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Shahswar R, Ganser A. Relapse and resistance in acute myeloid leukemia post venetoclax: improving second lines therapy and combinations. Expert Rev Hematol 2024; 17:723-739. [PMID: 39246164 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2024.2402283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 09/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The combined use of the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax with azacitidine now is the standard of care for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) unfit for intensive chemotherapy with outcomes exceeding those achieved with hypomethylating agents alone. Venetoclax in combination with intensive chemotherapy is also increasingly used both as frontline as well as salvage therapy. However, resistance to and relapse after venetoclax-based therapies are of major concern and outcomes after treatment failure remain poor. AREAS COVERED A comprehensive search was performed using PubMed database (up to April 2024). Studies evaluating venetoclax-based combination treatments in AML and studies assessing markers of response and resistance to venetoclax were investigated. We summarize the status of venetoclax-based therapies in the frontline and relapsed/refractory setting with focus on the main mechanisms of resistance to BCL-2 inhibition. Further, strategies to overcome resistance including combinatorial regimens of hypomethylating agent (HMA) + venetoclax + inhibitors targeting actionable mutations like IDH1/2 or FLT3-ITD and the introduction of novel agents like menin-inhibitors are addressed. EXPERT OPINION Although venetoclax is reshaping the treatment of unfit and fit AML patients, prognosis of patients after HMA/VEN failure remains dismal, and strategies to abrogate primary and secondary resistance are an unmet clinical need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Shahswar
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Arnold Ganser
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Tamellini E, Simio C, Bernardelli A, Ferrarini I, Vatteroni A, Moioli A, Macaluso V, Marchetti E, Tanasi I. Successful rechallenge with azacytidine and venetoclax after sustained treatment-free remission in a relapsed acute myeloid leukemia patient: a case report. Ann Hematol 2024:10.1007/s00277-024-05922-6. [PMID: 39096371 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-024-05922-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Combined therapy with venetoclax and hypomethylating agents has significantly improved the outcome of unfit patients ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. A recently published exploratory analysis of the VIALE-A trial reported that up to 51% of patients achieving remission survived more than 2 years. These data along with those from reallife settings, lead to questioning how long it is appropriate to continue treatment in long-term survivors. Accordingly, recent retrospective studies suggested the feasibility of suspending therapy in selected patients while maintaining prolonged responses. Also, these studies showed that retreatment may induce a second remission in almost a third of patients. We report the case of a patient who received salvage therapy with venetoclax and azacytidine, that was discontinued few cycles after blasts clearance because of severe hematological toxicity. Despite suspension, he maintained a sustained response lasting almost one year and was successfully retreated with the same combination when a second relapse occurred.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Tamellini
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, Section of Hematology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
| | - C Simio
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, Section of Hematology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - A Bernardelli
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - I Ferrarini
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, Section of Hematology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - A Vatteroni
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, Section of Hematology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - A Moioli
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, Section of Hematology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - V Macaluso
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, Section of Hematology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - E Marchetti
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, Section of Hematology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - I Tanasi
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, Verona, Italy.
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Tiong IS, Hiwase DK, Abro E, Bajel A, Palfreyman E, Beligaswatte A, Reynolds J, Anstee N, Nguyen T, Loo S, Chua CC, Ashby M, Wiltshire KM, Fleming S, Fong CY, Teh TC, Blombery P, Dillon R, Ivey A, Wei AH. Targeting Molecular Measurable Residual Disease and Low-Blast Relapse in AML With Venetoclax and Low-Dose Cytarabine: A Prospective Phase II Study (VALDAC). J Clin Oncol 2024; 42:2161-2173. [PMID: 38427924 PMCID: PMC11191043 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.01599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE A prospective phase II study examined the safety and efficacy of venetoclax combined with low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) in AML at first measurable residual disease (MRD) or oligoblastic relapse. METHODS Patients with either MRD (≥1 log10 rise) or oligoblastic relapse (blasts 5%-15%) received venetoclax 600 mg once daily D1-28 plus LDAC once daily D1-10 in 28-day cycles. The primary objective was MRD response in the MRD relapse cohort or complete remission (CR/CRh/CRi) in the oligoblastic relapse cohort. RESULTS Forty-eight adults with either MRD (n = 26) or oligoblastic (n = 22) relapse were enrolled. Median age was 67 years (range, 18-80) and 94% had received previous intensive chemotherapy. Patients received a median of four cycles of therapy; 17% completed ≥12 cycles. Patients with oligoblastic relapse had more grade ≥3 anemia (32% v 4%; P = .02) and infections (36% v 8%; P = .03), whereas grade 4 neutropenia (32 v 23%) or thrombocytopenia (27 v 15%) were comparable with the MRD relapse cohort. Markers of molecular MRD relapse included mutant NPM1 (77%), CBFB::MYH11 (4%), RUNX1::RUNX1T1 (4%), or KMT2A::MLLT3 (4%). Three patients with a log10 rise in IDH1/2 (12%) were included. By cycle 2 in the MRD relapse cohort, a log10 reduction in MRD was observed in 69%; 46% achieved MRD negative remission. In the oligoblastic relapse cohort, 73% achieved CR/CRh/CRi. Overall, 21 (44%) underwent hematopoietic cell transplantation. Median overall survival (OS) was not reached in either cohort. Estimated 2-year OS rate was 67% (95% CI, 50 to 89) in the MRD and 53% (95% CI, 34 to 84) in the oligoblastic relapse cohorts. CONCLUSION For AML in first remission and either MRD or oligoblastic relapse, venetoclax plus LDAC is well tolerated and highly effective.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Aged
- Middle Aged
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/mortality
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Neoplasm, Residual
- Cytarabine/administration & dosage
- Sulfonamides/administration & dosage
- Sulfonamides/adverse effects
- Adult
- Female
- Male
- Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/administration & dosage
- Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/adverse effects
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects
- Aged, 80 and over
- Prospective Studies
- Nucleophosmin
- Young Adult
- Adolescent
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Affiliation(s)
- Ing Soo Tiong
- The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Devendra K. Hiwase
- Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Emad Abro
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ashish Bajel
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Ashanka Beligaswatte
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, Australia
| | - John Reynolds
- The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Natasha Anstee
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tamia Nguyen
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sun Loo
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- The Northern Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Chong Chyn Chua
- The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- The Northern Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael Ashby
- The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Shaun Fleming
- The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Chun Y. Fong
- Austin Health and Olivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tse-Chieh Teh
- The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Box Hill Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Piers Blombery
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Richard Dillon
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College, London, United Kingdom
- Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Ivey
- The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrew H. Wei
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
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Chan O, Walker AR. Novel therapies upon failure of HMA plus venetoclax. HEMATOLOGY. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. EDUCATION PROGRAM 2023; 2023:702-708. [PMID: 38066883 PMCID: PMC10727075 DOI: 10.1182/hematology.2023000456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy and tolerability of the combination of hypomethylating agents with venetoclax (HMA-VEN) in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia has been a practice-changing milestone in the field. However, treatment failure and relapse remain major barriers to prolonged survival. TP53 mutation is a predictor of primary induction failure and portends especially poor outcomes. Prelinical data suggest that VEN resistance stems from these genetic changes, which lead to increases in antiapoptotic proteins such as MCL-1 and BCLXL. For patients who discontinue HMA-VEN for reasons other than disease progression, such as post allotransplantation, infection, and personal preference, rechallenge with HMA-VEN at the time of relapse may be considered. For those who progress on HMA-VEN, clinical trials with novel agents or rational drug combinations are preferred if available. If no trial option is available, fit patients may benefit from intensive chemotherapy. Emerging therapies aim to overcome venetoclax resistance, target interactions that promote leukemogenesis, and harness the immune system to irradicate leukemic blasts and stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onyee Chan
- Department of Malignant Hematology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Alison R Walker
- Department of Malignant Hematology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
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Neuendorff NR, Gagelmann N, Singhal S, Meckstroth S, Thibaud V, Zhao Y, Mir N, Shih YY, Amaro DMC, Roy M, Lombardo J, Gjærde LK, Loh KP. Hypomethylating agent-based therapies in older adults with acute myeloid leukemia - A joint review by the Young International Society of Geriatric Oncology and European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Trainee Committee. J Geriatr Oncol 2023; 14:101406. [PMID: 36435726 PMCID: PMC10106360 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with poor outcomes in older adults. A major goal of treatment is to balance quality of life and functional independence with disease control. With the approval of new, more tolerable regimens, more older adults are able to receive AML-directed therapy. Among these options are hypomethylating agents (HMAs), specifically azacitidine and decitabine. HMAs have become an integral part of AML therapy over the last two decades. These agents are used either as monotherapy or nowadays more commonly in combination with other agents such as the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax. Biological AML characteristics, such as molecular and cytogenetic risk factors, play crucial roles in guiding treatment decisions. In patients with high-risk AML, HMAs are increasingly used rather than intensive chemotherapy, although further trials based on a risk-adapted approach using patient- and disease-related factors are needed. Here, we review trials and evidence for the use of HMA monotherapy and combination therapy in the management of older adults with AML. Furthermore, we discuss the use of HMAs and HMA combination therapies in AML, mechanisms of action, their incorporation into hematopoietic stem cell transplantation strategies, and their use in patients with comorbidities and reduced organ function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Rosa Neuendorff
- Clinic for Hematology and Stem-Cell Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, D-45147 Essen, Germany.
| | - Nico Gagelmann
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Surbhi Singhal
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shelby Meckstroth
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Vincent Thibaud
- Department of Hematology, Hôpital Saint-Vincent, Université Catholique de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of General, Visceral, Cancer and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Nabiel Mir
- Section of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Yung-Yu Shih
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Clinic Favoriten Vienna, Austria
| | - Danielle M C Amaro
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mukul Roy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Joseph Lombardo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lars Klingen Gjærde
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kah Poh Loh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
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Sevindik OG, Mergen M, Mergen S, Mutlu YG, Aydın BB, Serin I. To rechallenge or not to rechallenge, that is the question? An unsuccessful attempt of hypomethylating agent plus venetoclax in an elderly FLT3-positive relapsed acute myeloid leukemia patient after a yearlong period of remission. Ann Hematol 2022; 101:2545-2547. [PMID: 35906348 PMCID: PMC9361949 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-022-04938-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Omur Gokmen Sevindik
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Hematology, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mahmut Mergen
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Hematology, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sena Mergen
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Hematology, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yasa Gul Mutlu
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Hematology, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Berrin Balık Aydın
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Hematology, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Istemi Serin
- Department of Hematology, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Org.Nafiz GURMAN Cad., 34098 Fatih Istanbul, Turkey
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Othman TA, Tenold ME, Moskoff BN, Azenkot T, Jonas BA. An evaluation of venetoclax in combination with azacitidine, decitabine, or low-dose cytarabine as therapy for acute myeloid leukemia. Expert Rev Hematol 2021; 14:407-417. [PMID: 34076549 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2021.1938533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) ineligible for conventional chemotherapy have historically received low-intensity treatments, if any, and have had dismal outcomes. Recent phase III data have demonstrated significant efficacy of venetoclax-based combinations and have begun to address the unmet need in this patient population. As venetoclax-based combinations become increasingly used in the clinical setting, it is important to understand their development, current use, and future directions. AREAS COVERED This review covers the clinical development of venetoclax-based combinations for the management of AML, and their current and future use. A search of PubMed and ashpublications.org using the keywords 'venetoclax', 'AML', and 'hypomethylating agents' as the search terms was undertaken to identify the most pertinent publications. EXPERT OPINION While venetoclax-based combinations have shown excellent responses and improved survival in patients with untreated AML, further studies are required to understand how to expand on their frontline use, manage patients who fail venetoclax-based combinations, and their true efficacy in the relapsed/refractory setting. Management of AML with venetoclax-based combinations is expected to evolve over the next few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamer A Othman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Matthew E Tenold
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin N Moskoff
- Pharmacy Department, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Tali Azenkot
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Brian A Jonas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
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