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High-dose melphalan (HDM) and transplantation are recommended for eligible patients with multiple myeloma. No other conditioning regimen has proven to be more effective and/or safer. We previously reported in a phase 2 study that bortezomib can safely and effectively be combined with HDM (Bor-HDM), with a 32% complete response (CR) rate after transplantation. These data supported a randomized phase 3 trial. Randomization was stratified according to risk and response to induction: 300 patients were enrolled, and 154 were allocated to the experimental arm (ie, arm A) with bortezomib (1 mg/m2 intravenously [IV]) on days −6, –3, +1, and +4 and melphalan (200 mg/m2 IV) on day –2. The control arm (ie, arm B) consisted of HDM alone (200 mg/m2 IV). There were no differences in stringent CR + CR rates at day 60 posttransplant (primary end point): 22.1% in arm A vs 20.5% in arm B (P = .844). There were also no differences in undetectable minimum residual disease rates: 41.3% vs 39.4% (P = .864). Median progression-free survival was 34.0 months for arm A vs 29.6 months for arm B (adjusted HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.61-1.13; P = .244). The estimated 3-year overall survival was 89.5% in both arms (hazard ratio, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.62-2.64; P = .374). Sixty-nine serious adverse events occurred in 18.7% of Bor-HDM–treated patients (vs 13.1% in HDM-treated patients). The proportion of grade 3/4 AEs was similar within the 2 groups (72.0% vs 73.1%), mainly (as expected) blood and gastrointestinal disorders; 4% of patients reported grade 3/4 or painful peripheral neuropathy in arm A (vs 1.5% in arm B). In this randomized phase 3 study, a conditioning regimen with Bor-HDM did not improve efficacy end points or outcomes compared with HDM alone. The original trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02197221.

International audience; Background During the 2005-2014 period, the GRAALL conducted the GRAALL-2005 trial in patients (pts) with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative ALL aged 18-59y. In this trial, all pts received a pediatric-inspired chemotherapy, whatever their age. Post-hoc analysis revealed an unacceptable TRM in pts aged 45-59y (Huguet et al. J Clin Oncol 2018; 36:2514-23). Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was offered in first complete remission (CR) to most CR pts, defined at high-risk (HR) by at least one baseline clinical or biological HR factor (CNS involvement, complex karyotype [≥5 abns.], low hypodiploidy/near triploidy, poor early blast clearance, late CR, as well as WBC ≥ 30x109/L, lack of CD10 expression, KMT2A rearrangement or TCF3::PBX1 fusion for B-cell precursor [BCP] ALL). Minimal residual disease (MRD) response was not considered for HSCT indication at that time.In the next GRAALL-2014 trial conducted in a similar population, we introduced two major changes in the treatment strategy. First, chemotherapy intensity (steroids, anthracycline and L-asparaginase) was reduced in pts aged 45-59y to decrease excessive TRM. Secondly, the indication for HSCT was modified, relying on IG/TR MRD response only (post-induction MRD ≥10-3 and/or post-consolidation MRD ≥10-4) while not on any former baseline HR criterion. Here, we compare the outcomes of the two trials, focusing on the impact of these two major evolutions.Patients & Methods A total of 743 pts treated in the GRAALL-2014 trial between 2015 and 2020 were compared to the 787 pts from the historical GRAALL-2005 trial, in terms of CR and induction death rates, rate of HSCT in CR1, cumulative incidence of TRM (CITRM) and relapse (CIR), relapse-free (RFS) and overall (OS) survival. It should be noted that two nested Phase 2 trials were introduced by amendment during the GRAALL-2014 course (in 2017 and 2018, respectively), aiming to evaluate post-remission addition of nelarabine and blinatumomab in 87 T-ALL and 94 BCP-ALL selected pts, respectively.Results Main patient characteristics, including age, gender, BCP/T-ALL, WBC, and historical baseline HR features, did not significantly differ between the two trial cohorts, even if CNS disease at diagnosis was more frequent in the 2014 cohort (12 vs 7%, p= 0.001).Outcome comparisons are shown in Table 1. Overall, the induction death rate was significantly reduced in the GRAALL-2014 (3 vs 6%, p= 0.005). As expected, this was only observed in pts aged 44-59y (3 vs 11%, p= 0.001), in whom dose-intensity reduction also translated into a higher need for second induction course (9 vs 5%, p= 0.05) eventually resulting in a higher CR rate (92 vs 86%, p= 0.05). Due to the newly introduced MRD-based stratification, the rate of pts with HSCT indication was markedly reduced (30 vs 65%, p

Superior rates of deep molecular response (DMR) have been reported with the combination of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and pegylated-interferon-alpha (Peg-IFN) in patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase-chronic myeloid leukaemia (CP-CML). In this setting, this study investigated the efficacy and safety of dasatinib combined to Peg-IFN-α2b (Dasa-PegIFN, NCT01872442). A total of 79 patients (age ≤65 years) started dasatinib; 61 were eligible for Peg-IFNα-2b add-on therapy at month 3 for a maximum 21-months duration. Dasatinib was continued thereafter. The primary endpoint was the cumulative rate of molecular response 4.5 log (MR

Bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone plus transplant is a standard of care for eligible patients with multiple myeloma. Because responses can deepen with time, regimens with longer and more potent induction/consolidation phases are needed. In this phase 2 study, patients received eight 28-day cycles of carfilzomib (K) 20/36 mg/m2 (days 1-2, 8-9, 15-16), lenalidomide (R) 25 mg (days 1–21), and dexamethasone (d) 20 mg (days 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23). All patients proceeded to transplant after 4 cycles and received 1 year of lenalidomide maintenance (10 mg, days 1-21). The primary objective was stringent complete response at the completion of consolidation. Overall, 48 patients were screened and 46 enrolled; 21% had adverse cytogenetics. Among 42 evaluable patients after consolidation, 26 were in stringent complete response (CR; 61.9%), 27 were at least in CR (64.3%): 92.6% had undetectable minimal residual disease according to flow cytometry (≥2.5 × 10−5) and 63.0% according to next-generation sequencing (10−6). Median time to CR was 10.6 months. According to multiparametric flow cytometry and next-generation sequencing, 69.0% and 66.7% of patients, respectively, had undetectable minimal residual disease at some point. With a median follow-up of 60.5 months, 21 patients progressed, and 10 died (7 of multiple myeloma). Median progression-free survival was 56.4 months. There were no KRd-related deaths. Four patients discontinued the program due to toxicities; 56 serious adverse events were reported in 31 patients, including 8 cardiovascular events (2 heart failures, 5 pulmonary embolisms or deep vein thrombosis). Common grade 3/4 adverse events were hematologic (74%) and infectious (22%). In summary, 8 cycles of KRd produce fast and deep responses in transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. The safety profile is acceptable, but cardiovascular adverse events should be closely monitored. This clinical trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02405364.

Discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia is feasible in clinical practice based on recently published international recommendations. Nevertheless, factors predictive of molecular recurrence have not been fully elucidated and long-term follow-up of patients enrolled in clinical studies are required in order to update knowledge on discontinuation attempts particularly in terms of the safety and durability of treatment-free remission (TFR). In the current study, we updated results from the STIM2 study in the light of the consensual criterion of molecular recurrence reported in different international recommendations. Among the 199 patients included in the perprotocol study, 108 patients lost a major molecular response. With a median follow-up of 40.8 months (5.5-111 months), the probability of treatment-free remission was 43.4% [36.3-50.4] at 5 years, 40.9% [32.8-47.3] at 7 years and 34.5% [25.6- 43.3] at 9 years. Molecular recurrence occurred between 0 to 6 months, 6 to 24 months and after 24 months in 75 patients (69%), 15 patients (14%) and 18 patients (17%), respectively. Notably, the kinetics of molecular recurrence differed significantly between these three subgroups with a median time from loss of MR4 (BCR::ABL1 IS≤0.01%) to loss of major molecular response of 1, 7 and 22 months, respectively. Predictive factors of molecular recurrence differed according to the time of occurrence of the molecular recurrence. Durations of imatinib treatment and deep molecular response as well as BCR::ABL1/ABL1 levels at cessation of tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment, as quantified by reverse transcriptase droplet digital polymerase chain reaction, are involved in molecular recurrence occurring up to 24 months but not beyond. (ClinicalTrial. gov Identifier NCT#0134373).

The Intergroupe Francophone du Myelome 2009 trial (NCT01191060) assessed health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) receiving lenalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone (RVd) induction therapy followed by consolidation therapy with either autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) plus RVd (RVd-ASCT) or RVd-alone; both groups then received lenalidomide maintenance therapy for 1 year. Global HRQoL, physical functioning, and role functioning scores significantly improved for both cohorts from baseline to the end of consolidation and were sustained during maintenance and follow-up, with clinically meaningful changes (RVd-alone

In the context of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) mutations still remain the sole biological marker that directly condition therapeutic decision. These recommendations aim at updating the use of BCR-ABL1 mutation testing with respect to new available therapeutic options and at repositioning different testing methods at the era of next generation sequencing (NGS). They have been written by a panel of experts from the French Study Group on CML (Fi-LMC), after a critical review of relevant publications. TKD mutation testing is recommended in case of treatment failure but not in case of optimal response. For patients in warning situation, mutation testing must be discussed depending on the type of TKI used, lasting of the treatment, kinetic evolution of BCR-ABL1 transcripts along time and necessity for switching treatment. The kind and the frequency of TKD mutations occasioning resistance mainly depend on the TKI in use and disease phase. Because of its better sensitivity, NGS methods are recommended for mutation testing rather than Sanger's. Facing a given TKD mutation, therapeutic decision should be taken based on in vitro sensitivity and clinical efficacy data. Identification by sequencing of a TKD mutation known to induce resistance must lead to a therapeutic change. The clinical value of testing methods more sensitive than NGS remains to be assessed.

Introduction: Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with high-risk genetics and/or measurable residual disease (MRD) are at high-risk of disease recurrence. In the previous GRAALL-2005 study, we identified KMT2A rearrangements (KMT2A-r), IKZF1 intragenic deletion (IKZF1del) and post-induction (TP1, week 6) MRD ≥ 0.01% as independent factors to predict relapse in Ph-negative B-cell precursor (BCP) ALL (Beldjord K, Blood 2014). In the GRAALL-2014 trial, high-risk (HR) patients were thus defined by the presence of at least one of these three factors. Among them, only those with higher MRD levels defined as TP1-MRD ≥ 0.1% and/or week 12 (TP2) MRD ≥ 0.01% were considered at very high risk (VHR) and proposed allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloSCT) in first remission (Dhedin et al., Blood 2015). Since October 2018, all these patients were eligible to be included in the GRAALL-2014-QUEST phase 2 study to receive blinatumomab as part of consolidation and maintenance phases or as a bridge to transplant. Methods: From October 2018 to December 2020, 95 patients with high-risk Ph-negative BCP-ALL without central nervous system involvement at diagnosis and in continuous complete remission after induction and consolidation 1, were prospectively included to start blinatumomab at week 12. One patient was excluded because of T-ALL phenotype (with CD19 aberrant expression). Patients with alloSCT indication and a stem cell source received blinatumomab 28 microg/d administered by continuous intravenous infusion (cIV) until transplant. A minimum of 4 weeks blinatumomab was recommended before proceeding to transplantation. All other patients received 5 cycles of blinatumomab 28 microg/day cIV (for 28 days), during consolidation 2 and 3 and at months 1/3/5 of the maintenance phase respectively. The primary objective was disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary objectives included post-blinatumomab MRD response at TP3 (after consolidation 2 or before alloSCT), overall survival (OS), and safety. Early results are reported here. Results: Median age was 35 years old (range, 18-60). Median white blood cell count (WBC) at diagnosis was 12 G/L (range, 1-449). Oncogenetic analyses allowed classifying ALL as Ph-like (18%), KMT2A-r (17%), DUX4/ERGdel (13%), ZNF384-r (11%), low hypodiploidy/near triploidy (7%), B-other (26%) or unknown (9%). An IKZF1del was found in 37/93 (40%). A TP1-MRD ≥ 0.01% was found in 46/94 patients (49%). Final risk group was HR for 45 patients and VHR for 49 patients. Last pre-blinatumomab MRD was Conclusion. In patients wih high-risk BCP-ALL, blinatumomab added to consolidation is safe and gives promising results. A comparison to similar patients treated in the same GRAALL-2014 study before October 2018 is planned with a longer follow-up. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Boissel: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; SANOFI: Honoraria; Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; CELGENE: Honoraria; JAZZ Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; PFIZER: Consultancy, Honoraria. Huguet: Novartis: Other: Advisor; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Other: Advisor; Celgene: Other: Advisor; BMS: Other: Advisor; Amgen: Other: Advisor; Pfizer: Other: Advisor. Rousselot: Incyte, Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Chalandon: Incyte, BMS, Pfizer, Abbie, MSD, Roche, Novartis, Amgen: Other: Advisory Board; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Incyte, BMS, Pfizer, Abbie, MSD, Roche, Novartis, Gilead, Amgen, Jazz, Astra Zenec: Other: Travel EXpenses, Accomodation. Delabesse: Astellas: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. Dombret: Abbvie: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Research Funding; NOVARTIS: Research Funding; pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; servier: Research Funding; BMS-Celgene: Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria. OffLabel Disclosure: Blinatumomab in frontline high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Blinatumomab is a bispecific T-cell engager approved for B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) with persistent minimal residual disease (MRD) or in relapse. The prognostic impact of tumor load has been suggested before other immunotherapies but remains poorly explored before blinatumomab. We retrospectively analyzed the outcome of 73 patients who received blinatumomab either in first complete remission (CR) with MRD (n=35) or at relapse (n=38). Among MRD patients, 91% had MRD >0.01% before blinatumomab, and 89% achieved complete MRD response after blinatumomab. High pre-blinatumomab MRD levels were associated with shorter relapse-free survival (P=0.049) and overall survival (OS) (P=0.011). At 3 years, OS was 33%, 58% and 86% for pre-blinatumomab MRD >1%, between MRD 0.1- 1% and

