Myeloid translocation gene 16 is required for maintenance of haematopoietic stem cell quiescence

In adult mice, haematopoietic stem cells are maintained in a quiescent state. The transcriptional repressor Myeloid Translocation Gene 16 (MTG16) is shown to govern this process

A phase 1b study of venetoclax and alvocidib in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia

Relapsed/refractory (R/R) Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a genetically complex and heterogeneous disease with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop therapeutic combinations to overcome drug resistance in AML. This open-label, multicenter, international, phase 1b study evaluated the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of venetoclax in combination with alvocidib in patients with R/R AML. Patients were treated with escalating doses of venetoclax (400, 600, and 800 mg QD, orally, days 1–28) and alvocidib (45 and 60 mg/m2, intravenously, days 1–3) in 28-day cycles. The combination was found to be safe and tolerable, with no maximum tolerated dose reached. Drug-related Grade ≥3 adverse events were reported in 23 (65.7%) for venetoclax and 24 (68.6%) for alvocidib. No drug-related AEs were fatal. Gastrointestinal toxicities, including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting were notable and frequent; otherwise, the toxicities reported were consistent with the safety profile of both agents. The response rate was modest (complete remission [CR] + incomplete CR [CRi], 11.4%; CR + CRi + partial response rate + morphologic leukemia-free state, 20%). There was no change in alvocidib pharmacokinetics with increasing doses of venetoclax. However, when venetoclax was administered with alvocidib, AUC24 and Cmax decreased by 18% and 19%, respectively. A recommended phase 2 dose was not established due to lack of meaningful increase in efficacy across all cohorts compared to what was previously observed with each agent alone. Future studies could consider the role of the sequence, dosing, and the use of a more selective MCL1 inhibitor for the R/R AML population

Deletion of Mtg16, a Target of t(16;21), Alters Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Proliferation and Lineage Allocation▿ †

While a number of DNA binding transcription factors have been identified that control hematopoietic cell fate decisions, only a limited number of transcriptional corepressors (e.g., the retinoblastoma protein [pRB] and the nuclear hormone corepressor [N-CoR]) have been linked to these functions. Here, we show that the transcriptional corepressor Mtg16 (myeloid translocation gene on chromosome 16), which is targeted by t(16;21) in acute myeloid leukemia, is required for hematopoietic progenitor cell fate decisions and for early progenitor cell proliferation. Inactivation of Mtg16 skewed early myeloid progenitor cells toward the granulocytic/macrophage lineage while reducing the numbers of megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor cells. In addition, inactivation of Mtg16 impaired the rapid expansion of short-term stem cells, multipotent progenitor cells, and megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor cells that is required under hematopoietic stress/emergency. This impairment appears to be a failure to proliferate rather than an induction of cell death, as expression of c-Myc, but not Bcl2, complemented the Mtg16−/− defect

Utility of measurable residual disease for predicting treatment outcomes with BCR- and BCL2-Targeted therapies in patients with CLL

Inhibitors targeting B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway proteins and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are recommended in the first-line and relapsed/refractory disease settings. Measurable residual disease (MRD) is an important prognostic tool in patients treated with the BCL2-targeted agent, venetoclax. We explored the relationship between MRD status and progression-free (PFS)/overall survival (OS) in patients with CLL, following treatment with novel BCR- and BCL2-targeted agents. Compared with chemoimmunotherapy, higher rates of undetectable (u)MRD were achieved with BCL2-targeted therapies; achieving uMRD status was associated with longer PFS and OS than MRD-positivity. Continuous treatment with BCR-targeted agents did not achieve uMRD status in many patients, and outcomes were not correlated with uMRD status. Future clinical trials of targeted treatment combinations could be designed to demonstrate uMRD as a treatment objective, and allow a response-driven, personalized strategy to optimize treatment and improve OS outcomes

