Search

Video 1 shows the real time phagocytosis of cancer cells in presence of NI-1701

CD47, an ubiquitously expressed innate immune checkpoint receptor that serves as a universal “don't eat me” signal of phagocytosis, is often upregulated by hematologic and solid cancers to evade immune surveillance. Development of CD47-targeted modalities is hindered by the ubiquitous expression of the target, often leading to rapid drug elimination and hemotoxicity including anemia. To overcome such liabilities, we have developed a fully human bispecific antibody, NI-1701, designed to coengage CD47 and CD19 selectively on B cells. NI-1701 demonstrates favorable elimination kinetics with no deleterious effects seen on hematologic parameters following single or multiple administrations to nonhuman primates. Potent in vitro and in vivo activity is induced by NI-1701 to kill cancer cells across a plethora of B-cell malignancies and control tumor growth in xenograft mouse models. The mechanism affording maximal tumor growth inhibition by NI-1701 is dependent on the coengagement of CD47/CD19 on B cells inducing potent antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis of the targeted cells. NI-1701–induced control of tumor growth in immunodeficient NOD/SCID mice was more effective than that achieved with the anti-CD20 targeted antibody, rituximab. Interestingly, a synergistic effect was seen when tumor-implanted mice were coadministered NI-1701 and rituximab leading to significantly improved tumor growth inhibition and regression in some animals. We describe herein, a novel bispecific antibody approach aimed at sensitizing B cells to become more readily phagocytosed and eliminated thus offering an alternative or adjunct therapeutic option to patients with B-cell malignancies refractory/resistant to anti-CD20–targeted therapy. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(8); 1739–51. ©2018 AACR.

Supplementary Table S3 shows the ratio of AUC0-inf low/high dose for the PK single dose study.

Supplementary material and methods

Supplementary Figure S1 shows shows the percentage of in vitro phagocytosis of Raji cells by macrophages with NI-1701 or CD19/CD47hi biAb.

Video 2 shows the real time phagocytosis of cancer cells in presence of hIgG1 control

This project was supported by the AECC (GC16173697BIGA); ISCIII (PI19/01828), co-funded by ERDF/ESF, "A way to make Europe"/"Investing in your future", CERCA/Generalitat de Catalunya SGR 2017 288 (GRC)/ "La Caixa". C González-Gil was supported by an AGAUR grant (ref: 2020 FI_B2 00210). As for many neoplasms, initial genetic data about T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) came from the application of cytogenetics. This information helped identify some recurrent chromosomal alterations in T-ALL at the time of diagnosis, although it was difficult to determine their prognostic impact because of their low incidence in the specific T-ALL cohort analyzed. Genetic knowledge accumulated rapidly following the application of genomic techniques, drawing attention to the importance of using high-resolution genetic techniques to detect cryptic aberrations present in T-ALL, which are not usually detected by cytogenetics. We now have a clearer apprecia-tion of the genetic landscape of the different T-ALL subtypes at diagnosis, explaining the particular oncogenetic processes taking place in each T-ALL, and we have begun to understand relapse-spe-cific mechanisms. This review aims to summarize the latest advances in our knowledge of the genome in T-ALL. We highlight areas where the research in this subtype of ALL is progressing with the aim of identifying key questions that need to be answered in the medium-long term if this knowledge is to be applied in clinics

Fundació Carreras Funding: This project was supported by the AECC (GC16173697BIGA) and ISCIII (PI19/01828), co-funded by ERDF/ESF, "A way to make Europe"/"Investing in your future", and CERCA/Generalitat de Catalunya SGR 2017 288 (GRC)/"La Caixa". R.L.S. is partially supported by the GILEAD Fellowship program 2021; by Comitato per la vita "Daniele Chianelli", Perugia, Italy; and by Associazione "Sergio Luciani", Fabriano, Italy. A wide range of immature acute leukemias (AL), ranging from acute myeloid leukemias with minimal differentiation to acute leukemias with an ambiguous lineage, i.e., acute undifferentiated leukemias and mixed phenotype acute leukemia with T-or B-plus myeloid markers, cannot be definitely assigned to a single cell lineage. This somewhat "grey zone" of AL expresses partly overlapping features with the most immature forms of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), i.e., early T-cell precursor ALL (ETP-ALL), near-ETP-ALL, and pro-T ALL. These are troublesome cases in terms of precise diagnosis because of their similarities and overlapping phenotypic features. Moreover, it has become evident that they share several genomic alterations, raising the question of how their phenotypes reflect distinct AL entities. The aim of this review was to provide a systematic overview of the genetic events associated with immature T-ALL and outline their relationship with treatment choices and outcomes, especially looking at the most recent preclinical and clinical studies. We wish to offer a basis for using the genetic information for new diagnostic algorithms, in order to better stratify patients and improve their management with more efficient and personalized therapeutic options. Understanding the genetic profile of this high-risk T-ALL subset is a prerequisite for changing the current clinical scenario.

Minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment is an essential tool in contemporary acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) protocols, being used for therapeutic decisions such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in high‐risk patients. However, a significant proportion of adult ALL patients with negative MRD still relapse suggesting that other factors (ie, molecular alterations) must be considered in order to identify those patients with high risk of disease progression. We have identified partial IKZF1 gene deletions and CDKN2A/B deletions as markers of disease recurrence and poor survival in a series of uniformly treated adolescent and adult Philadelphia chromosome‐negative B‐cell progenitor ALL patients treated according to the Programa Español de Tratamientos en Hematología protocols. Importantly, CDKN2A/B deletions showed independent significance of MRD at the end of induction, which points out the need for treatment intensification in these patients despite being MRD‐negative after induction therapy., Fundació Internacional Josep Carreras; Generalitat de Catalunya, Grant/Award Number: 2017 SGR 288 GRC; Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Ministerio de Salud Carlos III RTICC‐FEDER, Grant/Award Numbers: RD12/0036/0029, RD/0036/044; Obra Social “La Caixa”; Sociedad Española de Hematología y Hemoterapia; Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Grant/Award Numbers: PI14/01971, PI10/01417

Context: B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP ALL) is a genetically heterogeneous neoplasm with >20 biologic subtypes. Each subtype shows specific genetic traits that determine relapse risk and patients' survival. Objectives: To establish the genetic subtype (primary alteration) of adult BCP ALL patients enrolled in the PETHEMA LAL19 trial (NCT 04179929) and to correlate them with measurable residual disease (MRD) level and survival. Patients and Methods: In the LAL19 trial (NCT04179929), Ph-negative patients (18–65 y) with MRD≥0.01% at day+35 or high-risk genetics receive alloHSCT and MRD

Context: There is a debate regarding the impact of t(1;19) (q23;p13) in adult BCP ALL. While the MD Anderson group suggests it may be a low-risk subtype, the German, English, and French study groups have shown no differential outcome, and Italian and SWOG groups have reported poor outcomes. Objective: To analyze the frequency and clinical impact of t(1;19) in a series of adult BCP ALL patients (pts). Design & Patients: A review of 513 adult BCP ALL pts (15 to 60 years) diagnosed between 2003 and 2017 and treated with MRD-oriented protocols of the PETHEMA Group. Interventions: G-banding and FISH were performed on BM samples. Measurable residual disease (MRD) was centrally assessed by multi-parametric flow cytometry. Main Outcomes Measures: Complete response (CR), overall survival (OS) and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), assessed by competing risk analysis. Results: Total of 26 pts with t(1;19)/TCF3-PBX1 (representing 5% of all BCP ALL). 9/23 (39%) cases showed isolated t(1;19) while 14/23 (61%) had additional chromosomal aberrations (ACA). Pts with t(1;19) were more likely to be female (73% vs 45%, p=0.006) and pre-B phenotype (63% vs 17%, p Conclusions: Although showing favorable initial treatment response, pts with t(1;19) experience a higher rate of relapse (especially those with ACA to t(1;19)) than the remaining BCP ALL pts, without differences in OS. A deeper genetic analysis may identify markers of poor outcome enabling a more precise risk stratification of t(1;19) pts.