International audience; Dasatinib is a second-generation BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Dasatinib 100 mg per day is associated with an increased risk of pleural effusion (PlEff). We randomly evaluated whether therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) may reduce dasatinib-associated significant adverse events (AEs) by 12 months (primary endpoint). Eligible patients started dasatinib at 100 mg per day followed by dasatinib (C)min assessment. Patients considered overdosed [(C)min ≥ 3 nmol/l) were randomised between a dose-reduction strategy (TDM arm) and standard of care (control arm). Out of 287 evaluable patients, 80 patients were randomised. The primary endpoint was not met due to early haematological AEs occurring before effective dose reduction. However, a major reduction in the cumulative incidence of PlEff was observed in the TDM arm compared to the control arm (4% vs. 15%; 11% vs. 35% and 12% vs. 39% at one, two and three years, respectively (P = 0·0094)). Molecular responses were superimposable in all arms. Dasatinib TDM during treatment initiation was feasible and resulted in a significant reduction of the incidence of PlEff in the long run, without impairing molecular responses. (NCT01916785; https://clinicaltrials.gov).

The effectiveness of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has made it possible to consider treatment discontinuation in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients that achieve an excellent response. However, a few of the patients included in the Europe Stop Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (EURO-SKI) trial reported musculoskeletal pain shortly after stopping TKIs, considered as a withdrawal syndrome (WS). To identify factors that may predispose to TKI WS, we analysed the pharmacovigilance declarations for the 6 months after stopping TKIs in a large cohort of CML (n = 427) that combined the French patients included in the STop IMatinib 2 (STIM2; n = 224) and EURO-SKI (n = 203) trials. Among these patients, 23% (99/427) developed TKI WS after stopping imatinib (77/373; 20·4%), nilotinib (12/29; 41·4%) or dasatinib (10/25; 40%). WS concerned mainly the upper body joints, and required multiple symptomatic treatments in 30% of patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified two risk factors: duration of TKI treatment [risk ratio (RR) = 1·68 (1·02-2·74)] with a 93-month cut-off time, and history of osteoarticular symptoms [RR = 1·84 (1·04-3·28)]. These findings confirm that WS is a TKI class effect. CML patients should be carefully screened before treatment initiation to identify pre-existent osteoarticular symptoms. Moreover, before TKI discontinuation, patients should be informed of the possibility of WS, particularly after a long treatment period.

The STI571 prospective randomised trial (SPIRIT) French trial is a four-arm study comparing imatinib (IM) 400 mg versus IM 600 mg, IM 400 mg + cytarabine (AraC), and IM 400 mg + pegylated interferon alpha2a (PegIFN-α2a) for the front-line treatment of chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Long-term analyses included overall and progression-free survival, molecular responses to treatment, and severe adverse events. Starting in 2003, the trial included 787 evaluable patients. The median overall follow-up of the patients was 13.5 years (range 3 months to 16.7 years). Based on intention-to-treat analyses, at 15 years, overall and progression-free survival were similar across arms: 85%, 83%, 80%, and 82% and 84%, 87%, 79%, and 79% for the IM 400 mg (N = 223), IM 600 mg (N = 171), IM 400 mg + AraC (N = 172), and IM 400 mg + PegIFN-α2a (N = 221) arms, respectively. The rate of major molecular response at 12 months and deep molecular response (MR4) over time were significantly higher with the combination IM 400 mg + PegIFN-α2a than with IM 400 mg: p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0035, respectively. Progression to advanced phases and secondary malignancies were the most frequent causes of death. Toxicity was the main reason for stopping AraC or PegIFN-α2a treatment.

International audience; The prognostic value of IL7-receptor pathway (IL7Rp) mutations in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) remains unclear. We performed a comprehensive study of 200 adult patients with TALL included in the GRAALL2003/2005 protocols to address the clinical significance of IL7Rp mutations. Next-generation sequencing of the IL7Rp (IL7R/JAK1/ JAK3/STAT5B) revealed that IL7Rp mutations were frequent in adult TALL (28%) particularly in immature/early T-cell progenitor (ETP)-ALL. They were associated with mutations of NOTCH-pathway, PHF6, and PRC2 components but not with K/NRAS. IL7Rp mutated (IL7Rp mut) TALL were slow-responders, with a high rate of M2/M3 day-8 marrow compared with IL7Rp non-mutated (IL7Rp WT) TALL (p = 0.002) and minimal residual disease positivity at 6-weeks (MRD1) (p = 0.008) but no difference in MRD2 positivity at 12-weeks. Despite this, no adverse prognosis was evidenced when censored for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In time-dependent analysis, HSCT did not benefit IL7Rp mut patients whereas it was of marked benefit to IL7Rp WT cases. IL7Rp-mutations identify a subgroup of slow-responder T-ALLs which benefit from post-induction chemotherapy regimens but not from HSCT. Our data suggest that prior knowledge of the mutation status of IL7Rp may influence HSCT decision and help to guide therapy reduction.

Background: The prognosis of central nervous system (CNS) involvement in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been historically associated with a dismal outcome. Whereas the prognosis of adult patients with ALL has greatly improved since the advent of pediatrics-inspired regimens, the prognostic impact of CNS involvement has not been formerly reevaluated. We report herein the impact of CNS involvement in patients included in the pediatric-inspired prospective GRAALL-2005 study. Methods: All patients received a 5-drug induction therapy with native E. Coli-ASP intravenous injections. Patients in complete remission (CR) received two consolidation courses with alternating cycles including high dose cytarabine (2g/m2/12h on days 1 and 2), high dose methotrexate (3 g/m2 on day 1), and cyclophosphamide. All patients in persistent CR and with no indication for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) received late intensification, followed by one last consolidation course. Patients with initial CNS involvement, clinically and/or cytologically (cerebrospinal fluid), were recommended to receive an increased number of triple intrathecal therapy, CNS irradiation, and were eligible for allogeneic SCT in first CR. They received less Asp injections during induction therapy to avoid CNS adverse events. CNS irradiation included two lateral fields encompassing the skull, facial, the base of the skull, and the first two cervical vertebrae at a dose of 24 grays for those not receiving allogeneic SCT and 15 grays for those receiving allogeneic SCT. Results: Between 2006 and 2014, 784 adult patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia-negative ALL were included with 55 (7%) having initial CNS involvement. These patients were more likely to be of T-phenotype (51 versus 32%, p=.004) and had more white blood cells at diagnosis (median 23 G/l versus 11 G/l, p=.02). Most patients (36 pts, 66%) were classified as CNS-3 (> 5 white blood cells/µl and a positive cytospin and/or clinical signs) whereas 5 patients (9%) were CNS-2 (< 5 white blood cells/µl and a positive cytospin), and 14 (25%) have data pending. Among patients with details regarding CNS involvement, 25/41 (61%) had clinical signs including trigeminal anesthesia (9 pts, 36%), facial paralysis (4 pts, 16%), extremities paresthesia (4 pts, 16%), visual signs (2 pts, 8%), meningeal syndrome (2 pts, 8%), and motor deficit (2 pts, 8%), and 4/18 (22%) had radiological signs. Induction death, CR1 rate, and negative minimal residual disease after induction were similar whether patients had CNS involvement or not (6 vs 6%, 89 vs 89%, 73 vs 62%, 26 vs 22%, respectively). Patients with CNS involvement had a worse outcome than those without with a median event-free survival (EFS) of 391 days (versus not reached for patients without CNS involvement, HR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2 - 2.5, p=.002) and a median overall survival (OS) of 608 days (versus not reached for patients without CNS involvement, HR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3 - 2.6, p=.001) (figure). Similar results were observed when patients who received allogeneic SCT in CR1 were censored at the time of graft. As recommended, patients with CNS involvement were more likely to receive allogeneic SCT than those without (53 versus 34%, p=.01), with a median time of 169 days. A 150-day landmark analysis, excluding 12 patients with an EFS event before 150 days, was performed to study the impact of allogeneic SCT on the outcome of patients with CNS involvement. Allogeneic SCT had no impact on either EFS (HR: .5, 95% CI: .2 - 1.2, p=.15) or OS (HR: .8, 95% CI: .3 - 1.8, p=.53). Conclusion: Despite improved outcome in young adult ALL patients with pediatrics-inspired protocols, CNS involvement remains a poor-risk feature. The historical use of allogeneic SCT does not improve outcome. Specific regimens should be developed for adult ALL patients with CNS involvement. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Huguet: Amgen: Other: Advisor; BMS: Other: Advisor; Celgene: Other: Advisor; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Other: Advisor; Novartis: Other: Advisor; Pfizer: Other: Advisor. Barbieux: ASTRA-ZENECCA: Consultancy. Vey: Amgen: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; BIOKINESIS: Consultancy, Research Funding; NOVARTIS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; SERVIER: Consultancy; JAZZ PHARMACEUTICALS: Honoraria; JANSSEN: Consultancy. Dombret: Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Servier: Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria; BMS-Celgene: Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria. Boissel: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; JAZZ Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; CELGENE: Honoraria; SANOFI: Honoraria; PFIZER: Consultancy, Honoraria. Mathilde: ABBVIE: Consultancy; SERVIER: Consultancy.

