Search

Activation of apoptosis in malignant cells is an established strategy for controlling cancer and is potentially curative. To assess the impact of concurrently inducing the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis-signaling pathways in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), we evaluated activity of the TRAIL receptor agonistic fusion protein eftozanermin alfa (eftoza; ABBV-621) in combination with the B-cell lymphoma protein-2 selective inhibitor venetoclax in preclinical models and human patients. Simultaneously stimulating intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis-signaling pathways with venetoclax and eftoza, respectively, enhanced their activities in AML cell lines and patient-derived ex vivo/in vivo models. Eftoza activity alone or plus venetoclax required death receptor 4/5 (DR4/DR5) expression on the plasma membrane but was independent of TP53 or FLT3-ITD status. The safety/tolerability of eftoza as monotherapy and in combination with venetoclax was demonstrated in patients with relapsed/refractory AML in a phase 1 clinical trial. Treatment-related adverse events were reported in 2 of 4 (50%) patients treated with eftoza monotherapy and 18 of 23 (78%) treated with eftoza plus venetoclax. An overall response rate of 30% (7/23; 4 complete responses [CRs], 2 CRs with incomplete hematologic recovery, and 1 morphologic leukemia-free state) was reported in patients who received treatment with eftoza plus venetoclax and 67% (4/6) in patients with myoblasts positive for DR4/DR5 expression; no tumor responses were observed with eftoza monotherapy. These data indicate that combination therapy with eftoza plus venetoclax to simultaneously activate the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis-signaling pathways may improve clinical benefit compared with venetoclax monotherapy in relapsed/refractory AML with an acceptable toxicity profile. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03082209.

PURPOSE The applicability of FLT3-internal tandem duplications ( FLT3-ITD) for assessing measurable residual disease (MRD) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in complete remission (CR) has been hampered by patient-specific duplications and potential instability of FLT3-ITD during relapse. Here, we comprehensively investigated the impact of next-generation sequencing (NGS)–based FLT3-ITD MRD detection on treatment outcome in a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed AML in relation to established prognostic factors at diagnosis and other MRD measurements, ie, mutant NPM1 and multiparameter flow cytometry. METHODS In 161 patients with de novo FLT3-ITD AML, NGS was performed at diagnosis and in CR after intensive remission induction treatment. FLT3-ITD MRD status was correlated with the cumulative incidence of relapse and overall survival (OS). RESULTS NGS-based FLT3-ITD MRD was present in 47 of 161 (29%) patients with AML. Presence of FLT3-ITD MRD was associated with increased risk of relapse (4-year cumulative incidence of relapse, 75% FLT3-ITD MRD v 33% no FLT3-ITD MRD; P < .001) and inferior OS (4-year OS, 31% FLT3-ITD MRD v 57% no FLT3-ITD MRD; P < .001). In multivariate analysis, detection of FLT3-ITD MRD in CR confers independent prognostic significance for relapse (hazard ratio, 3.55; P < .001) and OS (hazard ratio 2.51; P = .002). Strikingly, FLT3-ITD MRD exceeds the prognostic value of most generally accepted clinical and molecular prognostic factors, including the FLT3-ITD allelic ratio at diagnosis and MRD assessment by NGS-based mutant NPM1 detection or multiparameter flow cytometry. CONCLUSION NGS-based detection of FLT3-ITD MRD in CR identifies patients with AML with profound risk of relapse and death that outcompetes the significance of most established prognostic factors at diagnosis and during therapy, and furnishes support for FLT3-ITD as a clinically relevant biomarker for dynamic disease risk assessment in AML.

RKIP knockdown in U937 does not affect NF-κB.

Datasets downloaded from TCGA.

Supplementary Figure Legends

RAF kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) is a seminal regulator of intracellular signaling and exhibits both antimetastatic and antitumorigenic properties. Decreased expression of RKIP has been described in several human malignancies, including acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). As the mechanisms leading to RKIP loss in AML are still unclear, we aimed to analyze the potential involvement of miRNAs within this study. miRNA microarray and qPCR data of more than 400 AML patient specimens revealed correlation between decreased expression of RKIP and increased expression of miR-23a, a member of the miR-23a/27a/24-2 cluster. In functional experiments, overexpression of miR-23a decreased RKIP mRNA and protein expression, whereas miR-23a inhibition caused the opposite effect. By using an RKIP 3′-untranslated region luciferase reporter construct with and without mutation or deletion of the putative miR-23a–binding site, we could show that RKIP modulation by miR-23a is mediated via direct binding to this region. Importantly, miR-23a overexpression induced a significant increase of proliferation in hematopoietic cells. Simultaneous transfection of an RKIP expression construct lacking the miR-23a–binding sites reversed this phenotype, indicating that this effect is truly mediated via downregulation of RKIP. Finally, by analyzing more than 4,300 primary patient specimens via database retrieval from The Cancer Genome Atlas, we could highlight the importance of the miR-23a/RKIP axis in a broad range of human cancer entities. In conclusion, we have identified miR-23a as a negative regulator of RKIP expression in AML and have provided data that suggest the importance of our observation beyond this tumor entity. Cancer Res; 76(12); 3644–54. ©2016 AACR.

Substantial heterogeneity within mutant TP53 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome with excess of blast (MDS-EB) precludes the exact assessment of prognostic impact for individual patients. We performed in-depth clinical and molecular analysis of mutant TP53 AML and MDS-EB to dissect the molecular characteristics in detail and determine its impact on survival. We performed next-generation sequencing on 2200 AML/MDS-EB specimens and assessed the TP53 mutant allelic status (mono- or bi-allelic), the number of TP53 mutations, mutant TP53 clone size, concurrent mutations, cytogenetics, and mutant TP53 molecular minimal residual disease and studied the associations of these characteristics with overall survival. TP53 mutations were detected in 230 (10.5%) patients with AML/MDS-EB with a median variant allele frequency of 47%. Bi-allelic mutant TP53 status was observed in 174 (76%) patients. Multiple TP53 mutations were found in 49 (21%) patients. Concurrent mutations were detected in 113 (49%) patients. No significant difference in any of the aforementioned molecular characteristics of mutant TP53 was detected between AML and MDS-EB. Patients with mutant TP53 have a poor outcome (2-year overall survival, 12.8%); however, no survival difference between AML and MDS-EB was observed. Importantly, none of the molecular characteristics were significantly associated with survival in mutant TP53 AML/MDS-EB. In most patients, TP53 mutations remained detectable in complete remission by deep sequencing (73%). Detection of residual mutant TP53 was not associated with survival. Mutant TP53 AML and MDS-EB do not differ with respect to molecular characteristics and survival. Therefore, mutant TP53 AML/MDS-EB should be considered a distinct molecular disease entity. ispartof: BLOOD vol:139 issue:15 pages:2347-2354 ispartof: location:United States status: published

The widely use of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) may lead to accidental findings and the discovery of malignancy in pregnancy, often in asymptomatic patients. Diagnosis of such subclinical malignancy during pregnancy in the asymptomatic patient poses a predicament for both doctor and patient. The risks and benefits of possible treatment for both mother and child have to be weighted, and there is often limited scientific evidence available. We present a case of an abnormal NIPT result, leading to the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in an asymptomatic pregnant patient. After multiple multidisciplinary meetings and an elaborate shared decision making (SDM) process, a watch and wait strategy was implemented, in contradiction with general treatment recommendations. Following this approach, it was possible to achieve a near term pregnancy before delivery of a healthy baby girl. The patient could subsequently commence treatment of her AML and is still in complete remission after a follow-up of 25 months. Our case report highlights the possibility of watch and wait strategy in selected cases and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and SDM, when faced with the accidental finding of AML through NIPT. J Hematol. 2021;10(5):228-231 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jh908

The applicability ofIn 161 patients with de novoNGS-basedNGS-based detection of

© The Authors., Given its myeloid-restricted expression, myeloperoxidase (MPO) is typically used for lineage assignment (myeloid vs. lymphoid) during acute leukaemia (AL) diagnostics. In the present study, a robust flow cytometric definition for MPO positivity was established based on the standardised EuroFlow protocols, the standardised Acute Leukaemia Orientation Tube and 1734 multicentre AL cases (with confirmed assay stability). The best diagnostic performance was achieved by defining MPO positivity as ≥20% of the AL cells exceeding a lymphocyte-based threshold. The methodology employed should be applicable to any form of standardised flow cytometry., The co-ordination of this study was supported by the EuroFlow Consortium. The EuroFlow Consortium received support from the FP6-2004-LIFESCIHEALTH-5 programme of the European Commission (grant LSHB-CT-2006-018708) as Specific Targeted Research Project (STREP). The EuroFlow Consortium is part of the European Scientific Foundation for Hemato-Oncology (ESLHO), a Scientific Working Group (SWG) of the European Hematology Association (EHA).

