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Major histocompatibility complex class I polypeptide-related sequence A (MICA) is a highly polymorphic ligand of the activating NKG2D receptor on natural killer (NK) cells, γδ-T cells, and NKT cells. MICA incompatibilities have been associated with an increased graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) incidence, and the MICA-129 (met/val) dimorphism has been shown to influence NKG2D signaling in unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (uHSCT). We investigated the effect of MICA matching on survival after uHSCT. We sequenced 2172 patients and their respective donors for MICA. All patients and donors were high-resolution HLA-typed and matched for 10/10 (n = 1379), 9/10 (n = 636), or 8/10 (n = 157) HLA alleles. Within each HLA match group, cases matched and mismatched for MICA and MICA-129 were analyzed for the end points overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), nonrelapse mortality (NRM), relapse-incidence (RI), and GVHD. Mismatches at the MICA locus as well as MICA-129 increased with the number of HLA mismatches (MICA mismatched 10/10, 9.2% [n = 127]; 9/10, 22.3% [n = 142]; 8/10, 38.2% [n = 60]; MICA-129 mismatched 10/10, 3.9% [n = 54]; 9/10, 10.2% [n = 65]; 8/10, 17.2% [n = 27]). Adverse OS was observed in the 10/10 match group if MICA-129 was mismatched (10/10, hazard ratio [HR], 1.77; confidence interval [CI], 1.22-2.57; P = .003). MICA-129 mismatches correlated with a significantly worse outcome for DFS in the 10/10 HLA match group (HR, 1.77; CI, 1.26-2.50; P = .001). Higher rates of aGVHD were seen in MICA-129 mismatched cases. Our results indicate that MICA-129 matching is relevant in uHSCT. Prospective typing of patients and donors in unrelated donor search may identify mismatches for MICA-129, and compatible donor selection may improve outcome for this small but high-risk subgroup.

A complex aberrant karyotype consisting of multiple unrelated cytogenetic abnormalities is associated with poor prognosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The European Leukemia Net classification and the UK Medical Research Council recommendation provide prognostic categories that differ in the definition of unbalanced aberrations as well as the number of single aberrations. The aim of this study on 3526 AML patients was to redefine and validate a cutoff for karyotype complexity in AML with regard to adverse prognosis. Our study demonstrated that (1) patients with a pure hyperdiploid karyotype have an adverse risk irrespective of the number of chromosomal gains, (2) patients with translocation t(9;11)(p21∼22;q23) have an intermediate risk independent of the number of additional aberrations, (3) patients with ⩾4 abnormalities have an adverse risk per se and (4) patients with three aberrations in the absence of abnormalities of strong influence (hyperdiploid karyotype, t(9;11)(p21∼22;q23), CBF-AML, unique adverse-risk aberrations) have borderline intermediate/adverse risk with a reduced overall survival compared with patients with a normal karyotype.

DNA methylation changes are a constant feature of acute myeloid leukemia. Hypomethylating drugs such as azacitidine are active in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) as monotherapy. Azacitidine monotherapy is not curative. The AML-AZA trial tested the hypothesis that DNA methyltransferase inhibitors such as azacitidine can improve chemotherapy outcome in AML. This randomized, controlled trial compared the efficacy of azacitidine applied before each cycle of intensive chemotherapy with chemotherapy alone in older patients with untreated AML. Event-free survival (EFS) was the primary end point. In total, 214 patients with a median age of 70 years were randomized to azacitidine/chemotherapy (arm-A) or chemotherapy (arm-B). More arm-A patients (39/105; 37%) than arm-B (25/109; 23%) showed adverse cytogenetics (P=0.057). Adverse events were more frequent in arm-A (15.44) versus 13.52 in arm-B, (P=0.26), but early death rates did not differ significantly (30-day mortality: 6% versus 5%, P=0.76). Median EFS was 6 months in both arms (P=0.96). Median overall survival was 15 months for patients in arm-A compared with 21 months in arm-B (P=0.35). Azacitidine added to standard chemotherapy increases toxicity in older patients with AML, but provides no additional benefit for unselected patients.

Item does not contain fulltext Idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia (IIH) is characterized by severe hypercalcemia with failure to thrive, vomiting, dehydration, and nephrocalcinosis. Recently, mutations in the vitamin D catabolizing enzyme 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) were described that lead to increased sensitivity to vitamin D due to accumulation of the active metabolite 1,25-(OH)2D3. In a subgroup of patients who presented in early infancy with renal phosphate wasting and symptomatic hypercalcemia, mutations in CYP24A1 were excluded. Four patients from families with parental consanguinity were subjected to homozygosity mapping that identified a second IIH gene locus on chromosome 5q35 with a maximum logarithm of odds (LOD) score of 6.79. The sequence analysis of the most promising candidate gene, SLC34A1 encoding renal sodium-phosphate cotransporter 2A (NaPi-IIa), revealed autosomal-recessive mutations in the four index cases and in 12 patients with sporadic IIH. Functional studies of mutant NaPi-IIa in Xenopus oocytes and opossum kidney (OK) cells demonstrated disturbed trafficking to the plasma membrane and loss of phosphate transport activity. Analysis of calcium and phosphate metabolism in Slc34a1-knockout mice highlighted the effect of phosphate depletion and fibroblast growth factor-23 suppression on the development of the IIH phenotype. The human and mice data together demonstrate that primary renal phosphate wasting caused by defective NaPi-IIa function induces inappropriate production of 1,25-(OH)2D3 with subsequent symptomatic hypercalcemia. Clinical and laboratory findings persist despite cessation of vitamin D prophylaxis but rapidly respond to phosphate supplementation. Therefore, early differentiation between SLC34A1 (NaPi-IIa) and CYP24A1 (24-hydroxylase) defects appears critical for targeted therapy in patients with IIH.

Summary Background Routine prophylactic platelet transfusion is the standard of care for patients with severe thrombocytopenia. We assessed the effect of a new strategy of therapeutic platelet transfusion on the number of transfusions and safety in patients with hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia. Methods We did a multicentre, open-label, randomised parallel-group trial at eight haematology centres in Germany. Patients aged 16–80 years, who were undergoing intensive chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukaemia or autologous haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation for haematological cancers, were randomly assigned via a computer-generated randomisation sequence to receive either platelet transfusion when bleeding occurred (therapeutic strategy) or when morning platelet counts were 10×10 9 per L or lower (prophylactic strategy). Investigators undertaking interventions were not masked to group assignment. The primary endpoint was the number of platelet transfusions. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered, NCT00521664. Findings 197 patients were assigned the prophylactic strategy and 199 the therapeutic strategy. Of 391 patients analysed, the therapeutic strategy reduced the mean number of platelet transfusions by 33·5% (95% CI 22·2–43·1; p vs 1·63 [1·42–1·83] in therapeutic group), 31·6% (18·6–42·6; p vs 1·83 [1·58–2·10]), and 34·2% (6·6–53·7; p=0·0193) in those who had had autologous transplantation (1·80 [1·45–2·15] vs 1·18 [0·82–1·55]. We noted no increased risk of major haemorrhage in patients who had undergone autologous transplantation. In those with acute myeloid leukaemia, risk of non-fatal grade 4 (mostly CNS) bleeding was increased. We recorded 15 cases of non-fatal haemorrhage: four retinal in each transfusion group, and one vaginal and six cerebral in the therapeutic group. 12 patients died in the study: two from fatal cerebral haemorrhages in the therapeutic group, and ten (five in each treatment group) unrelated to major bleeding. Interpretation The therapeutic strategy could become a new standard of care after autologous stem-cell transplantation; however, prophylactic platelet transfusion should remain the standard for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. The new strategy should be used by some haematology centres only if the staff are well educated and experienced in the new approach and can react in a timely way to first signs of CNS bleeding. Funding Deutsche Krebshilfe eV (German Cancer Aid).

Item does not contain fulltext BACKGROUND: Vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of rickets is one of the oldest and most effective prophylactic measures in medicine, having virtually eradicated rickets in North America. Given the potentially toxic effects of vitamin D, the recommendations for the optimal dose are still debated, in part owing to the increased incidence of idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia in Britain in the 1950s during a period of high vitamin D supplementation in fortified milk products. We investigated the molecular basis of idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia, which is characterized by severe hypercalcemia, failure to thrive, vomiting, dehydration, and nephrocalcinosis. METHODS: We used a candidate-gene approach in a cohort of familial cases of typical idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia with suspected autosomal recessive inheritance. Identified mutations in the vitamin D-metabolizing enzyme CYP24A1 were evaluated with the use of a mammalian expression system. RESULTS: Sequence analysis of CYP24A1, which encodes 25-hydroxyvitamin D 24-hydroxylase, the key enzyme of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) degradation, revealed recessive mutations in six affected children. In addition, CYP24A1 mutations were identified in a second cohort of infants in whom severe hypercalcemia had developed after bolus prophylaxis with vitamin D. Functional characterization revealed a complete loss of function in all CYP24A1 mutations. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of CYP24A1 mutations explains the increased sensitivity to vitamin D in patients with idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia and is a genetic risk factor for the development of symptomatic hypercalcemia that may be triggered by vitamin D prophylaxis in otherwise apparently healthy infants.

Purpose To assess the optimal cumulative dose of cytarabine for treatment of young adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) within a prospective multicenter treatment trial. Patients and Methods Between 1996 and 2003, 933 patients (median age, 47 years; range 15 to 60 years) with untreated AML were randomly assigned at diagnosis to receive cytarabine within the first consolidation therapy at either a intermediate-dose of 12 g/m2 (I-MAC) or a high-dose of 36 g/m2 (H-MAC) combined with mitoxantrone. Autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation or intermediate-dose cytarabine (10 g/m2) were offered as second consolidation. Patients with a matched donor could receive an allogeneic transplantation in a risk-adapted manner. Results After double induction therapy including intermediate-dose cytarabine (10 g/m2), mitoxantrone, etoposide, and amsacrine, complete remission was achieved in 66% of patients. In the primary efficacy analysis population, a consolidation with either I-MAC or H-MAC did not result in significant differences in the 5-year overall (30% v 33%; P = .77) or disease-free survival (37% v 38%; P = .86) according to the intention-to-treat analysis. Besides a prolongation of neutropenia and higher transfusion demands in the H-MAC arm, rates of serious adverse events were comparable in the two groups. Conclusion In young adults with AML receiving intermediate-dose cytarabine induction, intensification of the cytarabine dose beyond 12 g/m2 within first consolidation did not improve treatment outcome.