Background: The role of maintenance lenalidomide in myeloma, following autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) or not, is well established. However, 29% of patients discontinue the treatment with a median duration of less than 2 years with an increased rate of secondary primary malignancies (SPM). Pomalidomide could provide alternative maintenance therapy. Methods: This was a single arm phase II study of pomalidomide/dex (PD) maintenance therapy for MM patients (pts) in first relapse after treatment in the IFM 2009 trial. At first relapse, 100 pts received pomalidomide/cyclophosphamide/dex (PCD) for 4 cycles, after which half underwent ASCT (if no first line transplant) followed by 2 cycles of PCD consolidation (Arm A), or 5 cycles of PCD (if previously transplanted) (Arm B). All pts then received maintenance therapy consisting of 28-day cycles of pomalidomide 4 mg daily on days 1-21 and dex 20 mg once a week until progression (Blood 2018). The primary objective was to establish the safety and efficacy of PD as maintenance therapy. Results: A total of 75 pts were enrolled in the maintenance phase from January 2015 to November 2017 (Table 1) and the database was locked on 07/07/2021. The median age was 60 (range 39-70); 67% (50/75) were male. 53 pts had ISS stage I, 10 stage II and 3 stage III disease (9 missing). Infectious prophylaxis was antiviral in 94%, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim in 76%, penicillin in 69% and fluoroquinolone in 38%. A granulocyte colony stimulating factor was administered in 15 (20%) pts and immunoglobulins in 13 (17%). One quarter had thromboprophylaxis. The median follow-up was 73 months (95% CI: 68-75). Among the 75 pts, 63 (84%) left the study, 34 (54%) due to progressive disease, 19 (30%) due to AE/SAE, 7 (11%) on investigator (PI) discretion and 3 (5%) after consent withdrawal. 12 (16%) remained on therapy in July 2021.The median duration of maintenance was 23.7 months (IQR: 14.5-44). Pts received a median of 26 cycles (range 1-80) and 17 (23%) had 50 or more cycles. The reasons for pomalidomide discontinuation were progression or death in 54%, AE/SAE in 30%, PI decisions in 11% and patient decisions in 5%. 56 (75%) pts required a reduction in the dose of pomalidomide due to AE/SAE in 50%, omission in 19%, resumption of treatment in 11%, PI decisions in 16% and patient decisions in 2.7%. The reasons for dex discontinuation were progression or death in 30%, AE/SAE in 43%, PI decisions in 22% and patient decisions in 3%. 57 (76%) pts required a reduction in the dose of dex due to AE/SAE in 54%, omission in 3.4%, resumption of treatment in 0.3%, PI decisions in 38.7% and patient decisions in 3.1%. 31 SAE were reported in 22 pts: 13 (42%) infections, 5 tumors, 1 case of thrombosis, 1 diabetic ketoacidosis and 12 others. Grade 3/4 hematologic AE included neutropenia (51%), lymphopenia (35%), anemia and thrombocytopenia (0%). G3/4 drug-related non-hematologic AE (>5%) comprised 13% infections (5% pneumonia). G1/2 AE included 69% infections (49% bronchitis), 49.3% gastrointestinal disorders (20% diarrhea, 20% constipation), 48% fatigue, 31% skin disorders, 25% muscle spasms, 24% insomnia and 14.7% eye disorders (6.7% cataracts, 4% dry eyes). Concerning peripheral neuropathy, one patient had G3/4 and 45% G1/2. Eight pts developed SPM: 4 basocellular carcinoma, 1 epidermoid carcinoma, 1 melanoma, 1 colon carcinoma and 1 non small cell bronchial carcinoma. We observed an improvement in the response from the initiation of treatment: PR: 32.4 to 17.4%, VGPR: 56.8 to 49.3%, CR: 9.5 to 28%, sCR: 0 to 5.3% (at initiation to best response, respectively). A total of 33.4% of pts improved their response. The median PFS was 33.2 months (95% CI: 25.6-53.3). 41 pts died and the median OS was not reached (95% CI: 70.7-NR). All deaths were related to myeloma progression except 2 due to pulmonary infection, 1 lung carcinoma and 1 colorectal cancer. Conclusions: In the first relapse PCD trial, 75% initiated maintenance therapy. Long term administration of pomalidomide/dexamethasone as maintenance therapy is feasible. Thirty percent stopped pomalidomide because of SAE/AE, mostly related to hematologic AE, but this could be managed with dose reductions. There was generally G1/2 neuropathy, rare SPM and no other unexpected toxicity. One third of the pts improved their depth of response. The combination is safe, feasible and well tolerated and experience to date supports its further exploration with monoclonal antibodies. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Garderet: Amgen: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy. Roussel: Amgen: Consultancy; BMS: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Consultancy. Leleu: Novartis: Honoraria; Mundipharma: Honoraria; Merck: Honoraria; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Honoraria; Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria; Gilead Sciences: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Carsgen Therapeutics Ltd: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; AbbVie: Honoraria; Oncopeptides: Honoraria; Pierre Fabre: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Non-financial support. Karlin: Takeda: Honoraria, Other: member of advisory board; Amgen: Honoraria, Other: travel support and advisory board ; Sanofi: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; oncopeptide: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria, Other: member of advisory board; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: member of advisory board, travel support; Celgene-BMS: Honoraria, Other: member of advisory board. Perrot: Abbvie: Honoraria; BMS Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding; GSK: 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. Moreau: Abbvie: Honoraria; Oncopeptides: Honoraria; Celgene BMS: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Macro: abbvie: Honoraria; sanofi: Honoraria; celgene bms: Honoraria; takeda: Honoraria; janssen: Honoraria. Jourdan: Novartis: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; bms/celgene: Consultancy. Jaccard: Pfizer: Honoraria; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Honoraria. Mohty: Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Astellas: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Jazz: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Honoraria. Hulin: Celgene/BMS: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; abbvie: Honoraria. OffLabel Disclosure: pomalidomide as maintenance treatment

Aims: Combining 2GTKI+pegylated IFN-a (Peg-IFN) represents an attractive approach for first-line treatment of CP CML, while providing somewhat light additional AEs, it induces high rates of deep molecular responses. We evaluated nilotinib (NIL) alone versus NIL+Peg-IFN in newly diagnosed CP-CML patients (pts) in a randomised phase III trial (PETALs, EudraCT 2013-004974-82) and analysed here the proportion of patients reaching Treatment-Free Remission (TFR) and outcome. Methods: Newly diagnosed CP CML pts ≤65 years, without vascular history were randomized 1:1 to get NIL 300 mg BID alone [M0 to M72 (unless TFR), arm A] vs Peg-IFN alone for 30 days (M-1→M0) 30 mg/wk, prior to NIL 300 mg BID + Peg-IFN 30 mg/wk 2 wks, upgraded to 45 mg/wk thereafter, for up to 2 y (M0 to M24, arm B) followed by NIL alone until M72 unless TFR. The primary endpoint was the rate of MR4.5 by M12, and after amendment, the trial was extended to 72 months follow-up in order to add, as a secondary endpoint, the TFR rate in pts reaching MR4.5 ≥2 y. The trigger for treatment resumption was loss of MMR. All molecular assessments were centralised until M36, and in case of TFR, MR4.5 was centrally confirmed at M0 TFR, and further molecular follow-up was then performed locally. All molecular quantifications are expressed as BCR-ABL1/ABL1 (IS) in % with ≥32,000 copies of ABL1 as control in the central lab and in the local labs all involved to the pluri-annual French external quality controls. Results are analysed in intention-to-treat. Results: As previously reported, 200 pts were randomized (99 in A, 101 in B), 130 M and 35 F in each arm, median age of 46 (18-66) y. The median follow-up (FU) since diagnosis is now 47.5 (33.77-62.39) Mo. and the median FU since discontinuation is 9.86 (5.8-23) Mo. in arm A and 15.57 (12.62-22.77) Mo. in arm B. Sokal and ELTS scores were high in 25% and 2.5%, intermediate in 33% and 16.5% and low in 42% and 81% pts respectively, equally balanced. All pts harboured a "Major" BCR transcript. We have previously shown that by M12, the rate of MR4.5 was 15.9% vs 21.5% (primary endpoint met, p=0.049) and that the overall cumulative incidence of MR4.5 was somewhat superior in arm B (54.6 [43.7-65.5] %) vs A (44 [31.5-54] %), p=0.05. Two pts died, one from myeloid blast crisis before TFR (arm A), one from a solid tumour (arm A). Overall, 40 pts (20%) reached the TFR criteria, 21 in arm A with a median FU of 9.86 (5.8-23) Mo. and 19 in arm B with a median FU since Nilo cessation of 15.57 (12.62-22.77) Mo, partly related to slightly different time for obtaining sustained MR4.5 in favour of arm B (16 vs 13 Mo.). For these 40 pts reaching TFR criteria, there was no statistical difference in terms of age at diagnosis and age at TFR, gender, Sokal, ELTS, FU since diagnosis, undetectability at cessation, BCR-ABL1 levels at 3 Mo. after cessation between the 2 arms. The survival without loss of MMR after cessation is illustrated in Figure 1. It looks superior in arm B over arm A, but did not reach statistical difference (p=0.445), but the FU is very short after cessation yet, especially in arm A. Once NIL was resumed in the pts that failed TFR, all pts recovered MMR within 6 Mo., with no difference between arms (p=1.00). In univariate analysis, we did not identify significant factor impacting on the TFR success (age at cessation, sex, undetectability at cessation, Sokal, ELTS) except the BCR-ABL1 value at M3-TFR (undetectable versus detectable, HR 7.15 [2.06-24.75], p=0.002), and the duration of MR4.5 before discontinuation (HR 1.11 [1.03-1.19], p=0.004). During this TFR phase 7 SAEs were reported in arm A (2 pregnancies, 1 obstructive sleep apnea, 1 fever episode, 1 carotid stenosis and 1 femoral stenosis in the same patient at 2 Mo. after cessation, 1 lung carcinoid tumor) and 2 in arm B (1 persistent atrial fibrillation, 1 cholecystectomy). Conclusions: The combination of NIL + Peg-IFN induces higher MR4.5 rates by M36 in newly diagnosed CP CML pts that may translate in higher successful TFR rates, however a longer follow-up is needed to see consistent significant differences. Updated data will be presented. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Nicolini: Kartos Therapeutics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel, accommodations, expenses, Research Funding; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Other: travel, accommodations, expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Sun Pharma Ltd.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Honoraria. Etienne: Incyte: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Huguet: Novartis: Other: Advisor; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Other: Advisor; Celgene: Other: Advisor; BMS: Other: Advisor; Amgen: Other: Advisor; Pfizer: Other: Advisor. Guerci-Bresler: Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Speakers Bureau. Charbonnier: Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau. Rousselot: Incyte, Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Deconinck: Stemline Therapetutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Imunogen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Chugai: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Pfizer: Other: Travel Grants, Research Funding; Abbevie: Research Funding. Rea: Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

On behalf of the GRAALL group. Introduction. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have dramatically improved the outcome of patients diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In a previous randomized trial (GRAAPH-2005; Chalandon Y., Blood 2015), our group demonstrated that anthracycline and cyclophosphamide could be safely omitted during the first Hyper-CVAD chemotherapy cycle when combined to imatinib. In the present GRAAPH-2014 trial, we investigated whether the use of nilotinib, a 2 nd generation TKI, would allow further decreasing chemotherapy intensity through the omission of high-dose cytarabine (HD-AraC) during consolidation cycles 2 and 4. Methods. From March 2016, patients aged 18-60 years old were randomized frontline to receive 4 cycles (1=3, 2=4) of chemotherapy combined with continuous nilotinib 400 mg bid. Cycle 1 and 3 were similar in both arms, identical to the less-intensive first cycle of the previous GRAAPH-2005 trial with weekly vincristine and dexamethasone and nilotinib instead of imatinib. Cycle 2 and 4 differed between control arm A (MTX 1 g/sqm over 24h, HD-AraC 3 g/sqm/12h for 2 days) and experimental arm B (MTX 1 g/sqm over 24h only). Marrow minimal residual disease (MRD) was assessed by both BCR-ABL1 and IG-TCR qPCR after each cycle (MRD1-4). Patients in complete remission (CR) after cycle 4 were eligible to receive allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloSCT). Non allografted patients had the option to receive autologous SCT (autoSCT) if a major molecular response (MMolR) (MRD4 BCR-ABL1 40y) and BCR-ABL1 breakpoint region (M/m-bcr). MMolR rate at MRD4 was the primary endpoint of this non-inferiority study, with a margin set at 0.15. In February 2019, the study DSMB decided to stop the randomizations after an unplanned analysis demonstrating a significant excess of relapse in arm B (without HD-AraC). An intention-to-treat analysis is provided. All patients gave informed consent. The study is registered at EudraCT under the number: 2014-002146-44. Results. A total of 156 patients were randomized (77 in arm A, and 79 in arm B). Median age was 47.1 years old (range 18.1-59.9). One-hundred and ten patients had the m-bcr (70.5%) and 46 (29.5%) the M-bcr. An IKZF1 intragenic deletion was found in 87/153 (56.9%). Median follow-up was 2.8 years (95%CI 2.6-3.1). All evaluable patients reached CR after a maximum of two cycles. Three patients died during cycle 1 (2 in arm A, 1 in arm B), and 2 during cycle 2 (1 per arm). Most patients received the 4 scheduled cycles (n=143, 91,7%). AlloSCT was performed in 91 patients (58.3%), whereas 41 patients received an autoSCT (26.3%) with no difference in allo/autoSCT rates between arms. A non-inferiority in late MRD response (MRD4) between the two arms was observed (primary endpoint). MMolR was reached in 55/75 (73.3%) and 61/78 (78.2%) of CR patients in arm A and B, respectively, with an estimated 95% CI of difference of -11% to +16% (-9.2% to +20.8% in the ITT analysis treating missing data as failures). At 3 years, overall survival (OS) was 86.0% in arm A versus 74.2% in arm B (p=.08, Figure A). Progression-free survival (PFS) was 79.6% in arm A versus 57.2% in arm B (p=.008, Figure B). Thirty-one patients experienced hematological relapse (8 in arm A and 23 in arm B). Twenty-height out of 31 relapsed patients were tested for the acquisition of BCR-ABL1 mutations, 20/28 (71%) had at least one mutation and 10/28 (36%) had a T315I mutation. At 3 years, the cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) was 21.3%, significantly higher in arm B than in arm A (30.8% vs 10.6%, p=.007). When analyzing the CIR considering alloSCT as a competing event for relapse, a significant higher CIR was still observed in arm B as compared to arm A (Figure C). Conclusion. Four cycles of the combined administration of nilotinib and chemotherapy is very efficient for bridging younger adults with Ph-positive ALL to SCT. However, omitting HD-AraC is associated with a higher relapse incidence despite non-inferior levels of BCR-ABL1 MRD4. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Rousselot: Incyte, Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Chalandon: Incyte, BMS, Pfizer, Abbie, MSD, Roche, Novartis, Gilead, Amgen, Jazz, Astra Zenec: Other: Travel EXpenses, Accomodation; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Incyte, BMS, Pfizer, Abbie, MSD, Roche, Novartis, Amgen: Other: Advisory Board. Huguet: Novartis: Other: Advisor; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Other: Advisor; Celgene: Other: Advisor; BMS: Other: Advisor; Amgen: Other: Advisor; Pfizer: Other: Advisor. Vincent: Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Vey: Amgen: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; BIOKINESIS: Consultancy, Research Funding; NOVARTIS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; SERVIER: Consultancy; JAZZ PHARMACEUTICALS: Honoraria; JANSSEN: Consultancy. Raffoux: PFIZER: Consultancy; CELGENE/BMS: Consultancy; ASTELLAS: Consultancy; ABBVIE: Consultancy. Boissel: Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; CELGENE: Honoraria; Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria; SANOFI: Honoraria; PFIZER: Consultancy, Honoraria; JAZZ Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding. Dombret: Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Servier: Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria; BMS-Celgene: Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria. OffLabel Disclosure: Nilotinib as a therapy for PH-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Background: High dose melphalan (HDM) followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is widely used in multiple myeloma (MM) patients as upfront and salvage therapy. However, the safety and efficacy of ASCT in patients with renal insufficiency (RI) is controversial, which have led to an inconsistent arbitrary cut-off for creatinine clearance (CrCl) for performing ASCT. Here we analyzed prospectively the outcomes of MM patients with severe RI who underwent ASCT. Methods: We enrolled prospectively 50 newly diagnosed MM patients who had a serum CrCl of Results: The patients characteristics at enrollment are given in Table 1. We focused on 44 patients who were beyond 3 months post-ASCT. Light chain MM was frequent (12%), 10% had high risk cytogenetics, 36% increased serum LDH and 10% extramedullary disease. Induction chemotherapies included bortezomib plus IMiDs in 25/44 patients with ≥2 lines of chemotherapy in 12/44. The pre-transplant disease status was sCR in =5%, CR in =15%, VGPR in =39%, and PR in =41% of patients. The number of days of cytapheresis was 2 or less in 95% of cases and the median number of CD34+ cells collected was 3.3 x 106 (1.3-9.5). The median time from diagnosis to ASCT was 175 days (103-307). HDM was 140 mg/m2 in 42/44 patients and 200 mg/m2 in 2/44. All, except two, received consolidation post ASCT (34% missing) and 52% had maintenance therapy (all lenalidomide except two receiving bortezomib) and 7% had no maintenance (41% pending). Toxicity: We observed one death during the first 100 days post-ASCT, secondary to a septic shock on day 42. The median time to neutrophil engraftment was 12 days (9-68) and to platelet engraftment 13 days (10-70). Among patients receiving RBC transfusions (75%) and platelet transfusions (84%), the median number of RBC transfusions was 3 (1-6) and that of platelet transfusions was 3 (1-10). Response: Nine patients (70%) achieved dialysis independence from the time of diagnosis: 13 patients were on dialysis at diagnosis, 5 at the time of ASCT and 4 three months post-ASCT. Renal function improved post-ASCT in 34% of patients, 14% moving from a CrCl of Conclusions: In this preliminary analysis, HDM with ASCT proved to be safe and effective in MM patients with RI at transplant. We observed one death among 44 patients within the first 3 months post-ASCT. A more detailed report of the toxicity will be presented during the meeting along with the survival. Disclosures Vincent: takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Congress support; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Congress support; janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Congress support. Mohty:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Stemline: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Karlin:AbbVie: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support; Celgene/Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, personal fees; GlaxoSmithKline: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Other: Personal fees; Sanofi: Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, personal fees; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, personal fees. Morel:Janssen: Honoraria. Rubio:Medac: Consultancy; Gilead: Honoraria; MSD: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Neovii: Research Funding.

