Search

Background: Management of beta-thalassemia major (TM) requires life-long hemotransfusions leading to iron overload. Iron elimination is enhanced by the use of modern chelators. Aim: To assess the effect of modern chelation therapy by dynamics of serum ferritin concentration and liver MRI T2*. Patients and methods: Forty-six patients with TM (male to female ratio =1:1, mean age 33.2±10.9 years) were prospectively studied between 2011 and 2014. Twenty-one patients (45.7%) were treated with deferasirox, 17 (37%) – with deferiprone, and 8 (17.3%) – with deferiprone in combination with deferoxamine. Ferritin was measured by ELISA. MRI T2* was assessed by Siemens Magnetom Avanto 1.5T. The patients were allocated into 3 groups based on their initial ferritin level and liver MRI T2*. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v. 18 for Windows. Data were analysed by descriptive analysis, analysis of variance and correlative analysis, means were compared using t-test and one-way ANOVA. Results: In 2011, 9 (19.5%) patients had normal liver MRI T2*; in 2014 they were 17 (37%). The patients with mild grade liver siderosis were 12 (26%) in 2011, and in 2014 they were 14 (30.4%). In 2011, the patients with moderate liver siderosis were 14 (30.4%), and in 2014 – 12 (26.0%). Eleven patients (23.9%) had severe liver siderosis in 2011 and only two patients (4.0%) were diagnosed with the condition in 2014. Conclusion: A reduction of iron overload was found in all studied groups. This positive effect is attributed to the use of modern chelators and the ease of access to accurate monitoring.

Summary Background The PROUD-PV and CONTINUATION-PV trials aimed to compare the novel monopegylated interferon ropeginterferon alfa-2b with hydroxyurea, the standard therapy for patients with polycythaemia vera, over 3 years of treatment. Methods PROUD-PV and its extension study, CONTINUATION-PV, were phase 3, randomised, controlled, open-label, trials done in 48 clinics in Europe. Patients were eligible if 18 years or older with early stage polycythaemia vera (no history of cytoreductive treatment or less than 3 years of previous hydroxyurea treatment) diagnosed by WHO's 2008 criteria. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to ropeginterferon alfa-2b (subcutaneously every 2 weeks, starting at 100 μg) or hydroxyurea (orally starting at 500 mg/day). After 1 year, patients could opt to enter the extension part of the trial, CONTINUATION-PV. The primary endpoint in PROUD-PV was non-inferiority of ropeginterferon alfa-2b versus hydroxyurea regarding complete haematological response with normal spleen size (longitudinal diameter of ≤12 cm for women and ≤13 cm for men) at 12 months; in CONTINUATION-PV, the coprimary endpoints were complete haematological response with normalisation of spleen size and with improved disease burden (ie, splenomegaly, microvascular disturbances, pruritus, and headache). We present the final results of PROUD-PV and an interim analysis at 36 months of the CONTINUATION-PV study (per statistical analysis plan). Analyses for safety and efficacy were per-protocol. The trials were registered on EudraCT, 2012-005259-18 (PROUD-PV) and 2014-001357-17 (CONTINUATION-PV, which is ongoing). Findings Patients were recruited from Sept 17, 2013 to March 13, 2015 with 306 enrolled. 257 patients were randomly assigned, 127 were treated in each group (three patients withdrew consent in the hydroxyurea group), and 171 rolled over to the CONTINUATION-PV trial. Median follow-up was 182·1 weeks (IQR 166·3–201·7) in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b and 164·5 weeks (144·4–169·3) in the standard therapy group. In PROUD-PV, 26 (21%) of 122 patients in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b group and 34 (28%) of 123 patients in the standard therapy group met the composite primary endpoint of complete haematological response with normal spleen size. In CONTINUATION-PV, complete haematological response with improved disease burden was met in 50 (53%) of 95 patients in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b group versus 28 (38%) of 74 patients in the hydroxyurea group, p=0·044 at 36 months. Complete haematological response without the spleen criterion in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b group versus standard therapy group were: 53 (43%) of 123 patients versus 57 (46%) of 125 patients, p=0·63 at 12 months (PROUD-PV), and 67 (71%) of 95 patients versus 38 (51%) of 74 patients, p=0·012 at 36 months (CONTINUATION-PV). The most frequently reported grade 3 and grade 4 treatment-related adverse events were increased γ-glutamyltransferase (seven [6%] of 127 patients) and increased alanine aminotransferase (four [3%] of 127 patients) in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b group, and leucopenia (six [5%] of 127 patients) and thrombocytopenia (five [4%] of 127 patients) in the standard therapy group. Treatment-related serious adverse events occurred in three (2%) of 127 patients in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b group and five (4%) of 127 patients in the hydroxyurea group. One treatment-related death was reported in the standard therapy group (acute leukaemia). Interpretation In patients with early polycythaemia vera, who predominantly presented without splenomegaly, ropeginterferon alfa-2b was effective in inducing haematological responses; non-inferiority to hydroxyurea regarding haematological response and normal spleen size was not shown at 12 months. However, response to ropeginterferon alfa-2b continued to increase over time with improved responses compared with hydroxyurea at 36 months. Considering the high and durable haematological and molecular responses and its good tolerability, ropeginterferon alfa-2b offers a valuable and safe long-term treatment option with features distinct from hydroxyurea. Funding AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG.

Background Fitusiran, an investigational small interfering RNA therapy, reduces antithrombin production to rebalance hemostasis in people with hemophilia A or B, with or without inhibitors. Objectives To evaluate the safety and efficacy of fitusiran treatment for people with moderate/severe hemophilia A or B with inhibitors. Patients/methods In this open-label phase 1, part D study, 17 males with hemophilia A or B with inhibitors received three once-monthly subcutaneous injections of fitusiran 50 mg (n = 6) or 80 mg (n = 11); followed for up to 112 days. Endpoints included safety (primary), pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (secondary), annualized bleeding rate, and patient-reported outcomes (exploratory). Results The most common adverse event was injection site erythema (n = 8). No thrombotic events were reported. At nadir, mean (standard error of the mean [SEM]) antithrombin activity decreased from baseline by 82.0% (2.2) and 87.4% (0.7) in the 50 mg and 80 mg groups, respectively. Antithrombin reduction was associated with increased thrombin generation. 11/17 (64.7%) participants had no bleeds during the observation period (mean [standard deviation] 69.4 [16.3] days). Mean (SEM) changes from baseline in Haemophilia Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adults total (-9.2 [2.9]) and physical health (-12.3 [3.9]) domain scores suggested clinically meaningful improvement. Conclusions Monthly fitusiran was generally well tolerated, lowered antithrombin levels from baseline, and resulted in improved thrombin generation. These preliminary results suggest that monthly fitusiran treatment may reduce bleeding episodes and improve quality of life in participants with hemophilia A or B with inhibitors.

