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BACKGROUND Optimization of chemotherapy regimens in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) has led to increase the frequency of cases with complete response (CR). Nonetheless, many MM patients still experience relapse, suggesting that CR represents a suboptimal response criteria, and that new therapeutic strategies are needed after single transplant. However, the role of double autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) as new adjunctive strategy remains to be elucidated. Indeed, we investigated the role of minimal residual disease (MRD) and log-reduction of plasma cells (PCs) as predictors of outcome and in quantifying the degree of tumor reduction after any ASCT. METHODS MRD and log-reduction were assessed by a six-color flow cytometry (FC) at different time-points: post induction, post first-, and post-second ASCT. RESULTS A significant difference was evidenced among the three time points for both log-reduction (P < 0.001) and MRD (P = 0.005). MRD levels after double ASCT were lower than MRD levels achieved after single ASCT (P = 0.005) and after induction (P < 0.001). Frequency of MRD positive patients after double ASCT was significantly lower rather than after the first ASCT (P = 0.008) and after induction (P = 0.004). Interestingly, a significant reduction of PFS was observed in patients with an unfavorable-risk cytogenetic (P < 0.001) and patients with MRD over 0.01% (P = 0.001) as well as log-reduction lower than 2.57 (P = 0.018) after double ASCT. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that a better clearance of myeloma cells is observed after the double ASCT, and a longer PFS is associated with a lower MRD. © 2018 International Clinical Cytometry Society.

Background Nowadays minimal residual disease (MRD) and log-reduction of leukemic cells are poorly investigated in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated with hypometilating agents (HMAs). Studies focusing on MRD in elderly AML patients who received HMAs are scant and devoid of rigorous criteria for both enrollment and monitoring. Log-reduction has never been investigated in these patients. Thus, the purpose of our study was to compare the prognostic impact of MRD and log-reduction of leukemic cells at the optimal time of assessment in older AML patients. Methods Elderly patients who completed at least six cycles of HMAs and showed suitable leukemia-associated immunophenotypes (LAIPs) for the MRD and log-reduction assessment by flow cytometry were enrolled in the study. Results After comparing the times of assessment C4 (4-cycles) and C6 (6-cycles), C6 has been chosen as optimal. Patients who achieved MRD negativity or 2-log-reduction of leukemic cells at C6 had a significantly longer DFS. Particularly, results of 2-log-reduction were confirmed a multivariate analysis. Patients with MRD negativity or 2-log reduction of leukemic cells showed an improvement of their OS, although not significantly. Conclusions Our data confirmed the predictive role of MRD and 2-log reduction also in older AML patients treated with HMAs.

Introduction: In patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), a short course of steroids is routinely given as first-line therapy. However, the response is often transient and additional therapy is usually needed. Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) are frequently used as second-line therapy, although there is little clinical guidance on the timing of their administration and on tapering/discontinuation of the drug. To provide clinical recommendations, we used the Delphi technique to obtain consensus for statements regarding administration and on tapering/discontinuation of second-line TPO-RAs among a group of Italian clinicians with expertise in management of ITP. Methods: The Delphi process was used to obtain agreement on five statements regarding initiation and on tapering/discontinuation of second-line TPO-RAs. Agreement was considered when 75% of participants approved the statement. Eleven experts participated in the voting. Results: Full consensus was reached for three of the five statements. The experts held that an early switch from corticosteroids to a TPO-RA has the dual advantage of sparing patients from corticosteroid abuse and improve long-term clinical outcomes. All felt that dose reduction of TPO-RAs can be considered in patients with a stable response and platelet count >100 × 109/L that is maintained for at least 6 months in the absence of concomitant treatments, although there was less agreement in patients with a platelet count >50 × 109/L. Near consensus was reached regarding the statement that early treatment with a TPO-RA is associated with an increase in clinically significant partial or complete response. The experts also agreed that optimization of tapering and discontinuation of TPO-RA therapy in selected patients can improve the quality of life. Conclusion: The present consensus can help to provide guidance on use of TPO-RAs in daily practice in patients with ITP. Plain language summary Second-line administration of thrombopoietin receptor agonists in immune thrombocytopenia There is little guidance on the timing of administration and tapering/discontinuation of thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The Delphi technique was used to obtain consensus for five statements. The present consensus among Italian clinicians aims to provide guidance on second-line use of TPO-RAs for patients with ITP in daily practice.

The standard management for relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is salvage therapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). This strategy allows almost 50% of patients to be cured. Post-ASCT maintenance treatment with brentuximab vedotin (BV) confers improved progression-free survival (PFS) to cHL patients at high risk of relapse. We investigated the outcome of 105 cHL patients receiving post-ASCT BV maintenance in the real-life setting of 23 Italian hematology centers. This population included naïve patients and those previously exposed to BV. Median follow-up was 20 months. Patients presented a median of two lines of treatment pre-ASCT, with 51% receiving BV. Twenty-nine percent of patients had at least two high-risk factors (refractory disease, complete response [CR] less than 12 months, extranodal disease at relapse), while 16% presented none. At PET-CT, a Deauville score (DS) of 1-3 was reported in 75% and 78% of pre- and post-ASCT evaluations, respectively. Grade 3-4 adverse events (AEs), mainly peripheral neuropathy, were observed in 16% of patients. Three-year PFS and overall survival (OS) were 62% and 86%, respectively. According to BV exposure, 3-year PFS and OS were 54% and 71%, respectively, for naïve and 77% and 96%, respectively, for previously exposed patients. Refractory disease (hazard ratio [HR] 4.46; p = 0.003) and post-ASCT DS 4-5 (HR 3.14; p = 0.005) were the only two factors significantly associated with PFS reduction in multivariable analysis. Post-ASCT BV maintenance is an effective, safe treatment option for cHL naïve patients and those previously exposed to BV.

Objective and methods In order to assess the efficacy of brentuximab vedotin (Bv) in combination with bendamustine (B) in multiple relapsed or refractory (RR) classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), medical records of 47 patients treated with BvB in second relapse or beyond were reviewed. Results The median number of previous treatments was 2 (1-4). Bv was given at 1.8 mg/kg on day 1 and bendamustine at 90 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2 of a 21-day cycle. The median number of BvB cycles was 4 (2-7), and all patients were evaluable for efficacy. The CR and OR rates were 49% and 79%, respectively; 67% of responding patients and 2 in stable disease proceeded to a SCT procedure. After a median follow-up of 19 months (5-47), median PFS was 18 months (95%CI: 23-29), and the 2-year OS was 72%. Significantly longer PFS and OS were observed in patients attaining a major clinical response to treatment and in those who received consolidation with SCT. Fifteen (32%) patients experienced severe (G > 2) toxicity. The main toxicities were neutropenia (23%), gastrointestinal (10%), peripheral sensory neuropathy (11%), and infection (4%). Conclusion Our real-world results suggest that BvB is an effective third-line rescue and bridge-to-transplant regimen for RR-cHL patients.

Brentuximab vedotin (BV) shows a high overall response rate (ORR) in relapsed/refractory (R/R) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) after autologous transplant (ASCT). The aim of this multicenter study, conducted in nine Hematology Departments of Rete Ematologica Pugliese, was to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of BV as salvage therapy and as bridge regimen to ASCT or allogeneic transplant (alloSCT) in R/R HL patients. Seventy patients received BV. Forty-five patients (64%) were treated with BV as bridge to transplant:16 (23%) patients as bridge to ASCT and 29 (41%) as bridge to alloSCT. Twenty-five patients (36%), not eligible for transplant, received BV as salvage treatment. The ORR was 59% (CR 26%). The ORR in transplant naive patients was 75% (CR 31%). In patients treated with BV as bridge to alloSCT, the ORR was 62% (CR 24%). In a multivariate analysis, the ORR was lower in refractory patients (p

