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Novel therapeutic strategies are needed for paediatric patients affected by Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), particularly for those at high-risk for relapse. MicroRNAs (miRs) have been extensively studied as biomarkers in cancer and haematological disorders, and their expression has been correlated to the presence of recurrent molecular abnormalities, expression of oncogenes, as well as to prognosis/clinical outcome. In the present study, expression signatures of different miRs related both to presence of myeloid/lymphoid or mixed-lineage leukaemia 1 and Fms like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tandem duplications rearrangements and to the clinical outcome of paediatric patients with AML were identified. Notably, miR-221-3p and miR-222-3p resulted as a possible relapse-risk related miR. Thus, miR-221-3p and miR-222-3p expression modulation was investigated by using a Bromodomain‑containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitor (JQ1) and a natural compound that acts as histone acetyl transferase inhibitor (curcumin), alone or in association, in order to decrease acetylation of histone tails and potentiate the effect of BRD4 inhibition. JQ1 modulates miR-221-3p and miR-222-3p expression in AML with a synergic effect when associated with curcumin. Moreover, changes were observed in the expression of CDKN1B, a known target of miR-221-3p and miR-222-3p, increase in apoptosis and downregulation of miR-221-3p and miR-222-3p expression in CD34+ AML primary cells. Altogether, these findings suggested that several miRs expression signatures at diagnosis may be used for risk stratification and as relapse prediction biomarkers in paediatric AML outlining that epigenetic drugs, could represent a novel therapeutic strategy for high-risk paediatric patients with AML. For these epigenetic drugs, additional research for enhancing activity, bioavailability and safety is needed.

Prognostic role of chromosomal translocations (CT) in myelodysplasia (MDS) was retrospectively analyzed in 77 patients from GROM-L registry. Forty (51.9%) balanced, 28 (36.4%) unbalanced and 9 (11.7%) concomitant balanced and unbalanced CT were identified. Five-year overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort was 34.5% (CI 95% 22.5-46.5). Five-year OS of patients with unbalanced CT was significantly shorter than that of patients carrying balanced CT [22.3% (CI 95% 4.0-40.6) vs 44.0% (CI 95% 26.7-61.3) (

Although children and young adults with Hodgkin's lymphoma usually have a favorable prognosis, patients with primary refractory disease and some subsets of relapsed patients still have a dismal outcome. Brentuximab vedotin (BV) in combination with bendamustine may represent a suitable salvage therapy; data on 32 patients aged less than 25 years were retrospectively analyzed. Patients received up to six cycles of treatment of BV 1.8 mg/kg on day 1 and bendamustine 90-120 mg/m

Novel therapeutic strategies are needed for paediatric patients affected by Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), particularly for those at high-risk for relapse. MicroRNAs (miRs) have been extensively studied as biomarkers in cancer and haematological disorders, and their expression has been correlated to the presence of recurrent molecular abnormalities, expression of oncogenes, as well as to prognosis/clinical outcome. In the present study, expression signatures of different miRs related both to presence of myeloid/lymphoid or mixed-lineage leukaemia 1 and Fms like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tandem duplications rearrangements and to the clinical outcome of paediatric patients with AML were identified. Notably, miR-221-3p and miR-222-3p resulted as a possible relapse-risk related miR. Thus, miR-221-3p and miR-222-3p expression modulation was investigated by using a Bromodomain‑containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitor (JQ1) and a natural compound that acts as histone acetyl transferase inhibitor (curcumin), alone or in association, in order to decrease acetylation of histone tails and potentiate the effect of BRD4 inhibition. JQ1 modulates miR-221-3p and miR-222-3p expression in AML with a synergic effect when associated with curcumin. Moreover, changes were observed in the expression of

