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Asparaginase is a key component of pediatric-inspired regimens in young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Truncation of asparaginase therapy is linked to inferior outcomes in children with ALL. However, a similar correlation in adults is lacking. Here, we studied the prevalence and risk factors associated with pegylated (PEG)-asparaginase discontinuation in young adults with ALL treated on the US intergroup Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 10403 study and examined the prognostic impact of early discontinuation (ED) (defined as

Background Older patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), particularly those with no or one cytopenia and no transfusion dependence, typically have an indolent course. Approximately, half of these receive the recommended diagnostic evaluation (DE) for MDS. We explored factors determining DE in these patients and its impact on subsequent treatment and outcomes. Patients and Methods We used 2011-2014 Medicare data to identify patients ≥66 years of age diagnosed with MDS. We used Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis to identify combinations of factors associated with DE and its impact on subsequent treatment. Variables examined included demographics, comorbidities, nursing home status, and investigative procedures performed. We conducted a logistic regression analysis to identify correlates associated with receipt of DE and treatment. Results Of 16 851 patients with MDS, 51% underwent DE. patients with MDS with no cytopenia (n = 3908) had the lowest uptake of DE (34.7%). Compared to patients with no cytopenia, those with any cytopenia had nearly 3 times higher odds of receiving DE [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 2.81: 95% CI, 2.60-3.04] and the odds were higher for men than for women [AOR, 1.39: 95%CI, 1.30-1.48] and for Non-Hispanic Whites [vs. everyone else (AOR, 1.17: 95% CI, 1.06-1.29)]. The CART showed DE as the principal discriminating node, followed by the presence of any cytopenia for receiving MDS treatment. The lowest percentage of treatment was observed in patients without DE, at 14.6%. Conclusion In this select older patients with MDS, we identified disparities in accurate diagnosis by demographic and clinical factors. Receipt of DE influenced subsequent treatment but not survival.

PURPOSE Chemotherapy outcomes in older patients with Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome–negative B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are very poor. Here, we evaluated blinatumomab as induction and consolidation therapy followed by prednisone, vincristine, 6-mercaptopurine, and methotrexate (POMP) maintenance chemotherapy in this patient population. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients were treated at National Clinical Trial Network sites. Eligibility criteria included age ≥ 65 years and newly diagnosed Ph chromosome–negative B-ALL. Patients received blinatumomab as induction for one-two cycles until attainment of response (complete remission (CR) and CR with incomplete count recovery). Patients then received three cycles of consolidation with blinatumomab followed by 18 months of POMP maintenance chemotherapy. Eight doses of intrathecal methotrexate were administered as central nervous system prophylaxis. RESULTS Twenty-nine eligible patients were enrolled. The median age was 75 years, and the median bone marrow blast count at diagnosis was 87%. Cytogenetic risk was poor in 10 patients (34%), and five of 14 patients (36%) tested had the Ph-like ALL gene signature. Nineteen patients (66%; 95% CI, 46 to 82) achieved CR. Kaplan-Meier 3-year disease-free survival and overall survival estimates were 37% (95% CI, 17 to 57) and 37% (95% CI, 20 to 55), respectively. CONCLUSION Blinatumomab was well tolerated and effective in the treatment of older patients with newly diagnosed Ph chromosome–negative B-ALL, including patients with poor-risk cytogenetics. The 3-year disease-free survival and overall survival results are encouraging and suggest that this approach should be further explored.

Purpose:We assessed the relationship between cluster of differentiation-22 (CD22) expression and outcomes of inotuzumab ozogamicin versus standard of care (SC) in INO-VATE (NCT01564784).Patients and Methods:Adults with relapsed/refractory B-cell precursor CD22-positive (by local or central laboratory) acute lymphoblastic leukemia were randomized to inotuzumab ozogamicin (n = 164) or SC (n = 162). Outcomes were analyzed by baseline CD22 positivity (percentage of leukemic blasts CD22 positive, ≥90% vs. Results:Most patients had high (≥90%) CD22 positivity per central laboratory. The response rate was significantly higher with inotuzumab ozogamicin versus SC. Minimal/measurable residual disease negativity, duration of remission (DoR), progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS) were significantly better with inotuzumab ozogamicin versus SC in patients with CD22 positivity ≥90%. Fewer patients had CD22 positivity Conclusions:Inotuzumab ozogamicin demonstrated a favorable benefit–risk profile versus SC in patients with higher and lower CD22 expression. Patients with high CD22 expression and normal cytogenetics benefited the most from inotuzumab ozogamicin therapy.

