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Iron overload (IO) is common in hematologic malignancies and hemoglobinopathies, largely due to red cell transfusion burden. End-organ damage from IO occurs via reactive oxygen species-mediated pathways. The impact of pretransplant IO on hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) morbidity and mortality remains contentious; studies have shown mixed results, possibly due to variability in study population and design, as well as markers of IO. Ferritin has served as a traditional circulating marker of total body IO, but liver iron content by MRI appears to be a better marker of end-organ involvement. Novel surrogate markers including hepcidin, marrow Prussian blue staining, and labile plasma iron levels may prove to be more specific for HCT complications. Posttransplant phlebotomy, chelation, or both in combination remains the mainstays of treatment, though may ultimately be supplanted by pretransplant or peri-transplant use of bone marrow maturation agents or targeted chelation at time of highest IO risk. This review discusses the pathophysiology of IO in hematologic disease, the evidence supporting and refuting its negative impact on HCT outcomes, as well as current and future therapies.

Relapse after stem cell transplantation for Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains a significant challenge. In this systematic review, we compare survival outcomes of second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) nilotinib and dasatinib with first-generation TKI imatinib when these agents are used after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in Ph+ ALL. In addition, we review the literature on TKI use to prevent relapse in patients who proceed to allo-HSCT beyond first complete response (>CR1). We performed database searches (inception to January 2018) using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase. After exclusions, 17 articles were included in this analysis. Imatinib was used post-transplant either prophylactically or preemptively in 12 studies, 7 prospective studies and 5 retrospective studies. Overall survival (OS) for most prospective studies at 1.5 to 3 and 5 years ranged between 62% to 92% and 74.5% to 86.7%. Disease-free survival at 1.5 to 5 years was 60.4% to 92%. Additionally, imatinib failed to show survival benefit in patients who were >CR1 at the time of allo-HSCT. The cumulative OS for most retrospective studies using imatinib at 1 to 2 and 3 to 5 years was 42% to 100% and 33% to 40% respectively. Event-free survival at 1 to 2 and 3 to 5 years was 33.3% to 67% and 20% to 31% respectively. Dasatinib was used as maintenance treatment in 3 retrospective studies (n = 34). The OS for patients with Ph+ ALL using dasatinib as maintenance regimen after allo-HSCT at 1.4 to 3 years was 87% to 100% and disease-free survival at 1.4 to 3 years was 89% to 100%. Ninety-three percent of patients with minimal residual disease (MRD) positive status after allo-HSCT became MRD negative. Three prospective studies used nilotinib. In 2 studies where investigators studied patients with advanced chronic myeloid leukemia and Ph+ ALL, the cumulative OS and event-free survival at 7.5 months to 2 years were 69% to 84% and 56% to 84%, respectively. In the third study (n = 5) in patients with Ph+ ALL, nilotinib use resulted in OS at 5 years of 60%. Our review showed that use of TKIs (all generations) after allo-HSCT for patients in CR1 improved OS when given as a prophylactic or preemptive regimen. Limited data suggest that second-generation TKIs (ie, dasatinib) have a better OS, especially in patients with MRD-positive status. Imatinib did not improve OS in patients who were >CR1 at the time of allo-HSCT; for this population, no data were available with newer generation TKIs. The evaluation of survival benefit with newer generation TKIs and their efficacy in patients in >CR1 needs further study in large randomized clinical trials.

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is primarily a disease of old age with a median age of sixty-nine years at diagnosis. The development of novel therapies for induction and use of autologous stem cell transplantation has resulted in improved clinical outcomes and better quality of life for MM patients. Elderly patients, comprising the majority of MM population, have a higher incidence of age-related comorbidities, frailty and organ dysfunction which complicates the coordination of treatment and limits the selection of therapies. Even in the era of multiple chemotherapeutic options, the clinical heterogeneity of the myeloma patients’ demands personalized treatments which often require dose-adjustments or dose delays. The use of reduced-dose regimens and various comorbidity indices has improved clinical outcome and regimen tolerability in MM patients with renal, neurological and bone abnormalities. We focus on advancements in the treatment of multiple myeloma with the goal to guide clinicians towards patient-specific management.