Treatment results of AML in elderly patients are unsatisfactory. In an open label randomized phase II study, we investigated whether addition of the XPO1 inhibitor selinexor to intensive chemotherapy would improve outcome in this population. 102 AML patients > 65 years of age (median 69 (65–80)) were randomly assigned to standard chemotherapy (3 + 7) with or without oral selinexor 60 mg twice weekly (both arms n = 51), days 1–24. In the second cycle, cytarabine 1000 mg/m2 twice daily, days 1–6 with or without selinexor was given. CR/CRi rates were significantly higher in the control arm than in the investigational arm (80% (95% C.I. 69–91%) vs. 59% (45–72%; p = 0.018), respectively). At 18 months, event-free survival was 45% for the control arm versus 26% for the investigational arm (Cox-p = 0.012) and overall survival 58% vs. 33%, respectively (p = 0.009). AML and infectious complications accounted for an increased death rate in the investigational arm. Irrespective of treatment, MRD status after two cycles appeared to be correlated with survival. We conclude that the addition of selinexor to standard chemotherapy does negatively affect the therapeutic outcome of elderly AML patients. (Netherlands Trial Registry number NL5748 (NTR5902), www.trialregister.nl).

Outcome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is adversely affected by relapse to a considerable degree. To exploit the graft-versus-leukemia effect more effectively, we assessed the feasibility of early initiation of epigenetic therapy with panobinostat and decitabine after allo-HSCT and before donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) in poor-risk patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or refractory anemia with excess blasts with International Prognostic Scoring System score ≥1.5. A total of 140 poor-risk patients with AML aged 18 to 70 years were registered, and 110 proceeded to allo-HSCT. Three dose levels were evaluated for dose-limiting toxicities, including panobinostat monotherapy 20 mg at days 1, 4, 8, and 11 of a 4-week cycle (PNB mono group) and panobinostat combined with either decitabine 20 mg/m2 (PNB/DAC20 group) or decitabine 10 mg/m2 (PNB/DAC10 group) at days 1 to 3 of every 4-week cycle. After phase 1, the study continued as phase 2, focusing on completion of protocol treatment and treatment outcome. PNB mono and PNB/DAC10 were feasible, whereas PNB/DAC20 was not related to prolonged cytopenia. Sixty of 110 patients who underwent transplantation were eligible to receive their first DLI within 115 days after allo-HSCT. Grade 3 and 4 adverse events related to panobinostat and decitabine were observed in 23 (26%) of the 87 patients, and they received epigenetic therapy. Cumulative incidence of relapse was 35% (standard error [SE] 5), and overall survival and progression-free survival at 24 months were 50% (SE 5) and 49% (SE 5). Post-allo-HSCT epigenetic therapy with panobinostat alone or in combination with low-dose decitabine is feasible and is associated with a relatively low relapse rate. The trial was registered at the European Clinical Trial Registry, https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu, as ECT2012-003344-74. ispartof: BLOOD ADVANCES vol:4 issue:18 pages:4430-4437 ispartof: location:United States status: published

Introduction. Approximately 40% of patients (pts) with newly diagnosed AML either fail to achieve complete remission with intensive induction therapy or experience disease recurrence after a short remission (CR1 6 months), the probability of response for PIF/ER pts is particularly poor (~12%) with median expected overall survival of ~3.5 month and no approved therapy for this specific population. We have recently shown that increased immune infiltration of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is associated with induction failure and poor prognosis; conversely, an infiltrated TME predisposes for immunotherapy response1. We provide an update of the first-in-human study of flotetuzumab (FLZ), an investigational CD123 x CD3 bispecific DART® molecule currently in clinical development for PIF/ER AML pts. Methods. In this phase of the study, PIF is defined as being refractory to induction with: ≥1 high-intensity cytarabine-based chemotherapy (CTx) cycles, or ≥2 but ≤4 Bcl-2 inhibitor-based combinations, or gemtuzumab ozogamicin only. ER is defined as relapse following CR1 < 6 months. Pts who receive up to one prior salvage attempt are included. Pts whose AML recurred following HSCT are excluded. The recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of FLZ is 500 ng/kg/day administered as a continuous infusion in 28-day cycles following a step-up ('priming') lead-in dose during Cycle 1 Week 1. Disease status is assessed by modified IWG criteria. Duration of response is measured from initial response to relapse or death. Results. As of July 1, 2020, 38 PIF/ER (as defined above) AML patients have been treated at the RP2D (median age 63yrs [range 28-81]; 31.6% [12] pts female). Most pts (63.2%, 24/38) were PIF and the large majority (94.7%, 36/38) had non-favorable risk by ELN 2017 criteria (25 pts adverse, 11 pts intermediate); 34.2% (13/38) had secondary AML. For ER pts, median duration of CR1 was 2.9 months (range: 0.7-4.0 months). Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was the most frequently reported treatment related adverse event (TRAE), with all pts experiencing mild-to-moderate (grade ≤ 2) CRS. No grade ≥ 3 CRS events have been reported in this cohort. Most CRS events (51.5%) occurred in the first week of treatment during step-up dosing. The incidence of CRS progressively decreased during dosing at RP2D (34.8% in week 2, 4.5% in week 3, and 6.1% in week 4), allowing outpatient treatment in most cases. Neurologic AEs have been infrequent, with the most prominent event being grade 1 or grade 2 headache in 23.7% (9/38) treated at the RP2D. Two pts experienced grade 3 confusion of short duration (1-2 days) that was fully reversible. Over half (57.9%) of pts had evidence of antileukemic activity (reduction in blast count) with a median decrease of 92.7% in BM blasts (Fig. 1). The overall complete response rate (CRR, Conclusion: FLZ demonstrated encouraging activity in pts with PIF/ER AML, a population with poor prognosis and high unmet medical need, with 42.1% achieving CRR and over half of those receiving a stem cell transplant. Treatment is tolerable with a minimum 8 day inpatient treatment. The study is currently enrolling patients [NCT02152956] 1 Vadakekolathu J, Minden MD, Hood T, Church SE, Reeder S, Altmann H et al. Immune landscapes predict chemotherapy resistance and immunotherapy response in acute myeloid leukemia. Sci Trans Med 2020. Disclosures Aldoss: abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; agios: Honoraria; kite: Consultancy; autolus limited: Consultancy; JAZZ: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy. Uy:Genentech: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Astellas Pharma: Honoraria. Emadi:Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NewLink Genetics: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; KinaRx: Other: co-founder and scientific advisor; Servier: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Walter:Aptevo Therapeutics: Research Funding. Foster:Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Bellicum Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Macrogenics: Consultancy, Research Funding. Arellano:Hanmi: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences, Inc: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cephalon Oncology: Research Funding. Wieduwilt:Amgen: Research Funding; Macrogeneics: Research Funding; Leadiant: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Shire: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Michaelis:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Stiff:Kite, a Gilead Company: Research Funding; Gamida Cell: Research Funding; Atara: Research Funding; Unum: Research Funding; Delta-Fly: Research Funding; Macrogenics: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding. Advani:Novartis: Consultancy, Other: advisory board; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; OBI: Research Funding; Kite: Other: Advisory board/ honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Other: steering committee/ honoraria, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Other: Advisory board/ honoraria, Research Funding; Immunogen: Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Consultancy, Other: Steering committee/ honoraria, Research Funding; Macrogenics: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding. Wermke:MacroGenics: Honoraria. Erba:AbbVie, Daiichi Sankyo, Forma, ImmunoGen, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, MacroGenics, Novartis, PTC: Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Other: member of Scientific Steering Committee; Celgene: Other: chair of the Scientific Steering Committee; Covance (AbbVie): Other: chair of the Independent Review Committee; AbbVie, Agios, Celgene, Incyte, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and Novartis: Speakers Bureau; AbbVie, Agios, Amgen, Astellas, Celgene, Daiichi Sankyo, Glycomimetics, ImmunoGen, Incyte, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, MacroGenics, Novartis, and Pfizer: Consultancy. Topp:Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, KITE, Regeneron, Roche: Research Funding; Amgen, KITE, Novartis, Regeneron, Roche: Consultancy. Ravandi:Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Xencor: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Macrogenics: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria; Orsenix: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Muth:MacroGenics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Collins:IQVIA: Other: I have worked as a contractor for IQVIA in the past, within the past 24 months.; MacroGenics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Other: I currently work as a contractor for MacroGenics. Guo:Macrogenics: Current Employment. Tran:MacroGenics: Current Employment. Kaminker:MacroGenics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Patel:MacroGenics: Current Employment. Bakkacha:MacroGenics: Current Employment. Jacobs:MacroGenics: Current Employment. Seiler:MacroGenics: Current Employment. Rutella:Kura Oncology: Research Funding; MacroGenics Inc.: Research Funding; NanoString Technologies Inc.: Research Funding. Bonvini:MacroGenics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Davidson-Moncada:Macrogenics: Current Employment. DiPersio:Magenta Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

