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Clinical outcome of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with cytogenetic and molecular factors and patient demographics (e.g., age and race). We compared survival of 25,523 non-Hispanic Black and White adults with AML using Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program data and performed mutational profiling of 1,339 patients with AML treated on frontline Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (Alliance) protocols. Black patients had shorter survival than White patients, both in SEER and in the setting of Alliance clinical trials. The disparity was especially pronounced in Black patients NPM1 and more IDH2 mutations in younger Black patients. Overall survival of younger Black patients was adversely affected by IDH2 mutations and FLT3-ITD, but, in contrast to White patients, was not improved by NPM1 mutations.Significance:We show that young Black patients have not benefited as much as White patients from recent progress in AML treatment in the United States. Our data suggest that both socioeconomic factors and differences in disease biology contribute to the survival disparity and need to be urgently addressed.See related commentary by Vyas, p. 540.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 521

Table S1: IC50 values of Topo IIa inhibitors (idarubicin, etoposide, mitoxantrone, daunorubicin) and selinexor at 48hrs as measured by WST-1 assay for AML cell lines MV4-11 and MOLM-13. Table S2: Combinatorial Index (CI) values of concomitant treatment of selinexor with Topo IIa inhibitors (idarubicin and daunorubicin) in AML cell lines MV4-11 and MOLM-13. Table S3: Combinatorial Index (CI) values of concomitant treatment of selinexor with Topo IIa inhibitors (idarubicin and daunorbicin) in AML patient blasts. Table S4: Combinatorial Index (CI) values of concomitant treatment of selinexor with individual Topo IIa inhibitors (etoposide, mitoxantrone) in AML cell lines MV4-11 and MOLM-13. Table S1: IC50 values of Topo IIα inhibitors and selinexor in AML cell lines Table S2: Combinatorial Index (CI) values of selinexor with idarubicin and daunorubicin in AML cell lines Table S3: Combinatorial Index (CI) values of selinexor with idarubicin/daunorubicin in AML patient cells Table S4: Combinatorial Index (CI) values of selinexor with Topo IIα inhibitors (etoposide and mitoxantrone) with selinexor in AML cell lines

Suppl Figures 1-3, Suppl Table 1 Supplemental Figure 1. Study schema. Supplemental Figure 2. Overall survival in patients treated with ENTO + 7+3. OS is censored on the date the patient was last known to be alive (if it was not known the patient had died by the end of study follow-up). Supplemental Figure 3. Heat map showing single patients (each column) by HOXA9 and MEIS1 categorization, cytogenetic or molecular risk and outcomes.

Purpose: Selinexor, a selective inhibitor of XPO1, is currently being tested as single agent in clinical trials in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, considering the molecular complexity of AML, it is unlikely that AML can be cured with monotherapy. Therefore, we asked whether adding already established effective drugs such as topoisomerase (Topo) II inhibitors to selinexor will enhance its anti-leukemic effects in AML.Experimental Design: The efficacy of combinatorial drug treatment using Topo II inhibitors (idarubicin, daunorubicin, mitoxantrone, etoposide) and selinexor was evaluated in established cellular and animal models of AML.Results: Concomitant treatment with selinexor and Topo II inhibitors resulted in therapeutic synergy in AML cell lines and patient samples. Using a xenograft MV4-11 AML mouse model, we show that treatment with selinexor and idarubicin significantly prolongs survival of leukemic mice compared with each single therapy.Conclusions: Aberrant nuclear export and cytoplasmic localization of Topo IIα has been identified as one of the mechanisms leading to drug resistance in cancer. Here, we show that in a subset of patients with AML that express cytoplasmic Topo IIα, selinexor treatment results in nuclear retention of Topo IIα protein, resulting in increased sensitivity to idarubicin. Selinexor treatment of AML cells resulted in a c-MYC–dependent reduction of DNA damage repair genes (Rad51 and Chk1) mRNA and protein expression and subsequent inhibition of homologous recombination repair and increased sensitivity to Topo II inhibitors. The preclinical data reported here support further clinical studies using selinexor and Topo II inhibitors in combination to treat AML. Clin Cancer Res; 22(24); 6142–52. ©2016 AACR.