The standard of care for early hepatobiliary cancers (HBC) includes surgical resection. Liver transplantations or locoregional therapies are beneficial in early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) under certain circumstances. Systemic treatments have some benefit in advanced HBC, though long-term prognosis remains poor. We evaluated the role of oncolytic viruses in the treatment of HBCs through a systematic literature review. The recombinant vaccinia virus JX-594 improved median survival in patients with local/metastatic HCC more strongly at high dose than at low dose (14.1 vs 6.7 months; p = 0.08) in a Phase II study. A Phase III study with JX-594 and sorafenib in advanced HCC is ongoing. No survival benefit in HCC was seen with two other recombinant adenoviruses (Ad-TK and DL1520). Several preclinical trials using oncolytic viruses in HBC showed promising results, warranting clinical studies.

We reviewed emerging immune strategies for multiple myeloma (MM) therapy excluding US FDA approved drugs. In relapsed refractory MM, isatuximab (anti-CD38) monotherapy achieved overall response (OR) of 24%. Other monoclonal antibodies that have shown efficacy in combination therapy include siltuximab (OR: 66%), indatuximab (OR: 78%), isatuximab (OR: 64.5%), pembrolizumab (OR: 60%), bevacizumab (OR: 70%), dacetuzumab (OR: 39%) and lorvotuzumab (OR: 56.4%). No OR was observed with monotherapy using BI-505, siltuximab, bevacizumab, AVE-1642, figitumumab, atacicept, milatuzumab, dacetuzumab, lucatumumab, IPH2101, lorvotuzumab, BT062 and nivolumab. We included seven clinical trials on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. CAR T-cell targets include BCMA, CD19, KLC and CD138. A recent experience of CAR T-cell (B-cell maturation antigen) therapy in advanced MM has shown global response of 100%. The future of monoclonal antibodies and adoptive T cells for MM treatment seems promising.

INTRODUCTION Graft vs host disease (GVHD) is a rare complication after solid organ transplantation ( ̴ 1-2% with liver and ̴ 5.6% with intestines), but is associated with high mortality (70-80%). In contrast to GVHD following hemopoietic stem cell transplant, bone marrow infiltration by donor T lymphocytes leading to cytopenia ( ̴ 80%) is a common manifestation of GVHD after solid organ transplantation (Murali et. al., 100(12), Transplantation, January 2016). The risk factors associated with GVHD occurring after solid organ transplantation have not been well characterized, but single institution studies have suggested donor/recipient (D/R) HLA mismatch, ABO incompatibility and gender mismatch playing important roles. However, some studies have identified that similarities in HLA type which permit mismatches unrecognized by the recipient as a common mechanism preventing rejection of donor lymphocytes, which then can cause GVHD in the recipient. In order to evaluate potential risk factors, we reviewed the transplant data of patients in whom GVHD was listed as the cause of death from United Network of Organ transplant database (UNOS), the database that contains all US organ transplant data. METHODS From the UNOS database we obtained information of patients that underwent liver or intestinal transplantation