© 2021 The Author(s)., The potential prognostic value of conventional karyotyping in adult T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) remains an open question. We hypothesized that a modified cytogenetic classification, based on the number and type of cytogenetic abnormalities, would allow the identification of high-risk adult T-ALL patients. Complex karyotype defined by the presence of ≥3 cytogenetic alterations identified T-ALL patients with poor prognosis in this study. Karyotypes with ≥3 abnormalities accounted for 16 % (22/139) of all evaluable karyotypes, corresponding to the largest poor prognosis cytogenetic subgroup of T-ALL identified so far. Patients carrying karyotypes with ≥3 cytogenetic alterations showed a significantly inferior response to therapy, and a poor outcome in terms of event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS) and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), independently of other baseline characteristics and the end-induction minimal residual disease (MRD) level. Additional molecular analyses of patients carrying ≥3 cytogenetic alterations showed a unique molecular profile that could contribute to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of resistance and to evaluate novel targeted therapies (e.g. IL7R directed) with potential impact on outcome of adult T-ALL patients., This project was supported by the AECC (GC16173697BIGA); ISCIII (PI19/01828) co-funded by ERDF/ESF "A way to make Europe"/ "Investing in your future", CERCA/Generalitat de Catalunya SGR 2017 288 (GRC)/ “La Caixa” P. Barba was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III FIS16/01433 and PERIS 2018-2020 from Generalitat de Catalunya (BDNS357800).

The need for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in adults with Philadelphia chromosome–negative (Ph−) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with high-risk (HR) features and adequate measurable residual disease (MRD) clearance remains unclear. The aim of the ALL-HR-11 trial was to evaluate the outcomes of HR Ph− adult ALL patients following chemotherapy or allo-HSCT administered based on end-induction and consolidation MRD levels. Patients aged 15 to 60 years with HR-ALL in complete response (CR) and MRD levels (centrally assessed by 8-color flow cytometry)

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant clonal expansion of lymphoid hematopoietic precursors that exhibit developmental arrest at varying stages of differentiation. Similar to what occurs in solid cancers, transformation of normal hematopoietic precursors is governed by a multistep oncogenic process that drives initiation, clonal expansion and metastasis. In this process, alterations in genes encoding proteins that govern processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and growth provide us with some of the clearest mechanistic insights into how and why cancer arises. In such a scenario, deletions in the 9p21.3 cluster involving CDKN2A/ARF/CDKN2B genes arise as one of the oncogenic hallmarks of ALL. Deletions in this region are the most frequent structural alteration in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and account for roughly 30% of copy number alterations found in B-cell-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). Here, we review the literature concerning the involvement of the CDKN2A/B genes as a prognosis marker of good or bad response in the two ALL subtypes (BCP-ALL and T-ALL). We compare frequencies observed in studies performed on several ALL cohorts (adult and child), which mainly consider genetic data produced by genomic techniques. We also summarize what we have learned from mouse models designed to evaluate the functional involvement of the gene cluster in ALL development and in relapse/resistance to treatment. Finally, we examine the range of possibilities for targeting the abnormal function of the protein-coding genes of this cluster and their potential to act as anti-leukemic agents in patients.

The decision to incorporate allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) into front-line therapy in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) should be primarily guided by measurable residual disease (MRD) status and the ALL regimen utilized. While there is no doubt that allo-HSCT benefits patients with poor MRD response after induction or consolidation, the indication of allo-HSCT in cases of good MRD clearance is not clear. As targeted immunotherapies result in high MRD-negative CR rates, early incorporation of these therapies may also prove valuable in reducing the need for HCT in the front-line setting. This review discusses the data and controversies related to allo-HSCT in the front-line therapy of Philadelphia chromosome-negative and -positive ALL.

Background and objective The standardization of treatment of older adults with Philadelphia chromosome negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is challenging, especially in the age range of 55–65 years. This study aimed to compare intensive, pediatric-inspired therapy with non-intensive therapy in this population of patients. Patients and methods The outcomes of 67 patients prospectively included in two consecutive pediatric-inspired intensive protocols (ALL-HR03 and ALL-HR11) from the Spanish PETHEMA Group were compared with those from 44 patients included in a contemporary semi-intensive protocol (ALL-OLD07). Results Baseline patient and ALL characteristics were similar in both groups, except for a younger median age in the intensive group (medians: 58 vs. 62 years). Patients treated intensively had a higher complete remission rate (85% vs. 64%, p = 0.005), a lower cumulative incidence of relapse (39% [95%CI, 25% to 52%] vs. 60% [95%CI, 38% to 77%], p = .003), a similar cumulative incidence of treatment-related mortality (28% [95% CI, 18%, 40%] vs. 21% [95% CI, 10%, 34%]) and superior event-free survival at 2 years (37% [95%CI, 25%–49%) vs. 21% [8%-34%], p = 0.002). On multivariable analysis the type of protocol was the only variable with independent significance for event-free survival (HR [95% CI]: 2 [1.3, 3], p = .002). Conclusions Compared with less intensive chemotherapy, pediatric-inspired intensive chemotherapy significantly improves the outcome of older adults with Ph-negative ALL in the age range of 55–65 years.

Background: Genetic information has become critical to understand the development of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and to elucidate the origin of disease relapse. Several genetic markers, together with measurable residual disease (MRD), are considered strong predictors of patient outcome. However, the prognostic significance of genetic markers can varie according to treatment. Aim: We used targeted deep sequencing to analyze the genetic profile of 125 T-ALL patients enrolled in three consecutive MRD-oriented trials from the Spanish PETHEMA (Programa Español de Tratamientos en Hematología) group. Genomic information was analyzed together with the main clinical and biologic data in a subset of 111 patients with detailed clinical and outcome data to determine the prognostic significance for overall survival (OS) and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR). Methods: Genetic mutations were detected using a custom gene panel and sequenced on a MiSeq platform. Alignment, variant calling, filtration and annotation of variants were done using standardized pipelines. OS curves were plotted by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. CIR was estimated using cumulative incidence functions by competing risks analysis. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to identify predictive factors for OS. Statistical significance was set at (two-sided) p-values Results: Recurrently mutated genes found in ≥4/125 patients involved transcription factor tumor suppressor genes (PTEN, BCL11B, RUNX1, GATA3, ETV6), epigenetic regulators (PHF6, DNMT3A, EP300, KMT2C, EZH2, TET2), DNA mismatch repair genes (MSH2), ribosomal (RPL5) and RNA splicing (U2AF1) genes, and genes involved in the RAS/MAPK (NRAS), WNT (FAT1, FAT3), IL7R-JAK-STAT (JAK3, JAK1, IL7R) and NOTCH1 signaling pathways, respectively. Mutations in the latest pathway (NOTCH1 & FBXW7) was found in 88/125 (70%) patients. Clinical-genetic correlations revealed that patients with mutations in JAK3, DNMT3A, N/KRAS, IL7R, MSH2 or in U2AF1 were associated with lower OS (vs unmutated patients). None of the mutated genes had impact on CIR. Upon grouping the mutated genes according to their functional role and potential biological impact on T-ALL, two gene signatures were defined. These included the aging gene signature (DNMT3A and U2AF1) characterized by mutations in genes identified in clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP); and the treatment resistance gene signature (JAK3, N/KRAS, IL7R and MSH2), defined by mutations in genes involved in resistance to the ALL therapy. Both clusters identified patients with poorer response to therapy (poorer blast clearance on day 14 of induction treatment and lower CR rates). Therefore, we considered together (worse outcome genetics [WOG] signature) for univariate and multivariate analyses. WOG and MRD level (0.1% cut-off) on day 35 after induction therapy (+35d MRD) showed significant prognostic impact in the univariable and multivariable analyses for OS (3y) with a hazard ratio (95% CI) of 2.4 (1.2; 4.8) and 2.7 (1.4; 5.1), respectively (Table 1). OS according to these two variables allowed risk stratification of T-ALL into low, intermediate- and high-risk (HR) patients with significantly different outcomes (p Conclusion: A genetic signature with independent prognostic significance of MRD has been identified in this cohort of patients included in MRD-oriented trials. This gene signature (WOG) together with MRD could help to improve risk-stratification of adult T-ALL patients and would be of interest in the search for new therapies for HR patients Funding: Support from AECC (GC16173697BIGA); ISCIII (PI19/01828 and PI19/01183), co-funded by ERDF/ESF, "A way to make Europe"/"Investing in your future", CERCA/Generalitat de Catalunya SGR 2017 288 (GRC)/ C González-Gil was supported by AGAUR grant (2020 FI_B2 00210). Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Diaz-Beyá: Jazz: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Mercadal: Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Tormo: Astellas: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Barba: Amgen, Celgene, Gilead, Incyte, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer and Roche, Jazz Phar,aceuticals: Honoraria; Cqrlos III heqlth Institute, aSOCIACION espanola contra el cancer, PERIS: Research Funding. Maciejewski: Regeneron: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb/Celgene: Consultancy; Alexion: Consultancy. Ribera: ARIAD: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; AMGEN: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; TAKEDA: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; NOVARTIS: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; SHIRE: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau.