Purpose Mutations of the isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) and IDH2 genes are one of the most frequent alterations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and can be found in ~20% of patients at diagnosis. Several IDH inhibitors are currently in late stage clinical development with Enasidenib, an IDH2 inhibitor, being recently approved by the FDA. Previous analyses have reported differential impact on response to chemotherapy and outcome, depending on the IDH-mutation type, co-occurring mutations and cytogenetic abnormalities, as well as the variant allele frequency (VAF) of IDH mutations. In order to better understand its prognostic role, we analyzed newly diagnosed AML patients enrolled in prospective trials of the Study Alliance Leukemia (SAL) to investigate the impact of IDH1/2 mutations on outcome. Patients and Methods All AML patients consecutively enrolled into intensive AML treatment protocols of the SAL or into the SAL registry were included in this analysis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) on an Illumina MiSeq-system was performed to detect IDH1/2 mutations using pre-treatment samples. Overall survival (OS) and response to therapy were analyzed for all patients with intensive treatment and according to the mutational status. Results Overall, samples of 3898 patients were analyzed. The median follow-up was 91 months (95% CI 87.2 - 93.9). Patients' characteristics are shown in Tbl.1. Three-hundred twenty-nine patients (8.4%) had IDH1 mutations and 423 (11%) had IDH2 mutations; both mutations were found in 12 pts, so the overall mutation rate in IDH1 and 2 was 19% (740/3898 patients). Of the IDH1 variants, the most common ones were the R132C found in 143 patients (43%) and R132H in 137 patients (42%). For IDH2, 324 patients had the R140Q (77%) and 80 patients the R172K (19%) variant. According to the two main variants of the more common IDH2 mutations, as reported before, the IDH2 R172K was mutually exclusive with NPM1 and/or FLT3-ITD mutations. Overall, there was a trend for increased OS for patients with IDH2 R172K (26 vs. 15 months) as compared to those with R140Q. Considering only patients with a normal karyotype and no NPM1/FLT3-ITD mutation, these patients (n=27) had a highly significant better OS than patients with IDH2 R140Q (46.3 vs. 13.1 months, p=.012), supporting the findings published by Papaemmanuil et al. (NEJM 2016). In IDH1-mutated patients, we observed statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two most common mutation types, IDH1 R132C and R132H. Patients carrying the R132C mutation were older (62 vs. 55 years, p=.001), had lower WBC (3.6 vs. 21 Gpt/L, p≤.001) and were less likely to have a normal karyotype (43% vs. 66%, p=.002), NPM1 (23% vs. 66%, p= In univariate testing, the CR rate was also statistically significant lower in patients with IDH1 R132C (53% vs. 72%, p≤.001), with a median OS of 12.9 months compared to 17.4 months for patients with R132H variant (p=.08). In multivariate analysis including age, WBC, NPM1 and FLT3 status, and ELN risk, the CR rate was significantly lower in patients with the IDH1 R132C variant (p=.038). The median IDH VAF was 38% (range, 0.1 - 58) with no difference according to the different types of mutation. Patients with a VAF > 30% had a significantly higher BM blast count (73% vs 40% for VAF≤5%) and WBC (21.2 Gpt/L vs. 3.7 Gpt/L) at baseline, but there was no clear impact on CR rate or OS found in multivariate analysis. Conclusion In this large cohort of AML patients with IDH1/2 mutations, we found significant and so far not reported differences for one of the two most prominent mutations types of IDH1. The R132C variant was associated with increased age, lower WBC, and lower NPM1 and/or FLT3 co-mutation rate. Further, these patients had lower CR rates and a trend for shorter OS. For IDH2 we were able to reproduce findings on co-mutations and showed a favorable outcome for intensively treated patients with a normal karyotype and no NPM1/FLT3-ITD mutation and the IDH2 R172K variant, providing additional evidence for classification as a separate AML entity. Disclosures Middeke: Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Rollig:Bayer: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding. Kramer:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy. Scholl:Alexion: Other: Travel support; Abbivie: Other: Travel support; Novartis: Other: Travel support; Deutsche Krebshilfe: Research Funding; Carreras Foundation: Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; MDS: Other: Travel support; Jazz Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hochhaus:Incyte: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Brümmendorf:Takeda: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding. Burchert:Novartis: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; AOP Orphan: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding. Krause:Novartis: Research Funding. Hänel:Amgen: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Platzbecker:Celgene: Research Funding. Mayer:Johnson & Johnson: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Eisai: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Serve:Bayer: Research Funding. Ehninger:Cellex Gesellschaft fuer Zellgewinnung mbH: Employment, Equity Ownership; Bayer: Research Funding; GEMoaB Monoclonals GmbH: Employment, Equity Ownership. Schetelig:Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Thiede:AgenDix: Other: Ownership; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Stoelzel:Neovii: Speakers Bureau.

Purpose: The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone methyltransferase and key epigenetic regulator involved in transcriptional repression and embryonic development. Loss of EZH2 activity by inactivating mutations is associated with poor prognosis in myeloid malignancies such as MDS. More recently, EZH2 inactivation was shown to induce chemoresistance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (Göllner et al., 2017). Data on the frequency and prognostic role of EZH2-mutations in AML are rare and mostly confined to smaller cohorts. To investigate the prevalence and prognostic impact of this alteration in more detail, we analyzed a large cohort of AML patients (n = 1604) for EZH2 mutations. Patients and Methods: All patients analyzed had newly diagnosed AML, were registered in clinical protocols of the Study Alliance Leukemia (SAL) (AML96, AML2003 or AML60+, SORAML) and had available material at diagnosis. Screening for EZH2 mutations and associated alterations was done using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) (TruSight Myeloid Sequencing Panel, Illumina) on an Illumina MiSeq-system using bone marrow or peripheral blood. Detection was conducted with a defined cut-off of 5% variant allele frequency (VAF). All samples below the predefined threshold were classified as EZH2 wild type (wt). Patient clinical characteristics and co-mutations were analyzed according to the mutational status. Furthermore, multivariate analysis was used to identify the impact of EZH2 mutations on outcome. Results: EZH2-mutations were found in 63 of 1604 (4%) patients, with a median VAF of 44% (range 6-97%; median coverage 3077x). Mutations were detected within several exons (2-6; 8-12; 14-20) with highest frequencies in exons 17 and 18 (29%). The majority of detected mutations (71% missense and 29% nonsense/frameshift) were single nucleotide variants (SNVs) (87%), followed by small indel mutations. Descriptive statistics of clinical parameters and associated co-mutations revealed significant differences between EZH2-mut and -wt patients. At diagnosis, patients with EZH2 mutations were significantly older (median age 59 yrs) than EZH2-wt patients (median 56 yrs; p=0.044). In addition, significantly fewer EZH2-mut patients (71%) were diagnosed with de novo AML compared to EZH2-wt patients (84%; p=0.036). Accordingly, EZH2-mut patients had a higher rate of secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) (21%), evolving from prior MDS or after prior chemotherapy (tAML) (8%; p=0.036). Also, bone marrow (and blood) blast counts differed between the two groups (EZH2-mut patients had significantly lower BM and PB blast counts; p=0.013). In contrast, no differences were observed for WBC counts, karyotype, ECOG performance status and ELN-2017 risk category compared to EZH2-wt patients. Based on cytogenetics according to the 2017 ELN criteria, 35% of EZH2-mut patients were categorized with favorable risk, 28% had intermediate and 37% adverse risk. No association was seen with -7/7q-. In the group of EZH2-mut AML patients, significantly higher rates of co-mutations were detected in RUNX1 (25%), ASXL1 (22%) and NRAS (25%) compared to EZH2-wt patients (with 10%; 8% and 15%, respectively). Vice versa, concomitant mutations in NPM1 were (non-significantly) more common in EZH2-wt patients (33%) vs EZH2-mut patients (21%). For other frequently mutated genes in AML there was no major difference between EZH2-mut and -wt patients, e.g. FLT3ITD (13%), FLT3TKD (10%) and CEBPA (24%), as well as genes encoding epigenetic modifiers, namely, DNMT3A (21%), IDH1/2 (11/14%), and TET2 (21%). The correlation of EZH2 mutational status with clinical outcomes showed no effect of EZH2 mutations on the rate of complete remission (CR), relapse free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) (with a median OS of 18.4 and 17.1 months for EZH2-mut and -wt patients, respectively) in the univariate analyses. Likewise, the multivariate analysis with clinical variable such as age, cytogenetics and WBC using Cox proportional hazard regression, revealed that EZH2 mutations were not an independent risk factor for OS or RFS. Conclusion EZH mutations are recurrent alterations in patients with AML. The association with certain clinical factors and typical mutations such as RUNX1 and ASXL1 points to the fact that these mutations are associated with secondary AML. Our data do not indicate that EZH2 mutations represent an independent prognostic factor. Disclosures Middeke: Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Rollig:Bayer: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding. Scholl:Jazz Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbivie: Other: Travel support; Alexion: Other: Travel support; MDS: Other: Travel support; Novartis: Other: Travel support; Deutsche Krebshilfe: Research Funding; Carreras Foundation: Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hochhaus:Pfizer: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding. Brümmendorf:Janssen: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Burchert:AOP Orphan: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Krause:Novartis: Research Funding. Hänel:Amgen: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Platzbecker:Celgene: Research Funding. Mayer:Eisai: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Johnson & Johnson: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding. Serve:Bayer: Research Funding. Ehninger:Cellex Gesellschaft fuer Zellgewinnung mbH: Employment, Equity Ownership; Bayer: Research Funding; GEMoaB Monoclonals GmbH: Employment, Equity Ownership. Thiede:AgenDix: Other: Ownership; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding.

The well-established neuroprotective effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been attributed to its metabolism in the brain to provide estrogens known to be neuroprotective and to enhance memory and learning in humans and animals. However, our previous work showed that the conversion of DHEA to 4-androstenedione (AD), the precursor of estrone (E(1)) and estradiol (E(2)), is very low in several different types of neural cells, and that the main product is 7alpha-hydroxy-DHEA (7alpha-OH-DHEA). In this study, we found that microglia are an exception and produce mainly 5-androstene-3beta,17beta-diol (Delta(5)-Adiol), a C(19) steroid with estrogen-like activity from DHEA. Virtually, no other products, including testosterone (T) were detected by TLC or HPLC in incubations of (3)H-labeled DHEA with the BV2 microglial cell line. Microglia are important brain cells that are thought to play a house-keeping role during the steady state, and that are crucial to the brain's immune reaction to injury and the healing process. Our findings suggest that the microglia-produced Delta(5)-Adiol might have a role in modulating estrogen-sensitive neuroplastic events in the brain, in the absence of adequate local synthesis of estrone and estradiol.