Study Schema

Purpose:TTI-621 (SIRPα-IgG1 Fc) is a novel checkpoint inhibitor that activates antitumor activity by blocking the CD47 “don't eat me” signal. This first-in-human phase I study (NCT02663518) evaluated the safety and activity of TTI-621 in relapsed/refractory (R/R) hematologic malignancies.Patients and Methods:Patients with R/R lymphoma received escalating weekly intravenous TTI-621 to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). During expansion, patients with various malignancies received weekly single-agent TTI-621 at the MTD; TTI-621 was combined with rituximab in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) or with nivolumab in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. The primary endpoint was the incidence/severity of adverse events (AEs). Secondary endpoint included overall response rate (ORR).Results:Overall, 164 patients received TTI-621: 18 in escalation and 146 in expansion (rituximab combination, n = 35 and nivolumab combination, n = 4). On the basis of transient grade 4 thrombocytopenia, the MTD was determined as 0.2 mg/kg; 0.1 mg/kg was evaluated in combination cohorts. AEs included infusion-related reactions, thrombocytopenia, chills, and fatigue. Thrombocytopenia (20%, grade ≥3) was reversible between doses and not associated with bleeding. Transient thrombocytopenia that determined the initial MTD may not have been dose limiting. The ORR for all patients was 13%. The ORR was 29% (2/7) for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and 25% (8/32) for T-cell NHL (T-NHL) with TTI-621 monotherapy and was 21% (5/24) for DLBCL with TTI-621 plus rituximab. Further dose optimization is ongoing.Conclusions:TTI-621 was well-tolerated and demonstrated activity as monotherapy in patients with R/R B-NHL and T-NHL and combined with rituximab in patients with R/R B-NHL.

Supplementary Data

Chemicals, including some systemically administered xenobiotics and their biotransformations, can be detected noninvasively using skin swabs and untargeted metabolomics analysis. We sought to understand the principal drivers that determine whether a drug taken orally or systemically is likely to be observed on the epidermis by using a random forest classifier to predict which drugs would be detected on the skin. A variety of molecular descriptors describing calculated properties of drugs, such as measures of volume, electronegativity, bond energy, and electrotopology, were used to train the classifier. The mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.71 for predicting drug detection on the epidermis, and the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) model interpretation technique was used to determine the most relevant molecular descriptors. Based on the analysis of 2561 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs, we predict that therapeutic drug classes, such as nervous system drugs, are more likely to be detected on the skin. Detecting drugs and other chemicals noninvasively on the skin using untargeted metabolomics could be a useful clinical advancement in therapeutic drug monitoring, adherence, and health status.

Novel treatment strategies are needed for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in older patients. This trial evaluated the feasibility and outcomes with the anti-CD19 bispecific T-cell–engaging antibody, blinatumomab, in combination with dasatinib and steroids. Patients 65 years of age or older with Ph+ or Ph-like ALL (with dasatinib-sensitive fusions/mutations) were eligible and could be newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory. Induction therapy consisted of dasatinib/prednisone. Patients not achieving response by day 56 proceeded to blinatumomab reinduction therapy. Patients achieving response with induction or reinduction therapy proceeded to blinatumomab/dasatinib postremission therapy for 3 cycles followed by dasatinib/prednisone maintenance. All patients received central nervous system prophylaxis with intrathecal methotrexate for a total of 8 doses. Response was assessed at days 28, 56, and 84 and at additional time points based on response parameters. Measurable residual disease was assessed centrally by 8-color flow cytometry at day 28. A total of 24 eligible patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL were enrolled with a median age of 73 years (range, 65-87 years). This combination was safe and feasible. With a median of 2.7 years of follow-up, 3-year overall survival and disease-free survival were 87% (95% confidence interval [CI], 64-96) and 77% (95% CI, 54-90), respectively. Although longer follow-up is needed, these results are encouraging, and future trials are building on this backbone regimen. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02143414.