Aim of the study: To assess serum sclerostin in transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia patients versus healthy controls and to examine its associations with bone mineral density, bone metabolism markers and beta thalassaemia alterations. Material and methods: Sixty-two transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia (TDßT) patients and 30 healthy controls were evaluated for serum sclerostin, osteocalcin, beta-cross laps, osteoprotegerin and serum level of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (sRANKL). Bone mineral density was measured at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Thalassaemia characteristics were collected from the patients’ medical records. Results: A significantly higher sclerostin level (median 565.50 pmol/L) was observed in the transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia patients vs. the healthy controls (median 48.65 pmol/L, p

PIX306 was a phase 3, randomised, single-blind, multicentre trial conducted in adult patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or follicular lymphoma (FL) grade 3 who relapsed after ≥1 rituximab-containing regimen and were not eligible for a stem cell transplant. Patients were randomised 1:1 to pixantrone 50 mg/m2 or gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15 of a 28-day cycle, combined with rituximab 375 mg/m2 on day 1, for up to six cycles. Patients were followed for up to 96 weeks. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), complete response (CR) rate, overall response rate (ORR) and safety. Overall, 312 patients were randomised (median age 73·0 years). The study did not meet its primary endpoint. Median PFS [95% confidence interval (CI)] was 7·3 months (5·2-8·4) with pixantrone + rituximab (PIX + R) and 6·3 months (4·4-8·1) with gemcitabine + rituximab [GEM + R; hazard ratio (HR): 0·85; 95% CI 0·64-1·14; P = 0·28]. Median OS was 13·3 (10·1-19·8) months with PIX + R and 19·6 (12·4-31·9) months with GEM + R (HR: 1·13; 95% CI 0·83-1·53). ORR was 61·9% and 43·9% respectively and CR rate 35·5% and 21·7%. The incidence of adverse events, including cardiac events, was not statistically significant different between PIX + R and GEM + R.

BACKGROUND Patients with transfusion-dependent ?-thalassemia need regular red-cell transfusions. Luspatercept, a recombinant fusion protein that binds to select transforming growth factor ? superfamily ligands, may enhance erythroid maturation and reduce the transfusion burden (the total number of red-cell units transfused) in such patients. METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, phase 3 trial, we assigned, in a 2:1 ratio, adults with transfusion-dependent ?-thalassemia to receive best supportive care plus luspatercept (at a dose of 1.00 to 1.25 mg per kilogram of body weight) or placebo for at least 48 weeks. The primary end point was the percentage of patients who had a reduction in the transfusion burden of at least 33% from baseline during weeks 13 through 24 plus a reduction of at least 2 red-cell units over this 12-week interval. Other efficacy end points included reductions in the transfusion burden during any 12-week interval and results of iron studies. RESULTS A total of 224 patients were assigned to the luspatercept group and 112 to the placebo group. Luspatercept or placebo was administered for a median of approximately 64 weeks in both groups. The percentage of patients who had a reduction in the transfusion burden of at least 33% from baseline during weeks 13 through 24 plus a reduction of at least 2 red-cell units over this 12-week interval was significantly greater in the luspatercept group than in the placebo group (21.4% vs. 4.5%, P, Abbott Laboratories Novartis Alexion Pharmaceuticals Terumo BCT Celgene FibroGen: 7,988,973, 8,007,809, 8,895,016 Novartis Pharma Acceleron Vifor Pharma, Supported by Celgene in collaboration with Acceleron Pharma. Dr. Cappellini reports receiving grant support, paid to her institution, and advisory board fees from Celgene; Dr. Viprakasit, receiving consulting fees from Celgene; Dr. Taher, receiving research funding and consulting fees from Celgene; Dr. Georgiev, receiving grant support from Celgene; Dr. Kuo, receiving advisory board fees from Agios Pharmaceuticals, Apellis Pharmaceuticals, and Celgene, lecture fees and advisory board fees from Alexion Pharmaceuticals, fees for serving on a data and safety monitoring board from Bioverativ Therapeutics, consulting fees from Bluebird Bio, lecture fees and consulting fees from Novartis, and grant support and consulting fees from Pfizer; Dr. Coates, receiving advisory board fees from Agios Pharmaceuticals and Celgene and advisory board fees and consulting fees from ApoPharma; Dr. Liew, receiving grant support, paid to his institution, from Celgene; Dr. Forni, receiving advisory board fees from Bluebird Bio, Celgene, and Novartis Pharma; Dr. Lal, receiving grant support, paid to his institution, from Bluebird Bio, Insight Magnetics, La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company, Novartis, Protagonist Therapeutics, and Terumo BCT, and grant support, paid to his institution, and advisory board fees from Celgene; Dr. Kattamis, receiving advisory board fees, fees for serving on a steering committee, and travel support from Celgene, grant support, paid to his institution, and advisory board fees from Novartis, fees for serving on a trial steering committee from Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and advisory board fees from Vifor Pharma; Dr. Origa, receiving grant support from Celgene; Dr. Aydinok, receiving grant support, paid to Ege University Hospital, from Celgene; Dr. Shah, receiving advisory board fees from Bluebird Bio and Roche, advisory board fees, lecture fees, and fees for serving on a steering committee from Celgene, advisory board fees and lecture fees from Novartis, and lecture fees from Sobi; Dr. Neufeld, receiving fees for serving on a data and safety monitoring board and consulting fees from Acceleron Pharma, fees for serving on a data and safety monitoring board from ApoPharma, advisory board fees and fees for serving on a steering committee from Celgene, and advisory board fees and consulting fees from Novartis Pharma; Dr. Thompson, receiving grant support, paid to her institution, from Baxalta and BioMarin Pharmaceuticals, and grant support, paid to her institution, and consulting fees from Bluebird Bio, Celgene, and Novartis Pharma; Dr. Shetty, being employed by Celgene; Dr. Zhang, being employed by and owning stock and stock options in Celgene; Dr. Miteva, being employed by Celgene; Dr. Zinger, being employed by and owning stock options in Celgene; Dr. Linde, being employed by and owning stock in Acceleron Pharma and owning stock in Abbott Laboratories and FibroGen; Dr. Sherman, being employed by and receiving consulting fees from Acceleron Pharma and Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, receiving consulting fees from Fusion Pharma and Mersana Therapeutics and fees for serving as a board member from Newlink Genetics, Pieris Pharmaceuticals, and Pulmatrix, and holding patents 10,093,707, 8,007,809, 8,895,016, and 7,988,973 on antagonists of activin-ActRIIA and uses for increasing red-cell levels, licensed to Acceleron Pharma; Dr. Hermine, receiving grant support from Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Celgene, and Takeda California; Dr. Porter, receiving lecture fees and advisory board fees from Agios Pharmaceuticals, advisory board fees and presentation fees from Bluebird Bio, advisory board fees from Celgene, and fees for serving on a steering committee from Vifor Pharma; and Dr. Piga, receiving grant support, paid to his institution, from Acceleron and grant support, paid to his institution, and advisory fees from Celgene. No other potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported. Disclosure forms provided by the authors are available with the full text of this article at NEJM.org. A data sharing statement provided by the authors is available with the full text of this article at NEJM.org. We thank the patients and families who participated in the BELIEVE trial; the investigators who collaborated in the trial; personnel at Acceleron Pharma, including Kenneth M. Attie, Xiaosha Zhang, Carolyn J. Barron, Joseph G. Reynolds, John Oram, and Tad Akers; and Daria I. Grisanzio of Excerpta Medica and Khaled Musallam and Hannah Wills of AMICULUM for writing assistance with an earlier version of the manuscript.