Purpose:Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) signaling is a proposed target in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Sensitivity to SYK inhibition has been linked to HOXA9 and MEIS1 overexpression in preclinical studies. This trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of entospletinib, a selective inhibitor of SYK, in combination with chemotherapy in untreated AML.Patients and Methods:This was an international multicenter phase Ib/II study, entospletinib dose escalation (standard 3+3 design between 200 and 400 mg twice daily) + 7+3 (cytarabine + daunorubicin) in phase Ib and entospletinib dose expansion (400 mg twice daily) + 7+3 in phase II.Results:Fifty-three patients (n = 12, phase Ib and n = 41, phase II) with previously untreated de novo (n = 39) or secondary (n = 14) AML were enrolled (58% male; median age, 60 years) in this study. The composite complete response with entospletinib + 7+3 was 70%. Patients with baseline HOXA9 and MEIS1 expression higher than the median had improved overall survival compared with patients with below median HOXA9 and MEIS1 expression. Common adverse events were cytopenias, febrile neutropenia, and infection. There were no dose-limiting toxicities. Entospletinib-related skin rash and hyperbilirubinemia were also observed.Conclusions:Entospletinib with intensive chemotherapy was well-tolerated in patients with AML. Improved survival was observed in patients with HOXA9/MEIS1 overexpression, contrasting published data demonstrating poor survival in such patients. A randomized study will be necessary to determine whether entospletinib was a mediator this observation.

Background: Patients (≥60 years) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often receive intense health care utilization at the end of life (EOL). However, factors associated with their health care use at the EOL are unknown. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of 168 deceased patients with AML within the United States. We assessed quality of life (QOL) (Functional-Assessment-Cancer-Therapy-Leukemia), and psychological distress (Hospital-Anxiety-and-Depression Scale [HADS]; Patient-Health-Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]) at diagnosis. We used multivariable logistic regression models to examine the association between patient-reported factors and the following outcomes: (1) hospitalizations in the last 7 days of life, (2) receipt of chemotherapy in the last 30 days of life, and (3) hospice utilization. Results: About 66.7% (110/165) were hospitalized in the last 7 days of life, 51.8% (71/137) received chemotherapy in the last 30 days of life, and 40.7% (70/168) utilized hospice. In multivariable models, higher education (odds ratio [OR] = 1.54, p = 0.006) and elevated baseline depression symptoms (PHQ-9: OR = 1.09, p = 0.028) were associated with higher odds of hospitalization in the last seven days of life, while higher baseline QOL (OR = 0.98, p = 0.009) was associated with lower odds of hospitalization at the EOL. Higher baseline depression symptoms were associated with receipt of chemotherapy at the EOL (HADS-Depression: OR = 1.10, p = 0.042). Higher education was associated with lower hospice utilization (OR = 0.356, p = 0.024). Conclusions: Patients with AML who are more educated, with higher baseline depression symptoms and lower QOL, were more likely to experience high health care utilization at the EOL. These populations may benefit from interventions to optimize the quality of their EOL care.

Most studies of racial and ethnic survival disparities in patients with cancer diagnosed and treated in the USA have pertained to patients with solid tumours. However, increasing research on health inequities shows that these differences also extend to patients with haematological malignancies. In particular, Black and Hispanic patients with cancer have had markedly worse survival outcomes for several decades, although the need to critically evaluate and address these disparities has, for several compelling reasons, gained a greater sense of urgency. To effectively implement strategies to counteract barriers that underlie survival disparities and systemic racism, understanding the current state of survival outcomes for patients with haematological cancers who are racially or ethnically minoritised is important. In this Viewpoint, we review the specifics of outcome differences across haematological malignancies and investigate the contributions of race-associated differences in administration of treatment and genetic differences in underlying disease biology. We also provide our perspective on key actions that we feel are crucial for the haematology community to pursue to abrogate systemic racism and ensure fair and equitable care for all.

Young adults (YAs), aged 18-39 years, with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) navigate life disruptions amid an unpredictable illness trajectory. We conducted a secondary analysis of patient-reported outcomes for hospitalized YAs with high-risk AML receiving intensive chemotherapy, collected during a multisite randomized clinical trial. Of the 160 patients, 14 (8.8%) were YAs. At week 2 of hospitalization, YAs demonstrated significant worse quality of life (β = -18.27

Background Older patients (≥ 60 years) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often have multiple, sequentially acquired, somatic mutations that drive leukemogenesis and are associated with poor outcome. Beat AML is a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society-sponsored, multicenter umbrella study that algorithmically segregates AML patients based upon cytogenetic and dominant molecular abnormalities (variant allele frequencies (VAF) ≥ 0.2) into different cohorts to select for targeted therapies. During the conception of the Beat AML design, a historical dataset was needed to help in the design of the genomic algorithm for patient assignment and serve as the basis for the statistical design of individual genomic treatment substudies for the Beat AML study. Methods We classified 563 newly diagnosed older AML patients treated with standard intensive chemotherapy on trials conducted by Cancer and Leukemia Group B based on the same genomic algorithm and assessed clinical outcomes. Results Our classification identified core-binding factor and NPM1-mutated/FLT3-ITD-negative groups as having the best outcomes, with 30-day early death (ED) rates of 0 and 20%, respectively, and median overall survival (OS) of > 1 year and 3-year OS rates of ≥ 20%. All other genomic groups had ED rates of 17–42%, median OS ≤ 1 year and 3-year OS rates of ≤ 15%. Conclusions By classifying patients through this genomic algorithm, outcomes were poor and not unexpected from a non-algorithmic, non-dominant VAF approach. The exception is 30-day ED rate typically is not available for intensive induction for individual genomic groups and therefore difficult to compare outcomes with targeted therapeutics. This Alliance data supported the use of this algorithm for patient assignment at the initiation of the Beat AML study. This outcome data was also used for statistical design for Beat AML substudies for individual genomic groups to determine goals for improvement from intensive induction and hopefully lead to more rapid approval of new therapies. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT00048958 (CALGB 8461), NCT00900224 (CALGB 20202), NCT00003190 (CALGB 9720), NCT00085124 (CALGB 10201), NCT00742625 (CALGB 10502), NCT01420926 (CALGB 11002), NCT00039377 (CALGB 10801), and NCT01253070 (CALGB 11001).