Venetoclax in Combination with Gilteritinib Demonstrates Molecular Clearance of FLT3 mutation in Relapsed/Refractory FLT3 -Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract Gilteritinib (Gilt), a FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), is approved for the treatment of relapsed/refractory (R/R) FLT3-mutated (FLT3 +)acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, long-term survival is limited by the development of drug resistance mutations in persistent FLT3 + clones. Combination regimens may deepen response and improve outcomes. Venetoclax (Ven), a BCL-2 inhibitor, is approved in combination with hypomethylating agents for newly diagnosed AML not suitable for standard induction therapy. FLT3 + AMLhas been associated with clinical resistance to Ven. Still, FLT3 TKIs + Ven have demonstrated synthetic lethality in preclinical models, prompting this multicenter, open-label, phase 1b trial (NCT03625505) to evaluate Ven + Gilt for R/R AML. Here, we report final response and survival endpoints, and molecular clearance among patients (pts) treated at the recommended phase two dose (RP2D). The study design has been previously described (Daver, et al. ASH 2020, Abstract 333). Pts in the dose expansion cohort received Ven 400 mg + Gilt 120 mg (RP2D) daily in 28-day cycles, following Ven ramp-up. The primary endpoint was mCRc (complete response [CR] + CR with incomplete platelet recovery [CRp] + CR with incomplete blood count recovery [CRi] + morphologic leukemia-free state) to align with the ADMIRAL phase III trial (Perl, et al. NEJM 2019). Baseline co-mutations and serial FLT3 internal tandem duplications (ITD) allelic burden were assessed using the MyAML panel (Invivoscribe, San Diego, CA) and FLT3-ITD MRD assay with sensitivities of 5% and 0.001%, respectively. As of the data cut off of January 31, 2021, 54 pts were treated at the RP2D. Fifty-two pts (as assessed locally) had FLT3 +AML; 41 had FLT3-ITD only, 8 had tyrosine kinase domain only, 3 had both mutations, and 2 were FLT3 wild type (wt). Additional baseline characteristics are in Table 1. Grade 3 or 4 AEs occurred in 51 (94.4%) pts, and 39 (72.2%) pts had serious AEs. Grade 3 or 4 cytopenias occurred in 43 (79.6%) pts. AEs of special interest included tumor lysis syndrome (2 [3.7%]) and QT prolongation (1 [1.9%]). AEs leading to dosing interruptions (Ven, 27 [50%]; Gilt, 26 [48.1%]), reductions (Ven, 3 [5.6%]; Gilt, 4 [7.4%]), and discontinuation (Ven, 7 [13%]; Gilt, 7 [13%]) were reported for both study drugs. There was 1 treatment-emergent death of typhlitis. Among FLT3 + pts with post-baseline assessments (51/52), mCRc was achieved by 38 pts (74.5%; CR/CRp/CRi, 19 [37.3%] pts), with a median follow-up time of 12 mo (range: 0.8 - 20.1). The mCRc in pts with prior TKI (32) or prior Ven (10) use were 78.1% and 60%, respectively. The mOS among all FLT3 +pts was 10 mo (95%CI: 6.6, NE), with a median DoR (mDoR) of 5.4 mo (95% CI: 3.3, 6.6). Pts with FLT3-ITD had a mOS of 10.5 mo (95%CI: 6.8, NE), and a mDoR of 5.6 mo (95% CI: 3.3, 8.3). For the 14 pts who had a transplant, the mOS was not reached (95%CI: 10.0, NE) vs 6.89 mo (95%CI: 3.0, 10.5) for those who did not have a transplant (37). The mOS for pts with prior TKI or Ven was 9.6 (95% CI: 4.3, NE) and 10.5 mo (95% CI: 2.0, NE), respectively, with a mDoR of 9.6 (95% CI: 4.3, NE) and 6.2 mo (95% CI: 2.6, NE), respectively. The 60-day mortality rate was 11.8% (95% CI: 4.4, 23.9). The mCRc for NPM1 + and NPM1wt were 92.3% and 61.1%, respectively. mCRc for DNMT3A + and DMNT3A wt pts were 82.4% and 64.3%, respectively. WT1 + and WT1 wt mCRc were 66.7% and 77.3%, respectively. The mCRc for NPM1 + and DNMT3A + co-mutated pts was 100%. In a post hoc analysis of the 30 analyzable mCRc pts with at least one follow-up MRD assessment, 17 (56.7%) achieved molecular clearance defined as FLT3 allelic burden < 10 -2. The mOS of pts achieving mCRc with FLT3 allelic burden of < 10 -2 vs mCRc with FLT3 allelic burden ≥ 10 -2 (Figure 1) was not reached (95% CI: 9.76, NE) vs 6.83 mo (4.21, NE). Ven + Gilt achieved high mCRc in patients with R/R FLT3 + AML, with or without prior TKI exposure, and an encouraging mOS. FLT3 mutation clearance was seen in a majority of patients and associated with longer OS. Encouraging remission rates were observed across many genotypes and were particularly high among pts with NPM1 + +/- DNMT3A co-mutation. Cytopenias were common but manageable with appropriate Ven or Gilt dosing modifications. Serial NGS molecular data, as well as updated survival data will be presented at the meeting. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Daver: Hanmi: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Trillium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Trovagene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novimmune: Research Funding; FATE Therapeutics: Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sevier: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; ImmunoGen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Other: Data Monitoring Committee member; Dava Oncology (Arog): Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Syndax: Consultancy; Shattuck Labs: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; Kite Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; SOBI: Consultancy; STAR Therapeutics: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Newave: Research Funding. Perl: Actinium: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy, Research Funding; Forma: Consultancy; Syndax: Consultancy; Loxo: Consultancy; Fujifilm: Research Funding; Arog: Research Funding; BMS/Celgene: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; Onconova: Consultancy; Sumitomo Dainippon: Consultancy. Levis: Amgen, Astellas Pharma, Daiichi-Sankyo, FujiFilm, and Menarini: Honoraria; Astellas and FujiFilm: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria; Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria. Ritchie: Astellas: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel support, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene/BMS: Consultancy, Other: travel support, Speakers Bureau; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Jazz: Consultancy, Research Funding; Protaganist: Consultancy, Honoraria; ARIAD Pharmaceuticals: Ended employment in the past 24 months, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Litzow: Astellas: Research Funding; Omeros: Other: Advisory Board; Pluristem: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Actinium: Research Funding; Jazz: Other: Advisory Board; Biosight: Other: Data monitoring committee. McCloskey: Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Smith: AbbVie: Research Funding; Revolutions Medicine: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; FUJIFILM: Research Funding; Astellas Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria. Schiller: Takeda: Research Funding; Trovagene: Research Funding; Tolero: Research Funding; Ono: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; ASH foundation: Other: Chair-unpaid; Pfizer: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy; Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Ariad: Research Funding; Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Ono-UK: Consultancy, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Kite/Gilead: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Onconova: Research Funding; Mateon: Research Funding; Sangamo: Research Funding; Samus: Research Funding; Regimmune: Research Funding; PrECOG: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Kaiser Permanente: Consultancy; Cyclacel: Research Funding; MedImmune: Research Funding; Ambit: Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Elevate: Research Funding; Bio: Research Funding; Pharma: Consultancy; Johnson & Johnson: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Biomed Valley Discoveries: Research Funding; Eli Lilly: Research Funding; Sellas: Research Funding; Geron: Research Funding; Genentech-Roche: Research Funding; Gamida Cell Ltd.: Research Funding; FujiFilm: Research Funding; Forma: Research Funding; Delta-Fly: Research Funding; Deciphera: Research Funding; Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding; Constellation Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Celator: Research Funding; BMS/Celgene: Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Astellas: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Arog: Research Funding; Actuate: Research Funding; Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Research Funding; Bluebird Bio: Research Funding; Boehringer-Ingleheim: Research Funding; Cellerant: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Kura Oncology: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Research Funding; National Marrow Donor Program: Research Funding; NIH: Research Funding; Onyx: Research Funding; Pharmamar: Research Funding; UC Davis: Research Funding;