INTRODUCTION For individuals with haemophilia A, prophylaxis with factor VIII (FVIII) is typically directed towards trough activity >1 IU/dL; however, some patients still experience spontaneous bleeding events (sBEs). AIM Aims were to evaluate relationships of endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and FVIII:C with occurrence of clinical bleeding. METHODS GENA-21 was a prospective, open-label, phase IIIb study investigating the safety and efficacy of Nuwiq® (human-cl rhFVIII) in previously treated adults with severe haemophilia A. The study included a 72-hour pharmacokinetic (PK) evaluation phase and a 6-month personalized prophylaxis phase in which treatment was guided by PK parameters. This subanalysis assessed FVIII:C by one-stage assay and ETP by thrombin generation assay in blood samples. RESULTS Baseline mean ETP was lower in the 7 patients who experienced sBEs during personalized prophylaxis versus 25 who did not (n = 32 with data from PK phase and prophylaxis phase; P = .0002). During personalized prophylaxis (n = 49), only patients with lower median trough ETP experienced sBEs (8/49 patients; ROC AUC = 0.9421; P

Introduction: Ropeginterferon alfa-2b (BESREMi®), a novel pegylated interferon with an extended half-life, was approved in Europe for treatment of patients with PV based on results from the phase 3 PROUD-PV and CONTINUATION-PV trials. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b treatment is recommended in hydroxyurea (HU) naïve patients as well as in those who have previously received HU. Therefore, treatment response was analyzed by prior HU treatment status, and the influence of baseline JAK2V617F allele burden and additional mutations - which may increase over time during non-disease modifying treatment - was explored. Methods: In PROUD-PV, patients aged ≥18 years, diagnosed with PV according to WHO 2008 criteria, and either cytoreduction-naïve or HU-pre-treated (for 50%), and in patients with available data (N=159), by the presence of non-driver mutations (TruSight™ Myeloid Panel, Illumina) or chromosomal aberrations (Affymetrix SNP6.0 array) at baseline. Results: After 5 years of treatment with ropeginterferon alfa-2b, high rates of CHR were sustained in both HU-naïve and HU pre-treated patients (53.1% and 61.3%, respectively), whereas in the control arm, the CHR rate was lower among HU pre-treated patients (36.0% compared to 48.0% for HU-naïve patients). Molecular response rates at 5 years in HU naïve and pre-treated patients were 71.4% and 64.5% respectively in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b arm and 26.0% versus 12.5% respectively in the control arm. Rates of adverse events (AEs), treatment-related AEs, serious AEs, and AEs leading to discontinuation were similar between the subgroups regardless of HU pre-treatment. Similar CHR rates were observed at 5 years irrespective of baseline JAK2V617F allele burden category (ropeginterferon alfa-2b arm: 57.1% versus 53.1% for allele burden ≤50% or >50%, respectively; control: 46.9% versus 38.5%, respectively). The molecular response rate in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b arm was higher among patients with baseline allele burden >50% (84.4% versus 61.3% for allele burden ≤50%); in the control arm there was no difference in molecular response rates between the allele burden subgroups (23.1% versus 20.8%, respectively). Of interest, the presence of non-driver mutations or chromosomal aberrations at baseline had no apparent influence on molecular response rates to ropeginterferon alfa-2b (64.5% compared with 70.7% in patients without these genetic abnormalities). Conclusion: High hematologic and molecular response rates in both HU-pretreated and HU-naïve patients and in those with more advanced JAK2V617F burden suggest that ropeginterferon alfa-2b is also a suitable treatment option in patients switching from HU. Disclosures Gisslinger: AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals GmbH: Other: Personal fees, Research Funding; Novartis: Other: Personal fees, Research Funding; PharmaEssentia: Other: Personal fees; MyeloPro Diagnostics and Research: Other: Personal fees; Janssen-Cilag: Other: Personal fees; Roche: Other: Personal fees; Celgene: Other: Personal fees. Klade: AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals GmbH: Current Employment. Pylypenko: Communal nonprofit enterprise "Cherkasy regional oncology dispensary of Cherkasy oblast council: Current Employment. Mayer: AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals GmbH: Research Funding. Krejcy: AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals GmbH: Current Employment. Empson: AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals GmbH: Current Employment. Hasselbalch: Novartis, AOP Orphan: Consultancy, Other: Advisory Board. Kralovics: AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals GmbH: Other: Personal fees; PharmaEssentia: Other: Personal fees; Qiagen: Other: Personal fees; Novartis: Other: Personal fees; MyeloPro Diagnostics and Research: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Kiladjian: Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AOP Orphan: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte Corporation: 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; PharmaEssentia: Other: Personal fees; Taiho Oncology, Inc.: Research Funding.

Introduction Nuwiq® (human-cl rhFVIII) is a 4th generation recombinant human FVIII, without chemical modification or protein fusion, produced in a human cell-line. Aims/Methods This study (NuPreviq) was a prospective, open-label, multicentre, phase IIIb study of the efficacy and safety of personalized prophylaxis with Nuwiq® in 66 previously treated adults with severe haemophilia A. NuPreviq had three phases: (i) a 72-h pharmacokinetic (PK) phase; (ii) a 1–3 month standard prophylaxis phase; and (iii) a 6-month personalized prophylaxis phase. The personalized prophylaxis regimen was based on individual PK modelling for each patient according to whether their PK profile most closely fitted a two- or one-compartment model (NuPreviq approach). In cases of uncertainty, a noncompartment model was applied. Results The median dosing interval during personalized prophylaxis was 3.5 days, with 57% of patients on ≤2 weekly dosing. Mean annualized bleeding rates during personalized prophylaxis were 1.45 (median [interquartile range, IQR]: 0 [0, 1.9]) for all bleeds, 0.79 (median [IQR]: 0 [0, 0]) for spontaneous bleeds, and 0.91 (median [IQR]: 0 [0, 0]) for joint bleeds. During personalized prophylaxis, 83.1% of patients were spontaneous bleed-free. Compared with standard prophylaxis, median weekly prophylaxis dose was reduced by 7.2% from 100.0 to 92.8 IU kg−1 during the last 2 months of personalized prophylaxis. There were no FVIII inhibitors or treatment-related serious or severe adverse events. Conclusion PK-guided personalized prophylaxis with Nuwiq® provided bleeding protection and enabled the dosing interval to be extended to twice weekly or less in many patients and an overall dose reduction.

Background: Ropeginterferon alfa-2b (ropeg) is a novel, mono-pegylated interferon (IFN) for treatment of polycythemia vera (PV). The PROUD-PV/CONTINUATION-PV trial compared ropeg with hydroxyurea (HU), the standard therapy for PV, over three years of treatment. Methods: This phase III, randomised, controlled, open-label trial was conducted in 48 clinics in Europe in patients aged =18 years, with early-stage PV (cytoreduction-naive or less than three years of prior HU treatment), diagnosed by WHO 2008 criteria. In the PROUD-PV part, patients were randomised 1:1 with block-stratification by prior HU treatment, age (=60 or >60 years) and history of thromboembolic events to receive ropeg (subcutaneously every two weeks, starting at 100 µg) or HU (orally starting at 500 mg/day). After one year, patients rolled over to the CONTINUATION-PV part. The primary endpoint was disease response rate at 3 monthly assessment visits from 12 months onwards. Composite evaluation criteria were applied: complete haematological response (CHR) with normalisation of spleen size (PROUD-PV/CONTINUATION-PV), and CHR with improved disease burden (signs and symptoms) (CONTINUATION-PV only). The trial was registered on EudraCT (2012-005259-18; 2014-001357-17). Findings: Recruitment took place from October 2013 to March 2015; 257 patients were randomised, three withdrew consent and 127 per arm were treated. Overall, 171 patients rolled over to the ongoing CONTINUATION-PV part. All patients treated were analysed for safety; the intent-to-treat population was analysed for efficacy. After three years of treatment, response rates were significantly higher in the ropeg arm compared to control for CHR (67/95 [70·5%] versus 38/74 [51·4%]; p=0·01) and CHR with improved disease burden (50/95 [52·6%] versus 28/74 [37·8%]; p=0·04). Only 27/254 patients had splenomegaly at baseline precluding meaningful assessment of spleen size normalisation. JAK2V617F allele burden at three years showed a sustained decline in the ropeg arm only (molecular response in ropeg arm: 62/94 [66·0%]; control: 20/74 [27·0%]; p

We describe the rationale and design of the ongoing randomized, active-controlled, multicenter, Phase III study evaluating the efficacy of pixantrone and rituximab versus gemcitabine and rituximab in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or follicular grade 3 lymphoma, who are ineligible for high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation, and who failed front-line regimens containing rituximab. The administration schedule is pixantrone 50 mg/m2 intravenously (iv.) or gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 iv. on days 1, 8 and 15, combined with rituximab 375 mg/m2 iv. on day 1, up to six cycles. Pixantrone has a conditional European marketing approval for monotherapy in adults with multiple relapsed or refractory aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Our trial explores the efficacy of combining pixantrone with rituximab and completes postauthorization measures. Trial registration number: NCT01321541.