Palliative care (PC) serves a valuable role throughout the disease trajectory for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) living with cancer. A 3-year retrospective chart review was performed to characterize AYA PC referral patterns in patients aged 18-39 years to identify strategies for improving PC access. Despite known benefits, AYA referrals to PC during oncologic treatment occurred only for a small percentage of eligible patients (8.4%), largely occurred in the inpatient setting (73%), and were more likely in specific cancer types with high symptom burden and/or poor survival, with the greatest penetrance noted in lung cancer (51%).

Background Newly diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who receive induction with a hypomethylating agent (HMA) are often neutropenic with an increased risk for invasive fungal infections (IFIs). This study analyzed the incidence and risk factors for IFIs in these patients, evaluated clinical patterns in antifungal prophylaxis, and assessed the diagnostic utility of tests in this setting. Patients and Methods We studied 117 newly diagnosed patients with AML treated with HMAs at our center, divided into groups based on concern for IFI (cIFI: all possible, probable, and proven IFIs) versus no concern for IFI. The Fisher exact test compared patients with cIFI versus without, and a multivariable logistic regression model estimated odds for cIFI. Results Sixty-seven (57%) patients had cIFI, with 48 possible IFIs, 17 probable, and 2 proven cases. There was no difference in incidence based on home zip code, but the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was highly associated with cIFI (P = .001), as was male gender (P = .01). Neutropenia at treatment initiation was borderline in significance (P = .08). In diagnostics, 9% of patients had positive serum fungal markers, and 30 patients underwent bronchoscopy, with only 27% of cases yielding positive results. There was a difference in treatment regimens between patients receiving antifungal prophylaxis with mold coverage versus without mold coverage with respect to cIFI (P = .04). Conclusions cIFI in patients with AML treated with HMAs remains significant, especially in males and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who were found to be at higher risk. This may prompt clinicians to consider anti-mold prophylaxis in this setting.

Despite the clinical benefit associated with gilteritinib in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), most patients eventually develop resistance through unknown mechanisms. To delineate the mechanistic basis of resistance to gilteritinib, we performed targeted sequencing and scRNASeq on primary FLT3-ITD-mutated AML samples. Co-occurring mutations in RAS pathway genes were the most common genetic abnormalities, and unresponsiveness to gilteritinib was associated with increased expression of bone marrow-derived hematopoietic cytokines and chemokines. In particular, we found elevated expression of the TEK-family kinase, BMX, in gilteritinib-unresponsive patients pre- and post-treatment. BMX contributed to gilteritinib resistance in FLT3-mutant cell lines in a hypoxia-dependent manner by promoting pSTAT5 signaling, and these phenotypes could be reversed with pharmacological inhibition and genetic knockout. We also observed that inhibition of BMX in primary FLT3-mutated AML samples decreased chemokine secretion and enhanced the activity of gilteritinib. Collectively, these findings indicate a crucial role for microenvironment-mediated factors modulated by BMX in the escape from targeted therapy and have implications for the development of novel therapeutic interventions to restore sensitivity to gilteritinib.

Purpose: Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) signaling is a proposed target in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Sensitivity to SYK inhibition has been linked to HOXA9 and MEIS1 overexpression in preclinical studies. This trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of entospletinib, a selective inhibitor of SYK, in combination with chemotherapy in untreated AML. Patients and Methods: This was an international multicenter phase Ib/II study, entospletinib dose escalation (standard 3+3 design between 200 and 400 mg twice daily) + 7+3 (cytarabine + daunorubicin) in phase Ib and entospletinib dose expansion (400 mg twice daily) + 7+3 in phase II. Results: Fifty-three patients (n = 12, phase Ib and n = 41, phase II) with previously untreated de novo (n = 39) or secondary (n = 14) AML were enrolled (58% male; median age, 60 years) in this study. The composite complete response with entospletinib + 7+3 was 70%. Patients with baseline HOXA9 and MEIS1 expression higher than the median had improved overall survival compared with patients with below median HOXA9 and MEIS1 expression. Common adverse events were cytopenias, febrile neutropenia, and infection. There were no dose-limiting toxicities. Entospletinib-related skin rash and hyperbilirubinemia were also observed. Conclusions: Entospletinib with intensive chemotherapy was well-tolerated in patients with AML. Improved survival was observed in patients with HOXA9/MEIS1 overexpression, contrasting published data demonstrating poor survival in such patients. A randomized study will be necessary to determine whether entospletinib was a mediator this observation.