between 1987-2020 in the US. The patients for whom GVHD was reported as the cause of death were identified. Baseline D/R and transplant variables were collected. Patient or transplant related characteristics were presented via descriptive statistics. Corresponding P-values were determined using Chi-square test for categorical variables and two-sample t-test for continuous variables. The incidence of mortality caused by GVHD was estimated using the cumulative incidence method, accounting for non-GVHD related death as a competing risk. All statistical tests were two sided, and a P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS Of a total of 179,355 patients that underwent liver transplantation, 216 (0.1%) patients had GVHD identified as the primary cause of death (GVHD group). The HLA mismatch information was available in 86,434 patients (48.2%). HLA mismatch was grouped into low level (0-3) and high level (4-6). Low level HLA mismatch was 24.6% in the GVHD group compared to 16.2% in patients that are alive or died of non-GVHD related causes (non-GVHD group). High level mismatch was 75.4% in GVHD group and 83.8% in the non-GVHD group (P=0.013). Other risk factors including gender mismatch (40.3% vs 42.5%, P=0.536), ABO incompatibility between D/R (0.5% vs 1.4%, P=0.42) and use of live donors (1.9% vs 4.3%, p= 0.09) were similar between the two groups. Patients in the GVHD group were older with median age of recipient being 59 years compared to 53 years in the non-GVHD (P Of a total of 3,153 patients that underwent intestinal transplantation, 20 (0.6%) patients had GVHD identified as the primary cause of death (GVHD group). The HLA mismatch information was available in 2859 patients (90.6%).The high-level HLA mismatch (83.3% vs 84.7%, P=0.749), gender mismatch (40% vs 47.1%, P=0.655) and ABO incompatibility (0% vs 0.2%, P=0.757) between D/R were similar between the GVHD group and non-GVHD group among intestinal transplant patients. Conclusions In patients that undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplant, HLA and gender mismatch between D/R have been recognized as risk factors for GVHD. Based on the largest analysis of solid organ transplant database, traditionally considered GVHD risk factors like HLA and gender mismatch between D/R do not appear to be significantly associated with severe GVHD leading to death. Recipient age and graft failure are significantly associated with GVHD related deaths in liver transplant patients. These findings suggest that other risk factors for severe GVHD leading to death after solid organ transplant than those previously reported in single institution studies should be examined and underscore the need for additional studies. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Grunwald: Med Learning Group: Other; Agios: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Janssen: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; PRIME: Other; PER: Other; Karius: Consultancy; Sierra Oncology: Consultancy; Blueprint Medicines: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Stemline: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Cardinal Health: Consultancy; Trovagene: Consultancy; MDEdge: Other. Copelan: Amgen: Consultancy.