A deep and stable molecular response (DMR) is a prerequisite for a successful treatment-free remission (TFR) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In order to better identify and analyze potential candidates of successful TFR, we examined the phenotypic and functional host immune compartment in DMR patients who had received TKI treatment only (TKI-only) or had been previously treated with interferon-alpha (IFNα + TKI) or had received IFNα treatment only (IFNα-only). The T/NK-cell subset distribution, NK- and T-cell cytokine production, activation and maturation markers were measured in 44 patients in DMR treated with IFNα only (9), with IFNα + TKI (11) and with TKI-only (24). IFNα + TKI and TKI-only groups were eligible to TKI discontinuation according to the NCCN and ESMO guidelines (stable MR4 for more than two years). In IFNα-treated patients, we documented an increased number of lymphocytes capable of producing IFNγ and TNFα compared to the TKI-only group. In INFα + TKI patients, the percentage of NKG2C expression and its mean fluorescence intensity were significantly higher compared to the TKI-only group and to the INFα-only group in the CD56dim/CD16+ NK cell subsets (INFα + TKI vs. TKI-only p = 0.041, p = 0.037; INFα + TKI vs. INFα-only p = 0.03, p = 0.033, respectively). Furthermore, in INFα-only treated patients, we observed an increase of NKp46 MFI in the CD56bright/CD16- NK cell subset that becomes significant compared to the INFα + TKI group (p = 0.008). Our data indicate that a previous exposure to IFNα substantially and persistently modified the immune system of CML patients in memory T lymphocytes, differentiated NKG2C+ “long-lived” NK cells responses, even years after the last IFNα contact.

To evaluate the role of bosutinib in elderly patients aged >65 years with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a real-life cohort of 101 chronic-phase CML patients followed up in 23 Italian centers and treated with bosutinib in second or a subsequent line was retrospectively evaluated. Starting dose of bosutinib was 500 mg/day in 25 patients (24.8%), 400 mg/day in 7 patients (6.9%), 300 mg/day in 33 patients (32.7%), 200 mg/day in 34 patients (33.6%), and 100 mg/day in 2 patients (2.0%). Grade 3/4 hematological toxicity occurred in 7/101 patients (6.9%) and grade 3/4 extra-hematological toxicity in 19/101 patients (18.8%). Permanent bosutinib discontinuation due to toxicity was needed in 12 patients (11.9%). Among the 96 patients evaluable for response, 74 (77.0%) achieved a complete cytogenetic response (CCyR), while 64 of these 74 patients in CCyR (66.6% of all 96 evaluable patients) also achieved a molecular response (MR) (major MR [MR 3.0] in 21 [21.8%], deep MR [MR 4.0/4.5] in 43 [44.8%]). The 3-year event-free survival and overall survival of the whole patients' cohort from bosutinib start were 60.9% (CI 95% 49.3-72.5) and 86.4% (CI 95% 77.2-95.6), respectively. Our real-life data show that bosutinib is effective, with a favorable safety profile, also in elderly patients with important comorbidities and resistance and/or intolerance to previous tyrosine-kinase inhibitor treatments. As a consequence, it could play a significant role in current clinical practice for frail patients.

Central venous catheters (CVC) are essential for the management of patients with hematologic malignancies, facilitating chemotherapy infusion, antibiotics, parenteral nutrition, blood products, and blood samples collection. In this population, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) seem to be associated with lower complications, compared with conventional percutaneously inserted devices (CICC). Data on the PICC in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients (allo-HSCT) are limited. We have prospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of 100 polyurethanes or silicone PICC, inserted into 100 adult allo-HSCT recipients, at the Hematology of Sapienza University of Rome (Italy), between October 2012 and August 2017. The median duration of PICC placement was 117 days. Overall, 68% of patients maintained the device for the entire transplant procedure and PICC were removed after day 100 from allo-HSCT; of these, 44% did not experienced any PICC-related complications. Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) occurred in 32% of patients (2.5/1000 PICC days), associated with thrombosis in 8 cases. CRBSI were observed in 42% of patients with polyurethane and 20% with silicone PICC (p = 0.02). Catheter-related thrombosis occurred in 9% of patients, never requiring anticipated PICC removal. Mechanical complications occurred in 15% of cases (1.2/1000 PICC days). On the whole, adverse events were manageable and did not affect transplant outcome. No deaths related to PICC-complications were observed. PICC are a safe and reliable long-term venous access in allo-HSCT recipients.

