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Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) progressing on ibrutinib constitute an unmet clinical need. Though BTK and PLCG2 mutations are associated with ibrutinib resistance, their frequency and relevance to progression are not fully understood. In this multicenter retrospective observational study, we analyzed 98 patients with CLL treated with ibrutinib (49 relapsing after an initial response and 49 still responding after ≥1 year of continuous treatment) using a next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel (1% sensitivity) comprising 13 CLL-relevant genes including BTK and PLCG2. BTK hotspot mutations were validated by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) (0.1% sensitivity). By integrating NGS and ddPCR results, 32/49 relapsing cases (65%) carried at least 1 hotspot BTK mutation and/or PLCG2 mutation(s); in 6/32, BTK mutations were only detected by ddPCR [variant allele frequency (VAF) 0.1-1.2%]. BTK/PLCG2 mutations were also identified in 6/49 responding patients (12%; 5/6 VAF

Tyrosine-kinase inhibitors have changed the natural history of chronic myeloid leukaemia in such a way that patients with adequate access to these agents, who are properly managed, and who respond well to this treatment can expect a near-normal life expectancy. Achieving this goal requires an adequate understanding of the patient's treatment goals, careful monitoring for the achievement of optimal response hallmarks, implementation of proper interventions according to the attainment of such endpoints, adequate recognition and management of adverse events, and acknowledgment of the relevance of comorbidities. Treatment with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, once considered lifelong, has become terminable for at least some patients, and promising new agents are emerging for those whose disease does not respond to any of the multiple therapeutic options currently available. If these advances reach all patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia, cure might eventually become a reality in most instances.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) management in developing countries has improved in the last years, but the availability of therapeutic resources, monitoring, reimbursement, and financial issues may be a challenge and interfere with the best practices and results of CML treatment. This review points out the main challenges in CML management in South America. RECENT FINDINGS In this review, we describe the access to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monitoring in different countries of South America. We also address the ongoing discontinuation trials, the progress, and limitations of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the last years. There are still many challenges for achieving the best outcomes for CML patients in South America. The continuous efforts to provide continuous education, access to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and monitoring, providing reference centers for CML management and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may improve patients' outcomes.

PURPOSE Limited information is available on multiple myeloma (MM), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) management in Latin America. The primary objective of the Hemato-Oncology Latin America (HOLA) study was to describe patient characteristics and treatment patterns of Latin American patients with MM, CLL, and NHL. METHODS This study was a multicenter, retrospective, medical chart review of patients with MM, CLL, and NHL in Latin America identified between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2015. Included were adults with at least 1 year of follow-up (except in cases of death within 1 year of diagnosis) treated at 30 oncology hospitals (Argentina, 5; Brazil, 9; Chile, 1; Colombia, 5; Mexico, 6; Panama/Guatemala, 4). RESULTS Of 5,140 patients, 2,967 (57.7%) had NHL, 1,518 (29.5%) MM, and 655 (12.7%) CLL. Median follow-up was 2.2 years for MM, 3.0 years for CLL, and 2.2 years for NHL, and approximately 26% died during the study observation period. Most patients had at least one comorbidity at diagnosis. The most frequent induction regimen was thalidomide-based chemotherapy for MM and chlorambucil with or without prednisone for CLL. Most patients with NHL had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL; 49.1%) or follicular lymphoma (FL; 19.5%). The majority of patients with DLBCL or FL received rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone. CONCLUSION The HOLA study generated an unprecedented level of high-quality, real-world evidence on characteristics and treatment patterns of patients with hematologic malignancies. Regional disparities in patient characteristics may reflect differences in ethnoracial identity and level of access to care. These data provide needed real-world evidence to understand the disease landscape in Latin America and may be used to inform clinical and health policy decision making.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:45:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 This observational, multicenter study aimed to report the clinical evolution of COVID-19 in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in Latin America. A total of 92 patients presented with COVID-19 between March and December 2020, 26% of whom were severe or critical. The median age at COVID-19 diagnosis was 48 years (22–79 years), 32% were 60 years or older, and 61% were male. Thirty-nine patients presented with at least one comorbidity (42.3%). Eighty-one patients recovered (88%), and 11 (11.9%) died from COVID-19. There was one case of reinfection. Patients with a major molecular response presented superior overall survival compared to patients with no major molecular response (91 vs. 61%, respectively; p = 0.004). Patients in treatment-free remission and receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors showed higher survival rates than patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and those who did not receive tyrosine kinase inhibitors (100, 89, 50, and 33%, respectively; p < 0.001). Hematology and Hemotherapy Center University of Campinas Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI IMSS JM Ramos Mejia CABA Hospital de Transplantes Euryclides de Jesus Zerbini Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal do Ceará Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio Complexo Hospital de Clínicas–Universidade Federal do Paraná Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and targeted therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM/31) Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo Hospital de Valdivia Bueras Centro de Pesquisas Oncológicas Hospital dos Fornecedores de Cana de Piracicaba Hospital AC Camargo Cancer Center Hospital Universitário Antonio Pedro Universidade Federal Fluminense Hospitalization & Clinical Research Center Fundaleu Hospital Jorge Valente Hospital Santa Casa de Misericordia de Maceió Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto University of São Paulo Hospital Santa Marcelina São Paulo State University UNESP Medical School Campus de Botucatu Hemorio São Paulo State University UNESP Medical School Campus de Botucatu

In PACE (Ponatinib Ph+ ALL and CML Evaluation), a phase 2 trial of ponatinib that included patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) resistant to multiple prior tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), ponatinib showed deep and durable responses, but arterial occlusive events (AOEs) emerged as notable adverse events. Post hoc analyses indicated that AOEs are dose dependent. We assessed the benefit/risk ratio across 3 ponatinib starting doses in the first prospective study to evaluate a novel, response-based, dose-reduction strategy for TKI treatment. Adults with CP-CML resistant to or intolerant of at least 2 prior BCR-ABL1 TKIs or with a BCR-ABL1 T315I mutation were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to 3 cohorts receiving ponatinib 45, 30, or 15 mg once daily. In patients who received 45 or 30 mg daily the dose was reduced to 15 mg upon response (BCR-ABL1IS transcript levels ≤1%). The primary end point was response at 12 months. From August 2015 through May 2019, 283 patients were randomly assigned to the cohorts: 282 (94 per dose group) received treatment (data cutoff, 31 May 2020). The primary end point (98.3% confidence interval) was achieved in 44.1% (31.7-57.0) in the 45-mg cohort, 29.0% (18.4-41.6) in the 30-mg cohort, and 23.1% (13.4-35.3) in the 15-mg cohort. Independently confirmed grade 3 or above treatment-emergent AOEs occurred in 5, 5, and 3 patients in the 45-, 30-, and 15-mg cohorts, respectively. All cohorts showed benefit in this highly resistant CP-CML population. Optimal benefit/risk outcomes occurred with the 45-mg starting dose, which was decreased to 15 mg upon achievement of a response. This trial is registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02467270.

To describe chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment patterns and patient outcomes in Latin America.This chart review study (NCT02559583; 2008-2015)evaluated time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) outcomes among patients with CLL who initiate done (The most commonly prescribed therapies in both LOTs were chlorambucil-, followed by fludarabine- and cyclophosphamide (C)/CHOP-based therapies. Chlorambucil- and C/CHOP-based therapies were largely prescribed to elderly patients (≥65 years) while fludarabine-based therapy was predominantly used by younger patients (≤65 years). In LOT1, relative to chlorambucil-administered patients, those prescribed fludarabine-based therapies had lower risk of disease progression (hazard ratio [HR] and 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32 [0.19-0.54]), whereas C/CHOP-prescribed patients had higher risk (HR 95%CI 1.88 [1.17-3.04]). Similar results were observed in LOT2. There was no difference in OS between treatments in both LOTs.Novel therapies such as kinase inhibitors were rarely prescribed in LOT1 or LOT2in Latin America. The greater TTP observed forfludarabine-based therapies could be attributed to the fact that fludarabine-based therapies are predominantly administered to young and healthy patients.Chlorambucil-based therapy, which has limited benefits, is frequently prescribed in Latin America. Prescribing novel agents for fludarabine-based therapy-ineligible patients with CLL is the need of the hour.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloid stem cell neoplasm characterized by an expansion of myeloid progenitor cells and the presence of BCR-ABL1 oncoprotein. Since the introduction of specific BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), overall survival has improved significantly. However, under long-term therapy patients may have residual disease that originates from TKI-resistant leukemic stem cells (LSC). In this work, we analyzed the miRNome of LSC-enriched CD34+CD38−CD26+ and normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) fractions obtained from the same chronic phase (CP) CML patients, and stem and progenitor cells obtained from healthy donors (HD) by next-generation sequencing. We detected a global decrease of microRNA levels in LSC-enriched CD34+CD38−CD26+ and HSC fractions from CML-CP patients, and decreased levels of microRNAs and snoRNAs from a genomic cluster in chromosome 14, suggesting a mechanism of silencing of multiple non-coding RNAs. Surprisingly, HSC from CML-CP patients, despite the absence of BCR-ABL1 expression, showed an altered miRNome. We confirmed by RT-qPCR that the levels of miR-196a-5p were increased more than nine-fold in CD26+ (BCR-ABL1 +) vs. CD26− (BCR-ABL1 −) CD34+CD38− fractions from CML-CP patients at diagnosis, and in silico analysis revealed a significant association to lipid metabolism and hematopoiesis functions. In the light of recent descriptions of increased oxidative metabolism in CML LSC-enriched fractions, these results serve as a guide for future functional studies that evaluate the role of microRNAs in this process. Metabolic vulnerabilities in LSCs open the road for new therapeutic strategies. This is the first report of the miRNome of CML-CP CD34+CD38− fractions that distinguishes between CD26+ (BCR-ABL1 +) and their CD26− (BCR-ABL1 -) counterparts, providing valuable data for future studies.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have dramatically changed the survival of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, and treatment-free remission (TFR) has recently emerged as a new goal of CML treatment. The aim of this work was to develop recommendations for TKI discontinuation in Latin America (LA), outside of clinical trials. A working group of CML experts from LA discussed 22 questions regarding TFR and reached a consensus for TFR recommendations in the region. TFR is indicated in patients in first chronic phase, with typical BCR-ABL transcripts, under TKI treatment of a minimum of 5 years, in sustained deep molecular response (DMR; molecular response 4.5 [MR4.5]) for 2 years. Sustained DMR must be demonstrated on at least 4 international reporting scale quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, separated by at least 3 months, in the immediate prior 2 years. After second-line therapy, TFR is indicated in previously intolerant, not resistant, patients. Molecular monitoring is recommended monthly for the first 6 months, every 2 to 3 months from months 7 to 12, and every 3 months during the second year, indefinitely. Treatment should be reintroduced if major molecular response is lost. Monitoring of withdrawal syndrome, glucose levels, and lipid profile is recommended after discontinuation. After TKI reintroduction, molecular monitoring is indicated every 2 to 3 months until MR4.0 achievement; later, every 3 to 6 months. For the TFR attempt, having standardized and reliable BCR-ABL PCR tests is mandatory. These recommendations will be useful for safe discontinuation in daily practice and will benefit patients who wish to stop treatment in emergent regions, in particular, with TKI-related chronic adverse events.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloid stem cell neoplasm characterized by an expansion of myeloid progenitor cells and the presence of BCR-ABL1 oncoprotein. Since the introduction of specific BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), overall survival has improved significantly. However, under long-term therapy patients may have residual disease that originates from TKI-resistant leukemic stem cells (LSC). In this work, we analyzed the miRNome of CML LSC, normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) obtained from the same CML patients, and stem and progenitor cells obtained from healthy donors (HD) by next-generation sequencing. We detected a global decrease of microRNA levels in LSC and HSC from CML patients, and decreased levels of microRNAs and snoRNAs from a genomic cluster in chromosome 14, suggesting a mechanism of silencing of multiple non-coding RNAs. Surprisingly, HSC from CML patients, despite the absence ofBCR-ABL1expression, showed an altered miRNome.In silicoanalysis revealed an association between validated microRNAs and multiple metabolic pathways, suggesting that these molecules may be mediators of the previously reported dysregulation of LSC metabolism. This is the first report of the LSC miRNome that distinguishes betweenBCR-ABL1+LSC and theirBCR-ABL1-counterparts, providing valuable data for future studies.

Quantification of BCR-ABL1 mRNA levels in peripheral blood of chronic myeloidleukemia patients is a strong indicator of response to tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI)treatment. However, additional prognostic markers are needed in order to better classify patients. The hypothesis of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) heterogeneity and persistence, suggests that their functional evaluation could be of clinical interest. In this work, we assessed the primitive and progenitor fractions in patients at diagnosis and during TKI treatment using functional in vitro assays, defining a ?functional leukemic burden? (FLB). We observed that the FLB was reduced in vivo in both fractions upon treatment. However, different FLB levels were observed among patients according to their response to treatment, suggesting that quantification of the FLB could complement early molecular monitoring. Given that FLB assessment is limited by BCR-ABL1 mRNA expression levels, we developed a novel detection method of primitive cells at the DNA level, using patient-specific primers and direct nested PCR in colonies obtained from functional in vitro assays. We believe that this methodcould be useful in the context of discontinuation trials, given that it is unknown whether the persistent leukemic clone represents LSCs, able to resume the leukemia upon TKI removal. Fil: Ruiz, María Sol. Fundación Cáncer. Centro de Investigaciones Oncológicas; Argentina Fil: Sanchez, María Belén. Fundación Cáncer. Centro de Investigaciones Oncológicas; Argentina. Argenomics; Argentina Fil: Gutierrez, Leandro German. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Instituto Alexander Fleming, Bs. As.; Argentina Fil: Koile, Daniel Isaac. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires - Instituto Partner de la Sociedad Max Planck; Argentina Fil: Yankilevich, Patricio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires - Instituto Partner de la Sociedad Max Planck; Argentina Fil: Mosqueira, Celeste. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Ramos Mejía"; Argentina Fil: Cranco, Santiago. Fundaleu; Argentina Fil: Custidiano, María del Rosario. Hospital Italiano de La Plata; Argentina Fil: Freitas, Josefina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Hospital Nacional Profesor A. Posadas; Argentina Fil: Foncuberta, Cecilia. Instituto Alexander Fleming; Argentina Fil: Moiraghi, Beatriz. Fundación Cáncer. Centro de Investigaciones Oncológicas; Argentina Fil: Pavlovsky, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; Argentina Fil: Pérez, Mariel Ana. Fundación Cáncer. Centro de Investigaciones Oncológicas; Argentina Fil: Ventriglia, Verónica. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Hospital Nacional Profesor A. Posadas; Argentina; Argentina Fil: Sánchez Ávalos, Julio César Américo. Instituto Alexander Fleming; Argentina Fil: Mordoh, Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación Cáncer. Centro de Investigaciones Oncológicas; Argentina Fil: Larripa, Irene Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentina Fil: Bianchini, Michele. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación Cáncer. Centro de Investigaciones Oncológicas; Argentina

Introduction: Ponatinib is a third-generation, pan-inhibitory tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) designed to potently inhibit BCR-ABL1 with or without any single resistance mutation, including T315I. Patients (pts) with resistant disease or with T315I BCR-ABL1 mutations respond inadequately to earlier-generation BCR-ABL1 TKIs, leading to poor survival outcomes. OPTIC (Optimizing Ponatinib Treatment in CP-CML, NCT02467270; ongoing) is a phase 2 trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of ponatinib in pts with CP-CML whose disease is resistant to 2 or more TKIs or who have a T315I mutation. Here, we present an in-depth post hoc analysis of OPTIC trial pt responses by baseline disease burden and mutation status. Methods: Pts with CP-CML resistant to ≥2 TKIs or with the BCR-ABL1 T315I mutation were randomized to ponatinib starting doses of 45 mg (cohort A; 45 mg → 15 mg), 30 mg (B; 30 mg → 15 mg), and 15 mg (C) once daily. Doses were reduced to 15 mg after achievement of ≤1% BCR-ABL1 IS in cohorts A and B. Pts could re-escalate to their original starting dose for loss of response. The primary endpoint is ≤1% BCR-ABL1 IS at 12 months; secondary endpoints include cytogenetic and molecular responses and safety outcomes. In this analysis, outcomes are analyzed by baseline T315I mutation status and baseline disease burden in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population. BCR-ABL1 mutations were assessed by Sanger sequencing at a central laboratory (MolecularMD, Portland, OR, USA). Results: 283 pts were randomized (A/B/C: n=94/95/94). At baseline, 84.1% of pts had a high (>10% BCR-ABL1 IS) disease burden; 23.8% had T315I mutation, 17.0% had a mutation other than T315I, and 57.8% had no mutation. The 45 mg →15 mg cohort showed the highest ≤1% BCR-ABL1 IS response rates by 36 months (Figure 1). Subanalysis of pts across the 3 dosing arms showed that pts with T315I mutations had the highest ≤1% BCR-ABL1 IS response rates (60%) by 3 years with the 45 mg → 15 mg dose compared with the other cohorts, with a trend toward higher progression-free survival (PFS) in the 45 mg →15 mg arm (Table 1). Across all 3 cohorts, 97 pts without T315I mutations (ie, no mutation or with mutations other than T315I) achieved ≤1% BCR-ABL1 IS. Median duration of response (mDoR) for pts with a T315I mutation at baseline was 27 months for pts (n=15) in the 45 mg → 15 mg cohort and 12 mo for pts (n=5) in the 30 mg → 15 mg cohort. For pts without T315I mutations, the mDoR was not reached. Across all 3 cohorts, 79% of pts who achieved ≤1% BCR-ABL1IS maintained this response during the study. A total of 25 patients lost responses (Table 2). Of those who lost response, 11 had T315I, 10/11 dose re-escalated; of those who re-escalated, 6/10 regained ≤1% BCR-ABL1IS after dose re-escalation (Table 2). The most common nonhematologic treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) in the ITT population for all cohorts combined were arterial hypertension (28%), headache (18%), and lipase increased (17%). The most common hematologic TEAEs were thrombocytopenia (40%), neutropenia (26%), and anemia (19%). Overall, 6.0% of pts experienced a treatment-emergent arterial occlusive event (TE-AOE); 4.6% experienced a Grade ≥3 TE-AOE. Conclusions: Previous analyses established these largely resistant pts achieved high response rates when treated with ponatinib. Consistent with this, the OPTIC post hoc analysis showed clinical benefit across all 3 dosing regimens regardless of T315I mutation status at baseline; the 45 mg →15 mg cohort showed the highest response rates regardless of baseline disease burden (as assessed by BCR-ABL1 IS levels). Regardless of T315I mutation status, most patients were able to maintain their response after dose reduction to 15 mg/day upon achieving BCR-ABL1IS ≤1%. Compared with patients without a T315I mutation, patients with a T315I mutation at baseline were more likely to lose their response upon dose reduction; however, 60% of responses were regained with dose re-escalation. For pts with T315I mutations, PFS was greater with 45 mg → 15 mg dosing compared with the other arms; for pts without T315I mutations, all 3 doses showed robust PFS and OS outcomes. The data presented further support the benefit of using ponatinib post-2nd generation TKI for pts with resistant disease regardless of baseline T315I mutation status. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Deininger: Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Fusion Pharma, Medscape, DisperSol: Consultancy; Blueprint Medicines Corporation: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Part of a Study Management Committee, Research Funding; SPARC, DisperSol, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Part of a Study Management Committee, Research Funding; Sangamo: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding. Apperley: Incyte, Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Chuah: Steward Cross: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Other: Travel, Research Funding; Novartis, Korea Otsuka Pharmaceutical: Honoraria. Hochhaus: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. De Lavallade: Pfizer, Novartis.: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb, Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding. Lipton: Bristol Myers Squibb, Ariad, Pfizer, Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding. Lomaia: Novartis: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Pharmstandard: Honoraria. McCloskey: Takeda: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Jazz: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; COTA: Other: Equity Ownership; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy. Mauro: Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sun Pharma / SPARC: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy. Moiraghi: Novartis, Pfizer, Takeda: Speakers Bureau. Pavlovsky: Novartis, BMS, Pfizer, Takeda: Speakers Bureau. Rosti: Pfizer: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bristol Myers Squibb, Incyte, Novartis: Speakers Bureau. Rousselot: Incyte, Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Undurraga: AbbVie, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche: Other: Advisory Board; Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer: Speakers Bureau. Lu: Takeda: Current Employment. Vorog: Takeda: Current Employment. Cortes: Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sun Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Astellas, Novartis, Pfizer, Takeda, BioPath Holdings, Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bio-Path Holdings, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding.

Context: PON, a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), demonstrated deep, long-lasting responses/survival in patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) resistant/intolerant to second-generation TKI therapy (PACE; NCT01207440); post hoc analysis suggested a relationship between dose and adverse events/response. We present the primary analysis of OPTIC (NCT02467270), an ongoing, randomized, phase 2 trial in resistant/intolerant CP-CML to evaluate safety and efficacy of PON response–based dosing regimens. Methods: Patients with CP-CML resistant/intolerant to ≥2 TKIs or with the BCR-ABL1 T315I mutation were randomized to PON starting doses of 45 mg (cohort A), 30 mg (B), and 15 mg (C) once daily. Doses were reduced to 15 mg with achievement of ≤1% BCR-ABL1IS in cohorts A and B. Primary endpoint is Results: 283 patients were randomized (A/B/C: n=94/95/94) and had the following baseline characteristics: median age 48 y (18–81 y); 98% received ≥2 (55% ≥3) TKIs; 99% had resistant disease; 40% had ≥1 baseline mutations (23% T315I). At 32-mo median follow-up, 134 patients (47%; n=50/41/43) remained on treatment and 204 patients (72%) had PON exposure ≥12 mo. At 12 mo, 44% (41/93) in A, 29% (27/93) in B, and 23% (21/91) in C achieved ≤1% BCR-ABL1IS; cohort A met the primary endpoint. Progression-free survival/overall survival at 36 months was 73/89% (A), 66/89% (B), and 70/92% (C). Most common grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were thrombocytopenia, 27%; neutropenia, 17%; and anemia, 7%. Arterial occlusive events (AOEs)/serious AOEs were reported in cohorts A (10%/4%), B (5%/4%), and C (3%/3%). Dose reductions or discontinuations for TEAEs (A/B/C) were 46/35/32% and 19/16/14%, respectively. Conclusions: The OPTIC primary analysis demonstrates the optimal benefit/risk profile for PON was achieved with a response-based dosing regimen starting with 45 mg/d, followed by dose reduction to 15 mg/d upon achieving ≤1% BCR-ABL1IS. Observed ≤1% BCR-ABL1IS responses are supported by robust survival outcomes in patients with and without BCR-ABL1 mutations. The OPTIC study is sponsored by ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, with additional funding from Incyte Corporation (Wilmington, DE).

Summary The Evaluating Nilotinib Efficacy and Safety in Clinical Trials–Extending Molecular Responses (ENESTxtnd) study was conducted to evaluate the kinetics of molecular response to nilotinib in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukaemia in chronic phase and the impact of novel dose-optimization strategies on patient outcomes. The ENESTxtnd protocol allowed nilotinib dose escalation (from 300 to 400 mg twice daily) in the case of suboptimal response or treatment failure as well as dose re-escalation for patients with nilotinib dose reductions due to adverse events. Among 421 patients enrolled in ENESTxtnd, 70·8% (95% confidence interval, 66·2–75·1%) achieved major molecular response (BCR-ABL1 ≤ 0·1% on the International Scale) by 12 months (primary endpoint). By 24 months, 81·0% of patients achieved major molecular response, including 63·6% (56 of 88) of those with dose escalations for lack of efficacy and 74·3% (55 of 74) of those with dose reductions due to adverse events (including 43 of 54 patients with successful re-escalation). The safety profile of nilotinib was consistent with prior studies. The most common non-haematological adverse events were headache, rash, and nausea; cardiovascular events were reported in 4·5% of patients (grade 3/4, 3·1%). The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01254188).

The expected five-year survival of chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors is over 90%. Little data is available regarding the results in the Argentinian population. This information might be of interest as generic imatinib is now available in the region. The aim of this study is to provide information on monitoring and the long-term treatment with imatinib outside of a controlled clinical trial, as well as to analyze the predictive effect of early responses to achieve molecular remission 4.0 (RM 4.0) and the detection of variables that may condition treatment failure. We included 106 patients, who received imatinib 400 mg daily as first-line inhibitor for a median of 8.9 years (IQR 5.8-11.7) between June 2000 and December, 2015. Overall survival was 93%. At latest follow-up 74% of patients continues on initial imatinib. The achievement of response at targeted milestones (6, 12 months) was associated with increased failure-free survival: 87% vs. 56%, p = 0.007; 90% vs. 69% p = 0.01 and was independently associated to RM 4.0: OR 5.6 (95% CI: 1.6-19.0); OR 5.3 (95% CI: 1.4-21.0) p = 0.006. After long-term follow-up, imatinib provided high-rates of response and survival. The prognostic value of response at targeted milestones was confirmed. This study reinforces the importance of molecular monitoring under IS standardization at known timepoints and this must continue to be a target in Argentina.

Background: Data on the safety and efficacy of copy drugs is usually unavailable. Imatinib mesylate is used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in Argentina since 2002. During the last decade more than ten different imatinib copies are marketed by the different health-care systems in the country, usually for cost issues. In spite of the undoubted benefit of this tyrosine-kinase inhibitor indication in CML, there is no solid evidence that supports copy drug equivalent outcomes for this patient population. Aim: To compare the clinical presentation, treatment response and outcome of a chronic phase (CP) CML patient cohort treated with branded and copy imatinib in the real-life setting. Methods: Multicentric, retrospective trial based on data obtained from medical charts of adult CP CML patients treated with imatinib in 9 centers in Argentina from 2002 to 2020.We analyzed demographic characteristics and clinical characteristics described for branded and copy imatinib treated cohorts. Frequency of complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) at 12 months, Major molecular response or better(≥MMR) at 12, 18 and 24 months and overall MR4.0, MR4.5 and deep molecular response (MR4.0 +MR4.5 IS) were analyzed. Event was defined as failure, progression or CML related death. Kaplan Meier comparison of event free, progression free and overall survival. Statistics: IBM SPSS version 1. Results: A total of 568 CP CML adult patients (pt) treated with imatinib were included. Mean age at diagnosis: 45.7 years (range 18 - 85). Male 55.6% (316/568). Sokal Score was recorded in 471 pt: 57% (269/471) low, 26% (122/471) intermediate and 17% (80/471) high-risk. Median follow-up 107 months (RIQ: 36-149). Branded imatinib treatment 330 (58%) and imatinib copies 238 (42%). For branded and copy imatinib cohorts mean age 46,1 (18-85) and 45.3(18-80), male 53% (175/330) and 59% (141/238), median follow up 102 (RIQ 101-130) and 61 (RIQ 62-146) respectively. Sokal score low 58% (164/284) and 56% (105/187), intermediate 27% (77/284) and 24% (45/187) and high 15% (43/284) and19% (37/187). Frequency of CCyR at 12 months 71% (67/94) and 69% (41/59), ≥MMR at 12 months 57% (79/138) and 43% (39/89), ≥MMR 18m 66 % (61/92) and 71% (43/60), ≥MMR 24m 65% (96/147) and 79% (58/73). Overall MR4, MR 4.5 and Deep MR with branded imatinib 62.4% (186/298), 42% (118/276) and 63% (189/300), compared to 45(97/214), 24% (50/207) and 46% (99/215) with copies. Difference in evaluation throughout the treatment periods with loss of data did not allow response rate statistical comparison in predetermined timepoints. Kaplan Meier Event free survival median 229 months vs 75 months p 0.001, Progression free survival mean 318 months vs 208 pt 0.034 and Overall Survival mean 275 months vs 206 months for branded and copy imatinib respectively. Discussion: Several case reports have shown poor outcomes in patients treated with imatinib copy drugs, including loss of responses previously attained with branded imatinib. This study reports data from a large cohort of CP CML patients treated in daily practice during a long period of time. Treatment results at determined timepoints is comparable. Although management and treatment decisions were performed in different time periods, results show different outcomes in EFS and PFS between patients treated with branded vs copy imatinib. Overall survival in both cohorts is comparable. As studies assesing the safety and efficacy of the copy drugs compared with branded imatinib will hardly be performed this evidence calls for careful attention and strict follow up measures when managing CML patients with copy imatinib. Figure Disclosures Varela: Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Pavlovsky:Pint Pharma: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Freitas:Pfizer: Consultancy, Other: Advisory Board. Pavlovsky:Varifarma: Speakers Bureau; Astra Zeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel grants, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel grants, Speakers Bureau. Moiraghi:Novartis: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Speakers Bureau.

7000 Background: PON, a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), demonstrated deep and long-lasting responses and survival in patients (pts) with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) resistant/intolerant to second-generation TKI therapy (PACE; NCT01207440); post hoc analysis suggested a relationship between dose and both adverse events and response. Here we present the primary analysis of OPTIC (NCT02467270), an ongoing, randomized, phase 2 trial with a novel response-based dosing regimen of PON in pts with resistant/intolerant CP-CML. Methods: Pts with CP-CML resistant/intolerant to ≥2 TKIs or with the BCR-ABL1 T315I mutation were randomized to PON starting doses of 45 mg (cohort A; 45 mg → 15 mg), 30 mg (B; 30 mg →15 mg), and 15 mg (C) once daily. Doses were reduced to 15 mg with achievement of ≤1% BCR-ABL1IS in cohorts A and B. The primary endpoint is ≤1% BCR-ABL1IS at 12 mo; secondary endpoints include cytogenetic and molecular responses and safety outcomes. AOEs were adjudicated prospectively by an independent review committee. Results: 283 pts were randomized (A/B/C: n=94/95/94) and had the following baseline characteristics: median age 48 y (18‒81 y); 98% received ≥2 (55% ≥3) TKIs; 99% had resistant disease; 40% had ≥1 baseline mutations (23% T315I). At the primary analysis with 32 mo median follow-up, 134 pts (47%; n=50/41/43) remained on treatment and 204 pts (72%) had PON exposure ≥12 mo. At 12 mo, 44% (41/93) in A, 29% (27/93) in B, and 23% (21/91) in C achieved ≤1% BCR-ABL1IS (Table); primary endpoint was met by cohort A. Dose reductions to 15 mg after achieving response (A/B) were 48/29%. Most common grades ≥3 TEAEs were thrombocytopenia, 27%; neutropenia, 17%; and anemia, 7%. AOEs/serious AOEs were reported in cohorts A (10%/4%), B (5%/4%), and C (3%/3%). Dose reductions or discontinuations for TEAEs (A/B/C) were 46/35/32% and 19/16/14%, respectively. Conclusions: The OPTIC primary analysis demonstrates the optimal benefit:risk profile for PON was achieved with a response-based dosing regimen starting with 45 mg/d, followed by dose reduction to 15 mg/d upon achieving ≤ 1% BCR-ABL1IS; 30 mg→15 mg and 15 mg cohorts may provide benefit, especially in pts without T315I mutation (Table). The observed ≤1% BCR-ABL1IS responses are supported by robust survival outcomes in pts with CP-CML resistant to second-generation BCR-ABL1 TKI therapy, both with and without BCR-ABL1 mutations. Clinical trial information: NCT02467270. [Table: see text]

INTRODUCTION: Long-term survival of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has significantly improved since the introduction of BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Several considerations about the side effects, risks and cost associated with the lifetime treatment, have led patients and physicians to explore the possibility of TKI discontinuation after achievement of a sustained deep molecular response (DMR), so-called treatment-free remission (TFR). Several clinical trials show that approximately half of patients who achieve a sustained DMR during TKI treatment maintain molecular remission after suspension of TKIs. There is currently no biomarker that reliably predicts TFR in CML, mainly due to different study designs that have generated inconsistent data. Thus, further investigations are needed to identify factors that consistently favor achievement of TFR. With the aim of developing a biomarker for TFR prediction we analyzed the phenotype of Natural Killer (NK) cells and their relation to successful TKI cessation. METHODS: This analysis was conducted as a substudy of the Argentina Stop Trial. Altogether, 50 consecutive chronic phase CML patients who participated in the clinical trial were recruited from 7 Argentinian centers. Peripheral blood samples were collected before stopping TKI treatment, at month 3, 12 and at any time when MR3.0 was lost. Freshly isolated mononuclear cells from 46 patients were immunophenotyped by staining with CD3, CD16, CD25, CD56, CD57, CD158, NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, NKG2A, NKG2C, NKG2D and PD-1 antibodies and NK cells subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry (BD FACS Canto™II). Molecular recurrence-free survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared within groups by the log-rank test. The cutoffs of the numerical variables were optimized according to the log-rank test. Quantitative variables were dichotomized according to receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves in order to describe sensibility and specificity. Multivariate analysis was performed through Cox proportional hazards model. Main results are provided with hazard ratio (HR) at 6 months and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: At the time of discontinuation the median proportion of NK cells (CD3-CD56+) among lymphocytes was significantly increased in patients compared with controls (15% vs 9%, P = 0.0016). A significant difference between molecular relapsed vs no-relapsed patients was observed when optimal cutoff (0.43) for CD56bright low and high was determined (at 6 months 74% vs 100% respectively, log rank test, p=0.023). At this time of follow up, no significant difference was observed for CD56dim NK cells. Phenotypic markers for adaptive-like NK cells were analyzed, however, no significant differences were observed between the non-relapsing and relapsing groups. Nevertheless, molecular non-relapsing patients had significantly higher frequencies of PD-1+ NK cells as compared with molecular relapsing patients (at 6 months 85% vs 64%, Log Rank test, P=0.009). Based on the ROC and Youden Index analysis, at 6 months the 1.2 cutoff shows an 80% specificity and 50% sensitivity. Moreover, after multivariable Cox proportional analysis, including age, time of treatment, deep molecular response time, Sokal risk, NK cells and PD-1+ NK cells, the last subpopulation was identified as an independent prognostic factor for molecular-relapse-free survival (Hazard ratio = 3.63; 95% CI 1.3 - 10.1; P=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical impact of NK cells in patients who have discontinued TKIs is controversial. The effects of TKIs against immune cells, including NK cell subsets, could depend on the type of TKIs; this aspect is particularly relevant in Argentinian treated patients real world, since many different copies of TKIs are routinely used in the clinical setting. Our study is the first, to our knowledge, to report a significant increase in PD-1 expression in NK cells at TKI cessation in patients who do not relapse. Accordingly to recent reports, PD-1 expression is more abundant on NK cells with an activated and more responsive phenotype and does not mark NK cells with an exhausted phenotype. To fully understand how PD-1 on NK cells modulates immune responses we are planning to carry out functional studies. In the future, we are also planning a comprehensive study of immune suppressors, including regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Disclosures Moiraghi: Novartis: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Speakers Bureau. Varela:Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Pavlovsky:Varifarma: Speakers Bureau; Astra Zeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel grants, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel grants, Speakers Bureau. Pavlovsky:Pint Pharma: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau.

Objectives In PACE ( NCT01207440 ), heavily pretreated patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) demonstrated deep, lasting ponatinib responses; long-term follow-up showed increasing rates of arterial occlusive events (AOEs). We present OPTIC ( NCT02467270 ) interim analysis (IA) results, evaluating the association between ponatinib exposure, efficacy, and safety. Methods This phase 2 trial randomized patients with CP-CML resistant/intolerant to ≥2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or with a T315I mutation to ponatinib starting doses of 45 mg (cohort A), 30 mg (B), and 15 mg (C) qd. Doses were reduced to 15 mg qd on achievement of ≤1% BCR-ABL1IS in A/B. Primary endpoint: 12-month ≤1% BCR-ABL1IS; secondary endpoints include cytogenetic and molecular response, and AOE, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and treatment-emergent adverse event rates. IA results are descriptive and will be inferential by adjusting multiplicity across 3 cohorts at final analysis. Results 283 patients were randomized (A/B/C: n=94/95/94); median age 48 y (range, 18-81 y). 26% had hypertension history; 2/43/55% received 1/2/ ≥3 TKIs; 40% had ≥1 baseline mutations, with 23% T315I, all well balanced between cohorts. At IA data cutoff (20 Jul 2019), 162 patients (57%; n=57/51/54) remained on treatment. Within the safety population (N=282), median duration of exposure was ∼1 y (A/B/C, 14/12/12 mo). At 12 mo, 39% (95% CI, 27.6, 50.6), 27% (17.6, 39.1), and 26% (16.5, 38.6) in A, B, and C, respectively, achieved ≤1% BCR-ABL1IS. Dose reductions due to efficacy (A/B): 35/21%. Molecular responses were maintained in all patients who were on the reduced dose for at least 90 days (n=37). Most common TEAEs (any grade/≥3): thrombocytopenia 39/27%, neutropenia 25/17%. AOEs/serious AOEs were reported by (A, B, C) in 5%/2%, 4%/3%, and 1%/0%. Dose reductions for TEAEs: (A/B/C): 44/31/28%; discontinuations due to TEAEs: 18/15/14%. There were 4 (1.4%) on-study deaths; A, sudden death, n=2; C, pneumonia, n=2; no deaths were due to AOEs. Conclusions OPTIC IA shows a trend toward dose-dependent efficacy and safety, and may provide a refined understanding of the ponatinib benefit:risk profile and its relation to dose. Data from longer follow-up may support an alternate dosing regimen for patients with CP-CML.

7502 Background: In PACE (NCT01207440) heavily pretreated patients (pts) with chronic-phase CML (CP-CML) had deep, lasting responses to PON; long-term follow-up showed increasing rates of arterial occlusive events (AOEs). We present IA results from OPTIC (NCT02467270), evaluating the association between PON exposure, efficacy, and safety, and response-based dose reduction in pts with CP-CML. Methods: This ongoing, multicenter, randomized phase 2 trial enrolled pts with CP-CML resistant or intolerant to ≥2 TKIs or with a T315I mutation to receive PON at a starting dose of 45 mg (cohort A), 30 mg (B), and 15 mg (C) qd. Doses were reduced to 15 mg qd on achievement of ≤1% BCR-ABL1IS in A/B. Primary endpoint: 12 mo ≤1% BCR-ABL1IS; secondary endpoints include cytogenetic and molecular response and AOE, VTE, and TEAE rates. Results are descriptive at this IA and will be inferential by adjusting multiplicity across 3 cohorts at final analysis. Results: 283 pts were randomized (A/B/C: n = 94/95/94); median age 48 y (18‒81 y). 26% had hypertension history; 2/43/55% received 1/2/≥3 TKIs; 40% had ≥1 baseline (BL) mutations, with 23% T315I. At IA data cutoff (20 Jul 2019), 162 pts (57%; n = 57/51/54) remained on study treatment. Among 282 pts in the safety population, median duration of exposure was ≈1 y (A/B/C, 12.9/11.2/11.0 mo). At 12 mo, 39% (95% CI, 27.6, 50.6), 27% (17.6, 39.1), and 26% (16.5, 38.6) in A, B, and C, respectively, achieved ≤1% BCR-ABL1IS. Additional efficacy in Table. Dose reductions due to efficacy (A/B): 35/21%. Most common TEAEs (any grade/≥3): thrombocytopenia 39/27%, neutropenia 25/17%. AOEs/serious AOEs were reported by (A, B, C) 5%/2%, 4%/3%, and 1%/0%. Dose reductions due to TEAEs: (A/B/C): 44/31/28%; discontinuations due to TEAEs: 18/15/14%. There were 4 (1.4%) on-study deaths; A, sudden death, n = 2; C, pneumonia, n = 2; no deaths were due to AOEs. Clinical trial information: NCT01207440 . Conclusions: OPTIC IA shows a trend toward dose-dependent efficacy and safety and may provide a refined understanding of the PON benefit:risk profile and its relation to dose. Data from longer follow-up may support an alternate dosing regimen for pts with CP-CML. [Table: see text]

Philadelphia chromosome, reciprocal translocation between chromosome 9 and 22, leading to a constitutively active fusion protein BCR-ABL1 is the common feature among Philadelphia positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The discovery of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has led to significant improvement in the treatment of CML and Ph+ ALL. Ponatinib is a third-generation TKI that is currently approved as per label when no other TKIs are indicated for the treatment of patients with CML and Ph+ ALL after failing treatment with second-generation TKIs or if presence of T315I mutation is discovered. This review summarizes the ponatinib development, approved indications as well as ongoing clinical studies in CML and Ph+ ALL.

Context: Clinical data from controlled trials report an improvement in QoL in patients with CLL in ibrutinib monotherapy. Reallife evidence is necessary to confirm this data. Objective: The disease control when treatment is initiated could lead to decreasedfatigue. It is likely that treatment with ibrutinib could result in animprovement in QoL in our real-world population. Primaryobjective: evaluate impact of ibrutinib treatment in QoL. Wedefined a clinically meaningful improvement 3 points in FACITfatigue score. Secondary Endpoints: Detect a 10% improvement byEQ5D VAS. Correlate baseline and follow-up hemoglobin levels(meaningful improvement 1g/dL). Design: This is a prospective,longitudinal, single arm study enrolling consecutive CLL patientsunder ibrutinib monotherapy either as first or further line oftreatment. Median follow-up was 7 months (range 1-28). Setting:Patients are recruited in an academic referral center in BuenosAires. Interventions: QoL was explored with FACIT-fatigue andEQ5D visual-analogue-scale (VAS) questionnaires (with copyrightpermission). Assessment by results reported by patient questionnaires are completed on months 0-1-3-6 and 12 since the beginningof treatment. Main Outcomes Measures: We are reporting preliminary results after 3 months of treatment compared to baseline.Statistical Analysis: data was analyzed with the Sign Test (BinomialTest). Results: A total of 21 CLL patients who started ibrutinibbetween 2016 and 2018 were included. Median age was 75 years(range 57-84); 12 patients (57%) were males. Ibrutinib was first-linetherapy in 7 patients (33%), second-line in 7 patients (33%) and 7patients (33%) received 3 previous lines. After 3 months oftreatment, the median change in FACIT-fatigue score 3 pointswas reached in 13 patients (62%) as compared to baseline(p=0.024). After 3 months of treatment there was no evidence of amedian change >10% on the EQ5D VAS (p=0.593) nor a significant improvement on hemoglobin level (p=0.105).Conclusions: These results suggest an early improvement of fatiguewithin the first 3 months of treatment with ibrutinib. Longerfollow-up and larger number of patient are necessary to confirm thisdata and determine the further improvements of QoL withcontinuous treatment and correlation with hemoglobin changes. Fil: Mela Osorio, Maria Jose. Fundación Para Combatir la Leucemia; Argentina Fil: Pavlovsky, Carolina. Fundación Para Combatir la Leucemia; Argentina Fil: Pavlovsky, Astrid. Fundación Para Combatir la Leucemia; Argentina Fil: Fernandez, Isolda. Fundación Para Combatir la Leucemia; Argentina Fil: Massa, Federico Sackmann. Fundación Para Combatir la Leucemia; Argentina Fil: Ferrari, Luciana. Fundación Para Combatir la Leucemia; Argentina Fil: Juni, Mariana. Fundación Para Combatir la Leucemia; Argentina Fil: Riddick, Maximiliano Luis. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Matemáticas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Cálculo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Pavlovsky, Miguel A.. Fundación Para Combatir la Leucemia; Argentina

This analysis explores the impact of early cytogenetic and molecular responses on the outcomes of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) in the phase 3 DASatinib versus Imatinib Study In treatment-Naive CML patients trial with a minimum follow-up of 3 years. Patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP were randomized to receive 100 mg dasatinib (n = 259) or 400 mg imatinib (n = 260) once daily. The retrospective landmark analysis included patients evaluable at the relevant time point (3, 6, or 12 months). Median time to complete cytogenetic response was 3 vs 6 months with dasatinib vs imatinib. At 3 and 6 months, the proportion of patients with BCR-ABL transcript levels ≤10% was higher in the dasatinib arm. Deeper responses at 3, 6, and 12 months were observed in a higher proportion of patients on dasatinib therapy and were associated with better 3-year progression-free survival and overall survival in both arms. First-line dasatinib resulted in faster and deeper responses compared with imatinib. The achievement of an early molecular response was predictive of improved progression-free survival and overall survival, supporting new milestones for optimal response in patients with early CML-CP treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00481247.

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is associated to the BCR-ABL1 oncogene and can successfully be treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, it remains still under investigation which molecular factors may influence CML risk or varying responses to TKIs. The aim of this study was to assess the role of Glutathione-S- transferases (GSTs) genetic polymorphisms in CML susceptibility and TKI clinical outcome.Materials: Deletion polymorphisms in GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes and the single nucleotide polymorphism in GSTP1 c.319A>G (rs1695; p.105Ile>Val) were genotyped by PCR methods in 141 CML treated patients and 141 sex- and age-matched healthy individualsResults: Individual analysis of each GST gene showed no association with CML risk. A trend toward significance (p=0.07) for a recessive model was found for GSTP1 (OR: 2.04; IC: 0.94-4.4). However, the combined analysis showed that GSTM1-null/GSTP1- GG as well as GSTT1-null/GSTP1- GG were associated with CML development (p= 0.03; OR: 3.54 IC: 1.2-14.57; p= 0.05; OR: 12.65; IC: 1.17-21.5). The relationship with treatment outcome showed that the presence of GSTM1 gene was significantly linked with an inferior rate of major molecular response (p=0.048) and poor event free-survival (EFS)(p=0.02).Furthermore, a group of patients with GSTP1-GG genotype were significantly associated with reduced EFS comparing to those carrying other GSTP1 genotypes (p=0.049). GSTP1-GG genotypes had short time to treatment failure in a group of patients unresponsive to TKIs comparing to other GSTP1 genotypes (p=0.03).Conclusions: This study highlights the significance of GSTs polymorphisms on CML susceptibility and response to TKIs in the Argentinean population. Fil: Weich, Natalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; Argentina Fil: Ferri, Cristian Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; Argentina Fil: Moiraghi, Beatriz. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos ; Argentina. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Infecciosas "Dr. Francisco Javier Muñiz"; Argentina Fil: Bengio, Raquel. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Investigaciones Hematológicas ; Argentina Fil: Giere, Isabel. Fundaleu; Argentina Fil: Pavlovsky, Carolina. Fundaleu; Argentina Fil: Larripa, Irene Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; Argentina Fil: Fundia, Ariela Freya. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; Argentina

BCR-ABL1 gene is a key molecular marker of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), but it is still unclear which molecular factors may influence CML risk or lead to variable responses to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of TP53 c.213 G > C(Arg72Pro; rs1042522) polymorphism on CML risk and its correlation with clinical outcome. Peripheral blood samples from 141 treated CML patients and 141 sex- and age-matched healthy individuals were genotyped by PCR-RFLP. Standard genetic models for disease penetrance were evaluated by logistic regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier method was performed to estimate survival curves. Our study suggests that TP53 c.213 G > C polymorphism may be involved in CML development considering a recessive model (p = 0.01; OR: 0.19; CI: 0.06–0.68). In addition, a non-homogenous distribution was found for this polymorphism in males and patients youngers than 50 years (p = 0.02). According to clinical response, TP53-GG genotype was associated with higher levels of BCR-ABL1 transcripts (p = 0.04) and shorter event free survival (p = 0.04). Moreover, a trend toward significance was found for failure free survival (p = 0.06) and time to imatinib failure (p = 0.08). In conclusion, our data suggest that a; TP53 c.213 G > C may be a potential biomarker of CML susceptibility and clinical outcome. Fil: Weich, Natalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; Argentina Fil: Ferri, Cristian Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; Argentina Fil: Moiraghi, Elena Beatriz. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Ramos Mejía"; Argentina Fil: Bengió, Raquel. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Giere, Isabel. Fundaleu; Argentina Fil: Pavlovsky, Carolina. Fundaleu; Argentina Fil: Larripa, Irene Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Fundia, Ariela Freya. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; Argentina

Dasatinib is a highly potent BCR-ABL inhibitor with established efficacy and safety in imatinib-resistant/-intolerant patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In the phase 3 DASISION trial, patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase (CP) CML were randomized to receive dasatinib 100 mg (n = 259) or imatinib 400 mg (n = 260) once daily. Primary data showed superior efficacy for dasatinib compared with imatinib after 12 months, including significantly higher rates of complete cytogenetic response (CCyR), confirmed CCyR (primary end point), and major molecular response (MMR). Here, 24-month data are presented. Cumulative response rates by 24 months in dasatinib and imatinib arms were: CCyR in 86% versus 82%, MMR in 64% versus 46%, and BCR-ABL reduction to ≤ 0.0032% (4.5-log reduction) in 17% versus 8%. Transformation to accelerated-/ blast-phase CML on study occurred in 2.3% with dasatinib versus 5.0% with imatinib. BCR-ABL mutations, assessed after discontinuation, were detected in 10 patients in each arm. In safety analyses, fluid retention, superficial edema, myalgia, vomiting, and rash were less frequent with dasatinib compared with imatinib, whereas pleural effusion and grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia were more frequent with dasatinib. Overall, dasatinib continues to show faster and deeper responses compared with imatinib, supporting first-line use of dasatinib in patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00481247.

Excellent response rates and a good quality of life have been observed since the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment. Consequently, some challenges began to appear in CML women in child-bearing age wishing to become pregnant. Currently, many women around the world are in stable major/complete molecular response MMR/CMR (MMR

Imatinib is widely used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. The agent, administered orally, has approximately 98% oral bioavailability, achieves maximum plasma concentration approximately 2-4 hours after ingestion, and has a plasma half-life of approximately 18 hours. As maintaining an adequate plasma imatinib concentration is essential to achieving a favorable therapeutic response, it is important to determine whether gastrointestinal surgery, pathologic conditions, or anatomic changes negatively affect imatinib absorption, and thereby result in subtherapeutic plasma imatinib concentrations. We describe a 36-year-old, morbidly obese woman with chronic myeloid leukemia who received treatment with alpha-interferon and cytarabine over 5 years. Her chemotherapy was then switched to imatinib 400 mg/day because she failed to achieve a molecular response with the other two agents. A complete molecular response was achieved with imatinib. Four years later, she underwent a sleeve gastrectomy while receiving imatinib. Imatinib plasma pharmacokinetic values were assessed before and on four occasions during the year after the sleeve gastrectomy. The patient's trough plasma concentration before surgery (1558 ng/ml) was consistent with those found in the literature (>/= 1000 ng/ml), whereas her trough concentrations after surgery were 46-60% lower (629-836 ng/ml) than the preoperative value. Despite this, the patient remained in complete molecular remission for 1 year after surgery. Monitoring plasma imatinib concentrations is recommended in morbidly obese patients with chronic myeloid leukemia or gastrointestinal stromal tumors who undergo gastric procedures. Additional pharmacokinetic studies, however, are needed in these patients.

The development of Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitors has dramatically changed the prognosis of patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Standard-dose imatinib (400 mg/day in chronic phase, 600 mg/day in advanced CML) now dominates the management of this disease, producing considerably higher hematologic, cytogenetic, and molecular response rates than seen with previous drug therapies. However, although many patients respond well to standard-dose imatinib initially, some patients do not achieve adequate levels of response or discontinue therapy because of resistance. One approach to improving treatment response with first-line imatinib may be to increase the imatinib dose (800 mg/day), although recent trial data indicate that overall increases in response rates may be modest. Newer Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitors can induce responses in patients with all phases of imatinib-resistant CML, even those with imatinib-resistant mutations in the BCR-ABL gene. Furthermore, in initial studies, first-line dasatinib or nilotinib treatment has produced response rates that compare favorably with historical controls treated with imatinib, although confirmation is required from head-to-head clinical trials. Future clinical approaches may include drug combinations, which may allow quiescent leukemia stem cells to be eradicated. Further improvements in drug treatment for first-line CML are expected during the next few years.

We studied the clinical impact of CD38 expression in 226 chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients (CLL) at disease presentation and during follow up to determine its prognostic significance, progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and to verify whether this parameter changed over time. Various patients' characteristics were studied including gender, Rai and Binet stages, immunoglobulin light chain expression, lymphocyte doubling time and CD38 expression. After a median follow up of 53 months (range 6-282), 62% CD38 positive(+) patients required therapy. PFS and OS at 84 months were significantly lower for CD38(+) patients: 20 and 71% respectively, compared to CD38 negative(-): 70 and 96%. At multivariate analysis CD38(+) showed to be the best factor for predicting progression: HR 3.3, 95%CI 2.10-5.14, p = 0.000. Its expression did not change in 98% re-evaluated patients. We confirm that CD38(+) is a stable parameter for the identification of CLL patients with a more aggressive disease course.

Introduction: Early reduction of BCR-ABL transcript level has been associated with improved outcomes in CML treatment. Inability to achieve early molecular response(MR) at 3 months (M3>10%) is considered a predictor factor for unfavourable outcome. However, the kinetics of BCR-ABL transcript level reduction measured at early time points have shown to be an independent predictor of response.The aim of this analysis was to determine whether the "M3-M6" status is critical to categorize CML patients (pts) focusing in high-risk group. Method: Molecular monitoring was performed in all pts prior treatment (M0), at months 3 (M3), 6 (M6), 12 (M12) and every 6 months thereafter, applying Q-PCR method according international recommendations. Results of BCR-ABL1 transcript level were reported on the international scale as IS-BCR-ABL %. Optimal responses: M3≤10%, M6≤1%, M12≤0,1%. Deep responses (MR4.0): ≤0,01% or undetectable/10.000 ABL copies. Results: A total of 70 CML pts were included, median age 49 (19-82), female 39%. First line treatment: sustained branded 81% and generic 19% TKIs. Imatinib 59%, Dasatinib and Nilotinib 41%. Sokal risk score: low (L) 51%, intermediate (In) and high (H) 49%. Optimal responses at molecular milestones: 75% at M3, 72% at M6, 61% at M12 and 53% pts achieved MR4.0. Event-free survival (EFS) was evaluated according to time point M3: M3≤10% group had significantly better EFS compared with the M3>10% (96% vs 70%; P=0.028). M3-M6 status defined 4 groups of pts: M3≤10%-M6≤1%, M3≤10%-M6>1%, M3>10%-M6≤1%, M3>10%-M6>1%. Molecular response evolution by M3-M6 status is described in Table 1. EFS stratified by groups according to combined M3-M6 responses showed significant differences: 92% for group 1, 87% for group 2, 68% for group 3, 54% for group 4. (P=0.002). M6 time point was shown to be critical in 32 high-risk pts (H+In): 17 pts with M6 ≤1% showed significant differences in MR4.0 achievement compared to 15 pts with M6 >1% (82% vs 27% P=0.02). Better EFS was observed in this high-risk group under branded vs generic TKIs treatment (97% vs 54% P=0.04). Statistical differences in deep responses and MMR at M12 were observed between branded and generic TKIs independently of Sokal risk (P=0.06, P=0.02). Conclusions: M3≤10% pts showed a favourable evolution with better EFS than M3>10% group. However not all patients with M31%. In pts with M3 >10% and optimal response at M6 also showed higher MR4.0 rate. Our study supports that M6 is a crucial endpoint to predict MMR at M12 and deep responses in CML pts.Pts with M3≤10% without optimal response at M6 (>1%) had a worse evolution than those slow responders who showed M3>10% and M6≤1%.High-risk pts are still a challenge, observing better outcomes in those under branded TKIs treatment. The M3-M6 status would be a prognostic marker of responses and EFS in chronic phase CML pts treated with TKIs. Our data support the critical role of M6 response in non-optimal M3>10% pts and intermediate and high risk Sokal score. Treatment adherence is mandatory for achieving and sustaining optimal responses. This multicentric Argentine study, reinforces the importance of clinical follow-up and molecular monitoring under IS standardization at early time points. Education on early molecular monitoring with adequate resources must continue to be an objective in our region. Table 1 Table 1. Disclosures Pavlovsky: Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Moiraghi:Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Bristol: Speakers Bureau. Varela:Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Bristol: Speakers Bureau. Enrico:Novartis: Honoraria, Patents & Royalties; Bristol Myers squib: Speakers Bureau. Brodsky:International PNH Registry: Other: -; Alexion Pharma Argentina: Speakers Bureau. Pavlovsky:Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Speakers Bureau; Bristol Myers Squib: Speakers Bureau.

As a group of more than 100 experts in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), we draw attention to the high prices of cancer drugs, with the particular focus on the prices of approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of CML. This editorial addresses the multiple factors involved in cancer drug pricing and their impact on individual patients and health care policies, and argues for the need to (1) lower the prices of cancer drugs to allow more patients to afford them and (2) maintain sound long-term health care policies.