We have recently shown that bone marrow (BM) RNA profiles stratify patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) into immune-infiltrated and immune-depleted subtypes and that type I/II interferon (IFN)-related gene signatures associate with complete response to flotetuzumab (FLZ), an investigational CD123×CD3 bispecific DART molecule. Within the AML tumor microenvironment CD8+ T cells exhibit features of immune exhaustion and senescence (IES). IES are dysfunctional states driven by metabolic alterations in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and emerging targets for cancer immunotherapy. The aim of the current study was to determine whether IES predicts response of relapsed-refractory (R/R) AML to FLZ in the CP-MGD006-01 clinical trial. Based on prior knowledge and gene set enrichment analysis, we derived a 61-gene IES signature score from RNA-sequencing datasets (TCGA and Beat-AML Master Trial; 162 and 281 patients, respectively). The immunotherapy cohort included 139 BM samples from 71 patients with R/R AML treated with FLZ at the RP2D of 500 ng/kg/day (NCT02152956). BM samples were collected at time of study entry (n=71; n=66 with response data) and longitudinally post-cycle (PC)1 (n=40), PC2 (n=18), PC3 and 4 (n=4) and end of treatment (n=6). AML status at study entry was classified as primary induction failure (PIF, defined as lack of response to at least 2 induction treatment cycles), and early (ER) or late relapse (LR), defined as complete remission (CR) of 50% decrease or decrease to 5-25% BM blasts. RNAs were profiled on the PanCancer IO 360™ gene expression panel on the nCounter® platform. Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded BM biopsies were profiled using the human IO protein and RNA panels on the GeoMx® digital spatial profiler (DSP). The 61 genes in the IES signature included T/NK-cell markers (granzymes, CD8A, KLRD1, KLRK1), immune checkpoints (ICOS, CTLA4, EOMES), IFNG and IFN-stimulated genes (CXCR6, IFIH1, IL10RA, GBP1), and were enriched in KEGG pathways related to Th1/Th2 differentiation, TCR signaling, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, NK-mediated cytotoxicity and CD28 costimulation (false discovery rate In conclusion, features of IES were associated with response to FLZ. T-cell functional rejuvenation by FLZ could benefit patients with R/R AML by counteracting pre-existing immune dysfunction. Figure Disclosures Church: NanoString Technologies, Inc.: Current Employment. Uy:Pfizer: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Astellas Pharma: Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy. Emadi:Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NewLink Genetics: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; KinaRx: Other: co-founder and scientific advisor; Servier: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Walter:Aptevo Therapeutics: Research Funding. Foster:Bellicum Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Macrogenics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy. Arellano:Cephalon Oncology: Research Funding; Hanmi: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences, Inc: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Wieduwilt:Amgen: Research Funding; Leadiant: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Shire: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Macrogeneics: Research Funding. Michaelis:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Stiff:Kite, a Gilead Company: Research Funding; Gamida Cell: Research Funding; Atara: Research Funding; Unum: Research Funding; Delta-Fly: Research Funding; Macrogenics: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding. Advani:Takeda: Research Funding; Immunogen: Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Consultancy, Other: Steering committee/ honoraria, Research Funding; Macrogenics: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Other: Advisory board/ honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Other: steering committee/ honoraria, Research Funding; Kite: Other: Advisory board/ honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: advisory board; OBI: Research Funding. Wermke:MacroGenics: Honoraria. Erba:AbbVie, Daiichi Sankyo, Forma, ImmunoGen, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, MacroGenics, Novartis, PTC: Research Funding; AbbVie, Agios, Celgene, Incyte, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and Novartis: Speakers Bureau; AbbVie, Agios, Amgen, Astellas, Celgene, Daiichi Sankyo, Glycomimetics, ImmunoGen, Incyte, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, MacroGenics, Novartis, and Pfizer: Consultancy; Glycomimetics: Other: member of Scientific Steering Committee; Celgene: Other: chair of the Scientific Steering Committee; Covance (AbbVie): Other: chair of the Independent Review Committee. Ravandi:Orsenix: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria; Macrogenics: Research Funding; Xencor: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria. Topp:Amgen, KITE, Novartis, Regeneron, Roche: Consultancy; Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, KITE, Regeneron, Roche: Research Funding. Muth:MacroGenics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Kaminker:MacroGenics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Gojo:Amgen: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Amphivena: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Luznik:AbbVie: Consultancy; WindMil Therapeutics: Patents & Royalties: Patent holder; Merck: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Research Funding. DiPersio:Magenta Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Davidson-Moncada:Macrogenics: Current Employment. Rutella:NanoString Technologies, Inc.: Research Funding; MacroGenics, Inc.: Research Funding; Kura Oncology: Research Funding.

Introduction: CRS is a potentially life-threatening toxicity observed following T cell-redirecting therapies. CRS is associated with elevated cytokines, including IL6, IFNγ, TNFα, IL2 and GM-CSF. Glucocorticosteroids (GC) and the IL6 receptor blocking antibody tocilizumab (TCZ) can reduce CRS severity; however, CRS may still occur and limit the therapeutic window of novel immunotherapeutic agents. Disruption of cytokine signaling via Janus kinase (JAK) pathway interference may represent a complementary approach to blocking CRS. Ruxolitinib (RUX), an oral JAK1/2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera, interferes with signaling of several cytokines, including IFNγ and IL6, via blockade of the JAK/STAT pathway. We hypothesized that RUX may reduce the frequency and severity of CRS in R/R AML patients (pts) undergoing treatment with flotetuzumab (FLZ), an investigational CD123 x CD3 bispecific DART® molecule. Methods: Relapse/refractory (including primary induction failure, early relapse and late relapse) AML pts were included in this study. RUX pts were treated at a single site, Washington University, St. Louis, MO. RUX was dosed at 10 mg or 20mg BID days -1 through 14. Comparator (non-RUX) pts (n=23) were treated at other clinical sites. FLZ was administered at 500 ng/kg/day continuously in 28-day cycles following multi-step lead-in dosing in week 1 of cycle 1. CRS was graded per Lee criteria1. Results: As of July 1st, 2020, 10 R/R AML pts, median age 65 (range 40-82) years, have been enrolled and treated in the RUX cohort (6 at 10mg, 4 at 20 mg of RUX). All pts had non-favorable risk by ELN 2017 criteria (8 adverse and 2 intermediate); 1 (10.0%) pt had secondary AML; pt characteristics in the RUX and non-RUX cohorts were balanced, except for median baseline BM blasts which was higher in non-RUX pts: 15% (range 5-72) vs (40% (range 7-84), RUX and non-RUX pts respectively. Cytokine analysis showed statistically significant (p Conclusion: Prophylactic RUX produced a clear difference in cytokine profiles but no discernable improvement in clinical CRS or response rates in FLZ treated patients. A larger study may be required to determine the prophylactic role of RUX in CRS. References: 1. Lee DW, Gardner R, Porter DL, Louis CU, Ahmed N, Jensen M et al. Current concepts in the diagnosis and management of cytokine release syndrome. Blood 2014; 124(2): 188-195. doi: 10.1182/blood-2014-05-552729 Disclosures Uy: Pfizer: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Astellas Pharma: Honoraria. Aldoss:abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; kite: Consultancy; agios: Honoraria; autolus limited: Consultancy; JAZZ: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy. Arellano:Cephalon Oncology: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences, Inc: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Hanmi: Research Funding. Foster:Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Bellicum Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Macrogenics: Consultancy, Research Funding. Ravandi:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Xencor: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Macrogenics: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Orsenix: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Advani:Takeda: Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Consultancy, Other: Steering committee/ honoraria, Research Funding; Macrogenics: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Immunogen: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Other: Advisory board/ honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Other: steering committee/ honoraria, Research Funding; Kite: Other: Advisory board/ honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: advisory board; OBI: Research Funding. Wieduwilt:Macrogeneics: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Leadiant: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Shire: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Emadi:Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NewLink Genetics: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; KinaRx: Other: co-founder and scientific advisor; Servier: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Michaelis:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Stiff:Macrogenics: Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Research Funding; Delta-Fly: Research Funding; Unum: Research Funding; Atara: Research Funding; Gamida Cell: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding. Wermke:MacroGenics: Honoraria. Topp:Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, KITE, Regeneron, Roche: Research Funding; Amgen, KITE, Novartis, Regeneron, Roche: Consultancy. Muth:MacroGenics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Collins:MacroGenics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Other: I currently work as a contractor for MacroGenics; IQVIA: Other: I have worked as a contractor for IQVIA in the past, within the past 24 months.. Guo:Macrogenics: Current Employment. Tran:MacroGenics: Current Employment. Kaminker:MacroGenics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Patel:MacroGenics: Current Employment. Bakkacha:MacroGenics: Current Employment. Jacobs:MacroGenics: Current Employment. Seiler:MacroGenics: Current Employment. Rutella:MacroGenics Inc.: Research Funding; Kura Oncology: Research Funding; NanoString Technologies Inc.: Research Funding. Walter:Aptevo Therapeutics: Research Funding. Bonvini:MacroGenics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Davidson-Moncada:Macrogenics: Current Employment. DiPersio:Magenta Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