Although adults with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) achieve high complete remission (CR) rates following treatment with intensive multi-agent chemotherapy regimens, up to two-thirds of these patients eventually relapse. Unfortunately, adults with relapsed or refractory (R/R) B-ALL have a poor prognosis, with variable responses to salvage chemotherapy regimens and allogeneic stem cell transplant. As such, the need to develop effective and well-tolerated treatments for this patient population has been of paramount importance over the past decade. In this regard, treatment options for R/R B-ALL patients have expanded considerably over a relatively short period of time, with the approvals of blinatumomab, inotuzumab ozogamicin and tisagenlecleucel occurring within only the past six years. Blinatumomab, a CD19 x CD3 bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) was the first of these immune therapies to receive approval, and for many patients, is used as first-line salvage therapy. A number of large clinical trials have demonstrated improved progression-free survival and overall survival for R/R B-ALL patients receiving blinatumomab as compared to those receiving conventional salvage chemotherapy. In addition to being approved for both Philadelphia chromosome-negative and Philadelphia chromosome-positive R/R B-ALL, blinatumomab is also the only ALL therapy that carries approval for the treatment of measurable residual disease (MRD). Although blinatumomab has changed the therapeutic landscape for adults with R/R B-ALL, a number of important clinical considerations and questions remain, including the potential role of blinatumomab in the frontline setting, mechanisms of resistance, optimal goal MRD level, the role of transplant following MRD clearance, the optimal place for blinatumomab in the context of other recently approved immune-mediated therapies, and real world outcomes for patients treated outside the context of clinical trials. These issues are the focus of ongoing studies, which will hopefully inform future clinical practice regarding the utility of blinatumomab in the treatment of B-ALL patients.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is defined by the presence of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) which results from a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 [t(9;22] that gives rise to aBCR-ABL1fusion gene. CML occurs in 3 different phases (chronic, accelerated, and blast phase) and is usually diagnosed in the chronic phase. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy is a highly effective first-line treatment option for all patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase CML. This manuscript discusses the recommendations outlined in the NCCN Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with chronic phase CML.

This phase I trial sought to determine a biologically safe and effective dose of AR-42, a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor, which would lead to a doubling of miR-29b prior to decitabine administration. Thirteen patients with previously untreated or relapsed/refractory AML were treated at 3 dose levels (DL): AR-42 20 mg qd on d1,3,5 in DL1, 40 mg qd on d1,3,5 in DL2 and 40 mg qd on d1,3,4,5 in DL3. Patients received decitabine 20 mg/m(2) on d6–15 of each induction cycle and 20 mg/m(2) on d6–10 of each maintenance cycle. One DLT of polymicrobial sepsis and multi-organ failure occurred at DL3. Two patients achieved a CRi and one patient achieved a CR for an ORR of 23.1%. The higher risk features of this patient population and the dosing schedule of AR-42 may have led to the observed clinical response and failure to meet the biologic endpoint.

Relapsed or refractory (R/R) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) remains a therapeutic challenge. Loncastuximab tesirine is an antibody-drug conjugate against CD19, an antigen expressed in many B-cell malignancies. This open-label, single-arm, dose-escalation, dose-expansion study assessed the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PKs), immunogenicity, and preliminary clinical activity of loncastuximab tesirine in adults with R/R B-ALL. A total of 35 patients were enrolled, with a median age of 55 years (range, 20-80) and a median of 3 prior therapies (range, 1-15). All patients received at least 1 IV infusion of loncastuximab tesirine at 15 to 150 μg/kg once every 3 weeks (Q3W; n = 30) or 50 μg/kg IV weekly (n = 5). Common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were nausea (42.9%), febrile neutropenia (37.1%), and reversible liver test abnormalities. Grade ≥3 TEAEs were reported in 85.7% patients, most commonly febrile neutropenia and other hematologic abnormalities and reversible liver test abnormalities. There were no treatment-related deaths. Four patients (11.4%) had grade 2 infusion-related reactions, and 1 patient (150 μg/kg Q3W) had a dose-limiting toxicity of hyperbilirubinemia that resolved within 6 days without further action. The maximum tolerated dose was not reached. Three patients achieved complete responses, 1 each at 30, 120, and 150 μg/kg Q3W. PK studies showed marked interpatient variability, with target-mediated drug disposition seeming to contribute to time- and dose-dependent disposition. No clinically relevant anti–drug-antibody formation occurred. The trial was terminated in the dose-escalation phase because of slow accrual. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02669264.