International audience; BACKGROUND:Free light chain (FLC) assays are essential for diagnosis and follow-up of plasma cell dyscrasia. Two assays are available: Freelite (Binding Site) and N Latex FLC (Siemens). The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of renal failure on concordance and correlation between the 2 FLC assays.METHODS:FLC measurements using both assays were performed on 1215 fresh serum samples from patients with or without monoclonal gammopathy and renal failure. Concordance and correlation were evaluated using Passing-Bablock regression, Pearson correlation coefficient, and the Cohen kappa coefficient, taking into account the renal failure stage (evaluated with Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology Collaboration formulae) and evaluation of treatment response in patients' follow-up.RESULTS:A good correlation was demonstrated between both assays, irrespective of the renal failure stage (Pearson correlation coefficient > 0.90). For FLC ratio interpretation, there remained 7.6% to 20.8% discordances between the 2 methods throughout the whole range of renal impairment. To evaluate FLC evolution in patient follow-up, 41 patients were selected with at least 6 consecutive serum samples being collected during the study period: we observed a concordant evolution of FLC concentrations between both assays. However, few discrepancies were observed with 4 patients.CONCLUSIONS:Despite adjusted reference ranges for Freelite FLC ratio, there are approximately 12.5% discrepancies in interpretation of FLC ratio between the 2 available assays. They are not linked to renal failure stage and neither of the assays performed better than the other: results must be interpreted taking into account clinical data and the same assay must be used for patient follow-up.

IF 2.436 (2017); International audience; Ponatinib represents a remarkable progress in the treatment of heavily pretreated chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and de novo Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL patients despite significant toxicity in clinical trials. To date, "real-life" data remain few and the use of ponatinib in this setting and its consequences remain mostly unknown. We report, within a national observational study, the use of ponatinib in unselected CML patients who had previously failed ≥2 lines of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy (or one line if an Abelson (ABL)T315I mutation was identified), in real-life conditions (2013-2014) in a compassionate program. Our analysis has been focused on 48 chronic phase CML patients recorded. With a median follow-up of 26.5 months since ponatinib initiation, the overall survival (OS) rates (80.5% at 3 years) and cumulative incidence of major molecular response (81.8% at 18 months) were similar to those of the phase II study, with no influence of BCR-ABL mutations nor the reason of ponatinib prescription. A specific subanalysis of the preexisting cardiovascular risk factors and events occurring on ponatinib is described. These events occurred after a median time on ponatinib of 5.8 months (excluding hypertension) and were observed in 29/48 patients (47%), even in those already on anti-aggregants/coagulants. The majority were not severe and resolved, but two cases were fatal. Other hematological or nonhematological nonvascular adverse events were similar to those previously described in trials. This observational study reports similar rates of survival, molecular responses, and a slight increase in the cardiovascular toxicity of ponatinib in real-life conditions, prompting improved control of cardiovascular risk factors and selection of patients.

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are able to induce, in some chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in chronic phase (CP), long-term molecular response 4.5 (MR4.5) and several studies have now demonstrated that TKIs could be safely discontinued in those patients with a Treatment-Free Remission (TFR) rate reaching ~50%. The French CML group had recently demonstrated that a failure of the first TKI discontinuation attempt does not preclude a 2nd successful attempt (RE-STIM study, Legros et al. Cancer 2017). Methods: The RE-STIM study is a national observational multicentre study collecting all cases of 2nd TKI discontinuation attempt of regardless the type, the duration of TKI, the duration of MR4.5 and the reason of discontinuation. CP-CML Patients in failure of a 1st attempt, had to recover a 2nd sustained MR4.5 on TKI to be eligible for this new analysis of the enlarged database (n=106). Loss of MMR loss was the trigger for therapy re-introduction. Results: At the time of analysis (1st June 2019), 106 patients (median age: 55 years (range: 25-81 years)) were included with 41 months (2-131) of follow-up after 2nd discontinuation. Fifty males and 56 females were enrolled. The Sokal risk score was low in 45%, intermediate in 26.5%, high in 20% and unknown in 8.5% of patients. The majority of patients (95%) were treated with imatinib as first-line, and the others with a 2nd generation TKI. The median total time on TKI prior to a 2nd discontinuation was 104 months (range: 38-235) and the median duration of a 2nd MR4.5 prior to a 2nd discontinuation was 68 months (range: 20-176). After a 1st discontinuation attempt, the reason for TKI re-challenge was in majority a loss of MMR (66%), a loss of MR4.5 in 33% of patients (missing data in 1%). The TFR rates after a 2nd discontinuation attempt were 44.3% [95% CI 35.48-55.41] at 24 months, 38.5% [95% CI 29.65- 50.09] at 36 months and 33.2% [95% CI 24.31- 45.39] at 48 months. In univariate analysis, we failed to find any association between TFR and: age, gender, Sokal score, prior exposure to IFN, TKI in combination versus monotherapy, TKI type, TKI treatment duration and uMR4.5 duration before the 1st and 2nd discontinuation attempts, and type of molecular relapse after the 1st discontinuation attempt (MR4.5 versus MMR loss). However, the speed of molecular relapse after the 1st TKI discontinuation remains a factor significantly associated with outcome. In patients who remained in uMR4.5 at 3 months after the 1st discontinuation, the TFR rate at 48 months was 53% [95% CI: 35.32-79.31] and 26% [95% CI: 16.88-40.28] for others. Another factor significantly associated with outcome is the TKI-free duration after the 1st attempt (Figure). The TFR rate at 48 months was 45 % [95% CI: 28.64- 69.62] in patients who remained without treatment more than 6 months after their 1st attempt and 27% [95% CI: 17.57- 41.34] for others. All patients are alive at last follow-up except 2 who died from CML-unrelated reasons. One patient developed a sudden blast crisis at 4 years from 2nd discontinuation. The last previous molecular biology 3 months before transformation was MR4. In patients in TKI re-challenge (n=63), median TKI-free duration was 6 months (2-64), 55% of patients regained their MMR within 3 months (0-35) and 41% regained MR4.5 within 5 months (2-53). Conclusions: This larger cohort confirms that TKIs could safely and successfully be discontinued a 2nd time in CP CML patients despite a 1st failure. The speed of molecular relapse after the 1st TKI discontinuation and TKI-free duration remain major factors significantly associated with TFR outcome. Figure: TFR according TKI-free duration after the 1st attempt of discontinuation Figure Disclosures Legros: Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria. Nicolini:Sun Pharma Ltd: Consultancy; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Etienne:BMS: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Rousselot:Pfizer: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. Rea: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; BMS: Honoraria; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria. Guerci:INCYTE: Consultancy, Honoraria. Huguet:Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Servier: Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria. Coiteux:Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Mahon:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau.

A high proportion of Ph-positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Ph+ ALL) patients still undergo relapses despite the use of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) in addition to chemotherapy as frontline therapy. In this leukemia subtype, the role of BCR-ABL1 kinase domain (KD) mutations as a driver of resistance to TKIs has already been documented by previous studies and such mutations have been reported in up to 80% of the patients at relapse. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been proposed to characterize these mutations with a higher sensitivity than Sanger. We report here a prospective study aiming at detecting potentially resistant cell populations by NGS in Ph+ ALL patients enrolled in the GRAAPH 2014-trial. Between March 2016 and February 2019, 156 patients aged 18 to 59 years with newly diagnosed Ph+ and/or BCR-ABL1 positive ALL have been included in the GRAAPH 2014 trial (NCT02619630). BCR-ABL1 isoforms were E1A2 69%, B2A2/B3A2 29%, atypical 2%. After a prephase of steroid, treatment consisted of 4 blocks of chemotherapy + nilotinib. 118 patients (76%) underwent allogeneic or autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT). 22 medullary relapses were recorded within a median time of 9 months (range, 2 - 35). Blood and marrow samples harvested at diagnosis, after each treatment block, before and 3 months after SCT, and at relapse, were sequenced if BCR-ABL1/ABL1 ratio were above 0.001. Mutated BCR-ABL1 transcripts were detected by sequencing the KD of BCR-ABL1 transcripts by NGS with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.03. T315I allele specific oligonucleotide (ASO) droplet digital RT-PCR (ddRT-PCR) with a LOD of 0.0005 was also performed at diagnosis on a subset of 63 patients, including 5 who have subsequently developed a T315I clone. NGS. At diagnosis, no KD mutation was found by NGS in pretreatment samples of 137 patients. During follow-up (FU), only 12 mutations were found by NGS in 7 out of the 88 patients tested (81, 45, 30, 20, 19, 9 after block 1, 2, 3, 4, before and 3 months after SCT, respectively). Mutations were T315I (N=6), Y253H (N=1), E255K (N=2), E255V (N=1), Q252H (N=1), Y253F (N=1). At relapse, 16 mutations were identified by NGS in 12 patients out of the 17 tested (71%). Mutations were T315I (N=7), Y253H (N=n=3), F359V (N=2), E255K (N=1), E255V (N=1), Q252H (N=1), Y253F (N=1). More than 1 mutated clone were present in 2 patients (E255V+T315I+F359V and Y253H+F359V), and a compound mutation was found in 1 patient (Q252H/Y253F). Out of the 7 patients found mutated during FU, 5 have relapsed with a rapid expansion (1 to 3 months) of the mutated clone. One patient harboring a sub-clonal (10%) E255K at MRD1 has relapsed 9 months later without any detectable mutation. One patient identified with 3 mutated clones (E255K 10%, E255V 10%, T315I 80%) underwent SCT and has not relapsed so far. We failed to anticipate expansion of any mutated clone in the 7 remaining patients found mutated at relapse. T315I ASO ddRT-PCR on diagnostic samples. Low-level T315I mutated BCR-ABL1 transcripts (0.00051 to 0.0013) were detected in 14 out of 63 patients (24%) tested. Only one has expanded a T315I clone later on. In the context of the GRAAPH 2014 trial, 71% of the 17 relapses tested so far were associated with BCR-ABL1 KD mutations. Expansion of the mutated clone could have been characterized before the onset of hematological relapses in only 5 out of 12 patients (42%). Unfortunately in these cases, lags between first detection and relapse were very short (1 to 3 months). On the contrary, occurrences of relapses associated with expansion of KD-mutated clones could not have been anticipated in 58%. All mutations identified, including T315I, F359V, E255K/V and Y253F/H, Q252H/Y253F are known for conferring resistance to nilotinib. NGS is a valuable method for KD mutation detection in Ph+ ALL. It allows a quantitative characterization of KD mutations at relapse. However in our hands and in the context of an intensive therapy combining chemotherapy, nilotinib and SCT, its enhanced sensitivity as compared to Sanger (3% vs 20%) does not translate into the capacity of anticipating expansion of KD-mutated clones. Moreover, in this study, NGS did not detect any mutation in pre-therapeutic samples while T315I mutated BCR-ABL1 transcripts were found at low-level in 24% of these samples by ddRT-PCR. However it should be emphasized that when detected, low-level T315I mutated sub-clones present at diagnosis failed to expand in most instances. Disclosures Cayuela: Incyte: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Chalandon:Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Incyte Biosciences: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria. Rousselot:Pfizer: Research Funding. Thomas:PFIZER: Honoraria; ABBVIE: Honoraria; INCYTE: Honoraria; DAICHI: Honoraria. Huguet:Amgen: Honoraria; Servier: Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Chevallier:Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria. Boissel:NOVARTIS: Consultancy. Vey:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Berthon:PFIZER: Other: DISCLOSURE BOARD; JAZZPHARMACEUTICAL: Other: DISCLOSURE BOARD; CELGEN: Other: DISCLOSURE BOARD.