The NCCN Guidelines for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) focus on the classification of ALL subtypes based on immunophenotype and cytogenetic/molecular markers; risk assessment and stratification for risk-adapted therapy; treatment strategies for Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive and Ph-negative ALL for both adolescent and young adult and adult patients; and supportive care considerations. Given the complexity of ALL treatment regimens and the required supportive care measures, the NCCN ALL Panel recommends that patients be treated at a specialized cancer center with expertise in the management of ALL This portion of the Guidelines focuses on the management of Ph-positive and Ph-negative ALL in adolescents and young adults, and management in relapsed settings.

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia have improved outcomes when treated with pediatric-inspired regimens. CALGB 10403 was the largest prospective study to evaluate the feasibility of using a pediatric regimen in AYAs with acute lymphoblastic leukemia up to 40 years of age. This article presents the toxicity events observed in the CALGB 10403 study and compares these toxicities vs those observed among AYAs treated on the same arm of the companion Children’s Oncology Group (COG) AALL0232 study. Toxicities in CALGB 10403 were similar to those observed in COG AALL0232. Some grade 3 to 4 adverse events were more often reported in CALGB 10403 compared with COG AALL0232 (hyperglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, transaminase elevation, and febrile neutropenia). Adverse events correlated with body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 and some with increasing age. The mortality rate in CALGB 10403 was low (4%) and similar to that in the COG AALL0232 trial. A caveat to this analysis is that only 39% of CALGB 10403 patients completed all planned protocol treatment. In COG AALL0232, although 74% of patients aged

Background The availability of novel agents (NAs), including blinatumomab and inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO), has improved the outcomes of patients with relapsed/refractory (RR) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Because of the relative effectiveness, it is often a challenge for clinicians to determine how to best sequence these NAs with respect to efficacy and toxicity. Methods In this multicenter, retrospective study of patients with RR ALL treated with blinatumomab, InO, or both, their efficacy as a first or second NA was compared. Results Among 276 patients, 221 and 55 received blinatumomab and InO, respectively, as a first NA therapy. The complete remission (CR)/complete remission with incomplete count recovery (CRi) rate was 65% and 67% for the blinatumomab and InO groups, respectively (P = .73). The rate of treatment discontinuation due to adverse events was 4% and 7% in the blinatumomab and InO groups, respectively. Ninety-two patients (43%) in the blinatumomab group and 13 patients (29%) in the InO group proceeded with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The median overall survival (OS) was 15 and 11.6 months in the blinatumomab and InO groups, respectively. A subset analysis was performed for 61 patients who received both NAs (blinatumomab and then InO [n = 40] or InO and then blinatumomab [n = 21]). The CR/CRi rate was 58% for patients who received InO as the second NA and 52% for patients who received blinatumomab as the second NA. The median OS was 10.5 for patients who received InO as the second NA and 5.9 months for patients who received blinatumomab as the second NA (P = .09). Conclusions Although the limited power of this study to detect a significant difference between subgroups is acknowledged, the data suggest that blinatumomab and InO may have comparable efficacy as a first or second NA therapy in RR ALL.