Background and objective. The combination of HyperCVAD and ponatinib resulted in a high molecular response rate and survival in adults with Ph+ ALL, suggesting improved outcome compared with combinations of chemotherapy with first- or second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) (Jabbour E, et al, Lancet Haematol. 2018;5:e618-e627). The Spanish PETHEMA group conducted the phase 2 PONALFIL trial, which incorporates ponatinib to the same chemotherapy as that of the ALL Ph08 trial that used imatinib as TKI (Ribera JM et al. Cancer 2019;125:2810-17). Final results of this trial are reported. Patients and method. PONALFIL trial (NCT02776605) combined ponatinib (30 mg/d) and induction chemotherapy (vincristine, daunorubicin, prednisone) followed by consolidation (high-dose methotrexate, high-dose ARA-C, mercaptopurine, etoposide) and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). Ponatinib was scheduled after alloHSCT only for patients (pts) with persistence/reappearance of MRD. Response to therapy (complete morphological [CR], molecular [complete -CMR- or major -MMR-] after induction and before alloHSCT) (assessed by centralized BCR-ABL1/ABL1 ratio), disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival [OS]) and toxicity were analyzed. The following genetic studies were performed: 1. Additional gene abnormalities (Copy Number Alteration [CNA] analysis by SNP array Affymetrix 750K), 2. ABL1 mutation status at diagnosis (Sanger sequencing), 3. T315I mutation at diagnosis (allele-specific PCR). A propensity score comparison with the results of the ALL Ph08 trial was performed. Results. Median age was 49 (19-59) years (y), and 13/30 pts were female. One pt showed CNS involvement at diagnosis. ECOG score was Among 7/16 pts without CMR after consolidation and genetic material available, 4 showed IKZF1 deletion (IKZF1 plus in 2), 1 showed CDKN2A/B and PAX5 deletion and 2 did not show any CNA. Among 5/19 pts with molecular relapse, 3 showed IKZF1 deletion (1 being IKZF1 plus), and 2 pts did not show any CNA. No ABL1 mutations or T315I mutation at diagnosis were found. Propensity score with 1:1 matching identified 30 pts in each cohort (variables: age, gender, ECOG, WBC, CNS involvement, cytogenetic risk and BCR/ABL isoform). 2y DFS rates for PONALFIL and ALL Ph08 trials were 97% and 62%, (p=0.005), and 2y OS rates were 97% and 66% (p=0.001) (Figure 2). 107 adverse events (AE) were registered in 20 pts (21 severe in 11 pts), prompting to withdrawn of the trial in 3 (thrombosis of central retina artery, severe bowel infection, grade IV hepatic toxicity). The most frequent AE were hematologic (28%), gastrointestinal (14%), hepatic (11%), infections (7%), and cutaneous (5%). Cardiovascular events occurred in 2 patients (angor pectoris and thrombosis of central artery of the retina). Conclusions. The results of the PONALFIL trial show a high antileukemic efficacy with acceptable toxicity profile and compare favorably with the same chemotherapy schedule and imatinib. Supported in part by grant 2017 SGR288 (GRC) Generalitat de Catalunya and "La Caixa" Foundation. Figure 1. OS (A) and DFS (B). PONALFIL. Figure 2. OS (A) and DFS (B). PONALFIL vs. ALL Ph08. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Ribera: AMGEN: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; NOVARTIS: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; TAKEDA: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; ARIAD: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; SHIRE: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Esteve: Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb/Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Jazz: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy. Mercadal: Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Martínez-López: Roche, Novartis, Incyte, Astellas, BMS: Research Funding; Janssen, BMS, Novartis, Incyte, Roche, GSK, Pfizer: Consultancy. OffLabel Disclosure: This trial includes Ponatinib in off-label indication.

The outcome of relapsed adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains dismal despite new therapeutic approaches. Previous studies analyzing relapse samples have shown a high degree of heterogeneity regarding gene alterations without an evident relapse signature. Bone marrow or peripheral blood samples from 31 adult B-cell precursor ALL patients at first relapse, and 21 paired diagnostic samples were analyzed by multiplex ligation probe-dependent amplification (MLPA). Nineteen paired diagnostic and relapse samples of these 21 patients were also analyzed by SNP arrays. A trend to acquire homozygous CDKN2A/B deletions and a significant increase in the number of copy number alterations (CNA) was observed from diagnosis to first relapse. Evolution from an ancestral clone was the main pattern of clonal evolution. Relapse samples were extremely heterogeneous regarding CNA frequencies. However, CDKN2A/B, PAX5, ETV6, ATM, IKZF1, VPREB1, and TP53 deletions and duplications of 1q, 8q, 17q, 21, X/Y PAR1, and Xp were frequently detected at relapse. Duplications of genes involved in cell proliferation, drug resistance and stem cell homeostasis regulation, as well as deletions of KDM6A and STAG2 genes emerged as specific alterations at relapse. Genomics of relapsed adult B-cell precursor ALL is highly heterogeneous, although some recurrent lesions involved in essential pathways deregulation were frequently observed. Selective and simultaneous targeting of these deregulated pathways may improve the results of current salvage therapies.