Introduction: Patients with polycythemia vera (PV) require life-long treatment to prevent thromboembolic events and minimize the risk of progression. Ropeginterferon alpha-2b (BESREMi®; hereafter ropeg) may ultimately modify the natural history of PV by selectively targeting the malignant clone. In the PROUD-PV/CONTINUATION-PV studies, long-term treatment with ropeg was compared with standard cytoreductive therapy regarding thromboembolic and other adverse events as well as evolution of hematologic and molecular parameters over five years. Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years and diagnosed with PV according to WHO 2008 criteria who were either cytoreduction-naïve or hydroxyurea (HU)-pre-treated for < 3 years were enrolled. A total of 257 patients were randomized 1:1 (stratified by age > 60 years, prior thromboembolic events, and HU pre-treatment) to receive ropeg or HU at individualized doses for 12 months in the initial study (PROUD-PV). In the extension study (CONTINUATION-PV), patients in the HU arm were permitted to switch to best available treatment. Efficacy assessments included hematologic parameters, phlebotomy need, JAK2V617F allele burden, and molecular response defined by modified ELN criteria. An interim analysis was conducted once all patients reached 5 years of treatment; efficacy data for patients enrolled in the extension study and all available safety data were analyzed. Results: Ninety-five patients in the ropeg arm and 76 in the control arm entered the extension study. Most patients in the control arm continued to receive HU (88% at month 60). At the time of this 5-year analysis, 70 patients in the ropeg arm and 57 in the control arm remained on study; discontinuation rates were balanced between the treatment arms (ropeg: 26.3%; control: 25.0%). Hematocrit With respect to the causative JAK2V617F mutation, the median allele burden declined from 37.3% at baseline to 7.3% over 5 years of treatment in the ropeg arm, whereas in the control arm the median allele burden increased from 38.1% to 42.6% in the same period (p A further analysis of combined hematologic and molecular parameters was performed, these being known to influence the risk of thrombosis and of progression in PV. At the 5 year visit, 58.5% of patients receiving ropeg had well-controlled hematocrit ( Regarding safety and tolerability, no new signals were detected in the fifth year. Treatment related adverse events were reported in 25.6% and 24.2% of patients in the ropeg and control arms, respectively, and one patient in each arm withdrew due to drug-related toxicity. Three patients (3.8%) in the ropeg arm reported grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events in the fifth year; over the entire treatment period, the rate of grade ≥3 drug-related adverse events was the same in each study arm (16.5%). Conclusions: In a randomized controlled setting, ropeg treatment effectively controlled hematocrit and minimized the occurrence of thromboembolic events in patients with PV. Disease progression was very rare during long-term treatment with ropeg and this possible change in the disease natural history appears to be related to deep and durable molecular responses selectively achieved with ropeg. Disclosures Gisslinger: AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; PharmaEssentia: Honoraria; MyeloPro Diagnostics and Research: Honoraria; Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Klade:AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG: Current Employment. Illés:Janssen, Celgene, Takeda, Novartis Pharma SAS, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Israel, Roche;: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda, Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Novartis, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche;: Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses; Celgene, Janssen, Novartis,Roche, Takeda: Consultancy. Mayer:Celgene: Research Funding. Krejcy:AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG: Current Employment. Empson:AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG: Current Employment. Hasselbalch:Novartis: Research Funding; AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG: Honoraria. Kralovics:AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG: Honoraria; Qiagen: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; MyeloPro Diagnostics and Research: Current equity holder in private company; PharmaEssentia: Honoraria. Kiladjian:Novartis: 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; AOP Orphan: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

BACKGROUND: Current hemophilia treatment involves frequent intravenous infusions of clotting factors, which is associated with variable hemostatic protection, a high treatment burden, and a risk of the development of inhibitory alloantibodies. Fitusiran, an investigational RNA interference (RNAi) therapy that targets antithrombin (encoded by SERPINC1), is in development to address these and other limitations. METHODS: In this phase 1 dose-escalation study, we enrolled 4 healthy volunteers and 25 participants with moderate or severe hemophilia A or B who did not have inhibitory alloantibodies. Healthy volunteers received a single subcutaneous injection of fitusiran (at a dose of 0.03 mg per kilogram of body weight) or placebo. The participants with hemophilia received three injections of fitusiran administered either once weekly (at a dose of 0.015, 0.045, or 0.075 mg per kilogram) or once monthly (at a dose of 0.225, 0.45, 0.9, or 1.8 mg per kilogram or a fixed dose of 80 mg). The study objectives were to assess the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics and safety of fitusiran. RESULTS: No thromboembolic events were observed during the study. The most common adverse events were mild injection-site reactions. Plasma levels of fitusiran increased in a dose-dependent manner and showed no accumulation with repeated administration. The monthly regimen induced a dose-dependent mean maximum antithrombin reduction of 70 to 89% from baseline. A reduction in the antithrombin level of more than 75% from baseline resulted in median peak thrombin values at the lower end of the range observed in healthy participants. CONCLUSIONS: Once-monthly subcutaneous administration of fitusiran resulted in dose-dependent lowering of the antithrombin level and increased thrombin generation in participants with hemophilia A or B who did not have inhibitory alloantibodies. (Funded by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02035605 .).