Background: In elderly patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) responsive to imatinib, the incidence of clinically significant (CS) late chronic anemia is still unknown. Materials and Methods: To highlight this issue, we revised retrospectively 81 CML patients aged >60 years treated at our Institution with front-line imatinib for at least 24 months in durable complete cytogenetic response (CCyR). CS late chronic anemia was defined as the presence of persistent (>6 months) and otherwise unexplained Hb levels ≤10 g/dL, which occurred >6 months from imatinib start. Results: A condition of CS late chronic anemia occurred in 22 out of 81 patients (27.2%) at different intervals from imatinib start. Seven out of 22 patients (31.8%) needed packed red cell transfusions during the follow-up. At diagnosis, patients who developed CS late chronic anemia were significantly older and had a lower Hb median level. Six out of 22 patients with CS late chronic anemia received subcutaneous recombinant alpha-erythropoietin (EPO) at the standard dosage of 40,000 IU weekly: all 6 patients achieved an erythroid response. A significantly worse event-free survival (EFS) in patients with untreated CS late chronic anemia was observed (p = 0.012). Conclusions: CS late chronic anemia during long-term treatment with imatinib is a common complication in responsive elderly patients, with worse EFS if untreated. Results with EPO are encouraging, but larger studies are warranted to define its role.

Background Bosutinib is a 2nd generation tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) active in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) patients resistant or intolerant to frontline imatinib, dasatinib or nilotinib; the favourable toxicity profile makes bosutinib potentially useful in elderly patients, but at present there are no data in unselected cohorts of these subjects. Aim To highlight this issue, a real-life cohort of 91 patients followed in 21 Italian Centers and treated with bosutinib when aged > 65 years was retrospectively evaluated. Patients The main clinical features of the whole cohort at diagnosis and at baseline of bosutinib treatment are reported in the Table; all patients were in CP when bosutinib was started. Median interval from diagnosis to bosutinib treatment was 49.7 months [interquartile range (IQR) 14.2 - 117.5]. Results Starting dose of bosutinib was 500 mg/day in 20 patients (22.0%), 400 mg/day in 7 patients (7.7%), 300 mg/day in 28 patients (30.8%), 200 mg/day in 34 patients (37.3%) and 100 mg/day in 2 patients (2.2%), respectively. After a median period of treatment of 18.1 months (IQR 9.4 - 27.7) all patients were evaluable for toxicity; on the whole, all grade hematological and extra-hematological toxicities were reported in 12/91 (13.1%) and 45/91 (49.4%) patients, respectively. A grade 3 - 4 hematological toxicity occurred in 5/91 patients (5.4%); a grade 3 - 4 extra-hematological toxicity occurred in 16/91 patients (17.5%). Overall, 46 patients (50.5%) never discontinued bosutinib: a temporary discontinuation < 6 weeks was needed in 19 patients (20.9%) and a temporary discontinuation > 6 weeks in 2 patients (2.2%). A permanent bosutinib discontinuation was needed in the remaining 24 patients (26.4%): in particular, 11 patients (12.1%) permanently discontinued bosutinib due to toxicity (skin rash in 3 cases, gastro-intestinal toxicity in 3 cases, pleural effusion in 2 cases, transaminitis, QTc prolongation and myalgia in 1 case each), 6 patients (6.6%) due to resistance and 7 patients (7.7%) due to other reasons (unrelated death in 6 cases and patient decision in 1 case). As to response, 5 patients (5.5%) were considered too early for assessment (< 3 months of treatment); among the 86 patients evaluable for response, 11 patients (12.7%) did not have any response (including 6 patients who discontinued bosutinib for early toxicity), 4 (4.6%) achieved hematological response only, and 71 (82.5%) achieved Cytogenetic Response (CyR) (Major CyR in 4, Complete