Altres ajuts: La Marató de TV3 Foundation #20131610, the Cellex Foundation, Obra Social 'La Caixa' Altres ajuts: RTICC/RD12-0036-0039

Introduction and objective. Despite a high complete remission (CR) rate obtained with frontline therapy most adults with T-ALL eventually relapse. Although promising therapies are emerging, salvage options for T-ALL are currently limited. Little is known about outcome of patients (pts) with relapsed T-ALL (R T-ALL) treated with contemporary MRD-oriented trials. Our goal was to analyze the outcome of pts with R T-ALL included in two successive MRD-oriented trials (ALL-AR-03 and ALL-HR-11) from the Spanish PETHEMA Group. Methods. Retrospective study of R T-ALL adults diagnosed between 2003 and 2019 and included in the protocols ALL-AR-03 (NCT00853008) and ALL-HR-11 (NCT01540812). The clinical characteristics at baseline and at relapse, salvage therapies and outcomes (CR and OS) were analyzed and a study of prognostic factors for OS was performed. Results Forty-nine patients were identified (ALL-AR-03 [n=27], ALL-HR-11 [n=22]). Median age (range) at diagnosis was 29 (16-58) yrs, 38 males (78%), CNS involvement 6 (12%), mediastinal mass 30 (61%), WBC count 40.8 x109/L (0.6-351.0), early T-cell precursor 11 (23%), pre-T 8 (16%), cortical 16 (33%), mature 9 (18%), T unspecified 5 (10%). Post-induction-1 MRD level ≥0.1%: 14/42 (33%), ≥0.01%: 17/39 (44%). Nine pts (18%) required 2nd induction therapy (resistant disease after induction-1 [n=5], MRD≥0.1% after induction-1 [n=4]). Allogeneic HSCT in CR1: 8 pts. Interval CR1-relapse: 11.2 [0.1-36.7] months. Relapse was located in BM (n=20, 41%), BM+extramedullary (n=16, 33%) and extramedullary (n=13, 26%). CNS at relapse was involved in 18 pts (37%, isolated in 8 cases). Median number of rescue lineages was 2 (range 1-5). The most frequent first salvage schedules were FLAG-Ida (n=24, 49%), HyperCVAD (n=8, 16%) and nelarabine (n=4, 8%) (other schedules in 13 pts). Second CR was attained in 21/48 pts (44%). The patients with poor morphologic and/or poor MRD response after Induction-1 in first line therapy (n=9) did not respond to first salvage therapy (0/9 vs. 21/39, p=0.003). AlloHSCT was performed in 19 pts (15 in CR2) (HLA-identical sibling: 9, URD: 9, haploidentical: 1, myeloablative conditioning: 16). Thirty-nine pts died (progression: 27, toxicity of rescue regimens: 7, TRM: 5) and 9/10 alive patients were submitted to HSCT (the remaining is on rescue therapy). Median OS (95%CI) was 6.1 (4.9-7.2) months, 5yr OS probability 21% (9%-33%) (Figure 1). By multivariable analysis, only the CR after first salvage regimen emerged as favorable prognostic factor for OS (HR 3.110, 95%CI: 1.579-6.124) (Figure 2). Conclusion. This study shows poor outcome of adults with R T-ALL, with CR to first salvage therapy of 44% and a median OS of 6 months. Poor early response to first line therapy correlated with poor response to salvage-1. The only independent predictor for better survival was CR to first salvage regimen. This study highlights the unmet need for novel effective therapies for T-ALL. Supported in part by grant 2017 SGR288 (GRC) Generalitat de Catalunya and "La Caixa" Foundation; ISCIII (PI19/01828), co-funded by ERDF/ESF, "A way to make Europe"/"Investing in your future". Disclosures Ribera: Pfizer, Amgen, Ariad, Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer, Amgen: Research Funding. Barba:Amgen, Celgene, Gilead, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Pfizer, Shire: Consultancy; Amgen, Celgene, Novartis, Pfizer: Speakers Bureau. Tormo:Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria; MSD: Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria; Servier: Honoraria; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sanchez:Abbvie: Other: travel grants; Amgem: Other: travel grants; Janssen: Other: travel grants; Celgene: Other: travel grants; Roche: Other: travel grants. Giménez Conca:AbbVie: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau.

Background No standardized and widely accepted cytogenetic classification with prognostic impact for adult T-ALL has been proposed to date. Methods Patients with abnormal karyotypes (65/139, 47%) were classified according to the number of chromosomal alterations (Chun K. et al., 2009). Cohort 216 adults T-ALL patients/ NCT00853008 - NCT01540812 /PETHEMA cooperative group. Prognostic impact of karyotype on event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS), and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) were assessed. Additionally, next-generation sequencing (NGS) experiments were done. Results Greater than three cytogenetic abnormalities were associated with lower rates of both complete remission (CR, 77% vs. 94%; p=0.032) and minimal residual disease (MRD) level Conclusions Compared to BCP-ALL, a lower cut-off to define complex karyotypes based on the presence of ≥3 cytogenetic alterations allows the identification of T-ALL patients with poor prognosis. Interestingly, molecular analyses of patients carrying ≥3 cytogenetic alterations revealed a unique molecular profile that could contribute to understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of resistance and to evaluate novel targeted therapies (e.g. IL7R-directed) that might improve the response to treatment and outcome of adult T-ALL patients. Funding ISCIII (PI19/01828), co-funded by ERDF/ESF, “A way to make Europe”/”Investing in your future”.

Background: Adult T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a rare disease that affects less than 10 individuals in one million. It has been less studied than its cognate pediatric malignancy, which is more prevalent. A higher percentage of the adult patients relapse, compared to children. It is thus essential to study the mechanisms of relapse of adult T-ALL cases. Results: We profile whole-genome somatic mutations of 19 primary T-ALLs from adult patients and the corresponding relapse malignancies and analyze their evolution upon treatment in comparison with 238 pediatric and young adult ALL cases. We compare the mutational processes and driver mutations active in primary and relapse adult T-ALLs with those of pediatric patients. A precise estimation of clock-like mutations in leukemic cells shows that the emergence of the relapse clone occurs several months before the diagnosis of the primary T-ALL. Specifically, through the doubling time of the leukemic population, we find that in at least 14 out of the 19 patients, the population of relapse leukemia present at the moment of diagnosis comprises more than one but fewer than 108 blasts. Using simulations, we show that in all patients the relapse appears to be driven by genetic mutations. Conclusions: The early appearance of a population of leukemic cells with genetic mechanisms of resistance across adult T-ALL cases constitutes a challenge for treatment. Improving early detection of the malignancy is thus key to prevent its relapse. The authors would like to thank the Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC) for financially supporting this project (GC16173697BIGA). N.L.-B. acknowledges funding from the European Research Council (consolidator grant 682398) and the ERDF/Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities–Spanish State Research Agency/DamReMap Project (RTI2018-094095-B-I00). S. G work is supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 754510. I. S is supported by FPI fellowship from Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (project reference SAF2015-66084-R). V.G-H. is supported by the AECC (project reference GC16173697BIGA-9). IRB Barcelona is a recipient of a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence Award from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO; Government of Spain) and is supported by CERCA (Generalitat de Catalunya).

[Background]: The treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in older adults and elderly patients is a challenge, and modern protocols include targeted therapy and immunotherapy in combination with attenuated or minimal chemotherapy. However, frail patients are excluded from these trials, and reports on the outcome of this subgroup of patients are scarce. Our objective was to analyze the outcome of unfit older adults and elderly patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative ALL included in a prospective trial (ALL-07FRAIL)., [Patients and Methods]: Older adults and elderly patients with Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) ≥ 4 were included. Induction therapy consisted of vincristine and dexamethasone, and maintenance therapy with mercaptopurine and methotrexate for 2 years., [Results]: Seventy-two patients with a median age of 67 years (range, 57-89 years) and a median CCI of 5 (range, 4-12) were included. The rates of early withdrawal, early death, resistance, and complete response (CR) were 5%, 10%, 31%, and 54%, respectively. Six patients with CR abandoned the study, 5 died in CR, and 23 relapsed (cumulative relapse incidence 75%). The medians of disease-free and overall survival (OS) were 6.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3-13.5 months) and 7.6 months (95% CI, 6.3-8.9 months), respectively. The most frequent toxic events were hematologic (neutropenia 77% and thrombocytopenia 54%, of grade III-IV in all cases). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score but not the CCI had significant impact on OS., [Conclusion]: Complete remission with very attenuated chemotherapy can be attained in one-half of older or elderly infirm patients with ALL. These results suggest that some of these patients could benefit from the concomitant or subsequent use of immunotherapy and/or targeted therapy., This study was supported in part by the CERCA Program/Generalitat de Catalunya, Spain and the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain.