Introduction: The key treatment goals for polycythemia vera (PV) are to prevent thromboembolic events and minimize the risk of progression, ultimately modifying the natural history of the disease by selectively targeting the malignant clone. In the PROUD-PV/CONTINUATION-PV study, long-term treatment with ropeginterferon alpha-2b (BESREMi®; hereafter ropeg) was compared with standard cytoreductive therapy regarding thromboembolic and other adverse events as well as hematological and molecular parameters over a four-year period. Methods: Cytoreduction-naïve or HU-pre-treated patients aged ≥18 years diagnosed with PV according to WHO 2008 criteria were eligible. A total of 257 patients were randomly allocated to ropeg or hydroxyurea at individualized doses for 12 months in the initial study phase (PROUD-PV). In the ongoing extension phase (CONTINUATION-PV), patients in the hydroxyurea arm were permitted to switch to best available treatment. Efficacy assessments included a longitudinal analysis of complete hematological response (CHR) and complete molecular response (CMR; JAK2V617F was determined using real-time PCR [ipsogen® JAK2 MutaQuant® kit; QIAGEN GmbH]), defined by modified ELN criteria. Discontinued patients were considered non-responders. A data snapshot was performed once all patients reached 48 months of treatment; all available safety data were included. Results: Ninety-five patients in the ropeg arm and 76 in the control arm entered the extension phase. At the time of analysis 139 patients remained on study: 74/95 in the ropeg arm and 65/76 in the control arm. Almost all patients in the control arm (>97% at the last available assessment) continued on HU. The rate of patients in CHR was significantly higher in the ropeg arm than in the control arm in the 4th year (60.6% versus 43.4%; p=0.02), as seen after 2 and 3 years of treatment. In line with this effective control of hematologic parameters by ropeg, a very low rate of major thromboembolic adverse events was observed in the ropeg arm: 0.0%, 0.0% and 1.1% of patients in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th years, respectively. In the control arm, rates of major thromboembolic adverse events in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year were 0.9%, 1.4% and 0.0%, respectively. The median JAK2V617F allele burden declined from 37.3% at baseline to 9.8% over 4 years in the ropeg arm, whereas in the control group, the median allele burden increased from 38.1% to 43.1% in the same period (p In terms of safety, no new signals were detected in the 4th year. Rates of patients with treatment-related adverse events remained similar in the ropeg and control arms in the 4th year (ropeg: 28.7% of patients; control: 22.9%). Disease or treatment-related secondary malignancies reported in the entire study period comprised 2 cases of acute leukemia, 2 cases of basal cell carcinoma and 1 case of malignant melanoma, all in the control group; 1 case of disease-related transformation to myelofibrosis occurred in each treatment arm. Conclusions: Ropeg minimizes the occurrence of thromboembolic events in patients with PV over long-term treatment, without leukemogenic risk. In addition, we show for the first time in a randomized study that, in contrast to hydroxyurea, long-term ropeg treatment is capable of inducing deep molecular responses including CMR, which underscores its disease modifying potential. These results also suggest that selected patients could achieve operational cure (with both CHR and CMR) with ropeg, opening the way for treatment discontinuation. Disclosures Kiladjian: Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; AOP Orphan: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy. Klade:AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG: Employment. Illés:Takeda, Seattle: Research Funding; Janssen, Celgene, Novartis, Takeda, Roche, Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Mayer:AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG: Research Funding. Krejcy:AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG: Employment. Hasselbalch:Novartis: Research Funding; AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals: Other: Data monitoring board. Kralovics:Pharma Essentia: Honoraria; MyeloPro Diagnostics and Research: Equity Ownership; AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG: Honoraria, Other: Advisory board; Qiagen: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Gisslinger:Celgene GmbH: Honoraria; Pharma Essentia: Other: Personal fees; Roche Austria GmbH: Consultancy; Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria; Novartis Pharma GmbH: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Myelopro GmbH: Consultancy.

Introduction: β-thalassemia is an inherited hemoglobinopathy associated with an erythroid maturation defect characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis and impaired RBC maturation. Luspatercept is a first-in-class erythroid maturation agent under development to treat patients with β-thalassemia. Luspatercept binds to select TGFβ superfamily ligands to reduce aberrant Smad2/3 signaling and enhance late-stage erythropoiesis (Suragani RN, et al. Nat Med. 2014;20:408-14). We report the results of a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to determine the efficacy and safety of luspatercept in adult β-thalassemia patients requiring regular RBC transfusions. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02604433. Methods: Eligible patients were aged ≥ 18 years; had β-thalassemia or hemoglobin (Hb) E/β-thalassemia (compound β-thalassemia mutation and/or multiplication of α-globin genes was allowed); and required regular transfusions of 6-20 RBC units in the 24 weeks prior to randomization with no transfusion-free period ≥ 35 days during that time. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive either luspatercept, at a starting dose level of 1.0 mg/kg with titration up to 1.25 mg/kg, or placebo, subcutaneously every 3 weeks for ≥ 48 weeks. Patients in both treatment arms continued to receive RBC transfusions and iron chelation therapy to maintain the same baseline Hb level. The primary endpoint was a ≥ 33% reduction in transfusion burden (with a reduction of ≥ 2 RBC units) during weeks 13-24, when compared with a 12-week baseline period. Key secondary endpoints included: ≥ 33% reduction in RBC transfusion burden at weeks 37-48, ≥ 50% reduction in transfusion burden at weeks 13-24, ≥ 50% reduction in transfusion burden at weeks 37-48, and mean change in transfusion burden at weeks 13-24. Achievement of ≥ 33% reduction in RBC transfusion burden over any consecutive 12 weeks on study was also evaluated. Results: † A total of 336 patients were randomized, of whom 332 were treated. Median age was 30 years (range 18-66) and 58% of patients were female. Patients received a median of 6 RBC units in the 12 weeks prior to treatment. 58% of patients in each arm had undergone splenectomy. B0/B0 genotype (classification according to the HbVar database) was observed in 68 of 224 (30.4%) and 35 of 112 (31.3%) patients in the luspatercept and placebo arms, respectively. 48 of 224 (21.4%) patients in the luspatercept arm achieved the primary endpoint versus 5 of 112 (4.5%) patients receiving placebo (odds ratio 5.79, P < 0.0001). 44 of 224 (19.6%) patients receiving luspatercept achieved a ≥ 33% reduction in RBC transfusion burden at weeks 37-48 compared with 4 of 112 (3.6%) patients receiving placebo (P < 0.0001). Of 224 patients receiving luspatercept, 17 (7.6%) and 23 (10.3%) achieved a ≥ 50% reduction in RBC transfusion burden at weeks 13-24 and 37-48, respectively, compared with 2 (1.8%) and 1 of 112 (0.9%) patients receiving placebo (P = 0.0303 and P = 0.0017, respectively). The difference of mean change from baseline in transfusion burden from week 13 to week 24 was 1.35 units (P < 0.0001). 158 of 224 (70.5%) patients receiving luspatercept achieved a ≥ 33% RBC transfusion reduction over any consecutive 12 weeks compared with 33 of 112 (29.5%) patients receiving placebo (P < 0.0001); statistically significant differences were also noted for all other transfusion burden reduction endpoints. Adverse events (AEs) observed in the study were generally consistent with previously reported phase 2 data. Treatment-emergent AEs leading to dose delay or dose reduction were similar between treatment arms. No patient deaths were reported for those treated with luspatercept. Conclusions: Treatment with luspatercept resulted in significant reductions in RBC transfusion burden in adults with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia. Luspatercept was generally well tolerated in this patient population. † As of May 11, 2018, cutoff date. Disclosures Cappellini: Celgene Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi/Genzyme: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria; Vifor: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Viprakasit:F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy, Research Funding; Protagonist Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding. Taher:Protagonist Therapeutics: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Ionis Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; La Jolla Pharmaceutical: Research Funding; Celgene Corp.: Research Funding. Georgiev:Alnylam: Consultancy. Coates:Celgene Corp.: Consultancy; ApoPharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Vifor Pharma: Consultancy; Sangamo: Consultancy, Honoraria. Voskaridou:Acceleron: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene Corp: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Forni:Novartis: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Perrotta:Acceleron Pharma: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Lal:Celgene Corporation: Research Funding; Bluebird Bio: Research Funding; La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company: Consultancy, Research Funding; Insight Magnetics: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Terumo Corporation: Research Funding. Kattamis:ApoPharma: Honoraria; Vifor Pharma: Consultancy; CELGENE: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria. Vlachaki:Novartis: Honoraria. Origa:Cerus Corporation: Research Funding; Bluebird Bio: Consultancy; Novartis: Honoraria; Apopharma: Honoraria. Aydinok:TERUMO: Research Funding; Protagonist: Other: SSC; CRISPR Tech: Other: DMC; Cerus: Honoraria, Research Funding; La Jolla Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Research Funding. Ho:Takeda: Honoraria, Other: travel to meeting; Novartis: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Celgene: Other: Travel to meeting. Chew:Celgene: Research Funding. Tantiworawit:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Shah:Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Sobi/Apotex: Honoraria; Celgene Corp: Other: Steering committee; Roche: Other: Advisory board meeting. Neufeld:Celgene Corp.: Consultancy, Other: Steering committee; Acceleron Pharma: Consultancy. Laadem:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Shetty:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Zou:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Miteva:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Other: grants. Zinger:Celgene Corporation: Employment. Linde:AbbVie: Equity Ownership; Abbott Laboratories: Equity Ownership; Fibrogen: Equity Ownership; Acceleron Pharma: Employment, Equity Ownership. Sherman:Acceleron Pharma: Employment, Equity Ownership. Hermine:AB Science: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Research Funding; Hybrigenics: Research Funding; Erythec: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Porter:Cerus: Honoraria; Agios: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy. Piga:La Jolla: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bluebird Bio: Honoraria; Apopharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene Corp: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Acceleron: Research Funding.