The prevention of relapse is the major therapeutic challenge in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who have obtained a complete remission (CR) on intensive chemotherapy. In this randomized phase 3 study (HOVON97) in older patients (≥60 years) with AML or myelodysplastic syndrome with refractory anemia with excess of blasts, in CR/CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) after at least 2 cycles of intensive chemotherapy, we assessed the value of azacitidine as postremission therapy with respect to disease-free survival (DFS; primary end point) and overall survival (OS; secondary end point). In total, 116 eligible patients were randomly (1:1) assigned to either observation (N = 60) or azacitidine maintenance (N = 56; 50 mg/m2, subcutaneously, days 1-5, every 4 weeks) until relapse, for a maximum of 12 cycles. Fifty-five patients received at least 1 cycle of azacitidine, 46 at least 4 cycles, and 35 at least 12 cycles. The maintenance treatment with azacitidine was feasible. DFS was significantly better for the azacitidine treatment group (logrank; P = .04), as well as after adjustment for poor-risk cytogenetic abnormalities at diagnosis and platelet count at randomization (as surrogate for CR vs CRi; Cox regression; hazard ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-0.95; P = .026). The 12-month DFS was estimated at 64% for the azacitidine group and 42% for the control group. OS did not differ between treatment groups, with and without censoring for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Rescue treatment was used more often in the observation group (n = 32) than in the azacitidine maintenance group (n = 9). We conclude that azacitidine maintenance after CR/CRi after intensive chemotherapy is feasible and significantly improves DFS. The study is registered with The Netherlands Trial Registry (NTR1810) and EudraCT (2008-001290-15).

Current risk algorithms are primarily based on pre-treatment factors and imperfectly predict outcome in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We introduce and validate a post-treatment approach of leukemic stem cell (LSC) assessment for prediction of outcome. LSC containing CD34+CD38− fractions were measured using flow cytometry in an add-on study of the HOVON102/SAKK trial. Predefined cut-off levels were prospectively evaluated to assess CD34+CD38−LSC levels at diagnosis (n = 594), and, to identify LSClow/LSChigh (n = 302) and MRDlow/MRDhigh patients (n = 305) in bone marrow in morphological complete remission (CR). In 242 CR patients combined MRD and LSC results were available. At diagnosis the CD34+CD38− LSC frequency independently predicts overall survival (OS). After achieving CR, combining LSC and MRD showed reduced survival in MRDhigh/LSChigh patients (hazard ratio [HR] 3.62 for OS and 5.89 for cumulative incidence of relapse [CIR]) compared to MRDlow/LSChigh, MRDhigh/LSClow, and especially MRDlow/LSClow patients. Moreover, in the NPM1mutant positive sub-group, prognostic value of golden standard NPM1-MRD by qPCR can be improved by addition of flow cytometric approaches. This is the first prospective study demonstrating that LSC strongly improves prognostic impact of MRD detection, identifying a patient subgroup with an almost 100% treatment failure probability, warranting consideration of LSC measurement incorporation in future AML risk schemes.

Background: The paucity of population-based research indicates that the application of intensive chemotherapy (ICT) among elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, as well as their accrual to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) remains low for several decades. Therefore, a contemporary, comprehensive apprehension on patient-, disease-, and treatment-specific characteristics of elderly AML patients at the population level can inform treatment choices and facilitate increased patient accrual in upcoming RCTs. Objectives: In this population-based study, we investigated patient- and disease-specific characteristics in elderly AML patients, and their association with treatment and survival. Methods: We retrospectively obtained data on all over 65-year-old AML patients diagnosed between 2010–2013 in the referral area of two university hospitals in the Netherlands. Multivariable analyses were performed to assess factors associated with treatment choice and overall survival. Results: Of all 356 patients, 77% received non-intensive therapy (NIT), and 15% and 8% received ICT within and outside a RCT, respectively. Cytogenetic (74%) and molecular (93%) analyses were not performed in most NIT recipients. Age and comorbidity were independently associated with NIT, whereas only comorbidity was associated with decreased trial participation. The adjusted risk of mortality among ICT recipients was not influenced by trial participation status. Conclusion: The application of ICT and accrual to RCTs remains staggeringly low in an elderly AML population. Since survival of ICT-treated patients was not affected by trial participation status, exclusion criteria might be relaxed in upcoming RCTs. Furthermore, appropriate management strategies can be accomplished by comprehensive comorbidity assessment and augmented genetic prognostication.

Simple Summary Treatment results of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in elderly patients are unsatisfactory. We investigated in an open label randomized phase II study whether addition of tosedostat, an aminopeptidase inhibitor, to intensive chemotherapy would improve outcome in this population. 231 AML patients > 65 years of age were randomly assigned to receive standard chemotherapy with or without tosedostat for two cycles. We found that complete bone marrow leukemia clearance was not significantly different between both arms. After two years, survival was 33% for the standard arm versus 18% for the tosedostat arm. More patients died due to infectious complications in the tosedostat arm than after standard treatment. Also, a cardiac rhythm abnormality called atrial fibrillation was more often seen in the tosedostat arm. We conclude that the addition of tosedostat to standard chemotherapy does negatively affect the therapeutic outcome of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Abstract Treatment results of AML in elderly patients are unsatisfactory. We hypothesized that addition of tosedostat, an aminopeptidase inhibitor, to intensive chemotherapy may improve outcome in this population. After establishing a safe dose in a run-in phase of the study in 22 patients, 231 eligible patients with AML above 65 years of age (median 70, range 66–81) were randomly assigned in this open label randomized Phase II study to receive standard chemotherapy (3+7) with or without tosedostat at the selected daily dose of 120 mg (n = 116), days 1–21. In the second cycle, patients received cytarabine 1000 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-6 with or without tosedostat. CR/CRi rates in the 2 arms were not significantly different (69% (95% C.I. 60–77%) vs 64% (55–73%), respectively). At 24 months, event-free survival (EFS) was 20% for the standard arm versus 12% for the tosedostat arm (Cox-p = 0.01) and overall survival (OS) 33% vs 18% respectively (p = 0.006). Infectious complications accounted for an increased early death rate in the tosedostat arm. Atrial fibrillation was more common in the tosedostat arm as well. The results of the present study show that the addition of tosedostat to standard chemotherapy does negatively affect the therapeutic outcome of elderly AML patients.

The treatment of older, unfit patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is challenging. Based on preclinical data of Bruton tyrosine kinase expression/phosphorylation and ibrutinib cytotoxicity in AML blasts, we conducted a randomized phase 2 multicenter study to assess the tolerability and efficacy of the addition of ibrutinib to 10-day decitabine in unfit (ie, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Comorbidity Index ≥3) AML patients and higher risk myelodysplasia patients (HOVON135/SAKK30/15 trial). In total, 144 eligible patients were randomly (1:1) assigned to either 10-day decitabine combined with ibrutinib (560 mg; sequentially given, starting the day after the last dose of decitabine) (n = 72) or to 10-day decitabine (n = 72). The addition of ibrutinib was well tolerated, and the number of adverse events was comparable for both arms. In the decitabine plus ibrutinib arm, 41% reached complete remission/complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CR/CRi), the median overall survival (OS) was 11 months, and 2-year OS was 27%; these findings compared with 50% CR/CRi, median OS of 11.5 months, and 2-year OS of 21% for the decitabine group (not significant). Extensive molecular profiling at diagnosis revealed that patients with STAG2, IDH2, and ASXL1 mutations had significantly lower CR/CRi rates, whereas patients with mutations in TP53 had significantly higher CR/CRi rates. Furthermore, multicolor flow cytometry revealed that after 3 cycles of treatment, 28 (49%) of 57 patients with available bone marrow samples had no measurable residual disease. In this limited number of cases, measurable residual disease revealed no apparent impact on event-free survival and OS. In conclusion, the addition of ibrutinib does not improve the therapeutic efficacy of decitabine. This trial was registered at the Netherlands Trial Register (NL5751 [NTR6017]) and has EudraCT number 2015-002855-85.

Approximately 50% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients do not respond to induction therapy (primary induction failure [PIF]) or relapse after

miR-9 and miR-9* (miR-9/9*) were first shown to be expressed in the nervous system and to function as versatile regulators of neurogenesis. The variable expression levels of miR-9/9* in human cancer prompted researchers to investigate whether these small RNAs may also have an important role in the deregulation of physiological and biochemical networks in human disease. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the involvement of miR-9/9* in various human malignancies focusing on their opposing roles in supporting or suppressing tumor development and metastasis. Importantly, it is shown that the capacity of miR-9/9* to impact tumor formation is independent from their influence on the metastatic potential of tumor cells. Moreover, data suggest that miR-9/9* may increase malignancy of one cancer cell population at the expense of another. The functional versatility of miR-9/9* emphasizes the complexity of studying miRNA function and the importance to perform functional studies of both miRNA strands in a relevant cellular context. The possible application of miR-9/9* as targets for miRNA-based therapies is discussed, emphasizing the need to obtain a better understanding of the functional properties of these miRNAs and to develop safe delivery methods to target specific cell populations.