[EN]: [Background and objective]: Unlike Burkitt lymphoma, molecular abnormalities other than C-MYC rearrangements have scarcely been studied in patients with mature B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency and prognostic significance of copy number alterations (CNA) in genes involved in lymphoid differentiation, cell cycle and tumor suppression in adult patients with B-ALL. [Patients and methods]: We have analyzed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification the genetic material from bone marrow at diagnosis from 25 adult B-ALL patients treated with rituximab and specific chemotherapy. [Results]: The most frequent CNA were alterations in the 14q32.33 region (11 cases, 44%) followed by alterations in the cell cycle regulator genes CDKN2A/B and RB1 (16%). No correlation between the presence of specific CNA and the clinical-biologic features or the response to therapy was found. [Conclusions]: The high frequency of CNA in the 14q32.33 region, CDKN2A/B and RB1 found in our study could contribute to the aggressiveness and invasiveness of mature B-ALL., [ES]: [Fundamento y objetivo]: A diferencia del linfoma de Burkitt, las alteraciones moleculares distintas a los reordenamientos de C-MYC apenas se han estudiado en pacientes con leucemia linfoblástica aguda B (LLA-B) madura. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la frecuencia y el significado pronóstico de las copy number alterations (CNA, «alteraciones del número de copias») en genes clave de la diferenciación de los linfocitos, ciclo celular y supresores de tumores en pacientes adultos. [Pacientes y métodos]: Se analizaron, por amplificación de sondas dependiente de ligamento múltiple, muestras de médula ósea en el momento del diagnóstico de 25 adultos con LLA-B madura tratados con rituximab y quimioterapia específica. [Resultados]: Las CNA más frecuentes fueron las alteraciones en la región 14q32.33 (11 casos, 44%), seguidas de las alteraciones en los genes reguladores del ciclo celular CDKN2A/B y RB1 (16%). No se encontró correlación entre la presencia de estas CNA y las características clínico-biológicas o de respuesta al tratamiento. [Conclusiones]: La alta frecuencia de alteraciones en la región 14q32.33, CDKN2A/B y RB1 encontradas en este estudio podría explicar la agresividad e invasividad de la LLA-B madura.

Context IKZF1 (Ikaros) deletion has been proposed as a poor prognostic factor in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP ALL) in children and adults. Objective To analyze the frequency and prognostic impact of IKZF1 deletions in adult BCP ALL patients. To identify the IKZF1 gene expression signature to find patients with different deletion isoforms and therapeutic opportunities. Patients and methods MLPA or SNP array samples of 151 (109 Ph-negative and 42 Ph+) adult BCP ALL patients treated with MRD-oriented protocols from the PETHEMA Group. RNAseq was performed in 48 of them (27 Ph-negative and 21 Ph+). Results Median age was 40 [15–72] years. Ph+ patients showed older age (52 [20;72] vs. 36 [15;68] years, p 1.5 in RNAseq data analysis, we identified a robust IKZF1 deletion gene expression profile. This resulted in 119 significantly upregulated genes after multi-comparison adjustment (i.e. CCND1, LAMA3, SLC2A9, SNAI1, LDHC, CD34, ID3, CDH2, MAF) and 39 downregulated genes (i.e. ROBO1, HES6, KREMEN1, DHCR24, ABHD15). Downregulated genes were involved in Slit/Robo/EMT, Notch, Wnt/beta-catenin, and glucose and fatty acid metabolism pathways, while upregulated genes were involved in focal adhesion, ROS homeostasis, histone modification, anaerobic metabolism, stem cell quiescence, and IL-6/STAT pathways. A significant number of dysregulated gene targets of chemotherapeutic agents (retinoic acid, doxorubicin, cisplatin, gemcitabine) and targeted therapies, such as FAKi, ERKi, BCL2i, mTORi, JAKi, BRKi, EGFRi and CDKi, were identified. Conclusions Adult BCP ALL patients with IKZF1 partial gene deletions showed poor prognosis. Gene expression analysis enables the identification of potentially targetable lesions. Funding Supported in part by a grant from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Economia y Competividad, Spain (PI14/01971); 2017 SGR288 (GRC) Generalitat de Catalunya; and support from CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya, Fundacio Internacional Josep Carreras. The research leading to this invention has received funding from “la Caixa” Foundation.

[Objective and methods]: Pediatric‐inspired regimens have been adopted by several groups as the treatment strategy for adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Whether subsequent modifications of these protocols have led to an improvement in the outcome of patients is uncertain, especially in T‐cell ALL. We analyzed 169 patients with high‐risk T‐cell ALL included in two consecutive trials of the PETHEMA Group (HR‐ALL03 [n = 104] and the more contemporary HR‐ALL11 [n = 65]). [Results]: Patients and disease characteristics were balanced between both groups. Regarding efficacy, we observed a similar complete remission (CR) rate, relapse and disease‐free survival (DFS) between both protocols. Patients included in the HR‐ALL11 trial had better 2‐year overall survival (OS) compared with the HR‐ALL03 (65% [95% CI 51%‐79%] vs 44% [95% CI 34%‐54%], P = 0.026). Regarding toxicity, we observed a better safety profile in the HR‐11 protocol. Irrespective of the protocol, patients with good measurable residual disease (MRD) clearance had a promising outcome without allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) in CR1, with 2‐year OS of 67%. [Conclusion]: Patients with T‐cell ALL included in the HR‐11 trial showed better OS than patients in the HR‐03, mostly driven by a reduction of NRM., This work was supported in part by a grant from Generalitat de Catalunya (2017 SGR288 (GRC)); economical support from CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya and from Fundació Internacional Josep Carreras. The research leading to this invention has received funding from “la Caixa” Foundation. JMR was supported by PI14/01971 from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias. PB was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III FIS16/01433 and PERIS 2018‐2020 from Generalitat de Catalunya (BDNS357800) grants.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant transformation with uncontrolled proliferation of lymphoid precursor cells within bone marrow including a dismal prognosis after relapse. Survival of a population of quiescent leukemia stem cells (LSCs, also termed leukemia-initiating cells (LICs)) after treatment is one of the relapse reasons in Ph+ ALL patient. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known as highly conserved 19-24 nucleotides non-protein-coding small RNAs that regulate the expression of human genes. miRNAs are often involved in the tuning of hematopoiesis. Therefore, the deregulation of miRNA expression and function in hematopoietic cells can cause cancer and promote its progression. This is the first comprehensive analysis of miRNA expression differences between CD34(+)CD38(-) LSCs and CD34(+)CD38(+) leukemic progenitors (LPs) from the same Ph+ B-ALL bone marrow samples using high-throughput sequencing technologies. We identified multiple differentially expressed miRNAs including hsa-miR-3143, hsa-miR-6503-3p, hsa-miR-744-3p, hsa-miR-1226-3p, hsa-miR-10a-5p, hsa-miR-4658 and hsa-miR-493-3p related to LSC and LP populations which have regulatory functions in stem-cell associated biological processes. The deregulation of these miRNAs could affect leukemogenesis, clonogenic and stemness capacities in these subpopulations of Ph+ B-ALL. Therefore, identification of these LSC associated miRNAs may improve the diagnosis and management of B-ALL. These findings may also lead to future strategies to eliminate the presence of resistant LSCs, either by induction of apoptosis or by sensitizing these cells to chemotherapy.