Introduction Hemophilia A and hemophilia B are rare bleeding disorders characterized by insufficient thrombin generation due to deficiencies in factors VIII or IX, respectively. Standard treatment for hemophilia is currently based on replacement of the deficient factor with factor concentrate. This, unfortunately, subjects the patient to the risk of developing neutralizing antibodies, or inhibitors, against replacement factor VIII or IX. Individuals with inhibitors become refractory to standard replacement therapy, a serious complication for as many as one-third of patients with severe hemophilia A and a lower proportion of patients with hemophilia B. Fitusiran is a once-monthly subcutaneously administered investigational RNA interference therapeutic that targets antithrombin (AT) to improve thrombin generation (TG) and promote hemostasis in patients with hemophilia A or hemophilia B with or without inhibitors. In September 2017, fitusiran dosing in the Phase 2 open-label extension (OLE) study was temporarily suspended to investigate a case of fatal cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Following this investigation, fitusiran dosing resumed in December 2017 with protocol amendments for bleed management dosing and safety monitoring. During the temporary dosing suspension, AT levels, TG, bleeding events, and frequency of factor replacement and bypassing agents were assessed. Methods Before the dosing suspension, 33 patients (hemophilia A=27, hemophilia B=6) were enrolled, of whom 28 patients continued treatment over 20 months in the Phase 2 OLE study, with a median of 11 months on study. As of June 2018, data collected monthly during the clinical hold included AT levels, TG, and description and management of treated bleeding events before and during the clinical hold, which were used to estimate annualized bleeding rates (ABRs) and bleeding rates per month. Results AT activity in patients previously receiving fitusiran demonstrated a progressive increase during the interruption of fitusiran dosing. Median %AT increased to >60% after a 5-month period compared with the last data point before dosing interruption. These data confirm our previous findings that discontinuation of fitusiran results in gradual recovery of AT activity over time. Subjects also demonstrated a concomitant steady decrease in TG during the interruption of fitusiran dosing, which occurred over a similar time course to that of AT recovery. Consistent with both the increase in AT activity and decrease in TG, preliminary analysis shows the median overall ABR increased from 1.43 events/year before the dosing interruption to 6.07 events/year during the dosing interruption. Conclusions During a period of fitusiran dosing suspension, recovery of AT activity was accompanied by a decrease in TG and an increase in bleeding events. These observations provide support for the therapeutic hypothesis that AT activity lowering by fitusiran leads to an increase in TG and improved hemostasis. Phase 3 studies of fitusiran are ongoing. Disclosures Ragni: Bioverativ: Consultancy, Research Funding; MOGAM: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CSL Behring: Research Funding; SPARK: Consultancy, Research Funding; Shire: Research Funding; Alnylam: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novo Nordisk: Research Funding; Sangamo: Research Funding; Biomarin: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Georgiev:Alnylam: Consultancy. Lissitchkov:Novo Nordisk: Other: Investigator fees as a participant of the clinical trial. Austin:Pfizer: Research Funding. Chowdary:Novo Nordisk: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; CSL Behring: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Freeline: Consultancy; Bayer: Honoraria; Baxalta (Shire): Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi): Honoraria; Biogen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Foster:Sanofi Genzyme: Employment. Yu:Sanofi Genzyme: Employment. Benson:Sanofi Genzyme: Employment. Madigan:Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc: Employment. Nguyen:Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc: Employment. Ali:Sanofi Genzyme: Employment. Kadam:Sanofi Genzyme: Employment. Jain:Sanofi Genzyme: Employment. Pasi:Octapharma: Honoraria; Catalyst Bio: Honoraria; Bayer: Speakers Bureau; Shire: Speakers Bureau; NovoNordisk: Speakers Bureau; Sobi: Honoraria; Apcintex: Honoraria; Biomarin: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau; Alnylam: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bioverativ: Honoraria, Research Funding.

Background: Interferon-alpha (IFN) is being used in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) since years and remains the only known treatment with disease-modifying potential. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b (Ropeg) is a novel mono-pegylated IFN, with reduced dosing frequency and improved tolerability. Here, we report 3 years clinical data from the phase III PROUD/CONTI-PV trials with an additional emphasis on the first comprehensive, prospective, randomized, controlled genomic profiling including not only JAK2V617F, but longitudinal targeted sequencing to identify non-JAK somatic mutations and chromosomal aberrations. Study design: 254 PV patients (WHO 2008 criteria, naïve to cytoreduction or HU pretreated but not resistant) were randomized to receive Ropeg or hydroxyurea (HU) in the PROUD-PV study and were rolled over to CONTI-PV study after 12 months, with the option to switch from HU to best-available-therapy (BAT). Efficacy assessment included complete hematological response (CHR, by ELN criteria), and CHR plus symptom improvement (PV-related symptoms and signs including clinically significant splenomegaly). Secondary endpoints included JAK2V617F molecular response (MR, modified ELN criteria). Next-generation-sequencing (NGS, TruSight Myeloid Panel, Illumina) and genome-wide analysis (SNP 6.0, Affymetrix) was applied comprehensively as exploratory genetic work-up. Results: 83 (Ropeg) and 70 (HU/BAT) patients completed the 36-month efficacy analysis time point, mean treatment duration for safety analysis was 3.8 years. Median doses in the third year remained constant: 425 µg Ropeg every 2 weeks and 1,000 mg HU per day. In the HU/BAT arm over 97% of patients remained treated with HU. After 36 months of treatment, maintenance of higher responder rates (full analysis set) was shown in the Ropeg arm compared to HU/BAT for CHR (70.5% vs. 51.4%; p=0.0122; RR [95% CI]: 1.38 [1.07-1.79]) and for CHR plus symptom improvement (52.6% vs. 37.8%; p=0.0437; RR [95% CI]: 1.42 [1.01-2.00]). In contrast to HU/BAT, response rates were steadily increasing in the Ropeg arm throughout 24 months of treatment and remained constant after 36 months. Regarding safety, comparable numbers of patients experienced adverse events (89.8% for Ropeg, 90.6% for HU) and treatment-related adverse events (74.8% for Ropeg, 78.7% for HU). The most common (>10%) treatment-related adverse events anemia, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia occurred more frequently under HU, whereas GGT increase was mainly observed under Ropeg. No new safety signals appeared in the third year of treatment. Regarding JAK2V617F, after 36 months 66.0% of patients in the Ropeg arm but only 27.0% in the HU/BAT arm had achieved MR (p In line with these molecular findings, disease or treatment related secondary malignancies occurred only in the HU cohort, including 2 cases of acute myeloid leukemia, 1 melanoma and 2 basaliomas, whereas in the Ropeg cohort 3 malignancies (glioblastoma, seminoma, adrenal neoplasm) most likely unrelated to IFNa treatment were reported. For one case of AML detailed longitudinal analysis revealed loss of JAK2V617F followed by rapid acquisition of DNMT3A and U2AF1 mutations shortly prior onset of leukemia. Conclusions: These data demonstrate high and durable hematologic responses and symptom control with good tolerability under Ropeg. The effect not only on JAK2V617F but other mutations involved in MPNs and on cytogentic aberrations confirm the concept of disease modification capability of IFNa. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b will provide a valuable and safe new long-term treatment option with features distinct from other treatment modalities including HU. Disclosures Gisslinger: Janssen Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria; AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Shire: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Klade:AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG: Employment. Georgiev:Alnylam: Consultancy. Mayer:Roche: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Johnson & Johnson: Research Funding; Eisai: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding. Krejcy:AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Grohmann-Izay:AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG: Employment. Hasselbalch:Novartis: Research Funding. Kralovics:MyeloPro Diagnostics and Research GmbH: Equity Ownership. Kiladjian:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AOP Orphan: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