Introduction Allogenic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a curative option in patients with intermediate/high risk disease who achieve morphologic complete remission (CR) after induction chemotherapy. Patients in CR but with positive measurable residual disease (pMRD) prior to HCT had high relapse risk(RR) (67% vs 65%) and low 3 year overall survival (OS) (26% vs 23%),similar to those with active disease in a single institution study (Araki et.al; Volume 34, Feb 1,2016, JCO). However, this study included only patients who received myeloablative conditioning (MAC) and included both peripheral blood and marrow grafts. A single institution retrospective study showed that use of MAC compared to reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) improved 3 year RR(19% v 67%; P < .001) and OS( 61% v 43%; P = .02) in patients with pMRD/CR(determined by molecular analysis of limited gene mutational panel)(Hourigan et.al. Volume 38, April 20,2020, JCO). We analyzed a cohort of AML patients that underwent either MAC or RIC followed by peripheral blood stem cell grafts and post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) based GVHD prevention regimen at our institution to determine the effect of pMRD on transplant outcomes. Methods: To evaluate the impact of pMRD on transplant outcomes, we analyzed AML patients who underwent HCT at Levine Cancer Institute between June 2014 and April 2020 with MRD testing performed within 1 month prior to HCT. MRD testing was performed at University of Washington by using multiparametric flow cytometry (MPC). The overall sensitivity of the assay is conservatively estimated as 0.1%. In our institution, all patients received MAC (Bu/Flu) or RIC (Bu/Flu or Flu/Cy/TBI) regimens followed by peripheral blood stem cell grafts and identical PTCy-based GVHD prophylaxis regimens that included tacrolimus and mycophenolate. Patient and transplant related characteristics were presented via descriptive statistics. Corresponding P-values were determined using Fisher's exact test for categorical variables and nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables. Relapse-free survival (RFS) and OS were estimated using the Kaplan Meier method. All statistical tests were two sided, and a P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results From June 2014 to April 2020, 105 patients with AML underwent HCT. Eighty-three patients with MRD results were included in the final analysis - 52 (63%) with negative MRD (nMRD)/CR, 16 (19%) with pMRD/ CR and 15 (18%) with active disease (no CR). Baseline characteristics were similar except for presence of significantly greater number of high risk patients, based on ASTCT disease classification in the active disease group compared to pMRD/CR and nMRD/CR cohorts( 87% vs 19% vs 0%, P =< 0.001). Median follow up for the entire cohort was 32.7 months. RFS was superior in patients with nMRD/ CR compared to pMRD/ CR or active disease (56.4% vs 19.4% vs 35%, P= 0.005). In addition, OS was superior in nMRD/ CR compared to pMRD/CR or active disease (56.7% vs 35.2% vs 40%, P= 0.014). The use of MAC compared to RIC did not improve RFS (0% vs 32%, P= 0.018) and OS (0% vs 44%, P= 0.071) in pMRD/CR cohort. The use of MAC or RIC did not significantly impact RFS (69% vs 52%, P=0.729) or OS (61% vs 53%, P=0.739) in nMRD/CR patients. Conclusion: Our study validates the previous data that prognosis of patients with pMRD/CR (determined by MPC) prior to HCT is not significantly better than those having active disease. The outcomes were poor regardless of conditioning regimen intensity and PTCy based GVHD prophylaxis used at our institution. These patients might benefit from additional chemotherapy or targeted treatments to achieve nMRD prior to HCT and/or maintenance therapy post HCT. Patients with nMRD/CR disease had similar outcomes with MAC or RIC. This finding suggests that less aggressive conditioning regimens incorporating PTCy could be considered in a subset of patients with nMRD/CR, thereby sparing them from complications associated with MAC. Prospective trials are needed to further study these findings. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Copelan: Amgen: Consultancy. Grunwald: Astellas: Consultancy; Karius: Consultancy; PER: Other; Gilead: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy; PRIME: Other; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Trovagene: Consultancy; Stemline: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Janssen: Research Funding; Blueprint Medicines: Consultancy; Sierra Oncology: Consultancy; Med Learning Group: Other; Cardinal Health: Consultancy; MDEdge: Other; Agios: Consultancy.

