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

The use of immunosuppressive therapy in MDS: clinical outcomes and their predictors in a large international patient cohort

Most studies of immunosuppressive therapy (IST) in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are limited by small numbers and their single-center nature, and report conflicting data regarding predictors for response to IST. We examined outcomes associated with IST and predictors of benefit in a large international cohort of patients with MDS. Data were collected from 15 centers in the United States and Europe. Responses, including red blood cell (RBC) transfusion independence (TI), were assessed based on the 2006 MDS International Working Group criteria, and overall survival (OS) was estimated by Kaplan-Meier methods. Logistic regression models estimated odds for response and TI, and Cox Proportional Hazard models estimated hazards ratios for OS. We identified 207 patients with MDS receiving IST, excluding steroid monotherapy. The most common IST regimen was anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) plus prednisone (43%). Overall response rate (ORR) was 48.8%, including 11.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.5%-18.4%) who achieved a complete remission and 30% (95% CI, 22.3%-39.5%) who achieved RBC TI. Median OS was 47.4 months (95% CI, 37-72.3 months) and was longer for patients who achieved a response or TI. Achievement of RBC TI was associated with a hypocellular bone marrow (cellularity < 20%); horse ATG plus cyclosporine was more effective than rabbit ATG or ATG without cyclosporine. Age, transfusion dependence, presence of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria or large granular lymphocyte clones, and HLA DR15 positivity did not predict response to IST. IST leads to objective responses in nearly half the selected patients with the highest rate of RBC TI achieved in patients with hypocellular bone marrows

Models of classroom assessment for course-based research experiences

Course-based research pedagogy involves positioning students as contributors to authentic research projects as part of an engaging educational experience that promotes their learning and persistence in science. To develop a model for assessing and grading students engaged in this type of learning experience, the assessment aims and practices of a community of experienced course-based research instructors were collected and analyzed. This approach defines four aims of course-based research assessment—(1) Assessing Laboratory Work and Scientific Thinking; (2) Evaluating Mastery of Concepts, Quantitative Thinking and Skills; (3) Appraising Forms of Scientific Communication; and (4) Metacognition of Learning—along with a set of practices for each aim. These aims and practices of assessment were then integrated with previously developed models of course-based research instruction to reveal an assessment program in which instructors provide extensive feedback to support productive student engagement in research while grading those aspects of research that are necessary for the student to succeed. Assessment conducted in this way delicately balances the need to facilitate students’ ongoing research with the requirement of a final grade without undercutting the important aims of a CRE education

Novel antibody cocktail targeting Bet v 1 rapidly and sustainably treats birch allergy symptoms in a Phase 1 study

Background: The efficacy of an allergen-specific IgG cocktail to treat cat allergy suggests that allergen-specific IgG may be a major protective mechanism elicited by allergen immunotherapy. Objectives: Extending these findings, we tested a Bet v 1–specific antibody cocktail in birch-allergic subjects. Methods: This was a phase 1, randomized, double-blind, study with 2 parts. Part A administered ascending doses of the Bet v 1–specific antibody cocktail REGN5713/14/15 (150-900 mg) in 32 healthy adults. Part B administered a single subcutaneous 900-mg dose or placebo in 64 birch-allergic subjects. Total nasal symptom score response to titrated birch extract nasal allergen challenge and skin prick test (SPT) with birch and alder allergen were assessed at screening and days 8, 29, 57, and 113 (SPT only); basophil activation tests (n = 26) were conducted. Results: Single-dose REGN5713/14/15 significantly reduced total nasal symptom score following birch nasal allergen challenge relative to baseline. Differences in total nasal symptom score areas under the curve (0-1 hour) for subjects treated with REGN5713/14/15 versus those given placebo (day 8: −1.17, P = .001; day 29: −1.18, P = .001; day 57: −0.85, P = .024) and titration SPT with birch difference in area under the curve of mean wheal diameters for subjects treated with REGN5713/14/15 versus placebo (all P < .001) were sustained for ≥2 months; similar results were observed with alder SPT. REGN5713/14/15 was well tolerated. Basophil responsiveness to birch-related allergens was significantly decreased in subjects treated with REGN5713/14/15 versus those given placebo on days 8, 57, and 113 (all P < .01). Conclusions: Single-dose REGN5713/14/15 was well tolerated and provided a rapid (1 week) and durable (2 months) reduction in allergic symptoms after birch allergen nasal allergen challenge, potentially offering a new paradigm for the treatment of birch allergy symptoms

LINKER-MM1 study: Linvoseltamab (REGN5458) in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma

8006 Background: Linvoseltamab is a BCMA×CD3 bispecific antibody with encouraging efficacy and a manageable safety profile in patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) (Bumma et al. ASH 2022). Two Phase (Ph) 2 full dose cohorts (50 mg and 200 mg) in the LINKER-MM1 (NCT03761108) trial were studied to optimize dose selection. Methods: Ph 2 enrolled adults with MM who progressed on/after ≥3 lines of therapy (LoT) including a proteasome inhibitor (PI), an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD), and an anti-CD38 antibody (Ab), or were at least triple class (IMiD/PI/anti-CD38 Ab) refractory. A protocol amendment permitted pts who progressed during 4–12 wks on 50 mg to dose escalate to 200 mg. Primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Key secondary endpoints included duration of response (DoR) and minimal residual disease status. Results: As of 1 Sept 2022, 252 pts have enrolled (Ph 1: 73; Ph 2: 179 [200 mg: 75; 50 mg: 104]). Median age was 66 yrs (range 37–90), 12% had extramedullary plasmacytomas, 12% high-risk cytogenetics, 37% bone marrow plasma cell percentage (BMPC) ≥50%. Median soluble BCMA concentration (sBCMA) was 0.43 mg/L (range 0–10.2), median prior LoT: 5 (range 1–16), and 81% were ≥triple class refractory. Numerically higher efficacy was observed with 200mg, including in high disease burden subgroups; ORR was 64% (200 mg cohort; n = 58, includes 12 Ph 1 pts) and 50% (50 mg cohort; n = 104). Subgroup analyses showed higher ORR in the 200 mg cohort versus 50 mg for sBCMA ≥0.4 mg/L (52% vs 37%), BMPC > 67% (64% vs 35%) and revised ISS stage III (71% vs 27%). Median DoR was not reached for both cohorts (median follow-up: 2.3 months [200 mg], 4.7 months [50 mg]). Probability of maintaining response at 6 months was 89% (200 mg) and 85% (50 mg). Eight pts dose escalated from 50 to 200 mg; 6 (75%) achieved a response. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 95% (Grade [Gr] ≥3: 66%) of pts in the 200 mg cohort (n = 87, includes 12 Ph 1 pts) and 100% (Gr ≥3: 80%) in the 50 mg cohort. The most common TEAEs were cytokine release syndrome (200 mg: 37% [Gr 3: 1%]; 50 mg: 53% [Gr 3: 2%]), fatigue (200 mg: 32% [Gr ≥3: 0]; 50 mg: 33% [Gr ≥3: 0]) and anemia (200 mg: 28% [Gr ≥3: 24%]; 50 mg: 40% [Gr ≥3: 36%]). Grade ≥3 ICANS occurred in 2 pts (2%) in the 200 mg cohort and 1 pt (1%) in the 50 mg cohort. TEAEs leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 7% (200 mg cohort) and 8% (50 mg cohort) of pts. Infections occurred in 43% (Gr ≥3: 26%) in the 200 mg cohort and 59% (Gr ≥3: 31%) in the 50 mg cohort. Conclusions: Linvoseltamab 200 mg showed better efficacy compared with 50 mg, including in pts with high disease burden. The 200 mg dose had consistent efficacy across high-risk subgroups and induced responses in pts who progressed on 50 mg. Safety was consistent across Ph 2 doses. The recommended linvoseltamab dose for further development is 200 mg. Updated data with longer follow-up and complete enrollment of the 200 mg cohort will be presented at the meeting. Clinical trial information: NCT03761108

Novel antibody cocktail targeting Bet v 1 rapidly and sustainably treats birch allergy symptoms in a phase 1 study

Background: The efficacy of an allergen-specific IgG cocktail to treat cat allergy suggests that allergen-specific IgG may be a major protective mechanism elicited by allergen immunotherapy. Objectives: Extending these findings, we tested a Bet v 1–specific antibody cocktail in birch-allergic subjects. Methods: This was a phase 1, randomized, double-blind, study with 2 parts. Part A administered ascending doses of the Bet v 1–specific antibody cocktail REGN5713/14/15 (150-900 mg) in 32 healthy adults. Part B administered a single subcutaneous 900-mg dose or placebo in 64 birch-allergic subjects. Total nasal symptom score response to titrated birch extract nasal allergen challenge and skin prick test (SPT) with birch and alder allergen were assessed at screening and days 8, 29, 57, and 113 (SPT only); basophil activation tests (n = 26) were conducted. Results: Single-dose REGN5713/14/15 significantly reduced total nasal symptom score following birch nasal allergen challenge relative to baseline. Differences in total nasal symptom score areas under the curve (0-1 hour) for subjects treated with REGN5713/14/15 versus those given placebo (day 8: −1.17, P = .001; day 29: −1.18, P = .001; day 57: −0.85, P = .024) and titration SPT with birch difference in area under the curve of mean wheal diameters for subjects treated with REGN5713/14/15 versus placebo (all P < .001) were sustained for ≥2 months; similar results were observed with alder SPT. REGN5713/14/15 was well tolerated. Basophil responsiveness to birch-related allergens was significantly decreased in subjects treated with REGN5713/14/15 versus those given placebo on days 8, 57, and 113 (all P < .01). Conclusions: Single-dose REGN5713/14/15 was well tolerated and provided a rapid (1 week) and durable (2 months) reduction in allergic symptoms after birch allergen nasal allergen challenge, potentially offering a new paradigm for the treatment of birch allergy symptoms