Deletion of chromosome 6q is a well-recognized abnormality found in poor-prognosis T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Using integrated genomic approaches, we identified two candidate haploinsufficient genes contiguous at 6q14, SYNCRIP (encoding hnRNP-Q) and SNHG5 (that hosts snoRNAs), both involved in regulating RNA maturation and translation. Combined silencing of both genes, but not of either gene alone, accelerated leukemogeneis in a Tal1/Lmo1/Notch1-driven mouse model, demonstrating the tumor-suppressive nature of the two-gene region. Proteomic and translational profiling of cells in which we engineered a short 6q deletion by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing indicated decreased ribosome and mitochondrial activities, suggesting that the resulting metabolic changes may regulate tumor progression. Indeed, xenograft experiments showed an increased leukemia-initiating cell activity of primary human leukemic cells upon coextinction of SYNCRIP and SNHG5. Our findings not only elucidate the nature of 6q deletion but also highlight the role of ribosomes and mitochondria in T-ALL tumor progression. Significance: The oncogenic role of 6q deletion in T-ALL has remained elusive since this chromosomal abnormality was first identified more than 40 years ago. We combined genomic analysis and functional models to show that the codeletion of two contiguous genes at 6q14 enhances malignancy through deregulation of a ribosome–mitochondria axis, suggesting the potential for therapeutic intervention. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1494

CD47, an ubiquitously expressed innate immune checkpoint receptor that serves as a universal “don't eat me” signal of phagocytosis, is often upregulated by hematologic and solid cancers to evade immune surveillance. Development of CD47-targeted modalities is hindered by the ubiquitous expression of the target, often leading to rapid drug elimination and hemotoxicity including anemia. To overcome such liabilities, we have developed a fully human bispecific antibody, NI-1701, designed to coengage CD47 and CD19 selectively on B cells. NI-1701 demonstrates favorable elimination kinetics with no deleterious effects seen on hematologic parameters following single or multiple administrations to nonhuman primates. Potent in vitro and in vivo activity is induced by NI-1701 to kill cancer cells across a plethora of B-cell malignancies and control tumor growth in xenograft mouse models. The mechanism affording maximal tumor growth inhibition by NI-1701 is dependent on the coengagement of CD47/CD19 on B cells inducing potent antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis of the targeted cells. NI-1701–induced control of tumor growth in immunodeficient NOD/SCID mice was more effective than that achieved with the anti-CD20 targeted antibody, rituximab. Interestingly, a synergistic effect was seen when tumor-implanted mice were coadministered NI-1701 and rituximab leading to significantly improved tumor growth inhibition and regression in some animals. We describe herein, a novel bispecific antibody approach aimed at sensitizing B cells to become more readily phagocytosed and eliminated thus offering an alternative or adjunct therapeutic option to patients with B-cell malignancies refractory/resistant to anti-CD20–targeted therapy. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(8); 1739–51. ©2018 AACR.

The concurrent administration of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with standard chemotherapy together with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) has improved the outcome of patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Although to date, no study has shown alloHSCT to be inferior to chemotherapy plus TKIs in any subgroup of adult Ph+ ALL, there is some evidence suggesting no additional benefit of alloHSCT in patients with deep molecular responses to intensive chemotherapy with a second-generation, and especially, third-generation TKI. As none of these positive and negative studies are controlled, randomized trials are needed to fully define the role of alloHSCT in Ph+ ALL, especially in those with deep molecular response. However, if studies combining TKIs with new approaches such as immunotherapy lead to durable responses, alloHSCT in the first complete remission could be avoided in the near future in the majority of patients with Ph+ ALL.

BACKGROUND Some copy number alterations (CNAs) have independent prognostic significance for adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). METHODS This study analyzed via multiplex ligation–dependent probe amplification the frequency and prognostic impact of CNAs of 12 genetic regions in 142 adolescents and adults with de novo precursor B-cell ALL. RESULTS The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A/B (CDKN2A/B) deletion (59 of 142 or 42%) was the most frequent CNA, and it was followed by Ikaros family zinc finger 1 (IKZF1) losses (49 of 142 or 35%). IKZF1 deletions were more prevalent in Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)–positive ALL and were associated with advanced age and high white blood cell (WBC) counts. The multivariate analysis showed that advanced age and early B-cell factor 1 (EBF1) deletions were associated with chemotherapy resistance in both the whole series (hazard ratios, 0.949 and 0.135, respectively) and the Ph-negative subgroup (hazard ratios, 0.946 and 0.118, respectively). High WBC counts and focal IKZF1 deletions correlated with disease recurrence (hazard ratios, 1.005 and 1.869, respectively), whereas advanced age and CDKN2A/B losses influenced overall survival in both the whole series (hazard ratios, 1.038 and 2.545, respectively) and the Ph-negative subgroup (hazard ratios, 1.044 and 2.105, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Deletions of EBF1, IKZF1, and CDKN2A/B have an independent adverse prognosis for adolescents and adults with B-precursor ALL, and this suggests that these CNAs should be included in the initial risk assessment of ALL. Cancer 2015;121:3809–3817. © 2015 American Cancer Society.

Resumen La leucemia aguda linfoblastica (LAL) es la neoplasia mas frecuente en ninos y la principal causa de morbilidad entre las alteraciones hematicas infantiles. Existen 2 subtipos, segun el progenitor linfoide afectado: LAL-B y LAL-T. La LAL-T es menos frecuente e historicamente se asociaba a mal pronostico tanto en adultos como en ninos, aunque en la actualidad los resultados del tratamiento no difieren significativamente entre ambos tipos de LAL. La LAL-T es el subtipo mas complejo y heterogeneo a nivel genetico y el que menos alternativas terapeuticas nuevas presenta en el momento actual. Esta tendencia esta cambiando merced a los progresos notables que se estan efectuando en el conocimiento de su biologia. En esta revision se resumen los hallazgos biologicos mas importantes en la LAL-T efectuados en los ultimos anos y sus posibles implicaciones terapeuticas.

Introduction: Recent studies have shown that young to middle-aged adults who receive a pediatric-inspired chemotherapy regimen for treatment of Ph-neg ALL do not appear to require an alloHSCT if they achieve good response on MRD testing after induction and/or consolidation therapy. Patients (pts) who are not good MRD responders achieve better outcomes with alloHSCT than their counterparts who do not receive alloHSCT. However, it is not clear if this approach can specifically apply to adult ALL pts with HR features at baseline. The aim of the prospective ALL-HR-11 trial (NCT01540812) from the Spanish PETHEMA Group was to evaluate response of HR Ph-neg adult ALL patients to a different post-induction therapy (chemotherapy or alloHSCT) according to MRD levels (centrally assessed by 8-color flow cytometry [FCM]) at the end of induction (week 5) and consolidation therapy (week 17).. Patients and methods: HR ALL included one or more of the following parameters at baseline: age 30-60y, WBC count >30x109/L for B-cell precursor ALL or >100x109/L for thymic T-ALL, pro-B, early or mature T-ALL, 11q23 or KMT2A rearrangements or complex karyotype. Induction therapy included vincristine, prednisone, daunorubicin and asparaginase (E coli native or PEG according to center availability) for 4 weeks (Induction-1). FLAG-Ida was administered as intensified induction (Induction-2) in pts not achieving CR or in those in CR with MRD≥0.1% at the end of induction. For pts in CR and MRD Results: On April 2019, 307 HR ALL pts were evaluable. Median (range) age was 40 (15-60) y, 192 were males, 211 precursor B-ALL and 96 T-ALL, with a median WBC count of 12.9 (0.2-564) x109/L. Results of Induction-1 (n=304, 3 on induction): therapy-related death: 12(4%), resistance: 39(13%), CR: 253(83%). MRD Conclusions: This trial, in which post-induction therapy was only based on MRD results assessed by FCM, suggests that avoiding alloHSCT does not hamper the outcome of HR Ph-neg adult ALL pts with adequate MRD response after induction and after consolidation. Better post-remission alternative therapies are specially needed for patients with poor MRD clearance. Supported by grants PI14/01971 FIS, Instituto Carlos III, and SGR225 (GRE), Spain. Disclosures Montesinos: Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Research support, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Teva: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Research support, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Research support, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Research support, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Research support, Speakers Bureau; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Research support; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Research support, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Esteve:Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy.

