Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Following the Use of Hypomethylating Agents among Patients with Relapsed or Refractory AML: Findings from an International Retrospective Study

Abstract Patients with primary refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (RR-AML) have very poor prognosis. Due to limited treatment options, some patients are treated with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) due to their tolerability. Little is known about the role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) following HMA therapy in this setting. We retrospectively analyzed an international cohort of 655 RR-AML patients who received HMA therapy to study patterns and outcomes with HSCT. Only 37 patients (5.6%) patients underwent HSCT after HMA therapy. The conditioning regimen was myeloablative in 57% and nonmyeloablative in 43%. Patients received matched unrelated donor, matched sibling, haploidentical and mismatched unrelated HSCT in 56%, 24%, 16% and 4% of cases, respectively. Acute GvHD and chronic GvHD were observed in 40% and 17% of patients. While the median OS for the entire cohort of patients was 15.3 months (95% CI 9.5 – 21.7 months), OS reached 29.7 months (95% CI 7.01 – not-reached) for patients who achieved a complete remission (CR) to HMA and no intervening therapies between HMA therapy and HSCT. Our study suggests that HMA therapy can effectively bridge some patients with RR-AML to HSCT

Special considerations in the management of adult patients with acute leukaemias and myeloid neoplasms in the COVID-19 era: recommendations from a panel of international experts

This article is made available for unrestricted research re-use and secondary analysis in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is a global public health crisis. Multiple observations indicate poorer post-infection outcomes for patients with cancer than for the general population. Herein, we highlight the challenges in caring for patients with acute leukaemias and myeloid neoplasms amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We summarise key changes related to service allocation, clinical and supportive care, clinical trial participation, and ethical considerations regarding the use of lifesaving measures for these patients. We recognise that these recommendations might be more applicable to high-income countries and might not be generalisable because of regional differences in health-care infrastructure, individual circumstances, and a complex and highly fluid health-care environment. Despite these limitations, we aim to provide a general framework for the care of patients with acute leukaemias and myeloid neoplasms during the COVID-19 pandemic on the basis of recommendations from international experts

Complement dependency of cardiomyocyte release of mediators during sepsis

We have recently shown that antibody-induced blockade of C5a, C5a receptors, or IL-17A greatly reduced the harmful outcomes of sepsis. In the current study, normal cardiomyocytes from young (300 g) male Sprague-Dawley rats responded in vitro to C5a (ED50=55 nM) with release of IL-6 and TNFα, peaking between 2 to 8 h. Neutralizing antibodies to mouse C5a or IL-17A (ED50=40 μg for each, based on improved survival) reduced spontaneous in vitro release of cardiosuppressive cytokines and chemokines in cardiomyocytes obtained from mice with polymicrobial sepsis. A non-neutralizing C5a antibody had no such effects. Cardiomyocytes from septic mice (C57Bl/6) showed increased mRNA for TNFR1, IL-6 (gp80), and C5aR at 6 h after sepsis. Cardiomyocytes from septic C5aR−/− or C5L2−/− mice did not show spontaneous in vitro release of cytokines and chemokines. These data suggest that cardiomyocytes from septic mice release suppressive cytokines in a C5a-, C5aR-, and IL-17A-dependent manner, followed by mediator reactivity with receptors on cardiomyocytes, resulting in defective contractility and relaxation. These data may be relevant to a strategy for the treatment of heart dysfunction developing during sepsis.—Atefi, G., Zetoune, F. S., Herron, T. J., Jalife, J., Bosmann, M., Chen, A., Al-Aref, R., Sarma, J. V., Ward, P. A. Complement dependency of cardiomyocyte release of mediators during sepsis

Treatment outcomes for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasms with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis

Myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T) is characterized by anemia, ring sideroblast erythroid precursors, and persistent thrombocytosis. Case reports suggest lenalidomide may be effective in treating MDS/MPN-RS-T. We evaluated a large series of patients with MDS/MPN-RS-T to compare hematological improvement (HI) response rates among different drug therapies including lenalidomide. We identified 167 patients with MDS/MPN-RS-T. Among the patients tested, 84% had SF3B1 mutations and 43% had JAK2 V617F mutations. The median OS for the cohort was 81 months. Overall, 76 patients (46%) received erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), 47 patients (28%) received lenalidomide, and 45 patients (27%) received hypomethylating agents (HMAs). The HI rates were 58%, 53%, and 24%, respectively. The median duration of treatment was 11 months for lenalidomide compared to 6 months for HMAs. Rates of HI improvement were higher in patients with MDS/MPN-RS-T treated with ESAs or lenalidomide, in comparison to those treated with HMAs