Background Patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Methods The efficacy of inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO), a humanized anti‐CD22 monoclonal antibody conjugated to the cytotoxic antibiotic calicheamicin, was evaluated in R/R ALL patients in the phase 1/2 study 1010 (NCT01363297) and open‐label, randomized, phase 3 study 1022 (INO‐VATE; NCT01564784). This analysis focused specifically on Ph+ R/R ALL patients. In study 1022, Ph+ patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to InO (n = 22) or standard intensive chemotherapy (SC) (n = 27) and 16 Ph+ patients in study 1010 received InO. Results In study 1022, rates of complete remission/complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CR/CRi) and minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity (patients achieving CR/CRi) were higher with InO (CR/CRi = 73%; MRD = 81%) versus SC (CR/CRi = 56%; MRD = 33%). The corresponding rates in study 1010 were 56% (CR/CRi) and 100% (MRD). The hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) rate in study 1022 was 41% versus 19% for InO versus SC; however, there was no benefit in overall survival (median OS: 8.7 vs 8.4 months; hazard ratio, 1.17 [95% CI, 0.64‐2.14]). The probability of being event‐free (progression‐free survival) at 12 months was greater with InO versus SC (20.1% vs 4.8%). Conclusion Given the substantial improvement in responses and rates of HSCT, InO is an important treatment option for patients with R/R Ph+ ALL. Future studies need to consider better characterization of disease characteristics, more sensitive MRD measurements, MRD‐directed therapy before HSCT, and potentially combination therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors., An analysis of 65 patients with relapsed/refractory Philadelphia chromosome‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia shows that patients receiving inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO) have higher rates of complete remission/complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery, minimal residual disease negativity, and subsequent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation than those receiving standard intensive chemotherapy (SC). Although this does not result in prolonged progression‐free survival or overall survival compared with SC, InO remains an important treatment option for patients with resistant and difficult‐to–treat disease.

Here we investigate single codon SF3B1 mutations (K700E, K666, H662) to identify whether discrete amino acid substitutions may influence clinical phenotypes, survival and response to treatments in ...

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is physically and psychologically challenging, potentially exposing patients to quality-of-life (QoL) impairments. Adolescent and young adults (AYAs, aged 15 to 39 years) are a vulnerable cohort facing multiple hurdles due to dynamic changes in several aspects of their lives. The AYA population may be particularly prone to QoL issues during HCT. We hypothesized that due to the unique psychosocial challenges faced by AYAs, they would have an inferior quality of life. We studied QoL differences between AYA (aged 15 to 39 years) and older adult (aged 40 to 60 years) allogeneic HCT recipients before and after HCT. Additionally, we determined if pre-HCT QoL for AYA transplant recipients changed over time. QoL data were collected prospectively before and after transplant on 431 recipients aged 15 to 60 years from June 2003 through December 2017 using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplantation (FACT-BMT) questionnaire. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to assess differences among age groups. Pearson correlation (r) was used to determine if baseline QoL had improved after HCT from June 2003 through December 2017 in the AYA cohort. QoL did not differ among younger AYAs, older AYAs, or older adults at any time in the first year after allogeneic HCT. At 1 year post-HCT, total FACT-BMT score and all FACT-BMT domains except physical well-being improved from pre-HCT in all age groups. From 2003 to 2017, AYA allogeneic recipients experienced modest improvement in additional concerns (r = 0.26, P = .003), trial outcome index (r = 0.23, P = .008), and total FACT-BMT score (r = 0.19, P = .031), although no improvements were seen in physical, social, emotional, or functional well-being. Contrary to our hypothesis, we found that QoL in the AYA population is similar to that of older adults before and after HCT. Improvements in QoL of AYA allogeneic patients since 2003 were driven by the additional concerns domain, which addresses multiple psychosocial aspects such as vocation, hobbies, and acceptance of illness. Continued efforts to tailor treatment and support for AYA HCT recipients is critical to improving QoL outcomes.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is characterized by chromosomal translocations and somatic mutations that lead to leukemogenesis. The incorporation of pediatric-type regimens has improved survival in young adults, and the incorporation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for patients with Philadelphia chromosome–positive disease has led to further improvements in outcomes. However, older patients often have poor-risk biology and reduced tolerance to chemotherapy, leading to lower remission rates and overall survival. Regardless of age, patients with relapsed or refractory ALL have extremely poor outcomes. The advent of next-generation sequencing has facilitated the revolution in understanding the genetics of ALL. New genetic risk stratification together with the ability to measure minimal residual disease, leukemic blasts left behind after cytotoxic chemotherapy, has led to better tools to guide postremission approaches—that is, consolidation chemotherapy or allogeneic stem cell transplantation. In this article, we discuss the evolving and complex genetic landscape of ALL and the emerging therapeutic options for patients with relapsed/refractory ALL and older patients with ALL.