Background: Development of inhibitory antibodies, also known as "inhibitors," to replacement factor is considered the most serious unmet need in hemophilia and occurs in up to 30% of persons with severe hemophilia A, and 3-5% of persons with severe hemophilia B. Once inhibitors are present in high titer, treatment or prevention of bleeding can become more difficult due to the decreased responsiveness to factor concentrates, requiring bypassing agents (BPA) for bleed management. Current BPAs have a short half-life and are sub-optimally effective. Fitusiran is a subcutaneously (SC) administered investigational RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic targeting the endogenous anticoagulant antithrombin (AT) as a means to improve thrombin generation and promote hemostasis in patients with hemophilia. Preliminary data from an ongoing Phase 1, multi-center, study showed that fitusiran was generally well tolerated in patients with hemophilia A or B with and without inhibitors and that administration of once-monthly SC doses of fitusiran led to dose-dependent AT lowering, thrombin generation increase, and decrease in bleeding frequency (Pasi KJ, et al. Haemophilia 2016, 22[Suppl 4]). Here we report the updated safety, pharmacodynamic (PD) effect, and clinical activity of fitusiran in patients with hemophilia with inhibitors as well as long term data from the Phase 1/2 extension study. Methods: We are conducting a multi-center Phase 1, four part (Part A: healthy volunteers; Parts B and C: patients with moderate to severe hemophilia A or B; Part D: patients with hemophilia A or B with inhibitors) study (NCT02035605) followed by a multi-center Phase 1/2 extension study (NCT02554773). Primary endpoints include safety and tolerability; secondary endpoints include AT activity, thrombin generation and exploratory evaluation of bleed pattern. In Part D, patients with inhibitors received once-monthly SC fixed doses of 50 or 80mg fitusiran. After receiving 3 monthly doses in the Phase 1 study, all patients were eligible to continue monthly dosing in the Phase 1/2 extension study. Utilization of BPA for breakthrough bleed management was permissible in these patients. Results: Part D of the Phase 1 study included 12 hemophilia A or B patients with inhibitors in 2 dosing cohorts (50mg SC, qM dosing cohort, n=6; 80mg SC, qM dosing cohort, n=6). Within the 50mg dosing cohort there were five patients with severe hemophilia A with inhibitors and one patient with severe hemophilia B with inhibitors; mean age: 33 ± 7 years; mean weight: 73 ± 17kg. Previously reported safety data from the 50mg dosing cohort demonstrated fitusiran was generally well tolerated in hemophilia A or B patients with inhibitors and that there were no serious adverse events related to study drug and no thromboembolic events. Monthly administration of fitusiran at the 50mg dose led to a mean maximal AT lowering of 81 ± 2% and mean maximal thrombin generation increase of 368 ± 113%. A preliminary, post-hoc analysis suggested a 49-100% reduction in bleeding frequency at the lower dose of 50mg during initial follow-up in the Phase 1 study. As of July 2016, the 80mg dose cohort has been fully enrolled and includes 6 patients with hemophilia A with inhibitors; mean age: 39 ± 15 years; mean weight: 75 ± 19kg, and 5 of the 6 patients in the initial 50mg cohort have transitioned to the Phase 1/2 extension study. Follow-up in the Phase 1, 80mg cohort and Phase 1/2 extension study is ongoing. Updated safety, tolerability and clinical activity from the Phase 1 and Phase 1/2 extension studies among all 12 patients with inhibitors will be presented. Conclusions: Emerging clinical data suggest that targeting AT is generally safe and could be a promising approach for promoting hemostasis in patients with hemophilia with inhibitors. Furthermore, the potential for low volume SC administration, monthly dosing, and applicability to patients with hemophilia A and B with and without inhibitors make fitusiran a potentially encouraging investigational therapy. Disclosures Pasi: Biogen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Octapharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Genzyme: Consultancy, Honoraria; SOBI: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Georgiev: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Chowdary: Bayer: Honoraria; Baxalta: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sobi: Honoraria; Biogen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CSL Behring: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novo Nordisk: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Ragni: Novo Nordisk: Research Funding; Biomarin: Consultancy; Biogen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; SPARK: Research Funding; Baxalta: Research Funding; CSL Behring: Research Funding; Shire: Consultancy; Vascular Medicine Institute: Research Funding; Tacere Benitec: Consultancy; OPKO: Research Funding. Soh: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership. Akinc: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership. Partisano: Alnylam: Employment, Equity Ownership. Sorenson: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership.

Background: Hemophilia A and B are bleeding disorders characterized by a profound defect in thrombin generation (TG). Furthermore, in the presence of normal levels of endogenous anticoagulants a deficiency in factor VIII and IX results in major hemostatic imbalance and a bleeding phenotype. ALN-AT3 is a subcutaneously administered investigational RNAi therapeutic targeting the endogenous anticoagulant antithrombin (AT) that aims to restore the hemostatic balance by increasing TG. Methods: We are conducting a phase 1 multi-center study (NCT02035605) in healthy volunteers and patients with moderate to severe hemophilia A or B. Part A of this study has been completed and assessed a single ascending dose study in healthy volunteers. Parts B and C are multiple ascending dose studies in patients with hemophilia who are receiving weekly or monthly dosing, respectively. Primary endpoints are safety and tolerability. Secondary endpoints include PK, AT knockdown; change in thrombin generation and whole blood clot formation as measured by Calibrated Automated Thrombin generation and ROTEM thromboelastometry. Exploratory endpoints include evaluations of bleed pattern and control. Results: Part A enrolled 4 healthy volunteers, randomized (3:1) to 30 mcg/kg ALN-AT3 or placebo; no serious adverse events (SAE) or injection site reactions were observed. A total of 12 patients with severe hemophilia (10 hemohilia A; 2 hemophilia B) were enrolled in Part B and received 3 weekly subcutaneous doses of ALN-AT3 at 15 (n=3), 45 (n=6), and 75 (n=3) mcg/kg. Similar to part A, weekly administration of ALT-AT3 was generally safe and well tolerated in patients with hemophilia; no SAEs, discontinuations, clinical thromboembolic events or clinically significant D-dimer increases were reported. In the 75 mcg/kg dosing cohort, the mean maximum AT knockdown was 59% (p Conclusions: Emerging clinical data suggest that targeting AT could be a promising approach for restoring hemostatic balance in hemophilia. The potential for low volume subcutaneous administration, monthly dosing, and applicability to patients with hemophilia A and B with and without inhibitors make ALN-AT3 a potentially encouraging investigational therapy. Disclosures Pasi: Octapharma: Research Funding; Biogen, Octapharma, Genzyme, and Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria. Off Label Use: ALN-AT3 is an investigational RNAi therapeutic targeting the endogenous anticoagulant antithrombin.. Mant:Quintiles: Employment, Equity Ownership. Creagh:Bayer Healthcare UK: Honoraria. Austin:SOBI: Other: member of advisory board and received educational support; Pfizer: Other: member of advisory board and received educational support; Novo Nordisk: Other: member of advisory board and received educational support; CSL Behring: Other: member of advisory board and received educational support; Bio Products Laboratory: Other: member of advisory board and received educational support; Bayer: Other: member of advisory board and received educational support; Baxter: Other: member of advisory board and received educational support. Brand:Alnylam: Honoraria. Chowdary:Bayer: Consultancy; Biogen Idec: Consultancy; Baxter: Consultancy; CSL Behring: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novo Nordisk: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; SOBI: Consultancy. Ragni:Tacere Benitec: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Alnylam: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Biogen: Research Funding; Shire: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Dimension: Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding; SPARK: Research Funding; Genentech Roche: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Vascular Medicine Institute: Research Funding; Baxalta: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Biomarin: Research Funding; CSL Behring: Research Funding. Chen:Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership. Akinc:Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership. Sorensen:Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership. Rangarajan:Octapharma: Other: Investigator.