Background: ETP-ALL was included as a provisional identity in the 2016 WHO classification of ALL. This subtype was first identified by Coustan-Smith et al. in 2009. However, this immunophenotype-based classification does not fully enclose all ETP-ALL cases identified by gene expression profile (GEP). Although early studies in small series of ETP-ALL suggested a very poor outcome for ETP ALL more recent and larger series have showed improvement in outcome treating children with a contemporary protocol based on chemotherapy schedules, or after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) in adults. Aim: To investigate the clinical and biological features of ETP-ALL cases in the Spanish cohort of adult T-cell ALL (T-ALL) patients and to assess the potential impact of high-risk therapy on their outcome. Method: One hundred eighty-five adults with T-ALL treated according to two consecutive MRD-oriented high-risk adult PETHEMA protocols -ALL-HR-2003 (NCT00853008) and ALL-HR-11 (NCT01540812; still ongoing)- were included in this study. The EGIL criteria were used to define the immunologic subtype of T-ALL after central review of immunophenotype reports, and the criteria proposed by Zuurbier et al. (Zuurbier L. et al. Haematologica 2014; 99:94-102) were used to define ETP-ALL. These later criteria consist of a combination of immunophenotypic markers (absence of CD1a-/CD4-/CD8-, cut-off 25%), that resemble those published by Coustan-Smith, with the advantage that include most ETP-ALL cases, as identified by GEP, avoiding the use of partial expression of CD5 marker to immuno-classify these patients. Results: Thirty-four out of 167 evaluable patients (20%) with T-ALL showed an ETP-ALL immunophenotype. Patients with ETP-ALL were older (mean 39 [SD 12] vs. 33 [12] yr; p=0.011), showed more frequently lymph node involvement (79% vs. 56%; p=0.021) and lower WBC counts at diagnosis (mean, 72 [155] vs. 97 [112] x109/L; p=0.004). At genetic level, ETP-ALL patients were associated with the absence of deletions in CDKN2A/B gene cluster (91% vs. 26%; p10% BM blasts on day+14) vs. 37% of non-ETP (p Conclusions: ETP-ALL accounts for 20% of adult T-ALL in the PETHEMA cohort and it is associated with a poorer initial response to treatment (lower CR rate, poorer MRD clearance) than the remaining T-ALL patients. Such poorer outcome is not overcome by allo-SCT in our series. Supported by grants from: Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer, AECC (GC16173697BIGA), Instituto Carlos III (PI14/01971 FI), 2017-SGR288 (GRC), CERCA Program from Generalitat de Catalunya, and "La Caixa" Foundation. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Montesinos: Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

[EN]: [Background and objective]: Unlike Burkitt lymphoma, molecular abnormalities other than C-MYC rearrangements have scarcely been studied in patients with mature B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency and prognostic significance of copy number alterations (CNA) in genes involved in lymphoid differentiation, cell cycle and tumor suppression in adult patients with B-ALL. [Patients and methods]: We have analyzed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification the genetic material from bone marrow at diagnosis from 25 adult B-ALL patients treated with rituximab and specific chemotherapy. [Results]: The most frequent CNA were alterations in the 14q32.33 region (11 cases, 44%) followed by alterations in the cell cycle regulator genes CDKN2A/B and RB1 (16%). No correlation between the presence of specific CNA and the clinical-biologic features or the response to therapy was found. [Conclusions]: The high frequency of CNA in the 14q32.33 region, CDKN2A/B and RB1 found in our study could contribute to the aggressiveness and invasiveness of mature B-ALL. [ES]: [Fundamento y objetivo]: A diferencia del linfoma de Burkitt, las alteraciones moleculares distintas a los reordenamientos de C-MYC apenas se han estudiado en pacientes con leucemia linfoblástica aguda B (LLA-B) madura. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la frecuencia y el significado pronóstico de las copy number alterations (CNA, «alteraciones del número de copias») en genes clave de la diferenciación de los linfocitos, ciclo celular y supresores de tumores en pacientes adultos. [Pacientes y métodos]: Se analizaron, por amplificación de sondas dependiente de ligamento múltiple, muestras de médula ósea en el momento del diagnóstico de 25 adultos con LLA-B madura tratados con rituximab y quimioterapia específica. [Resultados]: Las CNA más frecuentes fueron las alteraciones en la región 14q32.33 (11 casos, 44%), seguidas de las alteraciones en los genes reguladores del ciclo celular CDKN2A/B y RB1 (16%). No se encontró correlación entre la presencia de estas CNA y las características clínico-biológicas o de respuesta al tratamiento. [Conclusiones]: La alta frecuencia de alteraciones en la región 14q32.33, CDKN2A/B y RB1 encontradas en este estudio podría explicar la agresividad e invasividad de la LLA-B madura.

Background and objective: The prognosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is poor in older adults and elderly patients, and subtype-oriented prospective trials are scarce in these patients. We present the results of three prospective parallel subtype-oriented protocols in fit patients older than 55 years. Patients and methods: In 2008, three prospective phase II trials in patients older than 55 years were activated: ALLOLD07 for Philadephia (Ph) chromosome-negative ALL, ALLOPHO7 for Ph-positive ALL, and BURKIMABO8 for mature B-ALL. Early death (ED), complete remission (CR), disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicity were analyzed. Results: 56, 53 and 21 patients from the ALLOLD07, ALLOPHO7 and BURKIMABO8 trials, respectively, were evaluable. CR was 74%, 87% and 70%, with an ED rate of 13%, 11% and 15%, respectively. The medians of DFS were 8 and 38 months for ALLOLD07 and ALLOPHO7 protocols, not being achieved in the BURKIMABO8 trial (p = 0.001), and the median OS was 12, 37 and 25 months, respectively (p = 0.030). Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and infections were less frequent in the ALLOPHO7 trial vs. ALLOLD07 and BURKIMAB trials, and renal toxicity and mucositis were more frequent in the BURKIMABO8 trial vs. the ALLOLD07 and ALLOPHO7 trials. ECOG score and WBC count had prognostic significance for OS in ALLOPHO7 and BURKIMABO8 trials, whereas no prognostic factors were identified in ALLOLD07 protocol. Conclusion: Subtype-oriented treatment had an impact in the outcome of older adults with ALL. The poorest outcome was observed in Ph-negative non-Mature B-cell ALL patients, for whom improvements in therapy are clearly needed. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Some copy number alterations (CNAs) have independent prognostic significance for adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).This study analyzed via multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification the frequency and prognostic impact of CNAs of 12 genetic regions in 142 adolescents and adults with de novo precursor B-cell ALL.The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A/B (CDKN2A/B) deletion (59 of 142 or 42%) was the most frequent CNA, and it was followed by Ikaros family zinc finger 1 (IKZF1) losses (49 of 142 or 35%). IKZF1 deletions were more prevalent in Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive ALL and were associated with advanced age and high white blood cell (WBC) counts. The multivariate analysis showed that advanced age and early B-cell factor 1 (EBF1) deletions were associated with chemotherapy resistance in both the whole series (hazard ratios, 0.949 and 0.135, respectively) and the Ph-negative subgroup (hazard ratios, 0.946 and 0.118, respectively). High WBC counts and focal IKZF1 deletions correlated with disease recurrence (hazard ratios, 1.005 and 1.869, respectively), whereas advanced age and CDKN2A/B losses influenced overall survival in both the whole series (hazard ratios, 1.038 and 2.545, respectively) and the Ph-negative subgroup (hazard ratios, 1.044 and 2.105, respectively).Deletions of EBF1, IKZF1, and CDKN2A/B have an independent adverse prognosis for adolescents and adults with B-precursor ALL, and this suggests that these CNAs should be included in the initial risk assessment of ALL.