Selinexor, a selective inhibitor of nuclear export, has demonstrated promising activity in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This randomized, phase II study evaluated selinexor 60 mg twice weekly ( n = 118) vs. physician's choice (PC) treatment ( n = 57) in patients aged =60 years with relapsed/refractory (R/R) AML. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Median OS did not differ significantly for selinexor vs. PC (3.2 vs. 5.6 months; HR = 1.18 [95% CI: 0.79-1.75]; p = 0.422). Complete remission (CR) plus CR with incomplete hematologic recovery trending in favor of selinexor occurred in a minority of patients. Selinexor treated patients had an increased incidence of adverse events. The most common grade =3 adverse events were thrombocytopenia, febrile neutropenia, anemia, hyponatremia. Despite well-balanced baseline characteristics, there were numerically higher rates of TP53 mutations, prior myelodysplastic syndrome, and lower absolute neutrophil counts in the selinexor group; warranting further investigation of selinexor in more carefully stratified R/R AML patients. Registered trial: NCT02088541.

Background: AML is a clinically and molecularly heterogeneous disease associated with poor survival. Multiple disease-related factors including cytogenetic findings and gene mutations, as well as patient-related factors, such as demographics and African American (AA) heritage, have been identified that impact on pt outcomes. However, with recent improved survival it is unknown whether racial health disparities persist. Moreover, we are not aware of a large study that assessed possible race-associated molecular differences. Thus, the goals of our study were to 1) analyze the outcomes of adult AML pts in a nationwide population study, including possible impacts of sociodemographic, financial and racial disparities and 2) characterize molecular features of AA compared with those of Caucasian AML pts. Methods: For a nationwide population analysis, the Surveillance Epidemiology End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute was used to identify 11,190 adults aged 18-60 years (y) diagnosed with AML (excluding acute promyelocytic leukemia) between 1986 and 2015. To characterize molecular features we performed targeted sequencing of 81 genes in 1,339 AML pts treated on frontline Cancer and Leukemia Group B/Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (Alliance) protocols based on standard intensity cytarabine/anthracycline induction followed by consolidation between 1986 and 2016. No Alliance pt received an allogeneic stem cell transplant in 1st complete remission (CR). Results: The associations between demographic parameters and risk of death among SEER registry AML pts are shown in Table 1. While there was a slightly higher risk of death for men (HR 1.09) and a lower risk of death for pts with a higher median household income (>79.6k vs Conclusion: Self-reported AA race is the most important pt-associated factor associated with poor survival in AML pts < 60 y of age based on SEER. Survival analyses in Alliance pts identify AA race as independent poor survival prognosticator in AML pts besides established molecular markers. . This disparity must be urgently addressed to ensure improved outcomes for AA AML pts, and larger studies to establish molecular risk profiles are needed. Support: U10CA180821, U10CA180882 U24CA196171, https://acknowledgments.alliancefound.org; Clinicaltrials.gov Identifiers: NCT00048958, NCT00899223, NCT00900224 Disclosures Bhatnagar: KaryoPharm Therapuetics: Research Funding; Cell Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; KITE: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Blachly:AbbVie, AstraZeneca, KITE Pharma: Consultancy. Mims:Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Other: Data Safety Monitoring Board; Syndax Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kura Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: Other: Senior Medical Director for Beat AML Study; Agios: Consultancy. Walker:Vigeo Therapeutics: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Powell:Genentech: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Other: Advisor, Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Rafael Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Other: Advisor, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Kolitz:Magellan: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Stone:Biolinerx: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Other; Aztra-Zeneca: Consultancy; Jazz: Consultancy; Argenix: Other; Janssen: Consultancy; Daiichi-Sankyo: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Gemoab: Consultancy; Syndax: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Other: DSMB; Macrogenics: Consultancy; Trovagene: Consultancy; Syntrix: Other: DSMB; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy, Research Funding; Actinium: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Consultancy; Arog: Consultancy, Research Funding; Syros: Consultancy; Stemline: Consultancy. Byrd:Trillium: Research Funding; Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: Other; Acerta Pharma: Research Funding; Syndax: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company, Janssen, Novartis, Gilead, TG Therapeutics: Other; Janssen: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company, Gilead, TG Therapeutics, BeiGene: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company, Gilead, TG Therapeutics, Novartis, Janssen: Speakers Bureau; Kartos Therapeutics: Research Funding; Vincera: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Eisfeld:Karyopharm: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Vigeo Therapeutics: Consultancy.