Non-coding RNAs have emerged as crucial regulators of gene expression and cell fate decisions. However, their expression patterns and regulatory functions during normal and malignant human hematopoiesis are incompletely understood. Here we present a comprehensive resource defining the non-coding RNA landscape of the human hematopoietic system. Based on highly specific non-coding RNA expression portraits per blood cell population, we identify unique fingerprint non-coding RNAs—such as LINC00173 in granulocytes—and assign these to critical regulatory circuits involved in blood homeostasis. Following the incorporation of acute myeloid leukemia samples into the landscape, we further uncover prognostically relevant non-coding RNA stem cell signatures shared between acute myeloid leukemia blasts and healthy hematopoietic stem cells. Our findings highlight the importance of the non-coding transcriptome in the formation and maintenance of the human blood hierarchy., While micro-RNAs are known regulators of haematopoiesis and leukemogenesis, the role of long non-coding RNAs is less clear. Here the authors provide a non-coding RNA expression landscape of the human hematopoietic system, highlighting their role in the formation and maintenance of the human blood hierarchy.

In acute myeloid leukemia, there is growing evidence for splicing pattern deregulation, including differential expression of linear splice isoforms of the commonly mutated gene nucleophosmin (NPM1). In this study, we detect circular RNAs of NPM1 and quantify circRNA hsa_circ_0075001 in a cohort of NPM1 wild-type and mutated acute myeloid leukemia (n=46). Hsa_circ_0075001 expression correlates positively with total NPM1 expression, but is independent of the NPM1 mutational status. High versus low hsa_circ_0075001 expression defines patient subgroups characterized by distinct gene expression patterns, such as lower expression of components of the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway in high hsa_circ_0075001 expression cases. Global evaluation of circRNA expression in sorted healthy hematopoietic controls (n=10) and acute myeloid leukemia (n=10) reveals circRNA transcripts for 47.9% of all highly expressed genes. While circRNA expression correlates globally with parental gene expression, we identify hematopoietic differentiation-associated as well as acute myeloid leukemia subgroup-specific circRNA signatures.

Purpose The detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) may improve future risk-adapted treatment strategies. We assessed whether MRD-positive and MRD-negative patients with AML benefit differently from the graft-versus-leukemia effect of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (alloHSCT). Methods A total of 1,511 patients were treated in subsequent Dutch-Belgian Hemato-Oncology Cooperative Group and the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research AML trials, of whom 547 obtained a first complete remission, received postremission treatment (PRT), and had available flow cytometric MRD before PRT. MRD positivity was defined as more than 0.1% cells with a leukemia-associated immunophenotype within the WBC compartment. PRT consisted of alloHSCT (n = 282), conventional PRT by a third cycle of chemotherapy (n = 160), or autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (n = 105). Results MRD was positive in 129 patients (24%) after induction chemotherapy before proceeding to PRT. Overall survival and relapse-free survival were significantly better in patients without MRD before PRT compared with MRD-positive patients (65% ± 2% v 50% ± 5% at 4 years; P = .002; and 58% ± 3% v 38% ± 4%; P < .001, respectively), which was mainly because of a lower cumulative incidence of relapse (32% ± 2% compared with 54% ± 4%; P < .001, respectively). Multivariable analysis with adjustment for covariables showed that the incidence of relapse was significantly reduced after alloHSCT compared with chemotherapy or autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.36; P < .001), which was similarly exerted in both MRD-negative and MRD-positive patients (HR, 0.38; P < .001; and HR, 0.35; P < .001, respectively). Conclusion The graft-versus-leukemia effect of alloHSCT is equally present in MRD-positive and MRD-negative patients, which advocates a personalized application of alloHSCT, taking into account the risk of relapse determined by AML risk group and MRD status, as well as the counterbalancing risk of nonrelapse mortality.

Background While it is known that CD123 is normally strongly expressed on plasmacytoid dendritic cells and completely absent on nucleated red blood cells, detailed information regarding CD123 expression in acute leukemia is scarce and, if available, hard to compare due to different methodologies. Methods CD123 expression was evaluated using standardized EuroFlow immunophenotyping in 139 pediatric AML, 316 adult AML, 193 pediatric BCP‐ALL, 69 adult BCP‐ALL, 101 pediatric T‐ALL, and 28 adult T‐ALL patients. Paired diagnosis‐relapse samples were available for 57 AML and 19 BCP‐ALL patients. Leukemic stem cell (LSC) data was available for 32 pediatric AML patients. CD123 expression was evaluated based on mean fluorescence intensity, median fluorescence intensity, and percentage CD123 positive cells. Results EuroFlow panels were stable over time and between laboratories. CD123 was expressed in the majority of AML and BCP‐ALL patients, but absent in most T‐ALL patients. Within AML, CD123 expression was lower in erythroid/megakaryocytic leukemia, higher in NPM1 mutated and FLT3‐ITD mutated leukemia, and comparable between LSC and leukemic blasts. Within BCP‐ALL, CD123 expression was higher in patients with (high) hyperdiploid karyotypes and the BCR‐ABL fusion gene. Interestingly, CD123 expression was increased in BCP‐ALL relapses while highly variable in AML relapses (compared to CD123 expression at diagnosis). Conclusions Authors evaluated CD123 expression in a large cohort of acute leukemia patients, based on standardized and reproducible methodology. Our results may facilitate stratification of patients most likely to respond to CD123 targeted therapies and serve as reference for CD123 expression (in health and disease). © 2018 The Authors. Cytometry Part B: Clinical Cytometry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Clinical Cytometry Society.

Aberrant post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs) has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In a previous study, we performed a large functional screen using a retroviral barcoded miRNA expression library. Here, we report that overexpression of miR-9/9* in myeloid 32D cell line (32D-miR-9/9*) had profound impact on granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-induced differentiation. Further in vitro studies showed that enforced expression of miR-9/9* blocked normal neutrophil development in 32D and in primary murine lineage-negative bone marrow cells. We examined the expression of miR-9/9* in a cohort of 647 primary human AMLs. In most cases, miR-9 and miR-9* were significantly upregulated and their expression levels varied according to AML subtype, with the highest expression in MLL-related leukemias harboring 11q23 abnormalities and the lowest expression in AML cases with t(8;21) and biallelic mutations in CEBPA. Gene expression profiling of AMLs with high expression of miR-9/9* and 32D-miR-9/9* identified ETS-related gene (Erg) as the only common potential target. Upregulation of ERG in 32D cells rescued miR-9/9*-induced block in neutrophil differentiation. Taken together, this study demonstrates that miR-9/9* are aberrantly expressed in most of AML cases and interfere with normal neutrophil differentiation by downregulation of ERG.

In double-stranded miRNA/miRNA* duplexes, one of the strands represents an active miRNA, whereas another, known as a passenger strand (miRNA*), is typically degraded. MiR-9* is not detectable in normal myeloid cells. Here we show that miR-9* is expressed in 59% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases and we investigate its clinical impact in 567 adults with de novo AML (age

Aims Evaluate pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of Eftozanermin alfa (ABBV-621; eftoza) as monotherapy (eftoza-mono) or eftoza and venetoclax (eftoza-VEN); assess safety and tolerability, preliminary antitumor activity, and exploratory biomarkers. Methods In this phase 1 study, adults with relapsed/refractory (RR) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) received intravenous eftoza, 1.25, 3.75, or 7.5 mg/kg in AML eftoza-mono and 3.75 or 7.5 mg/kg in AML and DLBCL eftoza-VEN cohorts days 1, 8, and 15 of a 21-day cycle. VEN dose was 400 mg or 800 mg daily (oral). Results As of September 2019, 34 patients enrolled: 4 in AML eftoza-mono(median age 75 yrs; 1.25 [n=1], 3.75 [n=1], or 7.5 [n=2] mg/kg eftoza), 19 in AML eftoza-VEN(median age 72 yrs; 3.75 [n=10] or 7.5 [n=9] mg/kg eftoza), and 11 in DLBCL eftoza-VEN cohorts (median age 64 yrs; 3.75 [n=3] or 7.5 [n=8] mg/kg eftoza). Patients received eftoza for median 1 (AML eftoza-mono), 3 (AML eftoza-VEN), and 2 (DLBCL eftoza-VEN) cycles. Four patients in AML eftoza-VEN cohorts completed ≥5 cycles. Percentage of patients with treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was 100% for AML eftoza-mono/VEN, and 91% for DLBCL eftoza-VEN. Grade ≥3 TEAEs were in all AML eftoza-mono/VEN patients and 27% in DLBCL eftoza-VEN. Most common grade ≥3 TEAEs were increased alanine (n=4, AML eftoza-VEN) and aspartate (n=4, AML eftoza-VEN; n=1, DLBCL eftoza-VEN) aminotransferase. Serious eftoza-related AEs were in 5 patients (AML eftoza-VEN); none in >1 patient. Eftoza exhibited dose-proportional kinetics at weekly 1.25- to 7.5-mg/kg doses; PK was not affected by VEN. No responses were seen in AML eftoza-mono or DLBCL eftoza-VEN cohorts. Overall response rate in AML eftoza-VEN cohorts was 4/19 (21%), with 3 complete responses (CR; 3.75 mg/kg [n=2], 7.5 mg/kg [n=1]), and 1 CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (7.5 mg/kg); 4 had RD (3.75 mg/kg [n=2], 7.5 mg/kg [n=2]) and 3 PD (3.75 mg/kg [n=3]). Eftoza binding to death receptors on neutrophils was saturated by 2h post-dose in AML and DLBCL cohorts. There was time-dependent desaturation of the receptors for eftoza binding. In 63% of patients with RR AML ≥3, molecular aberrations were observed, with IDH1/2 and RAS being the most frequently mutated genes. Conclusions Eftoza-mono and eftoza-VEN were tolerated in patients with RR AML and DLBCL. Antitumor activity was observed in patients with AML treated with eftoza-VEN at 3.75- or 7.5-mg/kg doses. Abstract was previously published at EHA25.