Severe ADAMTS13 deficiency (activity

Introduction Ibrutinib is the only once-daily Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor with significant survival benefit vs chemo- and /or immunotherapy in multiple phase 3 studies of patients (pts) with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It has profoundly changed the treatment landscape of CLL with the longest follow-up. However, seven years (yrs) after ibrutinib was approved in Italy by regulatory agencies for CLL treatment, available data on the patterns of care of such pts in the setting of clinical practice is limited. Herein we present the first interim analysis (IA) of EVIdeNCE (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03720561), a multicenter, observational clinical study designed to describe the current management of pts receiving ibrutinib in real-world setting in Italy in terms of retention rate: the study's primary end point. Methods EVIDENCE 312 treatment-naïve (TN) 38% and relapsed/refractory (R/R) 62% pts with CLL according to the iwCLL diagnosis criteria observed at 39 Italian hematological institutions in the period between November 2018 and October 2019. Inclusion criteria were treatment with ibrutinib according to the European Summary of Product Characteristics as per routine clinical practice started within the previous 3 months. The purpose of this IA is to provide demographics and disease characteristics at baseline and a preliminary evaluation of ibrutinib retention rate after one year of follow-up, along with its safety profile. Results The median age of pts at the time of ibrutinib initiation was 71.0 yrs (range 41.0-89.0), with 60% ≥70 yrs, 63.2% male, and 90% with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance 0-1. Baseline Rai stage 0-I, II, and III-IV accounted for 18.3%, 29.7% and 52.1% pts, respectively. Patients in stage IV were observed in 40% of the R/R and 27% in TN subgroup. Considering 120 pts with known mutational status, del(17p) and/or TP53 mutation were present in 50.0% of pts (TN=52.1%, R/R=48.6%), while IGHV was unmutated in 35.0% (TN=33.3% and R/R=36.15) and mutated in 15.0% (TN=14.6%, R/R=15.3%). At baseline, 62.9% of pts had comorbidities and 30.6% presented with a history of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A CIRS score ≥6 was observed in 28.5% of pts. The median time from CLL diagnosis to the start of ibrutinib was 5.1 yrs (TN 1.75 yrs vs R/R 7.27 yrs). At least 1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) of any grade was experienced by 70.7% of pts. Frequencies were as follows: infections (30.8%; COVID-19 infections 3.2%), arthralgia (10.8%), neutropenia (9.3%), fatigue (8.4%), diarrhea (7.7%), atrial fibrillation (7.4%; grade 3-4, 4.2%), fever (7.1%), rash (6.4%), anemia (6.1%) and hypertension (4.2%). Mild bleeding TEAEs were reported in 16.1% of pts with no major bleeding event. TEAEs were more frequent in the elderly (≥65 yrs) while no significant differences in the rate of TEAEs were recorded in TN and R/R pts (69.7% vs 71.4%, respectively). Serious TEAEs were reported in 21.9% of pts. Overall in intention to treat (ITT), 32 deaths (10%) were observed (TN=8, R/R=24). The most common causes of death were infections (3.5%) and progressive disease (PD) (1.9%). Permanent discontinuation was observed in 56 (18%) of the pts (TN=17.2%, R/R=18.7%) and it mostly occurred within the first 6 months. Main causes of discontinuation were toxicity (6.1%), PD (3.8%) or death (3.5%). Temporary interruptions (≤ 3 months without therapy and/or dose modifications) during the whole observation period occurred in 30.3% (TN=35.3%, R/R=27.2%) and 37.7% (TN=37.5%, R/R=37.8%) of pts, respectively, mainly determined by toxicity and clinical judgment. Finally, in this first IA after 17.3 months (range 1.1 - 27.0) median follow-up, the ibrutinib retention rate (calculated as the ratio between the number of patients who retained ibrutinib treatment over the total number of patients at risk) at 1-year was 81.9% [95% confidence interval (CI), 77.2% - 86.1%] with no difference between TN 83.2% (95% CI, 75.2% - 89.4%) and R/R 81.2% pts (95% CI, 74.9% - 86.4%). Conclusions EVIDENCE is the first real-world study of ibrutinib use in CLL clinical practice in Italy. Ibrutinib retention rate at one-year suggests a better knowledge and expertise of hematologists in the management of ibrutinib-related toxicities that may result in an improved long-term outcome of pts with CLL. Disclosures Molica: Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Astrazeneca: Honoraria. Scarfo: Astra Zeneca: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Travel grants. Murru: Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel and accommodation; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Sportoletti: AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria. Frigeri: Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Speakers Bureau. Sanna: Janssen: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy. Coscia: Janssen: Honoraria, Other, Research Funding; AbbVie: Honoraria, Other; AstraZeneca: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria. Reda: Abbvie: Consultancy; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy; Beigene: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy. Tafuri: Novartis: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Grugnetti: Janssen: Current Employment. Magarotto: Janssen: Current Employment. Mauro: Tskeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau.

We here report final results of a phase II/III prospective study that evaluated in Multiple Myeloma the use of on-demand plerixafor (PLX) added to mobilizing chemotherapy for patients showing predictive signs of mobilization failure. A total of 111 patients with MM were registered, all received cyclophosphamide 4 g/m2 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Overall, a successful CD34+ cell mobilization was achieved in 97.2% (108/111) of patients. Minimum harvest (≥2.0 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg) was achieved in 97.2% (108/111) and optimal harvest success (≥4.0 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg) was achieved in 84.6% (94/111). Multivariate analysis showed that patients who received on-demand PLX treatment had significantly higher likelihoods of successfully achieving both the minimal (p = .006) and optimal harvest (p = .05) in respect to a historical control group mobilized without any PLX. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, for each 1% increase in probability of achieving a successful minimal harve...

Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) are currently indicated for continuous treatment of chronic primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, there is growing evidence that TPO-RAs can also trigger sustained response in 10-30% of cases after treatment tapering and discontinuation. Therefore, at least for selected responding patients, it might be rational to plan TPO-RA interruption to exploit off-treatment response. Intriguingly, complete or partial responses with TPO-RAs are frequently observed when treatments are initiated early, suggesting that unknown immune-related mechanisms may be involved in this phenomenon. The sustained responses observed after interruption of TPO-RAs may be interpreted as a recovery of immunological tolerance; thus, the re-establishment of immunological equilibrium might be primarily responsible for the observed off-treatment effect. Importantly, these findings may indicate that anticipated TPO-RA usage can lead to improved responses, and that optimized tapering and interruption in selected patients can furthermore improve prognoses. On the base of this rationale, a series of real-life considerations have been generated by a panel of Experts to elucidate possible novel criteria and modalities to identify subgroups of patients who can benefit from tapering and/or discontinuation of TPO-RAs. Towards this aim, the results of a survey of ITP experts are herein reported, reflecting a snapshot of current real-life experience on early discontinuation of TPO-RA-based therapy. The present manuscript also highlights the importance of future translational studies on novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers that can stratify patients and facilitate the clinical choice for second-line treatment of ITP.

Background The assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD) by flow cytometry (FC) has a prognostic impact in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), despite the low sensitivity in predicting relapse. Nonetheless, the role of leukemic-associated immunophenotypes (LAIPs)-related specificity on the sensitivity of MRD has not been clarified yet. In this respect, we accomplished this study. Methods LAIP-frequencies of bone marrow samples from healthy donors and patients after treatment were quantified and subdivided in "categories of specificity" named as: "strong," "good," and "weak." At the following, the diagnostic performance of MRD was investigated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, likelihood ratio (LR). Results "Strong" LAIPs were identified by CD7, CD2, CD4, and CD56 markers while "weak" LAIPs, independently of coexpressed markers, were mainly observed in CD33+ cells. MRD identified patients with significantly low DFS and OS but showed a low sensitivity in predicting relapse. Interestingly, majority of recurrences was noticed in patients with two LAIPs and lacking of "strong" LAIPs or only with one "good" LAIP. Thus, only patients showing one "strong" or two "good" LAIPs were considered suitable for MRD monitoring and selected to be further investigated. In this subset, positive MRD predicted a poor prognosis. Moreover, a higher sensitivity, negative predictive value (NPV) and LR- were observed after comparison with the previous series. Conclusions These data highlight the relevant role of LAIP classification in "categories of specificity" in improving the sensitivity of MRD as assessed by FC.