The combination of 2GTKI+pegylated IFN-α (Peg-IFN) is an attractive approach for first-line treatment of CP CML, inducing high rates of deep molecular responses in phase II trials. Thus, we evaluated nilotinib (NIL) alone versus NIL+Peg-IFN in newly diagnosed CP-CML patients (pts) in a randomised phase III trial (PETALs, EudraCT 2013-004974-82). Newly diagnosed CP CML pts ≤65 y, without prior history of arterial occlusion were randomized 1:1 to get NIL 300 mg BID alone (M0 to M48, arm A) vs Peg-IFN alone for 30 days (M-1→M0) 30 μg/wk as priming, prior to NIL 300 mg BID + Peg-IFN 30 μg/wk 2 wks, upgraded to 45 μg/wk thereafter, for up to 2 y (M0 to M24, arm B) followed by NIL alone for 4 more years unless pts enter treatment-free remission (TFR). The primary endpoint is the rate of MR4.5 by 1 y. As a secondary endpoint, pts reaching MR4.5 ≥2 y are allowed to stop NIL and enter a TFR phase in both arms. The trigger for treatment resumption is loss of MMR. All molecular assessments are centralised, quantifications are expressed as BCR-ABL/ABL1 (IS) in % with ≥32,000 copies of ABL1 as control. Two hundred pts were randomized (99 in A, 101 in B), 130 M and 35 F in each arm, median age of 46 (18-66) y. Median follow-up is 43.8 (34.3-55.9) Mo. Results are analysed in intention-to-treat. Sokal and EUTOS LTS scores were H in 25% and 2.5%, Int. in 33% and 16.5% and L in 42% and 81% pts respectively equally balanced. Median age is 46 (18-66) y, 18 pts (9%) had ACAs, all pts have a "Major" BCR transcript. CHR was obtained in 9.6% of pts at M0 (in B) and 88% of pts in A and 90.4% of pts in B at M1. CCyR rates at M3 were 63% vs 75% in A and B (p=ns), and BCR-ABL1 ≤1% at M6 were 87% in A vs 93% in B (p=ns). By M12, the rates of MMR were 68.1% vs 70.1% (p=0.44), MR4 were 34% vs 47.5% (p=0.041), MR4.5 were 15.9% vs 21.5% (p=0.049), MR5 11.7% vs 23.71% (p=0.023), in A vs B respectively. By M36 the rates of MMR were 83% vs 86.6% (p=0.31), MR4 were 70.2% vs 71.13% (p=0.50), MR4.5 were 37.2% vs 49.5% (p=0.05), MR5 33% vs 42.3% (p=0.12), in A vs B respectively The overall cumulative incidence of MR4.5 is superior in B (54.6 [43.7-65.5]%) vs A (44 [31.5-54]%) close to significance (unilateral Fisher test, p=0.05, see Figure). Seven patients were mutated by Sanger in A (5 Y253, 1 E255K, 1 T315I) vs 2 in B (2 T315I). One pt (A) progressed toward AP and then myeloid BC with a Y253H mutation, is still alive in CMR on Ponatinib. Twenty nine (29%) pts were withdrawn from study in A (toxicity 9, cancer 3, resistance 14, investigator decision 2, lost for FU 1) vs 26 (26%) pts for B (toxicity 13, resistance 8, investigator decision 5), 1 pt died from cervix cancer (A). Median overall doses of NIL delivered by M36 were 600 mg/d in both arms (p=ns). The median overall dose of Peg-IFN delivered in B by M24 was 37.5 mg/wk. The overall rate of grade 3-4 hematologic toxicities was 22%; with 2% and 7% thrombocytopenia, 4% and 6% neutropenia, and 1% and 1% pancytopenia in A vs B respectively. Major grade 3-4 non-hematologic toxicities consisted in 9% of cardiac disorders in A (2 coronaropathies, 1 myocardial infarction, 2 thoracic pains, 2 atrial fibrillation, 1 bradycardia, 1 palpitations, 1 pericarditis) vs 8% in B (2 coronaropathies, 1 myocardial infarction, 3 atrial fibrillation, 1 palpitations, 1 pericarditis), 4% vascular disorders in A (1 thrombophlebitis + PE, 1 transient ischemic attack, 1 PAOD, 1 carotid stenosis) vs 3% in B (1 thrombophlebitis, 1 PAOD, 1 transient ischemic attack). Three % of gastro-intestinal disorders were observed in A (2 pancreatitis, 1 anal fissure) vs 6% in B (2 pancreatitis, 1 anal fissure, 1 abdominal pain, 2 cholecystectomies); 5% auto-immune disorders in B (1 recurrent pericarditis, 2 hemolytic anemia, 1 ITP, 1 thyroiditis); 5 and 8 pregnancies (2 pts + 3 partner Arm 1, 3 pts + 5 partner Arm B), despite recommended contraceptive methods. Secondary tumours were diagnosed in 4% (1 breast, 1 cervix, 1 thyroid, 1 neuroendocrine) in A vs 2% of pts (1 neuroendocrine and 1 testis) in B. Of note 8% psychiatric episodes were reported in B pts (2 unsuccessful suicide attempts), vs 2% in A. We observed 9% lipase elevations in A, 6% in B, 2% cholestatic episodes in A, 6% in B; 3% of transaminase elevations in A vs 2% in B. Infections were detected in 3% A vs 7% in B. The combination of NIL + Peg-IFN seems to provide somewhat higher MR4.5 rates by M36 in newly diagnosed CP CML pts without inducing significant higher toxicities than NIL alone. Whether this will translate in higher TFR rates is under evaluation. Final updated results at M36 will be presented Disclosures Nicolini: Sun Pharma Ltd: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Etienne:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Huguet:Servier: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria. Guerci-Bresler:Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Charbonnier:Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy. Legros:Novartis: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria. Coiteux:Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Cony-Makhoul:BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy. Roy:Incyte Biosciences: Consultancy. Rousselot:Pfizer: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. Quittet:Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Ame:Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Rea:Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria. Dulucq:Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Mahon:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. OffLabel Disclosure: Pegylated Interferon alpha 2 a is not licensed in this setting

Background : Providing achievement and sustainability of deep molecular responses (DMR), patients (pts) taking tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) against CML may discontinue therapy. The STOP 2G-TKI observational study showed that dasatinib and nilotinib could be safely stopped and prior suboptimal response or resistance to imatinib was an adverse prognostic factor for treatment-free remission (TFR). We present updated results with a specific focus on the risk of relapse using post-baseline information during follow-up. Methods : Adult CML pts treated with dasatinib or nilotinib without a history of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) or progression to advanced phase stopped TKI provided that: (1) BCR-ABL transcripts were of the major type, (2) total TKI treatment duration was ≥36 months, (3) uMR4.5 had been achieved and maintained for ≥24 months (undetectable BCR-ABL with ≥32000 copies of ABL). Relapse was defined by loss of major molecular response (MMR: BCR-ABL IS >0.1%) on a single occasion and triggered TKI reintroduction. The primary objective was TFR at 12 months. After TKI discontinuation, BCR-ABL transcripts were monitored monthly during the first 6-12 months, every 3 months during the 2nd year and then every 3-6 months. Data as of July 1, 2019 are reported in 104 pts (median follow-up 55 months (range: 6-70)). Results: Median age at inclusion was 56 years (range: 21-82) and 65.4% of pts were female. Sokal risk score was low in 49%, intermediate in 31%, high in 16% and unknown in 4%. 2G-TKIs were given after imatinib intolerance in 47% of pts, suboptimal response or resistance to imatinib in 22%, lack of DMR on imatinib in 3% and as 1st line treatment in 28%. Median duration of TKI, 2G-TKI and uMR4.5 was 74 months (range: 36-163), 49 months (range: 19-112) and 31 months (range: 24-72), respectively. Overall, 43 pts (41%) lost MMR within a median time of 5 months (range: 1-59). Overall 60-month TFR was 56% (95% CI, 45.8-66.3) but TFR probabilities increased up to 64% (95% CI: 53.3-74.8), 76.7% (95% CI, 65.9-87.5), 86.2% (95% CI; 76.3-96.2), and 92.1% (95% CI: 83.4-100) for pts still in MMR at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months, respectively (Figure 1). Prior suboptimal response or resistance to TKI was confirmed as the strongest adverse baseline prognostic factor with a 60-month TFR rate of 29.8% (95% CI; 10.8-48.7) (median TFR 12 months) versus 63.6% (95% CI; 52.1-75.2) (median not reached) in pts without such history (logrank p=0.0012). This was explained by significantly higher risk of early relapses (within 6 months but not later) in pts with prior suboptimal response or resistance to TKI (cumulative incidence of relapses by 6 months 47.8% (95% CI; 31.2-73.2) versus 20.9 (95% CI; 13.7-32) in other pts (p=0.00879)). Landmark analyses at specific time points were performed to study the prognostic value of molecular responses categories after TKI discontinuation. All pts in MMR but not deeper at 3 months relapsed by month 9 (median time to relapse 4 months) while pts in ≥MR4 (BCR-ABL IS ≤0.01%) had 12- and 60-months probabilities of 86.8% (95% CI; 79.1-94.4) and 74.9% (95% CI: 64-85.7), respectively (logrank p Forty three pts restarted treatment including 1 who lost MR4.5 but not MMR and 42 who lost MMR. When treatment was reintroduced, 42 pts were in CHR and all regained MMR after a median time of 3 months (range: 1-11). The remaining pt lost MMR but not CHR 5 month after 1st line nilotinib cessation and was found in sudden myeloid blast crisis at the month 6 TKI reintroduction visit. No BCR-ABL mutation was found but an inversion of chromosome 3 at karyotyping analysis. The pt underwent ASCT after chemotherapy + ponatinib and is alive in remission 29 months later. Conclusion: 2G-TKI may be successfully stopped in CML pts with long-lasting MR4.5. Those without a history of suboptimal response or resistance have greatest chances of success. Sudden blast crisis is rare but unpredictable. Post-TKI discontinuation estimates of TFR change overtime. Together with that of molecular response type at specific time points, they represent important dynamic prognostic measures of outcome. They may also help individualizing molecular monitoring programs after TKI cessation. Disclosures Rea: Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Nicolini:Sun Pharma Ltd: Consultancy; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Rousselot:Pfizer: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. Etienne:Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Guerci:INCYTE: Consultancy, Honoraria. Legros:Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Research Funding. Coiteux:Pfizer: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria. Mahon:Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau.