Objectives Metabolites of vitamin D in maternal-neonatal dyads remain relatively unexplored. The goal of this study was to evaluate concentrations of 25(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, and 3-epi-25(OH)D3 in maternal-infant pairs at delivery. Methods Serum samples of maternal and infant cord blood were collected on 131 mother-infant pairs at delivery. Vitamin D metabolites were analyzed in triplicate using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Fisher exact test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and Spearman correlation coefficients. Results Mean 25(OH)D3 concentrations in maternal and cord blood were 32.9 and 18.5 ng/mL, respectively; mean maternal and cord 24,25(OH)2D3 were 2.0 versus 1.1 ng/mL, respectively. Absolute concentrations of 3-epi-25(OH)D3 were similar in maternal and cord samples (2.4 vs 2.2 ng/mL), whereas the proportion of the total 25(OH)D as the 3-epimer was 6.5% in maternal samples and 10.5% in cord samples. This suggests that the fetus contributes significantly to 3-epi-25(OH)D3 production. In contrast, the ratio of 25(OH)D3:24,25(OH)2D3 was identical in maternal and cord samples (18.5) suggesting equivalent CYP24A1 activity in mother and fetus. Maternal and cord metabolite levels were highly correlated (r = 0.78, 0.90, 0.89 for 25(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, and 3-epi-25(OH)D3, respectively, P = 0.001 for all). Serum concentrations of all metabolites were lower in nonwhite infants compared with white infants. Maternal and cord concentrations of 25(OH)D3 were positively associated with birth weight (r = 0.21, P = 0.02; r = 0.25, P = 0.003, respectively). Conclusions This data suggests that although maternal and cord concentrations of vitamin D metabolites are highly correlated, regulation of specific vitamin D metabolites in the mother and the neonate may be mediated independently.

Vitamin D receptor (VDR)-mediated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3)-dependent gene expression is compromised in the VDR null mouse. The biological consequences include: hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1,25(OH)2D3, and consequential skeletal abnormalities. CYP24A1 is a cytochrome P450 enzyme that is involved in the side chain oxidation and destruction of both 1,25(OH)2D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH-D3). In the current studies, we used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry technology to compare the metabolic profiles of VDR null mice fed either a normal or a calcium and phosphate-enriched rescue diet and to assess the consequence of transgenic expression of either mouse or human VDR genes in the same background. Serum 1,25(OH)2D3 levels in VDR null mice on normal chow were highly elevated (>3000 pg/mL) coincident with undetectable levels of catabolites such as 24,25-(OH)2D3 and 25-OH-D3-26,23-lactone normally observed in wild-type mice. The rescue diet corrected serum Ca++, PTH, and 1,25(OH)2D3 values and restored basal expression of Cyp24a1 as evidenced by both renal expression of Cyp24a1 and detection of 24,25-(OH)2D3 and the 25-OH-D3-26,23-lactone. Unexpectedly, this diet also resulted in supranormal levels of 3-epi-24,25-(OH)2D3 and 3-epi-25-OH-D3-26,23-lactone. The reappearance of serum 24,25-(OH)2D3 and renal Cyp24a1 expression after rescue suggests that basal levels of Cyp24a1 may be repressed by high PTH. Introduction of transgenes for either mouse or human VDR also normalized vitamin D metabolism in VDR null mice, whereas this metabolic pattern was unaffected by a transgene encoding a ligand binding-deficient mutant (L233S) human VDR. We conclude that liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolic profiling is an ideal analytical method to study mouse models with alterations in calcium/phosphate homeostasis.

Treatment success in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is heterogeneous. Cytogenetic and molecular alterations are strong prognostic factors, which have been used to individualize treatment. Here, we studied the impact of TP53 mutations on the outcome of AML patients with adverse cytogenetic risk treated with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Samples of 97 patients with AML and adverse-risk cytogenetics who had received a HSCT within three randomized trials were analysed. Complete sequencing of the TP53 coding region was performed using next generation sequencing. The median age was 51 years. Overall, TP53 mutations were found in 40 patients (41%). With a median follow up of 67 months, the three-year probabilities of overall survival (OS) and event-free survival for patients with TP53 wild type were 33% [95% confidence interval (CI), 21% to 45%] and 24% (95% CI, 13% to 35%) compared to 10% (95% CI, 0% to 19%) and 8% (95% CI, 0% to 16%) (P = 0·002 and P = 0·007) for those with mutated TP53, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the TP53-mutation status had a negative impact on OS (Hazard Ratio = 1·7; P = 0·066). Mutational analysis of TP53 might be an important additional tool to predict outcome after HSCT in patients with adverse karyotype AML.

Loss-of-function mutations of CYP24A1 (which encodes the 25-OH-D3-24-hydroxylase) have recently been reported to cause hypercalcemia.The aims of this study were: 1) to evaluate the frequency of CYP24A1 mutations in patients with medical history of hypercalcemia; 2) to show the clinical utility of a simultaneous assay of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH-D3) and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (24,25-[OH]2D3) by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS); and 3) to investigate biochemical parameters in heterozygous gene carriers with CYP24A1 mutations.We screened for CYP24A1 mutations in 72 patients with serum calcium levels2.6 mmol/L and PTH levels20 pg/mL and recruited 24 relatives after genetic counseling for subsequent investigations. Vitamin D metabolite concentrations were assessed in a subset of patients by LC-MS/MS and results expressed as a ratio (R) of 25-OH-D3:24,25-(OH)2D3.Twenty-five patients with hypercalcemia (35%) harbored CYP24A1 variations. Twenty (28%) had biallelic variations, mostly found in subjects with nephrocalcinosis or renal stones (19/20). Five patients, all neonates, were heterozygous, without renal disease. We describe 15 new variations leading to loss-of-function according to pathogenicity prediction programs, and we functionally characterized 5 of them in vitro. A dramatic increase of R, usually80, was found in patients harboring biallelic mutations providing evidence in vivo for the loss of CYP24A1 activity. In contrast, R value remains25 in patients without CYP24A1 mutations. Subjects carrying one mutant allele, hypercalcemic individuals, as well as gene-carrier relatives, had a detectable 24,25-(OH)2D3 level and R25, indicating normal 24-hydroxylase activity.CYP24A1 biallelic mutations are frequently found in patients presenting with hypercalcemia, low PTH, and renal disease. We confirm the accuracy and effectiveness of a novel blood test estimating the ratio between relevant vitamin D metabolites as a useful screening tool for CYP24A1 mutations. Haploinsufficiency is not associated with CYP24A1 deficiency.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) as a postremission therapy in patients with FLT3-ITD-positive intermediate-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains controversial. FLT3-ITD mutations are heterogeneous with respect to allelic ratio, location, and length of the insertion, with a high mutant-to-wild-type ratio consistently associated with inferior prognosis. We retrospectively analyzed the role of alloHCT in first remission in relationship to the allelic ratio and presence or absence of nucleophosmin 1 mutations (NPM1) in the Study Alliance Leukemia AML2003 trial. FLT3-ITD mutations were detected in 209 patients and concomitant NPM1 mutations in 148 patients. Applying a predefined cutoff ratio of .8, AML was grouped into high- and low-ratio FLT3-ITD AML (HR(FLT3-ITD) and LR(FLT3-ITD)). Sixty-one patients (29%) were transplanted in first remission. Overall survival (OS) (HR, .3; 95% CI, .16 to .7; P = .004) and event-free survival (EFS) (HR, .4; 95% CI, .16 to .9; P = .02) were significantly increased in patients with HR(FLT3-ITD) AML who received alloHCT as consolidation treatment compared with patients who received consolidation chemotherapy. Patients with LR(FLT3-ITD) AML and wild-type NPM1 who received alloHCT in first remission had increased OS (HR, .3; 95% CI, .1 to .8; P = .02) and EFS (HR, .2; 95% CI, .1 to .8; P = .02), whereas alloHCT in first remission did not have a significant impact on OS and EFS in patients with LR(FLT3-ITD) AML and concomitant NPM1 mutation. In conclusion, our results provide additional evidence that alloHCT in first remission improves EFS and OS in patients with HR(FLT3-ITD) AML and in patients with LR(FLT3-ITD) AML and wild-type NPM1.

Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH-D3) concentration in pregnancy increases the risk of preeclampsia (PE) based on studies from countries with vitamin D fortification policy. The objective of this stu...

BACKGROUND24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25(OH)2D] in serum may be both a nuisance and nutritionally valuable.METHODSWe investigated the impact of 24,25(OH)2D3 on the performance of commercially available immunoassays for serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] using (a) serum from a nationally representative sample of adults, (b) serum from a spiking experiment, and (c) data from the UK Vitamin D External Quality Assurance Scheme (DEQAS). We also investigated the utility of the serum ratio of 24,25(OH)2D3 to 25(OH)D as an index of inactivation and of response to vitamin D supplementation using randomized controlled trial (RCT) data. Measurement of 24,25(OH)2D in sera by a LC-MS/MS method allowed for an investigation of its impact on immunoassay-derived serum 25(OH)D values as well as its clinical utility. We report data from a nationally representative sample of adults, a recent vitamin D RCT in older adults, and DEQAS.RESULTS24,25(OH)2D3 contributed to the positive bias observed in some immunoassays relative to LC-MS/MS-derived estimates for total 25(OH)D. A spiking experiment showed that the degree of cross-reactivity with 24,25(OH)2D was high and may underpin this positive bias. Adjustment for 24,25(OH)2D3 concentration brought estimates closer to true values. Data from the vitamin D RCT showed that the ratio of 24,25(OH)2D3 to 25(OH)D was associated with serum 25(OH)D3 and with response of serum 25(OH)D to vitamin D supplementation.CONCLUSIONSOur findings highlight that the effect of 24,25(OH)2D3 in serum is a double-edged sword—an interferent for some immunoassays, yet potentially informative of nutritional status.

Vitamin D status during infancy has been associated with important pediatric health outcomes; however concentrations of many vitamin D metabolites in premature infants are not yet described. The objective of this study was to evaluate concentrations of 25(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, and 3-epi-25(OH)D3 in premature infants.32 infants32 weeks gestation were randomized to receive 400 or 800IU/day of vitamin D3 orally. Vitamin D metabolites from serum obtained monthly were analyzed in triplicate using a novel, very sensitive Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry-based method. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon Rank Sum test, and Spearman correlation coefficients. Measurements over time were fit with linear mixed effect models. A p-value of0.05 was considered statistically significant.Mean serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations in cord blood were 17.3 ng/mL; mean 3-epi-25(OH)D3 were 1.3 ng/mL, mean 24,25(OH)2D3 were 1.4 ng/mL. Both 25(OH)D3 and 3-epi-25(OH)D3 increased significantly over time, and the percent of total 25(OH)D3 concentration that was 3-epi-25(OH)D3 also increased significantly (7.2% vs. 29.7%, p 0.0001 for cord blood vs. 8 weeks). Serum 25(OH)D3:24,25(OH)2D3 ratios at weeks 4 and 8 were higher than ratios reported in older children and adults.Vitamin D metabolism in infants appears to have distinct differences from adults. Vitamin D supplementation was effective in raising 25(OH)D3 concentrations; however significant increases in 3-epi-25(OH)D3 also occurred. Increased 25(OH)D3: 24,25(OH)2D3 ratios in premature infants may be due to immature expression of CYP24A1. Further work is necessary to determine if there are developmental advantages to this unique vitamin D metabolism.

Deciding on which supportive device, orthotic, or prosthetic is best suited for a given patient is a complex process involving many different factors. The ability to manage biomechanical abnormalities successfully may be enhanced by an understanding of the properties of the various materials that comprise these devices, their effect on functional performance, and other associated patient factors. Veterinary health care providers are faced with the challenge of effectively addressing the physiologic and fiscal needs of the patient in a rapidly changing patient care environment.