7536 Background: AMG 330 binds both CD33 and CD3 and redirects T cells toward CD33+ cells leading to T-cell‒mediated cytotoxicity against AML blasts. An ongoing open label phase I dose-escalation study (NCT02520427) has shown preliminary activity and acceptable safety in relapsed or refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients (pts) (Ravandi et al. ASH 2018). Pharmacokinetics and exposure-response (E-R) relationships of AMG 330 were characterized in this trial. Methods: A continuous IV infusion of AMG 330 was evaluated at escalating target doses (range from 0.5 to 720 μg/day) using a 3+3 design with pts receiving step dose/s prior to reaching target doses of ≥ 30 μg/day. Population pharmacokinetics (popPK) using non-linear mixed effects modeling and E-R analyses were conducted to characterize relationships between AMG 330 exposure (steady-state concentration [Css]) at target dose, the baseline tumor burden, clinical response per revised IWG criteria and incidence of cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Results: As of Dec 10, 2019, 55 patients (males, 56.4%; median age, 58.0 [18.0–80.0] years) were enrolled in 16 cohorts. AMG 330 PK was best described by a one-compartment linear PK model. Dose dependent increases were observed in AMG 330 Css exposures. Responders typically showed higher AMG 330 Css than non-responders. Preliminary exploratory analysis indicated that higher AMG 330 exposures, lower baseline leukemic burden in bone marrow and CD33+ AML cells in peripheral blood, and higher baseline Effector:Target cell ratio may be associated with clinical response. Additionally, a positive relationship was observed for AMG 330 exposures and baseline leukemic burden (p < 0.05) with probability of CRS occurrence and severity. Based on the model, at a baseline leukemic burden of 20%, a 240 µg/day target dose is predicted to result in a 28% and 4% probability of developing CRS of grade ≥ 2 and ≥ 3, respectively. Conclusions: Clinical pharmacokinetic profile and E-R relationships of AMG 330 were characterized to identify optimal AMG 330 dosing regimens that minimize the risk for CRS in ongoing and planned clinical investigations. Clinical trial information: NCT02520427 .

7508 Background: In this open label phase 1 dose escalation study, safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and preliminary efficacy of AMG 330 were evaluated in patients (pts) with R/R AML (NCT#02520427). Methods: AMG 330 was evaluated as a continuous IV (cIV) infusion using a 3+3 design. Response was assessed per revised IWG criteria. Each cycle (2–4 weeks duration) was followed by an infusion-free interval. Eligible pts were ≥18 y/o with > 5% blasts in bone marrow and ≥1 line/s of prior therapy. Results: As of December 10, 2019, 55 pts (median age, 58.0 [18.0–80.0] years) were enrolled in 16 cohorts. AMG 330 was administered on 4 schedules (0–3 dose steps) prior to the target dose (TD, 0.5–720 µg/day). Dose steps were implemented in the dose schedule design based on the adverse event (AE) profile. Across all schedules, 55 (100%) pts reported treatment-emergent AEs (any grade). AMG 330–related AEs reported in 49/55 (89%) pts included cytokine release syndrome (CRS; 67%; ≥ grade 3 in 13%), (60%) and nausea (20%) as the most frequent AEs. CRS was reversible and occurred in a dose/schedule-dependent manner mostly within the first 24 hours of administration of triggering AMG 330 dose. The frequency and severity of CRS correlated with the dose level and leukemic burden at baseline. AMG 330 exhibited dose-dependent increase in steady state exposures over the studied dose range with clinical PK profile consistent with cIV administration. Eight of 42 evaluable pts responded: 3 complete remissions (CR; including 1 CR with negative measurable residual disease reported after data snapshot), 4 CR with incomplete hematologic recovery, and 1 morphologic leukemia free state. Seven responders who achieved CR/CRi received a TD equal or above the minimal efficacious dose of 120 μg/day. Among analyzed CR/CRi responders, 4/6 (67%) had adverse cytogenetic risk profile, 3/6 (50%) had ≥4 lines of prior therapy and all had relapsed disease. Responders had higher AMG 330 exposures and 3 responders treated with ≥600 μg/day TD remain in CR/CRi: 1 patient for > 5 months after cycle 1, 1 patient bridged to hematopoietic stem cell transplant after cycle 4 and 1 patient is in cycle 3. Preliminary response assessment showed a correlation with lower tumor burden at baseline with a trend towards higher CD8+ lymphocyte count and E:T ratio. Conclusions: AMG 330 dosed up to 720 μg/day provided early evidence of acceptable safety profile, drug tolerability and anti-leukemic activity, and supports further dose escalation. Clinical trial information: NCT02520427 .

Current risk algorithms are primarily based on pre-treatment factors and imperfectly predict outcome in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We introduce and validate a post-treatment approach of leukemic stem cell (LSC) assessment for prediction of outcome. LSC containing CD34+CD38- fractions were measured using flow cytometry in an add-on study of the HOVON102/SAKK trial. Predefined cut-off levels were prospectively evaluated to assess CD34+CD38-LSC levels at diagnosis (n = 594), and, to identify LSC

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often reach complete remission, but relapse rates remain high. Next-generation sequencing enables the detection of molecular minimal residual disease in virtually every patient, but its clinical value for the prediction of relapse has yet to be established.METHODS: We conducted a study involving patients 18 to 65 years of age who had newly diagnosed AML. Targeted next-generation sequencing was carried out at diagnosis and after induction therapy (during complete remission). End points were 4-year rates of relapse, relapse-free survival, and overall survival.RESULTS: At least one mutation was detected in 430 out of 482 patients (89.2%). Mutations persisted in 51.4% of those patients during complete remission and were present at various allele frequencies (range, 0.02 to 47%). The detection of persistent DTA mutations (i.e., mutations in DNMT3A, TET2, and ASXL1), which are often present in persons with age-related clonal hematopoiesis, was not correlated with an increased relapse rate. After the exclusion of persistent DTA mutations, the detection of molecular minimal residual disease was associated with a significantly higher relapse rate than no detection (55.4% vs. 31.9%; hazard ratio, 2.14; PCONCLUSIONS: Among patients with AML, the detection of molecular minimal residual disease during complete remission had significant independent prognostic value with respect to relapse and survival rates, but the detection of persistent mutations that are associated with clonal hematopoiesis did not have such prognostic value within a 4-year time frame. (Funded by the Queen Wilhelmina Fund Foundation of the Dutch Cancer Society and others.).

Severe hemorrhagic events occur in a significant fraction of acute promyelocytic leukemia patients, either at presentation and/or early after starting therapy, leading to treatment failure and early deaths. However, identification of independent predictors for high-risk of severe bleeding at diagnosis, remains a challenge. Here, we investigated the immunophenotype of bone marrow leukemic cells from 109 newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia patients, particularly focusing on the identification of basophil-related features, and their potential association with severe bleeding episodes and patient overall survival. From all phenotypes investigated on leukemic cells, expression of the CD203c and/or CD22 basophil-associated markers showed the strongest association with the occurrence and severity of bleeding (p ≤ 0.007); moreover, aberrant expression of CD7, coexpression of CD34+/CD7+ and lack of CD71 was also more frequently found among patients with (mild and severe) bleeding at baseline and/or after starting treatment (p ≤ 0.009). Multivariate analysis showed that CD203c expression (hazard ratio: 26.4; p = 0.003) and older age (hazard ratio: 5.4; p = 0.03) were the best independent predictors for cumulative incidence of severe bleeding after starting therapy. In addition, CD203c expression on leukemic cells (hazard ratio: 4.4; p = 0.01), low fibrinogen levels (hazard ratio: 8.8; p = 0.001), older age (hazard ratio: 9.0; p = 0.002), and high leukocyte count (hazard ratio: 5.6; p = 0.02) were the most informative independent predictors for overall survival. In summary, our results show that the presence of basophil-associated phenotypic characteristics on leukemic cells from acute promyelocytic leukemia patients at diagnosis is a powerful independent predictor for severe bleeding and overall survival, which might contribute in the future to (early) risk-adapted therapy decisions., This work was supported by the Fundación Científica de la Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC, Madrid, Spain) and the Fundación Rafael del Pino (Madrid, Spain) and both CIBERONC (CB16/12/00400, CB16/12/00233, CB16/12/00480) and grant PI16/00787 from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Madrid, Spain).