e19514 Background: Lower-intensity regimens, such as hypomethylating agents (HMAs) are better tolerated and more effective than standard chemotherapy in elderly patients( > 65 years old) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Scoring systems to predict clinical outcome in these patients are mainly based on cytogenetic assays and morphological response to therapy. Minimal residual disease (MRD) represents a powerful risk- stratification in younger AML patients but it remains poorly investigated in older patients, particularly in those undergone HMAs. In this subset, the survival benefit is not limited to patients achieving morphologic complete remission (CR). The clearance of leukemic blasts was never be valued as a predictive parameter of outcome in older patients. Thus, in this study we evaluated the most effective and predictive factor of outcome at the optimal time-point among leukemic blasts clearance by flow cytometry (FC), MRD and morphological response in older patients treated with HMAs. Methods: From april 2015 to may 2019, 76 older patients ( > 60 years old) with newly diagnosed AML were treated con azacitidine and decitabine. Among them, 56 completed at least six cycles but 31were properly monitored by FC. Log Clearance was defined as logarithmic ratio between the percentage of blast cells at specific time point and that at the diagnosis. Results: A total of 31 elderly patients with a median age 72 (60-85) were evaluated after 4(T4) and 6(T6) cycles of HMAs. A Median of 10 cycles were administered, equally distributed between azacitidine and decitabine. A higher frequency of CR (73.3%vs 20%) and MRD negativity (16.6% vs 0) was found at T6 compared to T4, thus T6 was chosen for the analysis. Performance status (PS > 2),Hgb < 10 g/dl, MRD positivity and a Log-reduction lower than 2 log predicted a significantly shorter DFS at univariate analysis. However, Log-reduction and PS only confirmed to predict a short DFS also at multivariate analysis, together with CRi (CR with incomplete recovery) and partial remission (PR). When the OS was investigated, only PS represented a strong indicator of prognosis at both univariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Our results suggest that patients achieving 2 Log at least of blasts-reduction by FC had a longer DFS. Dynamic monitoring of blast –reduction stratified better and more widely than the absolute value of MRD in older AML patients. Having a high PS and achieving a CRi instead of a CR showed an unfavorable outcome in terms of both DFS and OS

The PLASMIC score for the prediction of a likelihood of a severe ADAMTS13 deficiency represents a valid pre-test diagnostic tool to identify patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

High-dose chemotherapy (HDT) with autologous stem cell transplantation is the standard of care for relapsed/refractory (RR) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Given that HDT may cure a sizeable proportion of patients refractory to first salvage, development of newer conditioning regimens remains a priority. We present the results of a novel HDT regimen in which carmustine was substituted by a third-generation chloroethylnitrosourea, fotemustine, with improved pharmacokinetics and safety (FEAM; fotemustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) in 122 patients with RR-HL accrued into a prospective registry-based study. Application of FEAM resulted in a 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) of 73·8% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0·64-0·81] with median PFS, overall survival and time to progression yet to be reached. The 2-year risk of progression adjusted for the competitive risk of death was 19·4% (95% CI, 0·12-0·27) for the entire patient population. Most previously established independent risk factors, except for fluorodeoxyglucose ((18) (F) FDG)-uptake, were unable to predict for disease progression and survival after FEAM. Although 32% of patients had (18) (F) FDG-positrin emission tomography-positive lesions before HDT, the 2-year risk of progression adjusted for competitive risk of death was 19·4% (95% CI; 0·12-0·27). No unusual acute toxicities or early/late pulmonary adverse events were registered. FEAM emerges as an ideal HDT regimen for RR-HL patients typically pre-exposed to lung-damaging treatments.

Summary To date, no prospective study on Plerixafor ‘on-demand’ in combination with chemotherapy and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been reported. We present an interim analysis of the first prospective study in which Plerixafor was administered on-demand in patients affected by multiple myeloma and lymphoma who received high dose cyclophosphamide or DHAP (dexamethasone, cytarabine, cisplatin) plus G-CSF to mobilize peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC). One hundred and two patients were evaluable for response. A cohort of 240 patients receiving the same mobilizing chemotherapy was retrospectively studied. Failure to mobilize CD34+ cells in peripheral blood was reduced by ‘on-demand’ strategy compared to conventional mobilization; from 13·0 to 3·0% (P = 0·004). Failure to harvest CD34+ cells 2 × 106/kg decreased from 20·9 to 4·0% (P = 0·0001). The on-demand Plerixafor strategy also resulted in a lower rate of mobilization failure (P = 0·03) and harvest failure (P = 0·0008) when compared to a ‘bias-adjusted set of controls’. Evaluation of economic costs of the two strategies showed that the overall cost of the two treatments were comparable when salvage mobilizations were taken into account. When in combination with cyclophosphamide or DHAP plus G-CSF, the ‘on-demand’ use of Plerixafor showed, in comparison to conventionally treated patients, a significant improvement in mobilization of PBSC with no increase in overall cost.

Background: The most important drawback of clinical trials of high-dose therapy (HDT) followed by autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in lymphomas is the high heterogeneity of histological entities. Therefore, the statistical power is reduced, and data are not conclusive. We previously demonstrated the safety of a new conditioning regimen with bendamustine, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan (BeEAM) prior to ASCT in resistant/relapsed lymphoma patients. This combination of drugs was able to induce a high CR rate in a population that did not have an opportunity of being cured with other therapies. However, that study enrolled both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients. Aims: We designed a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy of the BeEAM conditioning in resistant/relapsed diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. Patients and methods: The study was registered at European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials (EudraCT) N. 2011-001246-14. Until now, 61 patients (median age 54 years, range 19-69) with resistant/relapsed DLBCL were enrolled. The primary end-point of the study is to evaluate the 1-year complete remission rate. Results: Briefly, 46/61 patients had advanced stage disease (III-IV); 20 were primary refractory and 41 had relapsed after a median number of 2 lines of therapy (range: 1-3). Twenty-one patients had 1 or more relevant comorbidities (range: 1- 5). 30 patients were in II or subsequent CR after salvage therapy, whereas 27 were in PR and 4 had stable or progressive disease. A median number of 5.72x106 CD34+/kg cells (range 2.21-10.60) collected from peripheral blood was reinfused to patients. All patients engrafted, with a median time to ANC>0.5x109/l of 10 days. Median times to achieve a platelet count >20x109/l and >50x109/l were 12 and 17 days respectively. Twenty-two out of 61 patients presented a fever of unknown origin (36%), whereas 24 patients (39%) presented a clinically documented infection. All patients received G-CSF after transplant for a median time of 8 days (range: 8-13). One patient died due to an incomplete hematological recovery after transplant, producing an overall transplant related mortality of 2.7%. Fifty-seven patients are evaluable for response: 48/57 (84%) obtained a CR, 3/57 (5%) a PR, whereas 6/57 (11%) did not respond to therapy. After a median follow-up of 10.5 months after transplant (range 3-37), 6/57 (11%) patients were refractory, 12/57 (21%) relapsed and 39/57 (68%) are still alive, in continuous CR. Conclusion: Our clinical trial was designed to closely resemble real-world treatment for these patients. During the study, we transplanted a similar proportion of the patients that would have received ASCT in a real-world scenario. While we cannot make sound comparisons without head-to-head trials, results from previous studies using HDT regimens in DLCBL have not been as encouraging as ours. Accordingly, our data preliminary provide the evidence that the Benda-BEAM regimen is safe and has promising high efficacy in resistant-relapsed aggressive DLBCL patients. Acknowledgments: The study was supported in part by AIL Pesaro Onlus. Mundipharma Italy is grateful acknowledged for providing Bendamustine free of charge. Disclosures Patriarca: Janssen-Cilag, Celgene, Merck Sharp & Dohme: Honoraria. Zinzani:Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; J&J: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Purpose The randomized HD2000 trial compared six cycles of ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine), four escalated plus two standard cycles of BEACOPP (bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone), and six cycles of COPP-EBV-CAD (cyclophosphamide, lomustine, vindesine, melphalan, prednisone, epidoxorubicin, vincristine, procarbazine, vinblastine, and bleomycin; CEC) in patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma. After a median follow-up of 42 months, patients who received BEACOPP were reported to have experienced better progression-free survival (PFS) but not better overall survival (OS) results than those receiving ABVD. We here report a post hoc analysis of this trial after a median follow-up of 10 years. Patients and Methods Three hundred seven patients were enrolled, 295 of whom were evaluable. At the time of our analysis, the median follow-up for the entire group was 120 months (range, 4 to 169 months). Results The 10-year PFS results for the ABVD, BEACOPP, and CEC arms were 69%, 75%, and 76%, respectively; corresponding OS results were 85%, 84%, and 86%. Overall, 13 second malignancies were reported: one in the ABVD arm and six each in the BEACOPP and CEC arms. The cumulative risk of developing second malignancies at 10 years was 0.9%, 6.6%, and 6% with ABVD, BEACOPP, and CEC, respectively; the risk with either BEACOPP or CEC was significantly higher than that reported with ABVD (P = .027 and .02, respectively). Conclusion With these mature results, we confirm that patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma have similar OS results when treated with ABVD, BEACOPP, or CEC. However, with longer follow-up, we were not able to confirm the superiority of BEACOPP over ABVD in terms of PFS, mainly because of higher mortality rates resulting from second malignancies observed after treatment with BEACOPP and CEC.