Background Recommendations for vitamin D supplementation for preterm infants span a wide range of doses. Response to vitamin D supplementation and impact on outcomes in preterm infants is not well understood. Objective Evaluate serum 25(OH)D3 concentration changes after 4 weeks in response to two different doses of vitamin D3 supplementation in a population of premature infants and quantify the impact on NICU outcomes. Design 32 infants born at 24–32 weeks gestation were prospectively randomized to receive 400 or 800 IU/day vitamin D3 supplementation. Serum 25(OH)D3 levels were measured every 4 weeks. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare serum levels of 25(OH)D3 at 4 weeks and each subsequent time point. A p-value of

Objective The supernatant of Lactobacillus johnsonii La1 culture was shown to be bactericidal and to have a partial, acid-independent suppressive effect on Helicobacter pylori in humans. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of L. johnsonii La1 -acidified milk (LC-1) on H. pylori infection. Design and methods Fifty-three volunteers infected with H. pylori as determined by positive 13 C-urea breath test and positive serology were randomized to receive either LC-1 or a placebo 180 ml twice a day for 3 weeks. All subjects also received clarithromycin 500 mg bid during the last two weeks of acidified milk therapy. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and biopsies were performed at inclusion and repeated 4-8 weeks after the end of the treatment. H. pylori infection was confirmed by urease test and histology. H. pylori density and inflammation were scored using a modified Sydney classification. Results LC-1 ingestion induced a decrease in H. pylori density in the antrum (P= 0.02) and the corpus (P= 0.04). LC-1 also reduced inflammation and gastritis activity in the antrum (P = 0.02 and P = 0.01, respectively) and of activity in the corpus (P=0.02). Clarithromycin eradicated H. pylori in 26% of the subjects; LC-1 did not improve the antibiotic effect. Conclusion These results suggest that H. pylori infection and gastritis can be down-regulated by LC-1.

A 31-year–old white male patient was transferred from a local district hospital for suspected pericardial mass. Two months earlier he had been admitted there for worsening shortness of breath and subsequently was diagnosed with a large pericardial effusion. He had no other pertinent past medical history. After pericardiocentesis (1.5 L) there was no evidence of malignant cells on cytology, and a computed tomography scan did not reveal any abnormality. Thus, the incident was interpreted as (viral) infectious pericarditis and the patient clinically improved under anti-inflammatory medication within 4 weeks. After that, while on a holiday in Tunisia, he again reported worsening shortness of breath. On day 6 of his holiday, he suddenly passed out and was admitted to a local hospital for unexplained syncope, where again a large pericardial effusion was seen. This time, after another pericardiocentesis (1 L), a pericardial mass was suspected …

Introduction: The ELN classification of cytogenetic aberrations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) distinguishes favorable risk, intermediate risk I and II and adverserisk. The adverse-risk group contains patients (pts) with inv(3) and t(3;3). These pts have a significantly poorer outcome compared to other cytogenetic aberrations. The MRC classification considers both pts with inv(3) and t(3;3) as well as patients with other abn(3q) as adverse risk, but excludes t(3;5). Pts with inv(3) or t(3;3) have breakpoints located on the long arm of chromosome 3 at q21 and q26. As a result of these chromosomal modifications, an enhancer-protein is deregulated and the stem-cell regulator zinc finger protein EVI1 on 3q26 is over expressed. Other 3q aberrations do not involve EVI1. We conducted a comparative analysis on the impact of abn(3q) with likely EVI1 alteration versus abn(3q) without EVI1 involvement. Analyses were done both in the entire group of abn(3q) pts and in the subgroup of pts treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis on 163 patients with an abnormality on the q arm of chromosome 3 (abn(3q)). These pts were treated between 1996 and 2009 in three multicenter studies by the German SAL study group (AML2003, AML96, AML60+). Pts with t(3;5) were excluded (n=11). The remaining 152 patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (EVI1) contained 56 patients with a chromosomal aberration likely to alter EVI1, i.e. t(3;3), inv(3) and abn(3)(q26). Group 2 (noEVI1) comprised the remaining 96 patients displaying other abn(3q) aberrations. We compared groups for baseline characteristics, complete remission (CR), relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in total and stratified for treatment. Results: Descriptive comparison of the groups (EVI1 vs noEVI1) revealed a significantly higher WBC count (14.3 vs 4.6 Gpt/l), PLT count (62 vs 47 Gpt/l) and -7 incidence (29% vs 16%) in the EVI1 group, whereas in the noEVI1 group, complex aberrations (25% vs 74%) and 17p alterations (0% vs 24%) occurred in a higher proportion of pts. CR rates (52% vs 47%), median RFS (7 vs 6 months) and median OS (6 vs 7 months) did not differ significantly between the two groups. In order to explore the clinical behavior of the different abn(3q) aberrations in relation to allogeneic HSCT, we compared EVI1 pts (n=21) versus noEVI1 pts (n=38) who received an allogeneic HSCT at any time during treatment. Patients with aberrant EVI1 were significantly younger (median age 44 vs 52 years), had a higher incidence of -7 (29% vs 13%), but less frequent karyotype complexity (10% vs 74%) or 17p alterations (0% vs 24%). More patients in the EVI1 group achieved a first CR before HSCT (95% vs 84%). Amongst CR pts, median RFS was slightly higher in the EVI1group (9 vs 6 months). In all abn(3q) pts with allogeneic HSCT, median OS was 30 months in the EVI1 group and only 12.5 months in the noEVI1 group. According to the log-rank test, this difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.137). The advantage in mean OS for EVI1 patients is most likely due to the higher proportion of patients transplanted in CR while the accumulation of complex karyotypes in the noEVI1 group caused more primary resistant AML cases with a rapid progression even after allogeneic HSCT. Conclusions: Although AML development may be based on different molecularbiological mechanisms in patients with different abn(3q) aberrations depending on EVI1 alteration, the prognosis of the two groups is very similar. The most likely reason is the equal balance of favorable and adverse prognostic factors between the two groups such as age, karyotype complexity, 17p alteration and -7. Patients of both groups benefit from allogeneic HSCT to a similar extent. Confirmation of these results on larger data sets is desirable and under way. Disclosures Baldus: Novartis: Research Funding. Einsele:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen/Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Thiede:Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AgenDix GmBH: Equity Ownership.

CYP24A1 is the cytochrome P450 component of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3)-24-hydroxylase enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (25-OH-D(3)) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)) into 24-hydroxylated products, which constitute the degradation of the vitamin D molecule. This review focuses on recent data in the CYP24A1 field, including biochemical, physiological and clinical developments. Notable among these are: the first crystal structure for rat CYP24A1; mutagenesis studies which change the regioselectivity of the enzyme; and the finding that natural inactivating mutations of CYP24A1 cause the genetic disease idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia (IIH). The review also discusses the emerging correlation between rising serum phosphate/FGF-23 levels and increased CYP24A1 expression in chronic kidney disease, which in turn underlies accelerated degradation of both serum 25-OH-D(3) and 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) in this condition. This review concludes by evaluating the potential clinical utility of blocking this enzyme with CYP24A1 inhibitors in various disease states.

Contains fulltext : 79937.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) From 2002 to 2007, 103 patients with primary myelofibrosis or postessential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera myelofibrosis and a median age of 55 years (range, 32-68 years) were included in a prospective multicenter phase 2 trial to determine efficacy of a busulfan (10 mg/kg)/fludarabine (180 mg/m(2))-based reduced-intensity conditioning regimen followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation from related (n = 33) or unrelated donors (n = 70). All but 2 patients (2%) showed leukocyte and platelet engraftment after a median of 18 and 22 days, respectively. Acute graft-versus-host disease grade 2 to 4 occurred in 27% and chronic graft-versus-host disease in 43% of the patients. Cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality at 1 year was 16% (95% confidence interval, 9%-23%) and significantly lower for patients with a completely matched donor (12% vs 38%; P = .003). The cumulative incidence of relapse at 3 years was 22% (95% confidence interval, 13%-31%) and was influenced by Lille risk profile (low, 14%; intermediate, 22%; and high, 34%; P = .02). The estimated 5-year event-free and overall survival was 51% and 67%, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, age older than 55 years (hazard ratio = 2.70; P = .02) and human leukocyte antigen-mismatched donor (hazard ratio = 3.04; P = .006) remained significant factors for survival. The study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT 00599547.

Introduction: Sequential high dose (SHiDo) chemotherapy with stem cell support has been shown to prolong the event-free survival in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Methods: To confirm this result in a multicenter trial, we randomized patients with aggressive NHL, to receive either eight cycles of CHOP or SHiDo. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Results: 129 evaluable patients were randomized to receive either CHOP or SHiDo: median age, 48 years; 62% male; stage III+IV: 73%; age adjusted International Prognostic Index 1/2/3: 21%/52%/27%. Toxicity grades 3+4 were more pronounced in the SHiDo-arm with 13% versus 3% of patients with fever; 34% versus 13% with infections; 13% versus 2% with esophagitis/dysphagia/gastric ulcer. The remission rates were similar in SHiDo and CHOP arms with 34%/37% complete remissions and 31%/31% partial remissions, respectively. After a median observation time of 48 months, there was no difference in overall survival at 3 years, with 46% for SHiDo and 53% for CHOP ( P= 0.48). Conclusion: In this multicenter trial, early intensification with SHiDo did not confer any survival benefit in previously untreated patients with aggressive NHL and was associated with a higher incidence of grades 3/4 toxicity.

The best strategy for incorporating imatinib in front-line treatment of Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has not been established. We enrolled 92 patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL in a prospective, multicenter study to investigate sequentially 2 treatment schedules with imatinib administered concurrent to or alternating with a uniform induction and consolidation regimen. Coadministration of imatinib and induction cycle 2 (INDII) resulted in a complete remission (CR) rate of 95% and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) negativity for BCR-ABL in 52% of patients, compared with 19% in patients in the alternating treatment cohort (P = .01). Remarkably, patients with and without a CR after induction cycle 1 (INDI) had similar hematologic and molecular responses after concurrent imatinib and INDII. In the concurrent cohort, grades III and IV cytopenias and transient hepatotoxicity necessitated interruption of induction in 87% and 53% of patients, respectively; however, duration of induction was not prolonged when compared with patients receiving chemotherapy alone. No imatinib-related severe hematologic or nonhematologic toxicities were noted with the alternating schedule. In each cohort, 77% of patients underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in first CR (CR1). Both schedules of imatinib have acceptable toxicity and facilitate SCT in CR1 in the majority of patients, but concurrent administration of imatinib and chemotherapy has greater antileukemic efficacy.