CyR in 67). Among the 67 patients in Complete CyR, 58 (67.4% of all 86 evaluable patients) also achieved Molecular Response (MR) [Major MR (MR 3.0) in 19 (22.1%), Deep MR (MR 4.0/4.5) in 39 (45.3%)]. The 3-year Overall Survival and Event-Free Survival of the whole cohort of patients from bosutinib start were 83.0% (CI95% 71.6 - 94.4) (Figure 1) and 59.5% (CI95% 39.9 - 72.1), respectively. Conclusions Our real-life data show that bosutinib is effective, even if initial doses in many cases were lower than recommended, with a favourable safety profile also in elderly patients with important comorbidities resistant/intolerant to previous TKI treatments,: as a consequence, it could play a significant role in the current clinical practise for these frail patients. Disclosures Latagliata: Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria. Trawinska:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria. Annunziata:Pfizer: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. Elena:Novartis: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy. Crugnola:Incyte: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Bonifacio:Novartis: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria. Sgherza:Incyte: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Iurlo:Pfizer: Other: Speaker Honoraria; Incyte: Other: Speaker Honoraria; Novartis: Other: Speaker Honoraria. Breccia:Celgene: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2008/2016 criteria for classification of myeloid neoplasms, a platelet (PLT) count ≥ 450X109/l, thus reduced from the previous WHO 2001 level ≥ 600 x 109/l, was considered the new PLT threshold for the diagnosis of Essential Thrombocythemia (ET). Aim of the study was to validate in a setting of current clinical practice this important diagnostic change and compare clinical and hematological features at diagnosis and during follow-up of patients with PLT ≥600 x 109/l versus patients with PLT < 600 x 109/l. We retrospectively analyzed data from 264 patients with ET according to WHO 2008/2016 criteria, enrolled in our center from 1/2008 to 12/2017. Patients were divided into Group A (G-A) (PLT ≥600 x 109/l at diagnosis) (199 patients - 75.4%) and Group B (G-B) (PLT ≥ 450 x 109/l < 600 x 109/l at diagnosis) (65 patients - 24.6%) and compared for clinical features at the onset, clinical course and follow-up. Main features and commonly recognized pro-thrombotic risk factors at diagnosis of the entire cohort as well as of G-A and G-B are reported in the Table 1. Among clinical features, only the median value of leukocytes was significantly higher in G- A [9.1 x 109/l, interquartile range (IQR) 7.8-10.3 vs 7.4 x 109/l, IQR 6.0-9.6; p = 0.001]. Among pro-thrombotic risk factors, only the median cholesterol value was significantly lower in the G-A [187 mg/dl (IQR 164-220) vs 204 mg/dl (RIQ 177-238); p = 0.048]. Cytostatic treatment was administered in 175 patients (71.1%) of entire cohort at different intervals from diagnosis, with a significantly higher rate in patients of G-A (76.9% versus 49.2%, p Our data indicate a substantial homogeneity among ET patients regardless of the PLT number at diagnosis, thus confirming the usefulness of 2008/2016 WHO diagnostic criteria. Furthermore, the counterintuitive lower CIT observed in G-A, due to a larger use of cytostatic treatments and/or to an acquired Von Willebrand phenomenon when PLT levels > 1.000 x 109/l, highlights how thrombotic risk is unrelated to PLT value and leads to consider the administration of adequate cytostatic therapy even in patients with relatively lower PLT count at diagnosis. Disclosures Breccia: Novartis: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria. Foà:INCYTE: Other: ADVISORY BOARD; JANSSEN: Other: ADVISORY BOARD, Speakers Bureau; GILEAD: Speakers Bureau; CELTRION: Other: ADVISORY BOARD; ABBVIE: Other: ADVISORY BOARD, Speakers Bureau; CELGENE: Other: ADVISORY BOARD, Speakers Bureau; AMGEN: Other: ADVISORY BOARD; ROCHE: Other: ADVISORY BOARD, Speakers Bureau; NOVARTIS: Speakers Bureau.