It is important to have an effective therapy for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) at first relapse, particularly if an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is considered at this stage. This multicenter, phase 2 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of weekly oral pomalidomide-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone (PCD) in patients with MM in first relapse after treatment with lenalidomide-bortezomib-dexamethasone (RVD). All patients had received RVD as induction and consolidation therapy, plus lenalidomide maintenance for 1 year (arm A). Half had also received an ASCT after induction (arm B). At MM relapse, all patients received 4 oral cycles of pomalidomide 4 mg (days 1-21), cyclophosphamide 300 mg (days 1, 8, 15, and 22), and dexamethasone 40 mg (days 1-4 and days 15-18 of a 28-day cycle; PCD). Responding patients in arm A underwent ASCT and received 2 additional cycles of PCD, whereas those in arm B received 5 cycles of PCD. All patients received pomalidomide-dexamethasone maintenance until disease progression. Primary end point was partial remission or better after the initial 4 cycles of PCD. Responses were obtained in 82/97 (85%) patients evaluated: complete remission (n = 1; 1%), very good partial remission (n = 32; 33%), and partial remission (n = 49; 51%). Three patients (3%) had stable disease, and 6 (6%) had disease progression (6 response failures). Forty-five (94%) of the 48 patients in arm A underwent planned ASCT. PCD was effective therapy after first relapse with RVD. After 4 cycles, the rate of partial remission or better was 85%, and 94% of planned ASCTs were performed. Toxicity was mostly hematologic and manageable. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02244125.

© 2018 The Authors., [Background]: The present prospective, multinational, noninterventional study aimed to document and describe real-world treatment regimens and disease progression in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. [Patients and Methods]: Adult patients initiating any new MM therapy from October 2010 to October 2012 were eligible. A multistage patient/site recruitment model was applied to minimize the selection bias; enrollment was stratified by country, region, and practice type. The patient medical and disease features, treatment history, and remission status were recorded at baseline, and prospective data on treatment, efficacy, and safety were collected electronically every 3 months., [Results]: A total of 2358 patients were enrolled. Of these patients, 775 and 1583 did and did not undergo stem cell transplantation (SCT) at any time during treatment, respectively. Of the patients in the SCT and non-SCT groups, 49%, 21%, 14%, and 15% and 57%, 20%, 12% and 10% were enrolled at treatment line 1, 2, 3, and ≥ 4, respectively. In the SCT and non-SCT groups, 45% and 54% of the patients had received bortezomib-based therapy without thalidomide/lenalidomide, 12% and 18% had received thalidomide/lenalidomide-based therapy without bortezomib, and 30% and 4% had received bortezomib plus thalidomide/lenalidomide-based therapy as frontline treatment, respectively. The corresponding proportions of SCT and non-SCT patients in lines 2, 3, and ≥ 4 were 45% and 37%, 30% and 37%, and 12% and 3%, 33% and 27%, 35% and 32%, and 8% and 2%, and 27% and 27%, 27% and 23%, and 6% and 4%, respectively. In the SCT and non-SCT patients, the overall response rate was 86% to 97% and 64% to 85% in line 1, 74% to 78% and 59% to 68% in line 2, 55% to 83% and 48% to 60% in line 3, and 49% to 65% and 36% and 45% in line 4, respectively, for regimens that included bortezomib and/or thalidomide/lenalidomide., [Conclusion]: The results of our prospective study have revealed great diversity in the treatment regimens used to manage MM in real-life practice. This diversity was linked to factors such as novel agent accessibility and evolving treatment recommendations. Our results provide insight into associated clinical benefits., Writing support during the development of our report was provided by Laura Mulcahy and Catherine Crookes of FireKite, an Ashfield company, a part of UDG Healthcare plc, which was funded by Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc, and Janssen Global Services, LLC. The EMMOS study was supported by research funding from Janssen Pharmaceutical NV and Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

The ultimate goal of chronic myeloid leukemia management in the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) era for patients who obtain deep molecular responses is maintaining a durable off-treatment response after treatment discontinuation; this situation is called treatment-free remission (TFR). Knowledge accumulated during the last 10 years justifies moving TFR strategies from research to clinical practice.Twenty experts from the French Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Study Group (France Intergroupe des Leucémies Myéloïdes Chroniques), including 17 hematologists, 2 molecular biologists, and 1 cytogeneticist, critically reviewed published data with the goal of developing evidence-based recommendations for TKI discontinuation in clinical practice.Clinically relevant questions were addressed, including the selection of candidate patients (with known prognostic factors for outcomes taken into account), detailed monitoring procedures during the treatment-free phase, a definition of relapse requiring therapy resumption, and monitoring after treatment reintroduction.This work presents consensus statements with the aim of guiding physicians and biologists by means of pragmatic recommendations for safe TKI discontinuation in daily practice. Cancer 2018;124:2956-63. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Central nervous system (CNS) thrombotic events are a well-known complication of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) induction therapy, especially with treatments including l-asparaginase (l-ASP). Data on risk factors and clinical evolution is still lacking in adult patients. We report on the clinical evolution of 22 CNS venous thrombosis cases occurring in 708 adults treated for ALL or lymphoblastic lymphoma (LL) with the Group for Research on Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (GRAALL)-induction protocol, which included eight L-ASP (6,000 IU/m2) infusions. The prevalence of CNS thrombosis was 3.1%. CNS thrombosis occurred after a median of 18 days (range: 11–31) when patients had received a median of three l-ASP injections (range: 2–7). Patients with CNS thrombosis exhibited a median antithrombin (AT) nadir of 47.5% (range: 36–67%) at Day 17 (range: D3–D28), and 95% of them exhibited AT levels lower than 60%. There were no evident increase in hereditary thrombotic risk factors prevalence, and thrombosis occurred despite heparin prophylaxis which was performed in 90% of patients. Acquired AT deficiency was frequently detected in patients with l-ASP-based therapy, and patients with CNS thrombosis received AT prophylaxis (45%) less frequently than patients without CNS thrombosis (83%), P = 0.0002). CNS thrombosis was lethal in 5% of patients, while 20% had persistent sequelae. One patient received all planned l-ASP infusions without recurrence of CNS thrombotic whereas l-ASP injections were discontinued in 20 patients during the management of thrombosis without a significant impact on overall survival (P = 0.4). Am. J. Hematol. 90:986–991, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

PURPOSE: The GRASPALL/GRAALL-SA2-2008 Phase II trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of L-asparaginase encapsulated within erythrocytes (GRASPA®) in patients ≥ 55 years with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia. FINDINGS: Thirty patients received escalating doses of GRASPA® on Day 3 and 6 of induction Phases 1 and 2. The primary efficacy endpoint was asparagine depletion \textless 2 µmol/L for at least 7 days. This was reached in 85 and 71% of patients with 100 and 150 IU/kg respectively but not with 50 IU/kg. Grade 3/4 infection, hypertransaminasemia, hyperbilirubinemia and deep vein thrombosis occurred in 77, 20, 7, and 7% of patients, respectively. No allergic reaction or clinical pancreatitis was observed despite 17% of Grade 3/4 lipase elevation. Anti-asparaginase antibodies were detected in 50% of patients and related to a reduction in the duration of asparagine depletion during induction Phase 2 without decrease of encapsulated L-asparaginase activity. Complete remission rate was 70%. With a median follow-up of 42 months, median overall survival was 15.8 and 9.7 months, in the 100 and 150 IU/kg cohorts respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of GRASPA®, especially at the 100 IU/kg dose level, is feasible in elderly patients without excessive toxicity and associated with durable asparagine depletion. (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01523782)

Summary Background Prognosis of patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is poor and new treatments are needed. We aimed to assess the feasibility, tolerability, dosimetry, and efficacy of yttrium-90-labelled anti-CD22 epratuzumab tetraxetan ( 90 Y-DOTA-epratuzumab) radioimmunotherapy in refractory or relapsed CD22-positive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in a standard 3 + 3 phase 1 study. Methods Adults (≥18 years) with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (with CD22 expression on at least 70% of blast cells) were enrolled at six centres in France. Patients received one cycle of 90 Y-DOTA-epratuzumab on days 1 and 8 (give or take 2 days) successively at one of four dose levels: 2·5 mCi/m 2 (92·5 MBq/m 2 ; level 1), 5·0 mCi/m 2 (185 MBq/m 2 ; level 2), 7·5 mCi/m 2 (277·5 MBq/m 2 ; level 3), and 10·0 mCi/m 2 (370 MBq/m 2 ; level 4). The primary objective was to identify the maximum tolerated dose of 90 Y-DOTA-epratuzumab. We assessed safety during infusions and regularly after radioimmunotherapy over a 6-month period. Analyses included only patients who received radioimmunotherapy. The trial is closed to inclusion and is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01354457. Findings Between Aug 25, 2011, and June 11, 2014, 17 patients (median age 62 years; range 27–77) were treated (five at level 1, three at level 2, three at level 3, and six at level 4). Radioimmunotherapy infusion was overall well tolerated. One dose-limiting toxic effect (aplasia lasting 8 weeks) occurred at level 4, but the maximum tolerated dose was not reached. The most common grade 3–4 adverse events were pancytopenia (one patient at level 2, one at level 3, and six at level 4) and infections (three at level 1, one at level 2, and five at level 4). Interpretation 90 Y-DOTA-epratuzumab radioimmunotherapy is well tolerated. We recommend the dose of 2 × 10·0 mCi/m 2 1 week apart per cycle for phase 2 studies. Funding Immunomedics and Direction de la Recherche Clinique of Nantes.

Treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) in elderly patients remains unsatisfactory. To develop a new high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX)-based regimen including idarubicin, a phase 1 multicenter dose escalation study was conducted to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of idarubicin. Thirty-five immunocompetent patients with PCNSL were enrolled. The median age was 65 years (range, 60-70 years). MTX and vindesine (VDS) were given at the fixed dose of 3 g/m(2) (6-hr intravenous [IV]) and 3 mg/m(2) IV on day 1, respectively. Prednisolone (PRED) was given at the fixed dose of 60 mg/m(2) (IV or orally) on days 1-5. Idarubicin was escalated in increments of 2 mg/m(2) with doses ranging from 12-18 mg/m(2) IV on day 1. Treatment was repeated three times every 3 weeks. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as grade 4 neutropenia for more than 7 days, thrombocytopenia grade 4 or nonhaematological toxicity more than grade 2. The MTD of idarubicin was reached at 16 mg/m(2) . At this level, the main haematological toxicities were thrombocytopenia grade 4: 5% and neutropenia grade 3 or 4 (52%); the main nonhaematological toxicities were grade 3 or 4 infectious disease (5%) and grade 2 renal failure (9%). For the study population, median overall and progression-free survival were 19 and 13 months, respectively. Our study suggests that the MTD of idarubicin in combination with HD-MTX, VDS, and PRED, should be 16 mg/m(2) . Further studies will be necessary to challenge a standard treatment in elderly patients with PCNSL.

Introduction Up to 10% of patients (pts) with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) are already in accelerated phase (AP) at diagnosis and despite treatment advances in the field of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), management of these pts is challenging. This study aims to examine the benefit of second generation BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI2) as first-line treatment for newly diagnosed AP-CML. Methods Pts meeting criteria for AP-CML at diagnosis and treated with first-line TKI2 (i. e. Nilotinib or Dasatinib) were included in this retrospective multicenter observational national study. AP-CML were defined according to the ELN (Baccarani, Blood 2013) as hematological acceleration (HEM-AP, any of the following features: blasts in PB or marrow 15-29%, or blasts+promyelocytes in PB or marrow >30% with blasts Results Sixty-six pts were analysed: 45 males (68%) and 21 females (32%) with a median age at diagnosis of 49 (15-78.5) years. The median follow-up of the cohort was 43.5 (1.7-117) months. We segregated the pts in HEM-AP (n=33) and ACA-AP (n=33) for further analyses. Nine pts with HEM-AP harboured ACA and were analysed in the HEM-AP group. Fusion transcripts were of the Major BCR in 57 pts, 6 pts had atypical BCR-ABL transcripts (2 e19a2, and 1 e1a2 in the HEM-AP group and 2 e19a2 and 1 Ma3 in the ACA-AP group), and 3 transcripts unknown. Not surprisingly, spleen enlargement was significantly greater in the HEM-AP group [10 (5-14.75) vs. 3 (0-10)cm, p=0.014]. PB basophils [median 10 (6-16) vs. 3 (2-5)%, p Treatment responses did not significantly differ between ACA-AP and HEM-AP group, regardless of the TKI2 administered, with 33/33 (100%) vs 31/33 (94%) pts achieving a CHR, 2/33 (6%) pts vs 0/33 (0%) pts achieving a MCyR, 5/33 (15%) pts vs 5/33 (15%) pts achieving CCyR, 9/33 (27%) pts vs 4/33 (12%) pts achieving a MMR respectively. However, 11/33 (33%) HEM-AP vs 22/33 (66%) ACA-AP pts achieved a deep molecular response (p=0.013, Fisher test). Median times to CHR and MMR were not significantly different between ACA-AP group and HEM-AP group with 1.05 vs 1.25 months (p=0.088) for CHR and 6 vs 7 months (p=0.156) for MMR, respectively. Overall, the estimated 7-yr FFS rate was 56.92% (95%CI: 40-81), 7-yr PFS was 83.42% (95% CI: 69.6-100%) and 7-yr OS was 87.14% (95%CI: 73.5-100%) (Figure 1.) with no significant differences between ACA-AP vs HEM-AP pts [7-yr FFS: 57.7 vs. 62%, p=0.739; 7-yr PFS: 84.7% vs. 84%, p=0.185; 7-yr OS: 88.9% vs 86.6%, p=0.132] respectively. There was also no difference in FFS, PFS and OS according to the type of TKI2. The only factors influencing negatively OS were the % of BM blasts (HR=1.17, 95%CI: 1.1-1.28, p Conclusion The initiation of a TKI2 in newly diagnosed AP-CML pts induces excellent response and survival rates, probably superior to that of Imatinib first-line, and counterbalances the negative impact of this advanced disease, particularly in HEM AP subgroup. Disclosures Etienne: Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Honoraria, Patents & Royalties, Speakers Bureau. Berger:Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Mahon:Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Speakers Bureau. Rea:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria. Nicolini:BMS: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Incyte Biosciences: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Sun Pharma Ltd: Consultancy.