Efficacy of venetoclax in relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia is influenced by disease and response variables

To define the efficacy of venetoclax with extended follow-up and identify clinical or biological treatment effect modifiers, updated data for previously treated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) enrolled in 4 early-phase trials were pooled. Rates of response, complete remission (CR/CRi), and undetectable minimal residual disease (U-MRD) were analyzed for all patients (n = 436) and for those patients who were planned to receive 400 mg/day monotherapy (n = 347). Univariate and multiple regression analyses were performed to identify the pretreatment factors associated with response rates and duration of response (DoR). Objective responses were documented in 75% of all patients, including 22% CR/CRi. Overall, 27% and 16% of the patients achieved U-MRD in blood and marrow, respectively. Estimated median progression-free survival (PFS), DoR, and time to progression were 30.2, 38.4, and 36.9 months, respectively. Similar efficacy outcomes were observed within the 400 mg/day monotherapy subset. For those who achieved CR/CRi, the 3-year PFS estimate was 83%. DoR was superior for patients achieving CR/CRi or U-MRD in landmark analyses. In multiple regression analyses, bulky lymphadenopathy (>= 5 cm) and refractoriness to B-cell receptor inhibitor (BCRi) therapy were significantly associated with lower CR rate and shorter DoR. Fewer prior therapies were associated with higher CR rate, but not DoR. Chromosome 17p deletion and/or TP53 mutation and NOTCH1 mutation were consistently associated with shorter DoR, but not probability of response. Thus, both pretreatment factors and depth of response correlated with DoR with venetoclax. Patients without bulky lymphadenopathy, BCRi-refractory CLL, or an adverse mutation profile had the most durable benefit