Background: Ibrutinib is a first-in-class oral inhibitor of Bruton Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) approved for the treatment patients with CLL who have received at least one prior therapy (R/R) or Treatment Naïve (TN) with del17p. Ibrutinib has been showed to improve progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) even in presence of del17p. Moreover there is a good tolerability profile such as to not lead to frequent and permanent interruption of therapy.Methods: In 131 CLL/SLL patients (including previously treated and untreated with del17) from eight different hematologic centers of REP (Rete Ematologica Pugliese) Ibrutinib 420 mg once daily was administrated until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. PFS, OS and Overall response rate (ORR) were calculated. Kaplan Meier method was used to estimate PFS/OS and differences in survival times between groups were assessed with a log-rank test.Results: Among 131 pts, 9 (6.9%) received Ibrutinib as first line therapy (TN) and 122 (R/R) received prior therapies before Ibrutinib (39.7% BR, 18.3% FCR and other treatments); 90% (1-2) lines of therapy, 8% (3-4) lines and 2% more than 5. Median age of the 131 pts with CLL/SLL was 65 y (range, 28-84) with 50% ≥65 y.ECOG Performance Status was observed in 108 pts (0, 56%; 1, 40%; 2, 4%). FISH analysis was performed in 85/131 pts (65%) and some patients had more than one deletion. Among these, 42% had del17p (TN 100% and R/R 36%) and for the remaining R/R was 16% del13q, 4% del11q, 7% trisomy12 and in the others no abnormalities were found. Unmutated and mutated IGVH was performed in 78/131 patients (60%), 63% and 37% respectively. The ORR was 80% (complete response [CR], 10%) for all-treated pts (TN: 86%, R/R: 77%) and for R/R pts with del17p the ORR was 61%.With a median time on study of 17 months (range, 1-45), median PFS was not reached for all TN or R/R patients and the estimated PFS at 30 months was 66,7% for R/R patients. We exclude from our further analysis 9 TN patients because of the small sample size and the lack of events in a median follow up of 15 months (range, 3-24). In 122 R/R pts, median PFS was 39 months for pts with del17p and median PFS was not reached for pts without abnormality (overall logrank p=0.543). At 30 m the estimated PFS was 65.1% for del17p pts and 80.4% for no abnormality pts . Median OS was not reached for 122 R/R patients and the estimated PFS at 30 months was 72.7%. Median OS was not reached in pts with and without del17p (overall logrank p=0.807) with an estimated OS at 30 months of 81.7% and 90.2% respectively.In 47% of all treated patients adverse events (AEs) with grade ≥3 were neutropenia (16%), hypertension (12%), atrial fibrillation (3%), anemia (3%), diarrhea (2%). With a median follow up of 17 months 80% of pts remain on Ibrutinib treatment.Conclusions: In our real life experience with data from REP, Ibrutinib single agent demonstred to be effective. In R/R patients, with a median time on study of 17 months, the estimated PFS at 30 m was 66.7%. The differences in PFS between patients with and without del17p was not statistically significant (p=0.543) but at 30 months the estimated PFS was lower in del17p pts than in no abnormality pts (65.1% vs 80.4%).The treatment was well tolerated with AEs of grade ≥3 in a low percentage (36%) that did not result in treatment interruptions in the most of cases. Clearly, these results will require longer follow up time to be further confirmed. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

We report four patients (mean age 65 yr; range 40-77 yr) affected by acquired pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) complicating chronic lymphoid disorders and treated with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab. Three out of four patients were given packed red cell transfusion. Steroids and recombinant erythropoietin (r-Epo) were also administered as first-line therapy without response. After a mean time of 57 d (range 23-62 d) from PRCA diagnosis, all patients received rituximab at a dosage of 375 mg/m(2)/wk for four consecutive weeks. First injection side effects of rituximab were minimal. All patients showed an increase in hemoglobin levels in response to rituximab, in one patient just after the first dose, in another patient after the second and in two other patients after the third dose. Three patients (75%) were considered in complete remission (CR) and one patient (25%) in partial remission 4 wk after the last rituximab infusion, despite a CR was obtained later (16 wk following the beginning of the therapy). Finally, at the last follow-up (mean 18.5 months, range 2-60 months), all patients were alive and in continue CR. Despite very limited in number, these results suggest that rituximab is very effective in the treatment of PRCA complicating B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders.

Thirty-seven anaemic subjects with low-to-intermediate risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) received the highly glycosylated, long-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating molecule darbepoetin-alpha (DPO) at the single, weekly dose of 150 microg s.c. for at least 12 weeks. Fifteen patients (40.5%) achieved an erythroid response (13 major and two minor improvements, respectively, according to International Working Group criteria). Such results are currently maintained after 7-22 months in 13 of the responders, one of whom required iron substitutive therapy during the treatment. One patient relapsed after 4 months. Another responder died after 5 months because of causes unrelated to the treatment. No relevant side-effects were recorded. At multivariate analysis, significant predictive factors of response were baseline serum levels of endogenous erythropoietin

Ninety patients with untreated, stage I-II A myeloma, were randomised to receive or not monthly infusions of pamidronate (PMD) for 1 year, without additional therapies. Follow-up ranged from 36 to 72 months (median 51 months). Three years after the start of the treatment, the disease had progressed in 25% of PMD treated patients and in 26.8% of controls (p n.s). Median time-to-progression was 16 and 17.4 months, respectively (p n.s). Among the 21 patients who required chemo-radiotherapy, skeletal events (osteolytic lesions, pathological fractures and/or hypercalcemia) developed in 9/11 (81.8%) controls and in 4/10 (40%) of treated patients (p < 0.01). "Prophylactic" administration of PMD may decrease the development of skeletal events, but does not reduce the rate and the time of disease progression in early-stage myeloma.

In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) as well as the degree of log clearance similarly identifies patients with poor prognosis. No comparison was provided between the two approaches in order to identify the best one to monitor follow-up patients. In this study, MRD and clearance were assessed by both multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) and WT1 expression at different time points on 45 AML patients achieving complete remission. Our results by WT1 expression showed that log clearance lower than 1.96 after induction predicted the recurrence better than MRD higher than 77.0 copies WT1/10(4) ABL. Conversely, on MFC, MRD higher than 0.2 % after consolidation was more predictive than log clearance below 2.64. At univariate and multivariate analysis, positive MRD values and log clearance below the optimal cutoffs were associated with a shorter disease-free survival (DFS). At the univariate analysis, positive MRD values were also associated with overall survival (OS). Therefore, post-induction log clearance by WT1 and post-consolidation MRD by MFC represented the most informative approaches to identify the relapse. At the optimal timing of assessment, positive MRD and log-clearance values lower than calculated thresholds similarly predicted an adverse prognosis in AML.