FF-10501-01 potently inhibits inosine-5-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), inducing anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) human cell lines resistant to hypomethylating agents. In this Phase 1/2a study, Phase 1 enrolled 38 patients with relapsed/refractory AML (

Summary The therapy algorithm for severe aplastic anaemia (sAA) is established but moderate AA (mAA), which likely reflects a more diverse pathogenic mechanism, often represents a treatment/management conundrum. A cohort of AA patients (n = 325) was queried for those with non-severe disease using stringent criteria including bone marrow hypocellularity and chronic persistence of moderately depressed blood counts. As a result, we have identified and analyzed pathological and clinical features in 85 mAA patients. Progression to sAA and direct clonal evolution (paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria/acute myeloid leukaemia; PNH/AML) occurred in 16%, 11% and 1% of mAA cases respectively. Of the mAA patients who received immunosuppressive therapy, 67% responded irrespective of time of initiation of therapy while conservatively managed patients showed no spontaneous remissions. Genomic analysis of mAA identified evidence of clonal haematopoiesis with both persisting and remitting patterns at low allelic frequencies; with more pronounced mutational burden in sAA. Most of the mAA patients have autoimmune pathogenesis similar to those with sAA, but mAA contains a mix of patients with diverse aetiologies. Although progression rates differed between mAA and sAA (P = 0·003), cumulative incidences of mortalities were only marginally different (P = 0·095). Our results provide guidance for diagnosis/management of mAA, a condition for which no current standard of care is established.

Somatic TP53 mutations and 17p deletions with genomic loss of TP53 occur in 37% to 46% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with adverse-risk cytogenetics and correlate with primary induction failure, high risk of relapse, and dismal prognosis. Herein, we aimed to characterize the immune landscape of TP53-mutated AML and determine whether TP53 abnormalities identify a patient subgroup that may benefit from immunotherapy with flotetuzumab, an investigational CD123 × CD3 bispecific dual-affinity retargeting antibody (DART) molecule. The NanoString PanCancer IO360 assay was used to profile 64 diagnostic bone marrow (BM) samples from patients with TP53-mutated (n = 42) and TP53-wild-type (TP53-WT) AML (n = 22) and 45 BM samples from patients who received flotetuzumab for relapsed/refractory (R/R) AML (15 cases with TP53 mutations and/or 17p deletion). The comparison between TP53-mutated and TP53-WT primary BM samples showed higher expression of IFNG, FOXP3, immune checkpoints, markers of immune senescence, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt and NF-κB signaling intermediates in the former cohort and allowed the discovery of a 34-gene immune classifier prognostic for survival in independent validation series. Finally, 7 out of 15 patients (47%) with R/R AML and TP53 abnormalities showed complete responses to flotetuzumab (

In this secondary analysis of Hispanic adolescents and young adults (AYA) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated on Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 10403, we evaluated outcomes and geographic enrollment patterns relative to US population data. We used demographic, clinical, and survival data on AYAs enrolled on CALGB 10403 (N = 295, 2007-2012). Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries provided overall survival (OS) for US AYA ALL by ethnicity/race. North American Association of Cancer Registries provided AYA ALL incidence overall and proportion among Hispanics by US state. Of AYAs enrolled on CALGB 10403, 263 (89%) reported ethnicity/race: 45 (17%) Hispanic, 172 (65%) non-Hispanic White (NHW), 25 (10%) non-Hispanic Black (NHB), and 21 (8%) other. Compared with NHWs, Hispanic and NHB patients had lower household income, and Hispanic patients were more likely to harbor high-risk CRLF2 aberrations. Relative to US estimates, where Hispanic patients represented 46% of newly diagnosed AYA ALL patients and experienced inferior OS compared with NHW (P < .001), Hispanic AYAs on CALGB 10403 did as well as NHW patients (3 year OS, 75% vs 74%; P = NS). Hispanic patients also had higher rates of protocol completion (P = .05). Enrollments on CALGB 10403 differed relative to the distribution of Hispanic AYA ALL in the United States: enrollment was highest in the Midwest; t and only 15% of enrollees were from states with a high proportion of Hispanic AYA ALL patients. In summary, Hispanic patients treated on CALGB 10403 did as well as NHWs and better than population estimates. Geographical misalignment between trial sites and disease epidemiology may partially explain the lower-than-expected enrollment of Hispanic AYA ALL patients.