INTRODUCTION -The prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in elderly population is inherently poor due to multiple factors including: frailty, medical co-morbidities and high treatment related morbidity with traditional induction chemotherapy and presence of adverse risk cytogenetics in 17-20% of patients. For patients who are not candidates for intensive chemotherapy, outcomes in terms of complete response/complete response with incomplete hematologic response (CR/CRi) and median overall survival (mOS) have been evaluated using hypomethylating agents(HMA) including azacytidine (AZA)(CR/CRi=18-27.8%, mOS=10.4-24.5 months) and decitabine (CR/CRi= 18-47%, mOS= 7-7.8 months). Recently, addition of venetoclax to HMA has shown to further improve CR/CRi (75%) and mOS (17.5 m). We conducted a systematic review of literature to identify recent studies that were published between 2015-2020 with an aim is to evaluate newer combination drug regimens (CDR) involving hypomethylating agents (AZA and decitabine) in treating elderly patients with newly diagnosed AML. METHODS- A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. We included phase I/II studies that used CDR with HMA in elderly patients with newly diagnosed AML. RESULTS- Initial database search lead to 1120 studies. After exclusion (duplicates, case reports/series, relapsed/refractory AML) final analysis included 12 studies (n=655). Seven phase I/II with CDR using decitabine (n=500) were included in our review. Drugs used in combination included gemcitabine ozagamicin (n=40, CR/CRi =45%, mOS= 7 m), cladribine and low dose cytarabine (n=118, CR/CRi= 68%, mOS =13.8 m), vadastuximab talirine (n=53, CR/CRi=70%, mOS=11.3 m) and selinexor (n=5, CR/Cri= 80%) . In addition, three studies compared outcomes of CDR involving decitabine with all trans retinoic acid (ATRA)(n=93, ORR=21.9% vs 13.5%, p=0.06; mOS= 8.2 m vs 5.1 m, p=0.006) or talacotuzumab (CR/CRi= 15% vs 11%, p=0.44; mOS= 5.36 m vs 7.26 m, p=0.78) or bortezomib (CR/CRi= 39% vs 38%, p=0.91, mOS=9.3 m vs 8.9,p=0.18) to decitabine alone. In addition, cladribine and low dose cytarabine with decitabine in patients with adverse cytogenetics showed a decent CR/CRi of 50%, mOS= 10.5 months. In TP 53 positive mutations, CR/CRi was 40% and mOS was 5.4 months. Five phase I/II studies using CDR with AZA (n=155) were included in our review. Drugs included midostaurin (n= 88 , CR/CRi=25-29% mOS= 6-8 m) and pracinostat (n= 50, CR/CRi =46% mOS=19.1 m), In addition, two studies compared outcomes using CDR involving AZA with panobinostat (n=22, CR= 22.4 vs 30.8%, OS at 1 year = 60% vs 70%) or entinostat (n=18, ORR= 0% vs 16.6%, mOS=6 m vs 13 m) to AZA alone. None of the two comparative CDR studies using AZA showed superior outcome compared to AZA alone. CONCLUSIONS - Novel drug combinations involving decitabine including cladribine and low dose cytarabine, vadastuximab talarine showed superior CR/CRi and mOS compared to decitabine alone used in historic studies. In addition, CR/CRi were similar to HMA and venetoclax combination. In small number of patients, CDR with selinexor also showed superior CR/CRi compared to decitabine alone. CDR involving decitabine and ATRA showed superior mOS in direct comparison with decitabine alone. In addition, cladribine, low dose cytarabine and decitabine has shown promising outcomes in patients with adverse cytogenetics. Among CDR involving AZA only Proctinostat showed superior CR/CRi and mOS compared to historic studies with AZA alone. A recent phase III study though involving this CDR in comparison with decitabine was terminated early due to lack of efficacy on preliminary analysis. The above listed efficacious CDR involving decitabine in phase I/II studies need to be evaluated in large, randomized trials to assess for definitive benefit. If proven efficacious in larger studies, they could serve as additional first line CDR options in addition to HMA and venetoclax in treating elderly patients with newly diagnosed AML. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Introduction: Early phase clinical trials are the first clinical research step to bringing new cancer therapeutics to patients. At this stage, a new drug's safety, dosing, and scheduling profiles are established as the main endpoints. However, excellent responses due to biomarker-guided and immune checkpoint trials in early phase have resulted in direct approvals of new anti-cancer drugs. Despite doubling of the success rate of new drug approvals, many barriers exist to expeditiously bring active new drugs to the clinic. Areas covered: This review covers roles of members of the early phase program and the challenges they face in enrolling advanced cancer patients to trials. Practical solutions are provided from the perspective of the investigators, regulatory, investigational pharmacy, research nurses, clinical research coordinators, budgets, contracts, and data management. Expert opinion: We are witnessing a burgeoning era in drug development with rapid approval of efficacious drugs. This is achieved by a strong collaboration between investigators, academic institutions, pharmaceutical sponsors, scientists, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and community practices. Herein, we discuss some of the challenges faced by early phase clinical trials programs and discuss methods of improvement.

