.5% (p = 0.56), respectively. With reference to survival with or without ubenimex in patients who achieved CR, the overall survival rate at 3 years was 43.1% for arm UY and 26.9% for arm UN (p=0.073). The number of patients in arm C was 130, and most patients in this arm received similar induction chemotherapy using DNR and BH-AC. The survival rate of this group at 3 years was unexpectedly high at 29.4%. Conclusion: Induction chemotherapy using DNR and BH-AC is one of the superior methods to achieve CR in elderly AML patients. However, individualized treatment has little advantage over non-individualized therapy. The remission rate of the female patients is higher than male patients, and it may have relations with a long life span of the Japanese female. Long-term survival rate is still unfavorable and search for a better post-remission therapy is warranted. Immunomodulator therapy using ubenimex provides a possible benefit for longer survival in elderly AML patients at CR.