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Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors have indisputably transformed the treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but require continuous therapy to maintain response. This places emphasis on their unique toxicity profile and potential loss of efficacy owing to resistance. Data from single-arm clinical studies are suggestive of comparable efficacy and favorable toxicity profiles of next-generation Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This is supported by the ASPEN study in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, which convincingly demonstrated that zanubrutinib has a better toxicity profile than ibrutinib. Novel, reversible Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors are showing the potential to improve long-term efficacy by overcoming common mechanisms of resistance.

Ibrutinib is a first-in-class, highly potent Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor which has become standard of care for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and other lymphoproliferative disorders. It requires indefinite administration which places emphasis on toxicity and long-term tolerance. Extensive use of ibrutinib in studies and clinical practice has better defined its full toxicity profile which has made its use more challenging than initially foreseen. In particular, dysrhythmias, bleeding, infections and constitutional symptoms have been reported and can result in dose reduction or discontinuation of ibrutinib. Herein, we review the common as well as rare but important toxicities and discuss approach and management on a practical level. We also highlight that patients should be regularly monitored for adverse events and proactively treated to minimise side effects and avoid disruption.

Massive obstetric haemorrhage (MOH) is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality world-wide. Using the Australian and New Zealand Massive Transfusion Registry, we performed a bi-national cohort study of MOH defined as bleeding at ≥20 weeks' gestation or postpartum requiring ≥5 red blood cells (RBC) units within 4 h. Between 2008 and 2015, we identified 249 cases of MOH cases from 19 sites. Predominant causes of MOH were uterine atony (22%), placenta praevia (20%) and obstetric trauma (19%). Intensive care unit admission and/or hysterectomy occurred in 44% and 29% of cases, respectively. There were three deaths. Hypofibrinogenaemia (

Venetoclax is a highly selective and effective B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) inhibitor, which is able to reinstate the apoptotic potential of cancer cells. With its full repertoire yet to be explored, it has changed the therapeutic landscape in haematological malignancies, and most particularly chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and multiple myeloma (MM). In CLL, it has shown remarkable efficacy both as monotherapy and in combination therapy. Based on data from MURANO and CLL14 studies, fixed-duration combination therapy of venetoclax with anti-CD20 antibody is now the standard of care in numerous countries. In AML, although of limited efficacy as a single agent, venetoclax combination therapy has demonstrated encouraging outcomes including rapid, durable responses and acceptable toxicity, particularly in the older, unfit patient population. Multiple myeloma with translocation (t)(11;14) harbours high BCL-2/ myeloid cell leukaemia sequence-1 (MCL-1) and BCL-2/BCL-XL ratio and is, therefore, particularly suited for venetoclax-based therapy. Despite a wide ranging and evolving clinical role in these diseases, venetoclax treatment is not curative and, over time, clonal evolution and disease relapse appear to be the norm. While a variety of distinct resistance mechanisms have been identified, frequently emerging in a sub-clonal pattern, the full picture is yet to be characterised. Further illumination of the complex interplay of various factors is needed to pave the way for rational combination therapies aimed at circumventing resistance and improving durability of disease control. Serial molecular studies can aid in identification of new prognostically significant and/or targetable mutations.