Lenalidomide is commonly used as induction or maintenance therapy in multiple myeloma. We report a case of 71-year-old female presenting with tardive dyskinesia-like symptoms one month after starting her lenalidomide maintenance therapy after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell rescue. Her symptoms evolved over days to pronounced uncontrollable limb movements, tongue smacking, lip-smacking, abnormal sounds, and tongue biting. The patient categorically denied any exposure to other drugs which are known to cause symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. The patient underwent a thorough evaluation, stopped the lenalidomide, and received therapy to control her symptoms with a gradual improvement over a six-week period. There is a paucity of literature on the association of lenalidomide with tardive dyskinesia. Common central nervous system-related side effects include peripheral neuropathy, dizziness, dysgeusia, headache, tremor, somnolence, and memory impairment. Very few studies in the existing literature have reported an association of tardive dyskinesia with lenalidomide therapy. Here, we present a case of an elderly female with multiple myeloma who developed severe tardive dyskinesia while she was on lenalidomide maintenance therapy.

The prognosis of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is poor. Intensive chemotherapy with the combination of cytarabine and anthracyclines is typically used as the first-line treatment in the elderly with newly diagnosed AML who are able to tolerate this regimen. Unfortunately, many patients are refractory to this treatment approach. The role of hypomethylating agents in the treatment of elderly patients with refractory AML has not been clearly defined. Therefore, we conducted a focused literature review to assess the role of hypomethylating agents in elderly patients with refractory AML. In addition, we present a case report of a patient with refractory AML, who was subsequently treated with azacytidine and showed an immediate response after one treatment cycle. He then proceeded to undergo nine more cycles. Ten months after the start of treatment with azacytidine, he remains in complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery. Given the positive results noted in multiple retrospective studies and in the presented case report, large-scale, prospective studies are needed to further define the role of hypomethylating agents in the treatment of elderly patients with refractory AML.

We report a case of a patient with relapsed Ewing’s sarcoma (ES). After receiving conventional chemotherapy (CC) and noticing chemosensitivity of the disease, we proceeded to give the patient two separate cycles of HDCT consisting of a melphalan/busulfan regimen in the first cycle and etoposide/melphalan in the second cycle. The patient proceeded to get an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) after each cycle of HDCT. Our patient, despite multiple poor prognostic factors, including advanced age and multiple sites of disease relapse, showed a one-year event-free survival. Relapsed ES is associated with a poor prognosis. No treatment regimen has yet been established as a standard of care in patients with relapsed ES. We conducted a focused literature review to assess the efficacy of high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by ASCT in patients with relapsed ES. Given the improved survival outcome with HDCT followed by ASCT in our patient, we propose that its role in relapsed ES needs further assessment through large prospective, randomized controlled studies.

Background. Relapsed Ewing’s sarcoma (RES) is an aggressive malignancy with poor survival. Although high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) given after conventional chemotherapy (CC) has shown survival benefits, it is not generally used in the United States for RES. We performed a systemic review to evaluate the benefits of HDCT for RES. Methods. Literature search involved Medline, Embase, and Cochrane database. We included studies with RES patients treated with HDCT/ASCT. Results. Twenty-four studies with total of 345 reported RES patients that got HDCT were included in final analysis. Seventeen studies had patients with multiple malignancies including RES, while seven had only RES patients. At 2 and 3–5 years, event-free survival (EFS) in studies with only RES patients ranged 42–47% and 20–61% and overall survival (OS) ranged 50–66% and 33–77%, respectively. In studies with combined patients that reported outcomes of RES separately, the EFS at 1–3 and 4 years was 36–66% and 17–50%, respectively. The OS at 1-2 and 3-4 years was 40–60% and 50–70%. Conclusions. Most studies using HDCT/ASCT as consolidation regimen showed improved survival benefits compared to CC. Randomized controlled studies are needed to determine true clinical benefits of HDCT followed by ASCT in patients with RES.