Lexaptepid pegol (LP) is a PEGylated L-stereoisomer RNA aptamer that binds and neutralizes hepcidin. Hepcidin, a 25 amino acid peptide induced by inflammatory stimuli is a pivotal regulator of iron resorption and iron release from intracellular stores, which are severely impaired in anemia of chronic disease. Disturbances in iron metabolism resulting in functional iron deficiency are a key component of anemia of chronic disease which frequently complicates malignant disease. We evaluated the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety and efficacy of hepcidin blockade by LP as sole treatment of anemia of chronic disease in patients with multiple myeloma, low grade Non-, or Hodgkin lymphoma. Twelve patients with functional iron deficiency anemia with the following baseline characteristics, presented as median (range), were enrolled: age 64 years (35-77), Hb 9.6 g/dL (8.0-10.7), serum ferritin 317 µg/L (193-2805), serum iron 29 µg/dL (18-97), TSAT 12% (6-46). LP was injected i.v. at a dose of 1.2 mg/mg, TIW for 4 weeks. Blood counts, serum biochemistry, and iron status were evaluated weekly until two weeks post treatment and at week four after the end of therapy. The primary endpoint was increase in Hb by ≥1 g/dL at any time between start of therapy until 1 week after end of treatment. The study has the clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT 01691040. Five of the 12 patients reached the target Hb increase of ≥1 g/dL, 3 patients achieved this goal within 2 weeks. Four of the 5 responding patients had hypochromic anemia (MCH 22-26 pg) and moderately increased baseline ferritin levels (200-350 µg/L). Median serum ferritin decreased from 317 to 232 µg/L (p=0.014) in the entire cohort of patients, and from 253 to 203 µg/L in responders (p=n.s). Reticulocyte hemoglobin increased from 22.0 to 25.2 pg (p=0.019) in responding patients, while in non-responders no increase was noted (30.0 to 30.1 pg). Similarly, a trend to increased reticulocyte index was observed in the responding patients (median: 0.9 to 1.3, p=n.s.) only. Soluble transferrin receptor levels (sTFR) showed a trend to decrease in responders (10.6 to 10.3 mg/L, p=n.s.), but remained unchanged in non-responders. Treatment with LP was well tolerated without major adverse reactions. In conclusion, LP induced a significant increase in Hb levels (≥1 g/dL) in 5 of 12 patients. Responding patients showed an increase in red cell and reticulocyte hemoglobin, and decrease in sTFR. These results support the concept of hepcidin inhibition for treatment of cancer associated anemia with functional iron deficiency. Patients with signs of iron deficiency as documented by hypochromic anemia, no excessive increase in ferritin and high sTFR levels showed a higher likelihood to respond to LP. Citation Format: Pencho Georgiev, Mihaela Lazaroiu, Luminita Ocroteala, Janet Grudeva-Popova, Emanuil Gheorghita, Mariana Vasilica, Sanda M Popescu, Andrei Cucuianu, Luciana Summo, Frank Schwoebel, Kai Riecke, Heinz Ludwig. The anti-hepcidin Spiegelmer® Lexaptepid Pegol (NOX-H94) as treatment of anemia of chronic disease in patients with multiple myeloma, low grade lymphoma, and CLL: A phase II pilot study. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3847. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3847

Background: Interferon alfa (IFNa) based therapies have been successfully applied in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) for over thirty years. Several uncontrolled phase II trials have independently shown high rates of hematologic, splenic and sustained mutant JAK2 molecular responses in Polycythemia vera (PV) patients. However, a head-to-head assessment versus other treatment options in confirmatory trials has been lacking so far. Here we report 12 month data from a randomized controlled phase III trial comparing the novel, long-acting Ropeginterferon alfa-2b (AOP2014) with hydroxyurea (HU) in PV patients. Study design: Randomized, controlled, parallel group multicenter phase III trial assessing efficacy, safety and tolerability in patients diagnosed with PV according to WHO2008 criteria, either naïve to cytoreduction or HU experienced (but neither intolerant nor complete responders, cumulative HU exposure max. 3 years). The primary endpoint was non-inferiority of AOP2014 vs. HU at 12 months of therapy in terms of complete hematological response (CHR) rate. CHR was defined as normal hematocrit, leukocyte and platelet counts, spleen size and absence of phlebotomy in the preceding 3 months. As important secondary endpoint the effect of treatment on mutant JAK2 allele burden was assessed as rate of complete and partial molecular response (C/PMR) rate according to modified ELN criteria. Both cohorts are followed up further maintaining the original randomization for assessing effects of prolonged therapy. Results: 257 patients were randomized in 48 sites in 13 European countries and treated with response-driven escalating doses of either AOP2014, or HU. 62% of patients were naïve to cytoreduction, 38% HU experienced; 19% had a previous thrombotic event. Response-driven dose escalation was done in both treatment arms applying up to 10 dose levels (50-500µg AOP2014 every other week, or 250-3000 mg HU daily). Both treatments were well tolerated. The drop-out rate after 12 months was low with ~15% in both arms, the majority of drop-outs were due to administrative reasons (bi-weekly hospital visits). This presentation will provide the detailed analysis of primary and secondary endpoints of the trial, which is still blinded as of 4th Aug 2016. Preliminary pooled analysis revealed that at 12 months 45% of patients had a hematologic response: mean Hct values dropped from 48% to 42%, leukocyte counts from 12 to 6 *109/L and platelets from 530 to 260 *109/L. Need for phlebotomy within 3 months dropped from 86% to 6%. 37% of patients achieved a JAK2 molecular response (PMR or CMR), mean mutant JAK2 allele burden went from 42,5% to 28,7%. Conclusions: This is the first phase III trial formally assessing efficacy, safety and tolerability of Ropeginterferon alfa-2b versus HU. Both cohorts are followed-up for prolonged treatment duration, and it is expected that the currently available and emerging data will establish the role of Ropeginterferon alfa-2b as first-line treatment for PV. Disclosures Gisslinger: AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG, Novartis, Celgene, Baxalta: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Klade:AOP Orphan: Employment. Georgiev:Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Illes:University of Debrecen faculty of medicine department of hematology: Employment. Mayer:AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Grohmann-Izay:AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG: Employment. Kralovics:AOP Orphan: Research Funding; Qiagen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kiladjian:Novartis: Research Funding; AOP Orphan: Research Funding.