TPS8055 Background: Len maintenance post ASCT is standard of care for patients (pts) with NDMM. Deep responses (CR or better) post ASCT correlates with better progression free survival (PFS). In a meta-analysis of len maintenance post ASCT (McCarthy PL et al. J Clin Oncol. 2017), only 10.7% of pts achieve CR post ASCT, and 72% of pts who discontinued len maintenance did so because of progressive disease (PD). Selinexor is a selective inhibitor of nuclear export that blocks exportin 1, thus retaining tumour suppressor proteins within the nucleus while blocking proto-oncoprotein translation. It is approved in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (dex) for pts with MM who have had at least 1 prior line of treatment, or with dex for pts with penta-refractory MM by the FDA. The oral bioavailability and weekly schedule of selinexor makes it suitable in combination with len for maintenance therapy. Given the encouraging activity (ORR 92%) and tolerability of selinexor, len and dex from the phase 1b/2 STOMP study, we hypothesise that combination low-dose selinexor and len (XR) will be well tolerated and effective, increasing CR and MRD negativity rate post ASCT, thus prolonging PFS compared to len. Methods: ALLG MM23 SeaLAND, is an ongoing randomised, multi-centre, phase 3 trial. Eligible pts ( > 17 years of age) have measurable disease, have undergone 3-6 cycles (C) of induction containing a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and/or immunomodulatory drug and recovered post melphalan-conditioned ASCT with adequate haematopoiesis, renal and liver function, and with ECOG performance status. Registration occurs prior to ASCT with screening between 75 to 115 days post ASCT. The study includes a lead-in safety phase of 20 patients with XR: Len 10mg daily days 1 to 21 and Selinexor 40mg weekly in a 28-day cycle. If well tolerated, Selinexor escalates to 60mg po weekly from C2 and Len to 15mg po daily from C4. Two safety reviews will occur after the 10th and 20th patients completes C2, respectively. Upon meeting safety criteria, a sample size of 290 pts will be randomised 1:1 to XR or lenalidomide (R). Therapy will continue until PD. The primary endpoint is PFS at 3 years post randomisation. Secondary endpoints include ORR and MRD-negativity rate (International Myeloma Working Group Response Criteria), PFS on next treatment line (PFS2), OS, safety and tolerability, quality of life, and cost effectiveness. Main analysis occurs after 232 patients complete 3-years of follow-up. Exploratory objective is to correlate immunological and molecular profiles to treatment response and resistance. ALLG MM23 SeaLAND is a multisite bi-national investigator-initiated trial lead by Australia and New Zealand’s national cooperative group, the Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group. Clinical trial registration: ACTRN12620000291987p. Clinical trial information: 12620000291987.

The management of CML in pregnancy is challenging with the need to balance disease control against potential teratogenic effects of TKI therapy. In this multi-center case-cohort study of 16 women in chronic phase, CML ceased TKI treatment pre- or post-conception during their first pregnancy. Thirteen patients were on imatinib; 9 ceased their TKI prior to conception and 7 ceased at pregnancy confirmation. Twelve patients had achieved either MMR or better at time of TKI cessation. Eleven women lost MMR during pregnancy and two patients lost CHR. Fourteen women reestablished MMR on TKI recommenced. The depth molecular response prior to conception appeared to correlate well with restoration of disease control on TKI recommencement though duration of MMR did not appear to be as important. While interruption of TKI treatment for pregnancy usually leads to loss of molecular response, loss of hematological response is uncommon and disease control is reestablished with resumption of therapy in the majority of women. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

There is currently minimal data on fertility outcomes in premenopausal women undergoing autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) with carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine and melphalan (BEAM) conditioning. A retrospective analysis of fertility outcomes in premenopausal females aged between 18 and 40 yr who underwent BEAM/ASCT for lymphoma between 1995 and 2011 was performed at four transplant centres. Of 41 premenopausal women who underwent BEAM conditioning, 25 met the inclusion criteria with the main exclusion criterion being inadequate documentation. Eighteen had Hodgkin lymphoma, and seven had non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Median number of chemotherapy regimens pretransplant was 2 (1-3). Seventeen women (68%) with a median age at transplant of 25 yr (range 17-33) recovered their menses. The comparative group without recovery was older with a median age of 34 yr (range 20-40) (P = 0.007). Ten patients, with a median age at transplant of 22 yr (range 17-30), had 15 naturally conceived pregnancies. Chemotherapy regimens and lymphoma type did not obviously influence the incidence of menses recovery or conception. The incidence of recovery of menses and fertility in premenopausal women undergoing BEAM/ASCT for lymphoma is substantial. Younger age at transplant correlates with superior fertility outcomes.

We describe the first case of severe intravascular haemolysis secondary to IVIg treated with partial red cell exchange with Group O blood. A 62-year-old male was administered high dose IVIg (1.4g/kg in three divided doses) for a new diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Within 24 hours of completing his IVIG infusion, he developed severe intravascular haemolysis, complicated by haemoglobuinuria and acute renal failure. Confirmatory tests included haemolysis screen, elution of anti-A and anti-B antibodies off the patient’s red cells and absence of other causes for haemolysis. The case illustrates patient risk factors for haemolytic IVIG reactions including: high IVIg dose >100g, non-O blood group (patient being AB RhD+) and discusses secretor status. Preventive measures including IVIg product processing are discussed. Although management of this condition is largely supportive, there may be a need to transfuse and group specific blood should be avoided. This patient received a single red cell exchange transfusion with Group O blood, with rapid resolution of renal impairment.