Background. The therapeutic approach in thrombocythemic patients with Philadelphia negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph- MPN), in order to result cost-effective (primum non nocere), is commonly driven by the risk factors considered in the gradually updated guidelines. However, no studies were addressed to evaluate if and how the real-life therapeutic approach changed in the last decades. Objective. To evaluate, in a large series of thrombocythemic patients with Ph- MPN, the impact of clinical and biological characteristics at diagnosis on the therapeutic approach adopted before and after the publication of the Italian guidelines for essential thrombocythemia therapy [1]. Methods. The analysis considered, in the patients of the Registro Italiano Trombocitemie (RIT), the clinical and biological characteristics at diagnosis, and the treatment ongoing after 3, 6, 12, and >12 months from diagnosis (antiplatelet alone [AntiPLT]; cytoreductive alone [CYT]; CYT+AntiPLT). Results. The analyzed patients were 2418, 914 (38%) males and 1504 (62%) females, with a diagnosis (PVSG or WHO criteria) performed before and after 2005 in 51% and 49% of cases, respectively. The rate of ongoing treatment with AntiPLT, CYT, and CYT+AntiPLT increased as follows: at 3rd month 16%, 12%, and 31%; at 12th month 17%, 14%, and 39%; after 12 months 19%, 16%, and 55%, respectively. Patients treated with CYT or CYT+AntiPLT did not significantly differ in their characteristics at diagnosis. The analysis of data at the 3rd month (initial phase) showed that: 1) CYT±AntiPLT treatment, ongoing in 43% of patients, was significantly related, in univariate analysis, to male gender, older age, prior thrombosis, higher thrombocytosis, leukocytosis, higher HCT level, CVRFs, comorbidities, symptoms, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and bone marrow fibrosis grade >0 (no relationship with JAK2 V617F mutation, and prior hemorrhage); in multivariate analysis, it was significantly related to age >60 y, age 40-60 y, prior thrombosis, PLT >1000 x109/L, PLT 700-1000 x109/L, symptoms, and comorbidities. 2) patients with standard high risk (age >60 y, and/or prior thrombosis, and/or PLT >1500 x109/L ) were receiving CYT±AntiPLT (59%), AntiPLT (7%), and no treatment (34%). 3) patients with standard low risk were receiving CYT±AntiPLT (22%), AntiPLT (27%), and no treatment (51%). Low risk patients receiving CYT±AntiPLT had age 40-60 y (73%), CVRFs (59%), symptoms (53%), comorbidities (42%), PLT 1000-1500 x109/L (35%), PLT 700-1000 x109/L (42%), JAK2 V617F mutation (30%), WBC >10 x109/L (22%). 4) in patients receiving CYT±AntiPLT, the initial cytoreductive drug and the median age were: hydroxycarbamide (80%, 68 y), anagrelide (6%, 49 y), interferon alpha (9%, 42 y), pipobroman (2%, 72 y), busulfan (3%, 70 y). The AntiPLT drug mostly used was low dose ASA (86-90% of cases, at any age). 5) Patients diagnosed after 2005, compared with those diagnosed before, showed a higher rate of CYT±AntiPLT treatment when at standard high risk ( 64% vs 53 % p Conclusion. The initial (within the 3rd month) therapeutic approach in the thrombocythemic Ph- MPN patients of the RIT was after 2005 relatively compliant with the 2004 Italian guidelines. In fact, the rate of CYT±AntiPLT treatment in patients with standard high risk was higher than before (64% vs 53%, p [1] Barbui T et al. Haematologica 2004; [2] Harrison C et al. NEJM 2005; [3] Gisslinger H et al. NEJM 2013; [4] Passamonti F et al. Blood 2012; [5] Barbui T et al. Blood 2012 *The RIT is a project of the GIMEMA Foundation Disclosures Gugliotta: Shire : Honoraria.

Background: the Registro Italiano Trombocitemie (RIT) was activated mainly to evaluate the diagnosis and therapy appropriateness in the thrombocythemic patients with Ph-negative myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) observed in the adhering centers. Objective: to evaluate how the diagnostic and therapeutic approach changed in the RIT patients diagnosed with thrombocythemic MPN in the last two decades. Methods: the RIT centers registered by a web-based system during the years 2005-2014 their thrombocythemic MPN patients, and semesterly updated their follow-up data. For patients diagnosed before 2005, the data on diagnosis and prior follow-up were retrospectively collected. The diagnostic process and the initial treatment (started into the first year after diagnosis) were comparatively analyzed in the patients diagnosed before and after 2005. Results: the RIT centers registered 2629 patients. 2388 of them, object of this analysis, were diagnosed between1995 and 2014: 1098 (46%) in the decade 1995-2004 (Group I), and 1290 (54%) in the decade 2005-2014 (Group II). The diagnostic process in the patients of Group II and Group I included bone marrow biopsy (BMB, performed into 1 year and before any cytoreduction): 85% vs 80%, p The patients of Group II, as compared with those of Group I, showed a similar gender distribution (M/F ratio 0.61 vs 0.65, p 0.452), and had at diagnosis: a higher age (median 60 vs 57 years, p 60 years in 50% vs 45% of cases, p Moreover, they had: a lower platelet (PLT) count (median 737 vs 775 x 109/L, p 10 x 109/L in 28% vs 26% cases); a similar median levels of hematocrit (HCT %, in females 41.4 vs 41.0; in males 44.7 vs 44.6) and hemoglobin (Hb g/dL, in females 13.8 vs 13.6; in males 15.0 vs 14.9). The BMB, revised according to the WHO 2008 criteria, showed a not different distribution (p 0.21) of ET (64% vs 61%), ep-PMF (16% vs 17%), PMF (3% vs 2%), PV (4% vs 4%), and U-MPN (13% vs 16%. The JAK2 V617F mutation in patients of Group II (at diagnosis) and of Group I (after diagnosis) was found in 62% and in 58% of tested cases (p 0.054), respectively. The patients at high standard thrombotic risk were 58% vs 52%, p 0.004. In the patients of Group II and Group I the distribution of the treatment started into the first year was significantly different (p The treatment CYT ± AntiPLT was started in the patients at high standard thrombotic risk with a rate of 81% vs 80%, respectively, and in the patients at low standard thrombotic risk in 37% vs 43% of cases, respectively. The initial treatment CYT±AntiPLT was related, in multivariate analysis, both in patients of Group II and Group I, with older age (>60 and 40-60 vs 1000 and 700-1000 vs Conclusion: in the studied thrombocythemic MPN patients the real-life diagnostic approach was improved after 2005 not only due to the routine use of JAK2 tests, but also due to the higher rate of BMB done (85% vs 80%). The appropriateness of the cytoreductive treatment (CYT±AntiPLT started into one year from diagnosis) remained high in patients at high standard thrombotic risk (over 80% of cases were treated). Concomitantly, the inappropriate use of the cytoreductive drugs in patients at low standard thrombotic risk appreciably decreased (from 43% to 37% of cases). Moreover, it has to be remarked that the therapeutic approach was significantly influenced not only by older age and prior thrombosis, but also by thrombocytosis (PLT count >700 x 109/L), disease-related symptoms, and inconstantly by leukocytosis and CVRFs. Table Table. Disclosures Gugliotta: SHIRE Co.: Honoraria. Gugliotta:Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria.