Background. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are standard front-line therapy for patients with BCR-ABL1/Philadelphia positive ALL (Ph+ ALL), but the relative merits of available TKIs remain uncertain. Nilotinib is a potent inhibitor of BCR-ABL1 with broader activity against ABL kinase domain mutations than imatinib and greater selectivity than dasatinib or ponatinib. As there is a paucity of data on nilotinib as first-line therapy for Ph+ ALL, the EWALL (European Working Group for Adult ALL) conducted an international clinical trial to evaluate efficacy and safety of the combination of nilotinib with low intensity chemotherapy. Patients and Methods. After a prephase with dexamethasone (DEX) and cyclophosphamide, nilotinib (400 mg BID) was given concurrently with the same chemotherapy backbone employed in the EWALL-PH01 assessing the combination with dasatinib (Rousselot et al, Blood 2016;128:774-82). Induction consisted of nilotinib combined with weekly vincristine (VCR, 1mg iv) and oral dexamethasone 40mg 2 days (20 mg over 70y). Nilotinib was continued throughout six consolidation cycles, followed by 24 months maintenance therapy with nilotinib, 6-MP, MTX and DEX/VCR boosts. Stem cell transplantation (SCT) was permitted as considered appropriate. BCR-ABL1 RTQ-PCR and kinase domain resistance mutations were centrally monitored. Primary endpoint was event-free survival (EFS) at 12 months, secondary endpoints included rates of CR, major and complete molecular response, relapse free survival (RFS), EFS and overall survival (OS). Results. 72/79 enrolled pts. were evaluable for response, 3 withdrew consent, 4 did not meet eligibility criteria. Median age was 65.5 (55-85) years, male/female ratio 0.85, ECOG status 0 or 1 in 89% of pts., median CIRS comorbidity score 5(0-19). Baseline vascular risk factors including high blood pressure (grade ≥2) were present in 36% of pts.. Sixty-eight of 72 pts. (94.4%) achieved CR, one died during induction and one was refractory, 2 pts. discontinued study therapy. Non-hematologic adverse events (AE) grades 3/4 during induction (in ≥ 5% of pts. irrespective of causality) included infections (n=20), elevated transaminases or bilirubin (n=18) and gastrointestinal AEs (n=12). The spectrum of AEs was similar during consolidation, without concerns related to cardiovascular events. 24 pts. (61y; 55-69y) underwent allogeneic (9 MUD, 12 SIB, 3 Haplo) and 3 autologous SCT. 21 pts. received reduced intensity conditioning (including 8Gy TBI, n=11) regimens. Among all pts., relapse was the main cause of treatment failure (n=23; 17 BM, 2 CNS, 3 other sites, 1 na), 11 pts. died in CR (6 after HSCT), 34 are in ongoing CR. Based on Kaplan Meier analysis, EFS (events being resistant disease, relapse or death) at 12 months was 74%, with median follow-up of 39 (24-66) months for surviving pts., EFS and OS at 4 years was 42%, and 47%, respectively. By landmark analyses using median time to HSCT as cutoff, cumulative incidence of relapse in transplanted vs. non-transplanted pts. was 32% and 47%, OS at 4 years was 61% and 39%, median OS was not reached versus 3.6 years, respectively (p=ns). The proportion of pts. with a BCR-ABL1/ABL1 ratio ≤0.1% increased from 41% after induction to 86% after consolidation 2; that of pts. with undetectable or non-quantifiable BCR-ABL1 transcripts (sensitivity ≥10-4) increased from 14% to 58%. Conclusions. Nilotinib combined with low-intensity chemotherapy is well tolerated and highly effective in elderly pts. with Ph-positive ALL. OS and EFS compare favorably with previous similar studies testing imatinib or dasatinib. With 32% of pts. undergoing allogeneic HSCT and 61% survival at 4 years, transplantation is a viable option in this elderly cohort of pts.. Disclosures Ottmann: Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Fusion Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding. Pfeifer:Novartis: Research Funding. Cayuela:Cepheid: Other: financial sponsor to attend John Goldman Conference 2017. Viardot:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy; Gilead Kite: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria. Sanhes:Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Goekbuget:Pfizer: Consultancy, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Kite / Gilead: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Other: Travel support, Research Funding. Dombret:Jazz Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Astellas: Consultancy, Honoraria; Menarini: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sunesis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Ambit (Daiichi Sankyo): Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy, Honoraria; Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria; Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Ariad (Incyte): Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Shire-Baxalta: Consultancy, Honoraria; Immunogen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Speakers Bureau; Cellectis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses; Otsuka: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

STOP second generation (2G)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is a multicenter observational study designed to evaluate 2G-TKI discontinuation in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Patients receiving first-line or subsequent dasatinib or nilotinib who stopped therapy after at least 3 years of TKI treatment and in molecular response 4.5 (MR4.5) with undetectable BCR-ABL1 transcripts for the 2 preceding years at least were eligible for inclusion. This interim analysis reports outcomes of 60 patients with a minimum follow-up of 12 months (median 47, range: 12-65). Twenty-six patients (43.3%) experienced a molecular relapse defined as the loss of a major molecular response (MMR). Relapses occurred after a median time of 4 months (range: 1-38). Cumulative incidences of molecular relapse by 12 and 48 months were 35% (95% confidence interval [CI], 24.79% to 49.41%) and 44.76% (95% CI, 33.35% to 59.91%), respectively. Treatment-free remission (TFR) rates at 12 and 48 months were 63.33% (95% CI, 51.14% to 75.53%) and 53.57% (95% CI, 40.49% to 66.65%), respectively. In univariate analysis, prior suboptimal response or TKI resistance was the only baseline factor associated with significantly worse outcome. A landmark analysis demonstrated that loss of MR4.5 3 months after stopping TKI was predictive of failure to maintain MMR later on. During the treatment-free phase, no progression toward advanced phase CML occurred, and all relapsing patients regained MMR and MR4.5 after restarting therapy. In conclusion, discontinuation of first-line or subsequent 2G-TKI yields promising TFR rates without safety concerns. Further research is encouraged to better define conditions that will offer patients the highest chance to remain free from 2G-TKI therapy.

International audience; no abstract

International audience; Tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting the BCR-ABL oncoprotein represent an outstanding progress in chronic myeloid leukemia and long-term progression-free survival has become a reality for a majority of patients. However, tyrosine kinase inhibitors may at best chronicize rather than cure the disease thus current recommendation is to pursue treatment indefinitely. As a consequence, high quality treatment and care must integrate optimal disease control and treatment tolerability. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have an overall favorable safety profile in clinical practice since most adverse events are mild to moderate in intensity. However, recent evidence has emerged that new generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors may sometimes damage vital organs and if not adequately managed, morbidity and mortality may increase. The 2nd generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor nilotinib is licensed for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia with resistance or intolerance to imatinib and newly diagnosed chronic phase-chronic myeloid leukemia. Nilotinib represents an important therapeutic option but it is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. The purpose of this article by the France Intergroupe des Leucemies Myeloides Chroniques is to provide an overview of nilotinib efficacy and cardiovascular safety profile and to propose practical recommendations with the goal to minimize the risk and severity of cardiovascular events in nilotinib-treated patients

The Intergroupe Francophone du Myelome conducted a randomized trial to compare bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone (VTD) with bortezomib-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone (VCD) as induction before high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Overall, a total of 340 patients were centrally randomly assigned to receive VTD or VCD. After 4 cycles, on an intent-to-treat basis, 66.3% of the patients in the VTD arm achieved at least a very good partial response (primary end point) vs 56.2% in the VCD arm (P = .05). In addition, the overall response rate was significantly higher in the VTD arm (92.3% vs 83.4% in the VCD arm; P = .01). Hematologic toxicity was higher in the VCD arm, with significantly increased rates of grade 3 and 4 anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia. On the other hand, the rate of peripheral neuropathy (PN) was significantly higher in the VTD arm. With the exception of hematologic adverse events and PN, other grade 3 or 4 toxicities were rare, with no significant differences between the VTD and VCD arms. Our data support the preferential use of VTD rather than VCD in preparation for ASCT. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01564537 and at EudraCT as #2013-003174-27.

International audience; Background - The IFM2009-02 trial studied pomalidomide (4 mg daily, 21/28 versus 28/28) and dexamethasone in very advanced relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). We observed that 40% of patients had a prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) and subsequently overall survival (OS). We sought to analyze the characteristics of these patients and study the effect of long exposure to pomalidomide. Design - We separated the studied population into two groups: 3 months to 1 year (

Fossard, Gaelle Blond, Emilie Balsat, Marie Morisset, Stephane Giraudier, Stephane Escoffre-Barbe, Martine Labussiere-Wallet, Helene Heiblig, Mael Bert, Arthur Etienne, Madeleine Drai, Jocelyne Sobh, Mohamad Redonnet-Vernhet, Isabelle Lega, Jean-Christophe Mahon, Francois-Xavier Etienne, Gabriel Nicolini, Franck Emmanuel; International audience

Background. The combination of pomalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone (Pom-Dex) has been proven effective and safe in patients with end-stage relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), otherwise characterized by a very poor outcome and short survival of less than a year. However, multiple myeloma remains incurable and relapses are inevitable even with pomalidomide-based regimen. It is thought that patients are back to unmet medical need after pomalidomide exposure, although the outcome after pomalidomide remains unknown. We sought to analyse the line of therapy in RRMM after Pom-Dex treatment, the response to further treatment line and survival post pomalidomide era. Methods. We included 134 patients from the 2 IFM studies (IFM2009-02 in end stage RRMM, n=84, median therapy 5 lines and IFM2010-02 in del17p and/or t(4;14) RRMM, n=50, median therapy 2 lines) treated with Pom-Dex. In both studies, patients received pomalidomide (oral 4mg daily) given either 21 days out of 28 or continuous and dexamethasone (oral 40mg weekly, but 20mg if >75 years old in the IFM 2010-02), given until progression. Overall, 95/135 patients (70%) received further therapy post Pom-Dex, 57/84 (68%) and 38/50 (76%) in IFM2009-02 and IFM2010-02 studies, respectively; the remaining patients had palliative care. Results. As a whole for the 95 patients, the median age was 60 (range 31-82), the M/F ratio was 1.5, t(4;14) was observed in 26/50 (52%) and del17p in 14/47 (30%). The post Pom-Dex regimens were very diverse, and varied significantly across the 2 trials; however, the regimens contained alkylating agents in 54% and 60% of patients in IFM2009-02 and IFM2010-02, respectively. The most prescribed alkylator was cyclophosphamide (60%) in IFM2010-02 while similar prescription of cyclophosphamide and bendamustine was observed in about 40% of patients in the IFM2009-02 study (p=0.032). Alkylating agents were administered primarily in a 3 drugs-based combination (or more) in IFM2010-02, 70%, versus in combination solely to dexamethasone for most patients in IFM2009-02, 60% (p=0.034). Amongst the combinations of alkylating agents, novel agents were considered in 55% versus 17.5% in the 2 studies, as expected considering that IFM2010-02 included patients exposed but not refractory to lenalidomide, while IFM2009-02 recruited essentially patients double refractory to lenalidomide and bortezomib (p When no alkylating agent was used, bortezomib plus dexamethasone, dexamethasone alone, or clinical trials were favoured, the latter in a lesser instance. An intensification was proposed in 8% of patients (n=8), with allogeneic transplantation in 3 patients. 27% and 29% responded to the post Pom-Dex regimen, with an extra 35% and 34% having stable disease in the 2 studies, respectively. With a median follow-up of 49 months (IFM2009-02) and 24 months (IFM2010-02), 77% and 52% of patients have died. The median PFS on Pom-Dex was approximately 5 months (CI95% 2.5;6.5) across the studies, with 20% of patients free of relapse beyond a year, similar to the post Pom-Dex phase, 5 months (2.9;7.0) and 4 months (2.2;5.7) in 2010-02 and 2009-02, with 29% and 13% of patients progression-free beyond one year, respectively. Importantly, the median OS of IFM2009-02 study (end stage RRMM, median 5 lines) for patients that had a post pomalidomide regimen was 20 months (14;26), with 30% of patients beyond 3 years, versus 13 months for the study as a whole (Leleu et al. Blood 2013) including patients considered in palliative care after Pom-Dex was stopped. This difference was not observed in IFM2010-02 to the same extent, in patients treated earlier with Pom-Dex but characterized with poor risk cytogenetic features, del17p and/or t(4;14), median OS of 14 months (9;18) across the 2 subgroups versus a median OS of 12 months and 9.8 months for the 2 subgroups in the study as a whole (Leleu et al. Blood 2015). Conclusion. Pom-Dex changed the paradigm in advanced RRMM with a prolonged PFS that translated into a prolonged OS. Importantly, OS was further improved when patients were offered a post pomalidomide therapy particularly in advanced RRMM with no poor risk cytogenetic features. Future studies might confirm the survival impact of pomalidomide used earlier in the disease course. The IFM2009-02 and 2010-02 trials were conducted with the support of Celgene Disclosures Karlin: BMS: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Sandoz: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria. MACRO:celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; jansen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Arnulf:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Stoppa:Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Legros:BMS: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; ARIAD: Speakers Bureau. Garderet:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy. Moreau:Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Avet-Loiseau:Janssen: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding. Attal:jansen: Honoraria; celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Facon:Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pierre Fabre: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Leleu:Pierre Fabre: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; TEVA: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; LeoPharma: Honoraria; Chugai: Honoraria.

Introduction: The rate of response (partial remission and better) to pomalidomide and low dose dexamethasone in myeloma patients who had previously received lenalidomide and bortezomib was 33% (Richardson PG, et al. Blood 2014;123:1826). In view of improving the response rate of pomalidomide based therapy, we conducted a phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the addition of weekly oral cyclophosphamide to pomalidomide and dexamethasone (PCD) in patients in first relapse following initial treatment in the IFM 2009/DFCI trial (Attal M, et al. NEJM 2017;376:1311). Since the combination of lenalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone (RVD) is becoming the standard of care in the frontline setting with or without autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), our goal was also to find an effective salvage regimen to induce new remission in patients relapsing after exposure to lenalidomide and bortezomib so as to be able to proceed to ASCT (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02244125). Patients / Methods: Eligible patients had relapsed myeloma after one line of treatment according to the IFM 2009/DFCI trial. All patients had received RVD as induction and consolidation therapy plus lenalidomide maintenance for 1 year (Arm A). Half of them had undergone upfront ASCT after the induction phase as part of the initial protocol (Arm B). At first relapse, all patients received oral pomalidomide 4 mg on D1-21, oral cyclophosphamide 300 mg on D1, 8, 15 and 22 and oral dexamethasone 40 mg D1-4 and D15-18 of a 28 day cycle (PCD). Four reinduction cycles were administered to all patients. Those who had not been transplanted initially (Arm A) and who were responding underwent ASCT and received two additional cycles of PCD while those who had already been transplanted (Arm B) received 5 cycles of PCD. All were subsequently treated with pomalidomide plus dexamethasone maintenance until disease progression. The primary endpoint was the rate of partial response or better after the initial 4 cycles of PCD. Responses were assessed using the IMWG criteria. Results: Between April 2014 and February 2017, 100 patients were enrolled. The cut-off date for this intermediate analysis was 4th July 2017. At inclusion in the relapse trial, the median age was 62 years (range 39-70), and 62% of the patients were male. The median time from diagnosis of myeloma to current therapy was 3.6 years (3.1-4.3, 1st and 3rd quartile) and 97% had a PS of 0 or 1. The myeloma isotype was IgG (72%), IgA (17%), light chain (9%) or IgD (2%). Five patients had a plasmacytoma and 15% high risk cytogenetics (t(4-14) and/or del 17p and/or t(14-16)). The ISS was I (78%), II (15%) or III (7%). In 90 evaluated patients after 4 cycles of PCD, objective responses were obtained in 82 (91%): CR: 2 (2.2%), VGPR: 29 (32%) and PR: 51 (57%). Stable disease was observed in 3 patients (3%) and progressive disease in 5 (5.6%). Adverse events (AE) of grade 3-4 occurred in 72 patients (72%) including hematological toxicities (61%) (53% neutropenia, 36% lymphopenia, 6% anemia, 5% thrombocytopenia), infection (8%) (63% pneumonia), asthenia (7%), hyperglycemia (6%), gastrointestinal disorders (3%), allergic skin reactions (2%) and cardiovascular disorders (3%) (1 pulmonary embolism, 1 myocardial infarction and 1 syncope). There was no grade 3 or 4 peripheral neuropathy. Six patients (6%) discontinued one of the study drugs (P, C or D). Dose reductions were recorded in 38% of the patients for pomalidomide, in 35% for cyclophosphamide and in 46% for dexamethasone, the reasons being AE/SAE (77%, 70% and 71%), omission (13%, 13% and 9%) and other (10%, 17% and 20%) (P, C and D, respectively). Four of the 50 patients in Arm A could not have the planned ASCT at relapse while 7 of the 50 in Arm B received a second ASCT. PFS (PFS1 and PFS2) and OS will be reported during the meeting. Conclusion: In this first planned relapse trial, the all oral combination of pomalidomide, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone was very efficacious at first relapse following lenalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone treatment. After 4 cycles, the rate of partial response or better was 91% and 92% of the patients could proceed to ASCT. Toxicity was mostly hematological and manageable. These results should be compared to those of other pomalidomide and dexamethasone-based second line therapies. Disclosures Garderet: Amgen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Roussel: JANSSEN: Honoraria, Research Funding. Facon: Amgen, Celgene: Speakers Bureau. Karlin: Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses. Perrot: Sanofi: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Moreau: Celgene, Janssen, Takeda, Novartis, Amgen, Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx Pharmaceutical: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Millennium: Consultancy, Honoraria. Macro: JANSSEN: Honoraria. Benboubker: Takeda, Celgene, Janssen, Amgen: Consultancy. Jourdan: NOVARTIS: Consultancy, Honoraria. Mohty: Sanofi: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Attal: Sanofi: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; JANSSEN: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding.

Background We previously demonstrated that the combination of Nilotinib (NIL) + Pegylated IFN-a2a (Peg-IFN) is able to induce high deep molecular response rates in chronic phase CML (CP CML) patients, as first-line therapy (Nicolini FE et al., Lancet Haematol. 2015). Aims Assessment of the molecular responses obtained with the same combination vs NIL alone prospectively, in newly diagnosed CP-CML. (EudraCT 2013-004974-82). Methods Patients (pts) ≤65 years with no history of arterial damage were randomized 1:1 to get NIL 300 mg BID alone (M0 to M48, arm A) vs Peg-IFN alone (± HU) for 30 days (M-1 to M0) 30 mg/wk as a priming, prior to a combination of NIL 300 mg BID + Peg-IFN 30 mg/wk 2 weeks, upgraded to 45 mg/wk thereafter if proper tolerance for up to 2 years (M0 to M24, arm B) followed by NIL alone for 2 more years. The primary endpoint was the rate of molecular response 4.5 (MR4.5) by 1 year. Molecular assessments were centralised, quantifications were expressed as BCR-ABL/ABL1 (IS) in % with ≥32,000 copies of ABL1 as control. Results Two hundred and one pts were randomized (100 in arm A, 101 in arm B), 65 males in both arms, 35 females in arm A, 36 in arm B. The median follow-up is 20.6 (9.1-34.7) months. Results are analysed in intention-to-treat. Sokal scores were high in 25%, intermediate in 36% and low in 39% of pts; Euro scores were high in 13%, intermediate in 44% and low in 43% of pts; Eutos LTS scores were high in 2%, intermediate in 17%, and 81% low; equally balanced in the 2 arms The median age was 46 (18-66) years, equally balanced. Eight (4%) pts had a cryptic Philadelphia chromosome, 12 (6%) a variant form, and 15 (7.5%) had ACAs, all pts had a "Major" BCR transcript. CHR was obtained in 9.6% of pts at M0 (arm B) and in 88% of pts in arm A and 90.4% of pts in arm B at M1. The rates of CCyR at M3 were 63% vs 65% in arms A and B, and BCR-ABL1≤1% at M6 were 83% in arm A vs 86% and arm B, on evaluable samples. The incidence of molecular responses are shown in Fig. 1. Of note, 90% of the pts had a BCR-ABL1 ≤10% at M3 in arm A vs 84% in arm B (p=ns). By M12, the rates of MMR were 69.9% vs 72.4% (p=0.079), MR4 were 34.65% vs 47.9% (p=0.094), MR4.5 were 17.9% vs 24.11% (p=0.272), MR5 12.1% vs 22.31% (p=0.075), in arm A and arm B respectively. Data from 11 pts in arm A and 16 in arm B at M12 are still pending. Definitive results at 1 year will be presented. One pt progressed toward accelerated phase in arm A with a Y253H mutation. Fifteen pts were withdrawn from study in arm A (toxicity 5, other cancer 2, failure 8) and 12 patients from arm B (toxicity 6, failure 6), no pt died. Interestingly, 5 mutated (ie. failure) pts were found in arm A (3 Y253H, 1 E225K, 1 F317L), vs only 1 pt (T315I) in arm B. The median dose of Peg-IFN delivered in arm B during the first month is 30 (0-30) mg/wk, 30 (0-45) mg/wk at M2, 45 (0-45) mg/wk at M3, 37.5 (0-45) mg/wk at M6, 30 (0-45) mg/wk at M9 and 12. The median doses of NIL delivered were 600 mg daily at M2, 3, 6, 9, 12 as initially planned in both arms. The rate of grade 4 hematologic toxicities overall was 15%, with no anemias, 1% and 4% thrombocytopenias, 3% and 4% neutropenias, 0% and 1% leucopenias, and 0 and 1% pancytopenias in arms A and B respectively. Grade ¾ non-hematologic toxicities consisted in 4% of cardiac disorders in arm A (1 coronaropathy, 2 thoracic pains and 1 atrial fibrillation) vs 1% in arm B (palpitation), 2% vascular disorders in arm A (1 pulmonary embolism, 1 transient ischemic attack) and 1% in arm B (PAOD). Three % of gastro-intestinal disorders in arm A (resolutive pancreatitis) vs 1% in arm B (anal fissure); 1% of skin disorders in arm A; 2% auto-immune disorders in arm B (1 recurrent pericarditis, 1 hemolytic anemia); 2 and 5 pregnancies (of the partner except 1) were observed in arm A and B respectively, despite recommended contraceptive methods. We observed 10% lipase elevations in arm A, 3 in arm B, 2% cholestatic episodes in arm A, 1% in arm B; 1% of transaminase elevations in each arm. There were 2% depressive episodes in arm B, 1% in arm A; infections were detected in 1% arm 1 and 3% in arm B. Finally 3 intercurrent cancers were detected in arm A (cervix, breast, thyroid). Conclusion The combination of NIL + Peg-IFN seems to provide slightly deeper molecular responses rates (especially MR5) by M12, but so far not significantly, in newly diagnosed CP CML pts without increasing the rate of more frequent early SAEs in such a setting. Definitive results at M12 will be updated for the meeting. Disclosures Nicolini: BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; ARIAD: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Etienne: Incyte: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding. Guerci-Bresler: BMS: Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau. Charbonnier: Incyte: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Legros: BMS: Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau. Coiteux: Incyte: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Speakers Bureau. Cony-Makhoul: BMS: Speakers Bureau. Rousselot: Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sunesis: Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding. Guyotat: BMS: Speakers Bureau. Ianotto: Novartis: Other: Grant. Rea: BMS: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau. Mahon: Pfizer: Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

International audience

We compared the health-related quality-of-life of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma aged over 65 years or transplant-ineligible in the pivotal, phase III FIRST trial. Patients received: i) continuous lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone until disease progression; ii) fixed cycles of lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone for 18 months; or iii) fixed cycles of melphalan, prednisone, thalidomide for 18 months. Data were collected using the validated questionnaires (QLQ-MY20, QLQ-C30, and EQ-5D). The analysis focused on the EQ-5D utility value and six domains pre-selected for their perceived clinical relevance. Lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone, and melphalan, prednisone, thalidomide improved patients' health-related quality-of-life from baseline over the duration of the study across all pre-selected domains of the QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D. In the QLQ-MY20, lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in the Disease Symptoms domain compared with melphalan, prednisone, thalidomide at Month 3, and significantly lower scores for QLQ-MY20 Side Effects of Treatment at all post-baseline assessments except Month 18. Linear mixed-model repeated-measures analyses confirmed the results observed in the cross-sectional analysis. Continuous lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone delays disease progression versus melphalan, prednisone, thalidomide and has been associated with a clinically meaningful improvement in health-related quality-of-life. These results further establish continuous lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone as a new standard of care for initial therapy of myeloma by demonstrating superior health-related quality-of-life during treatment, compared with melphalan, prednisone, thalidomide. ispartof: Haematologica vol:100 issue:6 pages:826-833 ispartof: location:Italy status: published