Introduction Aberrant DNA methylation is a common feature of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and increases with age. DNMT inhibitors such as Azacitidine (AZA) can induce meaningful responses and remissions in AML as monotherapy. The combination of AZA with standard chemotherapy (7+3) has not been tested in a randomized trial. Patients and study design The AML-AZA trial compared AZA directly followed by standard induction therapy, AZA followed by standard consolidation, and further Azacitdine maintenance with standard induction and consolidation without AZA in older patients with AML. All patients received standard Cytarabine (100 mg/sqm) and Daunorubicin (60 mg/sqm) induction (“7+3”) and up to two cycles of intermediate dose Cytarabine (1 g/sqm q12hr days 1, 3, 5) as consolidation therapy. AZA (75 mg/sqm for 5 days) preceded each therapy cycle in the AZA arm. In addition, AZA maintenance for up to 1 year was also scheduled for patients in the AZA arm. 105 patients were randomized to receive AZA plus Cytarabine plus Daunorubicin as induction therapy (AZA + 7+3) and 109 patients to receive 7+3 only (control group). Median age was 70 years in both treatment arms. Patient cohorts were well balanced with regard to blast counts in bone marrow, secondary versus de novo AML and molecular genetics risk group. More patients in the AZA + 7+3 arm (39/105; 37.1%) than in the control group (25/109; 22.9%) showed high risk cytogenetics (p=0.057). Event free survival (EFS) was the primary end point. Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), complete remission (CR) rate, toxicity and different treatment response according to molecular markers. Results Overall, 214 of 216 planned patients were enrolled into the AML-AZA trial. Due to a higher number of severe adverse events (SAE), AZA administration was stopped after recruitment of 214 patients whereas chemotherapy was continued as planned. Percentages of patients in the AZA arm with AZA doses as initially planned were as follows: 99% for first induction cycle, 72% for the second induction cycle. AZA as maintenance therapy for at least one cycle was delivered to 18% of patients in the AZA group. At least one SAE occurred in 51% of AZA + 7+3 patients compared to 31% of 7+3 patients (p=0.005). Cardiac disorders with CTCAE grade 3-5 occurred more frequently in the AZA + 7+3 arm (n = 15) than in the 7+3 arm (n = 6) (not significant). Leukopenia was prolonged by one day (median 23 vs 22 days) in the AZA + 7+3 group (p=0.043), whereas time of thrombocytopenia was not different. The early death rates at 30, 60 and 90 days did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Efficacy analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. Median EFS as the primary endpoint was 6 months in both treatment arms (p=0.96). Median OS was 16 months for patients treated with AZA + 7+3 and 21 months for 7+3 (p=0.35). Median relapse free survival was 12 months in both treatment arms (p=0.95). 48 of 100 patients (48%) in the AZA + 7+3 arm achieved complete remission (CR) after induction therapy versus 57 of 109 patients (52%) in the 7+3 arm (p=0.58). DNMT3A exon 23 mutations were detected in 30 out of 162 analyzed patients. Exploratory analyses were performed to detect a potential interaction between AZA + 7+3 response and DNMT3A mutation status. Trends for improved EFS and OS were noted for AZA + 7+3 treatment in DNMT3A mutated patients. Conclusion AZA as addition prior to standard induction and consolidation chemotherapy does not prolong EFS and OS in unselected older AML patients and it is more toxic. However, a trend towards better efficacy in patients with DNMT3A mutation was observed and should be further explored. Disclosures Müller-Tidow: Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Thiede:AgenDix GmbH: Equity Ownership, Research Funding; Illumina: Research Support, Research Support Other. Kiehl:Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Brümmendorf:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding. Ehninger:GEMoaB GmbH: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties.

Studies to elucidate the role of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) metabolism in neuroprotection have compared its relative 7-hydroxylation against estrogen formation by way of 4-androstenedione (AD) in various rodent brain cell lines. In all cases, the 7alpha- and 7beta-hydroxy epimers of DHEA were found to be the dominant products with one notable exception. BV2 mouse microglia were virtually unable to hydroxylate DHEA at C-7 and converted AD to a major unknown metabolite not observed with mouse BHc hippocampal cells. In this paper, we describe the identification of this compound based on its physical properties and analysis by TLC and HPLC. Its identity as 3beta-hydroxy-4-androstene-17-one, the Delta(4)-isomer of DHEA, was confirmed by mass spectrometry (LC/MS), as well as by reverse isotope dilution analysis involving co-crystallization with the synthetic steroid. Possible mechanisms for the formation of this isomer of DHEA by BV2 microglia are proposed, together with that of other C-19 steroids detected which include testosterone (T), 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone and 5alpha-androstanedione.

Background: Vitamin D may be important in the causal pathway to breast cancer (BC) by influencing breast density, a potential intermediate biomarker for carcinogenesis. However, previous study results are inconsistent, particularly among postmenopausal women. Our objectives were to prospectively examine the relationship between blood biomarkers of vitamin D (serum 25-OH-D) and mammographic breast density (MD) in postmenopausal women at northern latitudes. Potential effect modifications by calcium or exemestane therapy on the relationship between serum 25-OH-D and follow-up MD were also examined. Methods: The NCIC Clinical Trials Group conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing exemestane (E) with placebo (P) in 4560 postmenopausal women at high risk for developing BC (MAP.3) (Goss, NEJM 2011). Using a nested observational design, we evaluated a cohort of participants from across Canada and Buffalo, NY. BC risk factor information was previously collected; primary exposure and outcome data were obtained from serum samples and mammograms. Serum 25-OH-D was measured using state-of-the-art LC-MS/MS from samples collected at baseline and year 1. Values for year 1 samples were adjusted to match the month of sampling for the baseline sample month and these samples were averaged. Baseline and ≥ 3 year follow-up percent MD were centrally assessed, blinded to treatment allocation and vitamin D levels, using Cumulus software. Linear regression was used to estimate the effect of serum 25-OH-D on log transformed percent MD at ≥ 3 year follow-up controlling for month of sampling and potential confounders of age, body mass index, first degree family history of BC and calcium. Results: Percent MD was measured for 568 participants (E=287, P=281) with a ≥ 3 year follow-up mammogram obtained from 21 (91%) Canadian sites participating in MAP.3 and one US site in Buffalo, NY. The mean age of these women at study entry was 62 years and they were followed for a mean of 3.7 years. The geometric mean percent MD of the follow-up mammograms was 4.3%. A random sample of 10% (N=102) of mammograms was repeated with high intra-rater reliability (correlation coefficient = 0.95). Unadjusted for month of blood collection, the mean serum 25-OH-D concentration was 36.5 ng/mL (SD=10.6) based on pooled baseline and year one serum samples. After controlling for month of sampling and potential confounders, serum 25-OH-D was not predictive of log transformed percent MD (p=0.25). Statistically significant interactions with calcium (above vs. below the median calcium value p=0.30) or exemestane (p=0.99) on the serum 25-OH-D and MD relationship were not detected. Preliminary results suggest some evidence that low vitamin D ( Conclusion: In this nested observational study, no association between serum 25-OH-D levels and percent MD at ≥ 3 year follow-up was detected after controlling for month of sampling and many well established BC risk factors. This study was funded by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The MAP.3 trial was supported by Pfizer. The NCIC CTG is supported by the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute. Citation Format: Melanie Walker, Harriet Richardson, Paul Goss, Doris Jabs, Glenville Jones, Martin Kaufmann, Jean Wactawski-Wende, Angela Cheung, Eric Winquist, Silvana Spadafora, Susan Ellard, Amanda Hey, Andrew Cooke, Andrea Eisen, Shailendra Verma, Lavina Lickley, Dongsheng Tu, Karen Gelmon, Ralph Meyer, Will King. Vitamin D and mammographic density in postmenopausal women: A cohort study nested within the NCIC CTG MAP.3 chemoprevention trial. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B97.

Background Patients with follicular (FL) or mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) are incurable with conventional therapy. We investigated the safety and efficacy of rituximab consolidation after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in order to prevent relapse by clearance of minimal residual disease (MRD). Methods Rituximab was given ∼8 weeks after CD34+ cell enriched ASCT at 375 mg/m2, weekly for 4 weeks. Monitoring of MRD was performed by repetitive PCR analyses. Results Thirty-one patients were included; one died early after ASCT before rituximab administration. Thirty patients (20 FL, 10 MCL) were evaluable after rituximab consolidation, and 27 of these were assessable for MRD detection. Rituximab consolidation post-ASCT was safe, the most common toxicity being infection. At a median follow-up of 42 months (range 13–96) after ASCT, 25 patients were censored with an actuarial event-free survival (EFS) of 81% at 4 and 5 years. Four patients (two FL, two MCL) relapsed, and one additional MCL patient died unexpectedly in complete remission. PCR-negativity was observed in 22% of the patients before ASCT, 53% post-ASCT (P=0.0547), 72% after rituximab (P=0.0018) and 100% at 6 months post-transplant (P Conclusions One single course of rituximab consolidation given after ASCT is safe, may help to eliminate MRD and may translate into improved EFS in both FL and MCL patients.