Current treatment options for older and relapsed or refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients are limited and represent an unmet need. Based on preclinical studies showing strong anti-leukemic effects in vivo, this phase I dose-escalation study assessed the safety and preliminary clinical activity of the oral exportin-1 inhibitor, selinexor, in combination with the hypomethylating agent, decitabine 20 mg/m(2), in adults with R/R AML and in older (age ≥60) untreated AML patients. There were no protocol-defined dose limiting toxicities. The recommended phase 2 dose of selinexor was 60mg (~35 mg/m(2)) given twice-weekly. Notable grade ≥3 toxicities included asymptomatic hyponatremia (68%), febrile neutropenia (44%), sepsis (44%), hypophosphatemia (36%), and pneumonia (28%). In 25 patients, the overall response rate was 40%. Modification of selinexor to a flat dose of 60mg, twice-weekly for two weeks after decitabine, improved tolerability of the regimen and demonstrated preliminary clinical activity in poor-risk patients with AML.

Sole trisomies of chromosomes 4, 8, 11, 13 and 21 account for 89–95% of all sole trisomies in adult AML patients. We analyzed clinical and molecular characteristics of 138 de novo AML patients with sole +4, +8, +11, +13 or +21, and compared them with AML patients with those trisomies occurring in addition to other chromosome abnormalities (non-sole trisomy) and with cytogenetically normal AML (CN-AML) patients. Mutations in methylation-related genes were most commonly observed within each sole trisomy group (+4, 55%; +8, 58%; +11, 71%; +13, 71%; +21, 75% of patients). Patients with sole trisomies, excluding +4, also had frequent mutations in spliceosome genes (+8, 43%; +11, 65%; +13, 65%; +21, 45% of patients). In contrast, +4 patients frequently had mutations in transcription factor genes (44%) and NPM1 (36%). While 48% of patients with sole trisomies harbored mutations in a spliceosome gene, spliceosome mutations were observed in only 24% of non-sole trisomy (n = 131, P < 0.001) and 19% of CN-AML patients (n = 716, P < 0.001). Our data suggest that mutations affecting methylation-related genes are a molecular hallmark of sole trisomies. Mutations in spliceosome genes were also commonly observed in many sole trisomy patients and represent a novel finding in this cytogenetic subgroup.

Survival outcomes for older adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are poor and optimal management is challenging due to higher-risk leukemia genetics, comorbidities, and lower tolerance to intensive therapy. A critical understanding of these factors guides the selection of frontline therapies and subsequent treatment strategies. In addition, there have been recent developments in minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) testing and blinatumomab use in the context of MRD-positive disease after therapy. These NCCN Guidelines Insights discuss recent updates to the NCCN Guidelines for ALL regarding upfront therapy in older adults and MRD monitoring/testing in response to ALL treatment.

Background Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving intensive chemotherapy face a life-threatening illness, isolating hospitalization, and substantial physical and psychological symptoms. However, data are limited regarding risk factors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in this population. Methods The authors conducted a secondary analysis of data from 160 patients with high-risk AML who were enrolled in a supportive care trial. The PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version was used to assess PTSD symptoms at 1 month after AML diagnosis. The Brief COPE and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Leukemia were to assess coping and quality of life (QOL), respectively. In addition, multivariate regression models were constructed to assess the relation between PTSD symptoms and baseline sociodemographic factors, coping, and QOL. Results Twenty-eight percent of patients reported PTSD symptoms, describing high rates of intrusion, avoidance, and hypervigiliance. Baseline sociodemographic factors significantly associated with PTSD symptoms were age (B = -0.26; P = .002), race (B = -8.78; P = .004), and postgraduate education (B = -6.30; P = .029). Higher baseline QOL (B = -0.37; P ≤ .001) and less decline in QOL during hospitalization (B = -0.05; P = .224) were associated with fewer PTSD symptoms. Approach-oriented coping (B = -0.92; P = .001) was associated with fewer PTSD symptoms, whereas avoidant coping (B = 2.42; P ≤ .001) was associated with higher PTSD symptoms. Conclusions A substantial proportion of patients with AML report clinically significant PTSD symptoms 1 month after initiating intensive chemotherapy. Patients' baseline QOL, coping strategies, and extent of QOL decline during hospitalization emerge as important risk factors for PTSD, underscoring the need for supportive oncology interventions to reduce the risk of PTSD in this population.