National Trends in Leukemia Related Emergency Department Visits, Health Care Burden and Disposition Rate in the United States, 2010-2014. Background: Recently emergency department (ED) utilization has been increasing for the management of acute conditions. Utilization of ED healthcare services by hematology and oncology patients have been documented previously. Cancer patients frequently visit the EDs with acute symptoms, that may require further assessment, management, and even hospitalization. Whether the incidence of leukemia related ED visits has altered is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the trend of leukemia related ED visits, healthcare cost associated with the visit and the discharge disposition from ED. Methods: We utilized Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) dataset for this study. NEDS is a part of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) database and contains the information of more than 950 United States (US) hospitals that is weighted to the national estimates. We used five years of data from 2010 to 2014 to examine the trends in prevalence and rates of ED visits, cost, and disposition (such as admission, discharge and death in ED). We defined patients with leukemia (acute myeloid, chronic myeloid, acute lymphocytic, and chronic lymphocytic leukemias) by using the international classification of disease, 9th revision, clinical modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. Cochrane-Armitage test was used to assess the trend of leukemia ER visits over five years. We used estimated US census population to calculate the rate of leukemia related ED visits. Furthermore, we assessed the predictors of hospital admission by using multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Between 2010 to 2014, a nationally weighted estimate of 771,510 patients visited ED with leukemia. The frequency of leukemia related ED visits increased 21.7% from 138,038 to 167,935 during this period that accounted for 0.12% of all ED visits. The rate of leukemia related ED visits increased 20.5% from 44 to 53 per 100,000 census population, which was statistically significant (p=0.04) on a trend test. The total national cost of leukemia related visit increased by 81% from $544 million in 2010 to $984 million in 2014 (p-value0.05). In an adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis, increasing age (OR 1.02 95% CI 1.024, 1.027), male gender (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.114, 1.188), patient location in metropolitan area (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.88, 2.22) and northeast location (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.03, 1.32) were found to be significantly associated with the higher odds of in hospital admission following leukemia related ED visits. While few other variables like residents of higher income quartile and those holding Medicaid, insurance were also found to be positively associated with the hospitalization but were not statistically significant (OR>1.00, p>0.05). Conclusions: There is an increasing trend of leukemia related ED utilization and associated total and mean/median costs over time, while the rate of hospitalization for leukemia associated visit from ED have decreased. Oncology providers need to plan care accordingly to reduce ER visits and hospital admission for patients with leukemia. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Introduction: Multiple myeloma is comparatively uncommon cancer, but among blood malignancies it is still the second most common cancer after non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Patients with complications of multiple myeloma (MM) frequently present to the emergency department. There is a lack of data about the health care burden and trends of utilization of emergency department services by MM patients. The objective of this study is to investigate the recent trends in resource utilization in the emergency departments for MM. Furthermore, we aimed to look for the demographic characteristics associated with the subsequent hospitalization of MM patients. We hypothesized that there has been an increase in the utilization of emergency department services for the management of MM patients in recent years. We further hypothesized that subsequent hospitalization rate may be decreasing with the availability of more efficacious and potentially less toxic drugs. Methods: For this study we obtained the data from United States National Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) years 2010-2014. For categorical variables, frequencies and proportions were generated and statistical significance was tested using a chi-squared test. Rate of myeloma associated emergency department visits were estimated by using US census population. Patients and hospital characteristics were entered in univariate analysis to predict in-patient admissions from the ED. Multivariable logistic regression was used to predict in-patient admissions for the variables that were found statistically significant in univariate analysis. All tests were two-sided with the statistical significance set at p < 0.05. All analyses were conducted using STATA 14.2v and no missing data was imputed. Results: Between 2010 to 2014, approximately 443,214 patients visited emergency departments (ED) with the diagnosis of MM, that accounted for 0.06 % of all emergency department visits. There was an absolute increase of 22% in MM related visits from 80,466 in 2010 to 98,279 in 2014. While the rate of emergency department service utilization by myeloma patient increased significantly by 19% (p=0.04). Overall 73% of myeloma related visits resulted in hospitalization, but over the study period trend of hospitalization decreased. The percentage of patients treated and discharged to home increased