Desferrioxamine (DFO) has been suggested to improve erythropoiesis in end-stage renal failure independently of its aluminium (Al)-chelating effect. A possible synergistic effect of DFO and recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEpo) could be very useful in treating anaemia of chronic renal failure.In order to verify whether a synergistic action of DFO and r-HuEpo exists, we enrolled 11 patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis and r-HuEpo treatment. All had a negative DFO test, very low serum Al levels (20 microg/l), ferritin100 ng% and iPTH200 pg/l. Samples were drawn for a basal erythroid precursor (burst-forming unit-Erythroid, BFU-E) evaluation. After isolation by Ficoll Hypaque, a 14 day incubation was carried out with: (i) r-HuEpo 3 U/ml; (ii) r-HuEpo 30 U/ml; and (iii) r-HuEpo 30 U/ml + DFO 167 microg/ml. Patients then received 5 mg/kg DFO infused during the last hour of each dialysis session for 12 weeks. New BFU-E evaluations were performed after 2, 6 and 12 weeks of treatment. BFU-E colonies were counted in duplicate with an inverted microscope after 14 days. Haemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, transferrin, reticulocytes, hypochromic erythrocytes, soluble transferrin receptor and serum erythropoietin were also evaluated at the same time.High dose r-HuEpo achieved greater proliferation than low dose r-HuEpo cultures during all phases of the study. At baseline, r-HuEpo and DFO culture had a greater number of colony units than high dose r-HuEpo culture ( 103.7 +/- 50.2 vs 95.1 +/- 50.5, NS). This increase became significant after 2 weeks (145 +/- 59.3 vs 122.9 +/- 59.6, P0.02), and remained so at 6 (167.4 +/- 60.3 vs 149 +/- 55.6, P0.01) and 12 weeks (191 +/- 64.5 vs 155.1 +/- 56.3, P0.01). An increased proliferation was observed after DFO therapy in all culture studies: low dose r-HuEpo culture increased from 69.4 +/- 38.2 to 86.6 +/- 48.5, 115 +/- 39 and 123 +/- 46; high dose r-HuEpo culture increased from 95.1 +/- 50.5 to 122.9 +/- 59, 149 +/- 55.6 and 155.1 +/- 56.3 and r-HuEpo plus DFO culture from 103.7 +/- 50.2 to 145 +/- 59.3, 167 +/- 60.3 and 191 +/- 64.5 at 2, 6 and 12 weeks, respectively (all P0.01 by ANOVA). Haemoglobin, reticulocytes and soluble transferrin receptor were slightly increased, while ferritin decreased. Hypochromic erytrocytes were variable.DFO increases erythroid precursor proliferation and has a synergistic in vivo effect with r-HuEpo in patients with chronic renal failure. Further investigations are needed to evaluate whether such an effect may have clinical application.

The failure of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization and harvest is a critical issue for multiple myeloma (MM) patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy. Plerixafor (PLX) is an effective mobilizing agent; however, its use for every MM patient undergoing high-dose chemotherapy has led to a notable increase in costs. We designed a highly specific and sensitive algorithm for identifying patients likely to fail PBSC mobilization after chemotherapy and G-CSF (Blood Transfusion 2013.11:94). The use of this algorithm thereby allows selective administration of PLX to patients predicted to fail mobilization after chemotherapy and G-CSF (on-demand PLX) and may reduce failure rate of PBSC mobilization while limiting cost. We performed a multicenter phase II prospective study of on-demand PLX used according to our algorithm for patients with lymphoma or MM, who were mobilized by cyclophosphamide and G-CSF. The study was powered to demonstrate a reduction in mobilization failure from 14% to 7% for the entire population of treated patients. Here, we report the final results for MM patients. The inclusion criteria for MM patients were as follows: diagnosis of symptomatic MM, age 18-70 yr, achievement of any response after first-line treatment administered for 4-8 months, first mobilization attempt, cardiac and pulmonary function adequate for high-dose chemotherapy. Mobilization schedule was cyclophosphamide (CTX, 4 g/m2) and G-CSF (5-10 mcg/Kg), PLX (240 mcg/Kg) was administered only to patients selected by the algorithm. Estimation of costs was performed according to a previously reported study (BJH 2014, 164, 113). There were 111 patients with MM who underwent treatment. Successful CD34+ cell mobilization (>20×109 cells/mL in PB) was achieved for 97.2% (108/111) of patients, and failure of mobilization occurred in the remaining 3 (2.8%); minimal apheretic harvest success (>2.0×106 CD34+ cells/Kg) was achieved for 97.2% (108/111); and optimal harvest success (=/>4.0×106 CD34+ cells/Kg) was achieved for 84.6% (94/111). On-demand PLX was needed for 8.2% of patients (9/111). After autologous hematopoietic transplantation, neutrophil (N) engraftment (N>0.5x109 cells/L) was reached at day +11.8 (range day +8 to +24). We compared these prospective results with the mobilization results obtained retrospectively in a control group of 183 MM patients who received the same mobilization schedule without PLX. After the two groups were adjusted for unbalanced factors, multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that on-demand PLX treatment according to the algorithm led to significant increases in the probabilities of achieving a successful minimal apheretic harvest (p=0.006; hazard ratio [HR] 5.624, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.168-19.548) and optimal harvest (p=0.02; HR 2.121, 95% CI 1.118-4.025). The mean cost increase for the first mobilization in the PLX-on-demand prospective study, in respect to control group, was 615 €/patient. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated as: (cost1-cost2)/(result1-result2). ICER was 47 €/1% increase in probability of a minimal apheretic harvest while it was 68 €/1% increase in probability of an optimal apheretic harvest. In conclusion, the final analysis of our study found that on-demand PLX for MM patients, which was added to the mobilization schedule of CTX (4 g/m2) + G-CSF (5-10 mcg/Kg), allowed a successful harvest from the first mobilization treatment in > 97% of patients, with 85% of patients achieving a harvest sufficient for two rounds of high-dose chemotherapy. These results indicate that on-demand PLX added to mobilization chemotherapy is a significant improvement over the same type of mobilization chemotherapy without PLX. The limited use of PLX in this study allowed for a favorable incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of this expensive agent. On-demand PLX used according to a validated algorithm in addition to CTX plus G-CSF may be considered a new standard for PBSC mobilization and harvest in patients with MM. Table 1.Failure of CD34+ Mobilization in PB Failure of Minimal Harvest Failure of Optimal Harvest Cost per PatientICER (Minimal Harvest)ICER (Optimal Harvest)PLX on Demand (n 111)2.8%2.8%15.4%3,969 €47 €/ 1% increase in probability of a Minimal Harvest68 €/ 1% increase in probability of an Optimal HarvestControl Cohort (n 183)7.6%15.8%24.4%3,354 €P (adjusted for comparisons)NS0.0060.02 Disclosures Milone: Sanofi: Consultancy. Martino:Sanofi: Consultancy. Olivieri:Sanofi: Consultancy.

Background. In patients with Ph-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) the molecular pattern, beside other characteristics at diagnosis, has been related to the disease prognosis. Aim. To compare clinical and biological features at diagnosis and during the follow-up in gender/age-matched MPN patients showing different molecular pattern. Material and methods. The Registro Italiano Trombocitemie (RIT) is a web-based registry that includes thrombocythemic MPN patients diagnosed according to PVSG or WHO criteria, registered after 2005, and then prospectically followed. The JAK2 V617F mutation (JAK2+) was reported in 941 (58.4%) out of 1610 tested patients. On the basis of subsequent tests, performed in part of the JAK2 WT (JAK2-) subjects, 103 patients were JAK2-/CALR+ (CALR+), 14 patients were JAK2-/CALR-/MPL+ (MPL+), and 46 were JAK2-/CALR-/MPL- (3NEG). The 103 CALR+ patients were compared with 309 (103 x 3) JAK2+ patients matched for gender, age, and revised diagnosis (WHO 2008 criteria). A similar comparison was done between 46 3NEG patients and other 138 (46 x 3) JAK2+ matched patients. Results. CALR+ and matched JAK2+ patients had, as expected, the same gender distribution (males 41%), the same median age (51 years), and no significant difference (p 0.42) in the WHO diagnosis distribution. CALR+ patients, as compared with JAK2+ patients, showed at diagnosis: higher median platelet (PLT) count (839 vs 718 x109/L, p CARL+ and JAK2+ patients had the same rate of antiplatelet and cytoreductive treatment (96% vs 96%, and 86% vs 84%, respectively). During the follow-up the incidence of thrombotic and hemorrhagic events was not significantly different (1.3 vs 1.1/100 pt-years, and 1.0 vs 0.6/100 pt-years, respectively). Moreover, no significant difference was observed in the incidence of evolution to overt primary myelofibrosis (PMF, 0.76 vs 0.61/100 pt-years), polycythemia vera (PV, 0 vs 0.24/100 pt-years), and AL/MDS (0.08 vs 0.10/100 pt-years). Finally, the same overall survival was found after 5, 10. 15, and 20 years (99, 97, 94, 93%, respectively). 3NEG patients, as compared with JAK2+ matched patients, showed at diagnosis: lower median WBC count (7.9 vs 10.9 x 109/L, p 0.03); lower Hb and/or HCT level (p 0.006); lower rate of splenomegaly (7% vs 28%, p 0.003); lower rate of symptoms (35% vs 51%, p 0.049). No significant difference was found in: median PLT count (700 vs 720 x 109/L, p 0.61); PrTh (7% vs 16%, p 0.11); prior hemorrhage (4.7% vs 7.5%, p 0.52); high/intermediate thrombotic risk (IPSET, 36 vs 48%, p 0.37). Moreover, no significant difference was observed during the follow-up in: antiplatelet and cytoreductive treatment; thrombosis and hemorrhage rate; PMF, PV, and AL/MDS evolution; overall survival. Conclusion. CALR+ patients, as compared with JAK2+ matched patients, although showed a lower thrombotic risk (lower WBC and HCT levels, lower PrTh rate), received the same antiplatelet and cytoreductive treatment, had the same incidence of adverse events during the follow-up (vascular complications and disease evolution/transformation), and had the same overall survival. 3NEG patients, as compared with JAK2+ matched patients, showed results similar to those observed by comparing CALR+ and JAK2+ matched patients. To better define the role of the precise definition of molecular pattern in Ph-MPN patients, new prospective controlled studies seem necessary. Disclosures De Stefano: Janssen Cilag: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Speakers Bureau; Bruno Farmaceutici: Research Funding; Celgene: Speakers Bureau; GlaxoSmithKline: Speakers Bureau; Shire: Speakers Bureau. Passamonti:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau.