Objective: Recent data suggest low use of HMAs in patients with MDS in real world. We sought to identify factors associated with HMA use. Methods: Using 2011-2014 Medicare data, we identified individuals ³65 years of age diagnosed with incident MDS during the years 2012-2013 and receiving their care exclusively through the Medicare fee-for-service system. Collected data included age, race, sex, morbidity burden based on their frailty status (robust, pre-frail, mildly frail, moderately, or severely frail), nursing home residence, presence of MDS-related clinical characteristics [cytopenia (0-1 or ³2) and transfusion dependence (independent, low, or medium/high)], area-level socioeconomic measures [percent of individuals with income 100% below the federal poverty level; percent of adults (age > 25 years) without high school diploma; rurality, based on the rural-urban continuum code; and availability of general internal medicine subspecialists per 100,000 population], and receipt of bone marrow biopsy. Among those who received HMA, we grouped patients by the number of complete cycles (1-2, 3-5, or ³6). We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to evaluate the association between demographic characteristics and receipt of HMA, adjusting for MDS-related clinical characteristics, frailty, and socioeconomic measures. Results: Of 49,154 MDS pts, only 16.1% (7,935) received HMA. This percentage ranged from a low of 7.4% among individuals ³85 years of age to a high of 23.2% among those in the 65-74 age group. Receipt of HMA was significantly higher in men than in women (19.0% vs. 12.8%), in Whites than in minoritized patients (16.7% vs. 11.6% in Blacks, and 12.7% in those of Other race), higher among those with 2-3 cytopenias vs. 0-1 cytopenia and highest among those with medium/high transfusion dependence (44.7%). Among those who underwent biopsy, receipt of HMA was at 22.9%. Patients with moderate or severe frailty, and those in a nursing home had significantly lower rates of receipt of HMA. After adjusting for MDS-related clinical variables, frailty and socioeconomic measures, older patients had significantly lower odds than their younger counterparts to receive HMA [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.84, (95% confidence interval: 0.79-0.89), and aOR: 0.43 (0.40-0.47) for those in the 75-84 and ³85 age groups, respectively). Females and minoritized patients had significantly lower odds than men and White patients to receive HMA [(aOR: 0.83 (0.79-0.88) for females; aOR: 0.71 (0.63-0.81) for Blacks, and aOR: 0.78 (0.68-0.89) for patients of Other race). Among those receiving HMA, we did not observe differences in the number of completed cycles by age, race, or sex. Conclusions: In Medicare beneficiaries with MDS, older patients, women, and minoritized patients have significantly lower odds to be treated with HMAs, even after adjusting for MDS-related clinical variables, morbidity burden, and socioeconomic measures. In addition to barriers to access adequate care, these results clearly reflect biases in MDS treatment, favoring younger, White men. Citation Format: Sudipto Mukherjee, Weichuan Dong, Aaron T. Gerds, Hetty E. Carraway, Abhay Singh, Anjali S. Advani, Siran M. Koroukian. Age-, sex-, and race-related disparities in receipt of HypomethyLating Agents (HMA) for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A062.

Chemicals, including some systemically administered xenobiotics and their biotransformations, can be detected noninvasively using skin swabs and untargeted metabolomics analysis. We sought to understand the principal drivers that determine whether a drug taken orally or systemically is likely to be observed on the epidermis by using a random forest classifier to predict which drugs would be detected on the skin. A variety of molecular descriptors describing calculated properties of drugs, such as measures of volume, electronegativity, bond energy, and electrotopology, were used to train the classifier. The mean area under the ROC curve was 0.71 for predicting drug detection on the epidermis, and the SHapley Additive exPlanations model interpretation technique was used to determine the most relevant molecular descriptors. Based on the analysis of 2,561 FDA approved drugs, we predict that therapeutic drug classes such as nervous system drugs are more likely to be detected on the skin. Detecting drugs and other chemicals noninvasively on the skin using untargeted metabolomics could be a useful clinical advancement in therapeutic drug monitoring, adherence, and health status.