IMPORTANCE: Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving intensive chemotherapy experience substantial decline in their quality of life (QOL) and mood during their hospitalization for induction chemotherapy and often receive aggressive care at the end of life (EOL). However, the role of specialty palliative care for improving the QOL and care for this population is currently unknown. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of integrated palliative and oncology care (IPC) on patient-reported and EOL outcomes in patients with AML. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We conducted a multisite randomized clinical trial of IPC (n = 86) vs usual care (UC) (n = 74) for patients with AML undergoing intensive chemotherapy. Data were collected from January 2017 through July 2019 at 4 tertiary care academic hospitals in the United States. INTERVENTIONS: Patients assigned to IPC were seen by palliative care clinicians at least twice per week during their initial and subsequent hospitalizations. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Patients completed the 44-item Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Leukemia scale (score range, 0-176) to assess QOL; the 14-item Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), with subscales assessing symptoms of anxiety and depression (score range, 0-21); and the PTSD Checklist–Civilian version to assess posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (score range, 17-85) at baseline and weeks 2, 4, 12, and 24. The primary end point was QOL at week 2. We used analysis of covariance adjusting and mixed linear effect models to evaluate patient-reported outcomes. We used Fisher exact test to compare patient-reported discussion of EOL care preferences and receipt of chemotherapy in the last 30 days of life. RESULTS: Of 235 eligible patients, 160 (68.1%) were enrolled; of the 160 participants, the median (range) age was 64.4 (19.7-80.1) years, and 64 (40.0%) were women. Compared with those receiving UC, IPC participants reported better QOL (adjusted mean score, 107.59 vs 116.45; P = .04), and lower depression (adjusted mean score, 7.20 vs 5.68; P = .02), anxiety (adjusted mean score, 5.94 vs 4.53; P = .02), and PTSD symptoms (adjusted mean score, 31.69 vs 27.79; P = .01) at week 2. Intervention effects were sustained to week 24 for QOL (β, 2.35; 95% CI, 0.02-4.68; P = .048), depression (β, −0.42; 95% CI, −0.82 to −0.02; P = .04), anxiety (β, −0.38; 95% CI, −0.75 to −0.01; P = .04), and PTSD symptoms (β, −1.43; 95% CI, −2.34 to −0.54; P = .002). Among patients who died, those receiving IPC were more likely than those receiving UC to report discussing EOL care preferences (21 of 28 [75.0%] vs 12 of 30 [40.0%]; P = .01) and less likely to receive chemotherapy near EOL (15 of 43 [34.9%] vs 27 of 41 [65.9%]; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this randomized clinical trial of patients with AML, IPC led to substantial improvements in QOL, psychological distress, and EOL care. Palliative care should be considered a new standard of care for patients with AML. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02975869

Clinical outcome of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with cytogenetic and molecular factors and patient demographics (e.g., age and race). We compared survival of 25,523 non-Hispanic Black and White adults with AML using Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program data and performed mutational profiling of 1,339 patients with AML treated on frontline Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (Alliance) protocols. Black patients had shorter survival than White patients, both in SEER and in the setting of Alliance clinical trials. The disparity was especially pronounced in Black patients Significance: We show that young Black patients have not benefited as much as White patients from recent progress in AML treatment in the United States. Our data suggest that both socioeconomic factors and differences in disease biology contribute to the survival disparity and need to be urgently addressed. See related commentary by Vyas, p. 540. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 521

Effective treatment for AML is challenging due to the presence of clonal heterogeneity and the evolution of polyclonal drug resistance. Here, we report that TP-0903 has potent activity against protein kinases related to STAT, AKT, and ERK signaling, as well as cell cycle regulators in biochemical and cellular assays. In vitro and in vivo, TP-0903 was active in multiple models of drug-resistant FLT3 mutant AML, including those involving the F691L gatekeeper mutation and bone marrow microenvironment–mediated factors. Furthermore, TP-0903 demonstrated preclinical activity in AML models with FLT3-ITD and common co-occurring mutations in IDH2 and NRAS genes. We also showed that TP-0903 had ex vivo activity in primary AML cells with recurrent mutations including MLL-PTD, ASXL1, SRSF2, and WT1, which are associated with poor prognosis or promote clinical resistance to AML-directed therapies. Our preclinical studies demonstrate that TP-0903 is a multikinase inhibitor with potent activity against multiple drug-resistant models of AML that will have an immediate clinical impact in a heterogeneous disease like AML., TP-0903, a multikinase inhibitor, demonstrates preclinical activity in models of drug-resistant AML, including those involving FLT3 mutations, bone marrow microenvironment-mediated factors and recurrent mutations.

There are limited data describing incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adolescent and young adult (AYA) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients receiving peg-asparaginase.Single-institution retrospective analysis of 44 AYA ALL patients treated with peg-asparaginase. Rates of VTE and proposed risk factors were assessed.18 patients (41%) had a symptomatic VTE following peg-asparaginase. The cumulative incidence rate was 25% (95% CI: 13-38%) within 30 days of the initial dose. Personal history of thrombosis was statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of VTE with HR of 2.73 (95% CI: 1.40-5.33, p = 0.003) after adjusting for gender.These data indicate a high rate of VTE in the AYA ALL population following treatment with peg-asparaginase.