Background In patients with Ph-negative MPN, a prior thrombosis (PrTh) occurs in around 1/5 of cases, with variable platelet (PLT) count and variable distance from diagnosis. Objective To investigate the influence of PLT count at PrTh on diagnostic and therapeutic approach in MPN patients. Material and methods We evaluated 129 MPN patients from RIT, reclassified according to WHO 2008 criteria as ET (n70), initial-primary myelofibrosis (n29), early-PV (n10), and unclassifiable-MPN (n20). Results Patients, 60 males and 69 females, showed following PrTh: 91(71%) major arterial (37 AMI, 4 angina, 24 stroke, and 26 TIA); 12(9%) minor arterial; 22(17%) major venous (8 DVT, 7 splanchnic, 4 cerebral sinus, 3 pulmonary embolism); and 4(3%) minor venous events. PrTh occurred at a median distance of 4.1 months (range 0.1-118) from MPN diagnosis. This distance was >24 months in 21(16%) patients. At occurrence of PrTh, median age was 58 years. PLT count (x109/L) had a median value of 661 (range 150-2200), and was ≤450, 451-600, 601-700, 701-1000, and >1000 in 15(12%), 35(27%), 26(20%), 43(33%), and 10(8%) patients, respectively. Median white blood cell (WBC) count was 9.0 x 109/L and median hematocrit (HCT) value was 46% in males, and 41% in females. Median time (months) from PrTh to diagnosis of MPN was higher (p0.004) in patients with lower PLT count (x 109/L): ≤450 (50.2), 451-600 (11.7), 601-700 (2.7), 701-1000 (1.8), and >1000 (1.4). After occurrence of PrTh, all patients received conventional anti-thrombotic treatment, but in 7(5.4%) patients 9 recurrent thrombosis were reported before MPN diagnosis (11/100 pt-years). At MPN diagnosis, clonality was documented in 101(78%) patients (JAK2 V617F mutation in 96 cases, 74%). The age was >60 years in 61(47%) patients. PLT count (x109/L) had a median value of 720 (166-2440), and was ≤450 (n 7, 5%), 451-600 (n 21, 16%), 601-700 (n 28, 22%), 701-1000 (n 58, 45%), >1000 (n15, 12%). WBC count (109/L) had a median value of 8.9, and was >10 in 40 (31%) cases. Median HCT level (%) was 45.6 in males and 42.1 in females. Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), comorbidities and symptoms were documented in 103(80%), 97(75%), and 57(44%) cases, respectively. Thrombotic risk (IPSET-Th) was high in 97.5%, and intermediate in 2.5% of cases. All 129 patients received anti-thrombotic drugs (low dose aspirin in 95% of cases) and, immediately after the diagnosis, they started a cytoreductive treatment (hydroxycarbamide 89%, anagrelide 8%, interferon-alpha 3%). Patients with a PLT count (x109/L) at PrTh ≤600(n 50), as compared with those with a PLT count >600(n 79), showed a longer median time to the MPN diagnosis (16.7 vs 2.0 months, p60 years (52% vs 44%, p0.39); CVRF (82%vs79%, p0.63); WBC >10 x109/L (23% vs 39%, p0.07); HCT high level [>47% in males, >44% in females](28% vs 36%, p0.37), and high thrombotic risk [IPSET-Th] (96%vs99%, p0.56). During follow-up (median 7.9 years) they showed a higher incidence of thrombosis recurrence (30%vs15%, p0.04; 4.5 vs 1.7/100 pt-y, p Conclusion Time to MPN diagnosis was significantly longer in patients with PLT count (x109/L) at PrTh ≤600 vs >600, and this time to diagnosis was characterized by a not negligible thrombosis recurrence. Moreover, during follow-up they showed a higher incidence of thrombosis recurrence. This analysis strongly suggests that a PLT count Disclosures Passamonti: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Vannucchi:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Other: Research Funding paid to institution (University of Florence), Research Funding; Shire: Speakers Bureau; Baxalta: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

The incidence of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) increases with age, but results of intensive chemotherapy in elderly patients are disappointing. Non-pegylated liposomal formulations of doxorubicin (Myocet™) have been developed with the aim of reducing systemic and cardiac toxicity especially in the elderly. We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity profiles of fludarabine, cytarabine and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (FLAG) regimen given in association with Myocet™ in 35 patients with AML, median age 69 years (range 61–83 years). Nineteen (54.3%) had newly-diagnosed AML, twelve (34.3%) patients had secondary AML (ten with Myelodisplastic Syndrome, two with Primary Myelofibrosis) and 4 (11.4%) patients had had a late relapse (> 12 months) of AML. Complete remission (CR) and partial remission (PR) were obtained in twenty-two (63%) and 3 (8.5%) patients, respectively. Seven (20%) patients showed a resistant disease. There were 3 early deaths (8.5%). Six patients (17%) experienced severe cardiovascular toxicity. The median overall survival (OS) was 12 months (range 1–52 months) with a median disease-free survival (DFS) of 20 months (range 1–48 months). One-year and two-year DFS were 78.9% and 26.7%, respectively. This study demonstrates that in elderly patients with AML, FLAG-Myocet™ combination shows promising efficacy response with acceptable toxicity, enabling most patients to receive further treatments, including transplantation procedures.

Abstract 1973 Background. Hematological and extra-hematological adverse events associated to Hydroxyurea (HU) treatment in patients with chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are object of particular interest in the Ph-negative MPN since they can significantly limit the HU use. Objective. To evaluate the extra-hematological adverse events associated to HU treayment in a large cohort of Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) patients. Material and Methods. One thousand and seventy-five out of the 2005 ET patients registered in the RIT were treated with HU and are the object of this report. The patients, 641 females (59.6%) and 434 males (40.4%), diagnosed according to the PVSG or WHO criteria in 54 hematological centers of the RIT, started treatment with HU as first (92%) or second (8%) line, at median age of 65 years.The mean duration of HU treatment was 3.3 years. The HU treatment was withdrawn in 221 (20.5%) patients after a mean of 3.0 years.The administered dose of HU was 0.25–3.0 g/day (median 1), and a mean cumulative dose was 1113 g. The extra-hematological adverse events (EHAEs) observed during the HU treatment were distinguished in HU related AEs (HU-EHAEs), ET related AEs (ET-EHAEs) and HU or ET unrelated AEs (U-EHAEs).Results. During the HU treatment (3587 pt-y) 378 EHAEs were reported in 207 (19.3%) patients, being the HU-EHAEs 244 (6.8/100 pt-y) in 170 (15.8%) patients. In detail, the HU-EHAEs were: dermatological in 108 (48.3%) cases (38 hyperpigmentation, 26 leg ulcers, 22 maculo-papular rash, 10 lichenoid eruptions, 5 skin cancer, 4 alopecia); gastro-intestinal in 80 (32.8%) cases (37 nausea/vomiting, 30 diarrhea, 13 gastro-intestinal intolerance); systemic in 35 (14.3%) cases (28 fever, 7 fatigue); neurological in 19 (7.8%) cases (headache); miscellanea in 2 (0.8%) cases. Conclusion. This preliminary analysis in 1075 ET patients of the Registro Italiano Trombocitemia (RIT) treated with HU shows that the extra-hematological adverse events referred to the HU (HU-EHAEs) occurred with not negligible rate (6.8/100 pt-y) and need to be object of attention in the management of ET patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

SummaryThrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare and severe disease characterized by thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic haemolytic anemia, neurological and renal involvement associated with deficiency of the von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease, ADAMTS13. Persistence of high titers of anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies predisposes to relapsing TTP. Since relapses are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, the optimal therapeutic option should be a pre-emptive treatment able to deplete anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies and avoid relapses. Five patients who presented with persistence of undetectable ADAMTS13 activity and high titers of autoantibodies, were treated with rituximab as pre-emptive therapy during remission. Four of them were affected by relapsing TTP and one was treated after the first episode. ADAMTS13 activity ranging from 15% to 75% with disappearance of inhibitors was achieved after three months in all patients, and persisted >20% without inhibitors at six months. In three patients disease-free status is still ongoing after 29, 24 and six months, respectively. Relapses were documented in two patients during follow-up: in one patient remission lasted 51 months; while in the other patient relapse occurred after 13 months. Results demonstrated that rituximab used as pre-emptive treatment may be effective in maintaining a sustained remission in patients with anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies in whom other treatments failed to limit the production of inhibitors, and suggests that re-treatment with rituximab should be considered when ADAMTS13 activity decreases and inhibitors reappear into the circulation, to avoid a new relapse.

We investigated the effects of a single s.c. injection of peg-filgrastim in 32 patients with multiple myeloma who underwent autologous stem cell transplantation (AuSCT) as first line treatment. For comparison, 32 myeloma patients with similar characteristics and receiving standard daily administration of filgrastim were matched. Overall, there were no statistically significant differences between peg-filgrastim and filgrastim in terms of tolerability, marrow recovery, severity of neutropenia, incidence and duration of febrile neutropenia, documented infections and transfusions. However, some favourable trends or effects in favour of peg-filgrastim were observed. This was confirmed by a review of the published papers about this topic.

Background Bortezomib and thalidomide have shown synergy with melphalan and dexamethasone. We used this 4-drug combination as conditioning before autologous hematopoietic cell infusions. Patients and Methods Twenty-six patients with advanced-stage myeloma were treated with melphalan 50 mg/m 2 and bortezomib 1.3 mg/m 2 on days −6 and −3 in association with thalidomide 200 mg and dexamethasone 20 mg on days −6 through −3, followed by hematopoietic cell support on day 0. Results Nonhematologic toxicities included pneumonia, febrile neutropenia, and peripheral neuropathy. All patients had undergone autologous transplantation at diagnosis, and 13 patients (50%) underwent an additional transplantation at relapse. Responses occurred in 17 of 26 patients (65%), including 1 complete remission, 3 near complete remissions (12%), and 2 very good partial remissions (8%). Response rate was higher than that induced by the previous line of treatment in 12 patients (46%). Conclusion Melphalan/bortezomib/thalidomide/dexamethasone showed encouraging antimyeloma activity in patients with advanced-stage myeloma.

The benefits of allografting noted in some malignant diseases might be safely extended to metastatic breast cancer by a combination of cytoreduction with high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) and autologous stem-cell transplant (ASCT) with graft-versus-tumour effect mediated by transplanted donor immune cells with nonmyeloablative allografting (reduced intensity conditioning transplantation, RICT). 17 patients with heavily pretreated disease were given tandem transplants. 13 patients sustained donor engraftment. Three had partial remission after HDT and ASCT and complete remission after RICT; they achieved full chimerism and all developed graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) before regression of cancer. Another patient did not respond to HDT and ASCT but had partial remission after RICT, giving an overall response rate of 24%. Five patients had grade II or higher acute GVHD and five had extensive chronic GVHD. No non-relapse-related deaths occurred during the first 100 days. Five patients (29%) were alive 90-2160 days (median 1320) after RICT. This two-step approach is feasible in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Twenty-one patients with multiple myeloma, all relapsed after frontline autologous stem cell transplantation and all relapsed again after or resistant to thalidomide (employed as second line treatment) received bortezomib (1.3 mg/m(2) body surface twice weekly for 2 weeks followed by an interval of 10-12 days) without adjunct of steroids as third line therapy. Three patients died of progressive disease during the first 2 cycles with bortezomib. Eighteen patients received at least 2 cycles and were evaluated for response. According to EBMT criteria, two complete (negative immunofixation) and seven partial (reduction of M-component > 50-75%) remissions were achieved (ITT response rate 42.8%). Duration of response lasted from 2 to 14+ months. Grades 3-4 toxicities (thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, peripheral neuropathy and vasculitis) were observed in seven patients, but no patient interrupted the treatment due to side effects. We conclude that bortezomib alone may induce high quality responses as third line salvage therapy with acceptable toxicity in a significant proportion of homogeneously pre-treated myeloma patients with progressive disease after autologous transplantation and thalidomide.

We postulated that it is possible to safely extend the benefits of allografting to metastatic breast cancer by combining cytoreduction achieved with high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplant (HDT/ASCT) and graft versus tumor effect mediated through transplanted donor immune cells with nonmyeloablative allografting (RICT). Seventeen patients, 41 years of age (range, 31–57), with heavily pretreated disease were given HDT/ASCT. No patient died after HDT/ASCT. Thirty-one to 92 days (median, 51 days) after HDT/ASCT the patients received fludarabine 30 mg/m2/day x 3 days and cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m2/day x 3 days and donor PBPC from HLA-identical siblings. Postgrafting immunosuppression consisted of cyclosporine and methotrexate. Donor lymphocyte infusions were given to 11 patients with stable mixed chimerism and/or progressive disease, who did not show signs of GVHD. Thirteen patients (76%) achieved sustained donor engraftment. Three patients achieved partial remission (PR) after HDT/ASCT and complete remission (CR) after RICT; another no-responsive patient achieved PR for an overall response rate of 4/17 (22%). The first signs of responsiveness in CR patients began at day +80, +90 and +110 and the maximal response was achieved on day +240, +300 and +390. The 3 remitters patients achieved full chimerism and developed GVHD before regression of the disease. Grade ≥II aGVHD occurred in 5 patients (29%) and extensive cGVHD in 5 patients (29%). No transplant-related deaths (TRD) were observed during the first 100 days. Three patients died of extensive cGVHD in the first year. At April 2004, 5/17 patients (29%) are alive 90–2160 days (median, 1320) from RICT. In conclusion, this 2-step approach is a feasible procedure in metastatic breast cancer patients; the exploitation of graft versus tumor effect is a promising finding.

In order to investigate what is the best single parameter to predict the leukapheretic yield of circulating CD34+ progenitor cells, we retrospectively analyzed data from 68 patients with hematological malignancies who underwent mobilizing therapy. Three main parameters were monitored: total white blood cell (WBC), CD34+ cells, and monocyte counts in peripheral blood (PB) at the same day and at the preceding day of the apheretic procedure. Linear regression analysis revealed a strong correlation between CD34+ cell value in PB just before harvest and the number of CD34+ cells collected (P < 0.0001), but not at the preceding day. Monocyte PB concentration and absolute WBC count did not correlate with CD34+ cells harvested, at the preceding day of leukapheresis as well as at the same day of the procedure. The number of CD34+ cells in mobilized PB at the same day of harvest evidenced a very good capacity of predicting the value of harvested CD34+ cell number after collection, while WBC and monocyte count displayed quite a wide dispersion of results. In particular, an amount greater than 50/microL of circulating CD34+ cells ensured the best collections. Finally, CD34+ and CFU-GM content evaluated for each apheresis showed a strong reciprocal correlation (r 0.78; P < 0.0001). We conclude that the absolute number of CD34+ cells at the day of leukapheresis is the only parameter for identifying the exact timing for apheresis and predicting the amount of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) that will be collected. In this setting, WBC and monocyte counts, at the day of collection or at the preceding day, are not useful tools.