from 23% to 29% between 2010 to 2014. Total charges associated with myeloma related visits increased significantly from $315 million to $626 million during 2010 to 2014, with an annual increase in the rate (19.26%: p Conclusion: Multiple myeloma related emergency department service utilization and total charges are increasing over the observed time limit. While the incidence of hospitalization from emergency department is decreasing overtime. These findings can be explained on the basis of few facts. MM patients are living longer with the availability of newer drugs but remain uncured. Most patients will face relapse after the initial disease control, at which point they may need to utilize ED services more frequently. As better oral or intravenous drugs are available through oncology out-patient offices, limited MM drug choices are available in the hospital, majority of MM patients are discharged sooner from the hospitals resulting in reduced hospital admission rates as well as shorter hospital stay. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Background - Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in elderly patients (>65 years) is associated with poor prognosis with median overall survival (mOS) of 6 months. Hypomethylating agents (Azacytidine (Aza) and Decitabine) are used in elderly patients who are not candidates for intensive chemotherapy. Aza has resulted in complete remission/complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CR/CRi) of 18-27.8% and mOS of 10.4-24.5 months. Decitabine resulted in CR/CRi of 18-47% and mOS of 7.7-8 months. We conducted a systemic review to assess survival benefit of novel combination drug regimens (CDR) involving hypomethylating agent (HMA) in elderly patients with newly diagnosed AML. Methods - Comprehensive literature search was conducted in Medline, Embase and Cochrane database. We included phase I/II studies only that used CDR involving HMA. Results - Initial database search (since inception) lead to 975 studies. After exclusion (duplicates, case reports, relapsed/refractory AML) final analysis included 17 studies(n=540) Ten phase I/II CDR studies involving Aza (n=334) were included. The various drugs used in combination included valproic acid/all trans retinoic acid (n= 42 ,CR/CRi=26.2% mOS= 18.1 m), thalidomide (n= 14,CR/CRi= 29%, mOS= 13.2 m ), gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) (n= 142,CR/CRi = 35-44%, mOS= 11 m), lenalidomide (n= 45,CR/CRi=28-44% , mOS= 3-8.2 m), panobinostat (n=38,CR/CRi=10-22.4%, mOS= 8 m), midostaurin (n=12,CR/CRi=25%, mOS=6 m) , entinostat (n=18 ,CR/CRi=0% ,mOS= 6 m ), Seven phase I/II CDR studies(n=206) involving decitabine were included. Drugs used in combination included low dose cytarabine and aclarubicin (n= 85 ,CR/CRi = 64.7% , mOS= 10-12 m ), tosedostat (n=17 ,CR/CRi= 59% mOS= 11.5 m ), bexarotene(n= 4 ,CR/CRi= 0% mOS= 9.2 m), valproic acid(n= 62 ,CR/CRi= 9% mOS= 7.4m) , GO (n= 40,CR/CRi= 45% , mOS= 7m ),bortezomib (n= 10,CR/CRi= 50% ), vorinostat(n = 31,CR/CRi= 30%). Seven studies reported outcomes for patients with adverse cytogenetics separately. Of these, Aza with lenalidomide (n= 11) had a mOS of 9.5 months and with panobinostat (n=12) the overall response rate was 25% and mOS of 7 months. Similarly, decitabine with vorinostat (n = 8) and tosedostat(n =12) resulted in CR/CRi of 25% and 43% respectively. Long term outcomes for these CDR with decitabine were not reported. In two additional studies, valproic acid/all trans retinoic acid given with AZA and low dose cytarabine & aclarubicin with decitabine(p=0.023) showed poor outcome through multivariable cox model analysis. Five studies reported response rates for subgroup of patients with secondary AML using HMA. Of these, Aza with lenalidomide (n= 16) had a CR/CRi = 27% with median response duration of 21.3 weeks, a CR/CRi of 0% with entinostat (n= 18) and CR/CRi of 22% with thalidomide(n=9). Decitabine given with tosadostat (n= 10) had CR/CRi of 60% and with bortezomib(n=3) the CR/CRi was 66%. The long term outcomes were not reported for these patients. Conclusion - Novel combinations involving Aza with valproic acid/all trans retinoic acid, thalidomide, or GO showed similar CR/CRi and mOS compared to Aza alone. Tosedostat, low dose cytarabine, and aclarubicin given in combination with decitabine showed best results with superior CR/CRi and mOS compared to decitabine alone. Bexarotene with decitabine also improved mOS over decitabine alone despite lower CR/CRi. In patients with adverse cytogenetics, Aza with lenalidomide or panobinostat showed superior CR/CRi and mOS. Decitabine given with vorinostat and tosedostat also showed superior CR/CRi. In patients with secondary AML, Aza in combination with lenalidomide or thalidomide and decitabine with tosedostat or bortezomib showed superior CR/CRi. These CDR for patients with adverse cytogenetics and secondary AML need further testing in studies designed with this specific patient population in which long term outcomes are also measured. These CDR need to be evaluated in large, randomized, prospective studies to assess definitive benefit. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

e20048Background: Primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL) is rare but aggressive disease with median overall survival (mOS) of less than one year. Our aim is to review its unique biology, efficacy of a...

7050Background: Relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AlloHSCT) for Ph+ve acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) remains the major cause of treatment failure. Use of tyr...

e20016Background: With the emergence of immunotherapy, genomics, and precision medicine, the future of multiple myeloma (MM) treatment is rapidly evolving. We reviewed the efficacy of (non-FDA appr...