Current treatment with Tyrosine-Kinase Inhibitors (TKI) has profoundly changed long-term prognosis of newly diagnosed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). However, the true disease/patient status at different time-points is still based on few data from controlled clinical studies (mainly based on "cumulative incidence" more than "effective situation" of any single patient at any single time from TKI start) and is still unclear in the real-life setting without selection criteria. In order to give an effective picture of their 5-year status, all consecutive CML patients newly diagnosed at our Institute until 6/2012 (i.e. with a minimum observation period of 5 years) and treated frontline with any TKI at any dosage in both controlled clinical trials or current clinical practice were retrospectively evaluated. On the whole, 259 patients, treated with imatinib (219) or 2nd generation TKI (2-TKI) (35 with nilotinib and 5 with dasatinib), were collected: the main features at diagnosis of the entire cohort and according to TKI are reported in the Table 1, without differences between the 2 groups. In the imatinib group, 13/219 patients (6%) received a reduced starting dose (< 400 mg/day), while all patients in the 2-TKI group started initial standard doses. At the 5-year evaluation, 227 pazienti (87.6%) were alive, 16 died (6.2%) and 16 (6.2%) were lost to follow-up. Among the 227 patients alive, 176 (67.9% of the entire cohort) were in Complete Cytogenetic Response (CCyR), 163 (62.9% of the entire cohort) were in Major Molecular Response (MMolR) and 121 (46.7% of the entire cohort) were in Deep Molecular Response (DMR). The remaining 51 patients alive at the 5th year (19.7% of the entire cohort) were in 2nd or subsequent line of treatment, due to intolerance in 13 cases (25.5%) or primary/secondary resistance in 38 (74.5%). Among the 16 deaths, 5 (1.9% of the entire cohort) were CML-related and 11 (4.3% of the entire cohort) were CML unrelated. Among the 16 patients lost to follow-up, 8 (3.1% of the entire cohort) were in response to 1st line treatment and 8 (3.1% of the entire cohort) were in 2nd line/resistant disease at the last visit. Six patients (2.3%) evolved in blastic phase and 8 (3.1%) developped a 2nd neoplasia. In the group treated frontline with 2-TKI there was a higher rate of patients alive in MMolR (p=0.038) but not in DMolR (p=0.137), with a lower rate of primary/secondary resistance (p=0.048) but a higher incidence of intolerance (p=0.002) compared to patients treated frontline with imatinib (Table 2). Five-year cumulative overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and event-free survival (EFS) of the entire cohort were 93.2% (IC 95% 90.2-96.2), 78.2% (IC95% 73.1-83.3) e 70.2% (IC95% 64.5 - 75.9), respectively. According to initial treatment, 5-year PFS was significantly better in the 2-TKI group (p=0.003), but no difference was observed between the 2 groups as to 5-year EFS (p=0.274) and 5-year OS (p=0.077). In conclusion, results achievable at 5 years with frontline TKI treatment in the current clinical practice are excellent, with at least two thirds of patients alive in MMolR and about half of patients also in DMolR under frontline approach: deaths CML-related in the first 5 years of treatment are very rare and less than 1 out 5 patients needs to change frontline approach for intolerance/resistance. The role of frontline 2-TKI in this real-life setting deserves further examinations in larger unselected cohorts at longer time-points. Disclosures Breccia: BMS: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria. Foà:ROCHE: Other: ADVISORY BOARD, Speakers Bureau; CELGENE: Other: ADVISORY BOARD, Speakers Bureau; CELTRION: Other: ADVISORY BOARD; ABBVIE: Other: ADVISORY BOARD, Speakers Bureau; GILEAD: Speakers Bureau; NOVARTIS: Speakers Bureau; INCYTE: Other: ADVISORY BOARD; JANSSEN: Other: ADVISORY BOARD, Speakers Bureau; AMGEN: Other: ADVISORY BOARD.

Natural Killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in the immunosurveillance of Multiple Myeloma (MM), but it is still undefined whether the NK cell functional properties underlying their protective activity against MM are confined to distinct NK cell populations. Interestingly, herein we report that the CD56lowCD16low NK cell subset displayed higher cytolytic activity compared to the other NK cell subsets (i.e., CD56highCD16+/&minus, CD56lowCD16high) against MM cells and its activity was impaired in MM patients. Decreased DNAM-1 expression levels were observed on the CD56lowCD16low NK cells during MM progression. Evaluating NK cell subset frequency after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, we found that CD56lowCD16low NK cells recovered earlier after transplantation. Overall, our data denote a key role of CD56lowCD16low subpopulation in the killing of MM cells and suggest that the reconstitution of CD56lowCD16low subpopulation after HSCT could be a useful approach of adoptive immunotherapy in the treatment of relapsed/refractory MM patients.