BACKGROUNDSome copy number alterations (CNAs) have independent prognostic significance for adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). METHODSThis study analyzed via multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification the frequency and prognostic impact of CNAs of 12 genetic regions in 142 adolescents and adults with de novo precursor B-cell ALL. RESULTSThe cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A/B (CDKN2A/B) deletion (59 of 142 or 42%) was the most frequent CNA, and it was followed by Ikaros family zinc finger 1 (IKZF1) losses (49 of 142 or 35%). IKZF1 deletions were more prevalent in Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive ALL and were associated with advanced age and high white blood cell (WBC) counts. The multivariate analysis showed that advanced age and early B-cell factor 1 (EBF1) deletions were associated with chemotherapy resistance in both the whole series (hazard ratios, 0.949 and 0.135, respectively) and the Ph-negative subgroup (hazard ratios, 0.946 and 0.118, respectively). High WBC counts and focal IKZF1 deletions correlated with disease recurrence (hazard ratios, 1.005 and 1.869, respectively), whereas advanced age and CDKN2A/B losses influenced overall survival in both the whole series (hazard ratios, 1.038 and 2.545, respectively) and the Ph-negative subgroup (hazard ratios, 1.044 and 2.105, respectively). CONCLUSIONSDeletions of EBF1, IKZF1, and CDKN2A/B have an independent adverse prognosis for adolescents and adults with B-precursor ALL, and this suggests that these CNAs should be included in the initial risk assessment of ALL. Cancer 2015;121:3809-3817. (c) 2015 American Cancer Society. Deletions of early B-cell factor 1, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A/B, and Ikaros family zinc finger 1 are independent markers of a poor prognosis for uniformly treated adolescent and adult patients with B precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in children and one of the main causes of death among childhood blood disorders. There are two subtypes according to the affected lymphoid progenitor: B-ALL and T-ALL. The T-ALL is the less common and historically was associated with poor prognosis in both adults and children, although at present, treatment outcomes do not differ significantly between the two types of ALL. The T-ALL subtype is the most complex and heterogeneous at the genetic level and currently the one with less new therapeutic alternatives available. This trend is changing thanks to the remarkable progress that is being made in understanding the biology involved. Advances in genomic research during last decade have largely contributed to this progress. Moreover many efforts are being made to identify which of this new basic data is relevant for clinical practice. This will allow us to better define the risk and take decisions on the best treatment to apply to each patient. Therefore we are moving towards a personalized patient management that ultimately will result in an increase in survival and progress to T-ALL cure. This review summarizes the most relevant and applicable biological findings in T-ALL made in recent years and their therapeutic implications that will influence the clinical practice in the future.

Introduction In the last years genome wide profilings have identified recurrent Copy Number Alterations (CNA) in genes potentially involved in the pathogenesis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). These studies have identified deletions in B-cell development genes (IKZF1, EBF1, PAX5, TCF3, etc.), cell cycle regulation genes (CDKN2A/B, RB1, TP53, etc.), glucocorticoid resistance genes (BTG1, CREBBP) and growth factor receptors genes (CRLF2, CSF2RA, IL3RA) among others. Some of these CNA (i.e. IKZF1, CDKN2A, CRLF2) have been reported to have prognostic significance in several pediatric series but there are very few data regarding their impact in B-lineage adult ALL. Our aim was to analyze the frequency and prognostic significance of CNA in a series of 125 B-lineage adult ALL patients treated according to risk-adapted protocols from the Spanish PETHEMA Group. Methods Bone marrow or peripheral blood (with significant blast burden) samples from 125 B-lineage adult ALL patients enrolled in risk-adapted protocols from the PETHEMA Group were analyzed at diagnosis. MLPA assays (MRC-Holland) were performed for the following genes: IKZF1, IKZF2, IKZF3, EBF1, CDKN2A/B, PAX5, ETV6, BTG1, RB1, hsa-miR-31, X/Y PAR1 region genes (CRLF2, CSF2RA, IL3RA) and 14q32.33 region genes (IGH D, MTA1, KIAA0284). Fragment analysis was made by Genescan in an ABI-3130 sequencer (Applied Biosystems). Data normalization provided a value indicative of the presence or absence of CNA: 0-0.20 homozygous deletion, 0.21-0.70 heterozygous deletion, 0.71-1.30 normal, 1.31-1.70 heterozygous duplication and 1.71-2.20 homozygous duplication. Results The median age [range] was 40 [15-74] years, 71 (57%) males, median WBC count 12.11 x109/L [0.4-388]. Immunophenotype: pro-B 14 (11%), common 71 (58%), pre-B 26 (21%), mature-B 10 (8%), unavailable 2 (2%). Cytogenetics: normal 16 (13%), hyperdiploid 6 (5%), hypodiploid 2 (2%), t(9:22) 20 (16%), t(1;19) 8 (6%), 11q23/MLL 11 (9%), 8q24/C-MYC 7 (5%), complex 1 (1%), iAMP21 2 (2%), other translocations or deletions 31 (25%), no growth 20 (16%). CNA frequencies of the 125 patients are shown in the table. IKZF1 deletions were significantly associated with EBF1 deletions, high WBC count and Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome. In the IKZF1 deleted cohort whole gene deletions were as frequent as Ik6 isoforms (28% each). A high codeletion rate was detected in genes located in 9p (CDKN2A/B with PAX5, CDKN2A/B with hsa-miR-31 and PAX5 with hsa-miR-31). CDKN2A/B also showed concomitant deletions with ETV6 while PAX5 showed codeletions with BTG1. CDKN2A/B and PAX5 deleted patients had higher WBC counts than non-deleted individuals. Clinical follow-up data was available for 123 patients of the whole series and for the 105 patients of the Ph-negative cohort. Multivariate analysis showed that advanced age, BTG1 deletions and EBF1 deletions were negative prognostic factors for achieving Complete Remission (CR) and WBC count and IKZF1 deletions significantly reduced CR duration in both cohorts. Interestingly, there were significant differences in relapse rates between whole and partial gene IKZF1 deletions. IKZF1 haploinsufficient patients had a probability of CR duration at 3 years of 83% ± 30% vs. 6% ± 12% of partial gene deletion carriers. Advanced age and IKZF1 deletions were predictors for overall survival in the Ph-negative cohort and age>30 years, IKZF1 deletions and hsa-miR-31 deletions were associated with poor prognosis in the whole series. Conclusions In B-lineage adult ALL, deletions of IKZF1, EBF1, BTG1 or hsa-miR-31 are markers with prognostic significance in addition to age and WBC count. Patients with partial IKZF1 gene deletions have a significantly higher probability of relapse than those with whole gene loss. These genetic abnormalities could help to better define prognostic subgroups in adult patients with B-lineage ALL. Supported by the grants PI10/01417 and RD12-0036-0029 from Instituto Carlos III and a grant from the Spanish Society of Hematology and Hemotherapy (2012). Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.