This nationwide population-based study assessed trends in treatment, trial participation and survival among 1833 adult patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the Netherlands between 1989 and 2012 reported to the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Patients were categorized into four periods and five age groups (18-24, 25-39, 40-59, 60-69 and >= 70 years). The application of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT), particularly reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) alloSCT, increased over time up to age 70 years. The inclusion rate in the trials was 67, 66, 55, 58 and 0% for the five age groups. Survival improved over time for patients below 70 years. Five-year relative survival in the period 2007-2012 was 75, 57, 37, 22 and 5% for the five age groups. In that same period, 5-year overall survival among patients aged 18-39 years was 68% for the chemotherapy-alone group and 66% for the alloSCT group. For patients aged 40-69 years, the corresponding estimates were 24 and 41%. Pronounced survival improvement observed among patients aged 18-39 years might mainly be explained by implementation of pediatric-based regimens since 2005, whereas among patients aged 40-69 years, increased application of RIC-alloSCT has contributed significantly to the observed improvement. Outcome of patients aged >= 70 remains unsatisfactory, indicating a need for specific trials for the elderly.

A precise understanding of the role of miR-223 in human hematopoiesis and in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is still lacking. By measuring miR-223 expression in blasts from 115 AML patients, we found significantly higher miR-223 levels in patients with favorable prognosis, whereas patients with low miR-223 expression levels were associated with worse outcome. Furthermore, miR-223 was hierarchically expressed in AML subpopulations, with lower expression in leukemic stem cell–containing fractions. Genetic depletion of miR-223 decreased the leukemia initiating cell (LIC) frequency in a myelomonocytic AML mouse model, but it was not mandatory for rapid-onset AML. To relate these observations to physiologic myeloid differentiation, we knocked down or ectopically expressed miR-223 in cord-blood CD34 + cells using lentiviral vectors. Although miR-223 knockdown delayed myeloerythroid precursor differentiation in vitro, it increased myeloid progenitors in vivo following serial xenotransplantation. Ectopic miR-223 expression increased erythropoiesis, T lymphopoiesis, and early B lymphopoiesis in vivo. These findings broaden the role of miR-223 as a regulator of the expansion/differentiation equilibrium in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells where its impact is dose- and differentiation-stage-dependent. This also explains the complex yet minor role of miR-223 in AML, a heterogeneous disease with variable degree of myeloid differentiation.

Background Morphologic and cytogenetic assessments are required to characterize diagnostic and prognostic features of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We assessed whether these assessments were performed among newly diagnosed MDS patients in the Netherlands. Methods MDS cases were retrieved from the nationwide Netherlands Cancer Registry (N = 9159; period 2001–2014) and the regional PHAROS MDS registry (N = 676; period 2008–2011). Results The proportion of unclassified MDS decreased from 58% in 2001 to 13% in 2014. Data from the more detailed PHAROS registry revealed that the degree of bone marrow dysplasia was only reported in ∼30% of all evaluable bone marrow aspirates. Further, the International Prognostic Scoring System was undetermined in 55% of patients, primarily owing to unperformed cytogenetics in 46% of patients. Conclusion The classification of MDS is improving in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, particular diagnostic and prognostic procedures that are essential for the diagnosis and subsequent treatment decision-making of MDS were not fully utilized in particular patient subsets.

Background: Studies with long-term follow-up of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) based on data from nationwide population-based cancer registries are lacking. We conducted a nationwide population-based study to assess trends in incidence, initial treatment and survival in MDS patients diagnosed in the Netherlands from 2001 to 2010. Methods: We identified 5144 MDS patients (median age, 74 years) from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR). The NCR only includes MDS cases that were confirmed by bone marrow examinations. Information regarding initial treatment decisions was available in the NCR. Results: The age-standardised incidence rate of MDS was 2.3/100,000 in 2001-2005 and 2.8/100,000 in 2006-2010. The incidence increased with older age, with the highest incidence among those aged >= 80 years (32.1/100,000 in 2006-2010). Forty-nine percent of all MDS cases were unspecified. Of all patients, 89% receive no treatment or only supportive care and 8% were started on intensive therapy as initial treatment. Survival did not improve over time. The 5-year relative survival was 53%, 58%, 48%, 38% and 18% in patients with refractory anaemia (RA), RA with ringed sideroblasts, 5q-syndrome, refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia, and RA with excess blasts, respectively. Conclusion: The incidence of MDS increased over time due to improved notification and better disease awareness, and has stabilised since 2007. The classification of MDS seems challenging as almost half of the pathologically confirmed cases were unspecified. The lack of improvement in survival might be explained by the limited availability of therapeutic agents. Therefore, ameliorated management and new treatment options are warranted. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Approximately 40% of patients (pts) with newly diagnosed (AML) either fail to achieve complete remission with intensive induction therapy or experience disease recurrence after a short remission duration (< 6 months). These pts, herein considered to have primary refractory disease, are an extremely challenging population to treat, with only 14% achieving remission following conventional chemotherapy and with subsequent salvage attempts being nearly universally ineffective (1). Increased immune infiltration of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and high CD123 expression on AML blasts have been associated with primary induction failure and poor prognosis (2, 3). Flotetuzumab (FLZ), a CD123 x CD3 bispecific DART molecule, is currently being tested in a phase 1/2 study in pts with either relapsed or refractory (R/R) AML. We have previously reported FLZ activity in primary refractory AML (4); herein, we provide additional scientific rationale supporting the investigation of FLZ in this patient population. The recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of FLZ identified in an ongoing Phase 1/2 study is 500 ng/kg/day administered as a 7 -day/week continuous infusion. Pts receive a lead-in dose during week (W) 1, followed by 500 ng/kg/day during W2-4 of Cycle 1, and a 4-day on/3-day off schedule for Cycle 2 and beyond. Disease status was assessed by modified IWG criteria; bone marrow (BM) samples were collected to investigate biomarkers, including CD123 receptor density (RD), and gene expression profiling using the NanoString PanCancer IO 360™ panel, which measures the expression of 770 genes, including 14 immune cell types and 32 immuno-oncology biological signatures. Gene expression comparisons are presented at fold change (FC) and a t-test was used for statistical analysis. Fifty pts with R/R AML received FLZ at the RP2D. Thirty (60%) pts had primary refractory AML: 24 failed ≥2 induction attempts and 6 recurred after remission of 30% decrease in BM blasts) was associated with increased baseline immune gene signatures, including significantly higher IFNγ scores (1.8 FC, p=0.0212; AUROC=0.74), and an increased tumor inflammation signature (TIS) score (1.658 FC, p=0.00827, AUROC=0.847 compared to non-responders. FLZ was well tolerated, with no increased cytokine release syndrome events in primary refractory pts (30% G1, 67% G2, 3% G3) compared to relapse pts (26% G1, 58% G2, 16% G3), notwithstanding the increased CD123 RD in the former. In conclusion, we show that FLZ elicits clinical response in heavily treated patients with poor response rates to primary therapy. We also show that increased IFNγ signaling gene expression scores in baseline BM appears to associate with response to FLZ therapy. Enrollment has been expanded to further define FLZ's activity specifically in pts with primary refractory AML, and candidate biomarkers to enable identification of pts more likely to respond to FLZ. Estey E, et al. Blood (1996), 88 (2) 756Vadakekolathu J, et al. Blood (2017) 130:3942Vergez F, et al. Haematologica (2011), 96(12):1792-8Uy GL, et al. Blood (2018) 132:764Duong V, et al. Leukemia (2013),13(6):711-5 Disclosures Uy: Astellas: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Curis: Consultancy; GlycoMimetics: Consultancy. Aldoss:Agios: Consultancy, Honoraria; AUTO1: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Other: travel/accommodation/expenses, Speakers Bureau; Helocyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel/accommodation/expenses. Foster:Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; MacroGenics: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Sallman:Celgene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celyad: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Jazz: Research Funding; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Speakers Bureau. Sweet:Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Bristol Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Stemline: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Jazz: Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Research Funding. Rizzieri:AbbVie, Agios, AROG, Bayer, Celgene, Gilead, Jazz, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Seattle Genetics, Stemline, Teva: Other: Advisory Board; AROG, Bayer, Celgene, Celltron, Mustang, Pfizer, Seattle Genetics, Stemline: Consultancy; Celgene, Gilead, Seattle Genetics, Stemline: Other: Speaker; Stemline: Research Funding. Advani:Amgen: Research Funding; Macrogenics: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Emadi:Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NewLink Genetics: Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria; KinaRx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Co-Founder and Scientific Advisor, Patents & Royalties; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Wieduwilt:Daiichi Sankyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen, Leadiant, Merck, Servier: Research Funding; Reata Pharmaceuticals: Equity Ownership. Vey:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Church:NanoString Technologies, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Rettig:WashU: Patents & Royalties: Patent Application 16/401,950. Arellano:Gilead: Consultancy. Löwenberg:Up-to-Date", section editor leukemia: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Frame Pharmaceuticals: Equity Ownership; Elected member, Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts, The Netherlands: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Editorial Board "European Oncology & Haematology": Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Clear Creek Bio Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astex: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CELYAD: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Chairman Scientific Committee and Member Executive Committee, European School of Hematology (ESH, Paris, France): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Chairman, Leukemia Cooperative Trial Group HOVON (Netherlands: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Supervisory Board, National Comprehensive Cancer Center (IKNL), Netherland: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Hoffman-La Roche Ltd: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts, The Netherlands: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ravandi:Selvita: Research Funding; Xencor: Consultancy, Research Funding; Menarini Ricerche: Research Funding; Macrogenix: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Cyclacel LTD: Research Funding. Muth:MacroGenics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Tran:MacroGenics: Employment. Timmeny:MacroGenics, Inc.: Employment, Other: Stock Ownership. Topp:Boehringer Ingelheim: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; KITE: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Guo:Macrogenics: Employment. Zhao:MacroGenics, Inc.: Employment. Wigginton:MacroGenics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership; Western Oncolytics: Other: clinical advisory board. Bonvini:MacroGenics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Rutella:NanoString Technologies, Inc.: Research Funding; MacroGenics, Inc.: Research Funding. Walter:Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Race Oncology: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; New Link Genetics: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Amphivena Therapeutics: Consultancy, Equity Ownership; Aptevo Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Argenx BVBA: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy; BioLineRx: Consultancy; BiVictriX: Consultancy; Boehringer Ingelheim: Consultancy; Boston Biomedical: Consultancy; Covagen: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Davidson-Moncada:MacroGenics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. DiPersio:Amphivena Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; RiverVest Venture Partners Arch Oncology: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cellworks Group, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NeoImmune Tech: Research Funding; Macrogenics: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Magenta Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; WUGEN: Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bioline Rx: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy.