Purpose The treatment success in patients (pts) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is very heterogeneous. Cytogenetic and molecular alterations present at diagnosis are strong prognostic factors, which have been used to individualize treatment. As shown by several groups, the subgroup of pts with deletion of the short arm of chromosome 17 are at high risk for treatment failure (e.g. Seifert, Leukemia 2009), which persists even after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) (Middeke, Blood 2012; Mohr, Br J Haematol 2013). Besides allelic loss of TP53 located on the short arm of chromosome 17, other mechanisms of inactivation have been shown for this key tumor suppressor gene, most importantly missense point mutations or small deletions. These alterations have also been linked to poor outcome in AML after chemotherapy (Grossmann, Blood 2012). Here, we studied the impact of TP53 mutations on the outcome of AML pts with adverse cytogenetic risk treated with HSCT. Patients and Methods We selected AML pts with complex karyotype (CK), monosomy 7, monosomy 5/del5q and/or abnl(17p) who had received HSCT within 3 randomized controlled trials (NCT numbers 00180115, 00180102, and 00180167). All pts were treated with intensive induction chemotherapy and HSCT according to a risk adapted strategy. Complete sequencing of the TP53coding region was done using next generation sequencing (NGS) on a 454 GS Junior instrument (Roche) using the IRONII-study amplicon panel. Amplicons were generated from genomic DNA isolated at the time of diagnosis. Data analysis was done using the Sequence Pilot software package (JSI Medical Systems), a 10% cut-off was used for mutation calling. Nonsynonymous mutations were classified into bi-allelic TP53 mutations if detected allelic frequency as determined by NGS was >50% and mono-allelic TP53 mutations for frequencies between 10% and 50%. All samples with synonymous mutations or no detectable mutations according to the predefined cut-off of 10% were classified as TP53wild type (wt). Overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) and non-relapse-mortality (NRM) after HSCT were analyzed according to the mutational status. Results Samples from 97 pts with AML were analysed, the median age was 51 years (range 18 to 67), 83% suffered from de novo AML, while 13% had sAML and 3% therapy-related myeloid neoplasms. CK and monosomal karyotype (MK) were present in 61% and 42% of the pts, respectively. Twenty-nine pts (30%) had abnl(17p) detected by conventional karyotyping or FISH analysis. Twenty-six pts (27%) were treated with standard myeloablative conditioning (MAC) regimens while the remaining pts received reduced intensity conditioning (RIC). Donors were siblings in 36 pts (37%) and matched or mismatched unrelated donors in all other pts. Overall, TP53 mutations were found in 40 pts (41%). Twenty-eight (29%) pts had a bi-allelic TP53 mutation while 12 (12%) pts had a mono-allelic TP53 mutation. We identified 15 pts with TP53 mutations without abnl(17p). Four pts with abnl(17p) had wt TP53. Pts with TP53 mutations were significantly older than pts with wt TP53 AML (median age 55 vs. 43, p=.004). Donor type, type of conditioning and the rate of transplantation in first complete remission were not statistically different among pts with or without TP53mutations. With a median follow up of 67 months the three-year probabilities of OS and EFS for pts with wt TP53 were 33% (95% CI, 21% to 45%) and 24% (95% CI, 13% to 35%) compared to 10% (95% CI, 0% to 19%) and 8% (95% CI, 0% to 16%) (p=.002 and p=.007) for those with mutated TP53, respectively. CIR at three years was 42% for pts with wt TP53 and 60% for those with mutated TP53 (p=.05). NRM was not different in both groups. In multivariate analysis including age, donor type (sibling vs. all other), type of conditioning (RIC vs. MAC) and disease status (CR1 vs. advanced disease) only the TP53-mutation status had a significant influence on EFS (HR=1.72; p=.03). In our analysis, classification according to MK did not significantly influence OS, EFS, CIR or NRM. Conclusion In this cohort of pts with cytogenetic adverse risk abnormalities, who had received HSCT, TP53 mutations were present in 41% of the pts. OS and EFS were significantly worse in pts with mutated TP53. Mutational analysis of TP53 might be an important additional tool to predict outcome after HSCT in pts with adverse karyotype AML. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 474 BACKGROUND: Autologous stem cell transplantation (autoSCT) is considered as standard treatment for non-frail patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). However, little is known about outcome of MCL recurrence after autoSCT. We therefore conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with MCL who failed autoSCT using the EBMT database. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE was to analyse outcome and prognostic factors after relapse following autoSCT for MCL in the rituximab era. PRIMARY ENDPOINT was overall survival (OS) from relapse. ELIGIBLE were patients aged 18 years or more who relapsed following an autoSCT for MCL performed between 2000 and 2010 and who were registered with the EBMT. Centres were contacted to provide additional information on relapse treatment. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS was based on log-rank comparisons and multivariable testing using Cox regression models. RESULTS: 1054 patients meeting the eligibility criteria could be identified in the EBMT registry. Of these, a full data set could be retrieved for 382 patients. Sixteen patients had to be excluded due to loss of follow up (n=7), wrong diagnosis (n=6), or falsely reported relapse (n=3). Median age at autoSCT of 366 evaluable patients was 59 years (range: 37 to 76), 290 patients (79%) were men. 64% had undergone autoSCT as part of 1st-line therapy; 68% and 49% had documented exposure to rituximab (RTX) and high-dose ara-C (HA) before autoSCT; and 12% had had refractory disease at autoSCT. Median time from autoSCT to relapse was 20 months (range: 0.4 to 117). 21 relapses (6%) occurred beyond 5 years after autoSCT. With a median observation time of 37 months (95% CI 32–43), median OS after relapse of the whole study group was 20 months. By univariate analysis, a long (>12mo) interval between autoSCT and relapse (p Salvage chemotherapy after relapse resulted in only 31% complete responses and 29% partial responses, whereas 40% of patients have been refractory to first salvage chemotherapy. 83 patients (23%) received an allogeneic SCT (alloSCT), whereas only 7 patients (2%) received a second autoSCT after relapse. Median time after relapse to second SCT was 7 months (range: 1 to 40). Survival after relapse for patients who received a second autoSCT was poor with no long-term survivor. AlloSCT performed for late relapse (>12mo) after autoSCT was associated with superior OS compared to patients who received an allograft upon a shorter remission duration after autoSCT (5-year OS from alloSCT 50% vs 0%; p=0.001; Figure 1B). Achievement of CR before alloSCT (p=0.05 HR=0.5), but not donor source, T-cell depletion or conditioning intensity affected OS after alloSCT. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MCL who relapse within one year after autoSCT have an extremely dismal outcome even with alloSCT. In contrast, about half of the patients who have MCL recurrence beyond one year after autoSCT and can undergo salvage alloSCT enjoy long-term survival. It remains to be shown if a similarly good outcome can be achieved without alloSCT in this favourable selection of patients. A 2nd autoSCT does not appear to be a promising option in patients with MCL failing a 1st autoSCT. Disclosures: Walewski: Mundipharma: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; GSK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen-Cilag: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cephalon: Research Funding.

Abstract 332 PURPOSE : In Multiple Myeloma (MM), the combination of serum beta-2-microglobulin level with serum albumin concentration has been proposed as an outcome predictor in the International Staging System (ISS). More recently, subgroups of MM defined by genetic and cytogenetic abnormalities have been associated with unique biologic, clinical, and prognostic features. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the prognostic value of 12 chromosomal abnormalities by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) in a series of 354 MM patients treated within the HOVON-65/GMMG-HD4 trial. Patients with newly diagnosed MM were randomized to receive either three cycles of VAD (arm A; vincristine, adriamycin, dexamethasone) or PAD (arm B; bortezomib, adriamycin, dexamethasone). All patients underwent autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) followed by maintenance therapy with thalidomide 50 mg daily (arm A) or bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 once every 2 weeks (arm B), respectively. In addition, a second cohort of patients was analyzed as a control group (n=462), undergoing ASCT at the University of Heidelberg between September 1994 and December 2010. RESULTS: For the entire group of patients treated within the HOVON-65/GMMG-HD4 trial, we identified 233 patients with 2 copies (67.7%), 95 patients with 3 copies (27.6%) and 16 patients (4.7%) with more than three copies of the chromosomal region 1q21. In addition to del(17p13) and t(4;14), we added +1q21 (>3 copies) to the group of high-risk aberrations, since the outcome of these patients was almost as poor as it was observed for patients with del(17p13). Subsequently, we analyzed whether combining the ISS score with information on the presence of high-risk aberrations could improve the prognostic value with regard to patients' outcome. A combination of the presence or absence of del(17p13), t(4;14), or +1q21 (>3 copies) with the ISS score allowed patients to be stratified into three distinct groups: low-risk [absence of del(17p13)/t(4;14)/+1q21 (>3 copies) and ISS I], high-risk [presence of del(17p13)/t(4;14)/+1q21 (>3 copies) and ISS II/III], and intermediate-risk (all remaining patients). Most of the patients belonged to the low- (33%) and intermediate-risk (49%) groups, whereas 18% were allocated to the high-risk group. The median PFS times for the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups were 41.9 months, 31.1 months (HR=1.7; p=0.0018) and 18.7 months (HR=3.6; p These results were confirmed in the independent cohort of patients: From date of first ASCT, the median PFS times for the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups were 43.3 months, 23.0 months (HR=1.5; p=0.015) and 13.8 months (HR=2.4; p=0.0003), respectively. The 4yr-OS decreased from 84% in the low-risk group to 71% (HR=2.1; p=0.0043) and 49% (HR=3.84; p CONCLUSION: In our series, the ISS/FISH-based score/algorithm predicted PFS and OS much better than the ISS alone. Our results with molecular cytogenetic techniques may already have implications for the risk-adapted clinical management of patients with MM particularly in younger patients. Disclosures: van de Velde: Ortho Biotech Oncology Research & Development: Employment. Sonneveld:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen-Cilag: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Onyx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Millennium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Abstract 255 Introduction: Standard treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) comprises one or two cycles of chemotherapy to induce complete remission (CR) followed by postremission treatment in order to prevent relapse of the disease (consolidation therapy). In 2003, we initiated a prospective multicenter randomized trial to investigate the impact of different consolidation strategies on long-term outcome in AML patients ≤ 60 years. Consolidation options comprised upfront allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo SCT) in aplasia after induction therapy, autologous SCT, and three cycles of standard high-dose-cytarabine-based consolidation. For patients receiving high-dose cytarabine, the main study aim was to evaluate the benefit of adding additional mitoxantrone and amsacrine to cytarabine consolidation. Design: From 2003 to 2009, 1182 patients (median age, 48 years; range 16–60 years) with untreated AML were randomly assigned at diagnosis to different consolidation strategies after classical 7+3 induction. According to the risk-adapted treatment strategy of the trial, cytogenetically or molecular intermediate-risk (IR) and adverse-risk (AR) patients should receive an allo SCT as consolidation treatment if an HLA-identical-sibling donor (IR) or HLA-matched related or unrelated donor (AR) was available. IR and AR patients with no available donor should receive autologous SCT. All favorable risk patients and patients with no available donor were scheduled for high-dose cytarabine based consolidation. Half of the patients were randomized for high dose cytarabine based consolidation. Half of the patients were randomized for high dose cytarabine alone while the other half received high dose cytarabine with the addition of amsacrine and mitoxantrone. Standard chemotherapy consisted of three cycles with high dose cytarabine (2 × 3 g/m2, day 1,3,5) whereas combined consolidation contained two cycles of MAC (cytarabine 2 × 1g/m2, day 1–6, mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2, day 4–6) plus one cycle of MAMAC (cytarabine 2 × 1 g/m2, day 1–5, amsacrine 100 mg/m2, day 1–5). In order to evaluate the effect of the two cytarabine based consolidation strategies, we determined overall survival (OS) and event free survival (EFS) using the method of Kaplan Meyer. Survival distributions were compared using the log rank test. Results: 1182 patients were randomized for further intervention (Arm A+B: n=582, 49.3%; Arm C+D: n=600, 50.7 %). Median follow-up was 41.4 months (95%-CI 39.3–43.6). A total number of 375 patients received allogeneic (n=322) or autologous SCT (n=53) and 807 patients were consolidated with cytarabine. Of these patients, 407 were randomized for cytarabine alone and 400were randomized to receive cytarabine plus mitoxantrone and amsacrine (MAC/MAC/MAMAC). Complete remission rate (CR) after second induction therapy was 59.1% (n=698). Between the four arms, there were no significant differences of the CR rates. Five-year OS of patients receiving high dose cytarabine alone was 47.1% (95%-CI 42.0–52.2%), for patients receiving MAC/MAMAC as consolidation therapy it was 46.8% (95%-CI 42.3–51.3%; p = 0.610). Three-year event free survival (EFS) was also not significant with 30.5% (95%-CI 26.6–34.4%) for patients receiving high dose cytarabine alone and 35.6% (95%-CI 31.7–39.5%; p = 0.059) for patients receiving MAC/MAMAC. Conclusions: According to our data, the addition of mitoxantrone and amsacrine to high dose cytarabine consolidation confers no benefit for treatment outcome in younger AML patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 305 Chromosomal aberrations are important prognostic parameters in multiple myeloma (MM). By using interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) on CD138-enriched plasma cells, specific changes in interphase cells can be detected, overcoming the lack of dividing cells required for conventional cytogenetics. We evaluated the association of FISH results and outcome of a subgroup of patients (pts) within the HOVON-65/GMMG-HD4 trial, a prospective, randomized phase III trial for pts with newly diagnosed MM stage II or III according to Salmon & Durie up to 65 years. Pts were randomized to receive three cycles of VAD (arm A; vincristine, adriamycin, dexamethasone) or PAD (arm B; bortezomib, adriamycin, dexamethasone). Hematopoietic stem cells were mobilized using the CAD regimen and G-CSF. All pts received one or two cycles of high dose melphalan (200 mg/m2) with autologous stem cell transplantation followed by maintenance therapy with thalidomide 50 mg daily (arm A) or bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 once every 2 weeks (arm B), respectively, for a maximum of 2 years. Sites in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium participated in this trial (n=833 pts). For the German pts (GMMG, n=399) FISH was performed in a single laboratory prior to start of treatment. Cytospins of CD138 purified plasma cells were subjected to FISH with two-color probe sets for the detection of numerical changes for the following chromosome regions: 1q21/8p21, 6q21/15q22, 9q34/22q11, 11q23/13q14, and 17p13/19q13, as well as for the translocations t(4;14)(p16;q32), t(11;14)(q13;q32), and t(14;16) (q32;q23). As of July 2010 data from the first consecutively enrolled 626 patients of the trial have been analyzed, including 284 GMMG pts. For this analysis, FISH results from 258 (91%) GMMG pts were available (n=131 in arm A; n=127 in arm B). Patient characteristics in the GMMG subgroup are comparable to the analyzed trial population of 626 pts. For all pts the median follow-up time from randomization was 40.3 months (mo.). The most pronounced impact on prognosis was seen for t(4;14), del17p13, and gain1q21, each significantly associated with poor prognosis with respect to progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The strongest prognostic impact was found for del17p13. FISH analysis detected del17p13 in 9.4% of pts (A: 12.3% vs. B: 6.4%), t(4;14) in 14.8 % (16.3% vs. 13.4%), and gain 1q21 in 33.7% of pts (33.1% vs. 34.4%). When comparing pts in the two arms for PFS, we found a borderline significance for the interaction between t(4;14) and treatment arm (p=0.06), indicating that the effect of t(4;14) depends on the treatment. Pts with t(4;14) in arm A show a very poor prognosis with a median PFS time only half as long compared to patients without translocation (18 vs. 36 mo.; p=0.003). No such negative effect was observed for patients in arm B with t(4;14) (36 vs. 40 mo.; p=0.97). PAD resulted in improved 3yr-OS rates for pts with t(4;14) (A:39% vs B:76%), while 3yr-OS was 79% and 87% in pts without t(4;14). Median PFS for pts with gain 1q21 was 22 mo. (arm A) vs. 30 mo. (arm B) compared to 41 mo. in both arms for patients without gain 1q21. Pts with gain 1q21 showed a significantly better OS when treated with bortezomib (3yr-OS rates: A: 59%, B: 83%, p=0.016). Del17p13 was significantly associated with poor prognosis in both arms for OS (A: p In conclusion our analysis confirms the significant negative prognostic impact of del17p13 and gain 1q21 on PFS and OS for pts with newly diagnosed MM. In our analysis, the negative impact of t(4;14) on PFS could almost completely be overcome by the bortezomib-based treatment. Pts with t(4;14) also showed improved OS when treated with bortezomib, but still had an inferior prognosis compared to pts without this cytogenetic aberration. Similarly, bortezomib significantly prolonged OS in patients with gain 1q21 but did only partially overcome the adverse effect of this aberration. The HOVON65/GMMG-HD4 trial (EudraCT nr 2004-000944-26) was supported by the Dutch Cancer Foundation, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and a grant from Janssen Cilag. The GMMG also received grants for this trial by Novartis, AMGEN, Chugai, Roche and the Tumorzentrum Heidelberg/Mannheim. Disclosures: Goldschmidt: Ortho Biotech: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Chugai: Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Off Label Use: bortezomib in newly diagnosed myeloma. Neben:Ortho Biotech: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Pfreundschuh:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Duehrsen:Ortho Biotech: Honoraria. Weisel:Ortho Biotech: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Scheid:Ortho Biotech: Honoraria. Velde:Johnson & Johnson: Employment. Schmidt-Wolf:Janssen Cilag: financial support (symposium); Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sonneveld:Johnson & Johnson: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Abstract 3351 Poster Board III-239 Objectives: The majority of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who receive allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) have fludarabine-refractory disease. The most active single agent in this disease stage is alemtuzumab. Alemtuzumab has a long half-life and induces profound T-cell depletion (TCD). Since TCD may mitigate graft-versus leukemia effects we evaluated „pre-conditioning“ with alemtuzumab followed by a washout period in order to minimize in vivo T-cell depletion of the graft in a phase II study (NCT 00337519). Methods: Patients received cytoreductive treatment with 3 × 30 mg alemtuzumab weekly prior to HCT. The scheduled interval between last dose of alemtuzumab and HCT was increased from two weeks to one month during the study. The antibody level at the day of HCT was measured with an ELISA with a lower limit of detection of 31.25 ng/mL (BioAnaLab lim., Oxford, UK). The conditioning regimen contained fludarabine (150 mg/m2) and busulfan (8 mg/kg). Cyclosporine (CSA) and methotrexate (MTX) were applied as GVHD-prophylaxis. Medically fit patients with relapsed CLL were elible. Results: 62 patients with a median age of 57 years were included between April, 2004 and October, 2008. A median of 3 prior regimens had been given. 55% of the patients had fludarabine-resistant disease. Two patients failed to reach HCT due to progressive disease during alemtuzumab therapy. Donors were matched siblings for 26 and matched unrelated donors for 34 patients. The median level of alemtuzumab in peripheral blood after a washout period of two weeks was 62 ng/mL (interquartile range, 45 to 196 ng/mL; minimum below the limit of detection; maximum 490 ng/mL) compared to a median level below the limit of detection after a delay of four weeks (interquartile range, between the limit of detection and 77 ng/mL, maximum 256 ng/mL) (p=0.005). Despite one month time between the last dose of alemtuzumab and HCT 4 out of 30 patients (13%) had alemtuzumab levels greater than 200 ng/mL. No primary or secondary graft failure occurred. A linear relationship between the alemtuzumab level at HCT and the time to complete CD4-T-cell chimerism (TCC) was observed (p=0.003). At day +100 a CD4 positive T-cell-chimerism (TCC) >95% had been achieved by 84% of patients with alemtuzumab levels 200 ng/mL (p=0.006). All patients had a complete neutrophil-chimerism at day +100. After early taper of immunosuppression (N=2) or the application of donor lymphocyte infusions in incremental doses (N=5) mixed TCC has been converted to complete TCC in all patients. The median follow-up is 17 months (1 to 61 months). Day +100 non-relapse mortality was 2%. At two years non-relapse mortality and relapse incidence were 21% and 29%, respectively. Two-year overall survival and progression-free survival were 67% (95% CI, 51% to 83%) and 50% (95% CI, 31% to 69%). Conclusions: In patients who received alemtuzumab prior to HCT, residual drug levels may interfere with T-cell engraftment. Lineage specific T-cell chimerism should therefore be assessed prospectively in this group of patients. Persistent mixed T-cell chimerism can be converted by an early taper of immunosuppression and incremental doses of donor lymphocyte infusions. Disclosures: Schetelig: Bayer Schering: Research Funding. Platzbecker:Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

131 Introduction. Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) after cytoreductive induction is considered standard of care for younger patients (pts) with multiple myeloma (MM). The previous standard of induction, the Vincristin-Adriamycin-Dexamethasone (VAD) combination, achieves inferior results compared with induction regimens which combine the proteasome inhibitor Velcade (V = Bortezomib) with Dexamethasone (D)(=VD) and a cytostatic drug such as Doxorubicin (PAD = VD plus Doxorubicin). Velcade-based induction therapy was shown to translate into better myeloma control after high dose melphalan and to lead to prolonged progression-free survival. In order to find a more efficacious and safer drug combination for induction therapy in MM, we tested the combination of Velcade with Cyclophosphamide and Dexamethasone (VCD). Methods. This trial was designed as an open, prospective, multi-center, uncontrolled, combined phase II/III study. As previously reported (Kropff M et al., Ann Hematol 2009), in the first 30 pts the optimal dose of iv Cyclophosphamide in combination with V and D was defined as 900 mg/m2 on d1. Between 03/2006 and 03/2009 we enrolled an additional 370 pts up to 60 years of age with untreated MM to receive three 3-week cycles of induction treatment with V 1.3 mg/m2 iv d1,4,8,11; D 40 mg/d orally d1,2,4,5,8,9,11,12; and C 900mg/m2 iv d1 before scheduled high dose melphalan and ASCT. The primary endpoint of the study is response rate on day 63 after 3 cycles of VCD according to EBMT and IMWG criteria. Results. Final data from 400 pts from 39 German centers will be presented at the meeting. In the currently evaluable 300 pts (mean age 52.3 years; 1.7% stage I, 21.3% stage II, 77.0% stage III) molecular cytogenetic analysis showed a prevalence of 13q- in 38%, of t[4;14] in 13% and of 17p- in 12% of pts (no changes in 35%). All 300 pts (88.3% of whom completed three cycles) were included in the intent-to-treat analysis. Overall response rate (ORR = CR+PR) was 84%, with 10% CR and 74% PR, 5.7% MR, 7.3% NC and 2.3% PD. The negative prognostic impact of 13q- or t[4;14] was abrogated (ORR normal 87.3%, 13q- 83.7%, t[4;14] 90.0%), the unfavorable influence of p53 loss in the 17p- subgroup was still detectable (ORR 69.2%) but this did not reach statistical significance. VGPR rates will be reported at the meeting. Serious adverse events were documented in 78/300 (26.0%) patients. Death rate was remarkably low (1.3%, of which one was not related to the trial medication). 155/300 (52%) of pts experienced grade 3/4 non-serious AEs and of these leucopenia (93/300 pts= 31%), thrombocytopenia (7%), neutropenia (6%), anaemia (5%) were the most frequent events. 80 AEs grade 3 or 4 and 45 SAEs were of infectious origin and occurred in 47/300 pts. 80/130 SAEs (61.5%) were at least possibly related to Velcade. 101/300 pts (34%) developed episodes of peripheral neuropathy. PNP was grade 1 in 62/300 pt (20.7%), grade 2 in 31/300 pt (10.3%) and grade 3 in 7/300 pts (2.3%). Conclusion. This analysis demonstrates that proteasome inhibition by Velcade in combination with Dexamethasone and iv Cyclophosphamide (VCD) is an induction regimen for newly diagnosed MM which is highly effective in a short period of time, has a rather low toxicity profile and is feasible for administration in an outpatient setting. Based on these characteristics, VCD qualifies to become a new standard for MM induction therapy. | Response to VCD | % | |:---------------:| --- | | ORR | 84 | | CR | 10 | | PR | 74 | | MR | 5.7 | | SD | 7.3 | | PD | 2.3 | Table 1: Response to study therapy (intent-to-treat set, according to investigator, n=300) | | Responding patients (≥ PR) | |:-------------------:| -------------------------- | ---- | | n | % | | No FISH abnormality | 69/79 | 87.3 | | 13q- | 72/86 | 83.7 | | t(4;14) | 27/30 | 90 | | 17p- | 18/26 | 69.2 | | Other | 68/77 | 88.3 | Table 2: Response by result of cytogenetic analysis (intent-to-treat set, according to investigator, n=300) Disclosures: Einsele: OrthioBiotech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Off Label Use: Bortezomib is licensed as monotherapy for use in relapsed/refractory MM and in combination with melphalan/Prednisone in the first-line treatment of MM pts ineligible for HD-MEL and ASCT. . Liebisch: OrthoBiotech: Consultancy, Honoraria. Langer: OrthoBiotech: Consultancy. Kropff: OrthoBiotech: Consultancy, Honoraria. Kroger: OrthoBiotech: Honoraria. Ostermann: OrthoBiotech: Honoraria. Mugge: OrthoBiotech: Honoraria. Wolf: OrthoBiotech: Honoraria. Gramatzki: OrthoBiotech: Consultancy, Honoraria. Maschmeyer: OrthoBiotech: Travel Grant. Sezer: OrthoBiotech: Consultancy, Honoraria. Heidemann: OrthoBiotech: Honoraria. Jager: OrthoBiotech: Honoraria. Dechow: Celgene: Research Funding. Simon: OrthoBiotech: Honoraria. Straka: OrthoBiotech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Fingerle-Rowson: orthoBiotech: Employment. Knop: OrthoBiotech: Honoraria.

We performed a multicenter randomized trial comparing the traditional prophylactic platelet transfusion strategy -arm P- (trigger: morning platelet count ≤ 10/nL) with an experimental therapeutic transfusion strategy -arm T- where patients (pts) received platelet transfusions only if they experienced clinically relevant bleeding (more than petechias or minimal mucosal bleeding). The morning platelet count was no trigger in arm T for transfusion as well as fever per se. Fever was no additional risk factor for bleeding in thrombocytopenic pts treated with our therapeutic transfusion strategy as published recently. (Wandt, H et al. Bone Marrow Transplant2006; 37:387–392) For safety reasons prophylactic transfusion was recommended in arm T, however, for pts with invasive aspergillosis, sepsis syndrome and unexpected headache. Randomisation was stratified according to age ( Results: Platelet transfusions could be reduced significantly by 27% in arm T compared with arm P (p0.004). In arm T 46% of pts did not need any platelet transfusion and this was more than the double compared to arm P (0.001). Between younger and older pts there was no difference in numbers of platelet transfusions needed. Overall, adherence to the protocol was good. Since clinically relevant bleeding (more than petechias and minimal mucosal bleeding) was the trigger for platelet transfusion in arm T consequently more such hemorrhages occured in arm T (28.7% vs 9.5%). No life threatening or fatal bleeding was registered. Hemorrhages were mainly (21.8%) epistaxis or mucosal, 6.9% were minor bleedings (e.g. vaginal, hematochezia, hemoptysis, hematuria). One pt with sudden headache had a minor cerebral hemorrhage (subarachnoid) documented by ct-scan without any clinical sequelae. Days with hemorrhage overall were rare but significantly increased in arm T (0.69 vs 0.17 days per pt). Age was no risk factor for bleeding. As already expected by our former experience we could show that fever and infection were no additional risk factor for bleeding in arm T compared with arm P despite the very stringent platelet transfusion strategy in the experimental transfusion arm. In pts with multiple myeloma bleeding events were very rare compared to other diagnoses (p We conclude that our therapeutic platelet transfusion strategy is cost effective and safe in pts after autologous stem cell transplantation. Despite more minor hemorrhages in the experimental arm compared with the traditional prophylactic strategy all bleeding events could be safely controlled by consecutive platelet transfusion. Development of major bleeding could be prevented by the therapeutic transfusion strategy according to our protocol.

The major limitation of allogeneic stem cell transplantatiopn (SCT) in patients (pts) with myelofibrosis is the high treatment related mortality. We performed a prospective multicenter trial of a dose-reduced conditioning regimen, consisting of busulfan (10 mg/kg orally or 8mg/kg i.v), fludarabine (180 mg/m2) and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG Fresenius: 30–60 mg/kg) followed by allogeneic SCT in pts with myelofibrosis. From 2002 to 2006, 104 pts with a median age of 55 years (range: 32–68) andlow risk with constitutional symptoms (18%) or intermediate risk (n= 58%) and high risk (n=19%) were included. Cytogenetic abnormalities and JAK2 mutation were noted in 22% and 48%, respectively. Bone marrow histology showed advanced fibrosis (MF 2 and 3) in all pts. All but 3 pts received peripheral blood stem cells as graft source either from related (n=33) or unrelated donor (n=71). All but one (1%) pts showed leukocyte and platelet engraftment after a median of 18 and 21 days, respectively. The median duration of leukocyte aplasia was 9 days (range: 3–21). Acute GvHD grade II to IV occurred in 19% and severe aGvHD III/IV in 7%, while chronic GvHD was seen in 32% of the pts. Non-relapse mortality at 1 year was 19% (95% CI: 11–27%) and significantly lower for pts younger than 50 years of age (0% vs 27%, p=0.004) and for pts with low risk vs intermediate/high risk disease (0% vs 27%, p= 0.02). The cumulative incidence of relapse at 3 years was 29% (95%CI: 15–43%). The 3 year overall (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) was 70% (95% CI 60–80%) and 55% (95% CI 42–68%). Significant factors for improved 3 year OS and EFS were age less than 50 years (92% vs 62%, p=0.003 and 79% vs 46%, p= 0,004) and low vs intermediate/high risk (100% vs 62%, p=0.01 and 72% vs 48%, p= 0.02), while no impact on survival was seen for cytogenetic abnormalities, JAK2 mutation status and donor (related vs unrelated). These prospective multicenter study show excellent outcome of an busulafan/fludarabine based reduced conditioning regimen followed by allogeneic SCT in pts with myelofibrosis.

In international multicenter trials, the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of AML patients older than age 55 ranges from 5–16%. A similar outcome is seen for relapsed/refractory AML patients. As only a minority of these patients appear to benefit from myelosuppressive chemotherapy, new approaches are clearly warranted. Over 70% of AML-patients show expression of the tyrosine kinase (TK) c-Kit on myeloid blasts. c-Kit is involved in activation of proliferation pathways and plays an anti-apoptotic role in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Imatinib mesylate (IM) inhibits protein TKs including c-Kit, PDGFRs and Abl. Two former studies have investigated IM as a single agent in patients with c-Kit positive AML and HR-MDS suggesting biological activity of IM in a subset of AML patients (Cortes, Cancer 2003; Kindler, Blood 2002). LDAC has been used for MDS and AML to induce differentiation in AML blasts with partial response rates of approximately 30% but without improvement in OS. As synergy between IM and Ara-C has been reported in vitro we conducted a phase II study applying a combination of these two agents. 40 patients at 4 centers with a median age of 72 years (range: 42–82 years with 95% of patients >60 y) were enrolled into this study. They either were not eligible for myelosuppressive therapy or had relapsed/refractory disease. Previous therapy included supportive care only, biological agents or < 3 cycles chemotherapy. In median, c-kit positivity of AML blasts from patients included was 67%. 34 patients (85%) were included with AML and 6 patients (15%) with HR-MDS (including CMML). 38 patients were evaluable for this analysis. The overall rate of biological activity was 45% (17 of 38 patients): In 6/38 (16%) patients, a blast response (reduction >50% in PB) was observed while 8/38 patients showed stable disease over a minimum period of 2 months. The objective response rate was low with each 1 patient (3%) showing hematologic improvement, PR and CR, respectively. While more than one third of patients included had a short term course of LDAC/IM only ( Patients over age 60 show a historical survival benefit of 2.5 months using myelosuppressive chemotherapy versus best supportive care and an early mortality rate of 25% within 6 weeks. Moreover, it has been pointed out that most of the ’benefit-time’ (>80%) is spent in hospital. Study medication offered in this trial was applied in an ambulatory setting with minimal hospitalization, an early mortality rate of 21% and a low toxicity rate. In conclusion, combination therapy of LDAC/IM does not appear to be inferior in comparison to myelosuppressive therapy in older AML patients. However, this trial shows that LDAC/IM does not improve substantially the clinical outcome of older patients with AML. Identification of molecular mechanisms for good and long-term responders will be part of further laboratory investigations.

We investigated the efficacy of rituximab given after high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in order to prevent relapse by clearance of minimal residual disease in patients with advanced FL and MCL. Eligibility included newly diagnosed stage III/IV t(14;18)+ FL or newly diagnosed or relapsed patients with stage III/IV t(11;14)+ MCL. 35% of patients had elevated LDH levels, 23% had B-symptoms. The age-adjusted IPI risk category was low-intermediate in 65% and high-intermediate in 35% of the patients. Initial cytoreduction consisted of VACOP-B (6 weeks) or CHOP chemotherapy, followed by G-CSF supported VIP-(E) or DexaBEAM therapy. PBSC were harvested, and positive selection of CD34+ cells was performed. HDT consisted of TBI (6x2 Gy) and cyclophosphamide (120 mg/kg), followed by CD34+ PBSCT (7.16x106 CD34+/kg; range 2.4–22.7). A median of 62 days (range 38–108) after transplantation, rituximab was given at a dose of 375 mg/m2 weekly for 4 weeks. No additional treatment was given thereafter. Between October 1997 and July 2001, 31 patients were included. Median age at transplantation was 49 (31–60) years. One patient died early after HDT due to neutropenic septicemia before rituximab administration. Therefore, only 30 patients were evaluable for safety and efficacy of rituximab after HDT and ASCT (FL n=20, MCL n=10). Twenty seven were evaluable for MRD. In the intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis, 7 treatment failures were observed: two FL patients relapsed at 25 and 33 months post transplant, four MCL patients relapsed at 24, 38, 47 and 48 months post transplant, and one MCL patient died unexpectedly in complete remission (CR) at 19 months post transplant. One of the MCL patients died at 37 months post transplant due to progressive disease. Currently, 28 of 30 patients are alive. With an extended median follow up of 61 months (18.7 – 87.5 months) after ASCT, the progression-free survival (PFS) for the ITT population is 76.7%, the median PFS has not yet been reached. In the FL population, the PFS at 5 years is 90% (95% CI: 65.6 – 97.4) whereas in the MCL population, the PFS is 46.2% (95% CI: 14.7 – 73.3) (log rank p=0.0168). The overall survival (OS) at 5 years for the ITT population is 93.3% (95% CI; 75.6 – 98.3) with 100% OS in the FL patients and 79.4% (95% CI: 39.6 – 94.4) (log rank p=0.0400) in MCL patients. In summary, at an extended follow-up of 5 years, we show that one 4-week course of Rituximab consolidation after HDT and ASCT induces prolonged remissions in both FL and MCL. Futher improvement in MCL therapy is warranted.