The Use of Hypomethylating Agents (HMAs) in Patients with Relapsed and Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (RR-AML): Clinical Outcomes and Their Predictors in a Large International Patient Cohort

Abstract Introduction: Patients with RR-AML, particularly older adults, have dismal outcomes and limited therapy options. Given low response rates and high toxicity with salvage intensive chemotherapy, and frequent ineligibility for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT), many patients are treated with HMAs. Robust data regarding use of HMAs in AML predominates in the frontline setting, while their use in RR-AML has limited supportive data. Here wesought to analyze theoutcomes and their predictors in patients with RR-AML treated with HMAs. Methods:We collected data, spanning a period from 2006 to 2016, from 7 centers in the United States and 4 centers in Europe regarding patients treated with HMAs for RR-AML. Responses were defined by International Working Group criteria. Kaplan-Meier methods estimated overall survival (OS) from initiation of HMAs to death or end of follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated odds for response, and multivariable Cox Proportional Hazard (CPH) models estimated hazards ratios (HR) for OS. Covariates considered included HMA received, age at diagnosis (in years), AML classification at diagnosis (AML with myelodysplasia-related changes [AML-MRC], therapy-related [t]-AML), disease status (relapsed vs. refractory), number of therapy lines prior to HMA (1 vs. 2 vs. >=3), duration of first complete remission (CR1), white blood cell count, peripheral blood blast percentage, bone marrow (BM) cellularity ( 20%), BM blast percentage (20%), cytogenetic risk group, and the presence of complex or chromosome 7 abnormalities. Results: Of 514 patients, 217 patients (42.2%) had refractory and 297 (58%) had relapsed AML. By end of study, 415 patients (88.5%) had died. Median follow-up for living patients was 11.6 months.Median age at diagnosis was 64 years (range [R], 16-92). AML-MRC was diagnosed in 29.0% while 8.2% had t-AML. Median number of prior therapies was 2 (R, 1-7), with 48.3% receiving 1 prior line, 30.2% receiving 2 prior lines, and 21.5% receiving >=3 prior lines. Prior alloSCT was performed in 21.2%. Only 1.9% had good risk (core binding factor) karyotype, while 56.2% had intermediate risk karyotype, and 41.9% had poor risk karyotype. Azacitidine was used in 45.8% and decitabine in 54.2%; median number of azacitidine cycles was 4 (Interquartile range [IQR], 2-6) compared to 2 for decitabine (IQR, 1-4, p <0.001). Best response to HMAs was CR in 11.7% (95%CI, 9%-14%), CRi in 6.4% (95%CI, 4.3%-8.8%), hematologic improvement (HI) in 8% (95%CI, 5.7%-10.5%), stable disease (SD) in 9.8% (95%CI, 7.2%-12.5%), while 64.1% (95%CI, 57.7%-66.2%) had progressive disease (PD). Median OS from HMA initiation for all patients was 6.9 months (IQR, 3.0-13.3). There was a significant difference in OS based on best response achieved [Figure 1]. Unadjusted OS showed an insignificant trend for worsening with increasing number of prior lines of therapy [Figure 2A]. In unadjusted analyses, there was no difference in OS based on HMA received in all patients [Figure 2B] or the subset who received only 1 prior line of therapy (median OS: Azacitidine vs. decitabine 8.4 vs 7.3 months, p=0.88). Following HMA therapy, the median number of subsequent therapies was 0 (R, 0-6), and only 12.8% underwent alloSCT. In multivariate CPH models, HMA used was not significantly associated with OS (HR=0.80, 95%CI, 0.42-1.51, p=0.49), while increasing age, and presence of complex cytogenetics and chromosome 7 abnormalities were significantly associated with risk of death [Table 1]. In multivariable logistic regression models, HMA used was not associated with achieving CR+CRi (Odds ratio=0.56, p=0.32). Conclusions: In this largest reported cohort of patients with RR-AML treated with HMAs, we found that HMAs are often used as alast line of therapy, with a minority of patients receiving subsequent treatment. Nonetheless, the minority of patients who achieve CR (11.7%) with HMA therapy had a median OS of 25.6 months. Therefore, use of HMAs for management of RR-AML is a reasonable intervention in the absence of clinical trial options. There appears to be no difference in OS or probability of achieving CR+CRi based on HMA used. Ongoing analyses in this dataset include further evaluations of predictors, including genetic mutations, and the development of prediction tools for clinical outcomes with HMA therapy. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Podoltsev: Ariad: Consultancy, Honoraria; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria. Ritchie:Novartis: Honoraria; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Arian: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria; Celgene: Speakers Bureau. Sekeres:Millenium/Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Komrokji:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Al-Kali:Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Santini:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Onconova: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Astex: Consultancy. Roboz:Cellectis: Research Funding; Agios, Amgen, Amphivena, Astex, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celator, Celgene, Genoptix, Janssen, Juno, MEI Pharma, MedImmune, Novartis, Onconova, Pfizer, Roche/Genentech, Sunesis, Teva: Consultancy. Fenaux:Celgene, Janssen,Novartis, Astex, Teva: Honoraria, Research Funding. Prebet:celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria. Gore:celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria. Zeidan:Ariad: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria

Characteristics and Clinical Outcome of Patients with Clonal Cytopenias of Undetermined Significance: A Large Retrospective Multi-Center International Study

Abstract Background: Clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS) is defined as persistent unexplained cytopenia with evidence of clonality [myeloid-associated somatic mutations (MTs) or cytogenetic [CG] abnormalities] but without definitive evidence of myeloid neoplasms (MN). The outcomes in CCUS patients (pts) are not well understood. Methods: The CCUS International Study database includes pts from 17 institutions who meet the criteria of CCUS and do not have other causes of cytopenia. Pts with MDS defining CG abnormalities were excluded. We collected baseline clinical data, laboratory parameters, CGs, molecular genetics, treatment, and disease course. Diverse gene panels from different institutions were collated to include a total of 70 myeloid-related somatic genes (30 genes in common). 2018 IWG MDS response criteria were used to determine response rate (RR). Disease progression (DP) is defined by progression to MN. The relationship between independent variables and DP and death was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. All statistical analysis was performed using SAS. Results: A total of 258 pts were captured by July 2021. The median age was 71 (IQR 63-77) years, and 66% were male. Among 73 (28%) pts with known malignancy history, 27 (37%) pts received previous chemo- or radiation therapy. 27 (10%) pts had non-malignant hematology comorbidities. 91 (35%) had cardiovascular disease, and 33 (13%) had inflammatory disease. (Table 1) The red blood cell and platelet transfusion-dependent rates were 7.3% and 2.3%, respectively. The median number of MTs was 2 (IQR 1-3), with 221 (86%) pts had ≥1 MT, of which 116 (53%) had ≥ 2 MTs. The most common 5 MTs were TET2 (n=78, 30%), SRSF2 (n=50, 19%), DNMT3A (n=47, 18%), ASXL1 (n=40, 16%), and U2AF1 (n=22, 9%) (Figure 1). The median VAF (mVAF) was 28% (IQR: 9.2%, 43%) with VAF < 10% in 47 (18%) and VAF ≥40% in 78 (30.2%) of the MTs. mVAF of the all genes are shown in Figure 2. Among pts with CG abnormalities (n=62, 24%), trisomy 8 and -Y are the most common karyotypes (n=15 for each, 24%) (Table 2). Eighty one (31%) patients received various treatments for CCUS with modest RR, including growth factors (n=47, 18.2%, RR: 25.5%), supportive care (n=23, 9%, RR: 26%), immunoglobulin/immunosuppressive therapy (n=15, 6%, RR: 40%), and DNMTi (n=8, 3%, RR=13%). The median length of follow-up was 15.6 (IQR 6.9-30.6) months. 24 pts progressed to MN, 14 (58.3%) of which were MDS, 8 (33.3%) CMML, and 2 (8.3%) AML. The 2-year PFS was 86.1% (95% CI: 80-93%) with a median PFS of 16.3 (IQR: 3.7, 21) months. In the multivariable model, positive MT of KRAS (HR: 8.4, 95% CI: 1.9-36.9, p=0.005) and CBL (HR: 16.5, 95% CI: 3.7-73.8, p=0.003) were significantly associated with DP. In the functional pathway analysis, having at least 1 splicing factor MT was significantly associated with DP (HR: 2.6, 95% CI:1.2-5.9, p=0.02). TP53 was not significantly associated with DP (HR: 1.2, 95% CI: 0.2-8.7, p=0.88). Having >1 MT (HR: 3.57, 95% CI: 1.19-10.7, p=0.02) compared to a single MT was significantly associated with DP (Figure 3). Over the follow-up period, 35 pts died. The 2-year OS was 81% (95% CI: 74.9-87.9%). In the multivariable model, MT of KRAS (HR: 6.1, 95% CI: 1.8-20, p=0.003), CBL (HR: 7.3, 95% CI: 1.7-31, p=0.007), and FLT3 (HR: 19.9, 95% CI: 2.5-155, p=0.004) were significantly associated with inferior survival. In the functional pathway analysis, MTs in activated signaling pathway were significantly associated with death (HR: 4.1, 95% CI: 1.8-9, p1 MT was not statistically significantly associated with higher risk of death (HR: 1.5, 95% CI: 0.7-3.0, p=0.28) (Figure 4). After adjustment for co-MT status and comorbidities, baseline Hb<10 g/dL (HR: 3.7, 95% CI: 1.8-7.9, p<0.001) was significantly associated with greater mortality. Conclusion: This large retrospective study summarizes the CCUS pts' characteristics, with different MT patterns and VAF. We confirmed the impact of having >1 MT on DP, but not OS. Genes involved in activated signaling had a significant impact on both DP and OS. TP53 MT was not associated with worse outcome. Findings may be due to limited cases in the particular genes and different gene panels from multiple institutions. A longer follow-up is planned to further describe the predictors for outcome in this ongoing study. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Komrokji: Jazz: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMSCelgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Acceleron: Consultancy; PharmaEssentia: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Consultancy; Taiho Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Geron: Consultancy. Zeidan: BioCryst: Other: Clinical Trial Committees; Kura: Consultancy, Other: Clinical Trial Committees; Ionis: Consultancy; Geron: Other: Clinical Trial Committees; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Boehringer Ingelheim: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: Clinical Trial Committees, Travel support, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy; Cardiff Oncology: Consultancy, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Loxo Oncology: Consultancy, Other: Clinical Trial Committees; Aprea: Consultancy, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; BeyondSpring: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy, Other: Clinical Trial Committees; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Jazz: Consultancy; Astex: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Other: Clinical Trial Committees, Research Funding; Acceleron: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy; Epizyme: Consultancy; Jasper: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Other: Clinical Trial Committees, Research Funding. Madanat: Blue Print Pharmaceutical: Honoraria; Stem line pharmaceutical: Honoraria; Onc Live: Honoraria; Geron Pharmaceutical: Consultancy. Coombs: LOXO: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria; AstraZeneca: Honoraria; AbbVie: Honoraria; Genentech: Honoraria; MEI Pharma: Honoraria. Griffiths: Celgene/Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda Oncology: Consultancy, Honoraria; Taiho Oncology: Consultancy, Honoraria; Apellis Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Boston Biomedical: Consultancy; Astex Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria. Lai: Astellas: Speakers Bureau; Jazz Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi-Sankyo: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz Pharma: Speakers Bureau; Macrogenics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Foran: trillium: Research Funding; actinium: Research Funding; kura: Research Funding; boehringer ingelheim: Research Funding; takeda: Research Funding; abbvie: Research Funding; aptose: Research Funding; pfizer: Honoraria; novartis: Honoraria; servier: Honoraria; bms: Honoraria; revolution medicine: Honoraria; OncLive: Honoraria; gamida: Honoraria; certara: Honoraria; sanofi aventis: Honoraria; syros: Honoraria; taiho: Honoraria; h3bioscience: Research Funding; aprea: Research Funding; sellas: Research Funding; stemline: Research Funding. Badar: Pfizer Hematology-Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Desai: Astex: Research Funding; Janssen R&D: Research Funding; Kura Oncology: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy. Ades: ABBVIE: Honoraria; CELGENE/BMS: Honoraria; NOVARTIS: Honoraria; TAKEDA: Honoraria; JAZZ: Honoraria, Research Funding; CELGENE: Research Funding. Brunner: Novartis, Celgene, Takeda, AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Celgene, Forty Seven Inc, Jazz: Other: Advisory Board. Carraway: Celgene, a Bristol Myers Squibb company: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Other: Independent review committee; Stemline: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Other: Independent review committee; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Jazz: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Agios: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Astex: Other: Independent review committee; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Prebet: BMS: Research Funding; BMS, Curios, Daichi: Consultancy. Patnaik: Kura Oncology: Research Funding; Stemline Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Stemline Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Savona: Karyopharm: Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Geron: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Bo