Background: Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) management in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients treated with flotetuzumab, an investigational CD123xCD3 bispecific DART® molecule for T cell redirected therapy. CRS is a hallmark of T cell activating therapy and can be correlated with efficacy, specifically, with CAR-T cells(1). Identification of patients at risk for high grade CRS will help guide CRS management. Flotetuzumab (MGD006) is anovel CD123xCD3 bispecific DART® molecule in Phase 1/2 testing in patients with relapsed/ refractory AML. Several strategies have been successfully employed to mitigate CRS severity, some have been previously reported (2, 3). Here we report on further refinement of CRS management and subsequent investigation of potentiel predictive biomarkers of severity. Methods: The recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of flotetuzumab is 500ng/kg/d CIV. Week 1 comprises a step-wise lead-in dose (LID) (1-step: 100 ng/kg/day days 1-4; 2-step: 30ng/kg/d for 3days, 100ng/kg/d for 4days, or multi-step (MS) LID at 30, 60, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ng/kg/day each for 24 hours) in order to improve flotetuzumab tolerability. Tocilizumab usage recommended early in CRS management. The relationships between immune cells (T-cell subsets, monocytes) and tumor burden (percent CD123+ AML blasts, CD123 expression) were further interrogated as potential determinants of CRS. Results: 50 patients have been treated at the RP2D. While almost all patients experienced IRR/CRS events, the majority of these patients experienced IRR/CRS that were mild-moderate in severity (28% Grade(G)1, 62% G2, and 8% G3), of short duration (median 1 day for G1, 2 days G2, 2.5 days G3), and resolved completely with no clinical sequalae reported. Most CRS events occured in the first week of treatment (38.3%) and gradually decreased with continuous dosing (24.8%, 7.4%, and 4.3% during weeks 2-4, respectively). Several key interventions have helped mitigate CRS severity. Sequential increment in steps of LID schedules (1 step, 2-step or multi-step LID) have successfully decreased CRS severity and incidence. For example, CRS mean grade±SEM for week 1 was 2.0±0.26 vs 1.4±0.72 vs 1.5±0.63 and for week 4, 0.67±0.42 vs 0.2 ±0.50 vs 0.1 ±0.50 (1 step, 2-step or multi-step LID, respectively). Moreover, LID improved overall tolerability. Introduction of early use of tocilizumab has helped forestall CRS development; 27 patients received tocilizumab (10 doses for G1, 27 for G2, and 2 for G3 events), only 5 pts have required steroids (4 for G2 and 1 for G3), and no pts have required vasopressor support. Blunting of CRS events did not impact antileukemic activity. CRS severity showed a relationship with baseline frequency of circulating CD4+ cells (mean 0.2 K/µL in patients with no CRS vs. 1.0 K/µL in G1 vs 1.6 K/µL in G ≥2, p < 0.000.1), and peak CRS grade in week 1. Conclusion: Like other T-cell activating therapies, flotetuzumab is associated with CRS. Several mitigating factors have helped to blunt the severity of CRS, including lead-in dosing and early tocilizumab usage. Circulating CD4+ cells at baseline continues to be associated with CRS risk, and may be a helpful marker to identify patients at increased risk for CRS. 1. Maude, SL. et al. Managing Cytokine Release Syndrome Associated With Novel T Cell-Engaging Therapies. Cancer J. 2014; 20(2): 119-122. 2. Jacobs, K, et al.Lead-in Dose Optimization to Mitigate Cytokine Release Syndrome in AML and MDS Patients Treated with Flotetuzumab, a CD123 x CD3 Dart® Molecule for T-Cell Redirected Therapy. Blood 2017 130:3856. 3. Jacobs, K, et al.Management of Cytokine Release Syndrome in AML Patients Treated with Flotetuzumab, a CD123 x CD3 Bispecific Dart® Molecule for T-Cell Redirected Therapy. Blood 2018 132:2738. Disclosures Bakkacha: Macrogenics,Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Uy:Astellas: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Curis: Consultancy; GlycoMimetics: Consultancy. Aldoss:Helocyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel/accommodation/expenses; AUTO1: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Other: travel/accommodation/expenses, Speakers Bureau; Agios: Consultancy, Honoraria. Foster:Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; MacroGenics: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Sallman:Celyad: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sweet:Pfizer: Consultancy; Incyte: Research Funding; Agios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Stemline: Consultancy; Jazz: Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Rizzieri:Celgene, Gilead, Seattle Genetics, Stemline: Other: Speaker; AbbVie, Agios, AROG, Bayer, Celgene, Gilead, Jazz, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Seattle Genetics, Stemline, Teva: Other: Advisory Board; AROG, Bayer, Celgene, Celltron, Mustang, Pfizer, Seattle Genetics, Stemline: Consultancy; Stemline: Research Funding. Advani:Glycomimetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Amgen: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Macrogenics: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding. Emadi:Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria; KinaRx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Co-Founder and Scientific Advisor, Patents & Royalties; NewLink Genetics: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Wieduwilt:Reata Pharmaceuticals: Equity Ownership; Daiichi Sankyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen, Leadiant, Merck, Servier: Research Funding. Vey:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Arellano:Gilead: Consultancy. Löwenberg:Up-to-Date", section editor leukemia: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astex: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Chairman, Leukemia Cooperative Trial Group HOVON (Netherlands: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Clear Creek Bio Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria; Editorial Board "European Oncology & Haematology": Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Elected member, Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts, The Netherlands: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Frame Pharmaceuticals: Equity Ownership; Hoffman-La Roche Ltd: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts, The Netherlands: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Supervisory Board, National Comprehensive Cancer Center (IKNL), Netherland: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Chairman Scientific Committee and Member Executive Committee, European School of Hematology (ESH, Paris, France): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CELYAD: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ravandi:Cyclacel LTD: Research Funding; Menarini Ricerche: Research Funding; Selvita: Research Funding; Xencor: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Macrogenix: Consultancy, Research Funding. Tran:MacroGenics: Employment. Muth:MacroGenics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Baughman:MacroGenics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Timmeny:MacroGenics, Inc.: Employment, Other: Stock Ownership. Topp:Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Boehringer Ingelheim: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; KITE: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Guo:Macrogenics: Employment. Zhao:MacroGenics, Inc.: Employment. Wigginton:macrogenics: Employment, Equity Ownership; western oncolytics: Consultancy, Other: consultancy. Bonvini:MacroGenics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Walter:Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; Boston Biomedical: Consultancy; Covagen: Consultancy; Amphivena Therapeutics: Consultancy, Equity Ownership; Aptevo Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Argenx BVBA: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy; BioLineRx: Consultancy; BiVictriX: Consultancy; Boehringer Ingelheim: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Race Oncology: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Consultancy; New Link Genetics: Consultancy. Davidson:Macrogenics,Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. DiPersio:Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy; Bioline Rx: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; RiverVest Venture Partners Arch Oncology: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cellworks Group, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Magenta Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; WUGEN: Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Amphivena Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; NeoImmune Tech: Research Funding; Macrogenics: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Jacobs:Macrogenics,Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership.