Comparison of 60 or 90 mg/m(2) of daunorubicin in induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia with intermediate or unfavorable cytogenetics

Venetoclax plus daunorubicin and cytarabine in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia patients: A propensity score-matched analysis

Venetoclax plus 3 + 7 daunorubicin and cytarabine chemotherapy (DAV) has shown safety and efficacy in eligible patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, there are no direct comparisons between DAV and 3 + 7 daunorubicin and cytarabine chemotherapy (DA) alone. We performed a propensity score-matched analysis to compare the outcomes of DAV group with historical DA group and identify the clinical and molecular characteristics of patients who might benefit from the DAV regimen. The DAV group had a higher Complete remission (CR) rate than the DA group (90% vs. 55%, p = 0.008). 25 (96%) patients in the DAV group had a higher MRD-negative CRc rate compared with 13 (62%) patients in the DA group (p = 0.006). After a median follow-up duration of 19.15 (IQR 17.13-21.67) months, the DAV group had an improved overall survival (p = 0.001) and event-free survival (p = 0.069), but not disease-free survival (p = 0.136). Collectively, DAV regimen induced high CR rates and deep MRD-negative CRc rates after one cycle of induction therapy, as well as prolonged the overall survival, in young adult patients with AML who were eligible for intensive chemotherapy. The addition of venetoclax to intensive chemotherapy should be considered in the future to achieve better survival advantages in eligible AML patients.

Phase II study of cladribine, idarubicin, and ara-C (CLIA) with or without sorafenib as initial therapy for patients with acute myeloid leukemia

The addition of cladribine, or sorafenib to standard chemotherapy have each demonstrated improved survival in patients with newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We studied the combination of cladribine, idarubicin, and intermediate-dose cytarabine (CLIA) in patients ≤65 years of age with newly diagnosed AML, fit to receive intensive therapy. Cladribine (5 mg/m2) IV was administered on days (D)1-5, cytarabine (1 g/m2) on D1-5, and idarubicin (10 mg/m2) on D1-3. Sorafenib was added to the CLIA backbone for patients with FLT3-ITD mutated AML. 80 patients were enrolled: 65 with newly diagnosed AML and 15 with AML arising from previously treated MDS (ts-AML). The median age was 55 years (range, 21-65). CR + CRi was 83% (54/65) and 27% in the untreated and ts-AML cohorts, respectively; 74% and 75% of responding patients, respectively, had undetectable measurable residual disease (MRD). Among patients with FLT3-ITD mutated AML receiving CLIA+sorafenib, the CR + CRi rate was 95%, with 81% negative for MRD. With a median follow-up of 76 months, the 2- and 4-year OS of 57% and 50% compared to 20%, and 13% for ts-AML, respectively. Patients treated with CLIA+sorafenib had 2- and 5-year OS rates of 63% and 59%, respectively. The most common Grade ≥3 adverse events were infection/fever, elevated bilirubin, rash, and nausea. CLIA was safe and effective in young, fit patients with newly diagnosed AML with inferior outcomes among patients with ts-AML. The addition of sorafenib to CLIA in FLT3-ITD mutated AML resulted in high rates of durable remission and excellent long-term survival.

Paradigm Shift in the Management of Acute Myeloid Leukemia-Approved Options in 2023

The word Leukemia was coined nearly 200 years ago by Rudolf Virchow. Once a death sentence, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is now a treatable condition. The introduction of "7 + 3" chemotherapy, originally reported from the Roswell Park Memorial institute in Buffalo, New York, in 1973, changed the treatment paradigm for AML. About twenty-seven years later, FDA approved the first targeted agent, gemtuzumab, to be added to this backbone. During the last seven years, we have had ten new drugs approved for the management of patients with AML. Work by many dedicated scientists led to AML achieving the elite status of being the first cancer to have the whole genome sequenced using next-generation sequencing. In the year 2022, we witnessed the introduction of new classification systems for AML by the international consensus classification and the world health organization, both emphasizing molecular classification of the disease. In addition, the introduction of agents such as venetoclax and targeted therapies have changed the treatment paradigm in older patients ineligible for intensive therapy. In this review, we cover the rationale and evidence behind these regimens and provide insights into the newer agents.

Venetoclax combined with daunorubicin and cytarabine (2 + 6) as induction treatment in adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia: a phase 2, multicenter, single-arm trial

BACKGROUND

Venetoclax (Ven) combined with intensive chemotherapy was proven effective in the management of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the severe and prolonged myelosuppression remains a concern to worry about. To explore more appropriate combination regimens, we designed Ven combining daunorubicin and cytarabine (DA 2 + 6) regimen as induction therapy, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety in adults de novo AML.

METHODS

A phase 2 clinical trial was performed in 10 Chinese hospitals to investigate Ven combined with daunorubicin and cytarabine (DA 2 + 6) in patients with AML. The primary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR), comprising of complete remission (CR), complete remission with incomplete blood cell count recovery (CRi), and partial response (PR). Secondary endpoints included measurable residual disease (MRD) of bone marrow assessed by flow cytometry, overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and the safety of regimens. This study is a currently ongoing trial listed on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry as ChiCTR2200061524.

RESULTS

Overall, 42 patients were enrolled from January 2022 to November 2022; 54.8% (23/42) were male, and the median age was 40 (range, 16-60) years. The ORR after one cycle of induction was 92.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 91.6-94.1; 39/42) with a composite complete response rate (CR + CRi) 90.5% (95% CI, 89.3-91.6, CR 37/42, CRi 1/42). Moreover, 87.9% (29/33) of the CR patients with undetectable MRD (95% CI, 84.9-90.8). Grade 3 or worse adverse effects included neutropenia (100%), thrombocytopenia (100%), febrile neutropenia (90.5%), and one mortality. The median neutrophil and platelet recovery times were 13 (5-26) and 12 (8-26) days, respectively. Until Jan 30, 2023, the estimated 12-month OS, EFS, and DFS rates were 83.1% (95% CI, 78.8-87.4), 82.7% (95% CI, 79.4-86.1), and 92.0% (95% CI, 89.8-94.3), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Ven with DA (2 + 6) is a highly effective and safe induction therapy for adults with newly diagnosed AML. To the best of our knowledge, this induction therapy has the shortest myelosuppressive period but has similar efficacy to previous studies.

Venetoclax plus intensive chemotherapy with cladribine, idarubicin, and cytarabine in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome: a cohort from a single-centre, single-arm, phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND

Addition of the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax to lower intensity therapy has been shown to improve overall survival in older (aged 75 years or older) and unfit patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of venetoclax combined with intensive chemotherapy in patients aged 65 years or younger with acute myeloid leukaemia.

METHODS

This cohort study was done at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in the USA, as part of the single-centre, single arm, phase 2, CLIA trial. Here we report on the independent cohort investigating the safety and activity of venetoclax added to intensive chemotherapy (the CLIA regimen [cladribine, high-dose cytarabine, idarubicin]). Eligible patients were aged 18-65 years with a new diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia, mixed phenotype acute leukaemia, or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (≥10% blasts or International Prognostic Scoring System ≥2 [intermediate]), who received no previous potentially curative therapy for leukaemia. Patients received cladribine (5 mg/m²) and cytarabine (1·5 g/m² for patients aged <60 years, 1 g/m² for patients aged ≥60 years) intravenously on days 1-5 and idarubicin (10 mg/m²) intravenously on days 1-3. Consolidation was cladribine (5 mg/m²) and cytarabine (1 g/m² for patients aged <60 years and 0·75 g/m² for patients aged ≥60 years) on days 1-3 and idarubicin (8 mg/m²) on days 1-2. Venetoclax (400 mg) was given on days 2-8 with each course. Patients with a known FLT3-ITD or FLT3-TKD mutation received midostaurin or gilteritinib. The primary outcome was composite complete response (complete response plus complete response with incomplete blood count recovery). Secondary outcomes were overall response, duration of response, event-free survival, overall survival, and safety. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02115295.

FINDINGS

Between Feb 25, 2019, and March 23, 2021, 77 patients were assessed for eligibility, 50 of whom were enrolled. Median age was 48 years (IQR 37-56). 47 (94% [95% CI 83-98]) patients had composite complete response, with the same proportion also having an overall response; two (4% [1-14]) patients did not respond, and one (2% [0-11]) patient died during induction. 37 (82% [95% CI 68-92]) of 45 patients had undetectable measurable residual disease (MRD). At a median follow-up of 13·5 months (IQR 6·4-19·5), the median duration of response, event-free survival, and overall survival were not reached. At 12 months, the estimated duration of response was 74% (95% CI 60-92), event-free survival was 68% (54-85), and overall survival was 85% (75-97). The most common adverse events of grade 3 or worse were febrile neutropenia (42 [84%] patients), infection (six [12%]), and alanine aminotransferase elevations (six [12%]). There was one death during induction in a patient treated with CLIA-venetoclax plus a FLT3 inhibitor. Two patients died of infectious complications while in complete response in consolidation cycles, both of whom had FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukaemia and were receiving combined therapy with a FLT3 inhibitor. No deaths were deemed to be treatment related.

INTERPRETATION

Venetoclax added to CLIA was safe and active in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome, producing high rates of durable MRD-negative remissions and encouraging event-free survival and overall survival.

FUNDING

MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients Who Undergo Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

INTRODUCTION

There is paucity of data regarding the cardiotoxic effects of anthracycline treatment in the context of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who undergo allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Even a transient decrease in cardiac function might affect transplantation outcome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed the clinical records and echocardiography examinations of 78 patients with AML who received induction therapy and underwent HSCT.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients (28%) received daunorubicin at a dose of 90 mg/m² per day and 53 patients (68%) received 60 mg/m² per day or an equivalent dose of idarubicin. In 14 patients (18%) the postinduction ejection fraction declined by at least 10%. This change was temporary in 6 patients and longstanding in the remainder. Patients who developed systolic dysfunction had inferior overall survival (13 months compared with 27 months; P = .013). Patients whose diastolic function deteriorated had improved survival outcome (38 months compared with 17 months; P = .048).

CONCLUSION

Although even transient reduction in systolic function might compromise survival outcome, diastolic dysfunction predicts improved survival in patients with AML who undergo HSCT.

Therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia following treatment of lymphoid malignancies

Therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) is a heterogeneous entity most frequently related to breast cancer or lymphoproliferative diseases (LD). Population-based studies have reported an increased risk of t-AML after treatment of lymphomas. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcome of 80 consecutive cases of t-AML following treatment of LD. t-AML accounted for 2.3% of all AML cases, occurred 60 months after LD diagnosis, and were characterized by a high frequency of FAB M6 AML and poor-risk cytogenetic abnormalities. Time to t-AML diagnosis was influenced by patient age, type of LD, and treatment. Among the 48 t-AML patients treated with intensive chemotherapy, median overall survival (OS) was 7.7 months compared to 26.1 months in de novo, 4.2 months in post-myeloproliferative neoplasm, 9.4 months in post-myelodysplastic syndrome, 8.6 months in post-chronic myelomonocytic leukemia AML, 13.4 months in t-AML secondary to the treatment of solid cancer, and 14.7 months in breast cancer only. OS of post-LD t-AML patients was significantly influenced by age, performance status, myelodysplastic syndrome prior to LD/t-AML, and treatment regimen for LD. Thus, t-AML following lymphoid malignancies treatment should be considered as very high-risk secondary AML. New treatment strategies in patients with LD/t-AML are needed urgently.

Improved outcome for AML patients over the years 2000-2014

Few recent studies from registries have reported an improvement in overall survival of younger patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, reasons for this improvement are not defined. We analyzed the therapeutic course and outcome of 976 patients treated by intensive chemotherapy between 2000 and 2014. The number of patients receiving allogeneic stem cell transplantation in first or second response significantly increased over time whereas autologous transplantation was progressively abandoned. In the 513 younger patients, there were no differences in first complete response, induction failure, incidence of relapse, or non-relapse mortality over time. The period of time was significantly associated with a better overall survival especially in 2010–2014. The 2010–2014 period effect was still significant in multivariate analysis and was independent of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. In the 463 older patients, there was a significant interaction between the period and leukocytosis in multivariate analysis meaning that the 2010–2014 period had only an impact in patients with white blood cell count >50 giga/L for response and overall survival. Progresses have been made in each phase of the therapeutic course of younger AML patients resulting in survival improvement. In older patients, the outcome of hyperleukocytic patients has significantly improved in 2010–2014.

Daunorubicin 90 mg/m2 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Induction: Increased Toxicity in Young Patients

BACKGROUND

The combination of an anthracycline and cytosine arabinoside has been the standard induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia for more than 3 decades. The clinical benefit of intensification of the daunorubicin dose to 90 mg/m² has been supported by randomized trials. Based on these promising results, in 2010 we changed our induction protocol of acute myeloid leukemia, increasing the dose of daunorubicin.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the treatment outcome of patients treated with high-dose daunorubicin (90 mg/m² on days 1-3) and cytosine arabinoside (200 mg/m²/day continuous infusion on days 1-7) compared with patients receiving 45 to 60 mg/m² of daunorubicin. Twenty-six previously untreated patients younger than 60 years of age were included. Twelve received high-dose daunorubicin (HD) and 14 the low-dose (LD). Seventeen patients were in complete remission after 1 induction cycle.

RESULTS

There was no overall difference in complete remission rate between HD and LD (66% vs. 64%; P = 1.0). Thirty-day induction mortality was 15.3% overall, with a nonsignificant difference between groups (25% vs. 7.1%; P = .3). Relapses were observed in 9 (53%) patients: 3 (37.5%) in the HD group and in 6 (66.6%) in the LD group (P = .34). Invasive fungal disease (41.6% vs. 0%; P = .012), creatinine elevation (P = .001), abdominal pain (33% vs. 0%; P = .033), and need for intensive care unit admission (33.3% vs. 0%; P = .033) were more frequent in the HD group. Four patients in the HD group developed neutropenic enterocolitis (P = .033).

CONCLUSION

These data indicate that 90 mg/m² of daunorubicin increased the toxicity compared with lower doses.

[Analysis of the safety and efficacy of 60 mg·m-2·d-1daunorubicin combined with standard dose of cytarabine as induction therapy in acute myeloid leukemia patients under 65 years old]

Objective: To evaluate the long- term safety and efficacy of high- dose daunorubicin(DNR)(60 mg·m-2·d-1)combined with standard dose of cytarabine(DA)as induction therapy in patients under 65 years old with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia(AML). Methods: The complete remission(CR)rate, disease free survival(DFS), overall survival(OS)and side effects of therapy were retrospectively assayed in 116 patients with newly diagnosed AML who were younger than 65 years old and received daunorubicin(60 mg · m-2·d-1)combined with cytarabine(Ara- C 200 mg ·m-2·d-1)as induction therapy at Peking Union Medical College Hospital during July 2012 to February 2016. Results: Of 116 patients, 78 cases(67.2%)achieved CR after first course of induction treatment, 94(81.0%)achieved CR after two courses of induction, and early death occurred in only 3 patients(2.6%)during the first course of induction treatment. Only 1 patient had asymptomatic decreased ejection fraction after 6 months of induction treatment. Eighty nine patients received 1 to 4 courses of consolidation. With a median follow-up of 24(1-46)months, the median DFS was 25 months and median OS was not achieved yet. Cox regression multifactor analysis showed genetics risk groups was the only risk factor for DFS(HR=0.258, 95% CI 0.100- 0.664, P=0.005), while genetics risk groups(HR=0.309, 95% CI 0.126- 0.756, P=0.010)and whether patients received more than one cycle of high dose of Ara-C as consolidation therapy(HR= 0.370, 95% CI 0.179- 0.765, P=0.007)were independent factors associated with OS. Conclusions: In young adults with AML, intensifying induction therapy with a high daily dose of daunorubicin(60 mg/m2)could improve the rate of complete remission without obvious side effects.