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

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

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

Purpose: The prognosis of patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains poor, and novel therapies are needed. The proteasome pathway represents a potential therapeutic target. A phase I trial of the second-generation proteasome inhibitor ixazomib in combination with MEC (mitoxantrone, etoposide, and cytarabine) was conducted in patients with R/R AML. Patients and Methods: Dose escalation of ixazomib was performed using a standard 3 × 3 design. Gene-expression profiling was performed on pretreatment and posttreatment bone marrow or blood samples. Results: The maximum tolerated dose of ixazomib in combination with MEC was 1.0 mg. The dose limiting toxicity was thrombocytopenia. Despite a poor risk population, the response rate [complete remission (CR)/CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi)] was encouraging at 53%. Gene-expression analysis identified two genes, IFI30 (γ-interferon inducible lysosomal thiol reductase) and RORα (retinoic orphan receptor A), which were significantly differentially expressed between responding and resistant patients and could classify CR. Conclusions: These results are encouraging, but a randomized trial is needed to address whether the addition of ixazomib to MEC improves outcome. Gene-expression profiling also helped us identify predictors of response and potentially novel therapeutic targets.

Survival outcomes for older adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are poor and optimal management is challenging due to higher-risk leukemia genetics, comorbidities, and lower tolerance to intensive therapy. A critical understanding of these factors guides the selection of frontline therapies and subsequent treatment strategies. In addition, there have been recent developments in minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) testing and blinatumomab use in the context of MRD-positive disease after therapy. These NCCN Guidelines Insights discuss recent updates to the NCCN Guidelines for ALL regarding upfront therapy in older adults and MRD monitoring/testing in response to ALL treatment.

Retrospective studies have suggested that older adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have better survival rates when treated using a pediatric ALL regimen administered by pediatric treatment teams. To address the feasibility and efficacy of using a pediatric treatment regimen for AYA patients with newly diagnosed ALL administered by adult treatment teams, we performed a prospective study, CALGB 10403, with doses and schedule identical to those in the Children’s Oncology Group study AALL0232. From 2007 to 2012, 318 patients were enrolled; 295 were eligible and evaluable for response. Median age was 24 years (range, 17-39 years). Use of the pediatric regimen was safe; overall treatment-related mortality was 3%, and there were only 2 postremission deaths. Median event-free survival (EFS) was 78.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 41.8 to not reached), more than double the historical control of 30 months (95% CI, 22-38 months); 3-year EFS was 59% (95% CI, 54%-65%). Median overall survival (OS) was not reached. Estimated 3-year OS was 73% (95% CI, 68%-78%). Pretreatment risk factors associated with worse treatment outcomes included obesity and presence of the Philadelphia-like gene expression signature. Use of a pediatric regimen for AYAs with ALL up to age 40 years was feasible and effective, resulting in improved survival rates compared with historical controls. CALGB 10403 can be considered a new treatment standard upon which to build for improving survival for AYAs with ALL. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00558519.

Karyotype is frequently used to predict response and outcome in leukemia. This post hoc exploratory analysis evaluated the relationship between baseline cytogenetics and outcome in patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R ALL) treated with inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO), a humanized CD22 antibody conjugated to calicheamicin, in the phase 3, open-label, randomized INO-VATE trial. Data as of March 8, 2016, are presented in this analysis. Of the 326 patients randomized, 284 had screening karyotyping data (144 in the InO arm and 140 in the standard care [SC] arm). With InO, complete remission or complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CR/CRi), minimal residual disease negativity rates, and overall survival (OS) were not significantly different between cytogenetic subgroups. CR/CRi rates favored InO over SC in the diploid with ≥20 metaphases, complex, and "other" cytogenetic subgroups. The OS hazard ratio favored InO over SC in the diploid with ≥20 metaphases, complex, and other cytogenetic subgroups. Generally, InO is effective and provides substantial clinical benefit in patients with R/R ALL who have specific baseline karyotypes.

To the Editor,The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of hematologic conditions characterized by dysplastic changes and ineffective hematopoiesis [1]. Almost all patients with...