Hematopoiesis is hierarchical, and it has been postulated that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is organized similarly with leukemia stem cells (LSCs) residing at the apex. Limited cells acquired by fluorescence activated cell sorting in tandem with targeted amplicon-based sequencing (LC-FACSeq) enables identification of mutations in small subpopulations of cells, such as LSCs. Leveraging this, we studied clonal compositions of immunophenotypically-defined compartments in AML through genomic and functional analyses at diagnosis, remission and relapse in 88 AML patients. Mutations involving DNA methylation pathways, transcription factors and spliceosomal machinery did not differ across compartments, while signaling pathway mutations were less frequent in putative LSCs. We also provide insights into TP53-mutated AML by demonstrating stepwise acquisition of mutations beginning from the preleukemic hematopoietic stem cell stage. In 10 analyzed cases, acquisition of additional mutations and del(17p) led to genetic and functional heterogeneity within the LSC pool with subclones harboring varying degrees of clonogenic potential. Finally, we use LC-FACSeq to track clonal evolution in serial samples, which can also be a powerful tool to direct targeted therapy against measurable residual disease. Therefore, studying clinically significant small subpopulations of cells can improve our understanding of AML biology and offers advantages over bulk sequencing to monitor the evolution of disease.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with myelodysplasia-related changes (AML-MRC) is a distinct biologic subtype of AML that represents 25–34% of all AML diagnoses and associates with especially inferior outcomes compared to non-MRC AML. Typically, patients with AML-MRC experience low remission rates following intensive chemotherapy and a median overall survival of merely 9–12 months. In light of these discouraging outcomes, it has become evident that more effective therapies are needed for patients with AML-MRC. Liposomal daunorubicin–cytarabine (CPX-351) was approved in 2017 for adults with newly diagnosed AML-MRC and those with therapy-related AML (t-AML), and remains the only therapy specifically approved for this patient population. Other studies have also demonstrated the efficacy of the hypomethylating agent (HMA) azacitidine as upfront therapy for AML-MRC patients, which, to date, is the most common treatment employed for patients unable to tolerate the more intensive CPX-351. HMAs and venetoclax combinations have also been evaluated, but additional studies utilizing these agents in this specific subgroup are needed before conclusions regarding their role in the therapeutic armamentarium of AML-MRC patients can be reached. Currently, many studies are ongoing in attempts to further improve outcomes in this historically ill-fated patient group.

Patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have poor outcomes and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the only curative treatment. New targeted therapies improved survival in select patients with specific mutations, however management of patients without these molecular alterations is an unmet need. We conducted a phase one study of lenalidomide in combination with cytarabine/idarubicin salvage chemotherapy in patients with R/R AML and high‐risk myelodysplastic syndromes. A total of 33 patients were enrolled in the study (30 AML, 3 MDS), and treated at three dose levels with 3 + 3 design. Dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT) was seen in eight patients, including four hematologic DLTs. The most commonly observed non‐hematologic serious adverse events were febrile neutropenia, rash, sepsis and renal injury. Dose level −1, consisting of 25 mg/d lenalidomide D1‐21, 1 g/m2 cytarabine D5‐8, and 8 mg/m2 idarubicin D5‐7 was determined to be the maximum tolerated dose. Note, 15/33 (45%) of patients were able to receive pre‐planned 21 days of lenalidomide. Overall, 18 patients achieved complete remission (CR) (n = 14) or CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi) (n = 4) with total CR/CRi rate of 56%. The 1‐year and 2‐year overall survival (OS) were 24% and 10%, respectively. Among responders, 10/18 underwent allogeneic HCT and had a 1‐year OS of 40%. There was no molecular pattern associated with response. These data demonstrate that the combination had clinical activity in R/R AML. This regimen should be further investigated for patients who relapsed after HCT, and as a bridge therapy to HCT. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01132586).

Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) signaling is a proposed target in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Sensitivity to SYK inhibition has been linked toThis was an international multicenter phase Ib/II study, entospletinib dose escalation (standard 3+3 design between 200 and 400 mg twice daily) + 7+3 (cytarabine + daunorubicin) in phase Ib and entospletinib dose expansion (400 mg twice daily) + 7+3 in phase II.Fifty-three patients (Entospletinib with intensive chemotherapy was well-tolerated in patients with AML. Improved survival was observed in patients with

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is defined by the presence of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph), resulting from a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 [t(9;22] that gives rise to a BCR-ABL1 fusion gene. CML occurs in 3 different phases (chronic, accelerated, and blast phase) and is usually diagnosed in the chronic phase. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy is a highly effective first-line treatment option for all patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase CML (CP-CML). The selection TKI therapy should be based on the risk score, toxicity profile of TKI, patient's age, ability to tolerate therapy, and the presence of comorbid conditions. This manuscript discusses the recommendations outlined in the NCCN Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with CP-CML.